Eyes To The Sky

March 24, 2014 (Monday) The morning sun is a ball of fire rising over the land which is in such need of rain. The wind picks up the dry desert earth and throws it about.  It is a wind with no coolness to share.  The monkeys continue to play in the trees found in this oasis within the compound.  It is a well-kept area with a canopy of trees in the center and it makes the perfect playground for these clever little imps and a nesting area for the birds.

The dust rolls around us and sun glasses are needed to keep the debris out of the eyes.  As we travel through the dusty roads the little guys run toward us for a quick “Hi mazungu how are you?”  Most of them are barefoot and scantily dressed…it’s hot and clothes really aren’t all that necessary!  There are others that are speechless. They are in awe.....she really is white!

Today the building starts and soon those within the village of Nakwamekwi will have a new 25 X 40’ church to worship in.  

The temperature in Turkana land ranges from “hot” to “hotter” and there isn’t any in between.  The men worked hard and long and even though we reached 101 degrees it didn’t stop them.  They tell me that sweat means they will have food!  Believe me these guys know the true meaning of “sweat.”  Pellets of water ran down their faces all day long as the sun beat down on this barren earth.

Tools are lacking and the lumber is far from straight but in Turkana they have learned how to make things work.  Within a short time a three legged ladder is built and another worker takes an old grain sack and cuts it into a nail pouch and ties it around his thin body.

The traditional charcoal stove cooks a pan full of beans while the men work.  Every once in a while a goat will wander in to see what is cooking and he is quickly chased away!

The land is open and shade is hard to find.  The neighbors close by welcome me into their compound to sit in the shade of their hut.  The body weakens from the intense heat of the day and it is necessary to return to my room.  The cold water that flows from the shower is warm now but still helps to cool the blood down and bring relief. 

March 25, 2014 (Tuesday) A very gentle rain was heard hitting the roof last night and the temperatures dropped to 88.  It was so welcomed to have a coolness cover the land.  It’s a big drop in temperature and the natives really feel the cold.  I’ve seen knit hats and scarfs around the neck. Some have put on sweaters and coats that are zipped to the neck.  Helen, one of the cleaning ladies, even brought me a blanket for my bed! She was worried that I would get cold.

The motorbike rolls through the soft beach like sand while dodging a chicken or two.  The herds of goats wander through the road without a care as they search for food and water.  Thorn bushes line the narrow paths we take and serve as a boundary barrier.  These thorns are big enough and strong enough to puncture a tire should we ride over one.  Little feet suffer many times from the pain of these ugly thorns.

The children are watching for us to arrive and they gather very quickly.  There is a song I hear in the distance and it becomes louder as the children come closer.  “Lendah, Lendah, Lendah” is sung by the little ones skipping and running my way. While the men continue to work on the church I gather the little ones together and we play toss. It’s a great way to make friends!  One little ball brought so much happiness to the children. 

Work is moving right along despite the heat and the many challenges that we face.  The posts are in place!  Termites are a big problem here and they are very destructive so it’s necessary to coat the lumber with a repellent.

March 27, 2014 (Thursday) We had a goal of having the church completely roofed tomorrow and I can see that it’s possible!  The heat continues and the men are pushing forward but it wears them down.  A pop or two gives them a boost and sweetens up their day.  A small plane, Fly540, flies  over us almost every day and everyone’s eyes go to the sky.   This “Matatu Air Bus” as they call it will soon take me from their land.

The children are expecting me and we gather inside the church while the men work on the roof above us.  We now have a little shelter from the burning sun.  Crayons and paper are pulled from my back pack and they snuggle in around me as they work on their master piece.

A couple of the children start to rub my arm as they chatter away and I hear a couple of the workers start laughing.  The children were saying that I was starting to look like them!  My arms were changing color but my face was still white!

Roofing with metal sheets in 100 degree weather can be brutal and even blinding as the sun reflects off the sheets.  Caps and sunglasses for the workers is a must in the future.  Its break time and the guys hit the ground.  Each one stretches out on the ground or on top of an iron sheet. They are exhausted from rising temperature.   

A short rest, even a nap, and then some food gives them energy to complete the day.  Patrick, the head worker, “rewinds” (remembers) and shares some things of the past.  He lives in the mountain ranges behind the church and invites me to come and speak to his people.  I am told that many fear cameras as they believe it sucks the blood from them and brings death.

This Little Light of Mine is today’s hit in Turkana land.  The kids love acting it out and put so much expression into blowing out the candle!  They love attention and they love to be close….so close I’m almost lost in the huddle of beautiful black Turkana faces.  Something happens on the outside of the huddle and one little guy starts to cry.  He is hurt and his toe is bleeding. He has been wounded and the cut is deep.  It appears that one of the other boys took a stick and pierced his toe with it. (Although I didn’t see it happen.)  It is a wound that needs attention and his crying tells of the pain that has been inflicted upon him.  I call him close and pull some band aids and Neosporin out of back pack.  His cries turn to screams, loud terrified screaming echoes out around us and if I move to comfort him he screams even louder.  He has alerted the adults in the area that he needs them and soon they appear with worried looks.  I hold up the band aids and Neosporin hoping that they will understand as I know that my English will not help answer their questions.  To my relief I see smiles and then I hear laughter as they realize that I was just trying to help him.  With band aids in hand they carry the wounded soldier away so they can console him and calm him down.

There is a big celebration planned for tomorrow …goat!  Everyone is meeting at the thatched roof church and walking together to their new church.  It’s a going to be a very special day with singing, dancing and food to eat!

Ebola is something that you might think only happens in the movies but it isn’t true.  Kenya is on high alert to avoid the spread of Ebola, the almost always deadly hemorrhagic fever.  It has been discovered in the forest areas of Guinea, in western Africa and has already claimed the lives of 66 people. There is great concern that it could spread to other countries as it has already spread to the bordering countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone.  There isn’t any cure for this disease and it is believed that it comes from infected animals such as the fruit bat and the monkeys. The disease is spread through blood and body fluids. Eating infected bush meat (monkeys and bats) is often found to be the source of this terrible disease for which there is not cure.  The disease starts with fever, weakness and then worsens with diarrhea and vomiting. In the end stages there will be internal and external bleeding.  It is a horrible death.

There are other concerns within besides Ebola as unrest and simmering tension continues to build in various parts, especially Nairobi and Mombasa.  Sunday morning people gathered together to worship in a church in Mombasa.  This Sunday started out like so many others until two terrorists stormed through their doors with guns.  They killed 6 and injured 17.  

A few days’ earlier police surrounded a car packed with explosives and a bomb meant to target a shopping mall.  Reports of grenades and other explosive devices causing deaths and injuries continue to surface.  We pray for the peace of Kenya.

Psalm 143:6    I stretch out my hands to You; My soul longs for You, as a parched land.