The Central Highlands of Kenya are Beautiful !

Zech plays soccer with children.

Anne works with area teachers.

Teleios team at hotel.

Preparing a typical African meal.

The central highlands of Kenya are beautiful! The green of the fields, the morning mists and the smiling faces of the people give a sense of wonder to us. There are streams of children—all sizes—walking to school each morning waving as we bounce along in our vehicle. By afternoon, they are gathering outside the church to play ball with Zechariah.

Anne has the rhythm. She is one of them with dancing and singing. I’m still struggling to clap at the right time! Both my team and the Kenyans have had many laughs at my expense!

We are eating well. Beans, maize, and cabbage are plentiful, and we are full of tea. Our brothers and sisters in Christ have welcomed us in love. Bernard is a wonderful host. He has shared Kenyan culture and history.

The conference is going well. The leadership of the Fellowship of Baptists of Central Kenya (FOBOK) is eager to learn how to disciple believers and minister to the lost and hurting around them. The different churches of this area are seeking to encourage one another in the work of the Kingdom. It is a joy being among them.

On Wednesday, we rose early to begin our longest day. After breakfast, we left to see Mary Mwangi’s Nursery School near Limuru (Mary is Bernard’s wife). We were greeted by three-year-olds learning their ABC’s. Mary now has 50 children in her three-room school. She continues after two years to wait for local government approval for a proposed building for her school.

After leaving Limuru, we stopped to purchase water, exchange money and look for some special items. Zech found a soccer ball for using with children. Anne found some pre-school books for Mary to use in her school. We arrived at the Blue Post Hotel in Thika about an hour from Nairobi. The Blue Post has two beautiful waterfalls on its grounds along with ostrich, monkeys, and numerous species of birds. After lunch, we left for the conference. The drive gave new meaning to “Rock and Roll”—we rode as much on the side of the road as on the road. Bernard was working hard to avoid the holes. Anne and Zech were introduced to the traditional diet of beans, cabbage, and rice/ugali. Ugali is like cold, hard grits.

Thursday found us more at home and relaxed with our surroundings and our hosts. Anne is still trying to come to grips with “yellow clouds” that one children’s leader made. Bonnie’s group continued their pattern of having the ladies complain that they did not have enough time for the teaching. Zech was joined by about 30 children in a fast-paced game that seemed to be a combination of soccer-volleyball-rugby. A few of them left with “jolly ranchers” and soon a few more joined the jolly rancher crowd. The teachings were well received with a great deal of discussion and questions. The weather was cold—everyone one is wearing sweaters, long-sleeve shirts, and jackets.

Rushing back to the hotel in Thika to use the Internet café, the group found the café closed—network was down.