Saturday, August 25:
Yesterday was an amazing day-by far our best day in Africa yet! Selvin and I along with the team were given the choice of 4 different assignments to complete during our time here these 6 weeks: 1) to live in the tuekel for 2 days, 2) to bathe in the boar hole for 7 days, 3) to fast for 72 hours, 4) to do 10 hours straight of language learning outside of the base camp. We chose the last one! And we were a little nervous because we could only bring 1 liter of water, diapers for Abby, and our language learning notebooks. No money or snacks or anything else was allowed. But Selvin and I really prayed the night before about it and gave it to the Lord. It was such an affirming day on our calling here too-being with the people out in the villages, learning more language, about the culture, and becoming more familiar with Kaabong. It was really good for us as a family too in experiencing this outing together. Abby did really well too bless her heart, even with her lingering diarrhea from her virus the whole week earlier.
We first left the mission at 8 a.m. and headed out to Peter Ben’s village to meet up with him (this is Selvin’s language tutor). We got to talk with him and many people from his village just sitting on the ground outside the manyata.
After a couple of hours we took off towards town and Judiss (my language tutor) came running to greet us from where she had been working in her family’s field. I was so excited to see her! It had occurred to me that it would be awesome to meet up with her but since I couldn't just call her up on the phone (she doesn't have one) and let her know we were out and about, I did the best thing any way-I prayed that God would allow our paths to cross today. And He answered me! I had been wanting to meet her family and visit her home but we hadn’t been able to yet. Judiss left her work in the field to hang out with us and we were finally able to go do this. It is amazing to me the power friendship holds here-both her and Peter Ben just dropped everything they were doing to help us and spend time with us because we are all friends. Would I be that willing to drop my normally very scheduled day to do this? Lord, I know I have much to learn! When we arrived at her village we found it to be behind a beautiful wall of sunflowers-absolutely gorgeous! After crawling under and through the tiny protected doorways of her village, we all sat and talked for a while at her manyata. Abby took a nap on my lap as we sat in the cool shade there.Today God really began putting an intense love for Judiss in my heart for her to know Him. I found out today that she is Catholic. (At least this is what her family is although I am uncertain if she truly practices it or if it is more of a cultural thing.) Judiss asked me for money for her boarding school fees. Lord, I pray that You would give Selvin and I wisdom about how to best help her and her family. Begging is so common here from everyone and I don’t want to make the problem worse but I do want to help. Show me the way, Lord!
After a couple of hours we left Judiss’ village and headed to town. We went to Riverside Restaurant (this was the first restaurant in Kaabong we’ve ever eaten in) and had chaptis! Yum! Judiss paid for us since we had no money. She is 15 years old which seems like she is so much older most times. I was so blessed by her incredible generosity and willingness to help us out! As we walked to town we met her mom (who has been in the hospital because she had surgery to remove her liver because of some problems). They look so much alike! Then we visited Joyce (one of the missionary’s house helpers here) with her newborn baby which she decided to name Night (because she was born at night time). I then discovered that she is also Judiss’ aunt!
On our way both to town and leaving it, crowds of people-especially children gathered-following us and asking us questions. Lots of people wanted Abigail. We had many great opportunities to practice our Karamajong too! We took our time, enjoying ourselves since we were in no rush to get home. It was nice not having to rush and actually having plenty of time to visit with no particular agenda. We got to meet Judiss’ dad who actually doesn’t live with them but she says they are close and see each other every day. It’s so hard to understand culture here-where it’s acceptable and quite common for men to have a couple of wives. God, give me understanding for this concept as I ask questions. Show me how I need to change my worldview when learning their culture and not try to fit them into my American worldview.
A little while later Judiss headed back to her village because she was needed at home. We continued on with Peter Ben. We visited another guy named Peter who owns a store across from the mission. Judiss had left some money with Peter Ben so we could get a few snacks. We bought biscuits and Coke. Selvin bought some extra bisuits to share with a bunch of kids who live near Peter’s store. Then we continued on our leisurely journey (after meeting J.B.’s father who is actually the guy who is always to excited to see Laura and I when we are running, no matter how many times we pass by). We went back to Peter Ben’s village and actually hung out inside of his hut. He was so hospitable-inviting us inside where we all sat, tightly cramped together but so comfy, eating our biscuits and drinking our refreshing, chilled Cokes. Although I’ve been to a couple of villages before I had never sat inside of one. Peter Ben was so proud of his home because he had built it with his own two hands. It was literally only big enough for us 3 adults and a baby all sitting together, side-by-side. Yet his generosity was so humbling to me because he offered all he had to us. God, bless him and Judiss along with their families. I thank You for the beautiful example of their sacrificial giving today.
