14 December 2013

Kenya celebrates 50 years of independence!

Kenyan African Union leader Jomo Kenyatta with the official document of independence in Nairobi on December 13, 1963

On a warm December evening 50 years ago, a new independent nation was born in Africa. For 68 years, Kenya had been governed by the United Kingdom. But on December 12, 1963, thousands of Kenyans and numerous world leaders gathered for an independence ceremony at Uhuru Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya. The word 'uhuru' means freedom in Swahili, the national language of Kenya. At midnight, the British flag was lowered ending colonial rule. In its place, the black, red, and green flag of Kenya was raised. Jomo Kenyatta, a long-time leader in the struggle for Kenyan independence, was the new nation’s prime minister.
“Our march to freedom has been long and difficult. There have been times of despair, when only the burning conviction of the rightness of our cause has sustained us. Today, the tragedies and misunderstandings of the past are behind us. Today, we start on the great adventure of building the Kenyan nation.”  - Jomo Kenyatta

Monument at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi


Many wananchi (citizens) attended a midnight reenactment of the first flag-raising 50 years ago, complete with fireworks.




A ceremony was held at Kasarani Stadium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jamhuri, Kenya's independence day

Dignitaries, including many African presidents, attended the ceremony.

Current president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta (son of Kenya's first president)

Excerpt from President Uhuru Kenyatta's speech:

"Today marks an historic, momentous, and glorious day for our country, Kenya. It is with joy and pride that we celebrate 23 years of independence. Fifty years ago, on December 12, 1963 a new and hopeful nation, Kenya, was born with unlimited potential. We were now a free and sovereign people, and we began the journey of determining our own political, economic, and social destiny.

"Our struggle for independence, which had gone on for many years, had finally borne fruit. But this independence did not come cheap. It was won by the brave, selfless, and visionary men and women who were willing to sacrifice even their own lives for the love of their country. This they did, to guarantee that their children and children's children would be free, living with dignity.

"The freedom we enjoy today was earned by the blood of patriots and their sacrifices much never be in vain. As we recognize the important role they played in our nation's history, we must remember that the greatest honor we can give them is to live by the high ideals they envisioned for Kenya. Their passionate dreams for an equitable, free, and just Kenya must be our driving force today and in the years to come."


Traditional dancers from Burundi

Traditional dancers from Rwanda

Traditional dancers from Kenya

Traditional dancers from Kenya

Traditional headdress of hippo tusks


An added bonus for the day was when Kenya's football (soccer) team - the Harambee Stars - won the 2013 Cecafa Cup, by beating Sudan 2-0!

12 December 2013

Goat or beef? Buying meat from a kiosk

I bought 1/2 kg of beef from John, the butcher.

Rudimentary, but adequate, scale and weights

He uses a piece of tree trunk for his chopping block.

John's kiosk is small - approximately 3x4 feet. Crudely constructed, it's where he's been earning his daily bread for years.

The meat (a full goat on the left and a slab of beef on the right) hangs from these hooks
with no refrigeration and LOTS of flies swarming around.

John chops a piece of meat with his cleaver.

Hacksaws are often used to cut through the bones
or to slice chucks of meat off of the hanging slabs.

Ngombe and mbuzi ('cow' and 'goat' in Swahili).
The newspaper (on the right) is used to wrap the meat for customers; it's then placed in a black plastic bag.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto have lately been disparagingly referring to newspapers
(and the media in general) as nothing more than something with which to wrap meat.

The goat is displayed with tail intact.

Activity and muck, just opposite John's butcher kiosk.

11 December 2013

Fun couple of days with Jim and Joy

Jim (on the right) and his cousin, Patrick, as we maneuvered the sticky and slippery slime and mud to get to church

Ai, ai, ai... I don't know how slum-dwellers do it day-in and day-out!

Carol sharing the Word of God at Kingdom Light Ministries in Mukuru kwa Njenga

Joy with Santa Claus, at Galleria Mall

After a few frustrations, Joy figured out how to drive this boat quite well.

Jim had a blast turning one flip after another!

We enjoyed some WAY over-priced Pop Tarts, a new taste treat for Jim and Joy.

Joy draws herself being with Jesus in heaven, during our morning devotions.

Jim thoroughly enjoyed making - and eating - pizzas!

We all enjoyed playing games - Jenga and Chinese Checkers. They're great kids; we really enjoy hanging out together.

30 November 2013

Beauty of a Prayer Garden














The prayer garden is located at Don Bosco Youth Center off of Dagoretti Road.

Celebrating birthdays in Kijabe

I think it's always nice to get out of the big city - Nairobi - and get away from the traffic, noise, and crowds.

Carol, Jacky, and I - plus two of their kids - traveled to Kijabi.
We visited our mutual friend, Vera, to celebrate 3 birthdays.

David, 4 years old

Jasmine, 3 years old

Joshua, 2 years old

Vera and Dorothy (14 months)

Carol, Vera, and Jacky

It was a 12-hour day for me (8am - 8pm), most of it on the road back and forth. But it was well worth it, as we always have a great time together!