In Kisumu
I arrived in Kisumu around 10:30 this morning on a short 50 minute flight from Nairobi. After meeting Janepher and Paula Kodia we drove to their home in Kisumu. I was a little embarrassed in that I did not recognize Paula right away. It’s not so much that she has grown physically since my last trip in Jan 2017, but her hair was completely different. She understood completely after I showed her the picture I had of the family from 2017.
Today turned out to be a shopping day for computer equipment. We ended up purchasing equipment from a couple of different shops. I brought the thin client computer with me along with the Mac Mini for our server. The rest of the equipment; keyboards, mice, monitors, wiring, network switch, etc. we need to get here because it would be just too expensive to bring with me, not to mention heavy to bring from the USA. Besides, I try to purchase what I can in country as it’s better for their economy. So we got all of the keyboards, most of the mice, one of the 16 monitors we need, a Gigabyte network switch and Cat6 wire for the network. The rest of the equipment including a printer we’ll get on Wednesday. This will give me plenty to work to get the project started.
Tomorrow we will go to Kisumu in the morning to check over the computer room to see if there is anything else we’ll need to pick up on Wednesday and then we’ll leave to attend the funeral of Bishop David’s uncle who passed away just recently. I think David was hesitant to ask me if I wanted to attend, but I can’t think of a more honorable thing to do. It’s certainly more important than one afternoon at the college messing with computer equipment.
Other than the equipment shopping we did, it was a very relaxing day, which was helpful in adjusting to the time zone. I spent the day with the Kodia family and absolutely loved it. They have prepared a room for me to stay in tonight and tomorrow. After that I’ll spend some time staying at or near the college so I can get a lot of time working there on setting up the systems. We also have plans to attend a wedding on Friday of one of the priests in the diocese and I’ve been ask to sing at the wedding. Hmm? Looking through my music now to pick out a good song for the occasion. Really wise Cathy was here with me for this, but I’m sure I’ll manage with God’s help.
Dinner is happening soon, so I’m going to sign off for the evening. Thank you all for your continued prayers for the work I’m in involved in here. I’m feeling the blessing of those every day.
B ill
Eka Hotel in Niarobi
I arrived in Nairobi at 2:30 PM. I was very fortunate to get on the first airport bus to the International / Customs terminal so getting through customs was a breeze this time. On my last trip to Nairobi in January 2017, going through customs took a long time. And my bags came off the plane quickly, so I was out of the airport in about 30 minutes. That was great! I am greatful to the Lord for having such a straight forward, no drama trip. Everything has been easy.
I’m at the Eka Hotel now in Nairobi. It’s a nice hotel that is reasonably priced by western standards. It has a couple of restaurants, both are good and the rooms have REALLY nice showers, which is a must after 17+ hours in airplanes.
Having a 5 PM snack now and will go for dinner at 7 so I can push my body clock out to 9 PM if possible. It makes it a lot easier to get on their time zone, which is 7 hours ahead of ours in the eastern USA.
Arrived in Dubai
OK. I got to Dubai. I have a relatively short 2 hour layover so no pictures this time. Besides, it’s an airport. Impressive? Yes. Scenic? Not so much. The flights are full this weekend. I sat next to an energetic 6 year old boy named Sahid. He was actually pleasant company. He reminded me of my nephew Ray. And once we were in the air, I think he slept about 9 out of the 12 hours of the flight. Wish I could have pulled that off.
So it’s almost time to go through boarding process for Niarobi.
Hey if your in the USA reading the post, go to bed! It’s late.
More when I get settle at the Hotel Eka.
Bill