More Perspective From Janice Reynolds
Brothers & Sisters~~

We had a wonderful "pre-dedication" service on Sunday. The choir was magnificent! As soon as everyone was seated, the choir came in with the pastors singing and swaying in rhythm. When they sang, it was truly the voice of Africa! The length of the service was also African! It was supposed to start at 9:00, started at 10:30 and ended at 1:00!
David presented the cross for the church and I had the privilege of presenting the banner. The people clapped and shouted for joy; you will have to wait until we return for me to make the sound they used to express their appreciation.

Monday, we spent our second day on the job. Some of us had the "privilege" of visiting the hospital in Kiambu (and I use the term privilege loosley). It is hard to find the words to describe it.
They had separate buildings for eye treatment; pediatric; x-ray; physical therapy; mothers of new babies and "botched" abortions. I was struck with how unclean everything seemed to be! The patient rooms opened onto an open courtyard where birds flew overhead. If there was not enough rooms for pediatric patients, they would put 2 in a bed. Adult patients were kept in wards, with only a curtain around their beds for privacy. The rooms appeared so unclean, none of us would even consider spending night, let alone be there if we were sick. I will not complain about my hospital/doctor bills in the future!

Today, we completed our work on the church we came to build. It has been an interesting experience working with the heavier stone.
We then went to two "public" schools. The children wear uniforms so you know to what school they go. Their uniforms are cotton dresses with sweaters for the girls, and the boys wear shorts and the appropriate colored shirt with sweater (it is winter here, even tho it is nearly as hot here as in Spfld). The teachers seem to be as concerned about their students as our teachers are in the US. The children appear to be better mannered. Consider that at the 2nd school, the head master (principal) had a cane and would smack he children if they got too close! They sang some traditional songs in Swahili and did some dances for us. I'm sure you would have enjoyed seeing some of us from RLC and KOK dancing with the children!

The people here are very tribe-conscious~~they are Kikuiu (or Masia) first, then Kenyans, then Africans. On the drive to the job site today, we saw some Masai who had brought their cattle into town to graze on the grass at the side of the road. If the cows are in the road, you have to stop Also remember that they drive on the "wrong" side of the road~it was a day or 2 before I could ride without panicking!

We visited 2 homes today. Again, so much different from we live in the US. Most homes seem to be a room or two in a long building. The front half is the living room, and we assume the back half is the kitchn and/or sleeping quarters. Most of the homes use corrugated tin~I should think that would be very hot, especially in the summer and especially b/c there are few windows.

Please pray for our new friend Jen. She is 22 and still living at home. She has completed "primary" school (grades 1-8) and was going to high school in Uganda. I am told that it is cheaper to go to high school there. Her older brother was helping her with expenses. He was in Somalia, and told their mother he would be coming home to Kenya. They haven't heard from him for 2-3 months. The mother continues to check the hospitals and jails around here. I think she plans onn going to Somalia to see if she can learn anything. Meanwhile, Jen tells me they try not to miss him so much; I think she means they try not to despair.

We are learning so much here, and everyday I appreciate my family, my church, and my country more. Count your blessings every day and pray for those who live with so much less than those of us blessed to live in the United States.

Thank you for your support and continued prayers!

Janice Reynolds