Hi Everyone,
It is my last day here in Mbita, and a good one. I have wanted to write more often, but this week has been so busy with working at the feeding center and getting ready for the evangelistic meetings in the evenings...
It is my last day here in Mbita, and a good one. I have wanted to write more often, but this week has been so busy with working at the feeding center and getting ready for the evangelistic meetings in the evenings...
The meetings started here in Wasaria Friday night, while the meetings in Kabade were coming to a close. THe meetings were held in the front yard of the Wasaria church, where poles had been erected next to a cement sort of podium. There was quite a framework of hand-hewn poles to hold up shade for the people and also to erect a big white screen. With the meetings being held outside, people passing on the street could hear and see what was going on.
Each meeting began with a children's story and a health talk, followed by a few clips from The Jesus Film, dubbed in the local language, Luo. The people loved this.
On monday morning our team of five took a nice little tour of the lake in a local fishing boat. We circled the nearby Gode island, where neat mud huts are scattered around pointy peaks. We saw water birds perched over rocks whitened by their droppings. To our delight, we saw a pair of massive nile monitors sunning themselves on a rock. These creatures can be up to 6 feet long from head to tail, and the ones we saw must have been close to that. We explored a little deserted island where there were nothing but swallows, water birds, and dry bushes blowing in the wind. We saw a few of the beautiful fisher eagles. These look like the American eagle, but their white cap extends over their chest and down their back a little ways. Their legs and underbelly are covered with rich red-brown feathers. They are very common. We were also delighted to see a couple of hippos basking in the water.
We were dropped off on a bit of beach near the windmill that runs the pump to draw water out of the tank. We walked the short distance from the feeding center, where faithful Julie and Margaret were preparing the very first meal to serve to the orphans. The children were shy at first, as they were directed to wash their hands and stand in line. But behind their shyness they were pleased to be eating in a comfortable place, rather than sitting on the ground under a tree, as they have been at the other place.
On Monday evening the clouds rolled in and raindrops began falling as we were setting up for the meeting. We moved inside in time for a real duzy of a tropical storm to break over us. The rain pelted the corrugated tin roof of the church so hard that it was impossible to be heard, even with the speakers blaring their loudest. So Darryl showed the Jesus film as the rain poured and the lightening flashed and the thunder crashed.
As the week progressed, the need for medical care for the children became obvious. We washed and dressed a head full of sores, and Darryl bought antibiotics for two children and Malaria medication for a third. Yet there is still so much more to be done.
Friday morning was a terribly busy time of preparing food for the large number of people expected to come for the grand opening and dedication ceremony for the feeding center. A group came from the local Conference office, some from the government and planning departments of Mbita, some from ICIPE, where we are staying, and many from the community. It was a long ceremony, but inspiring. There were those who said, in essence, "Look what you've done in Kaswanga, Darryl, now do more," and there were those who said, in essence, "Look what Darryl has done in Kaswanga, now it is our turn to step in and expand the vision." It was inspiring to see many encouraging the community and church to support the orphans and to hear the conference treasurer saying, "You are not orphans anymore, you have a Father who is very rich...."
By the time the food was gone in the afternoon, about 500 people had been fed. Right now, about 60 orphans are coming for lunch on weekdays, but of course the vision is to feed all 200 of them at least 5 meals a week, and hopefully more. Many of these children live with some family member who cannot support them. There are too many who have lost the breadwinner of the family. Nearly every family is broken by AIDS.
Today was a high day, for sure. For the final sermon, I talked on heaven, using the last two chapters of Revelation for the bulk of my talk. It was an exciting topic, so exciting to tell them, there's a better world, we weren't made for this painful one, we can look forward to something better!!! After church, many precious people walked into the lapping waters of Lake Victoria and were baptized. It was so stunning and humbling to me to see the faces of these people, all the way from 12 years old to probably close to 60, each somehow touched. I have felt so disconnected for most of this week, preaching into the darkness words many of them don't understand (I had a translator). Each night I knew in my heart I wasn't ready to share God's word, I wasn't right for the job, and I had to pray that God would do the work anyway. Seeing those who took a stand today convinced me to tears that God answered that prayer.
Tomorrow we start the journey home, and I am ready. I know now that this kind of "galavanting" around, although still an adventure, will never be the same as when I was single. Then I relished being able to run away at any time, go where I pleased, come home when I pleased, not be too accountable to anyone. But now wherever I go alone, a part of me will always be left behind; stretching across the miles, my heart will always be where my husband is. I know from our time apart what a blessing it is to have each other, and I am looking forward to seeing him again like a little kid looks forward to Christmas. To quote "our" song:
"I hear the wind call my name, the sound that leads me home again. It sparks up the fire, a flame that still burns. To you, I will always return.
I know the road is long, but where you are is home; wherever you stay, I'll find the way.
I'l run like the river, I'll follow the sun, I'll fly like an eagle to where I belong,
I can't stand the distance, I can't dream alone. I can't wait to see you, yes I'm on my way home
Now I know it's true, my every road leads to you. and in the hour of darkness, your light gets me through
you run like the river, you shine like the sun. you fly like an eagle, yeah you are the one.
I've seen every sunset, and with that I've learned, Oh, it's to you, I will always, always return."
Thanks everyone, for your support,
Blessings!
Adel
Each meeting began with a children's story and a health talk, followed by a few clips from The Jesus Film, dubbed in the local language, Luo. The people loved this.
On monday morning our team of five took a nice little tour of the lake in a local fishing boat. We circled the nearby Gode island, where neat mud huts are scattered around pointy peaks. We saw water birds perched over rocks whitened by their droppings. To our delight, we saw a pair of massive nile monitors sunning themselves on a rock. These creatures can be up to 6 feet long from head to tail, and the ones we saw must have been close to that. We explored a little deserted island where there were nothing but swallows, water birds, and dry bushes blowing in the wind. We saw a few of the beautiful fisher eagles. These look like the American eagle, but their white cap extends over their chest and down their back a little ways. Their legs and underbelly are covered with rich red-brown feathers. They are very common. We were also delighted to see a couple of hippos basking in the water.
We were dropped off on a bit of beach near the windmill that runs the pump to draw water out of the tank. We walked the short distance from the feeding center, where faithful Julie and Margaret were preparing the very first meal to serve to the orphans. The children were shy at first, as they were directed to wash their hands and stand in line. But behind their shyness they were pleased to be eating in a comfortable place, rather than sitting on the ground under a tree, as they have been at the other place.
On Monday evening the clouds rolled in and raindrops began falling as we were setting up for the meeting. We moved inside in time for a real duzy of a tropical storm to break over us. The rain pelted the corrugated tin roof of the church so hard that it was impossible to be heard, even with the speakers blaring their loudest. So Darryl showed the Jesus film as the rain poured and the lightening flashed and the thunder crashed.
As the week progressed, the need for medical care for the children became obvious. We washed and dressed a head full of sores, and Darryl bought antibiotics for two children and Malaria medication for a third. Yet there is still so much more to be done.
Friday morning was a terribly busy time of preparing food for the large number of people expected to come for the grand opening and dedication ceremony for the feeding center. A group came from the local Conference office, some from the government and planning departments of Mbita, some from ICIPE, where we are staying, and many from the community. It was a long ceremony, but inspiring. There were those who said, in essence, "Look what you've done in Kaswanga, Darryl, now do more," and there were those who said, in essence, "Look what Darryl has done in Kaswanga, now it is our turn to step in and expand the vision." It was inspiring to see many encouraging the community and church to support the orphans and to hear the conference treasurer saying, "You are not orphans anymore, you have a Father who is very rich...."
By the time the food was gone in the afternoon, about 500 people had been fed. Right now, about 60 orphans are coming for lunch on weekdays, but of course the vision is to feed all 200 of them at least 5 meals a week, and hopefully more. Many of these children live with some family member who cannot support them. There are too many who have lost the breadwinner of the family. Nearly every family is broken by AIDS.
Today was a high day, for sure. For the final sermon, I talked on heaven, using the last two chapters of Revelation for the bulk of my talk. It was an exciting topic, so exciting to tell them, there's a better world, we weren't made for this painful one, we can look forward to something better!!! After church, many precious people walked into the lapping waters of Lake Victoria and were baptized. It was so stunning and humbling to me to see the faces of these people, all the way from 12 years old to probably close to 60, each somehow touched. I have felt so disconnected for most of this week, preaching into the darkness words many of them don't understand (I had a translator). Each night I knew in my heart I wasn't ready to share God's word, I wasn't right for the job, and I had to pray that God would do the work anyway. Seeing those who took a stand today convinced me to tears that God answered that prayer.
Tomorrow we start the journey home, and I am ready. I know now that this kind of "galavanting" around, although still an adventure, will never be the same as when I was single. Then I relished being able to run away at any time, go where I pleased, come home when I pleased, not be too accountable to anyone. But now wherever I go alone, a part of me will always be left behind; stretching across the miles, my heart will always be where my husband is. I know from our time apart what a blessing it is to have each other, and I am looking forward to seeing him again like a little kid looks forward to Christmas. To quote "our" song:
"I hear the wind call my name, the sound that leads me home again. It sparks up the fire, a flame that still burns. To you, I will always return.
I know the road is long, but where you are is home; wherever you stay, I'll find the way.
I'l run like the river, I'll follow the sun, I'll fly like an eagle to where I belong,
I can't stand the distance, I can't dream alone. I can't wait to see you, yes I'm on my way home
Now I know it's true, my every road leads to you. and in the hour of darkness, your light gets me through
you run like the river, you shine like the sun. you fly like an eagle, yeah you are the one.
I've seen every sunset, and with that I've learned, Oh, it's to you, I will always, always return."
Thanks everyone, for your support,
Blessings!
Adel