Heading East Again

It's only been 7 weeks, but it feels like months.  When I left Kenya on November 10, we were in the midst of the short rain season, supposedly one that ends mid December.  The Standard and the Daily Nation were promising punishing rains due to El Niño, and the Kenyan Government was issuing dire warnings of the impending rain. The skeptic in me figured these warnings were disguised as much needed handouts from developing nations, to offset impending damages of El Niño. I wasn't alone. Tony and I eyeballed each other with open disdain and cynicism about these warnings. Each day, we watched the Kiserian reservoir gently rise as we drove by, mocking warnings and attributing the rains to the normal seasonal cycle.  

One week after I got home, Tony's and my communication became more frequent, sometimes on a daily basis. The rains had increased, to the point that our road was impassable. I received two emergency calls for funds: one to repair the overflowing septic and the other to repair the foundation of the main dorm,  which was at risk of "washing away" as Tony put it.  Tony was on the ball, thank God. He managed to get the fundi in to make the repairs in the pouring rains, and ordered them to dig a perimeter drain around the compound.  Once done, the septic problem reared its ugly head again, and we had to go back in and make necessary repairs.  

Last Monday, we were able to bring in necessary supplies to repair our deteriorated road, finally.  Tony sent regular pictures of the compound, in a deep sea of mud. Our driveway was indistinguishable from the soil - lovely black cotton soil - great for agriculture, but very heavy during the rains.  A huge mess. We have such a love-hate relationship with the rains in Africa. There is no such thing as a perfect season of gentle nightly rains. Nope. It's all or nothing. 
With great thanks and gratitude towards our wonderful donors, we are ready to DRILL!  Words defy my level of gratitude to each and every one of you for making this happen. This project is the greatest thing we have taken on yet;  the magnitude is huge. Not only will we have our own water and the obvious benefits attached to this, we will sell it to the surrounding community. This project will propel us into the next stage of our five year plan: to build our Educational/Medical Center.  I am beyond excited.

Tonight, I am headed east, back to the children and the country I love. It has been dry for 10 days, which means, weather permitting, we are scheduled to begin drilling this coming Tuesday or Wednesday. I have been in regular contact with the drilling company and our project managers, all of whom are ready to move forward.  Our permits are all in place, everything is on schedule. 
This will be a quick trip for me, just 10 days. 

Here's to a great 2016!


Habari ya mwaka mpya!  Happy New Year!







                                     With boundless love and gratitude,



                                              Simmie and Tabitha