Written by Robert Scrivner
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Harambee,
Robert Scrivner
The children are creative!
