Bill Schrull
As mentioned in my previous post, Tuesday and Wednesday were hangout days at the Kodia’s home in Kisumu. On Wednesday, Bishop David and his daughter Lynette brought me to a local museum that displayed artifacts and replicas of life in this area of Kenya, which people of the Luo tribe populated. As you can see, they replicated a typical family village. The biggest house was that of the first wife, with the second wife’s home on the left, the man’s home on the right, and so on. According to tradition, if a visitor came to the village, they would have to report to the first wife to state what their business was for being there. It was very interesting to learn about the tribe and its traditions.
After the museum, we visited a nearby animal sanctuary called Kisumu Impala Sanctuary. I have to admit, I was looking for the big cats, but since it was during the heat of the day, the big kitties were all sleeping somewhere in the shade. That’s typical! I have two cats. I know where to look for them during the midday. But they did have monkeys. I like monkeys. They are so much like unruly kids. And, of course, there were the Zebras who looked at us with an indifferent “Humans……whatever”.
On Thursday, I began my next phase of travel to Tanzania. I have to say, Kenya Airways’ timing for both flights was spot on. Delta, American Airlines, and others in the US could learn a few things from them. During our landing approach in Dar Es Salaam, I did notice something interesting. It was the lights! In 2005, during my first trip to Tanzania, I remember looking out during our approach and seeing a lot of darkness, with wood fires spread out in various locations. 
When I left the airplane, I distinctly remember the acrid smell of smoke that permeated the air. I remember saying, “I’m not in Kansas anymore, Toto.”
It is quite different now. As you can see in the photo below, there are electric lights everywhere. When you get off the plane, the air is clean with overtones of the nearby Indian Ocean scents. So much has changed over the past nineteen years here in Tanzania. The country is developing at a rapid pace. I hope it is mostly the general population that receives the benefits of these changes.
On Friday, I completed my journey to Kigoma and then to Kasulu. Today, (Saturday), I am in waiting mode as I don’t know yet where I will be worshipping tomorrow and if they want me to participate in any way. For now, I’ll just spend some time practicing some songs I could share with the church I will be brought to, if I’m asked to sing anything.
I’ll leave you with these words:
Mungu ni mwema, wakati wote! (God is good, all the time!)
Hello friends. Sorry, I’ve been lacking in my postings for the past few days. Let me turn back the page to Thursday, 9/26. We finished the work we had to do at Bishop Okullu College. I drove home from the college in Asembo to the Kodia’s home in Kisumu. I’m proud of myself for handling the driving, which is on the left-hand side of the road, with lots of traffic once you get close to Kisumu. It’s been great to have the independence of a vehicle to get around it. When we got back to Kisumu, I did a bit of window shopping at some computer stores to find out what printers and other equipment I could get locally for the college. We needed a new laser printer, a UPS Battery Backup unit, a wireless bridge device to bring the Internet into the library building, and some other minor items. It was helpful so I could find out how much money I needed to get from a bank ATM to pay for it all. Here in Kenya, they have a very convenient system of making payments through cell phones called M-Pesa. That works for the locals, but I needed cash to purchase items.
Friday was a school visit day. This time, we went to Chianda Boys High School. Chianda is a big school with over 2000 students. It is, aswith the other schools, sponsored by the Diocese of Bondo. Church and related activities are a normal part of life there. For this visit, we were there to lead a dedication service for the Form 4 students who were about to start their final exams in October. Bishop David assigned me to be the preacher for the service. One of the scriptures for the day was Ecclesiastes 3:1-11. I used this scripture to encourage the students as they prepared for their exams not to think that these will determine their lives but will give them a sense of direction going forward and to look to the Lord for guidance for their future. As it says in verse 11, “He makes all things beautiful in his time.” I ended the sermon with the song “In His Time” and taught the students the chorus. It was fabulous having all those voices singing with me. It was a wonderful time of worship.
On Saturday, I spent the day at home at the Kodia’s. I went out briefly to get some cash and purchase the wireless bridge unit so I could test it out and make sure it would work properly for the college. In testing, it worked perfectly for bridging a wireless network to wired computers. This also gave me a chance to record the bridging procedure for Robert. He will be the one to configure and put it into service at BOC.
Sunday, I worshiped at the nearby St. Stephen’s Cathedral here in Kisumu with Bishop David and family. It was nice having a day off from leading anything during the service. Instead, we could just participate in worship with the congregation. Afterward, we came home and spent the afternoon with David and Janepher’s cell group (home group). There were about 25 – 30 people who came to the house for food and fellowship.
Monday was equipment shopping day. Robert was in town from the college. We got together and went to the Mega Plaza, where the stores were located, to pick up the new printer, UPS Battery, mouse pads, etc. I was wondering how they would get these items to the college, but as it tuned out, Principal Okellu was also in town for a meeting, so we were able to meet and pass the equipment along to bring to the college.
This week, I’m off duty! I’m relaxing here in Kisumu and will start to prepare for travel to Tanzania on Thursday, 10/3. I will probably not post anything until Saturday, as much of my time will be spent traveling and getting settled in at the compound in Kasulu. Thank you all for your prayers while I’ve been on this journey. Other than missing having Cathy with me, it’s been almost perfect!
Yours in Christ,
Canon Bill
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