A Weekend In Kisumu and Lwanda

Hello!
I hope all is well back at home. We just had our "fall break" this past weekend, so I used the four days as wisely as possible and went back "home." Monica came with me and thoroughly enjoyed her first experience in rural Kenya. We traveled overnight by bus from Nairobi to Kisumu, where Fred picked us up on Saturday morning. We spent the day with Mary and Esther while Fred went home for a funeral.

Mary and I have become really good friends. We can laugh about anything, and I love that she is so open when it comes to talking about Kenya. We had a really interesting conversation about polygamy and women in the marriage context. In the West, we hear very little about the reality, functions, and negative outcomes of polygamy, so it is a blessing to be able to learn from someone I really look up to. Monica also enjoyed getting to know Mary and she became friends with the Odhiambos.

On Sunday we went to church, visited Syprose and Elisha in Kisumu, and cooked chapati with Mary in the evening. Next time I am preparing the chapati alone as a test of my ability, haha. I'll be making them in the U.S.

On Monday we traveled to Lwanda and stayed in George's house for the night. Monica and I couldn't believe how green that side of Kenya was. It was such an incredible contrast to the dust bowl where I stay in Athi River. The farmers are happy because they will likely get a second harvest. It was nice to see streams, rivers, red clay, and fields. What a beautiful area. In the afternoon we met with some teachers at the school to discuss the feasibility of electricity or solar power for Lwanda school. It was the beginning of my research for my final paper for my Appropriate Technology class, where I hope to conclude whether or not solar panels are ideal for Lwanda.

On Tuesday, we had a wonderful lunch: chapati and lentils, and headed back to Kisumu. Upon arriving at the market near Fred's home, Monica injured her foot as we were getting out of the matatu. We aren't sure exactly what is wrong, because we haven't recieved the x-ray results, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is fractured. It might be a sprain, although she is still in a LOT of pain, even after taking lots of pain medication. We got a ride from someone to a hospital in Kisumu, but they really did nothing for her and she continued to feel pain. Wednesday morning, we came back to Nairobi on an eight hour bus ride and got a taxi to a better hospital here. My poor friend is mostly just in her room and I've been taking good care of her and doing everything I can for her. The school had a crappy wheelchair, but this campus is barely wheelchair accessible and she was given the wrong type of crutches (not the armpit ones), so those are dysfunctional as well. Pray for her. Thanks to Fred and Mary for their hospitality and support for Monica.

Take care. More photos on facebook.

Pictured above:
1)The fig tree
2)Martin and sister-in-law Naomi and her daughter Mazi
3)A green view, however it doesn't show the mountains and hills
4)Martin's father's first wife outside her home