Partnership village visit

September 30--posted on 0ctober 8

Our exciting week-end trip to Tungamalenga (100 kilometers) began about 9:30 after Peter secured our luggage on the top of a smaller 4 wheeled drive vehicle and covered it.  We left the 5 bicycles and 9 goats to be delivered later.  Our interpreter, Pastor Yusto Kinyoa  joined us.  The safari began on paved roads and soon it was only gravel or packed sand. This trip shows the land as dry and arid and brown compared to 5 years ago in January when it was green and lush.  The bare baobab trees reach their branches to the wide, blue sky. Driving down into the Rift valley, we see cattle and goats guarded by the Maasai men and boys.  A few yellow acacia and other pink flowers are the only color. Fires were burning in places where crops will be planted hoping for the small rainy season.

Because the land is so flat, we had to slow down often for the spillways- small mounds and then a dip and another mound. The narrow road challenged Peter as we met buses, trucks, other cars and pikipiki (motorcycles), and bicycles , as well as, pedestrians.  Again, hakuna matata!

About 11am we reached the first preaching point, Idodi, where we have many sponsored students.  We didn't stop to see them, but went straight to the chapel where a few of the congregants were waiting with Evangelist Nicolous Mvena.  Warm welcomes and greetings, followed by a visit to the 4 goats and 3 kids that are good indication that the new goats will be well cared for in other points. We saw the new evangelist house, the house that the 3rd pastor, Khalim Mukini and family(first baby is coming at the end of the month) will live in. It still needs 6 courses of bricks and 20 more iron sheets for the roof.  The tree that Pr. Deborah planted 5 years ago when she and Joan were there is growing tall. We went to the former evangelist's house to pay for Martin.

Then a watoto (children's) choir joined us in the chapel.  We introduced our selves and Pastor Diane brought greetings from SOTV. We had some prayers and singing before leaving for Tungamalenga. Gifts for the preaching point will come later with Pr. Khalim, who will work with the youth of the whole area.  God continues to do marvelous things.

Need to post more later when the power is back on!!