Our Trip to the Vocational School, Thur. July 6th

We awoke in time for breakfast. We had gathered all of our protective gear. Today was the day we were going to visit the vocational school. The school van was to pick us up at the Guest House around 8:30. We waited until about 9:30 or 9:45 and we had not heard from the van or Patrick. We decided to hire another ride to Ngong. This is a small town about 40 minutes outside of Nairobi. We got another car. We were all feeling very tense, Patrick had told us he would meet us at Ngong at 10:00. We were to meet up with the Australian team as well. The van arrived and we all piled in. After a short stop for gas, we were on our way. Or at least that is what we had thought. The van started to stall and then would not start. We had broken down. They thought it was bad gas. Come to find out it was really that diesel had been put in by mistake. They were able to get us two other cars to take us to Ngong. The cars dropped us at Ngong and we waited. The Australians were nowhere in sight. So Mona and I decided to walk around. Mom wanted to take corn and we were just bored. We stuck out like sore thumbs. If felt different to be the minority for a change. We walked by all the little shops, the market and then saw that it had been about an hour and the Australians had arrived. They had Patrick cell phone number and he had called to say he would be late. Ian was the Choir director. He wanted some company walking to the market. He wanted to do some shopping for his family. I found him very delightful and eager to be apart of the culture. He informed us he had just been told he had a heart condition and his doctors advised him not to co0me on the trip. This worried us but we kept a watchful eye. After about another hour, Patrick pulled around the corner in a white flat bed truck. We all started cheering and waving. We must have made quite a sight! After they filled up with gas, we all loaded up. They had put a mattress in the back for the ladies. It did not matter. The dust and bumps were hard to describe. With nowhere to really hold on we were off on our adventure. The truck went up a hill and then the dirt road heade3d into the most beautiful county. It was green and lush. The mountains spread out across the horizon. I took a deep breath and felt like I was blessed for having the experience to see such a place. The road was bumpy and we had to stop to go over holes. But for the most part the trip was okay. As were neared the bottom of the valley, I s\potted a herd of Giraffe. There must have been 10 –15 of them walking among the trees. I got goose bumps. We also saw a couple of ostrich. Every village we passed, children would stop what there were doing to wave. It was a warm welcome. To me the view got more beautiful as we went along. We finally reached our spot. The vocational school is situated on top of a hill. We had to climb to the top of the hill. We had brought food for the boys, the Australians and our group. We had to carry it to the top. When we reached the top, I could see my brother on top of a building hammering and I also saw 2 other buildings. It was beautiful. I said to a lady who owned the truck and was walking with us, that I thought the view was beautiful. She told me this was one of the ugliest parts of Kenya. She told me that the West was more beautiful with the tea farms and the green plants. I tried to explain to her that the mountains were pretty in their own different way! She just smiles and kept on walking. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder!!!
We were happy to be reunited with the men in our group. The area was so quiet. The only noise we heard was the hammer from the men. We found out that Carl had killed a poisonous green snake yesterday. Everyone seemed to be busy at work. With missing a day, I knew my brother would be determined. We set up lunch in a building that is going to be a dorm. There were three building up. Two were dorms and 1 was a classroom. The classroom was the one they were building the trusses and putting on the roof. Patrick commented how amazing the men were. He said they had accomplished in a day what usually took over a week if not two. All the supplies had made it except for a toolbox that was stolen by the Masai. There were goats being tended by two young boys. There was also a family who watched over the school. My dad showed us around. He showed us the building that my grandmother donated. It was amazing. It was to be the dining hall, meeting room and auditorium. It had a stage and the view took my breath away. I was over come with emotions. All I could do was just sit and think about the opportunities that this vocational school would provide. I thought about my grandmother and all she stood for and how much I miss her. My mom and dad stayed close to me and I appreciate that. I needed them there. There was a stage and my grandmother would have smiled to see my mom doing her signing on the stage that was made of dirt. The building will be amazing when it is finished. I was sad that it was not further along. In the mean time, we had found out that the Masai had been taking over some of the land and maybe the well. The Chief came and met with my dad. I over heard him tell him, he needed to shape up. The school would bring a lot of good to his people and they needed each other’s support. I sat for a long time in my grandmother’s building…thinking and reflecting on all the emotions I was flooded with. I am thankful I was able to be there to see what she was able to provide. I am anxious to see it in the future and what it will develop into.
My brother did not want to leave until he had finished, Robert, one of the Australians, was a huge help. He was in the building business and he jumped right in to help. The others just observed and talked with us about what they have been doing to support the school. It was getting dark and we had lots of people to get home safely. He agreed to leave at 5. We packed up all the equipment and headed for the truck. Patrick told us he wanted to stay behind and talk with the workers and tribe to work some things out. I worried about leaving him, but he seemed okay. I brought up the rear with my dad who was taking his time with his knees. To climb back down the hill was a bit of a chore. We made it back on the truck and had a bumpy ride home. We were fortunate that when we got back to Ngong, our van driver pulled up minutes later! What a blessing.
I am not sure when I think back on the sunset as we were leaving if my grandmother would have every made it to see the school. I know she would have been impressed with the layout and opportunities it would provide for the children of Mathare Valley. My grandmother was a great woman and she gave from her heart. Her gifts will impact many who may not have had much to live for. Through her kindness, young children may have a future. Through God’s grace, this school will shine and young people will succeed!