23 December 2010
Once again I will attempt to get an email out on this computer. It jumps from one line to the other and there is a missing letter between w and y. It has been an interesting morning. No class today because it's market day. The rooster and I both awoke at 5AM; one of these mornings I'm going to get up at 4AM and wake him! I went to bed early so it was OK. I had a great study and wanted to send a lesson but not enough computer time. The lesson was on understanding that each of us has an ultimate purpose that is worth accomplishing. For me I know I am not here because it was something I dreamed up, but that God wanted. God's purpose must be understood, accepted in all of us in order to be fulfilled. It is all relative to that grace that is in Christ for us. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We just got back from market day and had tea and biscuits. The market is a sight to behold! It was a privilege to be there with all the morans and Samburu men in their native garb and hear them wheeling and dealing. One man bought two brama bulls (ng'ombe) for 60,000 shillings, about $700. Goats (mbuzi) were going for between 2,000 to 4,000 shillings. A short and very black man came up and wanted to sell me a rooster (kuku) for 700 shillings. I looked at the rooster and he looked at me. I decided to pass. Joseph thought the rooster was worth 450sh. I thought to myself, one of these mornings I'm going to get my own rooster for the stew pot.
The market is just outside the town under trees in an large open pasture. There is a stream running through the pasture where naked black morans wash while the goat and cows drink. Joseph and I talked to a moran for a while who told us the going price for the animals and then we walked back into town. All the doorways to the simple little shops were flung open and shop owners were selling goods: soap, candles, bread, twine, etc. Life doesn't more simpler than this. The average American would go nuts. This morning I stuck my head out the door and workmen were gathered to start work on a crude building across the dirt path. It looks like the beginnings of a tree house the grandkids would build. I said, "Praise the Lord." They looked at me a little startled and one of them said "Amen!" He happened to be the one who was somewhat intoxicated yesterday and was trying to tell me he knew he was a sinner and needed Jesus. I did my best to explain, but I don't think I was got through to him. Today is wash day. The ladies in the adjoining house washed my clothes and hung them on the line that runs in front of my room. There's lots of red dirt in those clothes!
I am enjoying the meals. It's traditional for which is plain but tasty; rice, ugali, greens, kuku, a little beef or goat meat, potatoes, flat bread, and spaghetti and souses. What a menu! In the morning we have bananas, boiled eggs and tea. I am careful not to drink the water. I remember years ago getting deathly ill from drinking the water on Indian reservations. I vowed never to do that again! I don't know the name of the street where Joseph and I live but I told him it should be called Dirt Street. The problem is that all the streets are dirt, so maybe our street could be called Joseph Dirt Street (see what you do for entertainment around here)? It reminds me of the times when I worked with Indian tribes. It seems the main difference is that the Sandburu people don't have a chip on their shoulder or have a sense of entitlement. They enjoy their lives and are grateful for relationships.
Tomorrow is Christmas Day. I think tomorrow Joseph and I will go up the mountains for a time and check out the animals, lions, (simba), antelope (korongo), giraffe (twiga), elephant (tembo ndovu), etc. We will take a few morans with us for safety. Sunday we will go into the hills, about two miles up, to be with the village people. It is a very special privilege to be with them. Most do not speak English and the children don't attend school. They are strictly pastoralist who move from place to place to tend their animals. Since I don't have a video camera I will try a put some of what I see into words. When I talked to Paula she said she put pictures from here on facebook. We took them the last time we were here but nothing has changed.
I'm going to close. I suppose Merry Christmas is in order, so Merry Christmas one and all! I pray you all will have a blessed one and enjoy being with each other. I am with you in spirit, heart and love. Cliff
