And The Hits Just Keep On Coming

Life, for me, is often a real nail biter. Oh, I'm fine here in Boston, but I never know if we will get enough money to feed the children and get the businesses started in Kenya. We're working on our annual fundraiser, and in this economy Mother is getting worried. I suspect that by tomorrow God will dope slap me for my faithlessness, but that's part of my walk. He's got a great sense of humor.

Anyway for shits and giggles you might try reading the Nation (the Kenyan paper I have linked here). Anytime you read it, you can't miss the grim news of what is happening in the part of the country I work in. Nothing good (besides Obama's dad) comes out of Western Province. There's always famine or riots or disease. Today as I perused the paper I couldn't help but think of the grace of my Kenyan friends. They never write me with complaints, and frankly much of the time, life sucks over there.

It is now approaching the season of the long rains. Because there is no irrigation system on the farms, farmers count on the long rains to renew the soil and then they will plant right after the torrents are finished. That's how it's supposed to be, but see, there's such flooding that it's not really going to help the farmers. And flooding also brings typhoid and cholera. Yeah, the hits just keep on coming. And some places may not get any rain at all.

Nonetheless, I am returning the end of May. I am excited to see Monica of KMET, and to bring one of our intrepid board members with me. Each time I have been able to bring someone with me, it changes their life and once again Nambale keeps a small piece of their heart until they return.

It's a mixed blessing this life I lead. I can be deliriously happy over the smallest donation, or hit despair when I think that I am not doing enough. Thank God for Lexapro and God's sense of humor.

Keep the faith y'all

and now the news from the Nation

The weatherman has warned of floods in parts of Nyanza and Western provinces at the start of the long rains, which are expected this week or in the first week of April.

However, North Eastern Province will experience “prolonged dry spells”, the meteorological department has forecast.

Loss of life

As a result, the department’s director, Dr Joseph Mukabana, has urged the government to come up with contingency plans to avoid loss of life and destruction of property.

“The rains are likely to be poorly distributed, especially in marginal areas,” Dr Mukabana said.

“However, sporadic and short-lived heavy storms may occur, resulting in flash floods in some areas and disasters may occur from possible strong and gusty winds and lightning, especially in flood-prone areas like Budalang’i, Nyando and Kano.”

Higher rainfall is likely to be experienced in Bungoma, Butere, Mumias, Vihiga, Kakamega and its environs in Western Province.

Kisii, Kisumu and Nyamira and other areas in Nyanza and Turkana, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Kericho in Rift Valley are also likely to record high rainfall.

Most parts

Areas expected to experience depressed or normal rainfall are Marsabit, Moyale, Isiolo and Kitui, Masaku, Machakos and Makindu in Eastern Province and Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang’a, Thika and Nyandarua in Central Province.

Dagoretti, Wilson, Kabete in Nairobi Province, Wajir, Mandera and Garissa in North Eastern Province and most parts of Coast Province including Lamu, Tana River, Voi and Taita Taveta are expected to experience poor rains.