Kenya 1

Hi all,
Having moved on from Southern Sudan and relocated in Kisumu, Kenya. We have been confronted with Obama mania. Quite impressive really almost the entire population is obsessed with the new American President. Even Kenyans who can not speak any English will call out Obama when they see you, assuming every white person (Muzumgu) is American.
Anyway, to what we have been doing, given we didn’t really have a plan when we left home.
We have been speaking with several groups based here and after visiting the Temak’s ‘City of Hope’ it was glaringly obvious there was something very wrong with their tank stand. The top section 40 feet off the ground and could barely support the two tanks on top of it and they didn’t even have any water in them. We contracted a group called ATP college for students learning mechanics, mechanical engineering & Catering they have 105 students, it is a Lutheran Church Project. They do steel fabrication and so designed and made a platform to support the tanks. It was installed on Saturday 24th January.
A team of 10 students and their boss (teacher) came and did all the work. Arriving around 8 am, it was very soon apparent there are not strong Occupational, Health and Safety Regulations here. These 10 guys were hanging off the tower structure everywhere – no ropes, harnesses or security at all. Mark could not resist he had to climb up too (using the ladder) I have some great photo’s. They worked until it was finished around 4pm with no break. We had arranged to have a meal brought in – Ugali, Skumiwiki, Meat ? (beef stew), Chapati and a Soda (coke etc). As you can imagine Mark and I were some what reserved in our serve but the boys dug in until it was all gone. We also paid them 200/-(Kenyan shillings) = $4.00 Aussie each, neither the money or the meal were expected but Mark & I thought it was the least we could do. How many of you guys would work all day out side in the sun for that. They went home extremely happy and so were we; they had done a great job. Mark is now supporting a very distinct sunglass tan on his face.
We have also arranged some mobile medical clinics the first of which will be this Saturday 31st Jan. We have been buying the medication that will be required for this. Fred is arranging some local medical assistants and transportation for us all. Apparently the word is out and the community northwest of Kisumu are keenly anticipating our arrival.
We are both looking forward to this, I will let you know how it goes on the next update.
Bye for now, Love Mark & Carol.

First report

We have had a wonderful experience here in Juba with the team headed by Archbishop Jeffery (lovingly now known as the archbishop of the world and neighbouring planets!).He has emphasized the role of nurturing the process of building, strengthening, and expanding relationships between and within our churches. The leadership in the Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS) shows great energy, passion, responsibility, and belief, as it addresses many challenges, both expected and unforeseen. The evolution of a strong and committed modern church, from one of chaplaincy throughout a prolonged guerilla warfare phase, has many difficulties. These include insufficient clergy, often with inadequate training, capturing, enlivening, and uplifting the youth, and determining a relevant social, educational, and political context. There is much development occurring in the Southern Sudan, although a lack of central co-ordination and co-operation is evident which has reduced the effectiveness of some of these initiatives.There is so much need the most basic is access clean water, there is so much water in the white Nile running rapidly right along side the city. The flow puts the Murray to shame.Everything is so expensive in Juba 1 bag of cement is 50-70 us dollars - we have taken to heart a project that the Mothers Union were running but because of the bird flew all the birds were destroyed. The coop was in a state of neglect so Mark and Andrew and some of the youth pilgrimage set to and tidied up and fixed the holes in the wire. We have arranged to get the roof re-thatched and have left enough money to purchase 400 chickens which have to be ordered through Uganda. we have the contact details of Mumma Jesca of MU who is arranging this all and will forward photo's when the birds arrive. This project not only produces eggs for sale, they also hatch and raise more birds to give to families in great need. There are approx 500,000 internally displaced people in and around Juba. bye for now love Mark & Carol