A Great Day meeting Outstanding People

 Today, we started with our usual breakfast and a lot of laughing.   This was a great day of visiting.

Our first visit was the Deputy Governor, Nyeri County.   George (who was in the business seminar) took us to meet with the Honorable Amb. Samuel W. Githaiga.  The first thing that the Deputy Governor said, “Let us begin with prayer.”   Bernard prayed and then introduced himself and the Amb. Githaiga told us about himself.    He has had a long career of public service including serving with the Kenya Embassy in Canada and with the United Nations.   He shared with us in great detail the challenges and opportunities of business and community development needs in Nyeri County.  Each one of us introduced ourselves sharing our commitment to assist Bernard with his vision 

 

that includes items related to the specific needs of Nyeri County.   Kip presented the Deputy Governor with a gift and we had the usual photos.   We were all very impressed with the work of Nyeri County leaders and the Amb. Githaiaga. 

I, Floyd, have been visiting Nyeri County since 2004.   In the last two years there has been a tremendous change with better roads, economic development, and in the growth of the city.   The Governor of Nyeri County has done a great job along with his team.  

After we left the Deputy Governor’s office we headed to see James.   James is the owner of the Paradise Café.   James participated in the Business Conference on Friday and Saturday.   The café was not big with only about 10 tables.  But the whole time that we were there customers were in and out, the staff was making deliveries to local businesses, and a lot of carry out business.   James treated us to our lunch and it was all great.   If you are in Nyeri, ask for James’ Paradise Café.   We met his wife and then rode to see his home and meet his children.   This was a special time.   James thanked us for coming to his café.   He said that our being there was a big boost to business.  If we would eat at his café, then, it must be safe food to eat and good food.    Just our being there was a real blessing to him in the growth of his business.   There were scripture verses painted all around the café’.   When we reached James’ home, inside his home was painted his theme verse: Whatever you find do, do it all to the glory of God.  

James is a unique man.  He has helped those who worked with him and he trained to start their own cafés.   He has three children and his brother’s son also lives with them.   We prayed with James and continued to talk with him.  

After leaving James, we headed to see Margaret.  She runs a hair salon, clothes and beauty products shop, and also an mpesa business.    We had a great time with her meeting her daughter and praying for the business.   Margaret had some very nice purses and soon they were purchased by some of us.  We walked around the downtown area.

The last stop was the Nyeri Baptist Church on the edge of a Nyeri slum area.   Pastor Peter was aware but his lovely wife was there.  Also, Aaron from the business conference was there—he serves as an Associate Pastor.   We walked down into the slums.  They have changed a great deal since I last saw about four years ago.   Nyeri County has brought electricity, water, and street lights (more like area lights).   This has led to the development of a safer and more permanent community.  Elisabeth explained the church’s outreach into the area and the community.   She also provided us with tea.

We then returned to the Westwood but only briefly.  We made reservations at the Outspan Hotel (the top hotel in Nyeri) for dinner.   Pictures that you will see.   The Outspan faces Mt. Kenya.   As we looked, we saw the peak of Mt. Kenya.   The picture is not the best but you can see the peak with it’s snow.  Once again, we enjoy a great meal there with lot’s of laughing.   We learned this was a first time experience for Robert.  He did real well with all the knives and forks; also, the courses that came (in his eyes) one right after the other.   

Tomorrow we head to the Bernard’s new property where we will have Nyoma Choma (goat cooked over fire with chapatti.    This will be a new experience for most of the group.