Swollen Bellies

 

 

May 8, 2013 (Wednesday) Even with a fan beside the bed the temperature didn’t change last night.  It was a night of longing for morning.  There isn’t any hot water running from any faucet around only cold but that doesn’t matter. The days and nights are so hot that warm water flows out of the cold water faucet. 

This is one of the buggiest places I’ve ever been in.  The temperature seems to attract them.  At night when we sit for dinner the lights are turned off and a flash light is set in the middle of the table. Some might think it to be romantic but actually it is to keep the bugs away from our food while we eat.  It is so dark we can hardly tell what is being served. Before we put food on our dish we have to shake the bugs off first and there are many. 

So many people left St. Theresa’s yesterday with just the clothes on their back.  They didn’t have time to prepare to leave.  My things were packed and ready so when I left I had my things with me.  We are hearing that some have taken advantage of the situation and looting has taken place.  Some have lost computers, cameras and various other things. We are still not allowed back in but have been told that the water level is dropping.

 

The sun beats down on us as the motorbike rolls through the sandy soil of the desert to a village on the other side of town.   We enter a small grass hut church for a special service and to give out some food.  As we sing the women take turns beating the drum. A Turkana woman with beads from her shoulders to her chin has one whistle which she blows over and over again.  She is making a joyful noise!

 

Many remember me from past visits.  The children gather near the front and watch my every move.  A quick smile is all they need and a chorus of little giggles is heard.

 

There are many that are sick and in need of prayer.  Each one is prayed for as the others continue to sing.

We have come to help them and encourage them as they face so many daily struggles and hardships.  Little ones with swollen bellies are given medicine to deworm them.  Adults are eager to take some as well.  This little medicine bottle is something that they could not afford. It is a struggle just to have enough food for one meal a day.

 

They gather at the entrance way and one by one they stand with their bag or container to receive some maize before they leave for their journey home.  They will not forget that someone in America thought of them and loved them enough to care about their pain and suffering. Thank you!

Isaiah 58:10, 11 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noon day. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.