back to the coast

We left Eldoret last Monday on an overnight bus ride to Mombasa. Thank you to those of you praying, because it really was the Lord alone who got us there safely, and then to Vipingo okay. Some of our team was in the front of the bus, but I really thank God that I was in the middle, and that I was not on the window seat. I found out later that the bus driver was texting, eating, and driving part of the time with his knees, at very high speeds! And it didn't help that the other person, the "security guard" was chewing miraa, which is a popular local drug!! And all the time swerving along the bumpy road to Mombasa, with no guard rails. Lisa's popular phrase "I choose life!" was a common saying along the way. haha.
Anyway, we got into Mombasa around 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning, record time of 13 hours. Tiberius and Wycliffe went to go look for a couple of matatus to take us to Vipingo, about an hour away. We found out later that on the way, they were approached by the police, who searched them, and then let them pass. Then we got the matatus, loaded our luggage on one of them, and the rest of us on the other. We were about ready to go, when, our matatu stopped and we no longer saw the other one. A few of the guys got out to see what the problem was, and we found out that the police were arresting the other matatu with all of our luggage! We had no idea what was happening, but a few of the guys went with it to the police station! All we could do was wait and pray.
We found out later that the police pulled over the matatu driver for not being certified. However, he was, and they were just arresting a lot of people that day. This is a good opportunity to discuss the corruption that is happening in Kenya. Police pull over matatus a lot, and then the matatu driver just gives them a bribe, and then the police let them pass. One of our friends also informed us about the police who "search" people. He said that you have to be careful, because sometimes police will plant drugs on people as they search them, and then "find" it and then arrest the person until a bribe is paid. The corruption is very sad and is very important to pray for.

Anyway, the point is that we got to Vipingo all in one piece. We are staying in a very nice church, in the Bible college building that was finished by the American team (they are from Wisconsin, Carlos Pedro) just 10 days before we came. There are nice tile floors, electricity, beds, and showers (even though cold - but it's okay since is is so hot)!! So we are spoiled yet again. :)
And there are WONDERFUL children who fill the place every day. We love it. We started children's ministry and games, and also taught Sunday School. We also did some home visiting around the nearby village, and saw the landscape of another community. It is a really beautiful place, and though we are back to the heat of the coast, Vipingo has a nice breeze that we love. :) I think that there are a lot of times that we are pretty tired, but we are pressing on, because we have two more weeks left here and a lot of work to do before we leave. There is a school on the campus of the church, and we have already met a few of the teachers there, and some of the kids. :) I'm looking forward to our next two weeks.

And speaking of leaving, I have just 3 weeks left. WOW. I can't believe it. I can't wait to see people, eat Asian food and salad, and take a shower with no sandals on. But mostly it is to see people. And at the same time, I do not want to leave the people I have come to really enjoy here. I love my team. They are a great bunch of people. sigh. One Day, there will be no goodbyes. Praise Jesus.
It's a good thing I can leave too. We just came from the immigration office because I got a text earlier this week from our base leader who said I needed to get an alien registration pass. I don't know why this information was not communicated to me earlier - but I think it was because no one thought I needed it since I have a visa and a pupil's pass. Well apparently I needed to go and get that, or else there was a possibility for a hold up at the airport. YIKES. Anyway, we went to the office today, and they said it was too late for me to get the alien pass, and that my visa expired in June (even though I got a 6 month visa and it said on my passport that it expires next week, in August.. I guess the way things work here is that it expires in 3 months and I need to get it extended.). Anyway, praise the Lord because the guy just extended my visa, and no alien pass was given, but an assurance that the visa will be fine to show the people at the airport when I leave. :)