Howell Family East Kenya Missions: Land Rover Purchase

Farming God's Way Ministry

March 2015

The first two weeks of March were spent with our families. I finished up my stay on the 16^th and then James and I flew back to Nairobi, Kenya the very next day. We came back before our families so that they could spend a little more time with their families and also so that we could purchase a vehicle for Lindsey and me. For about nine months now the Taylors have been so gracious as to let us borrow their vehicles whenever we needed until we raised enough money for our own vehicle. So as I mentioned in February’s report our sending church finished that goal by raising ten thousand dollars in a week’s time. Have I mentioned we have an awesome church? Thank you Pauline Baptist Church.

James and I got to Nairobi on the 17^th and the very next day we began our vehicle search. That day was Wednesday and we immediately found three car lots that had 4x4 vehicles. We found three Land Rovers that we would consider, a Land Cruiser and two Toyota Hilux’s. All of them were around $30,000 or just over and no they are not new. The Land Rover, is of course what we want and so we looked them over first. We came to the conclusion that they just weren’t very nice on the inside, plus none of them have air-conditioner. Then we decided we would look at a Land Cruiser because they are another type of rugged bush vehicle. We soon learned that they had the same issues as the Rover. We really want a vehicle with air-conditioner and if it was a little nice on the inside that would be ok too. Lastly we looked at our third option, which was the Toyota Hilux and it was like a small Toyota truck in America. It was very nice on the inside and pretty on the outside, plus the air and radio worked. That day we ended up test-driving a Land Cruiser (safari type) and a Toyota Hilux. After driving them I realized the Hilux, as bad as I wanted it was just not going to work because the roads would beat it to pieces. Also, it would be trouble getting it worked on here. After driving the Land Cruiser we realized that it was just to big and sat up to high off the ground. The passengers in the back would be very uncomfortable, as they cannot see out the front glass because their seats sit up to high. So although it was a more comfortable ride on the rough roads and a durable vehicle, it just wasn’t what we were looking for.

Back to the Land Rover we go. After test-driving on Wednesday and looking through the vehicles there we decided Thursday we would try a different area of town and also look at ads posted on the walls around the stores in Nairobi. We first went to the ads and got some numbers and then headed to another area of town where we walked about 2 miles looking in maybe 8 different car lots. We didn’t find a single Land Rover to look at and all the ads that we called about had already sold. We are completely out of options because we have driven all over town looking for Land Rovers and called everyone from the Internet and the posted ads. So later that afternoon we went back to where we started and started looking at the Land Rovers again. After test-driving a 2007 model we decided it would be the best option. Then we looked it over and I know the people watching thought we were crazy because we looked at everything on it, in it and under it. Our salesman Abraham had a pen and notepad and before it was over he had 16 things written down that needed attention before we would purchase it for 2,800,000 shillings ($32,000).

So we agreed that they would repair the issues and we would be back Monday to finish the deal. This was on Thurs and Abraham said it would take only two days. They would work on it Friday and Saturday and we would pick it up Monday. James and I would then leave Tuesday or Wednesday for Malindi and get ready to go pick up Kenya and the kids in Mombasa on Saturday. Sunday we had the opportunity to visit Silanga Landmark Baptist Church in the slums of Nairobi.

Walkway to the church

Sewer right outside the church window

So we came back Monday to learn that they had completed very little on the Land Rover. We weren't pressed for time so we told them we absolutely had to purchase the vehicle on Thursday so that we could leave Friday in order to get Kenya and the kids when they arrive in Mombasa. Now two days has turned into five days if we get the vehicle on Thursday. Although during our wait we managed to get out and and climb a mountain (dormant volcano).

We came back Thursday to learn that they had still only done a few things on the list. At this point I am getting short of patience and James and I are wondering what to do. We talk about it in the parking lot because now James has to get a plane ticket and fly to Mombasa which leaves me staying in Nairobi waiting on the vehicle to be finished. We talk it over and pray about it and wonder if this just means that we should call the whole thing off, cut our losses and go on back to Mombasa and try to find something at a later date.
We go in and sit down with Abraham and discuss the situation with him and negotiate a deal. We decided they would pay our plane tickets to Mombasa. We would pick up Kenya and the kids and then we would come back Monday to get the Land Rover. This would allow us to be there in Mombasa for them and then it would allow the shop to finish the repairs on the vehicle. So as i am saying my good byes to the boss of the dealership James is talking to Kenya. She has missed her flight. Now the plans have changed again, this time for the better. Now this allows us to stay until Saturday morning, leaving another day for the shop and we would pick up Kenya and the kids in Nairobi instead of Mombasa and we would all drive back together. After they finished all the items on the list our two or three day vehicle purchase turned into a ten-day vehicle purchase. Welcome back to Kenya. Also the day we went to the bank to make sure exactly how much money we had we were shocked to realize how much difference a few shillings can make. We transferred 35,000 dollars (3,220,000 shillings) to a bank here and when it got here, because of the exchange rate, we only had 33,334 dollars (3,075,000 shillings). We were ready to give up many times throughout that purchase, but the Lord continued to work and so we now have a very nice Land Rover for the Farming God's Way Ministry with air-conditioner. So longer story short the Lord worked everything out and we bought the vehicle Friday evening. That evening we went out for a celebration meal at the Carnivore which is a world renowned restaurant where they serve all you can eat meat (game meat included). It was awesome.

Saturday we did a few more things in Nairobi before we picked up Kenya and the kids at the airport around 9 pm. We stayed in Nairobi that night then headed home with the Taylor clan and 14 pieces of luggage in and on the new Land Rover.