Signing Off

We have been back in Seattle for just shy of two weeks.  Much has happened both here and in Kenya that reminds us our lives are but a brief interlude of time.  Love fiercely and without restraint.  I hope you have enjoyed our adventures retold.  Here are a few more snippets....

Holly celebrated a birthday while we were in Thika.  In the true birthday spirit she bought mattresses for Edith and all the kids.  It was fortuitous that they share beds because the Land Cruiser was fully loaded on the way back.  I cannot begin to explain the jubilation at the sight of her gifts but can tell you that they all woke late the next morning.  . 

The Doctor is in

Medical care is an all to rare and expensive commodity in the bush.  I had a consistent clinic schedule upon my arrival...tooth abscess, diabetes management, prenatal care, epilepsy, asthma, trauma, wound care, malaria just to name a few.  Medications are few and far between.  Our goal for 2014-15 is to open a medical clinic in the Thika bush operated by Kenya medical providers.    I'll be talking with a former classmate of mine Jesse Rohde whose Foundation has constructed a similar clinic in Ghana. 

  

Last Nature Shots--Fourteen Falls -- Thika, Kenya

 Pineapple, the King crop, of Thika.   Trivia--It takes 18 months for the fruit to reach maturity.  

 Carpets of Tea

We said Good bye that afternoon to Edith, Antony, Feri and Fundi Minor.  Hugs all around.  The kids were at school which was a good thing.  Edith's question--"When are you coming back?"  followed by "Don't forget us."  How could we.  They are a part of us! 

We are entwined with the mission of one man's heart--Flow of Hope.   

To our parents, Bob & Sally Reeves and Barbara Weitensteiner: 

We love you and thank you!

Karibu Sana

 Last day in Thika...time flew by, there is so much to say but the right words seem elusive now.  Perhaps a windfall will occur by the final picture...

Last day with Fundi Minor

The little guy out did himself today. 

Mwendi, the Door Fundi, and Kamao, one of the building Fundis hanging the doors. 

Fundi Minor --not product testing!

Plaster and Mason Fundi, Alfonse, puts the finishing touches on the urinal with Joseph.  Alfonse, 70+ years, walks to the job site with a handmade cane of gnarled hard wood. He carefully places the cane against a tree and proceeds to carry and place 15-20 lb stones all day.  He quietly recommends construction modifications which are adopted without issue by the other fundis.  

Final saw cuts...my arms are failing!

Antony wields the panga!

Fundi Minor and his crew

Our Crew--Mwendi, Antony with Fundi Minor, Kamao, Alfonse, Joseph, Dominic and John.  Thank you!

The kids and THEIR new choos

PRICELESS!

The car is moving...this face appears for one last time.  She has been a recurring presence in my world.  The bell rings and she's leaning against the tree, offering to carry a stone or help shovel.  She knows my name but has declined to reciprocate.  I have seen this child everyday and am captivated.  Today...her words "Asante Sana, Beth. Kwaheri."  (Thank you and good bye). 
Karibu sana, little one!

Hand Work

We are so close.  The walls have cured and now it's time to prepare to put the roof on.  We chose Saturday for the lintel work--school is closed and we need every inch of undisturbed space.  5 hours of wiring rebar together, 1 hour of form building followed by 2 hours of speed concrete work--mix, lift to waiting hands on the roof, pour and then do it all over again.  Exhausted but so satisfied at day's end.     

Iron work Kenyan style! 

Rufus and Fundi Minor 

The Perfect Form--John and I are taking credit!

The Not so Perfect Form

Forms in place-Ready for concrete

 

Lintel sets for a day and truss work scheduled for Monday.   

The Muthee comes for the last time. 

Dominic and I work on the trusses.  He wants to build an "Oriental truss"--an asymmetric truss.  We play a quick game of verbal raquetball as he questions my math skills. I won.  The five trusses are constructed in short order.  

                    

 "Yea, yea, yea...you can add." Thanks, Dominic

 Trusses, Door Frames and then the roof. 

  The best picture of Joseph-Asante Sana

Roof's On!

The last of the rock pile

  

Hol and I finished the grading around the building and buried the old choos.  The air is sweet.  Tomorrow the doors will be hung and we will turn the building over to the school.  Wow!