Notes About Najile (Day 2)

Notes about Najile The reason I decided to come on this trip to Kenya was to come and visit Najile, especially Najile Primary School.  I was very excited that today was the day that would happen, although it wasn't the only exciting event of the day. Megan, Kristin, Theo and I walked about 5 kms with Matt Kistler, to meet Joseph Kiranto's family.  It was very surreal to walk through the countryside and realize that we are in the middle of the Rift Valley.  Unfortunately the only wildlife we saw were cows and goats, but it was still a spectacular sight. When we arrived at the Kiranto compound, George, Helga and Simon were already there, and we were very warmly greeted.  In honor of our visit, a goat was slaughtered for lunch.  Most of us watched the slaughter, but none of us was willing to wield the knife.  We did enjoy the goat meat when it was served to us a few hours later for lunch.  We also enjoyed a special treat of a variety of fruits, including the most tasty mangoes ever. While we were eating lunch we heard thunder in the distance, and before too long, rain began to fall.  This is the first rain to fall in this area in about a year, so it was much anticipated.  Things will begin to turn green in a very short time and there will be more good pasture for the animals to go along with that. Next it was off to Najile Primary School.  The roads were full of water, because there is very little soil on top of the volcanic rock.  It was amazing to find that the thick dust we had driven through previously, was now completely gone.  We arrived at the school to find the children and teachers waiting for us, and were treated royally.  Theo and I were thrilled to be able to meet the students who have been writing to our students at Menno Simons Christian School for a couple of years now, and they asked us to be sure to pass along their greetings.  We are also taking home a big envelope full of letters to pass along to our students again. To be among the Masaii people for a few days has been a real honor.  They are extremely warm and welcoming.  It has been an inspiration to see how the people in this community are living a life of complete faith in God.  We have been blessed to spend these few days here.  Judy Epp