Arrived in Kitale; Luggage Comes Later

We made it to Kitale by noon last Monday, warmly greeted by Dawson and his brother Caleb and our friend and church planter, John, from Kakamega.  We were so relieved to learn that Dawson’s poor van, that we’ve experienced breakdowns in many times, has, as he said, “received a new heart” and “new legs.”  I never understood the leg part, but the new heart was in reference to a new engine.  So, now it actually does go faster than 30 and hums like a new car!  So, grateful that we arrived safely, alas, our luggage did not!  Can you imagine?  It has accompanied us all the way from California, to London, to Bydgoszcz, back to London, then to Nairobi, but on this little bitty plane, an hour ride, and our bags did not come with us?!  Not to worry, though, thankfully, we happen to know one of the workers at the Kitale Airport – or rather landing strip - and somehow miraculously all arrived last night after 10.  Yay!  Toothbrush and toothpaste after all! On arrival at where we stay, you can only imagine my complete horror that “our room” had been taken!!  So, we’ve moved into another, not to be outdone by our old room, though.  It has it’s own idiosyncrasies (photo attached; Roger’s ingenuity to use a coathanger I had brought to keep the back of the seat from falling down on you).  Within 10 minutes of getting here, a couple from a nearby town was ready to greet us, excited about the upcoming trainings.  So, after meeting with them, we trekked to do some shopping in the nearby “Walmart,” called Khetia’s.  It’s very relaxed here, warm and green.  Huge birds, perhaps some kind of stork, as always are hanging out in the big trees lining the streets.  There is a big agriculture trade show for the week, so the streets are crowded with lots of people as this is the hub for agriculture for the entire country.  We found ourselves very comfortable in familiar territory as we walked down the streets winding in and out of bicycles, cars, matatus (vans that are buses), and for me, men, as ALL have the right-of-way above me, as a woman.  I glanced in one alleyway where Elizabeth, Dawson’s wife, has a little shop, and there she was waving and beaming at us as we came closer to greet her and see what she is selling today, promising to meet for tea later. After buying a couple of more soccer balls and candy for the kids at the school, we began the search  going in and out of shops trying to find a computer bag for the newly purchased computer for Pastor John, the man who began and now runs the Bikeke School.  Once again we were greeted, as so often happens here, by two friends running up to us with big smiles, a handshake and a kiss on each cheek.  We do feel quite at home and content.    Later that night we caught up with Dawson and his family and the next day to the school in Bikeke Village.  More to come... Side street in Kitale: Making the accommodations work: