Wrapping Up

So here we are on the countdown home... I knew it would fly by. I remember the count down leading up to this trip (I think I started at 56 sleeps). I'm killing some time in the cyber cafe while I wait to meet Frederick in an hour or so to open up a bank account for him. Today is the day I give him the money to start a business for he and his wife. He has started training for carpentry and will have a used clothing business in the afternoons and on the days he is not working. His wife, Josephine, will be selling cereals (maise, beans, millet, etc.). Frederick's mother would also like a little business of selling rope and small fish. I told Frederick to get himself and Josephine established and perhaps I can help his mother in a few months. I have connected them with a lovely young woman with a passion for business, Rebecca. She has agreed to provide them with training and support along the way and William, the carpenter, will be a great mentor to Frederick. The rest is up to them and God, I suppose. We had tea yesterday and he said that he hopes God blesses me and my children and all of my decendents forever. He's pretty happy.

Hey, Cody has put some pictures up on facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=224974&id=757575580&ref=nf . I hope this link will take you there. If not, you should be able to see them on my profile as well. The ones with the kids were taken at the Maji Mazuri Care Centre (orphanage) in Nairobi.

Terry was down yesterday with a cold... I think he got it from me, he thinks he got it from too many sodas, chai and chapati. He's at a meeting with KASFOOC (the widows and orphans group), finalizing their budget proposal for a Rotary Grant. We heard that Rotary may not be approving any more matching grants this year because of the economic crisis -- their reserves have been hit pretty bad; they were probably in so called 'safe' investments like everyone else! We have a small amount of personal donations that will at least get them started with their fish ponds and then we'll do our best to find some money when we get home, through Rotary or maybe fish farm connections.

What I will miss most: the people, of course, the music, the sunshine, the kids, the animals (wild and domestic), the greetings (shaking hands with everyone), the feeling that so little can help so much and that we really are making a difference.

What I will not miss: the dust, the matatus, the yelling and being swarmed by touts, the dogs barking at night, the security lights, the feeling that there is so much to do and that we can't even possibly make a dent.

What I am looking forward to coming home to: walking down the street without being noticed, running, SALADS, and of course, friends and family.

Oh, it's going to be hard to leave... O.K., now for a cup of chai before I start to cry :o)