(below this post there are some great photos - check them out!)
Everything about the trip was a miracle—right from the process of getting the visa to booking the flight.
On 12th April, I left for Seattle where Scott was to meet me. I arrived in Seattle at 16.35—it was a warm reception from Scott, his wife Hillary, daughter Emma and sons Grady & Gavin. We managed to spent a few days in Seattle at the house of Scott’s brother—Jason. The good thing was that all of Scott’s family was there. I felt like I was co-opted into the family.
You talk of Seattle and all that comes into my mind is rain—no wonder the all place is dotted with star bucks. I already noticed the difference between where I came from and America. Here, roads are really nice (Americans should be faithful in paying their taxes) and buildings are really planned. I also realized that Americans drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the road—this scared me to death because I thought we were going to collide with the oncoming vehicles. Many times I would enter the side of the driver (when I was supposed to be a passenger).
After few days of recuperation in Seattle, we started our journey to Pullman. I was able to see nice sceneries on the way but what excited me most were the sites of snow covered land—I had never experienced this before. Scott was gracious enough to allow me step out of the car to touch and taste the snow—great experience. Landscape kept varying from mountainous to flat land.
On the way to Pullman, I started experiencing something new—‘Drive through”. If we needed a meal or coffee, all we needed was “drive through”—Life is really made easy.
We finally made it to Pullman—one of the most beautiful sites of the world (it was actually ranked top 10 best world sites for photography—I was told but I don’t know who ranked them—I believe it anyway).
The programme that Scott came up with could not have been better. Mine was to meet with people and share my story—I enjoy doing it.
Below is how my itinerary looked like:
Stayed with Scott’s family for most part except below. Among the foodstuffs that I ate for the first time included: Tacos, Lasagna, Salmon fish. Off course there
were all these strange juices (apparently they were nice) like Crane berry, blue berry etc. People (read Dan) like diet coke—I have never seen them in Kenya.
20th April 07—was with Pastor Dan (he is so funny). We went to see a movie (Amazing grace).
I spent in the house of Jamie & Sherry Hawes.
21st Apr—Visited Kamiak national reserve with Jamie, Sherry, Cole, Addison, Clay. Very exciting to do this kind of exercise. It is here that I realize that Americans love there dogs. Scott has one too called “Lu”
22nd Apr---Spoke at Pullman foursquare church. The topic: “the way up is down”. In the evening, I spoke on the book ‘prayer that works”.
23rd Apr—Stayed with Caleb and Stella (together with their children—Brian, Lauren, Andrew). It is here that I ate ugali & Kuku (this reminded me about home).
24th Apr—Stayed with Jeff & Angie Feuerstein (together with Annie, Tom, and Rosie). I felt like I was President Bush being in this beautiful house.
25th Apr—Stayed at Jeff’s place. Dan, Scott & I drove to the top of Steptoe—the guys who designed the road must have been genius. We had great lunch in Colfax.
I joined Jeff in conducting the gospel survey at WSU. I think the guy we talked to was philosophy major—very interesting talk indeed.
26th Apr---Stayed at Jeff & Angie’s house
27th Apr---Arrived at Springfield national park for Men’s encounter week. Joe talked on “Lost Son returns home”
28th Apr—second day of encounter. Went out together with Jamie and Ryan to Snake River—I think it was five hours walking. Experienced two rattle snakes on the way. Great experience for me although I was really exhausted.
Jan Busboon talked about “the transcedency of God”
Chad Jeffrey talked about “Forgiveness”
Jeff Feuerstein talked about “deliverance’.
We later lit the fire and burnt what was written against us.
Great teachings.
29th Apr—Scott taught on “The Holy spirit”
Dan closed the meeting. We drove back to meet the rest of the congregation at Pullman foursquare church. Ryan and Bruce cycled (it doesn’t sound real especially for Ryan who walked five hours the previous day).
30th Apr—Visited Oliveto’s (Stephen, Tiffany, Zach & Connor). I had Vietnamese dinner!
1st May—Attended Jan Busboon’s cell
2nd May—went with Scott to Eastern Washington state university. I briefly shared what we are doing in Garissa. Scott shared the message—he is a great speaker. Many students showed interest to come over to Kenya.
3rd may—stayed at the house of the Salvadalena (Russ & Janie, Shianne, Nick).
Attended my first bowling game (courtesy of Russ). Won the second match (out of five of us—can’t share about the first game).
4th May—Stayed in the house of Joe and Sue Watson—beautiful place to view other sites in Pullman
5th May—Joe and Sue took me to watch their grand son Jessy play baseball—my first time. Great game although Jessy’s team lost.
6th May—Attended Church—Reinhardt Bonke’s series.
Stayed with Bruce & Laurie Heimbigner. Got to meet two of their sons and their daughter in law. Had good talk around the great meal.
7th May—Traveled together with Bruce & Laurie to different parts of Eastern Washington. Got to join Bruce’s brother plough his huge trucks of land. Visited Grand Coulee, salt lake among other places. Had dinner in Spokane.
8th may---Visited different places at Washington state university. Saw Labs for Victor, Bruce, and Masaro before linking up with Jan
9th May—Spent most of the time at the church
10th May---Visited Jan & Janice Busboom—cut trees, fed sheep. Ate dinner
11th May—Visited Steve 7 Serena Bravard. Tried moving the boat. Did shooting---using different guns (The noise was really scary). Great dinner.
12th May—on Steve & Serena’s four wheeler meandering through the steep hill—great excitement for me. Fed horses.
In the evening, I joined Victor, Lupita & Jeff—we went to Jeff’s deck. We passed through India reservations. Great experience as Victor 7 I tried a game neither of us was familiar with. Sad that Victor Beat me.
13th May—Attended Sunday service—Reinhardt Bonke’s series.
Did preparation for the following day
14th—18thMay---Las Vegas, NV
18th—24thMay--Virginia
24th—30thMay--San Jose, CA
31st May—Preparation for the following day
1st June—Drove to Okanogan/Omak
2nd June—Attended Okanogan centennial celebration
3rd June—Spoke at Omak’s foursquare church
4th June—traveled back to Pullman. Great Dinner at the house of Pastor Dan, Patty, Bowen
5th June---shopping & saying bye to those who came to bid me farewell
GREAT, GREAT, GREAT EXPERIENCE. THANK YOU ALL WHO MADE MY STAY A SUCCESS.
THANK YOU SCOTT FOR ALLOWING GOD TO USE YOU TO
BLESS ME.
6TH –9TH---NJ
9—12TH---PN
13TH---WARM RECEPTION FROM EUNICE, TIM ANN.
I MET THE OBJECTIVES OF LAUNCHING THE BOOK & RAISING FINANCIAL SUPPORT---TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
I am now back to Garissa where there seems to be plenty of work
Already. My wife Eunice worked so hard in my absence. She did organize a
Prayer seminar that was well attended by members of different churches in Garissa--it was very successful.
In my absence, some Muslim thugs invaded our school at night where
They slashed our watchman leaving him for the dead--God spared his
life and is recovering--this is now a police case. The intention of the attack is still not clear. The thugs managed to break into our school offices and made away with lap top computer amongst other things. Please pray for safety of the school children who are borders and also ourselves
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