Rainy season is full upon us. It rains every night and often during the day. It’s a challenge to keep in dry socks and I am very grateful for the “Totes” Donna brought (called shoe gloves here) for me. I am told this is what to expect for the month of April. Meanwhile, I hear it is 80 degrees and sunny in Columbus, and I should be on the golf course. O well, there it is.
Lyle and Terry took me into Nairobi to St. Andrews PCEA Church for Good Friday services and we will be returning there for Easter services on Sunday. One thing that made the service special was hearing the organ and choir. Made me glad and homesick at the same time. On the way home they drove me by UN Headquarters which is just across the street from the US Embassy. Both compounds were quite impressive. Since the bombing 5 years ago, the US Embassy has been rebuilt and is very secure. We weren’t allowed through the gate for a closer look.
Then it was back to the Maasai Market which is a wonderful craft bazaar. I was able to pick up the few gifts Donna had missed before she returned. The bargaining is intense and one never knows just how one came out. It is good sport and can be a lot of fun.
Joseph and the students have gone to their homes for the Easter holiday. We had no seminars on Friday and will not meet on Monday. Joseph called from Maralal to say he had made it safely. He and his son, Ike, drove to Nayahururu where they caught a bus the rest of the way. Though the road has been recently scraped, he said it was only barely there and they could not have made it in the little 4WD Suzuki. I am praying he is able to make it back for seminars on Tuesday. Though it is just over 150 miles, it is a 10 – 12 hour journey in good conditions.
Patrick Kinanjui, one of our CPE students, was confirmed to have malaria on Wednesday. He missed that day’s seminars but was able to be with us on Thursday. He is expecting another two or three bad days, but then he should start feeling better. The group observed eye surgery that day and all were very impressed with the skill of the surgeon and the teamwork of the staff. This holiday break is serving as a “practice” termination and their anticipatory grief is evident.
I am finally feeling almost well. This cold has slowed me down for over a week. I was able to complete and submit a proposal for a Masters Degree program in Pastoral Supervision as requested by Vice Chancellor Thairu. I look forward to a meeting with him early next week to discuss it. This is his idea of how to jump start CPE here in view of the need for additional supervisors.
These three pictures (above) are of the old stained glass windows in the first Church of the Torch. They were imported from Scotland along with the building itself. They are beautifully done and you may be able to tell that many of the figures are Kikuyu people (though Jesus looks more like a Scotsman). The remainder are of windows from the present church. A sad anecdote: the previous moderator of the PCEA got carried away fighting the devil. He believed he could see satanic symbols in stained glass windows. He destroyed many beautiful windows at St. Andrews and elsewhere. The people were able to save these at the Church of the Torch.
The appearance of the landscape round-a-bouts has changed. The maize is mostly harvested and beans, potatoes, and new maize plants are springing up. It is fascinating to watch the folk in twos and threes, mostly women, harvesting, cultivating and planting. There is much gratitude for the rain; harvests have been plentiful. I tend to give thanks when the sun breaks through from time to time during the day.
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter are a bit different here. There remains a strong concern to be distinguished from things Roman Catholic in the PCEA. I missed our Maundy Thursday Communion service. I also missed participating with our choir in sharing special music with the congregation. And, of course, I will miss a special Easter feast with Donna and family/friends. I am grateful for the Dykstras and their care as they chauffer me to the services at St. Andrews which are more familiar. 
And I send Easter greetings as we look forward to the last three weeks of this inspiring CPE program. There have been abundant signs of new life. Peace, Cal Brand 
Cal, thank you for sharing your wonderful Holy Week with us. Wow has time flown as I’ve been keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Cannot wait to hear all about it when you get back, but thanks for taking us along with your blog!
Continued prayers!