Our first real set-back

We are over our jet-lag, there is water more often in the kitchen, thanks to the new water system gradually coming on line in town. This means we can fill kettles to boil water more easily. Great!
Plans are set for Read for the Top, the books ordered and other training sessions are scheduled.
Then at the end of last week we found that Caroline, a young woman member of the Tembo advisory board had visited a free clinic in August and had been advised to investigate a lump in her breast.
She is a student from a poor family and the cost of travelling to a centre with the right equipment plus paying for diagnosis and possible treatment would be far beyond her means.
But on Saturday she didn't look well and could hardly raise her arm. We sent her to the Aga Khan hospital in Kisumu.
Long story short: they found two lumps with ultrasound and decided to operate, then do a biopsy. The only snag being that they wanted 50,000/- (about $125) before they would admit her. So yesterday we set off for Kisumu with the cash and Tony, her very anxious fiance.
The road from Kakamega to Kisumu is very bad, so we opted for the slightly longer but better paved road through Kilingili and Maseno. That turned out to be a good choice.
As we entered Maseno, the car died. We were right outside the Total gas station and rolled into a vacant space. That was the first piece of good fortune.
But what to do? twenty minutes from Kisumu and no hope of an operation without the money. Delaying would only mean more expenses piling up.
I phoned the theological college nearby where we often do residential training and they promised to send a vehicle and driver to pick us up and take us to the hospital. That was the next positive piece in the jigsaw.
Rod phoned the mechanic we use in Kisumu and he arranged to send a tow truck.
Only 20-30 minutes behind schedule, we rolled into the parking lot of the Aga Khan. We paid the deposit (despite the computer failing at one point) and Caroline was admitted. By five another friend had driven from Kakamega to pick us up and the vehicle was safely stowed on the mechanic's compound.
We have heard from Caro--she feels fine, should be home tomorrow and will have her lab results next week.
So far the diagnosis on the vehicle if not good, is at least positive for repair. The mechanic is waiting for a part from Nairobi on the overnight bus. In the meantime we shall have to rely on friends and taxis to get around.
The network of people we have built up over the years is invaluable to us at times like this