Wake up calls around here are different and the same. Having a cat stare at you until you wake up to feed them is the same. The chickens and goat sounds — not so much but all are a welcome sound and site.

Today we are going back into town to complete our errands which include filling up the gas tanks for the generator and getting new propane tanks for the countertop burners used in the kitchen for the children, upstairs where Mama lives and downstairs where guests and team stay. On our list is to purchase a new countertop burner for the home kitchen that only has one working burner. How would you cook for 16 children, 3 meals a day on one burner – well it can be done, but two is better.

On of the common sites you see are these trucks filled with sugar cane. They are piled high with workman hanging onto the back. They not only help keep the pile on the truck going over the never-ending speed bumps but also from the children running along side trying to grab a stick.

The other common sites to see on our way to Kakamega is the shops along the way. They may look different but as you an see most are the same – butcher, cyber cafe and clothes and food shops.

First stop was the bus station to pick up the suitcase I forgot in Nairobi. After a bit of back and forth on who sent it to who, who’s suitcase it is and who can sign for it we finally were able to retrieve the precious cargo of donations.

In Kenya, it is mandatory that all children wear uniforms. This is a common uniform shop that carries all the different colors and patterns determined by each school. The children need to wear black shoes and must be polished daily. Most children only receive one uniform for the whole year and must be taken care of to make it last the year. Wesley explained to me that every day at Rehema the children would take off the uniforms, neatly prepare it for the next day and polish their shoes. The pants we bought today were $9 and the shirts were $4. This is extremely expensive given the annual income is just over $2,000. Most uniforms are passed down. We received a generous donation for the children in Bukura to get needed new items.

It was a long day and we got everything on our list. After dinner it was movie time until it wasn’t. Right on time the electricity went out as it does most nights. What do you do when that happens, you have a dance party with the glow in the dark sticks that my friend Tracey Hall bought for the children.

Heading to bed — will see what and who the morning brings.