Kitali

We have wanted to visit the missionary couple who lives in Kitali for a while. We finally decided we'd better do it as they were leaving the mission in about 10 days! So Monday we drove to Kitali. The scenery was gorgeous! This is the most beautiful country. We moved past the mountains into high plains, fertile and full of green crops. The sky arched overhead with a watercolor of clouds. And the first 3 hours we traversed bone-jarring roads that vied for the award of "worst road in Kenya. (More on that in the following post.)
you always find interesting things along the way. These are carrying sugar cane.
These are carrying bananas
These are carrying... ah, I have no clue what's in the ox cart.

We had a fabulous time with Elder and Sister W. They are such nice people and really made us feel at home. We visited and chatted about children, farming, grandchildren, mission experiences and some of the fantastic, powerful members we have a chance to rub shoulders with. We also mined their experiences about taking a group to the temple, about how to improve our seminary and institute programs, and about Perpetual Education Fund loans.

We wanted to see where they served and so they took us to three of the 4 branches they work with. Two of the three were on the main road from Weybue to Kitali. The third one... ah... the third one made me question the wisdom of our request. I would vote Elder W. the best driver I've driven with not counting Elder Fox. He navigated the mud berm with ruts the size of swimming pools with consummate skill. As clouds billowed in, I did not detect more than a hint of trepidation... although his description of this road in the rainy conditions called for outright panic. They are doing a wonderful job with the people and places and I am again convinced that the Lord has placed each missionary couple in exactly the best spot for them.

This is one of their chapels.

We went to a nice Chinese place for dinner and enjoyed chatting and staying up late playing "Mexican Train Dominoes." As Heidi says, I play to make others look good. I was dead last.

We had enjoyed Elder W's home grown lettuce, so Tuesday we went to town and bought some seeds. We also purchased chicken and beef from their meat lady. And we spent time learning Picasso on the computer so we can do more with our pictures. If we can crop and label better, it will make it easier for us to put photos of branch members up on the board. Sister W. has a neat journal with pictures of those who have visited and missionaries who worked there as well as their comments.

They offered us a feast of a lunch to eat on the way home. We decided to try another route home in the hopes of avoiding such an extended rough road. It was about 40 km longer and took about 5 minutes longer to drive. We arrived with a half hour to spare before Institute class started. It probably would have been more time, but I drove the last hour or so. I faced my fears of driving on the Nairobi road including passing trucks and pulling out to see a truck bearing down on me! And I avoided most... well... many... alright, some of the potholes.

Wednesday we had district meeting where I gave some training. Then we met with the Branch President to do some training. He is such a good man! We swung by the post office and got a letter from Savannah (thank you!) and picked up pictures and went to a cottage meeting in Manyatta at Phelgon's. She is an amazing woman! A widow who has battled odds to overcome and turn around and bless the lives of others. She has a school which teaches many orphans and children infected with or affected by AIDS. I think she has about 140 students. We had about 20 at the cottage meeting and both Elder Fox and I spoke. I love the testimonies shared by the members.

Today we shopped at the market. Tom met a member and went looking for volleyball equipment. He said the member was MOST helpful in getting good value. I bought some more fabric scraps for the Relief Society to do a homemaking activity and ironed and sorted them... but we didn't remind and so only the leader showed up. We'll reschedule.

Elder and Sister N. from Nairobi came to do audits here and at Busia. The one here at Kisumu went well. Our president and clerks are learning and progressing very well. Tomorrow we go to Busia. They brought mail! Thank you Kathy O.. Mmm. chocolate!