Today we attended an African funeral. Usually the village performs the funerals but the church was given permission to conduct this one. However two priests from other churches we there seated in the front. After climbing down into the valley, about 15-20 minutes on a very narrow and steep hiking trail, we came to the clay brick home. It was very small 2 room home. Outside they were preparing rice, beans, potatoes and chicken in large pots outside on fires. To the side of this cooking area, 15 feet away from the home there was a large deep hole dug for the body. We arrived at 11:30 but the coffin did not arrive until 12:30. The coffin was carried down that small, ruff, trail by men in the village. We explained to President Koseve (two days before) that we needed to leave by 1:00 as we had a commitment in Nairobi at 4:00. He said “No, we’ll sing a song, have a prayer and then you will speak, then you may go. So that is just what happened. We were pretty shocked. We then explained to the people and asked to be excused. Then came the trip up, up, up, the trail. My legs were shaking by the time we arrived to the car. What a work out. I made it and I wouldn’t have missed it.
That evening at our flat, we had dinner for 17 people, welcoming two new couples to the Nairobi, Kenya mission. Wonderful people.
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