January

This may be slightly more informative/ interesting/ less disgusting for the general unbearded population.

The new year has started well here. It is steadily getting warmer (about 45C today), windier, and therefore dustier. The Christmas celebrations have finished, but we managed to squeeze in one last celebration on Sunday for Sarah’s birthday! It may not have been the most luxurious of birthdays, but some care packages from home made it special all the same. Numerous treats have been promised for during our time in Nairobi at the end of January.

The base here has remained quiet with only 5 people here at present. The downside of this is that the list of chores increases. My list includes: feed the dogs, look after the money, top up water filters, organize weekly devotions, and clean a latrine. Needless to say I am looking forward to more team members arriving in the next few weeks.

Sarah has been working hard to get the maternity unit looking ship-shape and has done a fantastic job. It looks amazing! They will hopefully be open for business in a few weeks.

I have been looking after the leprosy work while Vicky is in Nairobi which has been an interesting experience. Lots of gorey wounds, nasty contractures, and missing digits. I will dedicate a post to the leprosy stuff in a few weeks time.

At the moment the biggest challenge is finding original things to cook. With only 10 days to go before Nairobi, our supplies are diminishing, and the dishes are getting weirder. Two particular odd ones from me have included lentils and aubergine, and tinned chicken sausages with cabbage. Sarah compassionately eats them all the same!

I will leave you with a picture of 3 kids from a family we have become friendly with. The little girl is called YoJima, and the boys are Butrus and Stephen (I can never tell which is which!)

P