Reunion Across the Atlantic

Audley clients Damon and Carole Sierk and Kenyan guide Benjamin Kisemei reunite in Minnesota

By Audley Travel

August 16^th, 2018

" Connection is something that I cannot describe, I have been a tour guide for a very long time and have met many people, but this was something special.

Damon and Carole were willing to know my heart and I was ready to share with them as much as I could."

- Benjamin Kisemei

Damon, Carol, and Benjamin enjoy a day on the lake

On April 26th Audley clients, Damon and Carole Sierk, wrote to the immigration office in Nairobi, Kenya. They were determined to help their guide and new friend Benjamin obtain a visa to visit them in the United States, the letter stated:

"In February of 2018 we were on a three week safari in Kenya and Tanzania. One of our stops was at a camp on the Masai Mara operated by the Asilia Co. We were met at the airstrip by Benjamin and he was to be our driver and guide for the next three days. When we shook hands at the airstrip, an instant bond formed between us. His intellect and knowledge of the area made our stay on the Masai Mara a wonderful memory.

Through our many conversations. Benjamin informed us that he had never been on an airplane or out of Kenya. This information planted an idea in my mind, and now to reciprocate all that Benjamin gave us we would like to invite him to come to the United States, and spend time with us in Northern Minnesota by a beautiful lake surrounded by tall trees."

Receiving a visa for travel from Kenya to the United States is no easy feat but the Sierk's were determined to share their home with Benjamin, just as Benjamin had already shared his with them. They would be joined for two days by Audley Country Specialist, Katie, who planned the Sierk's initial trip to Kenya.

Three months after the initial application was submitted, accompanied by an additional letter sent by Senator Chuck Grassley of Sioux County, Iowa, Benjamin was presented with a five year travel visa to the United States.

The small plane that Damon and Benjamin took over Minnesota

Flying over the lakes and green expanse below

Approval meant the continuation of a friendship that would extend beyond the plains of Africa all the way to the lake district of Minnesota. Friendship is often hard to explain but for Damon it was simple; "I instinctively knew that we got along. He has a wonderful sense of humor and from the moment we met him at he airport and he joked that our forty minute transfer to camp would last four hours, I knew he was someone I wanted to know better."

Benjamin's journey to Bemidji, Minnesota, began five days before he arrived at the home of Carole and Damon. As Benjamin said, "you start a journey with one step forward" and so he began his travels to America, walking 6 miles from the lodge to his village. Once there he waited for a motorbike which took him two hours to the nearest paved road and then onward another few hours to the closest city. He waited in the city for two days where he picked up travel money that the Sierk's had sent and bought supplies for the trip, careful to pack a carry on bag that only contained one change of clothes in order to take every precaution possible to not raise any alarm at immigration. It was then a three hour journey in a mini bus to Nairobi where Benjamin's flight departed from.

Benjamin arrived at the airport twelve hours early to ensure that he didn't miss his first flight to Amsterdam. The flight was the first of his life but instead of feeling frightened he simply looked around and noticed that nobody else looked alarmed as the plane flew higher above Kenya and so he relaxed as well. For eight hours Benjamin watched the navigation screen on the seat back in front of him, he was fascinated by the distance and speed at which he was soaring over the world. As he watched he could not help but marvel at the distance that his clients regularly travel to see the bush all the way in Kenya.

Once in Minneapolis, a mere hour long flight away from Bemidji he was stopped by immigration, he was questioned and asked to present the home address of the Sierk's. Without the address on hand he missed his connecting flight, due to further questioning , and had to spend an additional twelve hours in an airport hotel. Still he didn't sleep.

"If I had to describe Benjamin in one word it would be dignified" said Carole. It in undeniable that this composure and self-control was crucial in Benjamin's successful journey to the Sierk's home.

Benjamin is interviewed by Shannon Geisen for The Park Rapids Enterprise

Just as Damon and Carole have opened their home to Benjamin it was this initial openness about Benjamin that they were equally drawn to. While in Kenya Damon and Carole stayed at Asilia Africa's Naboisho Camp for three nights, the property where Benjamin has worked for the past 8 years of his 14 year career. During their time together Benjamin opened up beyond the confines of his job; he spoke about his childhood describing the meals of boiled tree bark, cows milk, and blood that were only available every third day with a level of honesty that was incredibly admirable without ever looking for sympathy. A life where acquiring food meant stalking a lion until it made a catch, and then in a group spreading out their robes as large as possible in order to steal the catch for their own.

The stark contrast of their backgrounds was not a topic that was skirted around. The two talked openly about growing up with different types of abundance, different resources, and different financial realities. Just as the Sierk's were fascinated by the lions on the Masai Mara so was Benjamin taken by the abundance of fresh and potable water in Bemidji.

Damon's log cabin where the friends enjoyed two weeks of relaxation

Benjamin enjoying some simple time to relax

Minnesota's lakes are a far cry from the plains of the Masai Mara National Reserve

The more one gets to know both Damon and his wife Carole it becomes quickly evident that, despite the seemingly grand gesture of hosting Benjamin in their home, the emphasis of their time together was on the simple moment of friends seeing each other again.

In order to celebrate the reunion Carole and Damon planned a party in order to introduce Benjamin to their friends and neighbors from the lake association. It was a no frills event where cookies and lemonade were served, a simple backdrop for good conversation, connection, and the opportunity for Benjamin to talk about his life in Kenya. The party was not a chance to wow people it was simply a moment to bring together people that both Carole and Damon respected, including Benjamin, making for a truly inspiring moment.

Benjamin stayed with Damon and Carole for ten days in Minnesota where they took an aerial tour over the lakes in a small plane, enjoyed time out on their boats, and tried both fishing and swimming. Both agree that the trip was simply another milestone in their friendship as they plan to stay in contact via email, and with a five year visa in Benjamin's pocket all are hoping that they can meet again in Minnesota on the beautiful lake surrounded by tall trees.