No Rain, Death, Suffering

December 28, 2013 (Saturday) The Turkana live in extreme conditions. Each day they face the extreme heat of the sun.  Their face has the deep creases that the harsh weather brings. They lack water and the proper food to keep them healthy.  Their bodies are thin and weak.  Here in Turkana land it has not rained for three months. They live on the milk or blood of their animals and because of the extreme weather conditions their animals are dying.

We have our vehicle loaded early and after making sure everyone has enough water for the day we are ready for traveling.  The sun beats down on us and the earth is barren and brown.  The desert flowers have disappeared for a season. The winds are constant and with each gust the desert sand swirls through the air.  I am told that this high wind comes before every major drought.  I pray they are wrong.

We travel away from civilization to a people that keep the same lifestyle as the generations before them. We cross over dry riverbeds and the lack of animals along the way is noted.  Camels once healthy are now walking skeletons.  It is obvious that a life of hardship is moving into an era of severe suffering.

We travel toward the mountains that separate us from Uganda while the mountain ranges on our right separate us from Sudan. It has been Turkana territory for many generations. However the clashes between the Pokot Tribe and Turkana Tribe still go on as they struggle over the ownership of goats, cows, camels and land.

They are happy to see our vehicle coming and are ready to greet us. The elder mama is a woman of authority and represents the tribe. She stands to speak. I have been welcomed once again.  They have been praying for me and invite me to sleep under the stars with them.  They even suggest that I stay longer and they will build me my very own Turkana hut. I am told that visitors come once and never return but I have not forgotten them. I have returned many times to be with them. Today my name is Dorcas.

We gather under the Acacia trees for the message. The trees lack the green leaves but they are still useful for a little shelter.  Turkana men will not sit with women so the men sit together on one side and the mamas and the children on the other.  They come with their necks adorned in layers of beautiful colored beads.  These beads are worn night and day and become a symbol of their bride price.  If a man wants a wife he will need to buy her by giving her parents a certain number of cows, goats, or camels.  The fat of animals is applied to the beads to make them shine. It melts from the hot sun and runs down their shoulders.

Markings have been made upon their shoulders and in other areas to decorate their skin. Taking a thorn from the Acacia tree and making scars in the form of a pattern becomes a thing of beauty for the Turkana.

It is so very hot I am told the temperature for the interior parts is 120 today but it does not stop us from dancing.  The elder mamas go to the center and start and the others follow. They couldn’t be happier when the white woman joins them.  The drum beat gets stronger and the smiles get bigger as we join hands and dance together. As I tilt each shoulder toward theirs it signifies that I love them and as they do the same it speaks of their love for me. It is a wonderful way to start our meeting.

 

They are focused on every word and at the end two kneel in the hot desert sand to accept Jesus into their heart.

Some of the little ones have toys from America to play with as my little granddaughter, Vanessa, put a bag of her toys in my suitcase to give to the children in Africa.  This little dog had black spots all over him and it brought laughter to all those looking on:)  I don't think they had ever seen a dog with spots before!  Thank you Vanessa for giving your toys to the children in Africa.

There are very hungry people here that are struggling to survive. Today we have 1700 pounds of maize and beans along with some salt to encourage them through this hard time.  Some will be given to the people here and some will be delivered to other areas before the day is finished.

Before we leave my interpreter comes to me and with a quick and to the point sentence he says, “Show them your ring.”  I turned and there was a group of men waiting behind me.  I held out my hand and he pointed to the ring as they looked on.  Then he looked at me and explained that these are the men that have come to marry you. Although I did not have to tell them how many goats or camels my husband had to pay for me the ring seemed to end such thoughts of marriage.  I’m glad that I am a woman that likes to wear her wedding ring :)  The day has been very full and we are ready to find shelter from the hot desert winds.

Thank you for blessing those in Turkana land. You have made their hearts and mine glad! 

James 2:14-18  What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone clams to have faith but has not deeds?  Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.