February 9, 2008
Greetings from Kenya,
The full day in Kenya has been a good one. We went to Tigoni refugee camp for a quick good-bye and were rejoicing to see almost 40 buses filling with people headed to their homeland in the western part of the country. We saw them come and we have seen them leave during our two weeks in Kenya. There are still a couple thousand people in Tigoni but they can be much better cared for with the tents, food, and medical needs.
We stopped at a local meat store and bought 25 pounds of meat for an orphanage. The meat store has the meat hanging in the window and the store is open with no refrigeration. The butcher gets the meat every morning from the slaughter house so the earlier in the morning you come the better. The temperature had not gotten too hot and there were no flies that I could see.
We took the meat to the Nest orphanage where over seventy children greeted us with singing and smiles. We toured the Nest and saw the chickens we bought for them last year. They are just beginning to lay eggs and they gave us some for breakfast tomorrow. The children were very clean and well behaved. They hugged us and the small ones wanted to be held. It was a highlight of the trip. Seeing the well organized, caring work of the Nest gave me a sense of hope for these abandoned children.
From the Nest we went to a tea farm for a tour and lunch. The British couple were fourth generation farmers of that land. We walked through one of the few remaining sections of the forests/jungle that used to cover the highlands region. It has almost all been cleared for farming and people. It was a delightful experience and a delicious lunch.
We then drove to an overlook of the majestic Riff Valley. It is a very fertile area that is miles across and stretches both ways into several neighboring nations. Of course there were salesmen who swarmed us with their wares. After pictures and a few purchases we headed back to the mission house for dinner, packing, and one last project. We have been asked to join several missionaries in distributing blankets in another refugee camp after dinner.
Tomorrow we attend Ridgeways Baptist Church where Rod Rodriguez is giving testimony of God’s work in Tigoni. After church a few last minute packing jobs and then on the airplane for the ride home! We leave at 11:09 PM Kenyan time and arrive in Nashville at 2:39 PM Tennessee time. Pray for our connections, our safety, and our ability to sleep on some of the flight.
These blogs have been a blessing to share with you to help keep you posted on the work. Thank you for praying for us. God has worked mightily through your prayers.
Keep Praying,
Tim Frank
Romans 1:16
