Nchaishi

I went to a village church yesterday in Nchaishi. When you go to a rural church it is an all day commitment--the long drive, the long service, tea or lunch before and/or after then the long drive home. Usually I go more because I know I should to connect with the communities we are ministering in (because I live and work in town, out of our ministry area--it is easier to go to a nearby church in town), but I actually really enjoyed our time out yesterday. We visited 2 communities where I stayed during my language/culture learning time, so it was fun to see familiar faces and catch up after a few months apart. Also I had the opportunity to pull out some of my Swahili because there were people around who didn't know English. I'm still pretty limited in what I can speak but it's fun to try to communicate until I run out of things to say...

Steve is on staff with AH--he preaches for this church that meets in the elementary school in Nchaishi (I studied Swahili with the 2nd graders in this same classroom last August!)

Changing a flat tire after church--I just watched! and tried to use my Swahili with those waiting around.

I stayed in this little mud house in August during my language and culture time. Margaret and Philip and their 4 kids insisted I sleep in the one bedroom while they shared a twin bed in the kitchen and the dirt floor.

 

Some of the kids at church--two are from the family I stayed with (the ones on the ends).

This entire area is struggling with drought right now. There is no rain and hasn't been for some time. Right now there is no water for the people or animals--so they are struggling. AfricaHope is working with the government to repair the spring in Nchaishi and finish some other water projects in the area so that the times of drought aren't devastating. While there is no water in the area--Margaret insisted on giving us tea. They carried the water from a spring 7km away.

Join us in praying for rain.