Wednesday, June 10: Nothing happened today

Well, some things happened, but it was a pretty slow day. Gail went to the hospital, but more of that later.

The morning began with Gail and I visiting Pine Breeze school which is just beyond the MTTF compound. Some of the MTTF children attend there. We needed to talk to Jeffrey, the music teacher I met a few days ago, about when he wanted us to come to his music class. The guard at the front gate, showed us to the HT (Head Teacher's) office. The woman that greeted us was all business. She did not seem to know who Jeffrey was. In fact, she gave the impression that she did not know of any music teacher. Gail asked to speak with one of the children from Mission to the Fatherless. The woman said, "I will get one of the Fatherless children." She called for Clinton, who helped her understand that we were looking for the music teacher. She must not have understood our accent? She mentioned the name, Gideon, then walked off to find him.

Soon, a man we had never seen before came around the side of the classrooms. He was the music teacher. We said we were looking for Jeffrey. He replied, "Jeffrey?" as if he had never heard of the name before. We talked a bit more, and then he set off saying he would get him. Communication is often difficult in Kakamega. It appears that with many people, English only partially communicates what you mean, and it takes multiple attempts to be sure you are understood. Be especially careful when people nod their heads in agreement. It usually means they have no idea what you are saying.

A few minutes later, Jeffrey walked around the corner. We were glad to finally find him and we confirmed that he would stop by MTTF later that day. We had originally planned to come to his class, but the students had two days of exams scheduled, so the only opportunity was after school.

All of that settled, Gail and I walked back for breakfast. A bit later, Timothy showed up. He wanted to confirm some details regarding our upcoming trip to Mombasa. We are bringing Christine and Timothy with us so they can visit friends and have a break from their church ministry. We chatted for some time, and then we remembered we wanted to introduce him to Geofrey. I called Geofrey, and he said he would be right over (which means in an hour as he had to walk).

Geofrey arrived in time for lunch and he and Timothy had a very good talk. Geofrey was interested in Timothy's contacts in Mombasa, and Timothy was interested in encouraging an artist, telling him to think a little bigger than peddling his art on the street. It turned out Timothy and Geofrey are from the same tribe, and had some other connections. Timothy used to buy and sell things in Mombasa, so he was very in tune with what Geofrey was facing. He had a lot of advice to give. In the end, Timothy agreed to check some shops in Mombasa to see if they had any banana leaf pictures similar to Geofrey's, and if Geofrey wanted to visit he would find a place for him to stay. Everything was very encouraging. I think the meeting was a good one, and hope it helps Geofrey find more ways to market his work.

Oh, I almost forgot about Gail going to the hospital. Just before Geofrey arrived, Brian walked into the dining room. Brian grew up at MTTF and is now independent. He wanted to take Gail and Evey and Sarah and Lisa to visit his mom, Hedwig. Hedwig works at a hospital just south of Kakamega. They took a matatu there and back. His mom gave them a two hour tour of the hospital. It was a very big place. Afterwards they went to her home for lunch (at 4). When they got in the matatu to come home, Gail gave the conductor 200 KSH (the fare was 40 KSH). Our experience has been that if you do not have correct change, and you are a mazungo, you are simply overcharged. The conductor hopped to let someone out. When he hopped back in, he ignored Gail, and began to look at the others for their fares. Gail told him, "that was for five of us." He was a bit surprised, then disappointed, and finally, defeated. The ride home was otherwise uneventful.

The music class showed up at MTTF after school, and we sang Hodu several times through so the girls could learn a harmony part and the boys the melody. Jeffrey was hoping I would provide him with a keyboard. He had mentioned a keyboard the last time I had talked with him, but I did not understand that he wanted me to get him one. Then he said Duncan told him there was one at MTTF. Indeed, the church has a keyboard. It was not mine to lend, but I did say he could ask Charles if they might use it to prepare for the upcoming music competition. I wonder what the school's music class is really like? I cannot imagine a music classroom with no piano.

After supper, I was caught at the homework tables answering math questions. Do you know how hard it is to explain the difference between 4 and 0.4? Try explaining the difference to someone that speaks Swahili as their first language, and speaks the Queen's English as their second. Add an onlooker that keeps offering help in Swahili. It was very interesting. Bed time came just in time.