Blog 3 – Safely living in Kisumu, Western Kenya

Sorry for the wait!!
Love you all.
We arrived on Wednesday 30th January at Nairobi airport mid afternoon. Swiftly we passed through immigration, having previously had our passports stamped with one year multi entry visas. Our 2 large suitcases and one large haversack soon emerged on the conveyor belt. We were quickly escorted across the terminal to our internal flight for Kisumu.
On arrival in Kisumu we were met with Chris Wheat (who leads TKWL) and pastor Eric.
On our 4km trip to Milimani, Kisumu, we saw beautiful bougainvillea, flame trees, and evidence of the riots , with burnt out buildings, and remains of road blocks.
Chris' home is safe and secure even though it is close to the city's ring road – where much of the road blocks and burnt out cars were taking place.
Chris is a bachelor (42 years) and has lived here for 3 years. He has a love for the people especially the impoverished children – who cling to him at every opportunity!
Our work is primarily to serve Chris and the charity To Kenya With Love, an educational sponsorship programme for over 200 children. A plot of flat land has been purchased to build a permanent primary school for about 200 ch'n, and a nursery for about 70 children.
This past week having recovered from our 3 flights – taking nearly 24 hours! - we have been decorating a building on the site to house the administration block.
Kisumu has been peaceful for over a week now. Exotic birds are in abundance, flora is bright and lush, the Kenyans are friendly and welcoming.
Peter met one yesterday on a walkabout – looking for a permanent home to rent – who supports Chelsea. They are mad keen on the Premiership over here!!
As we move into the weekend proper, we are resting, visiting a small lakeside village – Dunga – to order some hand made furniture for our new home! In the meantime it is a privilege to be staying with Chris, who has gone out of his way to make us feel welcome.
Gosh it's 28 degrees C!
Goodbye and love to all
Pete & Paula