Sunday, February 9, 2014

We are sorry to have kept all of you in suspense for so long, but it seemed as soon as we hit the ground in Kenya we were off and running!  A delayed flight coming out of Amsterdam resulted in our arrival in Nairobi with just enough time to shower, shrink-wrap our bags for shipping by bus, and catch about an hour’s nap before we had to be ready to leave for the plane taking us on to Kitale.  We arrived about 9:00AM, in time to pick up a few things at the market and then we were preparing for an afternoon meeting with the RUN board of directors.  Since that time we have been in almost non-stop work sessions to get some momentum on construction projects for the land which has been purchased in Sibanga.

After counsel from the board, we have concluded it is in the best interest of RUN not to partner with the SACCO on the construction of the milk cooling station.  We have spent an enormous amount of time gathering necessary information to move forward both with the training center and the milk cooler.  There are many obstacles which need overcome such as government certification for the foundation as a registered NGO, signing of land deeds, architectural work, and learning of Kenya requirements to put project plans into motion.  This, along with being relational with our neighbors and others in the community keeps us very busy.

Please join with us in praying about the following:

        1. The foundation certification documents get to us soon

        2. The land owner gets back in country to sign documents completing transfer of ownership

        3. The training center drawings can be finalized

        4. We find a Kenya Rotary connection to help us with our grant application

  5.Little Ellen Wafula (named after our very own Ellen Cathers!), daughter to our board member Samuel, recovers from the high temperature she has been running for the last three days.

        6.  We will be on the road all day Monday traveling north towards Pokot to look at some cooling stations in the area.  We need safety for the journey and wisdom to ask all the right questions to make our station in Sibanga a success.