And so I call my 89 year-old mother in the states Wednesday. She tells me,
“You know Eddie, you don’t need to come home so often. These flights are getting more expensive. This was just a bad stretch (She was rushed to the hospital as I was arriving in Kenya.) and I am better now.”
There is a freedom in her words. Yet I know she is looking forward to me coming home as soon as I can – June 27th. It was nice to hear mom’s words but probably won’t change any plans I have for returning to Kenya for longer periods and how soon. Although one avenue of cheap flights has closed, I may still be able to get Buddy Passes from some pilot friends for my next flights.
On Monday, three visitors came from the States, actually from my area; a young St. Henry High School student Michael, his mom and her sister. Great people who are headed to give of their time and some donations to the Samburu tribe, in another part of Kenya. But they spent the day with us, visiting the projects, distributing food and footballs, playing with the kids at the schools we fund and also sitting in on one of the adult education classes. We had a great time.
Ed, Julius, Mike
Pictured with me are Julius and our visitor Michael. A sad note, but so common – when we were visiting with Julius, we congratulated him on the birth of his child. Sadly, the baby died this morning at Kenyatta Hospital, thirteen days old. After we met with Julius Tuesday morning, they took the infant to a local clinic in Athi River, then to a small hospital in Machakos and then finally to Nairobi. Intestinal problems. Death is so common here, especially among the newborn. I’ll be interested to see where the child will be buried – here in Athi, or taken to their ancestral home in Kajiado.
Life and death – I need to deal with it . . . . and I think I am.
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