Day 12: Blog Post by Becky

Day 12 - Saturday, July 18th, 2009 (Posted by Becky)

Today we awoke to find the power out (again), which meant no water for some of us, since the pumps are electrically generated. I think we are getting used to finding our way around in the semi-dark, and it’s not so bad, as long as you are not in the shower. Breakfast consisted of fried chapati bread (a flatbread) with honey, and instant coffee, hot water, cocoa, or hot milk (sorry, but tea has been “over” for two days).

We’re happy that Aeri is feeling better and is able to join us today on all our activities. She led morning devotion on our theme verses: Philippians 2:1-11. We sing, share, and then read the daily letter from the Home Team---it’s from Ulander, and it’s a part of the day we all look forward to ☺.

We decided to split up the team for part of the day, so Peter and Burt are taken to the construction site for a last chance to work there. We’re pleased to see that the brick wall has gotten higher! There are more piles of sand, and the crew is already mixing mortar, and re-positioning forms to pour the stabilizing layer. The two guys are eager to pitch in. The remaining magnificent 6 now head to Ngora to see the house for the orphans which was built two years ago and to put on a VBS program.
When we arrive, we meet more of the orphans we have been supporting: Sheila is a smiling, sweet child of 10 who looks about 7. Helen and Stella are sisters. They have just washed the morning dishes, and are drawing water from the well, which YCVM had dug: one well is for the orphan’s house, and another well for the community. We also meet Martha, who is quite tall for her age.



We are excited to see the house! It is quite large and attractively laid out, with a spacious living room, 5 bedrooms, a kitchen with a storage pantry, and space for an indoor bathroom for guests to use. The steel with wood-beam roof is high, and exposed for now, as is the rough concrete floor. These finishing jobs, along with windows, doors, and electrical wiring and plumbing are all awaiting more funding.



So the girls invite us to step into the round hut which they share with Silver when they are not away at school. The 12-foot diameter space is crowded, with a bed partitioned by curtains for Silver, and mattress and mats on the floor for the kids. He says sometimes as many as 10 people share the space! There’s a mosquito net, a clock, and a poster on the wall for decoration.



Outside, Silver has planted an abundance of cassava next to the orange grove, which unfortunately is down to about a dozen very small trees, due to the drought. On the grounds is also a guava tree, a lime tree, and a small jackfruit tree. The land is surrounded by farms planted with sorghum, corn, groundnuts (peanuts), with other huts fairly distant.

The VBS program begins in the living room of the house, with prayer, introductions and spirited singing. The kids here (about 80-100) are pretty responsive, and join in on the songs and motions. After the Noah’s Ark Story, Dustin teaches the Arky, Arky song with lots of repetition, and the children GET IT ☺! The David and Goliath puppet show is so vivid that one of the children cries at the appearance of the giant! They love the Biggy Biggy God-O song led by Patrick. We hand out the pencils, erasers, and stickers, which they immediately put on their arms and faces ☺.







As we are about to leave, we are surprised that Silver’s father has asks us to pray for him as he accepts the Lord Jesus! He has had a rather dubious past, so we need to pray that he will have a real change of heart and strength to withstand the powers of evil. We entreat God to pour out the Holy Spirit upon him.

At 2:30 we leave for a short respite at Nyero Prayer Mountain, where we join up with Peter and Burt for a picnic lunch of groundnuts, chapatti and fruit salad. Nearby, are grazing cows and a group of children playing soccer, with what appears to be a home-made ball of found materials tied together. After lunch we do a short hike through the rocks to view petroglyphs in some of the nooks and crannies of the rocks. There is a beautiful view from one of the “caves”, which the caretaker tells us is used for prayer and study. The rocks are perfect acoustics for us to sing “Holy Ground”.



We return home, and the power is out again ☹, but cold sodas are a welcome treat. Dark clouds are gathering and the wind is picking up, so we hope for rain for the region. Dinner is beef stew and matooke (steamed and mashed plaintains).
The day ends with sharing, evening devotion, prayer and lights out. So ends another day in Kumi.

Answers for Day 11 blogpost:
1. Dustin, since Valene was the “baby” at the birthday celebration.

2. Donna laid the cornerstone.
3. Cassava.
4. “How are you?” is shouted to us by children we pass as the bus rolls along.

Questions for Day 12:
1. What is “Stoney”?
2. What colorful insects were discovered in the bushes today?
3. What gift do we present to Silver’s father?


Prayer needs:
1. Pastor Emma’s 11-month-old son Jabez is again fighting malaria, and had to go to the hospital.
2. That Silver’s father will truly commit his life to the Lord to be transformed.
3. Prayers for tomorrow’s prison ministry in Soroti. Dustin will be speaking after we present the skit.