Building Futures, Inc: Sunday, June 26, 2016

Sunday was another busy day. Although church was originally scheduled for 7am, I found out this morning that it was at 10:30am. Actually, that’s the time for the Catholic mass. The Anglican mass was at noon. I was informed that we probably wouldn’t stay for the entire Catholic mass and we’d be late to the Anglican. Normally we attend mass at St. Theresa’s in Kisumu. It’s a huge, beautiful church. Their masses can run up to 3 or even 4 hours. Of that, only 30 minutes will be in English. It’s still surprising easy to follow the order of the mass; or at least that has been my experience here... until today.

The church was really close to the Peacock. That sounds like a line from that a CIA agent would use with MI6. "The church was really close to the peacock." "Yes, and the sky isn't always this purple." Okay, I digress. In the past we’d have driven 45 minutes to get to the church. Not St. Teresa’s! It was 5 minutes away and right on the main road – no need to drive on dusty roads. It was a small church that seated about 200 on what was the equivalent of a 2x6. The walls were adorned with large sculpted depictions of the As we entered, the choir was singing and their was a procession of girls waiting to dance down the aisle. Both actions signal the beginning of mass. The acoustics were wonderful. Their voices echoed slightly off the walls and during any pauses you could hear birds chirping outside. In Kenya, mass is definitely a celebration.

We sat in the last pew, despite Job’s protests. I would soon find out that trying to blend in was futile. We brought a lot of rosaries to this church (courtesy of Holy Cross Family Ministries) and as I watched Job talking to the priest, I new I was going to have to say something. It would probably be the same if we didn’t. When you’re a visitor, you have to be introduced to the congregation. I introduced myself as Adam Okinyi (a Luo name I was given years ago). The reaction’s always the same. “Okinyi? Huh,” said dripping with uncertainty. I’d then follow it up with some Dholuo (the tribal language of the Luo). “Good morning, How is your morning? I am fine. Thank you.” “Oyaore. Oyaore ahinya. Ichiyo nade? Erokamano. Pronounced oh-yah-oh-ray. Oh-yah-oh-ray ah-inya. Ee-chee-oh nah-dee? Eh-row-kah-mah-no.” That always get them smiling, and in this case, I got applause! Although I didn’t see them, their were a couple women there that I knew. When I got back to my pew, I noticed Margaret from the Grail Center (a shelter for battered women that had rooms that Jim and I stayed in) and Dactari – on of the Clinic Construction Committee.

The mass was said in Luo which is much more difficult for me to follow. I can muddle my way through Kiswahili, but this was a horse of a different color. His homily lasted well over 45 minutes. I know this because that was when we left. It was a full house, and the fans weren’t on so I was getting very uncomfortable in the heat. We then headed over to the Anglican church where Madam Margaret was preaching. She’s the headmistress at Agulu Primary School. We walked in at 12:15, and this time I wasn’t allowed to sit in the last pew (although it was completely empty). Job marched me up toward the front and we sat down. Every head turned, and I mean, EVERY HEAD. Margaret wasn’t preaching at this point, but the man that was stopped what he was saying and switched to English. When he finished his sermon, he asked Job to come forward to introduce me. Rather than coming to the front of the church to speak like I did earlier in the morning, I stood up where I was and thanked them for their hospitality. There was some more preaching, and when the gentleman finished, Job said, "Okay Adams, it will be over soon." Again, no concept of time. It ended 30 minutes later after 3 collections! Yeah, you heard me, three! I only brought enough money for two! I mean seriously, who has 3 collections? I'll tell you something else you may not know. A man stands in the front of the church with a wicker basket and proceeds to call out the names of local areas. For instance, he'd say, "Chulembo," and all the people living in that area would rise, come to the front and place the donation in the basket. It's then dumped in a pew where a man starts counting it. The next name is called and the process repeated. There are some prayers and singing, then the process starts again, "Chulembo," and so on. You think you're done, but your not. One more before the big finish. And guess what the big finish is. They then call out what each "district" contributed for each of the there elections. Then and only then, does the singing begin and the ministers leave the alter (which, by the way, had Santa Claus pennants draped across the back of the church).

I walked out behind them and the choir and was told where to stand. "What's this all about?" "The want to greet you." Oy. It was a small congregation, but everybody shared my hand. Once that was done, it still wasn't over. One of the school board members from Huma Girls Secondary took my hand and walked me away from the crowd. He wanted to talk about the status of their lab. Margaret then joined us and showed us a classroom that Job began to build for the ECD program. Agulu primary was very close to the church, but the ECD class was growing rapidly. This will hopefully make it easier for some of them to attend.

Margaret then introduced me to her husband, Mr. Ohdiambo, who insisted I come see their home. We sat and had a small soda. It was Isaac, Job and I drinking Coke or Fanta (orange) talking to to some of the members from the church, Margaret and her husband. It’s more of a “silence” contest. Everybody pretty much stares at each other waiting to see who flinches first. Their eyes, for the most part, were trained on me. I kept thinking to myself, “Maybe there’s a clock behind me.” We finished our sodas and explained that we had to push off. They walked us to the gate marking their compound – a traditional send off. We hopped in the car and off we went. The road to this church was not as smooth as I would have liked. Deep ruts caused by the rain made Isaac drive as though he were going through a minefield. I didn’t hear the car bottom out once – a testament to his skill behind the wheel.

We headed to Kisumu to head back to the Masai Market, but first we went for lunch. I figured it was time for a treat (my stomach said it was okay), so we went to Java. We led off with strawberry milkshakes the best I’ve ever had in Kenya, and I’ve had a few). Job got something called a “Kwedalisa.” He told me that he had them in Florida and loved them. When the food arrived I gave him a more accurate pronunciation, “Quesadilla.” The three of us laughed out loud. Isaac got rice masala and I god a grilled chicken breast with mushrooms and a salad –a real salad with lettuce and cucumbers and tomatoes. Everything was delicious. As usual, Job’s eye’s were too big for his belly. He snuck a muffin in between the shake and the Kwedalisa. No matter, he brought the leftovers home to his sisters. He will no doubt tell the story of going to Iguana Mia (Mexican restaurant in Florida) while serving the food. I hit the ATM quickly and we headed back to the Masai Market.

Some of the items that I went back for were unavailable, so I’ll have to come back tomorrow. While I was there, I got an idea. I have a favorite artist that works at a shop here with some of his friends. All of their styles of painting are very different. I like Edward Orato the best. I commissioned him to do a couple portraits. If we like them as much as I think we will, I told him I’d order more. It will take him at least 2 weeks to complete them, so I’ll wait longer than I’d care to, but they’re going to be spectacular when they’re finished. Job will send me pictures when they’re done. I can’t wait!

I then went to see my friend John and his brother George (he claims they’re not brother’s, but they look like they could be twins). They own separate shops and George’s son (presumably John’s nephew) is an artist that did a piece that Andrea likes so I saw him first.
John was waiting patiently for me. He knows he doesn’t need to call me. Thankfully there are several people like him. The majority are calling you to see their items. John’s shop is small, but he always has some unique pieces. I had already purchased something earlier, so I wasn’t looking for anything today. That was my intention. Just as I was leaving, I spotted something for Katie. She recently had to give up her cat, so I’ve had my eye out for something that would remind her of Jax, and there it was. It was one of those things that if you look at it quickly, you might not even notice it. Once your eye is drawn to it, though, you are quickly amazed. It was intricate and telling… and made of soapstone. I weighted it when we got back to the room. It was 6lbs! Although I think it will travel safely in my bag, I’m going to keep it in my backpack to ensure it arrives safely.

I used the same trip to pick up a couple items that Karen’s going to love. Kevin? Same thing. I’ve really been lucky to spot pieces that actually call our their names. I’m sure that they’ll love them.

We snaked our way through Kisumu before heading back to Maseno. It was Sunday, so the streets were relatively quiet. Most of the storefronts were closed with heavy metal grates across their storefronts. They were a good amount of people walking about, but a small portion compared to the street vendors lining every inch of the sidewalks.

We got back to Maseno a little before 5 and I used the time to pack my bags. At 6:30, we headed back to the Rotary House for dinner. Jessica new Isaac and I were leaving the next day and wanted to give us a proper send off.

She was in the doorway when we arrived, along with Dana, a visiting doctor from Tenesee. Before dinner we sat and talked before heading over to spec out a plot of land for a larger orphanage she’d like to build. There was a structure already on the property, but it’s been abandoned for quite some time, so erosion has taken it’s toll. The fact that there was no roof didn’t help. It was badly overgrown, but you could still see how grand the building was prior to it’s current state. The doorways were high and arching, and the cielings would have been at least 15 feet high. It was built like a castle! Unfortunately, the walls will have to be torn down, but she should be able to use the existing foundation – that will save her a tone of money.

We then went to the existing orphanage where we met her kids. Each one was a sweetheart, rescued from a terrible situation. You can tell that the children are loved. The staff she has working with them are wonderful with them.

We returned through the dark to have dinner. Beef stew, ugali and cabbage. I ate a little because I was still working off the milkshake. Afterward, we talked a lot, telling stories to Dana as this is her first time to Kenya. We left a little before 9.

Back at the Peacock, I continued packing my bags, ensuring that I had enough clothes to wear for the remaining 5 days. I’m all set, and ready to move on to Narok. There’s still some running around to do tomorrow, and I hope we have time to do it all.