Mudslides and storms

Another Geography text book moment. The sort of thing I see on the news and get excited because it makes a good case study for Geography lessons. The sort of thing that you don't want to experience or witness first hand. 

I am staying on the edge of the Rift Valley and woke up yesterday to the news that in the middle of the night there had been mudflows down the hillside nearby. Before breakfast I joined lots of people to watch a torrent of water tumble down the muddy slope where previously there had been trees, grass, a path and a fence.

 

 

There was a huge storm on Friday night with 14cm rain and this was following several weeks with good rainfall. The recent heavy rainfall means that the ground is saturated, and with the removal of trees for fuel wood and charcoal and clearing space for shambas (small vegetable gardens) the soil is unprotected so acted like a liquid and flowed downhill.

 

A good Geography case study.

Three little girls were killed. The mudflow uprooted trees, knocked down fences and swept away shambas. Roads were blocked by mud, the railway line was all twisted up and swept away. The tunnel under the railway was blocked by the mud and trees. Water pipes have been damaged. Homes, if not swept away, are flooded with mud and muddy water.

Not so good really.

As I watched the powerful water rush by and surveyed the damage done, I asked why. Why a loving, powerful God permits this sort of thing to happen. Bomb attacks, collapsed buildings, earthquakes, untimely deaths, illness...

There are often reasons for these things...good geographical explanations or maybe the obvious fault of others.

But sometimes it doesn't make sense. There's no good reason. I went to church this morning not entirely sure how to reconcile what I know of God with the suffering I had witnessed. The talk at church was about this.

I was reminded that sometimes we will never know, or not until much later, the reason for these terrible things. And I was also reminded how in the hurt and uncertainty of the various struggles and 'storms' of life we can praise God.

I can praise God that he is with us in the storms. Psalm 46:1-3 puts it like this: 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though it's waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.'

And I can praise God that he has purposes in all things, even when I don't know what they are. Scripture tells us what he might be doing. 1 Peter 1:7 says how God might be refining us and proving that our faith is real: 'These (trials) have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.' 

In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Paul wrote about a persistent problem he faced and how it made him rely on God all the more: 'I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.'

And I can praise God that, even though I don't understand what he is doing, he is working for my good and his glory: 'And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.' Romans 8:28

Leaders asked Jesus the reason for a massacre and the tragic collapse of a building. Jesus didn't actually give an explanation, other than to point out that we can all die (both figuratively and spiritually) and there is an urgent need to get right with God. (Read about this is Luke 13:1-5)

I still don't understand why this horrible stuff happens. But I know that God does, and I trust him.

Beside the seaside!

 

Swimming in the sea is something I have longed for when in the heat of Korr and I have taught about tourism in Kenya for many years. For these two reasons I was keen to visit the coast whilst here. This school holiday seemed the ideal time to go. I travelled by coach with my housemates to the coast north of Mombasa. The large all-inclusive resorts didn't appeal to us (or our budgets!) so we stayed at the field centre of A Rocha Kenya right next to the white coral sands and warm Indian Ocean.

 

The centre is a very special place on an unspoiled stretch of beach, with wonderful Kenyan food and hospitality, great company from volunteer researchers, beautiful fragrant frangipani trees, crabs (that reminded us of camel spiders) skittering around at night and the opportunity to learn more about the issues facing the area. 

 
A Rocha is an international organisation of Christians in conservation that aims to promote the study and conservation of natural resources and habitats. The Bible tells us that 'the earth is the Lord's' (Psalm 24:1) and also that 'the earth he has given to man' (Psalm 115:16); God has given us the responsibility to preserve and develop the world around us on his behalf. In this part of Kenya there are coral reefs, natural forests and mangrove swamps which sadly are all threatened by human activity.

 

A Rocha Kenya is involved with education programmes in local schools and also research into these ecosystems; we joined some volunteer researchers snorkelling on the coral reefs as they conducted surveys on coral bleaching and I tagged along with a preliminary visit for rock pool surveys.

 
There was also time for sunbathing, walks on the beach, reading and napping. The night guard at the centre is a Rendille man called Niko. We were able to keep up our Rendille language and share stories of the north with him.

Because of the rain, this is technically the low season for tourism in the area but the occasional rain storm didn't spoil our enjoyment. All in all a perfect little holiday!

Meet...Jim and Laura

Jim and Laura Propst both grew up in Kenya where their parents were missionaries. I have found that many children of missionaries grow up and do full time cross-cultural work, but Laura was certain that it was not something she was called to do.

That is until she married Jim. They first met when children at Rift Valley Academy but didn't 'get together' and marry until much later after studying in the USA. Together they returned to Africa, to Sudan and Kenya, where Jim works in construction and provides practical support for missionaries and and communities eg building and water. He helped build the house in which I live, long before they moved to Korr. 

Jim and Laura have lived in have lived in Korr for about five years. Laura is the headteacher of Tirrim Secondary School and great support to me with all things school related. Jim is leading a number of church building projects in and around  Korr. They live right next to our house and we sometimes get a lift home with Laura. We exchange recipes, stories of creepy crawlies and views on the latest Downton Abbey episode!

This school holiday Jim is taking our food shopping back to Korr whilst Laura nips back to the USA for the arrival of two grandchildren. They are wonderful examples of lives lived wholeheartedly for Christ in all circumstances.

How to...be a tourist in Nairobi

We hired a driver for the day and visited some of Nairobi's key tourist attractions.

At the giraffe centre we stroked and fed giraffes from a raised platform.

These giraffes (Daisy, Stacey, Lynne and Ed) were quite friendly and had very long tongues! The giraffes here are a type rarer than some of the others in Africa and the centre started as a breeding centre. Now their main objective is to provide conservation education for Kenyan school children. The money from entrance fees funds these education programmes.

The elephant orphanage rescues baby elephants from across Kenya who have been orphaned, mainly by poaching. We visited at feeding time.

 

 

An art gallery, a craft shop and lunch at Karen (Out of Africa) Blixen's coffee gardens and we felt like true tourists.

One of the last places we visited was Kazuri bead factory. Kazuri means 'small and beautiful' in Swahili and their handmade beads and jewellery live up to the name. We had a tour round the workshop which employs local women. We saw how they make the beads from clay, paint and glaze them and make them into necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

The beads are exported around the world and sold with expensive fairtrade labels. I cut out the 'middle man' and bought some beads at the factory shop!

 

I'm an alien!

This week I got my alien card. Now I'm legal. I visited the Immigration Department last time I was in Nairobi back in November, stood in lots of queues and had prints taken of all my fingers. The card (and the temporary one I had from November until now) replaces the three month tourist visa I first had. It also means I get discounts at tourist attractions, great for the holidays!

So whilst the Sting song plays round my head I begin to think about where I'm from.

In Nairobi I sometimes say I am from Korr which is met with puzzled faces as few Nairobi folks have heard of Korr in the distant desert of 'upcountry' and also because I don't look Kenyan. 

In Kenya I am an alien. Not a green man from outer space but a foreigner. My alien card says my nationality is British and place of birth is United Kingdom. I am from UK, Solihull and/or Lincoln (I'm never sure where to say I am from!). So I am currently a resident of Kenya but a citizen of UK. No matter how long I stayed in Kenya I'd never fully fit in here.

This is like my eternal citizenship:

'They are not of this world, just as I (Jesus) am not of this world.' John 17:16

'But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ...' Philippians 3:20

I am a resident of this world, but my citizenship is in heaven. I am like an alien on earth. My place in heaven is gained not by a carefully completed application form or reference from the mission organisation but by Jesus. Jesus speaks to God on my behalf and God accepts me, not because I have done things right, but because Jesus paid for all the things I don't do right.

And because I am a citizen of heaven, I must not be surprised that I don't fit in completely here!

How to...shop (Nairobi-style)

Modern malls, street markets, superstores and souvenir shops, Nairobi has a much greater range of shopping options than we have in Korr. I reckon you could get almost anything you wanted here, although some things are far more expensive than in the UK because they are imported.

It took three large supermarkets, six shopping trolleys, three shop assistants helping pack and one mini-van taxi but we are almost done supply shopping for next term in Korr! We just need to find somewhere selling tinned tuna as everywhere we went has sold out!

After Nakumatt supermarket shopping yesterday we went to Toi market this afternoon. Toi is a large market on the edge of Kibera selling clothes, accessories, CDs/DVDs and some food. Much of the clothing is second hand, originating in Europe, and some great bargains are to be had!  

 
I managed to get some new sandals that should stand up to the thorns and rocks of northern Kenya! They are new and cost less than a third of what I would have had to spend on them in UK.

 

This is the cheery and persuasive store-holder who sold me the sandals.

 

How to...play!

In a place with no television, no computers, no electricity and little money spare for toys, games or outings, what do children do for fun?

Much of their time when not at school will be taken up helping at home - especially the girls: fetching water, collecting firewood, washing clothes, looking after goats, sheep and chickens, looking after the babies. Older youth like to visit, chat, listen to the radio.

However children can be pretty inventive. Here are some pictures of games and toys I have spotted:

Backflips

Pushing old tyres and wheels

Cephas runs with an old bike tyre while Seku in the background is occupied looking after her cousin tied on her back.

 This kiddie bike doesn't work properly, but they have much fun pushing the little ones on it!

  

Homemade toys with wood, wire and other 'junk' like Giddy's below



 Football remains a popolar option. Here some children have fixed a 'ball' to a fence post with string and take turns to kick it round. As the string winds round the post they have to header the ball! 

At the pools in Ngurunit where we went sliding on the rocks, we saw local children with the same idea.

Older kids love to sit on vehicles, even if they are not going anywhere. On a recent school trip I joined some on top of the school bus... 

...and tried to take photos holding the bus. I want a 'play' driving this bus!

End of term

At Tirrim Secondary School we are almost at the end of term 1 as the academic year started in January. Students hope to travel home on Friday.
 
Last week all students sat end of term exams and are now really getting into the end of term spirit! Before they can finish, though, there are some jobs to be done. Prefects assign fellow students various duties and these are checked by staff.
 

All the desks are brought outside where the wooden parts are sanded to remove graffiti/writing and the paintwork is touched up.  

Empty classrooms are swept

And then the rooms are 'mopped' using a rag

Dormitories, toilets, and bathrooms all receive similar treatment. Then the compound needs tidying especially clearing up all the wind-blown rubbish and paper.
 
Class teachers are busy compiling exam results and writing report cards.

 

 

 
I helped fill envelopes with a newsletter, report cards and remaining pocket money then supervised the video; students who had done their jobs correctly were allowed to watch a DVD (we watched Human Planet - the episode about deserts!)  until clouds came and there was no solar electricity.
 

 

There's a bit more cleaning to do tomorrow and students must also sign up and pay for transport home. Tomorrow evening there's a closing ceremony where everyone will get their reports and the top achievers are congratulated. Finally, on Friday morning once blankets/dorm keys/light bulbs/batteries are handed in, they will be dismissed. The bus will take students towards home but it is likely that they will have to go much of the way on foot as many roads are impassable after the rain which has brought flowing rivers and lots of mud.

We want to leave for Nairobi on Friday so we can do our supply shopping and get to the coast for a few days. Our only viable route out of Korr is by plane, but we are still on the standby list for Friday's MAF shuttle service. We pray that an extra plane is put on and that we all, students included, have safe and smooth journeys.

UPDATE 16/4/13

Students piled onto the school bus, a lorry and a pickup and headed home Friday morning.

Friday afternoon two MAF planes picked up me and my housemates from the airstrip.

The arrival of planes in Korr draws an audience!

 

 

 



How to...shop

Here is a butchery selling meat. Early in the morning you can see traditional Rendille women leading a lone goat or sheep on a rope into town. The animal doesn't have long to live, and will soon be slaughtered and be ready for sale in a duka (shop) like this.

 

 

I have bought meat like this a couple of times; it is hacked off the limb hanging up using a sharp knife (all Rendille men have their own knife for this purpose!), weighed on balances scales and sold by the kg. I wasn't entirely sure whether it was goat or sheep meat.

Boya, the man serving, is one of Nick and Lynne's night guards and I also know Nabiro, the lady sitting on the floor in the corner of the picture. She was cleaning the intestines of the sheep - nothing is wasted.

 
Below is one of the larger dukas, Mohammed's. It's only a small shop but packed to the ceiling with many things- tin cups, batteries, bubble gum, beads, laundry powder and simple medicines for humans and animals. Their biggest trade is in the staples of maize and beans, loose tea and flour, all bought in small quantities from large sacks. You can see the scales on which this is all weighed out. I get flour and long life milk from here, and occasionally fruit (bananas, mango, passion fruit) or vegetables (cabbage, tomatoes) when they are in.

You don't help yourself to what you want to buy, but wait at the counter to be served. It is often quite busy and queueing is not customary so you have to be both patient and assertive! Amina, who is normally serving, speaks very good English which makes things easier, although I am able to greet her, and all the other customers, in Rendille, much to their ammusement!
 

And then there are some market stalls, selling an assortment of items like flip flops, belts, pots and pans.

We buy most of our food in a modern supermarket (Nakumat or Uchumi) in Nairobi or Nanyuki. Jim and Laura or Nick and Lynne bring it up in their car. There we can get things not available in Korr. We are currently running down our pantry and making plans to restock supplies for the next 3-4 months when we are down in Nairobi on school break at the end of April.

Yeesso maanta a jira!

Yeesso maanta a jira,
Yeesso maanta a jira,
Yeesso maanta a jira,
koolinno.

This has quickly become a favourite church song. The repetition, words that are easy to pronounce, and a catchy tune mean that it is easy to learn.

After church one Sunday the secondary girls translated it for us: Jesus is alive today, praise his name! (the other verses tell of how Jesus is a healer, teacher and how he will return).

I didn't get to go to church on Easter Sunday as there was a school trip for prefects, but we did sing the Yeesso maanta a jira song as we worshipped together and discussed the Easter story and it's significance for us.

Jesus was crucified and died. He was buried. And two days later (on the third day) he rose to life again. As the song says, he is still alive. He has defeated death and because of this we can have eternal life with God. Jesus completed his rescue-mission and saved us from the eternal separation from God that we deserve.

...because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

Praise his name!