I stared at the vast expanse of lights illuminating the sprawling city of L.A. as the plane finally took off into the night sky. It was a picture of contrasts and diversity of the world we live in. We were already 2 hours late and although not particularly looking forward to the long haul ahead I felt refreshed and rejuvenated after a wonderful time spent at home with family and friends. The now familiar sense of excitement and anticipation was back as I headed to the other extreme of our worlds contrasts in Africa.

The 11 hour time difference meant I’d spent 2 nights and no days on the plane by the time I reached Nairobi, so when I checked into a guesthouse some 24 hours later I was a little disorientated since it was early morning. But I was still ready to go to work. A meeting in Embu, a 2½ hour drive east of Nairobi, to assess a potential building project for Grace Works was the first assignment so I hired a car with a driver for the day trip. The road stretches through the vast pineapple fields and rice patties which color the countryside with both dark and light green like some giant patch work quilt. Set in the backdrop of the bright blue sky an occasional cloud of white butterflies hovered over the road like confetti at a wedding celebration, smearing the windshield as we drove through. An unfortunate bird met its fate, then a stray dog made the fatal mistake of crossing the road at the wrong time. I noticed the animals falling victim were increasing in size so when I observed donkeys ahead I pointed them out to our driver just to be sure. By the time I arrived back in Nairobi in the evening I was exhausted. It was Saturday night and the last time my body had assumed a horizontal position had been the prior Wednesday.

The next day the journey north to Kitale was to be conquered. I haven’t made the trip over land for almost 2 years since the road is so bad, choosing to fly to nearby Eldoret whenever possible. Being that there are no scheduled flights on Sunday morning I opted to make the trip by bus, a new experience for me in Kenya at least. The bus was involved in a minor collision with a car before we had left the depot but at least the ensuing scene made for good entertainment and was a distraction from the fumes and heat accumulating in the bus. We finally got underway and being seated on the front row I was actually looking forward to the trip. It was as if I was about to experience a virtual reality ride at Disneyland as we embarked on our journey. But this was no illusion, the swimming pool size potholes soon lurched the vehicle in every which way, bouncing people out of their seats, cracking heads against windows, throwing hand luggage from the rack. Try to take a drink from a bottle at your peril on one of these babies since the odds are it will shoot up your nose and all over your shirt. The butterflies reappeared in the millions as if to take vengeance for the previous days massacre. The bizarre scene created through the large windshield was that of driving through a blizzard of huge snowflakes on a hot sunny day. We navigated our way past runaway trucks, overturned by the roadside, a rockslide and the occasional herd of cattle obstructing the road. We stopped to change a flat tire and sheared off 3 of the 8 bolts holding the wheel on doing so. Ten hours after departing from Nairobi I caught a glimpse of an old rusty sign clinging sideways to it’s leaning support post, informing the traveler Kitale was now only 60 kilometers away. By the time we pulled into the depot I calculated it had taken less time to travel from LA to London than Nairobi to Kitale. I was trashed so the short trip in a taxi with a clunk, clunk, clunk, noise coming from the engine didn’t even phase me. Brittany’s House was in site, my other home. The welcoming smiles and hugs from Ann, David and the kids made it all worth while.

The next morning I woke up as if from a drunken night out on the town. (An experience from the folly of youth you understand.) It took me a while to realize where I was. But I was soon on the road again, this time in my own vehicle. I was on my way to Runo in west Pokot, anxious to see the progress made since my departure.

I was met with an equally warm greeting by Samuel, pastor John and the staff there when I arrived and I was delighted at the progress which had been made, far more than I had expected. Rarely have I met a man like Samuel who seems to be undaunted by seemingly insurmountable odds. He finds a way where there is no way, or perhaps he just believes more than most of us, but whatever it is he is an inspiration. There are 415 children now enrolled at Runo with more arriving each day. This in spite of the food program not being back yet in operation after the holidays. Pastor John informed me 103 people (including kids) attended church last Sunday. Children sat on the floor of the unfinished classrooms and the kitchen has been turned temporarily into a makeshift classroom. Progress has been made on the foundation of the dorm. (children’s home). As if I needed it I was reminded why I’m back. There is still so much to do but the vision is taking shape. Not my vision but God’s vision for these people, it’s such an exciting time.

I’m humbled to be a part of this adventure, all because I remain in His grasp.