Ready To Learn

April 19, 2014 (Saturday) The small country church sits in the midst of an open field overlooking a pond full of tilapia and other fish.  The gardens that are to the side of the church are full of maize just beginning to shoot up through the soil. In the distance the once volcanic mountain sits serenely in the landscape. It's a beautiful quiet area and perfect for a youth conference.

Today the church will be full of teens and young adults as this church and those from other churches will come together for an all-day conference.  In African time they filled the church and they came ready to learn. Throughout the morning session we had times of being serious and times of laughter. We thank the Lord for those that were willing to stand and come forward for prayer as they dedicated their life to a more serious walk with the Lord.

   

After teaching two morning sessions I quietly slipped out as there was a dedication service at Seeds Children’s home that I had been invited to attend. It’s only a short distance away but a puncture slows us down a bit.

The children’s home was now in view and the peaks of the tents that had been set up to shade us from the hot sun pointed heavenward.  Many had traveled for this special occasion and food had been prepared for everyone.

It was a time to thank the Lord for the new girls dorm and to honor “Matilda Jane,” an American clothing company for all that they had done to give the girls of the slums a home where they could be safe.  

Denise DeMarchis, Matilda Jane's founder and clothing designer, was also presented a birthday cake which was cut up in what seemed to be a thousand little pieces so everyone could have a taste!  Cake is a very special treat for all the children, even the big ones:)

There was dancing and singing while gifts were presents to Pastor Richard, Helen and Denise as a thank you for all that they had done to help the children who once lived in the slums.

The children gathered together in the entrance way of their new dorm for a bottle of soda and a fantastic meal! No one went away hungry.

Back at the lodge Kelvin has become my popcorn buddy!  It has become a treat for all those within smelling distance :) He helps me prepare all that is necessary and even add a little extra butter!  The day has come to an end and I close my door behind me.  I am thankful for the many ways the Lord has blessed me and for all of the opportunities that he has given me to serve him.

Proverbs 4: 20-23 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.  Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

A New Church In Rafiki

April 16, 2014 (Wednesday) We have three projects going in three different villages and they all need guidance and care. There have been meetings with pastors throughout the week and frequent visits to each project.  Supplies need to bought and delivered when needed and being flexible is a must. Working in a third world country brings a mountain of challenges throughout the day.  One learns to improvise and to know what is really important and what we can let slide.  It is always trying to see the bright side in grim circumstances that are placed before you. It is learning to stay calm when you see the need to rip things a part and start over.  It is trying to encourage your workers even when they did the opposite of what you told them.  It is remembering that we have two cultures working together and many times we see and hear things differently.   

The road to Rafiki takes us through Kipsongo slum. I hear my name called and wave but the person is lost in a sea of faces within the busy slums.  Kipsongo is known to be the slums for the Turkana tribe.  They left their tribal land years ago in search of fertile ground and a better life.  It’s a place known for prostituting their girls at a very young age.  Home brew has become a source of income for many and with it comes a life of more sorrow.  HIV is as common as a cold and has touched the lives of both young and old alike. Wild dogs roam freely through the slums showing every bone of their body and they often end up in the cooking pot. The mama’s go to town in the day time with a baby tied to their back and beg for money.  They will paw through the garbage in search of food.  It is a deplorable life and many have accepted it as the “norm.”  

We’ve left the business of town and are on the other side of the slums. The road takes us further into the country and the landscape before us in beautiful.  The large fields are being worked and they are dotted with people in their colorful clothes. It’s planting season and in this area the workers are given 50 shillings a day or about 58 cents.  The area is poor and the needs are great.  The banana trees are flourishing and the rolling hills roll into the mountain that lines the sky before us.  The small brook that we cross becomes a public bathing spot while the cows quench their thirst.

It is the rainy season and the grounds are ready with seed but the rains have vanished.  The dust is extreme and it coats our bodies as ride through into the village and the seedlings wilt under the intense heat of the day.

Our scenic ride is stopped by an ever so common road block.  The rope extended across the road only means one thing; they want money.  It’s called road tax but for some reasons the roads remain unfinished and full of potholes and with a white person on your bike the tax is always higher.   My driver deals with them in Kiswahili and we are on our way once again.  Around a corner and down in the valley we see trouble.  There are several motorbikes and a police truck and people standing around.  We stop at the top of the hill to observe. I tell him to turn around and go back as we don’t need to ride into trouble as we can visit Rafiki another time.  It seemed like a wise decision and the right thing to do….avoid trouble!   When we turned around we had to once again go through the rope road block.   Only this time they did not ask for money but accused us of running from the police!  After questioning my driver in Kiswahili and then questioning me in English they decided to let us go.

April 17, 2014 (Thursday) Rafiki is not used to having white people walk around their village and I could feel their eyes on me.  Life stopped and the stares and faces of wonder looked my way.  They were on guard as a stranger had stepped on their turf.  I had been welcomed by the chief and we had spoken in person but still I could see the need to show the people I meant no harm.   

 I found a small store front business made from the mud of the earth and with only a window to shop from.  I bought all the candy she had which brought a big smile to her face.  I then stood out in the open for all to see and the candy was given to each and every child that ran our way.  The children were delighted and jumped with joy. They might get a sweet for Christmas but this doesn’t happen every day.  As laughter and excitement filled the hearts of the children I could see smiles start to form on the faces of the adults.  I had made the first connection with those that looked at me from afar with distrust and fear in their hearts.   

There was still one challenge left; one little boy is terrified of me and screams whenever I walk by.   That isn't the norm though as many times there is a contest and a rush for my hand.  Little Elijah is quite pleased that he got my hand first but his pal is not!

The stand for the water tank has been finished and we are moving onto the next phase of getting clean water to the people.  We want to have the well covered and locked so that the water will remain clean.  Drinking dirty water does not bring them life but disease and even death. If we can give them a way to obtain water without dropping dirty buckets and ropes into the well every day we can avoid such things as typhoid which is very common here.

The afternoon is coming to an end but I still need to meet with a few pastors in town.  We gather at a table out in the open next to the road.  I guess you could call it the “sidewalk view” without the sidewalk.  It’s a busy area with vendors set up all around us.  They are selling bananas, onions, tomatoes, greens and pineapple.  Then others are selling used clothes.  Some shop owners try to arrange them in a nice order while others leave them in a big heap.  The street children have a watchful eye and they don’t hesitate to ask me for something to eat.  People are about their business and carefully walk the streets while dodging motorbikes, cars, and bicycles. 

It was the everyday scene until we heard pop, then a flash of light went through the sky, another pop and a flash of light and they were followed by several of the same. People started screaming and running. The motorbike drivers dropped their bikes in the middle of the road and went running for safety.  A woman lay in the street as she fell in the rush.  It was immediate chaos.  I grabbed my back pack and quickly left the area to find shelter inside the nearest building.  It wasn’t long after that we were told that it wasn’t gun fire.  The electric wires close by kept touching each other making a popping noise and a flash of light.   We were relieved that trouble had not come to visit us.  Everyone is very much on edge even though it not talked about much.  There have been constant terrorist attacks in Nairobi, Mombasa and other areas of Kenya which have killed and wounded many. Information has been sent to us via the internet on what to do if a grenade is thrown your way.  (Don’t run/drop)  Unfortunately such things have become part of a normal life in Kenya.  

April 18, 2014 (Friday) After meetings, reviewing estimates and ordering supplies we are ready to measure the land for the placement of the new church in Rafiki.  We meet at 7 am and head out to the village together.

They people are in awe of what God is doing for them.  “A miracle has come to Rafiki.”  They will have a church to worship in and it will be used during the week for class rooms for their school.

Galatians 6:9 &10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

We Have Water!

April 4, 2014 (Friday) My body feels refreshed after a night of sleeping in the cool mountain air. The showers expected for the day are welcomed and with a rain coat and umbrella placed inside my back pack we are ready to go to Rafiki.

As we travel toward the village the mountain fills the sky line before us.  Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano, sits in Uganda and Kenya.  Its slopes are massive and throughout the years this mountain has given shelter to several tribes.

The people of Rafiki left the mountain in search of a peaceful land. They were tired of the unrest and tribal wars in the mountain.  They settled in the fertile lands at the base of this majestic mountain and they called their new land “Rafiki.”   Rafiki means friend and it was their desire to have a friendly and peaceful community to raise their families in.

The people in the village had worked hard to establish a church.  In time they put in a well and added rooms beside the church for classrooms.  We helped them build a place for their chickens and fence it in so that the women of the church could have an income.

It was all good except one thing; they did not own the land.  In the dark of the night the landlord and his hired men came and demolished it all.  It is the African way of running someone off.  The rent had been paid and the lease was in force but we've been told that someone had coated the landlord’s hand with money and offered to buy the property. 

 

The morning came and as people gathered to worship they found their church in a pile of  rubble.  Monday morning came and one hundred children thought there would be school as usual but their school had been destroyed.

Today we are dedicating the land that they have been blessed with.  It is a piece of land that they can call their own! A tent sits in the back of the longand narrow lot and it is full of people. They didn't give up and they believe that one day they will have a church on this property. The rain clouds roll in and the sky darkens above us. The rain is a sign of blessing and it pours life into the land. God has not forgotten them in the midst of their storm. 

Trees are planted on the new property as we celebrate and thank the Lord for all that he is doing for the people in Rafiki.

Behind the tent is a pile of thorn bushes and as we look beneath them we look into the new well that is being dug. The men started the digging at the first of the week and have already gone down seventeen feet.

April 9, 2014 (Wednesday) We have hit water!   The well is 30’ deep and has 5’ feet of water. They have put water proof cement around the sides and are bricking up the walls. We have some very happy people in Rafiki!

The days have been very full from early morning to night as good things are happening in other villages as well.  The land around the church and school in Taito needs to be fenced and secured.  It is a must here in this land.  We have removed the massive stumps that bordered the road and tilled the ground. Once the fence is in place we will plant a natural fencing of thorn bushes around the property. 

In Wamuini we have two bedrooms being constructed for the children that lost their mother.  It is the custom in many areas to have the children sleep outside the main house. 

These two bedrooms are in a building that stands separate from the house. One room will be for the girls and the other for the boys.

Daily supervision is a must as the skills and tools needed are lacking. Each project is in a different direction so I find myself bouncing through the villages on the back of a motorbike a good part of the day. There are those that expect to see me ride by now and are waiting with a wave and a smile.

I hear my name called as I ride through the different areas.... even from the trees tops where the men are cutting the branches that prevent the sun from shining on their garden.  Another motorbike rides up beside us and slows down to our pace it is a friend from another village that wants to say hi!

There have been struggles and storms to endure but the Lord has blessed me with favor and the friendship of many.

Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants