We left just after nine am, Keshule, Ali Ben Chloe and Lydia, together with our nephew Isaac we set off to meet Pastor Paul on the way! We arrived at the village(after a brief stop to collect firewood) and already people were beginning to gather to pray and thank God for little Elizabeth!! So straight out of the truck and over to the church (tree). Napak (Previously known as Keshule's village) people had invited a Pastor from another village in the area and his church members to be a part of the time together. There was a fun time of singing Turkana Jesus songs, with lots of enthusiastic jumping and dancing.
There was a time for Ali to share and she encouraged the people who had come to try to teach their children what they learn from the Bible stories Keshule is telling them. To try and make the roots of their family to go deep into God and then like a tree with good roots their family will grow strong and have healthy fruits. (trees with deep roots is a good image doe the Turkana, who know lots about the depth of water in the land because they often have to dig for it to drink!! So they know a tree with deep roots will be a healthy tree!!)
After sharing we prayed for baby Elizabeth, her mama and Baba, bothers and sisters. It was special because both her Grandmothers (Ata) were there so we prayed for them too!!! Immediatly after the baby prayer time was closed it started raining!!! This was around 2pm. Usually rain in Turkana lasts for about 20 minutes, this time it rained until 7pm!!!! So our plans were all confused!!! Afer two hours of sitting in the truck (all our family, pastor, and 3 more - 10 people in total . . . ) someone came up with the good idea of going to the 'shelter' with a tin roof which is used as a nursery school. we set out tents and got busycooking our dinner on a fire with 3 stones. By the time we were eating our dinner it was dark after we finished off the evening with a nice cup of chai we turned in for the night . . . . .
People were a bit disappointed that we had not shown the Jesus film and that they had not been able to slaughter a sheep, which the young people of Napak had contributed too for us!!! We promised that next time we all go we will eat sheep and that Keshule will go with the film on his next trip out.
On Sunday we had a fun time at church. It was wonderful to again our Napak friends danicing and jumping in the praise to God!! Pastor Paul read the Bible story (they have reached Leviticus and are learning about forgiveness of sins, in Old Testament times.). So Keshule elaborated on the text that Pastor had read and he asked questions, which they answered and discussed how the principles apply to them today!!! After Bible stories there were prayers and a bit more singing!!
On the way home we were astonished by the fact that so many of the dry rivers had been flowing from the rain the night before and that now they were dry again. If we had wanted to go home on Saturday after the rain . . . . we would not have made it!!!!
So this was a good weekend, a baby was dedicated to God, the blessing of rain poured down and the sheep . . . was spared . . . . until next time!!!
- Do keep praying for the people of Napak, for baby Elizabeth and her family.
- Pray for Keshule as he keep on going with the Bible stories, that people will seek to live what they are learning.
- Thank God for our safe going and coming and that our kids had a good time too!!!!
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