Chyulu Bao Bubs  

Posted by Mike and Erin












While in the land of the Kamba we visited a lot of the members of the church who Matt had served and grown to love. We first visited the chapel located in Darajani, a small village outside of Chyulu. While inside we found a Relief Society Enrichment meeting going on. These sisters were making scripture bags with the two sewing machines they had just purchased. It took these good sisters 2 months to save up for the machines and they were so excited, they had already made skirts last month. The sewing machines looked a bit vintage to me and I suppose they would cost a lot more in the States.

We next went to eat lunch with James and Luisa Nzau. Beside their shamba, that Matt was able to help plow, we ate a delicious meal of Muthocoy and milk. Muthocoy is made from a brown beans and maize which is seasoned with sauteed onions, sweet peppers and tomatos. The milk here is from a box and has a bit of a different taste but wasn't bad. It was very sureal to sit in the shade of their humble yard and enjoy the peaceful unhurried life that the Kamba people enjoy. Not everything is easy for them. The rains have been sparse this year and the maize in their shambas (gardens) is struggling. As we left their home, Luisa gave me a seed bag that she had woven as a token of gratitude for giving our son to them as a missionary. What amazing people live here.

We then stopped at Cyrus Nzibu's home to meet his parents. Again we were fed a very authentic African food called Ugali. Well Matt loves Ugali. It is made from maize that is added to boiling water and cooked till it is very thick. Ugali reminds me Cream of Wheat in block form. It is usually eaten with milk and sugar. Well I didn't think it had much appeal but Matt will make it and serve it to all his friends and family when we get home. While leaving to go to Tsavo National Park we started having car problems. We no sooner discovered the problems than we had help fixing it. The African people are so helpful and loving, we felt little effects of the problem.

For lunch the next day we visited with President George and his family. They live in humble home made from handmade bricks and a corregated metal roof. Their home was actually the first place in Chyulu, and in Kenya for that matter, where the church was first organized and met as an official branch. We enjoyed goat stew on rice, very tasty. I must admit I was first afraid that I might get sick eating some of the food here because our digestive systems are not accustomed to it, but I have never had a problem at all. Inside President George's home it must have been 95+ degrees, the walls were made from spare cardboard or plywood pieces that were availble, the front door was a simple cream colored sheet, and the floors were cement. I don't think they own a broom or mop, and they may have never heard of Lysol cleaner, but I have never felt the Spirit so strong and felt so much love within a family as I did in this home. I hope that if it be the Lord's will we can visit someday again.





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Tsavo National Park  

Posted by Mike and Erin





Our first safari adventure took place Thursday and Friday at Tsavo National Park located in Kenya below Mount Kilimanjaro (which is just across the border in Tanzania). We saw elephants, giraffe, zebras. leopards, water buffalo, hippos, monkeys, impalas, hyenas, jackos, baboons, other monkeys, crocodiles, warthogs, and many others. It was amazing. We were able to stay in a lodge built during the English rule in 1960. It reminded me of something out of an old movie and we were treated so well. Out the balcony door to our room was a watering hole which all sorts of animals came day and night. At about midnight two giant elephants came to drink. They had full tusks and stood only 50 to 70 yards away form us. Mike and Matt also heard a lion roar but did not see him. I was asleep by then. These hippos pictured above live in the fountain of a fresh water spring. I will struggle going back to a zoo from now on. I would love to put all the pictures on this blog but each picture takes me about 5 minutes to download here.

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The Shanty Shacks  

Posted by Mike and Erin









If a picture says a thousand words, I am afraid these cannot begin to describe our short trip into Kibera, the largest slums in Nairobi and in the world for that matter; 1.2 million people live in Kibera. We saw no one over the age of 25 or 30. The adults did not smile but the small children came running up to us smiling to shake our hands and greeting us warmly with the only English phrase they know, "How are you?" We were taught by our guides that the children would not understand any reply other than "fine."

I had seen pictures of Kibera before, both from Matt and on the news during the election violence of Kenya last December and January where over 900 people were killed here. We were taken back by the smell which no picture can describe. I felt like I had been put into a rank garbage can with sewage running down by my feet. All food (fruits, vegatables and raw meat) were covered with flys. Beautiful small babies had clusters of flys on their faces. Our guides told us that no one with sense walks through Kibera at night because of the 'flying toilets.' Imagine if you dare no plumbing, no toilets, only plastic bags filled with human refuge thrown as far as possible in whatever direction and you get the picture of flying toilets. Needless to say the path we walked was covered old plastic bags.

In front of each home, people put up small shops to sell what items they had. These items ranged from clothes and shoes, to food, to old plumbing pipes and fixtures. We only saw one person purchasing anything. The average person here lives on less than one dollar a day and usually eats one meal a day. Medical care is limited if non-existent. One of the LDS Bishop's here in Nairobi grew up in Kibera. He was able to go to school and escape the slum. He now works in Kirbera as a director of a small health clinic called St. MAC (MAC stands for mother and child). This good bishop uses an ultra-sound machine which was donated to him. His clinic is primative and far from the sanitary enviroments we are accostumed to in the US. But in comparison to the rest of Kibera, it is pretty clean. This bishop was actually our guide and he was very interested in our medical backgrounds. He does not have the proper schooling to run an ultrasound machine in America, but he and his small staff of five are doing all they can to improve the lives of the people of Kibera.

We spent about one hour walking through Kibera but are feeling its lasting effects on us since.


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Visiting the world famous Kazuri bead factory  

Posted by Mike and Erin

Second stop on Wednesday was the Kazuri Bead Factory. This factory employs about 340 people, mostly single mothers. It is located in a suburb of Nairobi, approximately 20 minute drive from the mission home. (Sorry that is the only way I can describe the location – I have no idea where north and south are here). We were given a guided tour of each stage of the production process starting with the refining of the clay to the forming of the beads then to the firing and glazing. Each bead is hand made. I was amazed at the uniformity and beauty of each bead. The women sat around large tables, slowly (according to American standards) forming each bead. We were able to watch the women work for a short time. A few men were making pottery pieces in a separate room. Salary at this factory is minimal, about 700 Kenyan schillings/week ($12) and medical insurance (that is huge here). At the entrance of the Factory is a small store where the necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pottery can be purchased. We did buy some beautiful pieces there for about $15 - $20 each. Kazuri beads can be found around the world in expensive department stores. They say that in the USA a Kazuri necklace runs about $80.

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Elder Walker's first post mission kiss. Her name is Betty!  

Posted by Mike and Erin



Wed., November 14th




First stop of the day was at the Giraffe Center where Elder Walker found a very forward gal. Betty was not shy to lay a big slimmy wet one right on Matt's mouth. Betty wasn't just partial to Matt, Erin got a slobbery kiss too (Mike was too shy). The kiss is planned by putting a piece of giraffe food inbetween your lips and looking at Betty in the eyes. There are eleven giraffes in the center, 6 adults and 5 babies. The Giraffe Center is a breeding center. The baby giraffes will be placed in Nakuru National Park when grown.







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Reunion at Nairobi Airport!  

Posted by Mike and Erin

After a 30 hour trip, going through massive airport securities and immigration to get visas, plus happily getting all our luggage safe, Mike and I turned to leave the airport and immediately saw Elder Walker. Matt crossed the security guards and ran up to hug us. I cried. Matt kind of cried and everybody kissed. Matt did mention that it was the first time he had been kissed in two years. Elder Walker looks so good, very healthy and happy. For part of the stay here in Nairobi we will be staying with Elder and Sister Luke from Green River, Utah who are serving a 18 month mission. They have a beautiful flat by the mission home with a spare room which they graciously offered to us. Matt is actually sleeping in the APs flat in their spare room. Both flats are in the same complex. Tomorrow we will be headed to the Giraffe orphanage to kiss giraffes, yummmm! Then do a little shopping before meeting with President and Sister Taylor of the Kenya Nairobi Mission.

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Elder Matthew Walker, Kenya Nairobi Mission  

Posted by Mike and Erin


Christmas, like I told you, was absolutely amazing but I want to share with you everything that happened. It was actually a relaxing spiritual day for me. We got up and took our time, had some nice crepes, and then read through Luke 2 as a district. It was sweet to recognize little insights from other missionaries from the story. It really set the mood for the remainder of the day. Mundireki and I went to the Darajani 2 branch president’s home for lunch. There we gave them a pack of flour as a present and even helped them to make chapattis. It was a really good lunch and we even read through Luke ch. 2. We also gave the little kids around some toys to play with and feel the Spirit of Christmas. We planned to go to another members home to do the same thing…flour as a gift and toys to the children. When we got there no one was home so we chose a different member family that really might be in need of the Christmas Spirit. We rode our bikes down the, what seemed treacherous, trail to their home. We found the family sitting and standing around the front of the mud house they all lived in. Muthoni, a young girl, greeted us with the warmest smile like she always does when we visit. The mother, named Kioko, was sitting in a chair and just from the market. We all sat together and we just whipped out right then and there the presents we had for them. Immediately their faces brightened even more as we gave the pack of flour to the mama and small toys to the kids, toys that we received from one of the couples children when they were visiting. Due to time we had to go and offered a short prayer. As we left the mama expressed her love and gratitude to us for what we did. Usually the families here in Chyulu only celebrate Christmas on Christmas day with a nice meal around three to six; this woman said she had nothing to cook with and we had brought her the traditional Christmas they would have because now she had something to cook with. I walked away feeling like I had actually done something. I walked away feeling more grateful than ever, and what did I do, I used money to buy them flour, which brought Christmas to a family who would have had none. Gifts are an important thing during Christmas, but it is the gifts of love and thought that matter most. Truly happiness and peace come from serving and giving to others. Even the smallest of things to one can mean the biggest importance to another.

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