Kindfund

27th Aug 2008 Isiolo

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North, North, North! All roads have led North for the past 2 weeks.

North to Wamba (through the two Game Parks) to deliver food and supplies to the orphan feeding programme there and check on the building programme.

  

North for 10 hours, Wamba, Marallel(overnight) and then Tuum where Pamela and I spend a relaxing and
enjoyable week with Stephen and Angelina Cowan. Stephen and Locham our driver mechanic swapped our petrol
engine for a 2.8 Turbo Diesel (second hand from NI) and made the adjustments necessary to clutch/gearbox,
mountings,exhaust and other ancilliaries.

It was holiday bible club time at Tuum reminding us of our own holiday bible club at Ngaremara where Nancy,
Clifford and 50 young people were learning God's word, experiencing its life changing power and having
fun with help from a Ywam team.

Mon 18th we set out from Tuum under diesel power. Despite best efforts we encountered some teething problems.
Overnight again at Marrallel we were soon in Wamba late morning. The fan had struck the radiator outlet
causing a bad leak and breaking one of the fan blades.

Pamela and I inspected the Children's Home which is looking beautiful and almost complete while Locham
set out to do repairs. No town water for a number of days was holding up the last piece of the floor to be
concreted. Month end should see us ready for furnishing and occupation.

Time was spent with the children, sponsorship reports and photographs - still some more for another day.
The Chief has agreed the 25 most needy children who should be accommodated in the home. We will start
with two families of three children and one of four all under 13 yrs living alone and one frail girl
living with a grandmother. 

Temporary repair to radiator complete we decide to cut half an inch of the fan blades to prevent a repeat

Back in Ngaremara 2 hours later Joost and Patricia and Doris an adopted African Child and our DVD makers
had arrived on Sunday. Already they have been filming some of the activities around the site as the second
Bible Holiday Club started with around 90 children - 40 staying overnight. (Lovely to hear the laughter
and excitment as the children play and get to know one another)

Tue am after worship we met early to plan the week. We agree to travel to Laisamis and the Rendille later
in the day as soon as Locham can effect permanent repairs and I can get back from Isiolo with the supplies
required. In the event it is 4.30pm before two landrovers head North for a four hour drive.

A brief stop in Archers Post and then on to Laisamis where we realise Joost is going to be short of petrol.
None readily available in Laisamis and it is already dark and we have another 25 kms to travel into the
interior.We will go on to Sokitie and try again tomorrow. We arrive at 09.30pm disturbing the peace of
this remote valley to a warm welcome from Raphael and Lucy. They had seen our lights in the distance and
were hoping it was us. There is no telephone network here.

We agree sleeping arrangements - Joost and family will take the guest house - traditional Rendille, Nancy
will share house with Lucy's mother. Pamela and I will sleep outdoors in the shelter of Raphaels house
and Locham in the shelter of the other house. How beautiful the stars and how bright the slightly waning
moon when it appears. We all sleep soundly and no hyenas bother us tonight.

Borehole and Pump

After breakfast with the vehicle temporily unloaded of all except Afridev Hand Pump we set off for Losidan
a further 25 kms into Losie National Park to meet James and Thomas our well diggers who had been working
for 6 weeks to hand dig the borehole to 44 feet

Whao! There it is and the two men we have not seen for 6 weeks. Trap door and base already built just
waiting for the pump. Praise God 8 feet of water.

We pull up some water by rope and bucket to see for ourselves and some women come for a drink. They wash
their heads, faces, arms and legs. They are thrilled to get the water. This is Wed. We agree to call back
on Fri to allow the men time to install the hand pump. In the meantime we will send some food.

Back at Sokitie we have some lunch and then set off with Joost and Patricia for Liasamis. Pamela and
Nancy stay behind. No petrol at the Catholic Mission. One shop has 5 litres but Joost needs minimum 20.
Eventually she agrees to drain her car and we buy 30 litres for 6,000ks (at Isiolo 102ks per litre)
She makes a big profit but Joost and family are on their way to Nanyuki.

At Sokitie we organise ourselves for our second night and prepare to leave early to travel to Lockachula
(the location for our next well project) and Korr (the centre of the Rendille tribe). We will deliver
four bags of maize flour to the nursery school at Lockachula then visit two new nursery schools at Korr
before returning to Sokitie around 6pm. We are on the edge of the desert here. Sand and the distant
mountains of Marsabit.

At Korr we meet a very bright deaf 9 yr old girl called Grace. She can speak but had lost her hearing at
5 years following meningitis. We try to organise for her to attend deaf school from September. Please
pray for the arrangements and for a sponsor.

Under the tree in the moonlight we enjoy good fellowship as we eat our evening meal of rice,potatoes
and goat meat. In good spirits we share some of what the Lord is doing.

A Goat and the Word of God

Fri am - breakfast, devotions, vehicle packed and off to Ula Uli 25kms. The village has started a
nursery school with 50 children and are requesting our support.

As we cross yet another dry river bed we spot the men watering the sheep and goats. They run to cut us off.
They are excited to see us. Wait! 10 min and two elders arrive one carrying a large he-goat across his back.
A gift for us to take back before we do anything. There is a good spirit here. All three into the back
of the landrover despite the protests of the goat.

As we pass the village the elders call out, "Tea, Chai!"

We pass on to inspect the new nursery school built of cut stone and looking rather incongrous in the setting.
It is an excellent building financed by Govt.

Back at the village we sit down with the elders under a tree which with the help of cut bushes has been
turned into what I can only describe as an Arabian Tent. Thanks for our visit, chai and then three requests
Water, help with the nursery school and the Word of God. We share together listening to their views before
we have the opportunity to share God's word.

Taking our leave we drive to Losidan to see the new pump installed, take photographs and to collect our
two well diggers. It is now 2pm so we drive directly to Merille on the main highway where we stop to refresh.

We arrive back at Ngaremara just afteer dark having travelled over 700kms on rough roads and no roads. Tired,
hungry, thirsty and in need of a shower.

Sat am sees us joining the Holiday Bible club for closing and to share God's word. Vehicles arrive and
children depart. Time to discuss with Raphael, who accompanied us back yesterday, about the 15 (12 new)
nursery schools for the Rendille. How can we refuse to come alongside him to reach 700+ children. God will
provide. We agree to start with the 5 new schools which will be ready in September.

Sat pm and Sunday at last time to rest, read, and wait before God.

The body feels tired and we sleep well. I am aware of a sore throat but trust it won't develop.

Mon am we are still tired but meet together to plan next two weeks. Then off to Isiolo to shop and
organise some supplies, check on beds and solar lighting for Wamba, and lots of other things.

Water supply remains a problem at Wamba. The town supply is totally unreliable. I wonder is the town being
held to ransom.

We visit the Cereal Board and ask can we bulk purchase maize and beans. We will need 150 bags of 90kg
to set up our store and simplify distribution. We have to write to the Board for permission to purchase.
Then on to the posha mill to buy some immediate supplies of maize and flour. 3 bags cost 8,240ks (c.£75)
and around twice the price earlier in the year.

Tue 26th - type a letter to the Cereal Board and save it to the flash pen. As I leave the site with James
well digger and Locham to visit a pump we installed Jan 06 a staff meeting is in progress. (Little did I
realise the enemy was about to strike.)
The pump is heavily used  as evidenced by the groups of sheep, goats and small cows held in holding
areas waiting their turn and young girls fetching water as the men pumped for their animals.

Yes, we have done something of great value to this community. Thank you to the friend at home who sponsored
this borehole and pump.

Now so much remains to be achieved in just 2 weeks before we leave for home.

Greetings in Jesus Name

Pamela and Ken