5-16 Lodwar
[11 PM] Did I mention flying up to Turkana? Because we most definitely didn’t do that! Instead we took a bus all the way from Kitale to Lodwar, a 9 hour drive! After we left the Klique Hotel, we went, got some groceries, and got a cab to John’s house/BOL offices. They had just recently bought a computer so it looks like I’ll be heading back to Eldoret at some point to help with that. Anyways, went to sleep that night and got up to being rushed into another mtatu, which we took to Kitale. That is one crazy town! We went to the bus stop, though it looked more like a mud pit, and got a bus to take us to Lodwar. We had some time until the b us left so we went and got some food (chapatti and chai of course). It was pretty good. Eventually went back to the station and then went to find me more malaria meds. It seemed like we walked through just about the entire town before we found a place that sold the medicine (no pharmacy here, it’s called a Chemist). Went back to the busses and that is where we ran into Duncan! It’s so good to have him with us! God has truly blessed me with his presence. He is so encouraging and full of wisdom. And such a man of God! I got to sit with him for the almost 9 hour bus ride to Lodwar. It was really neat to watch the conditions change as we left the highlands around Kitale. The roads degraded, vegetation disappeared, and it got a lot hotter! Took several pictures as we went. We finally made it to Lodwar as it got dark and got rooms for the night. We went out and got food at the Salama Hotel (some of you might remember the place we ate at as we came out of the bush). Had my first taste of Ugali-Fry. Corn flower mixed with water and cooked till there is almost no water and fried meat to eat with it. Reminded me of tacos at first; very good! Anyways, it is late so it’s time for bed. Tomorrow we go into Turkana.
5-17 Turkana
[11 PM] I really can’t believe it! I never thought I would see this place again, Turkana! How wild is it to be back in the same village, the same boma that I was in just 4 months ago! I left thinking that I would never come back. Sure, I might come back to Africa, but to come back to the same people, to the same school that I had labored to help build. . . No way. If you had asked me 2 months ago if I thought I was going to be going back, I would have shrugged my shoulders, said it would be nice, but ultimately I would have said no. Isn’t God’s plan incredible?! I still don’t know what His plan for having me here is. But I do know that there is a reason I’m back. Whether it is to perform something here, to help someone, or to prepare me for something else altogether, I know one thing is certain; It will be awesome, a learning experience, and god will get all the glory! I suppose if I want to remember anything that has happened today I better go and put it to paper.
Woke up fairly late for Africa standards, 7:30. I got to sleep with Duncan as my roommate which was very encouraging. We got breakfast at the Salama Hotel (Chai and samosas) which was great. I’m really enjoying all of this African food! God has blessed me with how fast I have gotten used to all of this. No stomach problems and I became used to the adjusted time very quickly! What a blessing!! Just more confirmation that I am supposed to be here. I don’t really know how to explain it but it just feels good to be back in Africa. Anyways, back to trying to remember today. We did a lot of sitting around and waiting. We went for most of the first half of the day to a furniture builder. BLM was getting benches and tables built for the church in Turkana. They missed up one of the tables so we had to wait for them to fix that. Saw some other Mzungus today. They were doctors from Spain working at the hospital in Lodwar. Once we got a Lori and the tables were finished, we loaded up and headed out for Namariat. I didn’t realize how blessed we were last time to not get stuck! This time though, 4 times! 4 times we got stuck in a laga (dry river bed). Had to get out and push but we made it. We had left Lodwar at 4:30 or so and got here to Namariat at almost 9! It was a very exciting journey though! I can’t wait to see what is in store for tomorrow. I’ve had some hot chai and have a full belly of rice, beef and cabbage. Also got to take a shower which was new (though nothing like in the States; think bucket). Today has been a good day. I can only pray that the Father continues to open my heart and mind to what He is doing and that the Spirit leads me into righteousness.
5-18 Turkana
[4:15 PM] The life of a foreign missionary is by worldly standards, a lonely life. Five days no I have been in Africa with limited ability to communicate. Out of all the people here, Duncan can understand me the best. Even so, god is the only one I can talk with and not have to worry if He missed my meaning or just didn’t understand what I said at all. Now that I think about it though, maybe that is the problem . . . or more appropriately it is what He is trying to teach me; to rely solely on Him and to get everything, everything, from Him. Be it strength, wisdom, resolve, nourishment, and even social interaction, it must come from Him who provides everything. I will try to remember this through this journey and I know His Spirit will continue to remind me.
Earlier, as I was walking up to the school house to write, I started remembering walking with the team to the school almost every day to work on it. Being back here now, without all of them is so hard. I began to cry as I longed to talk with someone form the team. Just to know someone in this desolate region. I despaired at how long it would be before I saw any of my friends again. I just wanted to be with someone who spoke my language, knew my idioms, and who really just knew me. As I cried I called out to the Father, “Why did you send me here alone?!” I didn’t have to wait for an answer. The Spirit spoke it in my heart, “I am always here [with you].” At the same time the wind suddenly picked up and as a strong gust hit me I couldn’t help but feel joyful.
As a side note the wind played a significant role in my walk the last time I was here. During one of the team times I pointed out how God had really been using the wind to confirm what He was teaching me. From that point on, whenever we were worshiping, or doing anything to give Him glory, it seemed that the wind would pick up as if to show His presence and that He was pleased. There are a few passages in the Bible that can use wind and the Spirit interchangeably which made the entire experience even better.
I still want to see friends, other Mzungus, and I know that it will be hard. I also know though that God is with me and He will provide for everything I need.
It’s funny now that I can look back and see it. The last time I came, we all made sure to commit ourselves to giving time to the Lord in the morning. We also took time in the evening to gather and reflect on what He had done and then worship Him for it. I don’t know why but not having the rest of the group here made me think I wouldn’t be able to do those things. I was worried that I wouldn’t learn nearly as much even though I knew that I was going to be here 5 times longer. Oh how God provides! This morning as I was praying over my food, I asked for God to teach me something today. I asked Him to let His Spirit move in my heart. Oh how He keeps His promises!
For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. – Mathew 7:8
God truly desires us to know Him and to know His character. All we have to do is ask, and believe!
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given. – James 1:5
Again He has confirmed Himself in my life; that He can be trusted to keep His word. Let no one doubt that God reigns above!
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