Now, there are many things that I have done here that I never thought I would do… this is something I love about living in new places and about the adventurous spirit of God. The Bishop asked me to travel with him to some villages where the MK people were so that I could meet all of these people and encourage them as well. Being so far away, they often feel that they are forgotten (and in all honesty often do get neglected). I wish so much that you could see their smiles and hear their voices. Ah! I just wish everyone could be a part of showing these people who God is…. Wait: You are, thank you! J
You should know that this trip consisted of traveling 60 miles. In 5 hours. I’ll let you do the math and see how fast we traveled ;) On the way there we had men jumping out of the Land Cruisers with machetes to chop down trees that were blocking the paths. Now, to be fair, this was my first trip out to the ‘deep bush’ in Africa. But I think the people that I went with were a bit overly concerned about me… “Would it be too hot? Would she eat the food? What about traveling on the rough road? Would she be able to sleep? Will we have to take her back like we did the other kawaijaa (white person)?” They were so funny.
They have no idea what I lived through in South America, how hot it is in Texas, nor do they know about the games I play in my mind to psych myself up to eat some of the food (peanut and ant sauce, fish eyes anyone??). One thing did throw a twist: there was so little water around that the basins filled with water to bathe were surrounded by bees. It’s true; this week's title is not a metaphor my friend! I must admit that one time I did bathe, and the other time I only pretended to bathe because there were so many bees around! Eh! I have been attacked by bees before and it is not something I care to relive.
What it all comes down to is the Lord has prepared and formed me for this task. It is always amazing to see how little it has to do with me- it’s all Him. He has given me his heart for these people...and I pray he is showing you his heart for these people as well!You know, these people have been waiting over 5 years to see progress with the translations in their language…. Next month we will have 3 freshly translated books to distribute and teach with. In April we will finish another 2 books. We sent 2 of their youth to a vocational school and we will begin training a lady in transcription next week. It is amazing to see the progress…humbling to see how the Lord answers the prayers of his people. Thanks be to God!
