Friends with the Sun

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 The exterior walls and the roof of the school are completely done.  We have made it past the challenge of putting on the iron sheets and as the Kenyans would say, it looks “smart!”  It took some time and perseverance but the finished product is something we can all be pleased with.

It's time to leave the western mountain slopes and the cool night air and exchange it for the dry, dusty and humid air of the Turkana desert. The call to board means it is time to walk out to the plane. Just before you go up the steps everyone is given a small paper bag with a bottle of water and one cookie inside.  It's just a light morning snack for the hour flight.  The door into the plane isn’t very big and it is necessary to bend over before entering. The seats are not reserved so you can choose your own but be assured there is a window seat for everyone! From any seat in the plane you can see the pilot as he navigates the plane toward the cracked earth that will soon be seen beneath us.

As we fly toward the northwestern part of Kenya the earth beneath us changes along the way. The rich red soil that is plowed and ready for planting is the first to disappear from sight.  

As quickly as the plowed patches of earth disappear the mountain peaks show their strength and beauty as they consume the land.  Massive and rugged mountain ranges fill the land beneath us and signs of life become increasingly rare. The natural beauty of the thick green forest is amazing. It appears to be void of human touch but yet it sits in the midst of a land of corruption, pain and suffering.

We seem to drift through the clouds as the land is shifting below. The rich open land and the mountain ranges have disappeared and the tree line is being swallowed by the dry sandy soil of the desert. Rivers have disappeared and their beds hold tightly to the sand and plead for water.

As the plane lowers and prepares for landing the evidence of life can be seen.  Traditional huts dot the desert land and villages are scattered over the vast dry land below.  

The plane comes to a stop and the pyramid shaped mountains and hills near the airstrip are a tell-tale sign that we are in Turkana land.  On one such hill stands a big statue of Jesus put in place by the Catholic Church. The statue resembles Christ the Redeemer statue of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There are stairs that curl around the side of the large hill should one desire to climb to the top and pray.

The terminal has changed from a bench outside to a nice building.  Security measures have increased and they have made major improvements. We now have a waiting room inside and a bathroom!  

The heat of the day rushes into the plane as the door opens for us to leave. There is no doubt that we have arrived in a land where the people are “friends with the sun.”

I am greeted and welcomed back by the sisters and we visit awhile before going to my room.  The shade trees which shield us from the desert sun are occupied by monkeys who enjoy the freedom of jumping limb to limb. One will travel far to find another oasis in the desert as welcoming as this.

My suitcase is in my room, the door is locked and we are ready to take the builder to view the property for the next church.  Patrick a pastor and carpenter is well known and respected in Turkana land. He has built two other churches for us in different villages in this desert land. It is good to see that he is healthy and ready to step into another building project!

From the back of his bike I mention that we missed the road that takes us to the property. He politely tells me that he knows the roads and continues on. I realize there are more ways than one to get to the property and settle back and enjoy the scenery.  As we travel away from town and toward the village I recognize some of the land marks and different places along the way. After some time he stops to talk to a Turkana man sitting under a tree on his ekicholong/stool.  It seems like it’s a private conversation but from the bushes that mark the boundaries there is a stirring and women wrapped in colorful cloth start to speak.  They are all giving directions to the same area I had earlier told him we needed to go.  The thin and elderly man asks my name but before we answer a woman from the other side of the thorn bushes runs to meet me.  She remembers me and greets me by name. Another mama comes to welcome me too and she was the Chief’s wife. They had heard I was coming and now they had seen me with their own eyes.  With excitement in their voices the word went out  “Mama Linda” is here!

No two termite mounds are the same. Each mound is different in size and shape and can become a home for snakes as well.  The termites are very destructive to wood but are a good source of protein when eaten.  The wings will be pulled off and they will either be fried or eaten alive.  The giant termite mounds are common and become part of the decor in this dry desert land.

We walk the property and eyes from the villagers are glued on our every move. Children immediately run toward us and in a high pitched tone the greeting “Mzungu, how are you?” turns into a song. With bare feet they skip across the hot desert sand without a bother.  Torn shirts, dirty little noses, tight chest coughs, a scalp full of ring worm and hungry bellies are way too common here in Turkana.

Hunger is real for both humans and animals. The goats stand on tippy toe for a tender leaf as the land gives them nothing.

The long and tedious job of getting supplies is next and it's important to get it done so the workers will be able to start in the morning. The timber mill in town offers me a chair and a young Muslim girl offers me a glass of water.  It takes time for the body to adjust to temperatures of 100 -105 with 50% humidity on top. Finding lumber that is somewhat straight is very difficult. Piece by piece we go through the pile looking for the straightest lumber possible while the sun beats down upon us.

The delivery truck is loaded with our supplies and we are ready to go when a familiar face walks by me. We both recognize each other at the same time and our expressions were of surprise and excitement.  Peter one of the street boys from western Kenya (13-14 hour ride away) was now working in Turkana land!  

This former street boy use to stop traffic for me so I could cross the street.  He now has a job and is working hard.  It was so good to see him off the street, happy and productive.

The truck with our supplies is a welcome sight as it heads toward the open gate of the barbwire fence. My thoughts were thinking of going back and resting from the heat of the day when the tires of the truck started spinning.  The delivery truck got stuck in a raised sandy spot with a little debris of sorts right before the entrance to the property.   

A truck coming into the village brings an element of excitement to the people and being stuck brings another whole group of on lookers.  The tires did nothing but spin and the clutch sounded like it wasn’t going to last long.  Boards were put under the tires and people tried to push but nothing moved the loaded truck.   

When the clutch went the decision had been made for us. The truck was emptied on the spot and the supplies were carried onto the lot.  It was a good day’s work and we were ready for an early start in the morning. We leave knowing that the supplies will be kept safe with a night guard watching over them.

Psalm 63:1  O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirtieth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where there is no water;