Last Sunday at Kikambala

Our last Sunday in Kenya was spent at Kikambala. For once we made an early start and were at the 7am Mass (which starts at 07:30). There were thanks to us for raising the money to roof the house (and more), and exhortations to the parish to dig deep to finish it off.

The main items remaining are floors, decoration and louvres. The ceilings are now complete throughout.

The wiring is complete, but switches and sockets need to be fitted.

The youth were prettifying the grounds.

And the choir were meeting

 

Team Youth

The ladies were preparing a feast for lunch

And washing the vestments

Meanwhile we walked to the beach and sat under a tree, letting the world pass by.

Hello Mr Crab

We walked along to Sun’n’Sand Hotel for a drink

Back at the church, lunch was served and we sat with the youth

Then Jacob drove us to the beach as the tide was returning.

Posing girls

While we drank our post-swim drinks we saw a lot of birds in a nearby tree, Suddenly they all flew out…

The Gloria sung at Bomani

The church at Bomani sing the Gloria at Mass last Sunday:

Another Kikambala SUNday

Another fairly early start to get to Kikambala for 9am Mass, although of course it didn’t start at 9! Today was a harambee (fund raiser) for the choir who were here in their finery.

After Mass, the youth group met under the trees

I then went with Joe to another outstation, Bomani, a small church with a lovely feel to it.

The choir

The Gloria being sung

Choirmaster and baby

The church from outside

After lunch at Kikambala, we walked down to North Coast to swim,, Meld and I, Jacob, John (from Mivumoni) and Gillian and Natasha from Kikambala.

The water was as warm as a hot bath – you stepped in and hesitated in case it was too hot!

John and I, waswahili

Relaxing after the swim

We like this spot: it’s relaxed, you can sit and drink overlooking the ocean, and it’s not far to walk back!

It was high tide and there were fewer birds than at low tide the other day (when I didn’t take my camera) but this chap strolled along the water’s edge.

Deanery Mass at Giriama

Today we had an early start to get to Giriama for a “Deanery Mass” for the 6 parishes in the Deanery (or maybe 2 deaneries!). After breakfast at Kikambala we drove over Vipingo Ridge and eventually joined the new road being constructed from Kilifi to Mariakani. This lorry had somehow fallen off the diversion alongside the new road, into the construction site.

The new road will cut journey times and keep a lot of traffic heading from north cost to Nairobi out of Mombasa.

At Giriama we had a second breakfast (liver and chapatis) before heading downhill to the start of the procession. OK, I found a spot on the hillside and stopped to take photos.

The procession starts to climb back to the church.

There were lots of people processing (and many more waiting at the top)

Nearly there

The clergy reach the altar.

There followed quite a long delay whilst benches were brought from the church and everyone was seated (although not all on seats, some on the ground)

The service started with the Liturgical Dancers, various groups from different parishes.

One of the priests plays kiamba with vigour – leaping in the air.

As part of the service, many couple who were not married but living together were formally married.

The couples making their wedding vows.

Celebrations as they return to their places.

After Mass (all 3 hours or more!) and lunch, Meld and I took a stroll around the school, where a new gateway was under construction.

The church

Fr Joe and his friend

And then, another bumpy ride home, back to Majaoni for supper and bed!

Eclipsed

After lunch with Joe and his brothers, we walked down to Sun’n’Sand Hotel, which has some amazing fan palms.

Through the hotel towards the beach, the pool looks inviting.

But we were heading for North Coast. Daniel (one of the Kikambala youth). His cousin Gillian and her niece Natasha met us at North Coast.

Maggy and Natasha enjoy the water.

Meld is amused by Aid’s attempts to teach Maggy to swim.

Swimming lessons continue

Post-swimming juice

So what about the eclipse? It was due to happen close to sunset, and we were sitting on the east cost and the sun sets in the west, so if anything was visible we didn’t see it!

And so, back to the church, then to Majaoni for supper and bed.

 

Sunday Mass at Barani

 

 

A slightly early start for a Sunday (but not for the 7am Mass at Kikambala) as we met Joe at Kikambala soon after 9 to travel to the outstation at Barani (a few miles south_ for Mass.

They have a new church which is only partly constructed, made weather proof with tarpaulins. From our perspective, it meant a welcome flow of fresh air.

 

 

The singing was accompanied by drums and other percussion only, and sounded great.

A gift for Father Joe was brought up – but not opened, so we don’t know what it was!

Joe blesses the gift.

More singing

 

Outside the church as people chat or disperse.

 

Meld talks to a local teacher

 

We could have gone with Joe to another outstation for another Mass, but Joe decided we should rest at Boko Boko, where we drank juice (Tamarind, Lemon and Passion) and wrote up the blog. It’s a hard life!

Another day, another beach

After a brief rest at Kikambala Church, we walked down to the beach again, this time Milk the Bottle Bar further north from Sun’n’Sand and North Coast, for a late afternoon swim. Maggy needed some encouragement (it’s OK, I didn’t drop her in).

A local kid helps to bury Jacob in the sand.

Sadly we discovered this beach has rock close in which was excruciating to walk on, so we just floated for a while. The sun was going down.

Back at the church, the house roof was nearly finished.

 

Sun setting behind the church.

Lunch at Boko Boko

So, does lunch really deserve its own post? At Boko Boko Seychelles Restaurant it does! A wonderful ambience, tremendous welcome, delicious food, and interesting company…

Maggy and Panda (the dog)

One of 3 giant tortoises – they sit in the pools to keep cool.

Tickle me under the chin mama!

What do you mean, phone home?

Back in the restaurant for coffee before we take a matatu to Kikambala.

Life’s a beach…

After inspecting the works and enjoying a fine lunch, we were joined by Maggy and took a walk to the beach. On the way we passed a “family of three” baobab tree.

Walking the deserted beach.

First stop, 500m along the beach, is North Coast Beach Hotel, with its beach bar. Mango and passion juice all round.

Meld and I swam, the water has as hot as a bath, and from the water we saw two horses being ridden along the water’s edge. Mandatory photo for Bridget!

Relaxing after the swim.

Then we strolled back, passing the fragrant frangipan trees.

We were back in good time for All Saints’ Day mass, where Joe told his parishioners that the house had to be finished before we go home so that we can spend a night under it roof.