Final post

Back in the USA just like Bruce. Very tired, total trip back with customs etc. was about 27 hrs. I am not doing alot today just trying to stay awake and get my day/night reversed.

Thanks to all the you who prayed (my knee did not bother me at all after the first two days) and thanks to family and friends who helped support me going, and also those who checked out the blog. I am posting a couple of final photos. The Kenyon people I met were so gracious and kind to us all. I told the lady at the house I stayed at that I was no longer a guest and that I would take my own dishes to sink :)

 I wonder if Washington state residents get a discount?

 The posse! left to right: Sammy the cook, Benjamin the houseboy, geezer, Kim the sign student.

 Church service the last Sunday. This is the bldg. where the medical camp was held.

Boda boda transport. Two adult passengers, driver and a large box. Not a nanny state..no helmets.

He's In and He's Out.

The man arrived safe and well. After traveling 27 hours however he's a bit tired and he went to bed very early. The last thing he wanted to do before turning in was to post on his blog but it was not possible. Thanks again for the prayers.

He's Almost Home!

I was in contact with Stan last night through Facebook IM. He arrived safely in Amsterdam and after a five hour layover, he is now on the plane to Seattle. His plane should arrive in about 3 hours. He'll probably be a little tucked out. Thanks for all your prayers during this adventure and thanks to God for keeping him safe and well.

The team went out to nzambani rock today, you can google it....that's the way I enjoyed it :)
Everyone had lunch at Ruth and Onesmus's house. Afterwards I came back to the house to chill. We are doing a couple of Tshirts then I will take a bath and crash.
It will be a long day tomorrow. Pastor Mike will pick me up at 8:30 and we will go to the little town where the medical camp was setup for church. After church we will head for Nairobi. My flight out is at 10:30 p.m It will reach Amsterdam in 8.5 hr.s, than a 5 hr. layover and than 10 hours to Seattle. So this will be the last post for now. Hopefully I will have photos of the girls getting dresses after church tomorrow.

Maybe Mary can fix my double post on photos :)

Can't wait to get a little cooler.

HUPOMONE
stan

I could not rotate this in the blog sofrware but Mary did. From the left: Pastor Mike, the high school principal,old man, the pastor of the local church

Very unique wheelchair with bicycle setup for power

I was flirting with this cutie!

The waiting area after leaving the tree and before being called in. The banner looks like a geezer
made it!

Clinic update

I realized that the photo of the clinic did not show the crowd. (also the power/battery problem last nite) 
The clinic has been seeing over 300 people a day. The crowd starts under a tree across from the building. that the clinic is being held in, than they move up by the door (photo attached) than they are let in the door as there is room. Inside, chairs are arranged in zig zag rows like entering a que at the airport. There were many tables set  up with a doctor/nurse/consultant and a person translating the language. They are treated and given an RX if needed. They than go to the bench to get their meds., after that they are asked if they want prayer, if so Barbara Baker and the local pastor's wife pray for them and they exit the building.  

The food was excellent last night, I believe Sammy the cook is ready to open that Mexican Cafe.

Trained with Kim in the morning, we worked with a material that goes on glass and mirrors to look like sandblasted images. It is very thin and a little difficult to work with, so that is why I wanted him to try it. 

I went with pastor Mike to the medical camp all afternoon. It is a ways out of town and being held at the same place each day. The team members are coming back to the hotel each night. Most of them had not seen me so they thought I was a ghost :)  I am posting some photos. We gave out a few dresses today. There has been no time for anyone to go to an orphanage. The pastors wife at the little town will distribute the rest and has promised to take photos. I am uploading some photos.

Later this p.m. I worked at training Ruth until the power went out (again)   I have uploaded photos, but they are taking too long to load and the laptop battery is almost dead. So I will try and upload the ones that have opened without comments for now.
stan

 I got up early to see Pastor Moses off on his trip back home. WE made some reflective decals so Kim could learn about changing blades and the cutting depth.

I did not get to  go out to the medical camp today, looks like tomorrow is the day.

I am getting my mexican food fix tonite. WE are making spanish rice, beans and flour tortillas. 

Sammy the cook says he might open a mexican restaurant :)

Everyone loves tortillas, thier bread chapati, is very oily.

The power has been out for over an hour and my laptop is just about out of battery. It looks like the video links are clickable. Heading to the outside and do some reading under a tree!

Kim my student taking a boda boda back to the Cyber Cafe to bring back a printer.

Pastor Moses looking at the dresses for his girls. Thanks to my wife Mary, the ladies in my family and Jeannie from Summit Christian Fellowship.

To watch videos, I guess you will need to cut and paste. I was not able to make them hot links. (Mental flash...hot dogs with jalapenos!!! That will be next week:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpLu2I58yTg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP8vGdT6LeI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMPxP1lIuTs

It's supposed to be 86dg. F. here today and 64 for a low. When I ask what the
temp. was for the day the people here just say "I don't know, and didn't notice on the news."   But  it's a dry heat :)

I am in between students, so I found three interesting videos for you on You tube.
The first is a cruze through downtown Kitui. Notice the schoolchildren in blue uniforms. The motorbikes along the road are boda bodas, which is the local taxi service. Taxis themselves are few and expensive. The large bags for sale alongside the road is charcoal for cooking. It is pieces of tree limbs not processed cubes

The second video is of a rural road...I have not been out of town, but I bet the medical team has been down a road like this or worse.

The third is some tourist riding boda bodas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpLu2I58yTg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP8vGdT6LeI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMPxP1lIuTs

If there is no electricity in town tomorrow, I plan on visiting the medical camp. Ruth said yesterday was a huge crowd and Pastor Onesmus called to say to today's camp crowd was even larger.

Have Something To Say????

Hi, this is Mary hacking into Stan's Blog. I adjusted Stan's settings so it's easier to leave a comment for him and without signing up. Just click on comments and if you want to tell him something.

It's Tuesday night and I have had a full day. Kim was my only student today. We concentrated on learning the software even more and pressed some Tshirt designs. I also showed him how to cut a design in white vinyl and than do spray can effects.

Pastor Mike brought my friend Pastor Moses to room here with me. He has traveled many miles to see me and visit the pastor's conference. Since I have only known him by emails it was great to have unlimited "chat."

Kim, my student and the two young men who live here, plus myself made roasted chili's, and tomatoes + carne asada. Sammy also made rice and beans, so it was a great meal. Pastor Mike and Dave ate with us plus Helen the home owner had friends over.

Dave is flying back Thursday and I fly back on Sunday, but first I must make spanish rice.

If the power is out Thursday again I plan on visiting the medical camp. Mike joked I was in prison here.

p.s. these guys are good, they figured out the puzzle by noon!

Hupomone,
stan aka signgeezer

I woke up early and cut out a 5 piece tangram and applied it to a cracker box. It is driving these guys crazy :) My family and anyone that went to the summit apartments for VBS should remember it. Google 5 piece tangram if you don't know what I am refering to. When they are cut apart and the same color it is something else.

I still have not seen any of the other API team except for pastor Mike. He sent me more coffee last night....things are  good. Thanks for the prayers, the knee feels like normal. Hupomone!

Pastor Stanley and Stan at church Sunday
Pastor Stanley is the uncle of Kim my student
Note the API bolo tie...one of a kind :)

O.K, all you salsa makers out there...I know those are not California chili's, but you use what you can get. I found a good hot bottled sauce, it's called "Pili Pili."

I went to Pastor Stanley's church yesterday, he is the one who sent pastor Mike the email "Sir, kitui awaits."

The medical and pastorial team arrived in Kitui last night. They are getting ready for thier respective functions starting tomorrow.

Pastor Mike stopped to visit and pick up the dresses that go to the girl's orphanage and to handout on the medical team visits at the various stops .

The lady here at the guesthouse had gone to Nairobi for a funeral and returned yesterday. She liked the tortillas so we are doing a re-do on the BBQ tomorrow night. Pastor Mike invited himself, Dave Roscelli and Pastor Roger to the feast. I think I will tell him they need to bring radishes. No one here has ever seen one and they are not in the stores :)

Graphic station

After the thursday blackout we started in early on friday trying to learn the vinyl cutter and the software packed with it. I had only done one sample cut when I first got it and was not familiar with the functions.  Ruth the pastor's wife and Kim the young man are both quick with the computer. We also had a few  small blackouts on friday. Saturday was very productive. I have posted a photo of the decals and T-shirts we made on Saturday. The two young men that live here, Kim and I made carne asada,  a salsa, and flour tortillas friday night. Cooking in the dark with a small flashlight :) I will post some pics.

Small decals and the first T-shirts that we designed, cut and pressed on Saturday

I got up early to cut the first sign and make sure everything was ready today. We have had a few glitches but everything went smoothly this morning. Just when my student got here the electricity went out, Seems like there is no electricity all day thursdays here. It came back on at 5 p.m. So tomorrow, onward and upward ol chap.  stan

The work table with the donated T-shirt press (Thank You Edwin!!)








The first sign made here. It says "Sir Kitui awaits you."  This was an email sent to pastor Mike from a pastor in Kitui.

Pastor Onesmus trying my Chili and Lemon powder on his mango!  He and Ruth grow quite  a lot of sugar cane and some mangos and guavas.

On the road to Kitui. The busy main street in Kitui, Pastor Onesmus eating the last mongo on Helen's trees. Helen owns the home where I am staying. And...finally Rosita the vinyl cutter being set up.

stan

Finally able to post

We had a very busy time in Nairoby and Lamuru where the API home base is. Lamuru is considered cold by most Kenyon's. It actually very pleasant. The area surrounding Lamuru has many coffee and tea plantations.

Due to many problems I did not leave Nairoby until Sunday and still was not able to get on the internet.

Pastor Onesmus and his wife Ruth drove me to Kitui where they live. As we got closer to Kitui it looked more and more like parts of Mexico and southern Arizona. There are many pottery, furniture and other shops along the road.

I had to leave the hotel after the first night. It is very close to national elections and the politicians were meeting at the hotel......loud.

I am staying at a guesthouse for NGO's close to town. 

The weather is quite warm, but I bought a fan so it's all good. The knee is giving me problems but that is what they make meds for :)

The sign shop is set up, Onesmus had to go to Nairoby to purchase another computer as the one he had would not do what we need to do.

Thanks to all that donated materials, equipment and cash gifts, you are a blessing to the people here. Thank you for your prayers, pray that Rosita the vinyl cutter will come on line and be a blessing to Kitui!

stan aka signgeezer

I walked right up to this big boy in Nairoby!

He's not connected yet!

Stan had to cahnge where he was staying and has limited internet access but thinks he might be able to post tomorrow. Here's a new pic from the API website. On Saturday, he went to the El Shaddai Boys Home in Limuru with Dave. He distributed new T-shirts for all the boys and lollipops as well. He said he had a wonderful time. Bet they did too! In the background you can see Lydia who is the director of El Shaddi. We sponsor two boys at El Shaddai, both named Simon. Unfortunately they were at school and Stan didn't get to meet them. He's hoping that he might get to visit again before they leave.

Here He is!

Looks like Stan is still having difficulities posting so here's something from the API website.

Dave Roscelli, Stan Skinner and Pastor Mike arrived in Nairobi Thursday evening where they were picked up by their API associate in Kenya, Onesmus Kauwi in our new (used) API vehicle.  A donor generously provided the funds to purchase this much needed addition to their work here.

Dave is on this trip as their principal photographer and videographer; Stan is going to provide expert help in setting up a sign-making business which they trust will provide economic opportunities for the pastors.  They spent two nights at API's home base in Limuru. Friday and Saturday were spent getting adjusted to the time change and logistical support issues, and of course hitting the Java House for some great coffee.

Stan is now in Kitui with Onesmus and his wife, Ruth where he will be working for the next week bringing them up to speed on the sign machine.  Hopefully he'll be able to start posting tomorrow and can share some of his adventures. Check out The API blog for more pictures and info.

Unavailable?

Got to talk Stan today and he's doing fine. He has lots to share but has no internet service at the moment. He hopes to start posting some info and pictures tomorrow. Become a follower to stay posted or subscribe through email.

They Have Landed!

Got a call from Stan to say they have arrived safely in Nairobi, Kenya. Unfortunately for me, he called during the less than 10 min. I was in the shower.

He's off! (of course we all ready knew that)

It's Mary and I'm posting for Stan while he's in the air. I dropped him off  at SeaTac at 10:30A.M. and his plane took off at 1:12. I haven't heard anything but according to Delta's website, he arrived in Amsterdam, Netherlands about an hour ago and has a two hour layover. Then it's on to an 8 hour flight to Nairobi, Kenya. We want to thank all of you for your well wishes and prayers. Continue to pray as he continues on this exciting adventure and come back to see what's happening.