The Great Vitamin Caper

This is a funny story describing typical third world Africa bureaucracy.

Last week, Jan's Sunday School class at Heritage Hills sent us several packages loaded with goodies. Two of these packages contained vitamins.

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When our courier went to the post office, they would not release the package because it contained pills, heaven forbid. They sent him back with a card asking the strength of the pills and how they were to be taken. We sent back a message that they were daily vitamins. They then sent back word that a doctor would have to see the pills and release them. After waiting a few more days, we decided to go to the post office with our courier and see if we could help negotiate a release of the hostage pills. So, this morning we rode downtown to the post office and with the help of Sammy we tried again. Now they were saying the doctor had seen the pills and was requesting a letter from our doctor with a prescription stating what the pills were and how they were to be taken (Are you kidding, they’re daily vitamins!). We again stated that they were only vitamins and there was no prescription for them. She said sorry, it was out of her hands and we would have to go see the doctor to get it cleared up!

After pleading some more, the clerk finally took us to her supervisor. Jan brought a bottle from the house that contained exactly the same vitamins. She showed it to the supervisor and tried to explain that they were just vitamins. She agreed to send us to the custom's supervisor and let her decide. Once in the customs office, we opened one of the packages and showed her that the pills in the baggies matched the pills in the bottle. She said, “Oh they’re supplements”. We finally found the magic word. She wrote out a letter for each package and sent us back to the original supervisor. Now a value had to be assigned to each item in the packages. So, they sent us to another lady who emptied out both packages, wrote everything down, and assigned the value. Now it was quite obvious she was just pulling the values out of the air because she never used any reference material. Who cares, we’re finally making progress. We then took the slip she gave us to the custom's cashier in the post office. She then gave us yet another slip which must be taken to the bank to pay the customs fee. Kenya has to limit the number of people who handle money because it has a habit of not making it into the till. We walked several blocks through downtown traffic to the bank. Sammy stood in line and paid the fee and then we walked back to the post office with the receipt. We thought we would be done then but, noooooo, that would be way too simple. We had to stop at the custom's cashier again. We then went to the station to pick up the actual packages. Then we had to stop at another station to pay another fee. Who knows what that was for. Three stations later we were headed out. But wait, we had to stop at the exit so the guard could verify that our many slips matched the packages. Quick, run, we have our SUPPLEMENTS! We ended up visiting with 10 different people before we got out the door. It was a true adventure and really made us appreciate all Sammy does for us at the post office on a regular basis. The whole procedure, counting getting to and from downtown, took us almost three hours.

Jeff just keeps muttering something about how broken the system is and how this is just one example of why this country will stay a third world country for a long time to come.

Mombasa - Missionary Delivery

As you saw in our previous post, we were able to go to the coast and enjoy a couple of days of rest and relaxation. We have shown you some pictures of the rough places we have stayed, so here is a shot of the nicest place we have stayed, the Milele Beach Hotel in Mombasa. It is actually the Presbyterian Guest House and they give missionaries a discounted rate.

There were two pools. This is the one right outside our room. Since we are so close to the equator, the water was on the warm side but still refreshing from the brutal heat.

Jeff did his customary thing of rising early to get pictures of the sun rising on the Indian ocean.

One of our friends in Nairobi had told us about Akamba Handicraft village. As a matter of fact, he had brought us back a couple of wooden carved elephants the last time he was in there. Akamba is a carving village located in Mombasa, so we went there to check it out. The village was started years ago by a missionary who was doing evangelistic contacts through business adventures. They now have an agreement that allows missionaries to shop in their wholesale warehouse. We were overwhelmed by all the carvings and the great workmanship that we saw.

Jeff searched and searched among the carvings and got himself a few more elephants to add to his herd already started at home. We also purchased a carved giraffe with a little baby with her. Jeff particularly like this one because it's head is tilted up like it is eating. He wants to place it next to a plant.

After we made our purchases in the warehouse, we went out back to watch some of the carvers at work.

We also watched as the packers would wrap up these huge carvings that were going to be shipped, literally, all over the world.

Since we do not have air-conditioning in our home, we enjoyed just resting in our air-conditioned room during the heat of the afternoons. Most of our meals were provided with the room so we enjoyed the Kenyan foods without even having to leave the hotel. We did get out and take a couple of walks on the beach. There were no sea shells to be found, but there were several outcropping of rocks. So you know us, we had to collect rocks instead.

Maersk Alabama

Today we had a real treat! We had to make a trip to the coast to escort a new missionary family to their assignment near Mombasa. We decided since we were at the coast, we would stay a couple of days and get some rest. Jeff got it in his head that we should try to find the sea port to see if, by any chance, we could get a glimpse of the US ship Maersk Alabama that was hijacked by Somalian pirates last week. We wandered around town for a while, into some pretty scary areas, looking for the port. Then we came up on a secured area with guards and police. Jeff was determined to be found trying, so we drove up to the gate. The Kenya Port Authority Police stopped us and Jeff asked him if the US ship Alabama was docked there and if it was could he take a picture. The police asked for our ID. We were pretty sure he was talking about some journalist ID but Jeff handed him his Kenyan resident ID. We parked and went into an office where they gave us permission to walk to the docks! As we walked, Jeff stopped and asked another officer where the Alabama was and would she escort us to the ship. She agreed and walked us about half way there where she turned us over to another officer, who quickly became our friend, Mike. Mike walked us all the way to the ship and let us take all the pictures we wanted.

While Jeff was taking pictures, we saw a film crew there and he asked them if they were doing a news story on the Alabama. They said yes. When he asked who for, they said for NBC and the story would air on the Today show today at 2:00pm. They asked Jeff if he was also doing a story and they were surprised that we had been allowed to come in and take the pictures since he was not. I guess God knew how determined Jeff was and just paved the whole way for us.

As we were headed back out, we were stopped by an officer that was not happy that we did not have an official pass. Fortunately Mike was still with us and he shared that we were missionaries with the Baptist Church and the officer’s attitude changed. Then Jeff began to witness to him, and he asked us many questions about Jesus coming back to earth again. It turned out he was already a believer but apparently had some questions. We left him all smiles. Then Mike walked us all the way to our car talking to us the whole time. It turns out he has worked as a Port Authority Police in that port for 22 years! Before we left him, Jeff asked him if he had prayed to receive Jesus Christ and he assured us that he had, but he also had questions. What started out to be one of Jeff’s crazy ideas, God used to bless us and two Kenyan Police Officers.

Check it out!

Ladies Bible Study Retreat

Every Thursday night, Jan meets for Bible study with a group of ladies who all live on the Baptist Mission Compound. Most of them are Kenyan ladies who work on the compound, three are missionaries. We have been studying the MasterLife program together. We have Bibles that are in both English and Swahili so that everyone can understand what is being said. One Thursday night a month, the group will work on crafts. The crafts are sold to help support missions and supplies for the group.

The proceeds from the last sell were used to fund a Bible Study retreat for the ladies in Nakuru. On Friday afternoon eleven ladies and two gentlemen escorts loaded into a van and headed out. Three hours later we arrived at an IMB owned home that is being rented to a former IMB missionary, who was presently in the states. As you can see, the house was a large house and when we entered, we felt like we had just stepped into a page of a "House Beautiful" magazine. It was beautifully decorated and finely furnished.

Friday night Jan led a prayer session for the ladies. We are always humbled by their sweet prayers for others.

There are two domestic workers who live at the house and they prepared all of our meals for us African style. They also provided chai and homemade cookies twice a day. Each meal was served a nicely decorated table and we felt like royalty all weekend.

Saturday we had an open forum where the national ladies could ask the missionaries any questions they might have about children, families, school or health issues. Then in the afternoon, Laura Lee, an IMB missionary who speaks fluent Swahili lead a Bible study for them in Swahili which was a real treat for everyone.

We also had some time to relax on the peaceful grounds that were covered in beautiful plants and flowers.

We told the ladies to come in very casual comfortable clothes to relax in, but instead they all dressed up and wore beautiful outfits the entire weekend. Here is a picture of Jan with Rose in her traditional Kenyan outfit.

While the ladies were having their sessions, the men took off and visited the interesting country side. They stopped at the Menengai crater and were awed by God's creation. http://www.webkenya.com/eng/safari/nakuru.php#see11

They also stopped so Jeff could have his picture taken standing on the equator!

After our session on Saturday, everyone was given a beautiful Kikoy wrap. Here is a picture of all of the lovely ladies in their new wraps which can also be worn as a shawl.

After breakfast on Sunday morning, we again loaded up the van and headed back to Nairobi, refreshed and revived. God was so gracious to not only allow us safe journeys but also a great time of sharing His Word and each other's company.