to market, to market

last friday: We went to the massai market that happens every Friday afternoon at the local mall. One whole level of the parkade is set up with vendors hawking their wares (at very inflated prices for muzungus - white people) but we had "our Kenyans" with us and they helped us with the bartering process. I really enjoyed that, and since we were told it might be our only chance to shop for souvenirs, I bought lots. The other great thing about that mall is the internet cafe with the cheap phone. There's only one, but I got my chance to call home... and I've been waiting all week to get back there tomorrow.

monday: Our quick journey to Garissa began. It's 5 hours away and we stayed one night and came back yesterday. The drive was not too bad - we saw lots of camels and goats and cows and nomadic people and their makeshift homes. We passed through Mwingi, which is where Jess and Dave were a couple of years ago. Nice to be able to see what they saw.

We met a fellow named Mohammad who shared his story with us. He was raised with one parent a Christian and one a Muslim, and it was very interesting to get his perspective on faith and God. It gave us lots to talk about, and some good insight into ministering to Muslims. (Bottom line, very hard.)

tuesday: We had a quick visit to a TB clinic that CBM has a part in, and saw what they do. CBM supplies funds to provide daily meals for the patients so they are strong enough to handle their medication. Then we had a quick visit to the school that is another project CBM partners in to meet the lady who runs it and spend half an hour in the classes.

We have 3 days set aside for Muslim ministry - tomorrow is the third one, when we get to play and paint. We have 4 days each to connect with each of the denominations CBM partners with. Today we went to the ACC&S headquarters and school and cathedral in Thika, an hour down the road, and met the students, headmaster and a number of people on the executive, including the moderator (head). We had lots of time to ask questions and then had lunch together. Friday to Sunday we will be with the ACC&S, visiting projects we partner together in, and then Monday to Thursday will be with the ABC. The last few days are for debriefing and relaxing before we head home. Although we are just at the halfway point, it does feel like the end is in sight.

Mary, one of our ABC friends on the team, is not well and is leaving tomorrow to head home to recuperate. (She is the wife of the Bishop of the ACC.) Hopefully she will feel well enough to join us again soon.