This morning we made the long drive out to Etago for 10:00 church. Of course, before we could do that we had to check out of the Zonic, since we would be moving in to another hotel a few blocks down the road when we came back in the evening. No tears were shed when we left. We were glad to find another “home” in Kisii! We were only disappointed about leaving the acquaintances we’ve made over the years that we have stayed here.
We loaded the van down again, filled up with gas (called petrol here in Africa) and were off. In case it might make some of you back home feel a little better about the gas prices, the cost for fuel here is around 90 shillings per liter. If you do the conversion, that comes out to be more the $4 per gallon! Even $3 a gallon would sound good over here...
The pump shows the price per liter - 89.9 Ksh!
The roads to Etago have improved greatly over the past year. They have finished blacktopping the main road from Kisii to Ogembo now and that is a big help. In addition, even though we still have to travel on dirt roads from there ti Etago, they have been working on grating them, and they too are much improved. Last year the road through Kenyenya was a horrible washboard road, but this year it was much smoother. It still took us an hour and a half, but it was a much easier ride than last year. It is quite a bit different from the first year I came, and that is a good thing!
When we arrived in Etago, the school yard was unusually quiet. We have become used to being greeted by the school children, lined up along the path to the school and singing. But not this time. They were no where to be seen. I think we were all a little disappointed that we weren’t going to see them, since is wasn’t a school day.
But when we walked into the church we found that it was full of the children, sitting patiently as they waited for us to arrive. The teachers were there, and most of the leaders of the congregation, but there were very few adults. During the “Bible Class” period Mike presented the account of Jesus and the Woman at the Well. More children and adults continued to funnel in during Bible Class and filled up the building. Some of the older students had to go down and bring desks from the classrooms into the church to provide more seating.
The Etago school kids ready for church on Sunday morning.
After Mike’s study we began the service. We joined in as we were able. We were given a hymnal, but it was in Kisii instead of Kiswahili, so it was a little harder to follow along. I thought it was very nice of them to make sure that we had a hymnal so we could follow along, and they made sure we knew when there were changes in the service from the printed liturgy. Something we can learn from in our services.
Stephen, Mike and Russ stand in front of the two new classrooms that were added this year.After the service, we checked out the two new classrooms that have been built since I was here last year. They were constructed again with brick and mortar with a steel roof and were well designed and constructed. We also met with the headmaster of the school and a few of the Etago leaders before we left to go to Chotororo. It was another hour drive from Etago to Chotororo, and again the roads were much better this year. We followed Fred and Enosh who rode on separate motorbikes.
Enosh gets to drive a motorbike from Etago to Chotororo.
We had a good visit with Pastor Fred and the three seminary students who were able to attend. We talked about some of the same issues that we had discussed with the teachers last night, but it was good for the students to know that we care about them and support them in their work and service to the Lord.
We also visited a house up the hill from the Chotororo church, where they were conducting classes for a time. It was owned by a relative of Pastor Fred’s who was willing to “rent” it for use as a seminary for the minimal cost of $75 a month for the week that they have classes. It provides beds and bedrooms, an area for classes, and a kitchen and dining room area, as well as bathroom facilities. It would serve the students and teachers very well, and we would like nothing more than to help them with this. It will be passed on to the Mission Board and the KINSHIP committee for their consideration.
Mike stands in the Chotororo church (classroom) with three of the seminary students.
After our visit was concluded we returned to Kisii (only an hour and a half this year) and checked into the Jazz Hotel. The rooms were much nicer than the Zonic, it was 1/3 the cost, and most importantly of all, it had HOT water at the shower!!
We had supper tonight at the Nile Restaurant down the street, a place we had frequented in the past. Todd, Mike and I ordered pizza and Stephen and Russ ordered the Chicken Fried Rice. We all enjoyed what we ordered immensely, especially after having missed lunch. The food here has always been great, but we have never been able to get pizza in the past. It was a welcome option on this night!
Tomorrow we are on the road again, this time north to Moi’s Bridge where Mike will be living for at least the next 6 months. The trip is starting to wind down, but there is still so much left to do....
I talked with Debra tonight for a little bit. She is staying busy and faces her own challenges with the kids. Thanks to all of you who have been praying for her while I am gone, and those of you who have called her, and helped her in so many other ways. It is such a big help to her, and it helps me as well! Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for my family while I am gone!
In His service,
Nathanael
“Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. ” – Psalm 25:4-5
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