Category Archives: Journeys

It was old home week in Bukura

Posted on by under 2025 Rehema Home, Kenya

Yesterday was transition day waking up in Nairobi and going to sleep in Bukura. We took a short trip from Nairobi to Kisumu and then the 1 1/2 hour drive to Rehema Home – in the dark. It is a wild ride and not for the faint of heart. There are no stop signs, speed limits, or street lights and many vehicles do not have lights…..it is a white knuckle experience for sure. It filled my heart to be greeted by the children and Aunties that I have so missed over the year.

The next morning we went down to the market to get food for group. This year the group to Bukura is quite large. There are the 7 of us and we brought 4 young ladies that grew up in Rehema. We bought fresh fruits and vegetables and you will see below treats for the children.

Every year brings a new taste sensation. A common way to eat a fresh mango is to have them cut it up and sprinkle with a spicy salt mix. We all gave it a try with various degrees of appreciation for the taste.

We spent the afternoon with the children sharing the blue lollypops and playing in the yard. It is so amazing to me to see these children grow over the past 5 years. Truly a wonderful feeling when they remember my name, and the traditions we have started. Lois said to me, “I can see why you love this place.” I really do.

Throughout the day I would pass people that I knew and they would all stop to say hello and welcome me back. This is Jack, you may remember him from years gone by as the one that would drive us around and help Mr. Tom find all the tools and materials we needed for all of our home improvement projects.

And what would Rehema be without me loving on some babies. Lady the cat had kittens and I could not help but try and figure out how to get one home. There were also two new babies welcomed into the Rehema family and I could not help but try and figure our how to get the one home. Kidding – not kidding.

Habari za asubuhi, Rehema

Posted on by under 2025 Rehema Home, Kenya

Good Morning, Rehema

And, mornings here at Rehema start early and are very busy. We got to the home at 8am to continue projects and beat the afternoon heat. It has been in the high 80’s every day – a very different temperature from back in Rochester. The home was in full gear with only one lone child in the yard. The home was buzzing with Aunties and staff preparing for a day of caring for 50+ children. Breakfast was over and lunch was being prepared. Charcoal started to cook the stew of beans and kale, laundry and more laundry being washed and hung to dry and Aunties begining meal prep for the rush of children for the next meal.

Getting the charcoal burning for the pot
Starting to prep for lunch
Hanging laundry out to dry
Onions drying in the sun
Kale ready to be cooked
Beans, beans and more beans.

So where was everyone? The 7 new babies under 2 months – yes, 7 new ones have been taken in recently – were inside on the second nap of the day. Everyone else was in school. The grammar school kids are driven to school in the home van, the middle school kids walk and those in high school grab a matatu.

The kindergarteners get dressed every morning for a morning class on the property. Even going to school in your backyard requires the children to get properly dressed in uniforms to teach them the routine when they have to dress themselves next year.

Laundry building
Tin roof to replace
Putting down hardy board first before tin sheets
Lois painting outside lockers

We got back to our projects of painting, and replacing the roof over the laundry room that would fill with water when the rains came.

Rehema US Board meets Rehema Kenya Board

I told you we were here for many different reasons. You may call today an historical day. It was the first time that the board of directors of the two countries met. We sat down for a meal and fellowship, got to know each other and discussed our shared passion for the children of Rehema. We had the meeting at the PEFU Runda with the pastor and Bishop of the church. So much commonality even living on two different continents and 10,000 miles apart. It was also a special moment for me to be in the church where George and Paul’s funeral was held and speak to the Bishop who gave the sermon.

Another Birthday

Happy Birthday Joseph
Out on the town in Nairobi

I had the pleasure of celebrating this wonderful young mans birthday. Joseph turned 24 and we went out in style. Wesley, Joseph and I went to 270 Rooftop for dinner overlooking the city of Nairobi. We talked of life, love, politics, differences in cultures, their goals and dreams. Joseph and Wesley grew up in Rehema and now help out at the home. Joseph is the driver for the home transporting kids to schools and doctors and all the many errands that need to be done. Wesley is a burgeoning financial professional making sure the home has what it needs to keep home operating.

Go Bills

No conversation is complete without talking about sports. Both are Manchester United fans and Wesley is a KC Chiefs fan — which I totally forgive him for. Go Bills!

Karibu Rehema Home, Kenya

Posted on by under 2025 Rehema Home, Kenya

I am once again back in one of my more favorite places with my most favorite people. I have been coming here since 2020 and each trip brings me closer to the children of Rehema Home and the mission to help them grow and thrive in this world.

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The trip here is always a bit of an adventure transporting 100’s pounds of donations of clothes, shoes and much needed items. It is a 5am flight to JFK from Roc and then a 14 hour flight to Nairobi. This year I am here with a new group of people made up of fellow members of the Board of Rehema Home, USA and friends and family. Some who have been here before and others this is their first time.

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We spent the first day settling into Freda’s (a nearby home), sorting donations and a short visit to Rehema to say hello to the children. Today we will be starting the project of replacing a roof over the laundry area and will of corse be documenting the process. My first three trips I tiled floors, so why not try replacing a roof!! It is an absolutely beautiful morning here and heading down to breakfast to start this day. Can’t wait to see how it unfolds.

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How many tiles can Tom cut if Tom could cut tiles?

Posted on by under West Highland Way, Scotland

Another trip into town and we were able to fine a store that could help us – sort of. Longer story, but the end result is that we are back on track. We took a matatu in to town and another great experience meeting the nicest people.

A matatu is mini-bus/hop-on-hop-off/taxi that you can wave down. You can also hire them to take you where you need to go and back for a set price. Some times they will pick up other passengers along the way. Today we hired one to take us to Kakamega which is about a 40 minute drive. The driver will take you all your stops and even come into the store with you if you need help translating and help load and unload your purchases. It cost 3000 shillings – which is a little under $30+ tip.

The rest of the day was working and playing with the kids. Some cutest overload for you from Rehema Home:

This is Bob

Had My Phil of Scotland

Posted on by under West Highland Way, Scotland

Thursday we took the train to Glasgow from Fort William. It took a little under 4 hours making stops along the way. At one point it followed The Way and we could see some hikers on the trail.

In Glasgow we got our NEGATIVE quick rapid test at an esthetician place that Liz found. They do offer it at the airport but wanted to give ourselves some breathing room. Quick cab ride to a hotel and when we got to the room there was a birthday card and treats from the hotel. I can not say enough wonderful things about the people we met in Scotland. By far one of the nicest places I have been too.

So sweet

Genesis Concert

I have always been a fan of Genesis and Phil Collins. Another bucket list checked off on the trip with 8th row seats at the Hydro.

The SSE Hydro

It was incredible and just the perfect ending to an amazing trip. We found out later that they canceled the rest of the UK leg due to band members having COVID. We lucked out for sure.

Phil singing Fading Lights.

So you know that these are the days of our lives,
So remember

Yes, I will.

Thank you all for coming along with us on this journey of inspirational sites and sounds , and people and places. Until next time…..🙏

Fort William a dhà

Posted on by under West Highland Way, Scotland

Ahhhhhh. We slept in had breakfast and toured this lovely town. Fort William is rich in history dating back to 1600’s. For us it was time for slow walking and shopping.

The B&Bs along Loch Etive are just beautiful and only a 5 minute walk into town. It was also a sunny day which made the day even more special.

This is our B&B and the hostess could not have been nicer and our rooms beautiful.

Our B&B
View from the front of our B&B

COVID Update: we need to get another test amd be negative to get back on the plane to US. We made an appointment at a pharmacy in Fort William but turns out that the kind of antigen test we need was not offered. We know they offer them at the airport but did not want to take the risk of a long line so we decided to take the earlier train tomorrow morning to Glasgow and find one there.

Fort William

Posted on by under West Highland Way, Scotland

We started out extra early since we knew we had a long 15+mile day ahead of us. We are tired, sore and blistered but eager to get this last leg of our journey done. The first 4 were up and up and up out of Kinlochleven.

The next 8 were a wonderful hike through a pass. The sun was out the whole time and we would stop to chat with the fellow hikers who we had been with for the last week. Some were heading home, some were spending the next day climbing Ben Nevis and some continuing on The Great Glen Way to Inverness.

We stopped for a picnic lunch when Ben Nevis started to come into view. Ben Nevis is the Mt Marcy of the UK standing at 4,413 feet. Though a bit smaller it looks massive without trees.

Ben Nevis

With 3 miles to go it was all down hill.

A birthday call

We never have our phones on and keep them in airplane mode when a minute after this picture was taken my phone rang. How? I have no idea. It was my Mom and Dad singing Happy Birthday to me. It was the best present.

Liz captured the moment of me talking
Fort William in site!

Of course, the last 2 miles it rained to remind us where we were but we pushed on until we saw the official line and a statue.

“Man With Sore Feet”
The official pic
How we feel

We went out for a wee dram to celebrate our accomplishment. What an amazing journey and could not have spent my birthday any better. It was a bonnie one for sure. Thank you to all of you who sent messages along the Way. Love to you all.

We had not seen a thistle the whole trip and just as we were ending our journey we spotted one. It is the country’s national emblem as if the WHW was saying “brilliant, Karen and Liz well done”

Kingshouse to Kinlochleven

Posted on by under West Highland Way, Scotland

9 miles_23000 steps

We finally saw one of the big 5. Liz got a bit friendly with it.

Giddy up and take me to Kinlochleven.

Ok so did I…..

Hi there, I’m stag are you?

After another wonderful breakfast we headed off to Kinlochleven on a trail promising spectacular views. It didn’t start out that way…..here is what we were supposed to see at the start and what we saw.

Buachaille Etive Mòr

A couple miles down the road and across from Buachaille we had a small mountain to climb ourselves with the name of the devil’s staircase. The pictures don’t do it justice of the ascent and the amount of serpentine turns we had to take to get to the top. With every turn the mountain behind us became more visible – sort of.

Think Stid Hill!
Yippee – made it, and now what?

Well as we know what goes up must come down. The next 5 miles was walking through a combination of Machu Picchu/Andes and Pyrenees with a little bit of Jurassic Park thrown in. We did not have rain for most of it – but there was a lot of fog so we did not see as much as we could, but what we did was spectacular.

We ended up with the last 2 miles in the rain coming into a darling little town, I believe, known for aluminum smelting. Unfortunately, the aluminum museum was closed- Liz was disappointed.

We called it an early night (it is 9pm as I write this and turning in) to get ready for our 15 mile birthday last day hike. See you in Fort William.