Well it's time for the first Chorale concert at Nanyuki . We get up and eat all the food in sight, have a little walk and then go to visit an orphanage in Nanyuki.
A lecture in perseverance against all odds is given by the manager of the orphanage - well it wasn't a planned lecture, but when she spoke about what the home has been able to do and how it has been built up- that was a lesson there in front of our eyes- we had our business management course condensed into twenty minutes.

. It's a typical scenario- a building with many parts in urgent need of repair, yet buzzing with  the activity of beautiful kids, whose lives have been rescued and turned around. This home has taken kids from the streets ,and developed them into university students.

There is always the story that grips your heart in a place like this. That one thing that sticks out.... and this was it: we visited the nursery , full of babies- who you just want to take home with you . We saw twins who were literally days old. They were rescued from the streets,  where they were left abandandoned and about to be eaten by dogs !! They look healthy and as with the other children reach out to receive love. None of them even know what's happened to them in terms of being able to verbally explained- they are literally days, weeks and months old. However, their faces often say it all - "Where is Mummy? Where is Daddy?" - we humans were created social beings- with needs : needs for love, care- need for a hug and an arm of protection.

I'm so in awe of  those who have given up their whole lives to give these children a brighter future. No accolades, no TV cameras, no knighthoods - because they are not known , neither is their desire to be known - their desire is just to love, and give to others. That is at the heart of the Christian message, and the example consistently given by Jesus himself,

Oh yes, we've got a concert to get to.
It's back to base for some more of that mouthwatering food, rehearsal time, showers , shaves, after shaves and looking oh so well groomed. Into the cars, and on to the stadium.. Stage is still being built.... not too long to start . Guest choirs rehearsing all over the stadium. In my typical style, I run from here to there and back to here again, sounschecking, rehearsing, listening from audience point of view. Praying that it does not rain- this is an outdoor concert in a stadium.

Attendance not as good as we hoped for , but we love it nevertheless, and just give our everything. What was special was to meet the audeince afterwards. Actually a few celebrities there including an actress, and members of the African Children's Choir. Are those raindrops I feel?  Time to get back into the cars and head back to base.

It's a long way back to Nairobi- we load the cars . Kitchen sinks et al ! !

On the way back we stop at Nanyuki Seventh-Day Adventist Church to actually participate in the service.
The church was incomplete - no windows- but there was something I loved about it - it looked like an ancient temple- so I pretended in my mind that I was back in history.

Acoustics were just great,  and choir just sounded fabulous in there. The congregation had the typical warmth. You felt at home immediately.

Now it's time for the journey back home . Put it this way...those roads have definitely seen better days. Kwik-Fit would have flourishing trade. In all fairness , there is evidence of change - many roads are actually being fixed, so when I go back in 2007, my roller coaster days will be over!

Finally- we get to Nairobi, check in to the hotels - and once again enjoy the culinary delights .It's an early flight tomorrow, so king-size double calls me !