Yesterday was January 7th.  We like to refer to it as D-Day--the DEADLINE for our contract for the village carvings.  We had waited patiently and graciously, having been “hoodwinked” before.  But now, we were ready to see the “ebony” version of our village.  

 

Patrick (our carving liaison) called yesterday morning.  He asked, “Are you still coming today?”  (Of course!)  “We’re still picking you up at ABC Place right?” I asked.  “No.  Just come to our house” he replied.  “Why?” I asked, thinking that maybe, just maybe, he had already picked up the carvings and had them waiting for us.  He responded, “Because... BEEP!”  He ran out of minutes on his cell phone!  RATS!!!

 

So I headed into town.  Contract?  Check.  Cell phone?  Check.  Banana muffins to use as a bribe if necessary? Check.  (Not really, Diana made them just to bless those guys).  

 

When we got to Patrick and Faith’s house.  He said, “I hope those guys are being straight with me.”  (Okay, not a good way to start off the conversation!)  “I went to see the man yesterday to inquire about the idol.”  (Wait a minute...it’s not an idol...why does everyone keep calling it an idol?!)  He continued, “The man who was supposed to be there...the one who was going to do the carvings...” (yeah...we know who you’re talking about) “...he was not there.  In fact, he has not returned from Western Kenya.  But the other men gave me his brother’s cell phone number.”  (Oh, really?!)  

 

 

Oh, that would be great, now wouldn’t it?  We spend five times as much money (if not more) on legal fees and go down in Kenyan woodcarvers’ lore as the wazungu missionaries who sued us over a 3500 shilling carving!  I don’t think so.

 

So what are we going to do?  

 

Wait.

 

Hivyo ndivyo ilivyo! (That’s just the way it is!)  I knew the timing of acquiring that phrase was not just coincidence.  After all, “Subira huvuta heri.”  (Patience attracts blessings!)