Begging For Water

February 20, 2012 Monday

Kenya and many parts of Africa are famous for their scam artists. You should always to be alert and nothing ever surprises you. It just becomes another story to tell at the end of the day. We were leaving for the northwestern part of Kenya today. I called an agent that worked with the airline to see if they had room for us on the plane. This man had secured a ticket for me many times. The morning was rushed and to save time I called ahead to have him start working on our reservations. I would later go into to the office, pay and pick up the tickets if there was room for us.

He quickly returned my call with the news that we were all set and didn’t need to go to the office. There would be someone at the airport strip with our tickets and we would pay there. I had never done it this way but was relieved that I had a little more time to work with because I would not need to go to town now. I had no reason to doubt him as he had issued tickets for me many times. I continued to pack and shortly before it was time to leave a call came in from the airline office. They wanted to notify me that this man had been fired days earlier and no longer worked for them!

This is an ongoing problem here in Kenya. When someone is fired they continue to represent the company they worked for until someone catches them. The company will try to make the public aware by posting the person’s picture in the newspaper along with a notice that they do not work for them or represent them from this date on.

We paid for our tickets at the office in town and had just enough time to grab our suitcases and head for the small airport just outside of Kitale. The suitcases were full of Bibles, beanie babies, jump ropes, and handmade dolls for those we would visit in Turkana land. We needed to arrive at the airport in plenty of time because you never know when the plane will leave. Sometimes it leaves late but then there are times that it will leave a good forty five minutes early. Today we were in the air and on our way to Lodwar and villages around that area thirty minutes ahead of the scheduled take off time.

The plane soared above the rich red soil of western Kenya and soon we were traveling over the majestic mountain peaks that separate us from the hot desert soil of Lodwar and beyond. As we start our descent toward the small airstrip the heat rising from the earth shakes the plane. We were tossed about in the air but soon landed safely. A large group of Kenyan soldiers were in view as we walked from the plane. It was a reminder of the recent trouble where four Kenyans were killed just over the Sudan border. Soldiers have been brought here to secure the area.

The hot wind hits our face as we walk toward the small terminal to wait for our luggage. The dust at times swirls around to the point you cannot see any distance. Friends are waiting for us at the barb wire fence which surrounds the airstrip.

As we enter St Theresa’s lodge on the outskirts of Lodwar so many come to greet us. It is good to be welcomed by those that I have come to know through the many visits to this area. The sisters are very happy for my return and have made me an honorary “Sister.”

On one of my earlier visits to this area I had a baby monkey jump on me! There are many monkeys here in the beautiful shade trees of St. Theresa’s. Two colonies of monkeys are fighting for the same area, they are at war!

This week we will finalize the purchase of a piece of property here in Turkana land. One day this land will hold another church for them worship in. When a white person tries to buy something the price often goes up. Many times we deal with people that have two prices for the same object, one price is for the natives and the other much higher price is for any one with white skin. Here in Turkana we have run into the same problem. The seller agreed to sell the property at a certain price but a few days after she increased the price considerable. We refused to buy the property at the higher price so in time the seller agreed, in writing, to sell us the property at the first price given. Knowing that she had agreed in writing we traveled to Turkana land to finalize the deal. However once on the ground we are told she has demanded the hand written agreement back and has again raised the price. The challenges and obstacles before us are many. We leave the signed agreement and the land with the seller and proceed to look into other options.

February 21, 2012 Tuesday

Another interested seller offers us a much better deal. With the hot sun beating down open this barren land the property is walked and measured. The land is surrounded by the Turkana huts and many eyes watch as the Chief carries out his duties to see that all is done correctly.

We return to the Chief’s home at the end of the day and as we sit with the Chief and the elders of the village an agreement is made. The mama wrapped in here colorful cloth sits on the ground and waits patiently for the Chief to review the paperwork. Nothing will take place unless he is in agreement.

The paperwork is signed, with thumb prints, and the money is given to the Chief. He in turn passes the money to one of the elders, who then pass it to the seller. The land has been sold and we now have a plot to return to a later time and build a church for the people of Turkana.

The mountain range stands strong and is a constant reminder that this land belongs to those that are strong, those that are survivors, those that will continue on living here generation after generation.

February 23, 2012 Thursday

It is 100 degrees here in Turkana land. The winds are strong and the dust hits the face and eyes. The land continues to thirst for water and there isn’t any sign of relief. Today we are traveling about 2 hours north of Lodwar to the largest desert lake in the world, Lake Turkana. We ride through miles of desolate land.

The sun parched prairie grass covers the land with a golden hue. The pyramid shaped mountain ranges gives us the feel of the Egyptian land. Herdsmen with their goats and sheep bring life to a land that lacks the advancement that time has brought into other areas.

Here and there along the many miles of travel we will have people run toward the car as we are approaching, they are thirsty and begging for water. It is not safe for us to stop so we must continue on. Even though we are already past the thirsty traveler I quickly grab my bottled water and throw it out the window. I looked out the back window of the car and saw him running to it like I had dropped a bag of gold beside the road. We have all been through struggles and hard times but have we ever had to beg for a glass of water?

When it does rain it causes flash flooding which destroys homes, takes lives, and washes away large sections of the road. We came to an area that has been washed out and try to go out around it. The desert sand is soft and the dip in the terrain causes us to get stuck. We are soon on our way again and very thankful. Upon reaching the village of Kalikol we have a flat tire. Life is hard here and so many don’t have the necessary emergency tools in their vehicles, sometimes they don’t even have a spare tire but we made sure that this driver did!

The camels are at home here and nothing seems to interfere with their grazing on the little food that is available to them. The wind blows and the dust covers the road to the point we can’t see too far in front of us.

The white desert sand, the blue sky, the wind and the open land surround us. Our driver slows down and shares a story of a tribe that disobeyed God and was turned to stone. Just a short distance from the road way are several stones standing upright.

Road signs, traffic lights and traffic jams are all unheard of. We are very far from home!

Lake Turkana also known as the Jade Sea has one of the largest Nile crocodile populations. It also is the home of the Kenya’s smallest tribe, the El Molo tribe.

They live on the far shore of the lake and to visit them we need to rent a boat. The winds are strong today and the sea like waves made it impossible for us to travel to the other side of the lake. We will have to visit the land of the El Molo tribe another time.

February 24, 2012 Friday

St. Theresa’s lodge is like an oasis in the middle of the desert. The branches of the shade trees come tip to tip making a cool environment beneath. It is a peaceful haven and a rest from the heat of the day. They have developed their land into useful gardens and kept them watered from their well. It is a beautiful place and a restful place for us to stay. We love to watch the monkeys enjoy the area as well but today they are in trouble. They have invaded the garden behind our room. We hear a yell from the gardener and then a thud and another thud on our roof as the monkeys leap over the fence, onto our roof and then into the safety of the trees. Once in the trees they sit with their prize of the day, a nice ear of corn! The gardener welcomes the chance to stop and visit and tells us the big snakes are down by the river. That sounds like a long ways away but it is actually just a short walk from the lodge. Here on the edge of the river are crocodiles and pythons. Knowing that we are visitors and probably wouldn’t know the way, he offers to walk us there and show us right where they are!

We needed one more document from the town council to finalize the land transaction. Today we received that document and now we are free to build another church. The challenges have been many and it is evident that we are in a land far from home. We are with a people that insist on the “Turkana way.” They are so far removed from the population of Kenya that they believe they are not part of Kenya. They believe that they are a country of their own and therefore are not under the laws of Kenya.

February 25, 2012 Saturday

From the open air terminal we watch the sky for the plane that will take us away from the desert soil to a land with rich and fertile soil. We will leave the Turkana people for now as we pray for the day of return and the day when church walls will stand strong in a harsh and needy land.

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

Amen! Amen!

February 16, 2012 Thursday

The sun was bright and the day was heating up fast. We sat on the back of a motorbike as we traveled the dusty dirt roads of western Kenya. The morning went fast as we traveled to the different lumber mills in search of quality lumber and the best price for the church that we would soon be building.

The morning sun had changed position and it was time to head to the village of Taito. The widows had gathered for their Thursday session and they were all waiting within the small room of the home made from the mud of the earth. Before we began our study I wanted to check on the young widow that we recently took to the hospital that tested positive for HIV.

As we entered through the gate of her plot we could see her at the well drawing water for her family. She had fainted one week before while drawing water because she was so weak. What a change we saw in her as we entered their home.

This quiet small framed mama was on her feet, dressed and so eager to give thanks as we entered her home. “You are like a god to me. You have saved my life!” quickly came out of this woman’s mouth. I shared with her that I was not a god and that there was only one true God. She proceeded to explain what she meant. She knew that I was not a god but God used people to represent him and he had used me to help her live. So in her own way she was giving our heavenly Father thanks. She had so much to talk about today it was evident that she was feeling stronger.

Her grandparents also joined us and as we sat together we gave thanks to our Lord Jesus for pouring life into this weakened and diseased body. Part of her recovery demands that she takes her medicine and eats a good meal everyday so before we came we made sure we filled a bag with food items to leave with them. The bag emptied onto the table before us, rice, beans, tea, sugar, salt, ugali flour, salt and cooking fat, they would not sleep hungry tonight.

As we sat with the mama’s and prepared for our study this young mama walked through the door. She had changed her clothes and put on a beautiful royal blue dress. She came to learn more and made sure she put on her Sunday best to study God’s word.

February 17, 2012 Friday

On our way to Kipsongo slums we dodged the motorbikes coming and going at a rapid pace. The street was busy with people on foot and we shared the same roadway with the cows, goats, sheep and other vehicles. It is definitely a challenge to travel safely here and one has to be alert at all times. The laws of the road, traffic signals, warning signs, and speed limits just don’t exist in real life here.

It had been some time since I had visited with the children and I wanted to make sure that little Linda was still doing well. As the gate to the Bread of Life School and Feeding station opened for us to enter I could see the happy children on their lunch break. Most of the children here come from the slums and they are given a good meal every day along with schooling which opens the doors of opportunity for the future.

It took a while to sort through all the faces and find those that are from the orphanage that I have spent so many hours with. Little hands reach for mine and the children tagged along with me as I walked the compound.

The boys gathered around my husband to check out who had the biggest biceps!

It doesn’t take long and Sarah and little Linda are found. They snuggled in close to my arm and no one was allowed to take their place!

While in Kipsongo the rain clouds rolled in and sheets of rain came at us sideways for a short time. Everyone is thankful for this blessing of rain, the dust will settle some now and the people will prepare their land for planting. The rainy season will soon take over the dry and dusty hot days of the Kenyan summer. The first rains open up the heavens for more to follow!

Whenever there is a public official visiting the area the police will gather the street children and lock them up. They want to impress the official when he comes so they make sure he or she will not be bothered by beggars. Sarah and Alice, two street girls we have been helping have been missing for over two weeks now, along with so many other street children. We had presumed that they had been picked up by the police and were being held some place. As we passed through town one little street girl ran after us and her voice rang out loud and clear. It was Sarah! She was as excited to see us and we were her. We found a little table where we could sit and we had some food brought to her. She was very hungry and as we prayed over her food she said amen a couple times before we were even finished! The food was gone in no time. She looked clean and had a red knit sweater wrapped up around her head to keep warm. The night mountain air brings a chill into the land and one needs extra clothing or a blanket to keep warm. With Sarah there is a language barrier but she understands us as we try our best to communicate. Sarah is probably around 12 years old and the night ushers in such evil. We asked her where she would sleep tonight. My heart broke as she took the empty grain bag she was sitting on and lifted it in the air. I wanted to cry openly as I knew this grain bag would become her bed, her covering, and her shelter for the night. She would find a place hidden away from those that are stronger and older than her and wait for the break of dawn. The glue bottle would cover her pain of being cold and alone. She would wait for the sun to rise without any hope of a better tomorrow.

February 19, 2012 Sunday

It took us a couple tries to find Cornerstone Church today as it sits off the main road in an open field. I did not come to preach but came to listen to the preacher of the day. However, after a couple invitations to please preach I found my feet standing behind the pulpit. It is a church that is rapidly growing and as I stood to speak the chairs were full and others were standing in the back. The whole back part of the church had several rows of people standing throughout the whole service. The hunger to learn more is great.

Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Bibles For The Mamas

February 11, 2012 Saturday

Pastor Winnie invited us to join her for a crusade that was starting in the late afternoon. The sun was low in the sky as we traveled a short ways out of Kitale to a section called Mitume. A big truck sat in the open field with banners which told of the speakers of the night. The side of truck opened and it became the platform for those singing and preaching.

There were people sitting along the edge of the field. The children gathered and excitement shown on each of their faces. As the singing started more and more came. Some came and stood others broke into a time of dance.

Earlier we had met with Rev. Carl Bauman, an Assembly of God pastor and missionary from, New Mexico. As he opened the service up for a time for prayer. We gathered around the truck to pray with those in need of healing, salvation and victory over the problems in their life.

February 15, 2012 Wednesday

I met Gladys, my interpreter and friend, in town at her hairdressing shop. We then walked the tracks to the matatu stage. After the van is full they always squeeze four or five more people in. It is not uncommon to share a matatu (public transportation van) with twenty other adults.

It was a beautiful day and we arrived safely in Moi’s Bridge but we weren’t at the place where the women were meeting yet. We found two motorbikes and traveled twenty more minutes out into the country. The quiet rural life is so beautiful but so very hard. As we enter the little village we had to stop as there was a rope pulled across the road. Two town officials sat on each side. The motorbikes had to pay a fee to enter! I think it is the Kenyan version of a “toll booth.” We have not seen rain for over two months now and the dust swirls around us as the winds pick up.

The women had gathered inside a home and their singing could be heard at the road.The room was full of women and later on a man that had been standing outside listening decided to join us. It was good to see the mamas eager to learn and continue on serving the Lord Jesus Christ. I had spoken to these women on my last trip to Kenya and they had not forgotten. The room made from the mud of the earth was dark and to make it easier for everyone to read we pushed open the little wooden window and left the door open. The light was needed but as the wind blew on the outside the dust rolled into the room.

Each one received a New Testament to keep with them where ever they traveled. They were encouraged to have their children sit with them and read one chapter a day. Their voices joined together as their hearts expressed their thanksgiving to God for such a gift. Many thanks are sent to Craig Hardy for donating so many Bibles to the work here in Africa.

It was time to return home. The motorbikes were called but were nowhere to be seen so we started to walk. Gladys wrapped her head in beautiful green cloth to avoid as much dust as possible. Little children gathered at the roadside with big smiles and a quick “mazungu, how are you?” was sung into the air as we walked by. Motorbikes soon approached us and we were given a ride to the main road. Once at the main road we would wait for a matatu to take us the rest of the way back. Today we didn’t have to wait long, we only had to make a choice of which driver was going to carry us in his vehicle. I am almost always honored with the front seat. It is not necessary but the driver insists and even has people move for me. Prices for the ride started dropping as each driver hurried our way to try to capture our attention. Competition is not a bad thing but they started to get physical. Pushing and shoving and loud voices started to take over the peaceful day, they were ready to fight for the right to have us in their vehicle. We quickly walked away and found another transportation van up the road a bit.

The marvelous beauty of God’s creation surrounded us as another busy day came to an end. We enjoyed the peace and quietness at the lodge in the evening as the sun set behind us and the moon in its brilliance came up over mountain range in front us.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.