Praise and Glory to the our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to the Creator God who was, and is, and is to come!
Greetings again from Kenya! It's kinda funny actually that I'm back in the same Internet cafe that I wrote to you from last time. And it's just as hot, if not hotter, than it was last time. One of the many things I've been learning during my time here has been to never again complain about it being hot. I have no reason to because I doubt there will ever be a time that I will be hotter in the States than I have been here. But whether it's hot or not, I'm here and I have to deal with it. And as much as I'd love to tell you more about the heat and such things, I feel like there are more important things to talk about.
First, the last time that I wrote to you I really didn't tell you much about what I was doing or who I was working with. The team in Namariat (the village I've been living at for the past 2+ weeks) has consisted of Cheboy, Duncan, Elizabeth (the teacher), John, and me. Every now and then Mica or one of the other Discipleship students will come up and help us out with whatever we are working on that day. And we've been working on a lot. I think I already mentioned it but we stained and varnished several tables and benches for the now completed school/ church. We also built a stand for the new blackboard that is going to be used in the school (it's pretty sweet). A lot of the work we have been doing has been focused on the church and school. We built an assembly area for the kids to line up in before school. In the usual Turkana fashion is was made of rocks arranged on the ground. Those Turkanans love their rocks. Actually it seems that most of the building that is done usually involves several orders of "put those rocks over there"! We also built, or I suppose cleared, a field for the kids to play football (soccer) on. Now you might wonder how we marked it off. Maybe paint, but that would have to replied everyday just because how loose the sand is. Or you might think a shallow ditch would work, but no. They made us line the field with rocks. Yeah that's right, we lined a kids playing field with rocks so that when they run out of bounds they can kick the rocks! Neither Duncan nor I were happy about that so we managed to convince Mica to let us partially bury the rocks. Then we get the benefits of long lasting rocks while not having to worry about some kid going for the ball and breaking his or her ankle!
I have to digress for a moment but I really am proud to say that I got to play soccer with the kids. And not only did we play soccer, but we had several small games with my team against Eliza's team. And I just want it to be known that even though I broke off a good portion of my big toenail, we did indeed win the game. I'd say that was a necessary sacrifice for the win. And it didn't really break off at the time anyways. It wasn't until later that day (though I don't remember what I did) that caused it to come the rest of the way off. Now Mom, don't worry. I know it sounds like it was bad but once you see the picture you'll realize it really wasn't that big of a deal. It just kinda looks like a took an extra big chunk out with the nail clippers. So don't worry, I'm fine.
I know that I really haven't included much about the day to day activities that have been doing on or much about what the Lord has been telling me, but it's very hard to figure out how much to say when you're being charged for how long you have on the computer. Don't worry though, I've been keeping a journal and I feel like I need to type up and post most of it. So when I finally return back to Nairobi for a bit and have sometime to sit down and type everything up, those of you that are crazing more details will get them. However, I should warn you that it's going to be a while before I can do that.
Yesterday was my last day in Turkana. The plan for tomorrow is to begin our journey to Sudan. Now I would be foolish to say for certain that I won't be coming back (which is what I did last time...) but I would also be just as foolish to say that I'm returning for certain. So I'm just going to leave that one up to the Lord because however He decides to work it out is going to be best, hands down. So after spending about two and a half weeks in Turkana, we're getting ready to go to Sudan. I'm not gonna lie, I'm super excited about the whole idea of going to Sudan! Not just because I've never been before but I've been talking with Duncan about it and it sounds very different from here. For one, possibly the biggest two things I'm looking forward to are the decrease in temperature, and the lack of flies. I might not have mentioned it yet but there are a TON of flies in Turkana! And they are SO annoying! So to know that there are going to be less of them in Sudan is super exciting to me. And along with the somewhat cooler temperatures, there is also more vegetation and even frogs!! I really won't be able to give you anymore details until I get there but I did have to ask a question as I realized there was more vegetation and more water which meant more animals. Are there any big (and by big I meant dangerous) animals where we are going? I now realize I shouldn't have asked. Now I'm not telling you this to worry you because from what I've heard there hasn't been a siting in a long time. And not to mention the last time one was spotted the locals went on a hunt to kill it. Hmm, I just realized I never told you what was there... leopards. Yeah, that's right. So on one hand I'm really hoping not to have any encounters with them, but if I do, then I'm praying it is from far enough away that they can't get to me but close enough to get a decent picture. I have faith that the Lord is going to protect me. Otherwise I wouldn't be going.
The trip from Lodwar, Kenya to where we are going in Sudan is going to take almost two full days (gah that's a long time!). Once we get there we'll be staying for about two weeks, helping the locals with any projects they have as well as fellowshiping with them and teaching them about God. The big thing about this trip is discipleship classes that we are going to have for the Sudanese that express an interest. There haven't been any classes there yet so this is going to be a big thing for them and should help them to all grow tremendously in their faith. I don't know if we well get the chance to go out and evangelize to any of the people, but even us being there is an act of evangelism. Just knowing that we have came all the way from our homes to be with them is a huge testimony to them of the power of Christ and the realness of the call on our lives and theirs as well.
So will all of this for you to digest, I have to leave you. I would ask that you continue to pray for me and the rest of the team as well. Several specific things that I would be very thankful for your prayers in are for the Lord to teach me more of His heart, for the Holy Spirit to manifest himself in my prayer and worship time with the Lord, for the breakdown of my earthly pride and the fear of man in my heart, that God continues to break down walls and crumble strongholds in my heart, and that all of these things might be done so that God can raise a temple for Him to reside in within my heart so that I might come to praise, glorify, and worship Him more. Also please pray for the rest of the team (Duncan [who sends his greetings to the Clemson Kenya team], Cheboy [who also sends greetings], John, Joel, William, and Elizabeth) and definitely pray for the hearts of the Sudanese people.
It's with Love and Peace in our Savior Jesus Christ that I say God bless you,
CT
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