baptism

My Journal

I have not written in about a week because I have been covered up in guests! Ernie Hopper brought 16 high school seniors and 2 teachers to Turkana again this year. The school sends the students to various parts of Kenya for them to do a Cultural Field Study...CFS. While they were in my neck of the woods, we slept out in the village of Nakechichok for 2 nights; cut palm branches to help our church members close in the building; ate 2 goats and drank the blood from the roasted carcus; and wrapped up their time with a huge donkey BBQ at my house!<br /><br />It was an awesome time. They gather together as a school and share their testimonies. I was told my many teachers and parents today, this trip was special to many. The kids saw the people, not just the poverty...and they saw their faith. Some even gave testimony that my life there meant so much to them too. It is awesome for me to think that God can use some people in the middle of the desert and an ol' sumter county boy to be a blessing and an encouragement to so many. If God can use me, God can use ANYONE!<br /><br />I travelled back with the group on Tuesday to Nairobi. Chuck and Terry Fernandez came in Wednesday night. We have spent all day getting government paper work started, phones bought and activated, and money exchanged. There is still driver's licenses tomorrow and a few other things...but it is good to finally have them here. Please pray for them as they make the transition from America to Kenya. They will set up house in Eldoret for about 6-8 months while they learn Swahili. Sometime in the fall, they will move to Turkana and begin to help in the work there.<br /><br />In 3 weeks, 23 will come with Mac-Med to help with some medical clinics in Turkana. Pray for this team as well. Like I said, I am covered up in guests!<br /><br />Please pray for my skin. I have developed sun poisoning on my exposed skin. My left leg was the worst. It was swollen and throbbing. The doctors said that my body just can not take the heat of Turkana. I am calling that the lie that it is and am pushing on. I have recovered a bit but am still suffering with swelling and tenderness to the sun. Please pray for me.<br /><br />Also, many have expressed frustration in trying to log in to post comments to my journal. I am sorry it is not so "user friendly". You will need to choose a user name, give your email address, and pick a password. Once you submit that, you are registered. However, the program does not take you back to the journal...nor does it tell you that you have sucessfully registered. But you should be able to post a comment after that. If you still have problems, let me know and I will have my web guy help you. <br /><br />Thanks for loggin on and reading.<br /><br />Much love, <br />Ekiru
Posted on 29 Jan 2009 by Eddie
I have not written for a bit...the internet and email services through my phone have been down. However, I was glad when I came home this evening and found things were back up and running.<br /><br />The last 2 days, I have been working with Pastor David, a fundi (builder) named Wavula from Lodwar, and the church members from Nakechichok. 20 students will come on Friday from Nairobi and they want to help close in the new building. So we have been working to install posts in between the large ones so the palm branches can be nailed in place to close in the building.<br /><br />Anyway, today, I was waiting on my folks to finish buying their crocker sacks (100lbs) of flour and sugar (in Lodwar) so we could travel back to Nakechichok and continue another long day of work. While I sat in my truck, a very old mama walked up. She gave me a huge smile and greeted me. I greeted her back. She then asked for a blessing from me because the New Year has come. I gave her 40 shillings (about 50 cents) which is enough for her to eat today. She saw the money in her hand and gave me a bigger smile...then she spit right in my face. She then did it a second time! Thewd...thewd! I was sitting in my truck, she is less than 2 feet from my face and she spit on me!!<br /><br />I began yelling to Pastor David in Swahili, (I speak little Turkana and the Mama speaks nothing else), why did she spit in my face?, what is the problem?!!!<br /><br />The mama looked confused but kept smiling at me with this huge smile. Pastor David explained that in the Turkana culture, when someone has nothing else to give to bless you, they will spit in your face and your hands. It is supposed to me that you will go with their prayers and people believe if a mzee (an elder) does this, you have been thoroughly blessed!!<br /><br />So I have been thoroughly blessed today!! I asked David why is this the first time a Turkana has done this to me. He said it is because I am no longer a visitor...I am Turkana. I have a Turkana name, all my friends and the people I run around with are all traditional Turkana folks (not the one from town who look dress used clothes from America). Apparently people are talking about the white Turkana named Ekiru.<br /><br />I am thinking about using Eddie again after today! I love the Turkana people and their culture...but this spitting thing is tough for me to take!! I felt like I could taste her spit on my lips all day! My glasses were so covered with her "blessing" that I had to use 2 clothes to get them dry and clean. I won't even mention the Tuberculosis (spelling?...TB) that is so common here...along with many other illnesses that I just will not think about. <br /><br />All that aside...the spitting was a blessing. To know that I am being received as one of them...that the love I have tried so hard to show is being received as the love of Christ...to be spit on by an old mama...I truly was blessed!<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 21 Jan 2009 by Eddie
This week has been both a great week and a tough week all at the same time. It is kind of like a farmer...who works hard all week tilling and planting...but at the end can see a field full of seeds and promise. <br /><br />I have tilled and planted this week into the lives of 2 pastors who make up the entire new class of LBBI-Turkana. I can look back and see the seeds of promise in their lives and ministry. All the hours of study and teaching as well as the money invested will be worth it in 2 years when (hopefully) these men will stand not only to receive their diplomas but as testimonies for God!<br /><br />We finished a bit early today...tomorrow is test day! Pastor Michael asked me if had anything planned for the afternoon. (I kind of hoped to go home and rest from this long week!) But I said no, I had nothing planned. He asked me if I would go with him to see his fiance Maggie (I do not know if I spelled fiance right...the girl he hopes to marry.). She lives a couple of hours down the road and does not get to Lodwar very often. When she does, she sends word to Michael and he tries to see her. She stays with her cousins in town.<br /><br />Michael and I drove over to their house and all 3 of them were home...the 2 cousins and Maggie. I was asked to pray for them all (a typical Turkana custom anytime you enter someone's home or boma). Afterwards, introductions were made. Now let me pause here to explain something. I have tried in every way I know to remove the barriers that exist between a white American living and working among the very black Turkana people. There are many things I have done (drank blood, eaten donkey, earned a Turkana name (Ekiru) that I use above my family-given name (Eddie). But when I am introduced, I am always the missionary. Sometimes that is what I am called as if it is my name. (I answer to just about anything!) <br /><br />Anyway, today, when introductions were being made, Michael simply said he wanted to bring his good friend Ekiru to meet Maggie and her family!...HIS GOOD FRIEND EKIRU!!! I have never been called that by a Turkana before. It is something I was not sure I would ever hear. To understand that, you have to understand the culture here. I am an outsider, an odd-ball, and in the very true sense...not a Turkana. According to the culture...I could never be a good friend. But today, I was called just that...Michael's good friend. And he said it to his future wife's family. Him bringing me there is just not done unless I am his brother....his good friend...his brother!<br /><br />As I write this even now, tears are flowing down my face when I think of all that God has done...both in their hearts and in mine! <br /><br />Yesterday, some kids were walking past our church (where we also have our Bible school) on their way home for lunch. We (the students, Michael, and me) were outside eating our lunch. They stopped and said to each other...look at the white man eating food like a Turkana. (I was using my hands to eat the greens and "cornbread??"...aka ugali... just like everyone else.) My guys told them I eat food like they do because I am Turkana. They said I could not be Turkana because I am white. My guys said that was not true because even though I was white, I was Turkana and I had a Turkana soul!<br /><br />3 years ago, I almost left the Turkana district because I was such an outsider and not received by anyone. But God gave me His grace and strength and I stayed. Now we have 5 churches, 1 Bible study, a Bible institute for our pastors and preachers...and I am a white Turkana...no longer an outsider...no longer an odd-ball...but a brother to my men, and a good friend to Michael!<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 16 Jan 2009 by Eddie
We began on Monday gathering supplies (23 bags of 100 lbs cement), sand, ballast, rock, and lots and lots of water. Yesterday was the big push. I was surprised at the number of folks who showed up to help. Wednesday, we prepared the floor. Thursday (yesterday), we mixed by hand all of the concrete and plaster and installed a beautiful cement floor in our church! Today, we spent half a day pouring a cement lip (I do not know what to call it) around the exterior of the church...along the base, extending about a foot and a half. It looks nice.<br /><br />While I was in Kalokol working with cement, I hired some men to come to my house to try and finish installing the 5000 liter water tank. They have drained what little water I had in the small tank in the attic. I have been without water in the house for 4 days. And I have been sweating my tail off in Kalokol. This makes for quite a smelly missionary! In Turkana, folks would say that I am really alive! <br /><br />I have been assured they will finish the work on the tank tomorrow...but that may mean next week. When an African tells you...labda kesho (maybe tomorrow)...it is never good!<br /><br />Also, I have had a bit of excitement around here. I came home yesterday evening, hot, smelly, and tired. All I wanted to do was get home, find some water to get some of the days work off me, eat, and rest. BUT that did not happen. As soon as I turned down the small dust road that leads to my house...I saw lots and lots of smoke and flames. My heart sank and I feared the worst! But it was not my house on fire...but my neighbors! I am not sure what happened...their are conflicting stories. But a fire broke out on the outside of the house that faces mine. They had their windows covered with makuti (palm grass) to help shield the sun. Those caught fire, then the timbers in the roof, then the trees and bushes around the house. It was just happening when I came home. People were screaming and running to the fire. I have several barrels full of water that I use when the water has been cut off from town. (There is not enough water for eveyone to have it everyday...so they ration it. On good weeks, I get a small flow of water to my house once a week. On bad weeks, nothing! This has been a bad 2 weeks!) No one else seemed to have water. So I opened my barrels and everyone brought anything that would hold water. A old fashion bucket brigade quickly formed and thankfully, the fire was extinguished. I depleted all my water...but the house was saved! <br /><br />Then God fulfilled His promise. If we give, men will give unto us....until our barrels are running over! Late last night, a strong flow of water came and stayed all night. We were able to refill everything...and I was able to bathe!<br /><br />I have a busy weekend, preaching and teaching in Nangolipus. Monday, we kick off another school year in LBBI with the start of the newest class of students. So I will be in a classroom all next week. The following week, a group of 20 senior students and teachers from the American school in Nairobi will be here to help with some of the work closing in the building at Nakechichok. Then, I will travel back to Nairobi with them and should reach in time to collect Chuck and Terry Fernandez from the airport. They fly in on the 28th. <br /><br />Please pray for strength and wisdom for me. There is so much work ahead of me...Nayaweza mambo yote katika Christo anitiaye nguvu. (Philippians 4:13)<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru<br /><br />
Posted on 09 Jan 2009 by Eddie
Friday and Saturday was spent planning with the Pastors and Preachers for the next couple of days, weeks, and months. We also set up the schedule for LBBI-Turkana and reveiwed the submitted applications of those wanting to attend.<br /><br />Today (the 1st Sunday of 2009), 4 of the 5 churches in Turkana had baptismal services...4 of the 5!!! Napetet baptized 18! Kalokol had me baptize their 6! Nanyangakipi baptized 20! Nakechichok baptized 9! That is 53 baptisms on the first Sunday of this blessed year!! PRAISE BE TO GOD!!<br /><br />At Kalokol today, I taught and preached. The church has been through many trials (most due to their sinful lives)...but this morning the house was full. 3 were saved at the close of the service! And they joined the 3 others for baptism. <br /><br />We begin working tomorrow at Kalokol to install a cement floor. It will be a long week of labor...but a great time to build the faith and fellowship of this body of Christ.<br /><br />Next week, we begin classes again for LBBI-Turkana. Please pray for my strength and health. I have much work these first 3 months scheduled.<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 04 Jan 2009 by Eddie
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Journal Archive

I have not written in about a week because I have been covered up in guests! Ernie Hopper brought 16 high school seniors and 2 teachers to Turkana again this year. The school sends the students to various parts of Kenya for them to do a Cultural Field Study...CFS. While they were in my neck of the woods, we slept out in the village of Nakechichok for 2 nights; cut palm branches to help our church members close in the building; ate 2 goats and drank the blood from the roasted carcus; and wrapped up their time with a huge donkey BBQ at my house!<br /><br />It was an awesome time. They gather together as a school and share their testimonies. I was told my many teachers and parents today, this trip was special to many. The kids saw the people, not just the poverty...and they saw their faith. Some even gave testimony that my life there meant so much to them too. It is awesome for me to think that God can use some people in the middle of the desert and an ol' sumter county boy to be a blessing and an encouragement to so many. If God can use me, God can use ANYONE!<br /><br />I travelled back with the group on Tuesday to Nairobi. Chuck and Terry Fernandez came in Wednesday night. We have spent all day getting government paper work started, phones bought and activated, and money exchanged. There is still driver's licenses tomorrow and a few other things...but it is good to finally have them here. Please pray for them as they make the transition from America to Kenya. They will set up house in Eldoret for about 6-8 months while they learn Swahili. Sometime in the fall, they will move to Turkana and begin to help in the work there.<br /><br />In 3 weeks, 23 will come with Mac-Med to help with some medical clinics in Turkana. Pray for this team as well. Like I said, I am covered up in guests!<br /><br />Please pray for my skin. I have developed sun poisoning on my exposed skin. My left leg was the worst. It was swollen and throbbing. The doctors said that my body just can not take the heat of Turkana. I am calling that the lie that it is and am pushing on. I have recovered a bit but am still suffering with swelling and tenderness to the sun. Please pray for me.<br /><br />Also, many have expressed frustration in trying to log in to post comments to my journal. I am sorry it is not so "user friendly". You will need to choose a user name, give your email address, and pick a password. Once you submit that, you are registered. However, the program does not take you back to the journal...nor does it tell you that you have sucessfully registered. But you should be able to post a comment after that. If you still have problems, let me know and I will have my web guy help you. <br /><br />Thanks for loggin on and reading.<br /><br />Much love, <br />Ekiru
Posted on 29 Jan 2009 by Eddie
I have not written for a bit...the internet and email services through my phone have been down. However, I was glad when I came home this evening and found things were back up and running.<br /><br />The last 2 days, I have been working with Pastor David, a fundi (builder) named Wavula from Lodwar, and the church members from Nakechichok. 20 students will come on Friday from Nairobi and they want to help close in the new building. So we have been working to install posts in between the large ones so the palm branches can be nailed in place to close in the building.<br /><br />Anyway, today, I was waiting on my folks to finish buying their crocker sacks (100lbs) of flour and sugar (in Lodwar) so we could travel back to Nakechichok and continue another long day of work. While I sat in my truck, a very old mama walked up. She gave me a huge smile and greeted me. I greeted her back. She then asked for a blessing from me because the New Year has come. I gave her 40 shillings (about 50 cents) which is enough for her to eat today. She saw the money in her hand and gave me a bigger smile...then she spit right in my face. She then did it a second time! Thewd...thewd! I was sitting in my truck, she is less than 2 feet from my face and she spit on me!!<br /><br />I began yelling to Pastor David in Swahili, (I speak little Turkana and the Mama speaks nothing else), why did she spit in my face?, what is the problem?!!!<br /><br />The mama looked confused but kept smiling at me with this huge smile. Pastor David explained that in the Turkana culture, when someone has nothing else to give to bless you, they will spit in your face and your hands. It is supposed to me that you will go with their prayers and people believe if a mzee (an elder) does this, you have been thoroughly blessed!!<br /><br />So I have been thoroughly blessed today!! I asked David why is this the first time a Turkana has done this to me. He said it is because I am no longer a visitor...I am Turkana. I have a Turkana name, all my friends and the people I run around with are all traditional Turkana folks (not the one from town who look dress used clothes from America). Apparently people are talking about the white Turkana named Ekiru.<br /><br />I am thinking about using Eddie again after today! I love the Turkana people and their culture...but this spitting thing is tough for me to take!! I felt like I could taste her spit on my lips all day! My glasses were so covered with her "blessing" that I had to use 2 clothes to get them dry and clean. I won't even mention the Tuberculosis (spelling?...TB) that is so common here...along with many other illnesses that I just will not think about. <br /><br />All that aside...the spitting was a blessing. To know that I am being received as one of them...that the love I have tried so hard to show is being received as the love of Christ...to be spit on by an old mama...I truly was blessed!<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 21 Jan 2009 by Eddie
This week has been both a great week and a tough week all at the same time. It is kind of like a farmer...who works hard all week tilling and planting...but at the end can see a field full of seeds and promise. <br /><br />I have tilled and planted this week into the lives of 2 pastors who make up the entire new class of LBBI-Turkana. I can look back and see the seeds of promise in their lives and ministry. All the hours of study and teaching as well as the money invested will be worth it in 2 years when (hopefully) these men will stand not only to receive their diplomas but as testimonies for God!<br /><br />We finished a bit early today...tomorrow is test day! Pastor Michael asked me if had anything planned for the afternoon. (I kind of hoped to go home and rest from this long week!) But I said no, I had nothing planned. He asked me if I would go with him to see his fiance Maggie (I do not know if I spelled fiance right...the girl he hopes to marry.). She lives a couple of hours down the road and does not get to Lodwar very often. When she does, she sends word to Michael and he tries to see her. She stays with her cousins in town.<br /><br />Michael and I drove over to their house and all 3 of them were home...the 2 cousins and Maggie. I was asked to pray for them all (a typical Turkana custom anytime you enter someone's home or boma). Afterwards, introductions were made. Now let me pause here to explain something. I have tried in every way I know to remove the barriers that exist between a white American living and working among the very black Turkana people. There are many things I have done (drank blood, eaten donkey, earned a Turkana name (Ekiru) that I use above my family-given name (Eddie). But when I am introduced, I am always the missionary. Sometimes that is what I am called as if it is my name. (I answer to just about anything!) <br /><br />Anyway, today, when introductions were being made, Michael simply said he wanted to bring his good friend Ekiru to meet Maggie and her family!...HIS GOOD FRIEND EKIRU!!! I have never been called that by a Turkana before. It is something I was not sure I would ever hear. To understand that, you have to understand the culture here. I am an outsider, an odd-ball, and in the very true sense...not a Turkana. According to the culture...I could never be a good friend. But today, I was called just that...Michael's good friend. And he said it to his future wife's family. Him bringing me there is just not done unless I am his brother....his good friend...his brother!<br /><br />As I write this even now, tears are flowing down my face when I think of all that God has done...both in their hearts and in mine! <br /><br />Yesterday, some kids were walking past our church (where we also have our Bible school) on their way home for lunch. We (the students, Michael, and me) were outside eating our lunch. They stopped and said to each other...look at the white man eating food like a Turkana. (I was using my hands to eat the greens and "cornbread??"...aka ugali... just like everyone else.) My guys told them I eat food like they do because I am Turkana. They said I could not be Turkana because I am white. My guys said that was not true because even though I was white, I was Turkana and I had a Turkana soul!<br /><br />3 years ago, I almost left the Turkana district because I was such an outsider and not received by anyone. But God gave me His grace and strength and I stayed. Now we have 5 churches, 1 Bible study, a Bible institute for our pastors and preachers...and I am a white Turkana...no longer an outsider...no longer an odd-ball...but a brother to my men, and a good friend to Michael!<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 16 Jan 2009 by Eddie
We began on Monday gathering supplies (23 bags of 100 lbs cement), sand, ballast, rock, and lots and lots of water. Yesterday was the big push. I was surprised at the number of folks who showed up to help. Wednesday, we prepared the floor. Thursday (yesterday), we mixed by hand all of the concrete and plaster and installed a beautiful cement floor in our church! Today, we spent half a day pouring a cement lip (I do not know what to call it) around the exterior of the church...along the base, extending about a foot and a half. It looks nice.<br /><br />While I was in Kalokol working with cement, I hired some men to come to my house to try and finish installing the 5000 liter water tank. They have drained what little water I had in the small tank in the attic. I have been without water in the house for 4 days. And I have been sweating my tail off in Kalokol. This makes for quite a smelly missionary! In Turkana, folks would say that I am really alive! <br /><br />I have been assured they will finish the work on the tank tomorrow...but that may mean next week. When an African tells you...labda kesho (maybe tomorrow)...it is never good!<br /><br />Also, I have had a bit of excitement around here. I came home yesterday evening, hot, smelly, and tired. All I wanted to do was get home, find some water to get some of the days work off me, eat, and rest. BUT that did not happen. As soon as I turned down the small dust road that leads to my house...I saw lots and lots of smoke and flames. My heart sank and I feared the worst! But it was not my house on fire...but my neighbors! I am not sure what happened...their are conflicting stories. But a fire broke out on the outside of the house that faces mine. They had their windows covered with makuti (palm grass) to help shield the sun. Those caught fire, then the timbers in the roof, then the trees and bushes around the house. It was just happening when I came home. People were screaming and running to the fire. I have several barrels full of water that I use when the water has been cut off from town. (There is not enough water for eveyone to have it everyday...so they ration it. On good weeks, I get a small flow of water to my house once a week. On bad weeks, nothing! This has been a bad 2 weeks!) No one else seemed to have water. So I opened my barrels and everyone brought anything that would hold water. A old fashion bucket brigade quickly formed and thankfully, the fire was extinguished. I depleted all my water...but the house was saved! <br /><br />Then God fulfilled His promise. If we give, men will give unto us....until our barrels are running over! Late last night, a strong flow of water came and stayed all night. We were able to refill everything...and I was able to bathe!<br /><br />I have a busy weekend, preaching and teaching in Nangolipus. Monday, we kick off another school year in LBBI with the start of the newest class of students. So I will be in a classroom all next week. The following week, a group of 20 senior students and teachers from the American school in Nairobi will be here to help with some of the work closing in the building at Nakechichok. Then, I will travel back to Nairobi with them and should reach in time to collect Chuck and Terry Fernandez from the airport. They fly in on the 28th. <br /><br />Please pray for strength and wisdom for me. There is so much work ahead of me...Nayaweza mambo yote katika Christo anitiaye nguvu. (Philippians 4:13)<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru<br /><br />
Posted on 09 Jan 2009 by Eddie
Friday and Saturday was spent planning with the Pastors and Preachers for the next couple of days, weeks, and months. We also set up the schedule for LBBI-Turkana and reveiwed the submitted applications of those wanting to attend.<br /><br />Today (the 1st Sunday of 2009), 4 of the 5 churches in Turkana had baptismal services...4 of the 5!!! Napetet baptized 18! Kalokol had me baptize their 6! Nanyangakipi baptized 20! Nakechichok baptized 9! That is 53 baptisms on the first Sunday of this blessed year!! PRAISE BE TO GOD!!<br /><br />At Kalokol today, I taught and preached. The church has been through many trials (most due to their sinful lives)...but this morning the house was full. 3 were saved at the close of the service! And they joined the 3 others for baptism. <br /><br />We begin working tomorrow at Kalokol to install a cement floor. It will be a long week of labor...but a great time to build the faith and fellowship of this body of Christ.<br /><br />Next week, we begin classes again for LBBI-Turkana. Please pray for my strength and health. I have much work these first 3 months scheduled.<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 04 Jan 2009 by Eddie
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