Thursday, April 2, 2009
Our morning started with singing coming from over 300 children from the slums of Kitale. These children often come to school dirty and hungry. Pastor Richard and Hellen have provided free schooling for these children. At school they have a place for them to wash and put on a clean uniform for the day. They are given snacks and a meal before they return to their home at the end of the day. So many here in the slums never have an education. This is an amazing gift given to so many little ones.
Later at Joe & Nancy's house we pack a lunch and place the cooler in their 4 wheel land cruzer. We are going into the western Pokot area. They call it the "4th world". The Pokot tribe is a primitive tribe. They place wood or a circle of metal in their ear lobe to stretch it. Breaded necklaces adorn their neck. Colorful cloth wraps their bodies. Men wear robes and many walk with cattle prods made by hand. They have many wives. Each wife has her own hut and they are placed in a circle. The number of goats and cows that they own determines how wealthy they are. Young boys walk with their cattle, they are not schooled.
As we drive away from Kitale and into the mountains the earth begins to turn to desert land. We slow down as camels cross the road in front of us. Cows with humps on their back roam freely with the abundant supply of goats. The cows here can go three days without water in this hot African sun. We are surrounded by cactus and acacia trees. We stop and watch a family or rock badgers play together. Dikdik (miniature deer) move swiftly from us as we drive near them. Having a four wheel drive is so important in this terrain. We drive through one dried up river bed after another. We are very close to the Ugandan border now. We pass a clinic set up by the "Doctors Without Borders". In this area there is a sand fly that kills many if they are not treated. We pass through many villages, Kadeliba, Kongolia and others. We arrive at Suam River which comes down from Mt. Elgon. We take advantage of the water and clean off all the insects from our windshield. Many are using the river for bathing, washing clothes and even gathering water to drink.
Friday, April 3, 2009
We walked through town today to explore on our own a bit. As we crossed the road we heard a horn toot. It was Pastor Richard & Hellen. They were going to Moi's Bridge and asked us to join them. It is amazing to see God plan out our steps. There is a pastor in Moi's Bridge that I wanted to see before we left town. Pastor Richard's grew up beside this pastor and knows how to find him. Without a phone number for Pastor David we started toward Moi's Bridge. We then turn into his street just as Pastor David was driving out. We were able to meet him, visit his school, church & orphanage for a short time before heading back to Kitale.
We returned to Kitale and stopped at the orphanage the Pastor Richard & Hellen have. It is a very large and beautiful home which cares for 14 boys and 14 girls. Many children are just thrown into the bushes to die. They are near death when they are found. The children sing for us and then I share a few words with them.
We received a good report from the pastor on Mt Elgon. He is near the area where the 12 children accepted Jesus into their heart. The children found his home and told him they had Jesus in their heart and wanted to learn more about Jesus. J
Our day comes to an end as we look into the mountain ranges from the front porch of the lodge.
Psalm 4 : 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
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