FINCH HATTON LODGE & DRIVE TO NAIROBI 15th of 27 Emails‏

Dear Family & Friends,

Thanks to many of you who have responded to our e-mails. We are very glad to hear things are going well for you. We've been gone over a month now and it seems like years! It's hard to imagine it's Fall back home when it's Spring and warm here in Kenya. Please don't forget us. We think of you often!

Returning from safari, we had a memorable time visiting the Finch Hatton Hunting Lodge in Tsavo West. Denys Finch Hatton was the big game hunter character Robert Redford played in “Out of Africa.” The movie came from Karen Blixen's book, who was played by Meryl Streep, a true story. We love this place which is green and luscious, with ponds and streams fed by springs from Mount Kilimanjaro. It's quite different from the Kilaguni area and much of Tsavo West, because of the abundance of water making it like an oasis, especially in the current drought conditions. Around 60 hippos, many crocodiles, and lots of all the other many animals and birds we've been seeing abound here. You can see why Finch Hatton made it his big game hunting home and why Karen Blixen fell in love with it and with him as well. It's luxurious tents along the streams and ponds go for about $600/night, so we didn't stay here, of course. But, we loved touring the lodge and grounds and especially seeing all the artifacts from the late 1800's and thinking about that great movie. You definitely would not walk outside of your tents at night in this place!

We left Tsavo West and headed on a long drive to Nairobi. It was a wonderfully beautiful drive as we decided to avoid the busy Mombasa Highway and, instead, go high over the mountains through Mackochos. After spending so much time in the dry Mombasa and Chylu Hills areas, it was great to see these beautiful green valleys, hills, and mountains. There were terraced farms, gardens, and orchards, all made possible by rainfall and water. It was interesting, though, that even here trenches in long rows were being dug to help catch more of the Spring rains that all are hoping will come soon, especially those in the dry flatlands below. Just because of the greenery, it all seems more happy, peaceful, and prosperous. And, it probably is, even though many of the people living here would be considered poor by American standards.

Along the way we visited another Red Cross “office” which had worked on the measles program. Very dedicated people...and, very appreciative of our work and proud of the great work they had done themselves. It was wonderful to feel their love for us and the gratification that comes from service in a common cause, even though we are from different races, countries, and cultures.
We'd better close for now. We'll be up in the morning around 6 AM to go with Corwin and Peggy to see the Mission President. This mission covers Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia, one of the largest missions in the Church.
We love you all,
Dick & Lawana

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