Monday, May 24, we watched the rain clouds roll in while waiting for our plane to land at the Kitale airport. The airport is small and sits in the midst of a field of maize. The flight will save us about nine to twelve hours of travel over some of the worst roads in Kenya. These roads also have a history of being lined with bandits. Most people traveling to Lodwar will hire armed guards to travel with them.
Today the plane is operating on African time and leaves 3 hours late. As we are boarding the 16 seat plane the clouds open and the rain falls. From within the plane we can observe the pilot as he guides us through the clouds. We leave the rich green land of Kitale and head north toward Sudan. We leave the storm clouds behind and witness the beautiful rainbow ring beneath us. From the small window we enjoy the beauty of the mountains, lakes, and rivers that now are so far away. The trees hug the border of the river below us. Soon they disappear all together leaving the earth barren and dry. We cross the line into a land of its own.
Soon the mountains of the Lodwar area are in view. The desert land shows signs of going without rain for days. The rivers are low and the earth barren.
We are greeted at the airport by pastors, friends and the hot sun that Lodwar is known for. We are taken to St Teresa's Pastoral Center for our stay in Lodwar. It is a beautiful oasis in the midst of intense heat. Shade trees become an umbrella over the rooms and pathways. We quickly unpack and then head 10 – 15 min out of Lodwar to view the land.
The survey markers are evident and the plot is ready for the building project. We need to finalize some paper work with the elders of the Turkana land and the Chief before proceeding further. The Chief is not close and has requested we meet him in the morning so that he may sign the paperwork.
Tuesday, May 25th, we start our day early. We sit outside under a tree together with those involved with the transaction. An agreement is handwritten and then signed in view of the elder. We step inside out of sight and the money is transferred into the seller's hands. The receipt of money given was signed with a signature from one and a thumb print from the other. We meet a little later under a desert palm and the elder dressed in the traditional robe administers his thumb print as a signature on the agreement. We walk to the plot and mark out the placement of the church with posts. A twenty five by fifty foot church is measured out and placed with saving the shade trees in mind.
Manley places the front corner post of the church. We stand in a circle and pray together in the center of the soon to be built church. There is one final signature to obtain. We all meet in town with the Chief as he asks about everyone's intentions before placing his stamp of approval and signature on the paperwork. The paperwork is completed and the work begins immediately. Purchasing the lumber is the first place of business. Patrick our native builder has the long and tedious job of picking out the straightest pieces of lumber and posts that he can find. The men back at the plot have begun the process of digging 50 holes for the posts. Each one has a panga machete (large broad heavy knife) that is used to soften the ground. A small tin cup is then used to scoop out the soil. Shovels are not seen here. By the end of the day the materials have been delivered to the plot. This will mean that someone will need to sleep out in the open tonight. Pastor Simon, Evangelist Paul and two other men will sleep on top of the material pile. They want to be far from the ground as they fear snakes and scorpions.
Wednesday, the 26th brings us more intense heat. The heat of the sun takes the strength from our bodies. The men continue to work 11 hour days in heat that is around 100 degrees and over 40 % humidity. We are thankful for the desert palm and the small neem tree that are growing on the church plot. The men stop work for a cup of tea in the mid morning and afternoon. The one meal that most will have is always at night before they go to bed. They sleep better with food in their stomach.
The posts for the walls are in place and the formation of a building is taking place. Some of the workers are off to the side making trusses. Children play nearby and gather with us to enjoy the shade. Often they will take a nap in the sandy soil. The well used outhouse has wide gaps between the boards. When the door opens large bugs scatter this way and that. The hard shell bugs that wander out into the open are collect by the children. They use them as toy helicopters and throw them up into the air. They run to the place where it lands to see who can get it first. Children use the shade of a big tree rather than using the outhouse. The goats will clean up after them.
Thursday, the 27th the heavy trusses are completed. One by one the men lift them into place. We pray for the safety of each one present.
We take a short motorcycle ride as I want to show Manley some of the places in town. The river has lost its sandy beach to the heavy rains they received since I was here earlier. Now the river is low as it has not rained for some time. Still the muddy waters bring comfort to many as they use it to bathe in. On the north side of Lodwar going toward Sudan the river has washed out the road. The military has set up a check point before anyone crosses it. We are stopped and asked a few questions before we are permitted to go to the other side.
The days are hot and the sun never weakens. The dust rolls through the streets. It becomes a layer on top of your skin. Your clothes are wet and stick to you. Umbrellas, hats and even handkerchiefs are used to cover the head from the sun. The nights remain hot from the heat of the day. Bats and other night life make their presence known as the sun goes down.
We enjoy the rest that our room gives us. The ceiling fan is on as high as it can go. The cold showers are enjoyed and cool us down for a few minutes. Manley surveys the room for spiders. There are always many to deal with before we go to sleep. Most of the spiders here are poisonous.
Friday the 28th the process of bracing the walls continues. The structure continues to get stronger and stronger. The men amaze me as they continue in such extreme heat.
Saturday the 29th the church is now completely roofed with iron sheets. The men that had sun glasses put them on. They say the sun hitting the iron sheets blinds them. Pastor Simon and some others are still sleeping out under the stars at night to protect the materials. We have not seen one drop of rain since we have been here. Lodwar has a river to the south of it and to the north so there are many mosquitoes at night. Malaria is something that is quite prevalent.
Sunday the 30th the construction project stops to give everyone the opportunity to go to church. Today we will be returning to the interior or the bush. We have hired a four wheel vehicle to take us and four grain bags full of maize/corn. Life is extremely hard for the Turkana. The soil is not rich and is not good for gardening. Without rain they go without even more than usual. The lack of rain and the intense heat has brought on a drought. The many herds of goats that gave them life have died. The people here rely on relief food now. We join together in a service of songs, dancing, testimonies and the Word of God. The Chief also joins us. The women in their beautiful neck beads all sit together on one side. They are wrapped in colorful cloth. Many small children come and sit on the dirt at the front of the church. The men come with their walking sticks and little wooden stools.
After the service the sacks are placed outside. A line is formed and the elderly women are placed at the beginning. Everyone, even the men, receives some maize to take home. They are overjoyed and so thankful that someone remembered them.
They have very little but they still want to give. They women bring me a handmade basket, a drinking cup made out of wood and a container that holds butter as gifts. Their hearts are warm and loving.
We are in the land of camels. Today there are many and no matter how many we see we still are excited when we see the next one.
It has been a busy full week and with the hot sun over us many start to nap as we travel home.
We have a few hours of light at the lodge and enjoy a walk through the gardens around the outside of the fence. Fruit trees, peppers, corn, peas, greens and more are all grown on the compound grounds. They have several wells that produce water to keep the gardens growing. I hear a rustle and see a big iguana step deeper into the brush. It is another reminder that this area has life than I am unfamiliar with.
It is the last day of May and we are preparing for another day of work in the Village of Nakwamekwi. I have finished my breakfast (1 boiled egg and 1 slice of bread) and I'm returning to my room to gather the things necessary for travel.
I'm within the compound walking on the prepared path. I'm almost to the main set of steps at the entry and make a mental note of a stick or branch that has fallen from the tree. I continue to walk not realizing that I am walking straight toward a 2 foot cobra. My next step would have been on the cobra if he had not moved.
He took off into the nearby bushes that decorated the area beside the steps. I gathered my things and returned to tell Manley what had happened. The kitchen help wanted me to show them exactly what happened. We stepped outside and I rein acted everything for them. I showed them where the snake had gone. I never ever dreamed that we would see the snake again until one of the natives screamed and jumped backward a few steps. She started pointing into the bushes. The front part of the snake was standing up off the ground and looking straight at us.
In a moments time one of the women grabbed a big walking stick from one of the men and proceeded to hit the snake. Then rocks were used until it was dead. We were told it was a small one (2 feet long) but still very poisonous. So I asked where the mother might be. I was told on the other side of the fence!
We later shared our story with Sister Pamela when she returned to the compound. She informed us that this area, even inside the compound, has had trouble with cobras showing up in unwanted places. The small ones have been seen in chairs when people go to eat. They have even been found in the rooms. Here at the lodge they have a black rock that is used for a snake bite. The area of the bite would be cut open and the rock inserted. The rock is like a filter and collects the poison. However, one must always be taken to the hospital immediately to prevent death.
Psalm 3: 3 But you are a shield around me O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
Psalm 91: 13,14 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
We are excited to see the church coming to a completion. They are working so diligently that they are going to get done before the projected time. The iron sheets are going up on the walls and the church is becoming an enclosed structure but will always be open to all.
Tuesday June 1st, Manley and Pastor Simon work together to build a cross for the top of the church. There is still much to do as two windows that were made in town have been delivered but are the wrong size. They are too big! We also have the door that needs to be framed in and leveled before tomorrow's service. Even with all of the extra things that need to be done to finish up the church the cross seems to get every ones attention. The men so want to be a part of building and placing the cross on the top of the church J
The day is over and the sun has set when the home made ladder is brought to the front of the church. Pastor Simon climbs to the roof top and sits on the peak while holding the cross. Manley takes a hammer and starts to secure the cross in place as a sign to everyone that here the name of the Lord will be lifted up.
How good it is to see what God has done here. We continue to thank the Lord for allowing us to a part of His work.
Wednesday June 2nd, we return to the new church in the village of Nakwamekwi but today we will not work. Today is a day of celebration. The church is finished and people gather for the opening service. The benches and pulpit from the grass hut church have been collected and brought into the new church. Some of the women bring mats to sit on. Some have brought brings chairs from home. There are several drums beating. With singing and dance they begin to praise God for all that he has done for them. When a white woman joins them their dancing steps have even more joy in them. They have seen the white woman dance with them before. Today they wonder if the white man dances too! Manley starts to shake his head no but there is no graceful way out of this one J He is pulled into the midst of the men in dance. They expect to see a step or two of joyful dance before he can return to his seat. Turkana love to dance and jump straight up and down it is praise from their hearts going up to heaven.
It is a glorious meeting with many pastors from other churches joining us. The Chief sits up front with us. Patrick the builder is also given a seat of honor.
After the Word of God is spoken and a special word given to Pastor Simon many come forward for individual prayer. Then everyone prays for the church and God's blessing upon this area.
From early morning food has been cooking for everyone to enjoy after the service. A big pot over the open fire is boiling pieces of goat. There is another one for potatoes and rice. Two women sit at the corner of the hut while they prepare soup to go on top of the rice. It is made with onions, tomatoes, goat stomach, and goat intestines. Just about every part of the goat is eaten except the hooves, and horns. It is an extra special meal when meat is served.
Many have completed a course that the Bible League offers and are presented with very nice Swahili Bibles before we leave. They hold the Bible close to their heart, others wear a big smile, and some even drop to their knees in thanks. They would probably never be able to purchase a Bible of their own. To place a Bible in someone's hands brings great joy to my heart.
The Chief is called away to take care of some business in the interior/bush. Someone has stolen nine camels.
Before leaving the village of Nakwamekwi Pastor Simon shares his vision with us for the first time.
On December 24th,2009 he had the people of his church all turn toward the grass hut walls and pray. Some went to the corner posts of the church and prayed. A few days later he had a vision of a big church and he was preaching in it. At the next meeting he shared his vision with his people. They were somewhat doubtful and said "maybe". He continued to believe. On the 24th of May the construction of his big church that he would preach in started. It is now finished and songs of praise can be heard coming from inside as one passes by.
On Thursday the 3rd of June we say goodbye to our friends here in Turkana land. Our flight will return us to Kitale at the base of Mt Elgon.
Saturday the 5th of June the air is so much cooler in Kitale than it was in Lodwar. We are still facing heavy rains everyday here. The roads are muddy and slippery. The grass and bushes are rich green. People are rejoicing as they see how good their crops will be this year.
The Turkana tribe from the Lodwar area send a special heartfelt thank you to our home church "Milton Assembly of God" in Milton, NH. They thank you for the church that you have given to them. They declare that their children and their children's children will also worship in this church for years to come. They will be praying for you.
We also thank you for allowing us to represent the church in the building of the "House of the Lord."
Psalms 122:1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."
No comments:
Post a Comment