baptism

My Journal

Today, Pastor Steven and I went to Kalokol for a quick trip. He had bought poles and makuti (thatch) here in Lodwar and asked if I would help transport it the 40kms to Lake Turkana. <br /><br />While we were there, we took food at my FAVORITE hoteli (diner) in all of Turkana. I do not even know the name of it...but it has the very best seasoned and tender goat meat! I enjoyed it so much, I had two (2) plates of the meat. Everyone got a huge kick out of seeing me and my "just back from America" weight and then watching me pig out on their goat.<br /><br />If any of you have been to the Lake with me, you know the place I am talking about! They even bought a generator while I was in the States and have ice cold Cokes! Turkana just keeps getting better and better!!<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 02 Sep 2010 by Eddie
There is much that i LOVE about living in Turkana...but dealing with the dead is NOT one of them!<br /><br />Since I am the only one here with a truck, it fqlls to me to transport the body back to the village for burial...if they die at the hospital in Lodwar.<br /><br />I really do not mind so much, it is the very least I could do for the grieving family and church. But dealing with the dead is something I never easily forget.<br /><br />The smell that lingers in my truck (though I think it is mostly in my head), the primitive way folks are buried (no casket, no vault...dig a shallow grave, place the body wrapped in a shuka or lasso, say a prayer, close the grave), the hard expressions (no crying allowed), the culture that forbids ever mentioning them again...all of it makes death in turkana difficult for me.<br /><br />An old brother from Nanyangakipi named Musa died late yesterday evening at the hospital. I baptized him in 2006 when we organized our church in that village. I got the call and made plans to carry his body back early this morning.<br /><br />Taking the Spiritual out of things (though I am thankful God has called me here to help folks like Musa hear about Jesus and be saved), today was really hard!<br /><br />Not exactly how I planned to kick things off in Turkana again...but it is all part of the work. <br /><br />Please pray for us...<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 31 Aug 2010 by Eddie
I know I have been slack on my journal this summer. Sorry, George! But I am back in Kenya and FINALLY HOME in Turkana. I drove the 16 hours from Nairobi today and feel like I have been beaten with a stick.<br /><br />The last 300 kms took me 11 1/2 hours to drive! A good part of that was in low 4-wheel. What road we had is all but gone now.<br /><br />I got home and found a surprise. I replaced 15 dead trees last year and my guards have the job of making sure they are watered. While I was in the States, they planted a huge crop of watermelons in with the trees. My front yard is covered in vines and looks like there are atleast 6 or 7 melons that are ready to eat! <br /><br />I is not yet 9pm...but I started today at 3:30am and I am ready to call it quits for the night. <br /><br />Good night to all of you and much love from me here in Turkana!<br />Ekiru
Posted on 26 Aug 2010 by Eddie
My girls did not get out of school until 11 June. When my younger daughter, Michaella, realized that our summer would be short because of their late schedule and my having to go to West Virigina, she decided she would come along with me.<br /><br />I can not say how happy I am to have had her with me these past days. It truly has been a joy and something I did not think would happen this year.<br /><br />We travelled to Tuscaloosa, AL and were hosted by Jeff & Shari Gilbert...and their girls. They spoiled Michaella (and me) while we were there. You guys are great.<br /><br />I also was able to spend the day with my good friend and former pastor, Butch Roshto. I love him and miss being around him. He is such an encouragerer. His wife...one of my other mamas, Nancy had her tonsils out and was not well. But it was great to see her as well. They are planning a trip to Turkana in October. Please pray for them and this upcoming trip.<br /><br />Bug and I then made our way to West Virginia. Last Sunday we were with First Baptist Church in Ranson. Pastor Mike Withem had travelled to Charleston for our National meeting but welcomed us any way. A special shout out to Brother Ryan and Sister Liz who made sure we were well taken care of. It was great to see so many friends and to make a few new ones.<br /><br />Monday, we came to Charleston, WV for the ABA meeting and have enjoyed seeing so many folks. <br /><br />Tomorrow, we will make our way back to Florida to bring Bug home and then I will return to West Virginia to be with Pastor Devin Ward and the folks at FBC of Inwood. <br /><br />Much love,<br />Eddie & Bug
Posted on 23 Jun 2010 by Eddie
Let me begin by again saying how sorry I am that it has taken me this long to post another entry. I just have NO time to myself these days...which translates into no computer time...no journal time.<br /><br />Any way...<br /><br />I am in Pensacola, Florida right now. I left my friends/family in Texarkana, Arkansas Thursday morning and headed for the Sunshine State.<br /><br />Much has happened since coming to Pensacola...but I just HAVE to share this one thing. I am exhausted and will not write much...but I wanted to rejoice with you.<br /><br />Rarely in America do I see the Holy Spirit so grip a lost soul that they are literally sobbing. Tonight, Tiffany, a 16 year old girl from Foley, Alabama came to church with my dear friend Paul. During the service it was OBVIOUS she was under heavy conviction...which just causes this bulldog preacher to tighten my bite.<br /><br />When the invitation began, she raised her hand that she knew would not go to heaven when she died, was under deep conviction...but would not step out and come forward.<br /><br />After the service, Paul and I asked Tiffany if she would be willing to talk with me privately in a Sunday School classroom. As soon as she came into the room, she broke into tears. I led her down the Roman Road and she prayed out for Jesus to save her soul. Afterwards, she hugged my neck and thanked me for helping her meet Jesus!<br /><br />It just does not get any better than that! <br /><br />Tomorrow is the District Ladies Auxillery meeting. I will hold the program and preach afterwards. Then services that night and will finish the revival Wednesday.<br /><br />I am extremely tired in my body and mind...but my cup runneth over.<br /><br />Please pray for this meeting in Pensacola and for Landmark MBC.<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 11 May 2010 by Eddie
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Journal Archive

Today, Pastor Steven and I went to Kalokol for a quick trip. He had bought poles and makuti (thatch) here in Lodwar and asked if I would help transport it the 40kms to Lake Turkana. <br /><br />While we were there, we took food at my FAVORITE hoteli (diner) in all of Turkana. I do not even know the name of it...but it has the very best seasoned and tender goat meat! I enjoyed it so much, I had two (2) plates of the meat. Everyone got a huge kick out of seeing me and my "just back from America" weight and then watching me pig out on their goat.<br /><br />If any of you have been to the Lake with me, you know the place I am talking about! They even bought a generator while I was in the States and have ice cold Cokes! Turkana just keeps getting better and better!!<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 02 Sep 2010 by Eddie
There is much that i LOVE about living in Turkana...but dealing with the dead is NOT one of them!<br /><br />Since I am the only one here with a truck, it fqlls to me to transport the body back to the village for burial...if they die at the hospital in Lodwar.<br /><br />I really do not mind so much, it is the very least I could do for the grieving family and church. But dealing with the dead is something I never easily forget.<br /><br />The smell that lingers in my truck (though I think it is mostly in my head), the primitive way folks are buried (no casket, no vault...dig a shallow grave, place the body wrapped in a shuka or lasso, say a prayer, close the grave), the hard expressions (no crying allowed), the culture that forbids ever mentioning them again...all of it makes death in turkana difficult for me.<br /><br />An old brother from Nanyangakipi named Musa died late yesterday evening at the hospital. I baptized him in 2006 when we organized our church in that village. I got the call and made plans to carry his body back early this morning.<br /><br />Taking the Spiritual out of things (though I am thankful God has called me here to help folks like Musa hear about Jesus and be saved), today was really hard!<br /><br />Not exactly how I planned to kick things off in Turkana again...but it is all part of the work. <br /><br />Please pray for us...<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 31 Aug 2010 by Eddie
I know I have been slack on my journal this summer. Sorry, George! But I am back in Kenya and FINALLY HOME in Turkana. I drove the 16 hours from Nairobi today and feel like I have been beaten with a stick.<br /><br />The last 300 kms took me 11 1/2 hours to drive! A good part of that was in low 4-wheel. What road we had is all but gone now.<br /><br />I got home and found a surprise. I replaced 15 dead trees last year and my guards have the job of making sure they are watered. While I was in the States, they planted a huge crop of watermelons in with the trees. My front yard is covered in vines and looks like there are atleast 6 or 7 melons that are ready to eat! <br /><br />I is not yet 9pm...but I started today at 3:30am and I am ready to call it quits for the night. <br /><br />Good night to all of you and much love from me here in Turkana!<br />Ekiru
Posted on 26 Aug 2010 by Eddie
My girls did not get out of school until 11 June. When my younger daughter, Michaella, realized that our summer would be short because of their late schedule and my having to go to West Virigina, she decided she would come along with me.<br /><br />I can not say how happy I am to have had her with me these past days. It truly has been a joy and something I did not think would happen this year.<br /><br />We travelled to Tuscaloosa, AL and were hosted by Jeff & Shari Gilbert...and their girls. They spoiled Michaella (and me) while we were there. You guys are great.<br /><br />I also was able to spend the day with my good friend and former pastor, Butch Roshto. I love him and miss being around him. He is such an encouragerer. His wife...one of my other mamas, Nancy had her tonsils out and was not well. But it was great to see her as well. They are planning a trip to Turkana in October. Please pray for them and this upcoming trip.<br /><br />Bug and I then made our way to West Virginia. Last Sunday we were with First Baptist Church in Ranson. Pastor Mike Withem had travelled to Charleston for our National meeting but welcomed us any way. A special shout out to Brother Ryan and Sister Liz who made sure we were well taken care of. It was great to see so many friends and to make a few new ones.<br /><br />Monday, we came to Charleston, WV for the ABA meeting and have enjoyed seeing so many folks. <br /><br />Tomorrow, we will make our way back to Florida to bring Bug home and then I will return to West Virginia to be with Pastor Devin Ward and the folks at FBC of Inwood. <br /><br />Much love,<br />Eddie & Bug
Posted on 23 Jun 2010 by Eddie
Let me begin by again saying how sorry I am that it has taken me this long to post another entry. I just have NO time to myself these days...which translates into no computer time...no journal time.<br /><br />Any way...<br /><br />I am in Pensacola, Florida right now. I left my friends/family in Texarkana, Arkansas Thursday morning and headed for the Sunshine State.<br /><br />Much has happened since coming to Pensacola...but I just HAVE to share this one thing. I am exhausted and will not write much...but I wanted to rejoice with you.<br /><br />Rarely in America do I see the Holy Spirit so grip a lost soul that they are literally sobbing. Tonight, Tiffany, a 16 year old girl from Foley, Alabama came to church with my dear friend Paul. During the service it was OBVIOUS she was under heavy conviction...which just causes this bulldog preacher to tighten my bite.<br /><br />When the invitation began, she raised her hand that she knew would not go to heaven when she died, was under deep conviction...but would not step out and come forward.<br /><br />After the service, Paul and I asked Tiffany if she would be willing to talk with me privately in a Sunday School classroom. As soon as she came into the room, she broke into tears. I led her down the Roman Road and she prayed out for Jesus to save her soul. Afterwards, she hugged my neck and thanked me for helping her meet Jesus!<br /><br />It just does not get any better than that! <br /><br />Tomorrow is the District Ladies Auxillery meeting. I will hold the program and preach afterwards. Then services that night and will finish the revival Wednesday.<br /><br />I am extremely tired in my body and mind...but my cup runneth over.<br /><br />Please pray for this meeting in Pensacola and for Landmark MBC.<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 11 May 2010 by Eddie
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