tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10282888745043886792024-03-20T22:17:41.618-07:00UCCS Harambee XCAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816021943951141289noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028288874504388679.post-27908282112421282932013-03-01T20:25:00.001-08:002013-03-01T20:25:30.028-08:00A successful Dinner Night!<br />
Friends! What an incredible night! Thank you so much to everyone who came to the dinner, and to those who couldn't make it but helped by donating on the site! When we made our initial goal of raising $4000, we did not expect to make all of it in one night.<br />
<br />
Donations are still rolling and, and the donation site WILL remain open, but as of this moment we are sitting at about $4575!! That is enough money to HIRE AND PAY 7 TEACHERS FOR A YEAR at the Cheptigit Primary school, and cover all the start-up costs for the Harambee Foundation which will continue to grow and send aid to elementary schools in Kaptagat Kenya!<br />
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Thank you all SO much for your help! Without you, we never could have gotten close to where we are now. We will continue to keep you posted as money continues to come in!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816021943951141289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028288874504388679.post-11083808815474795782013-01-15T07:42:00.001-08:002013-01-15T23:33:22.356-08:00From Kenya to Colorado...Today is our last blog post from this side of the world. We are currently in Nairobi at the home of our friend from Finland David Korpela. Our journey back to the USA starts tonight and we arrive back in the Rocky Mountains on Wednesday afternoon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys at the world famous Iten stadium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We are looking forward to meeting with people and discussing our hopes for a project to support the Grace of God Children's Center and Cheptigit Primary School in Kaptagat. We'd like to start a site with a link for people who want to support the needs and continue the relationship we have established as representatives of UCCS. The options to serve and contribute are endless.<br />
<br />
It's been a busy time since our last post on Friday. Below are the closing thoughts from each of us:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Robert "Whaleback" Scrivner</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I'm not quite sure where to begin. The last 3 weeks have been indescribable for all of us. Not one of us was truly prepared for what we would experience here. Kenya is far from what we expected- and so much <i>better </i>than we could have imagined.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids from neighboring homes come to the<br />childrens center on Sunday mornings<br />for sunday school.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I can say for myself that I desperately needed this trip, for so many reasons. God has done so much in my heart since left the states. Ironically, I was given the book "Crazy Love" as a gift before I left. The words in that book, combined with our experiences here have really opened my eyes to fully understand how wealthy we truly are, and how incredibly blessed we are to live in the USA.<br />
<br />
I will always remember watching men on bicycles riding for miles to Eldoret with <i style="font-weight: bold;">enormous </i>loads of wood stacked over 8 feet high on the back of the bike. These men perform this wildly difficult job, only to receive a small sum of money at the day, probably around $7-$10. In Kenya, the poverty line is at $1 a day. Anyone who lives on more than $1 is considered pretty well off. Only 9% of the people in Kenya have electricity, and few have running water.<br />
<br />
In spite of all of these things, the Kenyans are so full of life, joy, and compassion. They are so willing to invite strangers into their home for tea, or even drop whatever they are doing to go and guide you around town. We were blessed to stay at a children's home with the most patient, wise, and compassionate man I have ever met- David Koros. These children were all selected to live in the home because they came from the <i>most </i>needy families. For these kids, it is a HUGE honor to move in to a place like GOGCC where food, clean water, and education are all provided to them. The center has applied for electricity and running water, and will be like a nice hotel when it is finished! The kids at the home are the most well behaved, hardest working children I have ever met. Every day they sweep and mop the entire home, clean their own bedrooms, help cook meals, and do countless other tasks-- all without any complaining. I never saw any of the children cry the entire time we were there, even though one of the girls broke her collarbone during our stay! They are tougher than nails, and so full of love. I walked away with a folder full of letters from the kids, wishing us a safe journey and recounting the fun times we had together.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZUmxrGemB7_bLjbqhZk-42EkqT91XC9oyHVjV5s7IpM4KKQ0ORpBGELeItMfqQZhb4UDO5OCyqKUzPyneNsLOmHPIK2vcT5r-YOLETqOPfNCgIpGl8EjFnbI2iDbIrRekqzQJZ_VA9U/s1600/GOPR0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZUmxrGemB7_bLjbqhZk-42EkqT91XC9oyHVjV5s7IpM4KKQ0ORpBGELeItMfqQZhb4UDO5OCyqKUzPyneNsLOmHPIK2vcT5r-YOLETqOPfNCgIpGl8EjFnbI2iDbIrRekqzQJZ_VA9U/s320/GOPR0047.JPG" width="320" /></a>GOGCC is fully supported by sponsors in the USA. Unlike many other homes like it, Grace of God doesn't receive support from a larger program like Compassion International or World Vision; rather, they receive all support through their website. I would like to personally ask anyone who is reading this now to go and visit <a href="http://www.graceofgodchildren.org/">www.graceofgodchildren.org</a> and support the home in whatever way you can. They have more rooms available to bring in more children, but cannot because they don't have enough sponsors to provide for more kids. I would love it if we could just overwhelm them with sponsors and funds. You can buy them livestock, buy building materials for new projects, or just send money for general use- all online with a credit card. Our blog has over 2000 views since the beginning of January. That means that if every single person who viewed the blog sent $1 each time they looked at the site, the home would have enough money to buy 6 cows, and have money left over to sponsor one kid for a month. Seriously, go and look for yourself: <a href="http://www.graceofgodchildren.org/">www.graceofgodchildren.org</a> They would be so grateful just to know that you visited their website!<br />
<br />
Thank you, for your interest in our trip. It has been absolutely life changing for all of us, and I truly hope that anyone reading this can at some point experience a trip like this for themselves.<br />
<br />
<b>David "Rooney" Marino </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Kenya: Where people walk slow and run fast, where being 30 minutes late is acceptable but not being awake and dressed 30 minutes before a run is an excuse to shake you awake, where kids from an orphanage are better behaved than the kids that come to Sunday service, and where roads riddled with potholes can magically lull you to sleep. I know that I haven't written much on the blog, but every time the opportunity came up, I froze. Simply trying to chose what to write about would take too long. Obviously we all will take a different perspective with everything that happened during our time here, but one thing is for sure: the people here are incredible.<br />
<br />
For example, my parents and I sponsor a child through Compassion International who so happens to reside in Kenya. From the United States, a child in Kenya, Europe, China, Malaysia, may seem so far away because they're out of the country, across the world, over an ocean. Simply, some boundary separates child from sponsor. It's rare that a sponsor actually meets his or her child, but it does happen.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Victoria, on our trip to Kisumu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In short, he lives in Kisumu and I called Compassion before we left the States trying to set up an arrangement to meet him. Compassion (basically) said no, and I left it at that. While in Kenya, Coach Misch told me to give the name of my child to David Koros reassuring me that the "Way things are run in Kenya are way different than in the States." and they sure are. David made a few calls, recruited his brother Matthew to drive us to Kisumu and got us as close as a 3 hour pothole-ridden wild goose chase could get us. The thought that I got closer than most sponsors keeps me positive. The fact that these men went out of their way to drive for an entire day... and they were genuinely altruistic about the whole ordeal. I am so thankful.<br />
<br />
Everyone wonders why the Kenyan runners are so great. Everything from a mythical extra muscle to being born at altitude have been suggested, but how many researchers have gone into the homes and ran a training cycle with these people? This isn't some American high school team where half the kids are unmotivated and just sticking it out to add one more thing on their college applications. When a family is chopping wood for 10 Kenyan shillings a log and riding their bikes on the highways to the cities to sell them, money is not exactly readily available. Kenyan colleges don't give out running scholarships, but American colleges do. A Kenyan runner has a better chance trying to make it into the U.S. off a running scholarship than trying to pay for college in Kenya. In some circles this is already known, of course, but it's just something to think about.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41UUm1AABnzp8nwvVGAp9vcI3EVKHgV8xxs74AgUQeKIIMv7osYqBpybOPG2VR1CoaQuB2YMi2lxjSg0xc634LBobrf2bToa9ZBv9dEQG0491jx37j4lrkCht-3JPnKTQ-wKF_4Dab74/s1600/GOPR0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41UUm1AABnzp8nwvVGAp9vcI3EVKHgV8xxs74AgUQeKIIMv7osYqBpybOPG2VR1CoaQuB2YMi2lxjSg0xc634LBobrf2bToa9ZBv9dEQG0491jx37j4lrkCht-3JPnKTQ-wKF_4Dab74/s320/GOPR0019.JPG" width="320" /></a>Knowing this, getting out the door to put in a morning 8 miler isn't a decision to get faster in their respective event, or to loosen up their legs before their afternoon session, it isn't even a lifestyle for them. They are literally chasing the dream, and the dream is just out of reach. Training with the David's and Paul and their tales of 3 hour training runs, 3 a day sessions, and races won against rivals had a different ring this time around.<br />
<br />
18 days away from home, on the other side of the world immersed in a different culture... it's hard to choose words to describe the experience. When Skywalker, Whaleback and I talked at the end of our stay in the Grace of God Children's Center, I told the kids that because of them I would return a changed man. The kindness and compassion shown by the people we stayed with is hard to find. Thank you all for following the blog, taking interest in our trip and even donating to our trip. It truly has been a wild ride, and we all come home as different people.<br />
<br />
<b>Luke "Skywalker" Dakin</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Hey All,<br />
<br />
I think the guys above me summed up our trip pretty well but in closing I would like to add a few words. I really appreciate all of the support that we have received from our friends and family. It is pretty special that we have so many people interested in our trip and following our blog. Thank you all for the support. Also, to all of those that contributed money and support to make this happen, thank you so much. Your support has made possible the experience of a lifetime.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew before departure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On a trip like this it is difficult to sum up the highlights because there aren't really any big highlights. The reason a trip like this is so amazing is because of all the little moments that add up to one life changing experience. A kid sincerely telling you that he likes the soccer cleats you got him, a casual conversation on a terrifying three hour car ride that completely changes your outlook on something or just being able to relate to someone who has a completely different life-story than you. These are all examples of experiences that I have had on this trip that are very difficult to put into words but when you have these experiences almost hourly over the course of a couple weeks, it is pretty powerful.<br />
<br />
Thank you all so much for this opportunity and I hope you all will be as blessed as I was to have had these experiences.<br />
<br />
Harambee<br />
<br />
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<br />
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<b>Mark<i> "The dog whisperer" </i>Misch <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
We are about an hour away
from leaving David’s home to start the drive to the Nairobi International
Airport. It’s been a pretty relaxing day
of running, packing and getting caught up on returning e-mails from the past
couple of weeks before tackling what is waiting back in Colorado.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKLf3ecx0Vzj86AM-v791jfh1X5DSotUZgXpD_XOMupnoQg0vxXcxMxkgD0Z0a1WEvptIOvv40-pnC6t2mudJru41pzco1YWw7heMPhJvTIcd12yOvOpfrPLbri3GSKJ8LxOuVCJvEtw/s1600/GOPR0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKLf3ecx0Vzj86AM-v791jfh1X5DSotUZgXpD_XOMupnoQg0vxXcxMxkgD0Z0a1WEvptIOvv40-pnC6t2mudJru41pzco1YWw7heMPhJvTIcd12yOvOpfrPLbri3GSKJ8LxOuVCJvEtw/s320/GOPR0031.JPG" width="320" /></a>Yesterday I went with
Peter (the taxi driver) down to the Soweto Slum District to meet with John
Mbogo and several of the young people who are a part of his ministry. I first
met John in 2007 when we were in Mombasa where he is from. It was so
encouraging to meet with some incredible kids who have such a strong faith and
positive attitude regardless of the circumstances they have had to overcome. It
was humbling to be their guest and welcomed with open arms and unconditional
joy, much the same as the wonderful people from the Grace of God Children’s
Center in Kaptagat. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Speaking of the Grace of
God Children’s Center, it was tough to say goodbye to those incredible people.
In all of my life I have never been honored the way I was the day we departed.
To have a tree planted in your name and to be part of a very special ceremony
and receive personal gifts and letters from the children goes beyond anything I
can put words to. Without a doubt it was a very special experience that I will never forget. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Well it’s time to wrap
this up and get ready for the long journey home that awaits us. No more running
without a shirt in January, the snow awaits in Colorado! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Misch<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kids planted trees with us right before we left for home. Nick and Adam had already left, but they both had trees planted in their names as well. </div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816021943951141289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028288874504388679.post-56498659613533320292013-01-12T05:38:00.001-08:002013-01-12T05:57:41.851-08:00Misch – blog update, Friday, January 11th <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">I am currently sitting in the dining/meeting room of the Children’s Center with several of the boys who just got home from school. They are watching intently over my shoulder as I type on the funny machine known as a laptop computer</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">. I think that they are disappointed that I am not watching any of the videos that Robert has filmed of them. But since it is Friday and they just finished their first week back at school, they are all happy to be home and ready for the weekend. Then Saturday evening we are having a celebration dinner for the kids with PIZZA we’re having made in Eldoret. This will be a BIG deal!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZ2t0vq9u2ObtC4KW6J9FEdjRlkdltOj_-SQhS9njV3KLvmkZQQpGNW3FfEk42cpz2SxgV00Lt9ISrgPNIp1F0dSsCmibWuIou0pTgb1Sy2XyGuts6gIqd6j1CE-987OjIo8VJABMRz4/s1600/GOPR0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZ2t0vq9u2ObtC4KW6J9FEdjRlkdltOj_-SQhS9njV3KLvmkZQQpGNW3FfEk42cpz2SxgV00Lt9ISrgPNIp1F0dSsCmibWuIou0pTgb1Sy2XyGuts6gIqd6j1CE-987OjIo8VJABMRz4/s1600/GOPR0170.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">David Karos' sister in-law</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">who hosted us for tea on our way to Iten.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today “Rooney, Skywalker and Whaleback” traveled with David Koros and
his brother to Lake Victoria. I took advantage of the day to train, do laundry,
read, rest, write and hang out with David Lagat. Since the next few days will
be busy I decided to go ahead and type an entry on David Marino’s laptop and
they can post it when they go to town (so not sure when this will be posted).
Tomorrow morning I am doing a two hour long run with David Lagat on the hilly
roads of Kaptagat Forest. The forest is a lot like the roads of Colorado and
the same altitude. Training is going well and I am looking forward to my first
race as a masters runner in three weeks at the USA National Cross Country
Championships. Training in Kenya has been good and I wish I could’ve come here
when I was 27 or 28 and trained with a group of guys for an extended period of
time for the experience. Just a different environment as a whole, but without a
doubt Colorado is tough to beat as well and I am thankful live there now. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As I reflect over the past month it has been a very busy time starting
with the USTFCCCA meetings in Orlando, Florida December 16-20<sup>th</sup>,
then flying home to be with family in Kansas the 24<sup>th</sup> and on to
Washington D.C the 27<sup>th</sup> to meet up with David Cheromei and Isaya
Okwiya before connecting with the guys on the 28<sup>th</sup> as we flew over
to Amsterdam (where we met Adam and Nick Kern) on the way to Nairobi. I counted
at one point I had slept in seven beds in fifteen days. Now that we have been
settled at the Children’s Center for two weeks it seems like home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Over
the previous five months leading up to this trip I had a lot on my mind. After
directing the Annual Colorado Springs Free Cross Country Camp at the end of
July we jumped right into the college cross country season. It was a big year
for the program hosting two cross country meets including the RMAC Championships
for the first time ever, as well as the team flying to the Griak Invitational
in Minnesota (which both our men’s team and Coach Harmer’s women’s team won their races), buying
a home (an eight month process to obtain and then doing a lot of work to it)
and of course the focus on the team’s preparations as we were shooting for high
places at the conference, regional and NCAA Championships (which the team
delivered). And finally, I wrapped up the 2012 season by accepting a Vice
President position for DII Cross Country with the USTFCCCA for the coming year
ahead.</span><!--EndFragment-->
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">All that to say that this trip to Kenya was waiting at the end of it all and as I sit here with children running around me I can say without a doubt it was worth preparing for during a busy season of life and has been the highlight by far.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_gLlgPtWGhfMkIXecWWQ96u7Ikklzl9_ZMvFvLDRFmcxVaRnCJ7h6-UZ0ARFq8bpEQF6Aa6ASkWpf071HXZZwmKFq2QqaeV98tjllHDjlD-fFADiYvLR6bU4m-aDV5eOsDw7d3wNVGg/s1600/GOPR0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_gLlgPtWGhfMkIXecWWQ96u7Ikklzl9_ZMvFvLDRFmcxVaRnCJ7h6-UZ0ARFq8bpEQF6Aa6ASkWpf071HXZZwmKFq2QqaeV98tjllHDjlD-fFADiYvLR6bU4m-aDV5eOsDw7d3wNVGg/s1600/GOPR0273.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Some of the girls having lunch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">I can’t even begin to thank all of the people who helped make this experience possible for our team. When I traveled to Kenya the first time back in 2007, I knew that I wanted to return again one day, but I never imagined it would be with a group of college distance runners while staying at an orphanage in rural Kenya. Thankfully the Lord’s plans are far more then we can ever imagine and this experience has gone beyond anything that I can put into words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">I want to say a special “<b><u>Thank You</u></b>” to David Cheromei, David Karos (and his entire family), Wilson Kogo, Sarah Agola, David Lagat, David Kibet, Paul Kipkemboi, Joseph Cheromei, David Nyamu, Philip Maiyo, David Korpela, Brother O’Connell, our young friends Hillary, Christine, Roy, Vincent, Teresa, Eliud, Ian, Eunice, Winnie A., Nickson, Sharon, Dennis, Winnie J., Bernard, Brenda, Victor and Gideon for all making us part of your “Kenyan family” during our stay in your country. I will also miss our friends Maggie and Suzy (the dogs), Tracy (the cat), the sheep, chickens, roosters and Nufala and Harambee (the cows) that all room freely around the yard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">As for Robert Scrivner (Whaleback), David Marino (Rooney), Luke Dakin (Skywalker), Adam Kern (Bruce Lee) and Nick Kern you guys were awesome to travel with, live with and experience life with. I am beyond proud to have had the opportunity to be called “Coach” during your college or high school years. You have left a positive impact on the people we have been with on this trip and without a doubt were meant to be here. You are good men who will do a lot of great things for people in the years to come. Last week I was on a run with these guys when my career training log clicked over the 64,000 miles / 103, 000 kilometers mark. I could think of no better place to be on that day then running the back roads of Kenya with a bunch of college guys half my age. I won’t forget it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">And to all of the people who have supported us, prayed for our trip, donated gear, money and time <b><u>THANK YOU</u></b> so much for your part in our journey. It is always the people behind the scenes that make things happen and very rarely get the credit. You all know who you are!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0i39UJ66gHimSuc2HTBX7zYJS0QzQe0WBBoF8gOJg-c0bSDpTciDfGcvSkvRYHsrx1DqKb7KDVyURzoOL3zoWJJrsUdK97xjXk1YEk1zhfLmGBK-CthT0Avj_IGCfyFGRaPAol4KMbc/s1600/G0020017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0i39UJ66gHimSuc2HTBX7zYJS0QzQe0WBBoF8gOJg-c0bSDpTciDfGcvSkvRYHsrx1DqKb7KDVyURzoOL3zoWJJrsUdK97xjXk1YEk1zhfLmGBK-CthT0Avj_IGCfyFGRaPAol4KMbc/s1600/G0020017.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">I am honored to have been part of this experience and I have learned much from the children and adults who make up this land. We were welcomed with open arms, people sacrificed for us and I leave herein a few days knowing that I have been blessed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Thank you <b><u>EVERYONE</u></b>!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">See you back in the Rocky Mountains next week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Misch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Proverbs 16:9</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816021943951141289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028288874504388679.post-4923130609926703422013-01-10T06:02:00.001-08:002013-01-10T06:14:27.028-08:00Luke Dakin Update Jan 10, 2013<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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Written By Luke Dakin:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello All!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are
about 3 days away from leaving the children’s home to go back to Nairobi and
are wondering where the time has gone! It has been a phenomenal experience so
far and we are looking to make the most of our final couple of days. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Tuesday
we had the experience of a lifetime for running nerds such as ourselves. We
went to Iten, which has proclaimed itself “The City of Champions”. It was
obvious why after our day. We started off by going to the local university to
watch a track workout where many of the best runners in the world were
training. For example, in one workout the last Boston Marathon winner and the
Yokohama Marathon winner were working together. They were doing an “easy”
workout to stretch out their legs. 20 by 400 meters at 68 to 72 seconds! That’s
averaging 4:40 mile pace!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFHY0XiytozDZHqnt5K2FQE1JAobXqnszC7SHM0R4W6qbZqWgheyyn64CwcsaQjPUUhE5IWrrLs4NQ1VPhkrZDE-TvJESLN5aqnZ03plyI2q_cVdPF3BZTHq3g8M5PpcqZhst5GHFiKg/s1600/GOPR0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFHY0XiytozDZHqnt5K2FQE1JAobXqnszC7SHM0R4W6qbZqWgheyyn64CwcsaQjPUUhE5IWrrLs4NQ1VPhkrZDE-TvJESLN5aqnZ03plyI2q_cVdPF3BZTHq3g8M5PpcqZhst5GHFiKg/s1600/GOPR0227.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We just did
a recovery run on the campus of Chepkoilel University which was a neat
experience too because we got to see what life was like at a Kenyan University.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2QU9vsqIpJU11KXZg9UkqndPANxmKaIHIsCtL1vZxv9opJhEIXCkI2gW-0RzAauBNncqh0ZWP6RmOILsnm7s9yyodHc-oG6MjhKmzRObxeHO2_bMz7UKeFHy0xyViWfHl0pAmn0dizc/s1600/G0040127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2QU9vsqIpJU11KXZg9UkqndPANxmKaIHIsCtL1vZxv9opJhEIXCkI2gW-0RzAauBNncqh0ZWP6RmOILsnm7s9yyodHc-oG6MjhKmzRObxeHO2_bMz7UKeFHy0xyViWfHl0pAmn0dizc/s1600/G0040127.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winner of the 2012 Boston Marathon, Sharon Cherop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After we
left there we went to St. Patrick’s Boys School, which has produced an
incredible amount of Olympians. They planted a tree outside for every Olympic
medalist who had passed through that school and it seemed like there was a
forest out front! There were easily 30
trees outside. As if that wasn’t impressive enough when we went inside we got
to take a look at their school records board. Keep in mind this is a high
school. The school record in the 5000-meter race was set at the Los Angeles
Olympics! My jaw was on the floor at this point. It was a humbling experience
to say the least to be at a high school where the school record of the 10000-meter
run was over 3 minutes faster than my personal best. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9O66sG6phNuN5TRqdYFQCutJUa1yklrYmqjDYXU6FBOAVKCwlXAaIR4ixJZB7L5O7w15QJVcTy-yqm4q8i63HCzTBK2fFV17i4qdPy8FC9rRJYmUkpiyKuU7o89xxIXs6zjWwwmM6rVo/s1600/G0060263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9O66sG6phNuN5TRqdYFQCutJUa1yklrYmqjDYXU6FBOAVKCwlXAaIR4ixJZB7L5O7w15QJVcTy-yqm4q8i63HCzTBK2fFV17i4qdPy8FC9rRJYmUkpiyKuU7o89xxIXs6zjWwwmM6rVo/s1600/G0060263.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most prestigious high school for runners in the world.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcDBcs4g075Gfo9ySqYUMh1_fsQ_32QqoEDkzbL-PPIzuqfLcnGQhKIZ7lkBilSxg6BiL2n9tRwenTEKl5fp2FskBNUB6OFCFLvH3Mu4herriTuEJyFUw3mUltRXUYLJS2xQxm_insdo/s1600/GOPR0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcDBcs4g075Gfo9ySqYUMh1_fsQ_32QqoEDkzbL-PPIzuqfLcnGQhKIZ7lkBilSxg6BiL2n9tRwenTEKl5fp2FskBNUB6OFCFLvH3Mu4herriTuEJyFUw3mUltRXUYLJS2xQxm_insdo/s1600/GOPR0238.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Accolades</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uKW7Npve_2XPo7uVE8NVK4N7NMZ3DDjGEoYUBfQMB-WS5IUvCCZ901b6SjRoqT0W3_2biPQn0mocY6TvnD-9qX-muXrtHnMxFdVrxQCJjGaSjsF8vk4hPWUcchwCv398bjSj3OqCvzk/s1600/GOPR0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uKW7Npve_2XPo7uVE8NVK4N7NMZ3DDjGEoYUBfQMB-WS5IUvCCZ901b6SjRoqT0W3_2biPQn0mocY6TvnD-9qX-muXrtHnMxFdVrxQCJjGaSjsF8vk4hPWUcchwCv398bjSj3OqCvzk/s1600/GOPR0241.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember, these are high school boys- all under 19 years old. </td></tr>
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The best
experience was yet to come though at this school. As we were leaving we stopped
by the coach’s house on the off chance that we might get to shake hands with
one of the most legendary cross country coaches of all time. Not only did Coach
O’Connell take the time to say hello when we came over unannounced, he stayed
and talked to us for over an hour! Many people who had accomplished what he
accomplished would be arrogant and would never take the time to talk to some
college students. However, this man was the humblest man I have ever met and we
ended up having one of the best conversations I have ever had. He currently
coaches the 800-meter world record holder David Rudisha who lives next door to
him so he gave us a tour of his home but unfortunately he wasn’t home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjKoMgOhF2Pku2YH1tJtexmv8BuOeytPpON8xeBVYnd4l6Hv_5dnKTWSWKMhfO2xzWI2EKY0Q5FNNvXDjT6OGjIm_1nbk4zhATR8LvhFlo2IYQyqiNCjVs2GjkD5FNAmNawrLVsmZ_KY/s1600/GOPR0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjKoMgOhF2Pku2YH1tJtexmv8BuOeytPpON8xeBVYnd4l6Hv_5dnKTWSWKMhfO2xzWI2EKY0Q5FNNvXDjT6OGjIm_1nbk4zhATR8LvhFlo2IYQyqiNCjVs2GjkD5FNAmNawrLVsmZ_KY/s1600/GOPR0254.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the greatest coaches of all time. (We just knocked on the front door of his house)</td></tr>
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Anyway, I
could write a short novel about all the cool running stuff I saw but I’ll spare
you. There were a lot of other amazing things that happened to us in Iten. The
city is nestled into these gorgeous hills that really reminded me of Machu
Pichu. From the town we got to see some
pretty amazing views of the surrounding Great Rift Valley. Plus it was far
enough away from the big city of Eldoret that we got a much-needed break away
from the smog of the city. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Also while
we were driving along the highway the Kenyan National Cycling Team passed us!
This was interesting for several reasons. For one, nobody in Kenya is into
cycling. Apparently at some point some cycling coach thought, “Hey there are
all these phenomenal athletes coming out of Kenya, I wonder if they would be
good cyclists…” so now Kenya has a cycling team! It will be interesting
following their progress. This was also interesting because driving in Kenya is
the most terrifying thing I have ever experienced. There are no lanes, stop
signs or stop lights so people just kind of drive wherever they want on the
road and then “negotiate” for spots on the road. Plus in an effort to slow down
drivers, the government has put in a speed bump about every mile along the
highway. However, Kenyan drivers found a simple solution to this. Drive around
the speed bumps into the shoulder. These cyclists are far braver than I. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatWyvn7ajZGZpUfFL3SoM46bHIRnFTTE1LKFhjKdqcjLaR499AamnOT8XtG3x646bMSemjhgSbZ5ArScvy9kfy3X18TppLHXE4381wBruxWobfGJa13MTjHnjcEV-LidWlkfnIyCeNKg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-10+at+4.55.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatWyvn7ajZGZpUfFL3SoM46bHIRnFTTE1LKFhjKdqcjLaR499AamnOT8XtG3x646bMSemjhgSbZ5ArScvy9kfy3X18TppLHXE4381wBruxWobfGJa13MTjHnjcEV-LidWlkfnIyCeNKg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-10+at+4.55.01+PM.png" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kenyan National Cycling team</td></tr>
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The kids
here at the Children’s Center just went back to school yesterday so we had a
pretty relaxing day. We just did a hard workout in the morning with our Kenyan
friends David and David. After they wore us down in that workout we just went
back and got a nice restful day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today we
got to actually take a tour of the children’s primary school and we had a very
powerful interview with the headmaster of the school. The school is a public
school, yet a large amount of funding for the school comes from donations from
the parents. Most of these parents are very poor and have little in the way of
excess income to donate. The school serves all of the children in the area from
1<sup>st</sup> grade to 8<sup>th</sup> grade. They have 440 students and only
11 teachers. The 1<sup>st</sup> grade class has 54 students in it and only one
teacher. Everybody knows that at this teacher-student ratio learning is slow
and often creates an environment where only those students who can learn fast
succeed while the others cannot keep up without the individualized attention.
Yet even with all of these cards stacked against them, the current headmaster
has succeeded in making drastic improvements in the school’s ability to educate
children and send students on to secondary school. His first year they had only
8 students graduate primary school to go onto high school. Yet this past year
over 80 percent of those who started 1<sup>st</sup> grade at Cheptigit Primary
School went on to high school. Much of this success can be attributed to
outside donations, which has gone to expanding the facilities, bringing in
running water and hiring new teachers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We have
been very moved by what we have seen here and are hoping to do our part to help
out. A teacher’s salary in Kenya is roughly $600 a year. We are currently
attempting to figure out a way to raise enough money to hire a few more
teachers to reward a school that is doing truly miraculous things. Hopefully we
will have good news to pass along soon!<o:p></o:p></div>
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That is what we have been doing the
past three days, thanks for taking the time to follow along!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Luke, Rob, David and Coach Misch<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816021943951141289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028288874504388679.post-20543587558687637552013-01-07T06:45:00.003-08:002013-01-07T07:00:40.239-08:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Scrivner Update #3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hello all! Time for another update. Things are finally beginning to settle down a bit for us, and I think we are all finally fully adjusted to the Kenyan time zone. While the first few days of the trip were chalk full of business, these last few days we’ve had the chance to rest and spend more one on one time with the kids here at the children’s home. I think it’s probably important that I make a correction that should have been made last week- we’re not actually in Kapsabet! We all thought Kapsabet and Kaptagat were the same area (that Kaptagat was the county). We were mistaken. The city that GOGCH is in, is actually called Kaptagat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> KAPTAGAT is twenty-something kilometers away from Eldoret. Small blurb here—Eldoret is awful. Like…worse than Detroit! Worse than bee-stings! Worse than the feeling you get while you’re scraping the bottom of a jar of peanut-butter! The speed limit in Kenya is 80kph (which is pretty fast), and there are no rules of the road here. No stop signs or lights. We asked our driver what the rules of the road are, and he responded: “No rules, just negotiation”. What this equates to is just one big GIANT MESS. As of this morning, there have already been 85 people killed in car accidents here since new years. 85 people in 4 days. Walking through Eldoret is comparable to playing Frogger (people still know what that is, right?)…but in real life. Also, there are hardly any trash cans in Eldoret, so people just throw their trash on the street, and every now and then someone sweeps it up. Whenever you need to go into a supermarket, you have to surrender any bags to a “luggage check” counter, then they wand you down to make sure you’re not carrying anything dangerous. It is illegal for motorcyclists to carry passengers, but it isn’t against the law to have people in the bed of a truck. Today we saw a truck with over 10 people in the bed, and a full cab. If a motorcyclist is pulled over with a passenger, they can just bribe the police officer, and get off the hook. The police force is unfortunately very corrupt. It’s ridiculous—the whole city—but that’s enough about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Yesterday, we sent Nick on his way, because his classes start soon and he had to be back in Michigan for practice this week. The kids surprised us all with an unbelievable good-bye ceremony. They all danced around Nick, walking in a circle around him and singing. Also in the circle was a table with something covered with a cloth. They uncovered it to reveal a cake—shaped and decorated to look like the children’s home. They had Nick cut the cake into small pieces, then they started to sing again while he had to go around and feed each person a chunk of cake. Afterwards, the older boys fed cake to him, and the singing and dancing continued. Then, 4 or 5 kids gave him different necklaces and pendants, each symbolizing something different. He was taken aback, and we ended the ceremony by all laying hands on him and praying for him and his journey home. They never cease to amaze us here at the home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Today, we got to experience the coolest cross-country meet I have ever been to in my life. Nothing like this exists in the States, I’m sure. We arrived early to the Eldoret Polytechnic campus for the meet, and were surprised to see very few people there. Regardless, we started our hour-fourty long run, while Luke got himself ready to race. We ran the course, which was on a 2k loop (the race is 8k, 4 loops) and were absolutely shocked. The entire course was marked by tape on both sides. There are about 5 huge cliff-like dips that the runners would have to negotiate. Also, there was a fallen post that they would have to hurdle. The grass was knee high, and there were holes in the ground that would twist an ankle instantly. The race was supposed to start at 9 (so we thought) and ended up starting just after 10:00. We are learning that Kenyan time is it’s own beast, and you can’t trust what anyone says when they give you a time schedule. The race finally went off, and the “Junior” athletes dominated the 8k course. The winner finished in a scorching time of 23:19. For those of you who aren’t so great with math, that comes out at an average of 4:40/mi. over 5 miles. Dakin ran tough, and can gladly say he beat a couple of Kenyans!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Now, the real exciting stuff- the Seniors 12k. This race was packed with celebrity runners that some among you may find familiar. Geoffrey Mutai, Asbel Kiprop, Boaz Lalang, even the man who holds the world best time in 12k, <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Lineth Chepkurui</span>. Boaz and Asbel planned to drop out early on, as they were only trying to get a workout in. It was a wild race, but everyone there seemed so nonchalant about the whole thing. These Olympians and world champs are just like normal dudes to the natives. They see these guys in town and on the roads training every day. Apparently most of them even come to the track on workout days and encourage the younger athletes. We were honored to meet Boaz before the race, and Asbel afterwards, and they were both so humble and considerate. They may be super-human athletes, but they are also down to earth, genuine people as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> {Hey it’s Luke, just thought I would say a few words about the race. First of all, a major theme throughout our trip has been what we like to call “Kenyan time”. Kenyans do not feel the need to deal with the stress of being on time so they just pick a time to meet and arrive whenever they so choose. An example of Kenyan time was the manager of our camp took our coach to a ceremony and then to pick up a cow that we had donated to the children’s home. The manager said they would be home by 1 in the afternoon. They arrived at 11:30 at night. In my case, I was told the race would start at 9 so I warmed up at 8 and when I got to the starting line I was the only one there! Nobody showed for two hours until we finally started the race. When the race started though it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Even though I did not do very well in the race it was such an incredible experience racing alongside over 100 Kenyans. The race went out much faster than it usually does back at home. Many of the Kenyans have a very risky strategy where they go out very hard knowing that they will either drop out or do something phenomenal. And that is what happened. Many people dropped out but many people ran faster then I thought was humanly possible. Many of these racers were even running barefoot! I thought I would be the only Muzungu (what the locals call white people) in the race but was surprised to meet a diverse group from Canada, France and England. I had an amazing experience and it was so much fun to be a part of that race.}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The children begin school again on Monday morning, so there will be more down time for us ahead. In the coming days we have plans to visit Iten, the home of many MANY Olympians, and also to tour a nature reserve. Until then—Harambee. (See below for an update from Nick upon arriving back in the US).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6mWMaJKR7LjdFCRxEOdbPwMvrqZ2iDVLMAnxrmE70Ai_SgMFOqzm4hAk1B2rPsA5-vDUxvA_fnjO-pHP_3dWhB5qFNKUFhCzWgM6vBqICrfglDjnB3gC-oAJuKWwS08mEbGme9sOkOY/s1600/DSCF0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6mWMaJKR7LjdFCRxEOdbPwMvrqZ2iDVLMAnxrmE70Ai_SgMFOqzm4hAk1B2rPsA5-vDUxvA_fnjO-pHP_3dWhB5qFNKUFhCzWgM6vBqICrfglDjnB3gC-oAJuKWwS08mEbGme9sOkOY/s1600/DSCF0091.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scrivner now wears a hood everywhere he goes. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowRZUFMZCpUNgd1iJyg2Tfz6V5LUYtpsny7fIcUPx3M7JwkF55KtVu7TzdLU3dxdPsKC4OF79uGz6qj-Msc9l3MD_YbhQqc_0rDTnNPca5-t49suyqyGTNOIqJxINZbGBEGIxZZYsp_g/s1600/DSCF0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowRZUFMZCpUNgd1iJyg2Tfz6V5LUYtpsny7fIcUPx3M7JwkF55KtVu7TzdLU3dxdPsKC4OF79uGz6qj-Msc9l3MD_YbhQqc_0rDTnNPca5-t49suyqyGTNOIqJxINZbGBEGIxZZYsp_g/s1600/DSCF0106.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is David Lagat's home that was mentioned in a previous post. (graduation present)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64yRaDShIO-0_tU017-tacyOcRNvCFcqlfePNRG2Rd4Pf6XgPa7A0sCD4Q-gemxiz3-IDevJknwxsBD-oLbrag_OuEVGscoh7ptqQuZUeihN9I4Frqq0JLJ78JE6vqg9rd37DyFsXbwk/s1600/DSCF0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64yRaDShIO-0_tU017-tacyOcRNvCFcqlfePNRG2Rd4Pf6XgPa7A0sCD4Q-gemxiz3-IDevJknwxsBD-oLbrag_OuEVGscoh7ptqQuZUeihN9I4Frqq0JLJ78JE6vqg9rd37DyFsXbwk/s1600/DSCF0142.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The children just love to follow us and play with us wherever we go.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5QpyeyWY9He-0HhXxc8CC2suY8ioWc08alK9n5eZ50B2daqEpwhBsCtEh3Ne3Ag_VAr-u4ue63vmFpkUWsksQ0PlLzblAJFhq8wtxAZcHRFVefrGKJWvpq2ScLrFUKbx0k-h4kzA0g4/s1600/DSCF0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5QpyeyWY9He-0HhXxc8CC2suY8ioWc08alK9n5eZ50B2daqEpwhBsCtEh3Ne3Ag_VAr-u4ue63vmFpkUWsksQ0PlLzblAJFhq8wtxAZcHRFVefrGKJWvpq2ScLrFUKbx0k-h4kzA0g4/s1600/DSCF0241.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gang with Asbel Kiprop after the xc meet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRXGsmzHVFN5K67-fwRXD8x4030kiPgW96olcGr4XuB6K1_j3u88Lhj2SJJu4z2Bi5r48N38BXDtISo1weGJQzfO4R9-OqGnkOkgqyZD9XLKuvovT0lQsarRmmtkBxSdJIpUxHBTBaX8/s1600/G0010038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRXGsmzHVFN5K67-fwRXD8x4030kiPgW96olcGr4XuB6K1_j3u88Lhj2SJJu4z2Bi5r48N38BXDtISo1weGJQzfO4R9-OqGnkOkgqyZD9XLKuvovT0lQsarRmmtkBxSdJIpUxHBTBaX8/s1600/G0010038.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The man 3rd from right is the head coach of Kenyan Athletics (Track and Field). He came to the home just to meet us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harambee the cow, our gift to the children's home. </td></tr>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">January 6th, 2013:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Hello! I'm writing this from my home in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Today is Sunday, it is 34˚F and my front lawn is snow covered. I left Kaptagat on Friday, and got into Detroit Metro last night, Saturday, around 5:00PM; I was traveling for about 24 hours. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>On the day of my departure everyone was extremely helpful and nice. Our hosts, Uncle David and Auntie Sarah along with the kids, did a departure ceremony with a cake and gifts and singing and dancing, it was a lot of fun and it was a great way to say bye to the people I had lived with and gotten to know for the past week. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>In reflection on this experience that has truly augmented my worldview, I can say that it will continue to have an impact in the way I think and act, and hopefully bring me back to Kenya and the people of Kaptagat in the future. I urge anyone who can and is willing to, to check out their website at <a href="http://www.graceofgodchildren.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.graceofgodchildren.org</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Asante-sana to all the people at the Children Centre and to the crew from UCCS, I hope you continue to have a great experience! Hopefully the Michigan and UCCS crew can meet again, perhaps on a trip to visit the Davids next year! Good luck to you guys in your Track season, and good luck to David Kibet and David Lagat and Paul Maiyo in your future running endeavors, hopefully I'll see all of you guys in the future. Thanks again!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Nick Kern</span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816021943951141289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028288874504388679.post-53506649102604832622013-01-04T06:44:00.000-08:002013-01-04T06:44:00.673-08:00Coach Misch/ David Marino Update #3
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Misch-Kenya blog entry
1-4-13<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgam5maVMBt1PHJ8C5YRd870q8kY-QNC6m0OncxgcEfPbaX7WRXzSs0cRmN61p_K4SWJokJfPoXwiTrmEVcOGCAf_jRZR7QFYRSP6q100xuGqD5M0SlStjy-ehRQ0LG0-5LQmjCSjrc8Mc/s1600/GOPR0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgam5maVMBt1PHJ8C5YRd870q8kY-QNC6m0OncxgcEfPbaX7WRXzSs0cRmN61p_K4SWJokJfPoXwiTrmEVcOGCAf_jRZR7QFYRSP6q100xuGqD5M0SlStjy-ehRQ0LG0-5LQmjCSjrc8Mc/s1600/GOPR0043.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Led by the two David's- they destroyed us on this run. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlIVqp7jFtqU16IuCNJVXWshZl7KGN6nwC1zU577dtivl0pbPHPNXqHhkZQIgsShgc7q_mx-9mHtWjeZhZC9tBYp09SaeuHyyQOxbhoWGprsPxk_Pw9BWIVlxUFSDXzKGpW53opn6RAg/s1600/GOPR0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlIVqp7jFtqU16IuCNJVXWshZl7KGN6nwC1zU577dtivl0pbPHPNXqHhkZQIgsShgc7q_mx-9mHtWjeZhZC9tBYp09SaeuHyyQOxbhoWGprsPxk_Pw9BWIVlxUFSDXzKGpW53opn6RAg/s1600/GOPR0089.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Shots from the waterfall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CJJ4EsbQbPpxJ4BnH5T5hWRaM-nafEmUWaC09E6as1VnN0hFOBeIopONNjE2aNgl3nTW_ZTXXKsZZFfNp4wfJXu7MsM6O66khUlIDLcC3JxJw8DumosDwbZ88jXj2md-QGWIHjjG2RM/s1600/GOPR0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CJJ4EsbQbPpxJ4BnH5T5hWRaM-nafEmUWaC09E6as1VnN0hFOBeIopONNjE2aNgl3nTW_ZTXXKsZZFfNp4wfJXu7MsM6O66khUlIDLcC3JxJw8DumosDwbZ88jXj2md-QGWIHjjG2RM/s1600/GOPR0066.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flooded roads from heavy rain the week before we arrived</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFFHbfbAQV7A9NtGjMSWK_FYPsAATKEWlriIpTJfwbHzQ-FsqKGGNR_sXblq6zZSuTVyhwbBiBxt6VhAowKw_Vzw6MpTWVxdKVh9lNJf-s67vlFwUTiVCdryJwHFyOGLnrngEuZ1dENw/s1600/GOPR0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFFHbfbAQV7A9NtGjMSWK_FYPsAATKEWlriIpTJfwbHzQ-FsqKGGNR_sXblq6zZSuTVyhwbBiBxt6VhAowKw_Vzw6MpTWVxdKVh9lNJf-s67vlFwUTiVCdryJwHFyOGLnrngEuZ1dENw/s1600/GOPR0136.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We frequently find ourselves in the back of this tiny truck. ,,,It's awful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg393cXEUvUlSRwBZWbIp5XMhaOcxf2DgOR6BSvvLhztrU8oNN9xi_CPLS9lVZX5WH8_ZE-v-19vFNINCJnabXZlWvoBGswoSPvFKxM5ZsD8w7Jlh1IqwZ-VEP6OY_apXEpsIKuUe2vLp4/s1600/GOPR0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg393cXEUvUlSRwBZWbIp5XMhaOcxf2DgOR6BSvvLhztrU8oNN9xi_CPLS9lVZX5WH8_ZE-v-19vFNINCJnabXZlWvoBGswoSPvFKxM5ZsD8w7Jlh1IqwZ-VEP6OY_apXEpsIKuUe2vLp4/s1600/GOPR0117.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children who wait outside of the ATM area hoping for money.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOLPilODmMrcqy7lXoZ89NHQLSTQHE1MxMngHdKmQJX4uK6mspwXDwsHl3zK8KIglyN5Dlr0ZI2sE-IZCUVU6RncoHC3v-BhZVZbv7b14DzHBctqY837deTULRcOicT9FPRG8TvKDKT0/s1600/G0010016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOLPilODmMrcqy7lXoZ89NHQLSTQHE1MxMngHdKmQJX4uK6mspwXDwsHl3zK8KIglyN5Dlr0ZI2sE-IZCUVU6RncoHC3v-BhZVZbv7b14DzHBctqY837deTULRcOicT9FPRG8TvKDKT0/s1600/G0010016.JPG" height="382" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us with Lydia Cheromei (center), winner of the 2012 Yokohama Marathon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfYBuH7MqS5VknAFcG9ArAoGHDgecHeQ5RuUrSmbtqS6OXuQsZHSbUrMCpPbO0yYI_Kg-TwjyfOVSBeIz9OpfoSBLsZ1piQckIq-pkUh7S75cfO4Q5B-4KthXS6dgiBjkyHQ0DT0SP3k/s1600/GOPR0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfYBuH7MqS5VknAFcG9ArAoGHDgecHeQ5RuUrSmbtqS6OXuQsZHSbUrMCpPbO0yYI_Kg-TwjyfOVSBeIz9OpfoSBLsZ1piQckIq-pkUh7S75cfO4Q5B-4KthXS6dgiBjkyHQ0DT0SP3k/s1600/GOPR0128.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick, who just left for home early.</td></tr>
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Well I figured it was
time for me to post an entry to the blog so here we go. As I sit here typing
this on David Marino’s laptop (hopefully before it runs out of juice) the guys
are finishing up washing their laundry outside while listening to Kenyan tunes
on the radio from the Yellow Submarine (that’s the 1997 Toyota truck that the
camp uses). It’s a beautiful sunny day here so our clothes should dry quickly.
Then after lunch, some of the guys are hitching a ride into Eldoret (about 16
miles from our camp) when Nick Kern heads to the airport and that’s where
they’ll post this blog entry while getting caught up on e-mail, etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I however will be
spending the afternoon reading, writing and hanging out with kids after having
spent all day yesterday after our morning training on a 15 hour adventure
across the back roads of Kenya with David Karos and Philip Maiyo. There is so
much to write about that adventure that it would take an hour or so. But in
short at one point we had 17 people in the Yellow Submarine, I ended up a guest
speaker at a ceremony for one of David’s sons and we spent about 10 hours
traveling to the Nandi Hills and back
including a stop to pick up the cow that our team bought (we named the cow
“Harambee”) for the camp. The story of how we came to buy the cow and transport
it in the back of the pick-up in the dark is a story for another day. But our
crew felt like buying a cow was a worthwhile investment for the camp that will
pay itself off in about five months and produce milk and birth calves for about
10 more years. “Harambee” was very happy to be untied and let lose in the small
pasture with the other cow next to the camp and today seems like she is doing
well after her long journey last night.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Other than that the days
have been filled with training in the mornings, plenty of things to see and do
with the kids and locals and walking all over the place to visit others while
basically take care of the normal activities of life. As for the camp itself,
life is slow and a lot of quality time with the kids reading, playing,
cleaning, building, etc. There are plenty of projects to keep busy. And as for
the running scene, as I always tell the guys “running is running” and just like
everywhere else in the world you put one foot in front of the other. There are
a few training camps in the area so we see a lot of runners on the roads each
morning when we’re training. We are training with a couple of the guys from
Coach Maiyo’s group (David Sr. and David Jr.) and they have been great. Overall
things have been good and we’ve been knocking the workouts and minutes on the
miles of rolling dirt and clay roads around us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well the guys just said
lunch is ready so I’m going to close this out. Tomorrow we’ll be headed to the
Kenyan Discovery Cross Country Challenge in Eldoret. Not only will it be great
to be at the meet, but our own Luke Dakin will be mixing it up in the 8k race.
Go Dakinator! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHPMOycWCGLuDFkv8YxgCYNLT0uNXAuD18E6jT-Gt1IfG7v1JfL2FY2nhqz-XEkj3JIw8l5UubOP6reQdNm1TB-1MNk3Q4tfoQnRVoUm_tsCravQ6mQ9bn2jwIvpUXHjNiA-TaJxL31c/s1600/GOPR0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHPMOycWCGLuDFkv8YxgCYNLT0uNXAuD18E6jT-Gt1IfG7v1JfL2FY2nhqz-XEkj3JIw8l5UubOP6reQdNm1TB-1MNk3Q4tfoQnRVoUm_tsCravQ6mQ9bn2jwIvpUXHjNiA-TaJxL31c/s1600/GOPR0130.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a>Take care and God Bless –
Misch<br />
<br /><br /><br />
Take Two: 1/4/13<br />
<br />
David Marino here, and indeed the laptop did die before we were able to post.
However, my laptop has a safety feature that auto-saves my session before the
computer shuts down. Yay! Windows for the win!<br />
<br />
However, as I sit in our familiar internet café we have dubbed “The Fort” (as
it sits above the main floor, to get to it, one has to climb a sketchy set of
stairs to a landing that doesn’t have a solid floor feel… kind of like a
rickety old tree house a couple of nine-year olds tried to piece together) I
have the intention of describing the animal presence in the orphanage and surrounding
areas.<br />
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Subject 1: Maggie<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you’ve been keeping up
with our blog, you might have read a few days ago the miracle of Maggie, the
dog who lived. Before the incident, Maggie was an extremely social and
energetic dog who for the life of her couldn’t keep herself from jumping all
over you. In fact, when we did laundry today I washed her paw prints from the
neck of my shirt when she first laid her little brown eyes on me. After the
incident, however, her personality has mellowed and her paws stay planted on
the ground for the majority of the time. She walks cautiously towards you when
you call instead of her old uncontrolled puppy run. This may be the case, but
she still holds a good amount of excitement, enough to cause the tail half of
her body to sway to the cadence of her wagging tail when she greets you. She
stands just a few inches below my knees and can’t weigh more than 15 pounds.
Her ears rest like a folded triangle when she isn’t engaged in anything, but
when you call her, they fold back revealing her sharp face and submissive look.
Black and brown sack of skin and bones run against our legs at lunch waiting
for someone to give her either food or attention. With other dogs, if you
happen to run a finger against their fur they might not notice and carry on.
With Maggie, if you so much move your finger in tiny circles on her fur, she
clings to your side as if you were giving her a good ear scratch. She’s a
gentle creature who I personally wouldn’t mind taking home with me. However, I
say that about almost all seemingly nice creatures I tend to come across.<br />
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Subject 2: Tracy<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tracy the cat is 2
pounds, grey with barely visible black stripes and is about the length of a
forearm. She looks like a kitten, but rumor has it that she indeed is fully
grown and descends from the fierce cats of the savannah themselves. The most
striking feature about this kitty is most definitely her eyes; a vicious green
that is so intense it almost seems cartoonish. In the morning, she always makes
herself known with a series of long meows… more like subtle screams that pierce
through the morning silence. As she becomes more comfortable with us, she
chooses which person she wants to pet her and which lap to jump on, usually
unexpectedly. In the mornings and at night are the times which we are blessed
with her highness’ presence, especially after dinner when she jumps on the
counter where all the dinner dishes wait to be scraped to get her fair share.
Not a single malicious bone in this cats body… so far. For now, we are under her
spell when she situates herself on our lap in a furry, purring mass of
cuteness.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Subject 3: The Rooster<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nobody. NOBODY likes the
rooster. All of us are sleeping so soundly when the call of the rooster sounds
at the unearthly hour of 4 a.m. Needless to say the next 3 hours are full of
muffled curses loathingly whispered into our pillows. This continues though out
the day as well, however it’s more like white noise when we’re busy talking
with the kids or playing soccer. Thankfully, the rooster made it into our meal
a couple of nights ago, and there was much rejoicing (cue the Monty Python
jubilee). However, in Kenya when the day is lived by the rising and setting of
the sun, the rooster plays its role much as it did in our own American history.
The work ethic displayed in the orphanage and even in the farms around the
orphanage is nothing short of astounding. Ask an American kid to clean the
fields of debris or clean the floor and they might laugh thinking it as a joke.
Of course there are good kids out there in the States, but here at the
orphanage, I have never heard a single child cry, complain (looking for the
tone on this one) or rebel in their duties to the establishment. Truly a sight
to see.<br />
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For now, the plan for the
day is to finish up at the internet café, go back to the orphanage to spend
some more quality time with the kids. That’s all folks!<br />
<br />
Barely keeping up with the Kenyans,<br />
David Marino<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816021943951141289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028288874504388679.post-28283053679413791032013-01-02T07:02:00.001-08:002013-01-02T07:02:38.706-08:00Robert's Post #2Well, look like I once again have the responsibility of updating the blog. This time, I will be writing from in the internet cafe, so I don't have as much time as last-- which is a shame because we have experienced SO much.<br />
<br />
I'm unsure where to begin. Yesterday, we woke up early for a nice easy 60 minute recovery run, led by our two guides both named David. The Davids live in a training camp together with other boys who train VERY intense every single day. Both of them are in the process of getting scholarships, visa's, and other paperwork to attend Universities in the states. They are SO excited to come to our country. I decided this morning that they are the most incredible, honorable men I have ever met. The younger one took us to his small home today to show us where he lives while he's not in the camp. His brother built it for him with money from his parents, and they surprised him with the small house as a graduation gift after high school! Quite a gift! He lives there by himself.<br />
<br />
Anyway...we went out for the "easy recovery" and eventually found ourselves being throttled by the two young Kenyans, cruising at about 6:15/mi. ...Not what I think of when I think recovery, but for them this was effortless. Again, everywhere we went, the children would run along with us, so amazed at our skin. It's like we're aliens from outer space. None of them have ever seen a "Muzunga" in their lives.<br />
<br />
Later, we went on a hike, and were absolutely amazed to find the most beautiful, ginormous waterfall! Luke, David, Adam, and I were daring enough to go down near the river. Luke ended up sliding most of the way down in the mud, and his nice gray pants are now nice brown pants.<br />
<br />
Last night, the kids celebrated the new year by each saying what they are thankful for. They blow my mind. Eventually I will be able to write an update just about them! Every night, they sing and dance, and pray, and read...and...it's just awesome. They are so cool.<br />
<br />
This morning, some guys did another easy run, and David, Coach, and I did a workout. Of course, the kids lined the road to watch us run, screaming "MUZUNGA! GO! YEAH!" As I was finishing my workout and cooling down on my last "off" interval, I held hands with two small children and ran to the end of the road. They smiled the biggest smiles I've seen in my life, and it got me all choked up. I was able to hold back tears until coach opened his mouth. He said, "Scrivner, do you remember last year at almost exactly this time, you came to that indoor meet at Mines and met the team? You weren't sure if you would be able to go to school? Now look at you. Here in Kenya." ...Opened up the floodgates. Ha! I can't even believe the blessings I've experienced this year. The Lord has been so good to me, and so many people have helped me along the way.<br />
<br />
Only a few hours ago, we got to experience one of the coolest parts of the trip...and of course, our cameras were broken! The tribe we are staying with has a tradition of sending the males into "The Bush" (forest) for a month, where they are isolated, and learn many skills. They learn about respect, and how to be a real man. It is the "coming of age" tradition- and after they complete it, they are real men. They can work, own property...do anything but be married. They can only marry when they are stable and ready to settle down. The biggest moment of this process is (horrifyingly)...circumcision. Yes, 14 year old boys- circumcision. So, they have this big ceremony to celebrate- that happens tomorrow. But today, we went to a ceremony to celebrate them coming out of the bush, and reuniting with the families. They were wearing these big coverings, so we could only see their eyes. Hundreds of people danced, and did traditional...stuff around the young men. It was...wild.<br />
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I'm running out of time...and this is pretty long winded. But, wow. What a crazy few days. Enjoy, and as always-- HARAMBEE.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816021943951141289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028288874504388679.post-85195934653420564762012-12-31T07:12:00.001-08:002012-12-31T07:12:12.799-08:00Update 2
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Written by Robert Scrivner<br />
<br />
I am in awe. This place is absolutely incredible. The last 3 days feel like
they have just been an incredible dream. Words cannot possibly describe what we
are experiencing, nor could any photo or video. This update will be one of the
longest, I’m sure…because the last 24 hours have been unreal for us.<br />
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Yesterday, after David wrote his
update while we were still in Nairobi, we hit the road in a small van that they
call a “mutatu” and headed north to Kapsabet. Kapsabet is a small area just
south of Eldoret, which is about a 7 hour drive from Nairobi. The things we saw
on the road were amazing. On both sides of the van, you could look out the
window and see herds of sheep and cows, being led by shepherds. Whenever we
would hit heavy traffic, vendors would be wading through the traffic trying to
sell you their goods through the car window. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We drove
near a beautiful lookout, where we could see the entire rift valley, and we got
out of the mutatu to take pictures and see the beautiful view. Almost as soon
as we were out of the van, vendors trying to sell us souvenirs bombarded us.
Each of us was confronted by a different man or woman, with samples of their
handmade products. A man approached me with beautiful hand carved animals. I told
him I was interested, so he walked me over to his small shop and showed me all
of his merchandise. I only wanted one
thing, but he was ruthless and wouldn’t take no for an answer! We bartered
prices on about 5 different things, and he just kept trying to sell me more and
more. When I was finally able to get out, ANOTHER man pulled me into his shop
and again, convinced me to buy more cool items. When I finally left there, a
woman desperately tried to pull me into her shop, but after much insisting, I was
able to make a run for the van and escape. These men and woman make their
living selling these beautiful creations, so they are desperate to sell more
and more.<br />
Back on the road, we could see
hyenas, zebras, and antelope running in the beautiful valley. We drove past a
huge lake, which has many flamingos around it. I was hesitant to get in a car
after 30 hours of straight flying, but the chance to see the countryside was worth
every extra minute of travel. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We had our
first experience with Kenyan food at a small restaurant on the way to Eldoret.
When we walked in, there was a butcher chopping the beef right in front of us.
I ordered something that was written in Swahili, so I wasn’t sure what to
expect. What I got was a large helping of beef, cabbage, a spicy-pico-de-gallo
sort of sauce, and Ugali. Runners refer to ugali as “Rocket Fuel,” and say that
if they go two days without it, it is like they are a completely different
person with no energy. Apparently home-made ugali is much different than the stuff
we got at this restaurant. I certainly hope so, Ha! It is a biscuit shaped ball
of mush, with no flavor. The food was totally different- and it was so cool to
know that these people had raised the cow themselves, and I could watch the
butcher prepare it before us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After a
rough drive, on a very rough road, we finally arrived in Kapsabet. None of
could have imagined what we would experience after that. We pulled in on a
picturesque red clay road, and arrived here at Grace of God Childrens Project
at about 5 pm, and the Children’s faces lit up when the saw us. As we got out
of the van, each child came to shake hands with every one of us. There are 17
children who live here and they are wonderful, beautiful children. We unpacked
our gear, and went for a quick “shake-it-out” run, accompanied by 5 very young
boys. It got dark while we were gone, and when we came back dinner had been
prepared already. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Most of us
were expecting electricity, or at least running water. I’ll quote David Marino
who said, “Uh…was anyone else under the impression that there would be wifi
here?” to some up how shocked we were. There is no electricity. No running
water. Water is collected by the rain, or drawn from the well. It is heated
over a fire, and the children pour it from a pitcher over your hands before
meals. There is a restroom outside, which was also a shocker. When you open the
door, there is a deep hole in the ground, and a roll of toilet paper on the
wall. We also got to experience a wonderful, luxurious “bath.” A basin of warm
water is brought in, and you splash it up on yourself, soap up, and splash more
to rinse. IT IS AWESOME. <br />
This morning, we went running
at 7am, following our incredible guide, David. David is 19 years old and lives
in a training camp, chasing his dream of attending a University in the U.S. He
led us out onto the clay roads, and down to the tarmac road that leads to
Eldoret.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As we were running out, the pet dog
Maggie followed us. When we reached the tarmac road, Maggie started chasing
after cars and scared us because of how close she got. Eventually, as we were
afraid, she was hit by a motorcyclist, who just drove off without stopping. We
rushed to help her, and ended up leaving her with David while we all ran back
to get someone with a truck to go pick her up. It was about 20 minutes back,
and when we got there we sent help. She is shaken up, but recovering. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We decided to finish our run on a
new road, away from the tarmac and ran passed many shacks. As we ran by a
shack, we would hear children from 400 meters away screaming “MUZUNGA!
MUZUNGA!” (White man, white man!). Then they would come charging towards the
road, faces plastered with enormous smiles. Some would run alongside us, most
barefoot and very young-maybe 7 years or younger. It was absolutely wild!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This afternoon, we gave the
children all of the gifts we brought for them. It was also so amazing. They
were so delighted, and thankful. I cannot describe how grateful they were to
receive new clothes, toys, and candy. They are all outside now playing with the
new soccer balls after having a big dance party in the hallway. <br />
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My heart is so full. Being here
puts things into such a new and wonderful perspective. It is such a blessing to
stay here with these amazing children, and brilliant people. This afternoon we
are heading to town, where I will post this on the blog. For now, I am off to
play soccer- no, excuse me: FOOTBALL.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Harambee,</div>
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Robert Scrivner</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoo8F27Js7AXHAofiZ7VyvFCRIlO3bUegGnIOBQXnLdBozwAXn4TsKEQrGU8IpgsWBSV0_sNABHiRpoISb_-ogkE8TJm6cPGot5NojJT_QM2x-pzKrzNbbAHn4234ZLHhHI-7YhQSoWQ/s1600/G0010021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoo8F27Js7AXHAofiZ7VyvFCRIlO3bUegGnIOBQXnLdBozwAXn4TsKEQrGU8IpgsWBSV0_sNABHiRpoISb_-ogkE8TJm6cPGot5NojJT_QM2x-pzKrzNbbAHn4234ZLHhHI-7YhQSoWQ/s640/G0010021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
After we gave our gifts to the kids<br />
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One of the Vendors Shops<br />
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MMmmmm...Ugali<br />
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The group crossing the equator!!<br />
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Victor hanging out on the tire swing!<br />
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The children are creative!</div>
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After around 26 hours of flight time, airport navigating and toting 50 pound bags for the orphanage, we arrived at the Scripture Mission Conference Center in Nairobi around midnight. On our morning run, some of the locals were happy to jog along side us. From here, we now travel by van to Kapsabet where we will be staying at the Grace of God Children's Center for the duration of the trip <u><b>http://www.graceofgodchildren.org/</b></u> Even though we're exhausted and slowly adjusting to the 10 hour leap forward in time from Colorado, we couldn't be more excited to be in this beautiful area. Rumors on the plane stated that the air in Kapsabet was clean and the area was very different from even the Nairobi area. At breakfast this morning, we were greeted hearty cuts of bacon, fresh eggs, a few cereals with some bread and cheese. What I put on my plate today would have been roughly a quarter of my regular breakfast after logging morning miles, yet it was enough. I have a feeling that even though we might not be presented with copious amounts of food like in the States, our bodies will learn to be more efficient with the nutrients.<br />
For now, its onward and upward to Kapsabet!<br /><br />Your blogger, David. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816021943951141289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028288874504388679.post-14134041135849457082012-12-29T00:49:00.002-08:002012-12-29T00:49:37.462-08:00Okay, update #1. This is short as we are about to board the flight to Nairobi. We are currently in Amsterdam and have now met up with the Kern brothers from Michigan so our group is six men (Mark Misch, Luke Dakin, Robert Scrivner, David Marino, Adam Kern and Nick Kern). So far so good, we got all of our bags on including the extra 50 lb. bags for the orphanage and David and we got confirmation that Coach Harmer shipped over the two boxes from UCCS. More later, but gotta jet for now. Onward to Kenya!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816021943951141289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028288874504388679.post-44163007988673366342012-09-16T21:08:00.000-07:002012-09-16T21:08:00.208-07:00First PostHey All,<br />
<br />
So it begins.. This blog is now up and running, so tell your kids, wife, etc... I'm sure they will find it fascinating. We are the UCCS mens cross country team, and currently we are ranked 13th in the country, ready to take the program to a new level. We are currently training hard to be ready to prove our mettle against the best at the national championships, on November 17th in Joplin, MO.<br />
<br />
But the real purpose of this blog is to detail and document a trip to Kenya that some members of the team are planning around new years. We will be doing some mission work at an orphanage where we are staying, while also experiencing the greatest running community in the world. This blog will be our bridge to home during our three week trip, so our family, friends, and anyone else who wants to read can see what trouble we are up to.<br />
<br />
Follow our blog! More to come.. and as always, HarambeeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816021943951141289noreply@blogger.com0