Friday, Trip to Oyugis

Friday morning we woke up in the new Mission to the Fatherless facility, Kakamega. Mr. Rotich, from Musinde Muliro University, Engineering Department, was here to discuss installing "chicos" in the cooking area. These would replace the open fires that are currently being used. The chicos can burn firewood or charcoal. They will be more efficient and reduce the amount of smoke the cooks are exposed to. I think the project will start Tuesday.

Geofrey Ondanga and his wife, Rose, the artists Gail met on her previous visits, stopped by with a collection of banana leaf pictures. He was able to sign the prints of his drawing, "Infected," that we had made in Akron to sell. Geofrey's prints are for sale on the Mission to the Fatherless website. Part of the profits will go to support the orphans.

After breakfast, we loaded up the van with luggage and people, and headed south to Ouygis, where the second Mission to the Fatherless orphanage is located. The road from Kakamega is very rough, but Charles did a good job avoiding the holes, speed bumps, and oncoming traffic. We stopped in Kisumu to change money and decided to have lunch at the Imperial Hotel. Wendy was so excited, as Tilapia was on the menu. Kisumu is located on Lake Victoria which is famous for Tilapia. She decided on the buffet, and got a head and middle section of the fish. Fish is usually served whole in Kenya. The eyes are considered a delicacy, or at least that is what we were told. Wendy looked at the fish, and the fish looked back at Wendy, but she persevered and ate that eyeball. Her expression was all I needed to tell me she did not consider it a delicacy. I ordered a tomato and cucumber sandwich.

The two-lane road from Kisumu to Oyugis was very smooth, a superhighway by Kenyan standards. We arrived at the home in the middle of a heavy downpour and were greeted by enthusiastic children and Douglas and Beatrice. Supposedly it rarely rains in Oyugis. Well, we are rarely in Oyugis, so I suppose that is why it rained.

After supper, we got out the guitars and dulcimer and played a couple of songs for the children. We were all crammed into a small living/dining room, twnety some kids, the 9 of us, and a few more. The kids started singing and dancing to Hava Nagila, using traditional Luo dances. They caught on to the first phrase, hava nagila, and used it throughout the song, at full volume. It was accompanied by screaming and whistling as well. Then the children sang some songs for us, and recited some poetry. It was a great time for all.

Afterwards, Sarah and Lisa got out some beads they had brought along and involved all of the children in a beading activity. Everyone had a new necklace or bracelet when bedtime came. Time to rest. After all, it is Shabbat!

Epilogue: Around 11:30, I had just turned out the light, arranged my mosquito net, pulled up the covers, and closed my eyes, when the building began to shake. I have been in a few earthquakes, so I recognized the signs. I did not move, wondering if this was going to be strong enough to do any damage, if if it would be a gentle shake that ended quickly. Fortunately, it ended after about 10 or 15 seconds. Earthquakes are quite common in this area.

Note to self: investigate the appropriate course of action when feeling the signs of an earthquake.