Neil's phone was only able to send one picture today, which was of the sunset on a very long day of travel. They left Nairobi in the rain around 1:45 p.m. Nairobi time (5:45 a.m. Minnesota time) and spent 10 hours on the road.
Neil texted: We just got on the road. I am the most patient man in the world. (Francis had told Neil he would be picking him up at 11:00 a.m.) Francis reminded me that I am in Kenya. We have the same car as in previous years. The car was detailed so it looks new inside. The insurance card is on the window. The windows are not cracked, but air conditioning does not work.
It was raining as they drove through Naivasha. I asked if the rain was making the roads dangerous. Neil said if you were sitting beside him as Francis passed into oncoming traffic, you would all be praying harder for them. They saw one vehicle come so close to a horrendous wreck that he did not see how those vehicles escaped. By then, they were approaching Nakuru.
At 1:55 Minnesota time, I received a text message from Neil that they had taken a shortcut and were now on the road from hell. I almost sent you all an urgent emergency prayer message, imagining all the things that can happen on a Kenyan road, but before I hit the "SEND" button, Neil called me. He noticed that his texts were no longer getting through.
Tonight, they had a delicious meal at the beautiful home of Maurice Opondo's brother, who owns a construction company that builds lovely homes for the wealthier people in Kenya. There was meat and fish, along with an assortment of fruits and vegetables. Maurice's mother had been anxiously awaiting their arrival. Neil and Francis are spending the night there and will continue their trip in the morning. Neil needs our prayers because his stomach "left him" during the night. Neil always brings medicine along for such emergencies, but bowel distress takes a toll on strength and interrupts sleep.
For those of you who do not know Maurice, he was Neil's translator in Kenya for 3 years. He taught high school biology in Nairobi and was being trained for leadership in Cosmas Solamba's church. Ellie Musselman met Maurice while she was in Neil's site visit team for 2 years. So began a long-distance courtship and marriage. They lived in Fargo when they were first married and attended our Harvest Community Church and stayed with the church members as that church merged with Heartland Community Church in West Fargo. They now live in Rochester where they work at the Mayo Clinic. Maurice will be completing his nursing degree at the Mayo Medical School this spring.
My neighbor girls paid me a visit this evening, bringing a delicious bowl of soup for dinner. I let them dig through my knitting supplies in the large old trunk in our living room, which, for them, was like a treasure chest. We found pretty stones I had collected on some of our travels that I had crocheted with gold metallic cord. While the girls entertained me playing with my organ and recorders, I let them select two of the stones and then crocheted gold chains so they could wear their stones around their necks as they went home.
- Lord, we bring Neil to you tonight. You are able to calm and heal his stomach giving him your strength and peace.
- Today, as Francis and Neil begin ministering among the churches in NW Kenya, may your grace and love flow through them, giving the people hope and joy. Jesus, you are their true Shepherd, and you are able to provide and care for them.