KALOKOL @ 09 Jan 2009

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. 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! 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! 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! 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! 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. 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) Much love, Ekiru