maasai lands

this week we went south of nairobi to scope out future sights for medical clinics. we hopped inside the range rover, traveled through the city. got stuck for quite a while in the madness of nairobi traffic. honestly, i am shocked at the ability these people have to weave in and out of the high volume of cars and pedestrians. there are always, always people walking in the streets, vendors on the side of the road, and even in the middle of the road, trying to earn a living with their beat up merchandise. groups of children skipping to school in their matching colored uniforms. young mothers carrying heavy baskets balanced on top of their heads, a baby tied to their back. men pulling wagons of vegetables, donkeys strapped down with weighted loads. people selling dozens of beautiful fresh cut flowers, while standing underneath the shade of short leafy trees. they doze in the grass on the side of roads, a hat over their face to hide them from the hot african sun. people are everywhere. it seems that no matter where i travel, something is always there to catch my eye. my attention is always glued to something interesting, just outside the car window…we stopped to pick up a doctor at a matatu stop on the way out of the city. we traveled on. heading south, toward the rift valley, the scenery changed so quickly. from green trees and vegetation to the dry maasai lands. we went through gnong, if you have ever seen “out of africa” this town will be of some importance. a road of bumps and rocks and dust lie ahead for us. it would take us to our destination. we travelled for some time, the bumps not being too bad, my eyes, as always, were searching the landscape. maasai men, herding goats and skinny cows, stared wide eyed as we passed them. often times greeting us with a wave of hand. the children of the maasai always held the warmest smiles for us as we drove through their village, they waved frantically, gaining our attention. oh its such an amazing sight. above the treeline we saw a herd of giraffes. maybe six or eight in all. they are so gangly. i have no idea how they can stride so gracefully. it seems strange to see giraffes on the side of a road. zoos usually have those in stock, but its the first time to see them in the wild. odd. but normal i suppose for africa. anyway, we finally reached the place of a possible medical clinic. pastor abraham greeted us, and took us to his church. they were digging a well not too far from this place of worship. people walk for miles just to get water. he says they haven’t had any significant rain for three years! can you imagine having to travel 10-15 miles just to get water? he led us inside this tin building. a crooked, turquoise cross crowned the roof right above the entrance. dark inside. closed windows all around. lawn chairs on either side of the room. it was small. but i know that God was their. He doesn’t care what kind of building His people reside in. He does however, care that we choose to dwell with Him. after the tour of the church, pastor abraham took us to his home. what a welcome we had. his wife and daughters shook our hands, joy etched in their faces. these maasai people are so beautiful. adorned with long earrings and colorful beaded necklaces around their throats…they served us african foods. chipotti, goat, beans and rice. i must say it was amazingly tasty. the woman of the house honored us with handmade necklaces. it is said that the maasai give gifts to all visitors, gifts of food and jewelry. it was such a grand cultural experience. as we were leaving they told us they would have food for us the next time we passed by…the decision was made to serve these maasai people with a medical clinic. it will bring healing to these people, not by our hands, but by the Hands of our Almighty God. it will most of all bring Glory to Him. these people will see the great Love that He has for them. i pray that their eyes and their heart will be opened and unhindered to receive the pure truth that God holds out to them…i can’t wait to see the result of God in those villages. what mighty things they could do for the Kingdom…