FIRE INSIDE @ 26 Nov 2011

This is the first Turkana Tale I have written. This section is different than my journal. I wanted a place to share some of the lessons I have learned living in Turkana and some of the challenges I face culturally. This section may not be for everyone. It is not intention to cause offence or to be critical. I just wanted to be able to ask questions and share answers... ...so welcome to TURKANA TALES! There were many things I learned this past week in marriage seminar about the culture here. Some of them were very hard for me to understand. One of them I want to share. First, I want to state the obvious. I am a white man from a Southern family with deep roots in Florida. I am still a very typical Florida cracker, in many ways. This week, I heard many questions asked by the men (some were pastors, others church leaders and members). Many of the questions were asked with this statement included...Niko moto ndani mwili wangu...I have fire in my body. Why do men here take multiple wives...they have fire in their bodies. What is a man to do, if his old wive is finished performing her duties...but he still has fire in his body? Sometimes they have to force their wives...afterall, they have fire in their bodies. The Biblical plan of marriage (one man and one woman) is very different than the traditional plan of marriage among the Turkana. Monogamy (I was told) is practiced only by white men because we do not have the same fire in our bodies as they do as Africans. They used this "fire" excuse every time their culture conflicted against the Bible. I shared some personal experiences, mainly that a man can renew his mind (as per Hebrews) and win the battle against his own fleshly desires (Paul said he beat his body into subjection) with the help of the Bible and the Holy Spirit. As fallen men, we do have "fire" within us...but that does not give us a reason to sin. If he will allow God to not only save our souls but sanctify our lives, we will become vessels of honor in this world. I was shocked at the backlash. Basically, I was told that I could never understand the fire within them. I am not a Turkana. Up until this point, all week, I was called Ekiru. During this discussion, they called me Eddie. I was made to feel like an outsider and a bit of a freak...the first time in a very long time that has happened. So I ask you, though I fear many or all of you are white Americans...Am I right? Can a Turkana man learn to control his "fire" with the help of God? Or am I just a freak that has lived 11 years alone? Has my "fire" gone out? Much love, Eddie Ekiru