"Time of God's Namayina"

Have you ever flipped through an issue of National Geographic casually while waiting in the doctor's office? Did you ever stop to think about what those places must really be like? Do people really live in places like that with out the sightings of Wal-Mart on every corner? Or better yet could you ever picture yourself in that scene? I remember picking up such an issue on one of my many appointments to receive the proper shots for my African Journey. The words on the page didn't really mean all that much but the African snapshots on the other hand caught my eye. In my prep stage my thoughts ventured to that scene and what it could be like. However, let me tell you that those glossy pages do not hold a candle to my "time of God's Namayina" in the Bush at Matale A.

The middle of nowhere one might think unless your eyes can pick out the mud/dung huts but more fascinating than that... in the midst of the simplicity of the terrain appear bright colors of purple and red cloth in which you know you are in Masai Land. (No street sign to tell you but trust me~ you know!) As those cloths become a person with smiles of delight and extreme fascination you know you are indeed somewhere!

We set up camp on the grounds of the church at Matale A which is also where Joseph and Elizabeth live with their family. (Joseph is the church planter within that area.) Camping was not exactly a thrill for me in the States but I felt as if I was made for the part. When night falls it is as dark as the faces we met but the stars shine like bright fireflies in an Indiana Summer Night. The sounds can take some getting used too but the stars have a comforting blanket about them that there was no fear. Even the cries of the hyenas couldn't tear me away from the peace I found.

In my attempt to soak up every second of cultural learning possible I ventured away the next morning from the group to meet the faces of who I had never met but were already friends. The girls had gathered to help some of the ladies with Chai. The complicated problem of yet another language but I was determined would not be an obstacle. Rhyme and song then comes to my comfort aide as they began to teach me a song. And if you thought Father Abraham gave you a work out you haven't experienced anything till you have learned one of these songs my friends! We laughed and I did my best to keep up and with those dear friends I found. Elizabeth came and thought I must look more the part because she put beaded very large earrings in for me to jingle with the rest of them!

We took a walk to see the sight for the school that is in process. I continue to learn about the education system here in Africa. So much to learn and there will be other posts to explore what I find but the importance of this walk was to see the sight because they have asked CMF to help with the funds of building one of the classrooms needed for the Secondary School. However on the other side of the hill we ventured to the very lively Primary School where a class full of kids was waiting our visit. The trio team from Colorado had a Bible Story and activity for them. The school room is a concrete block with a black board on one end. Not much to it but a place to come. My singing friends from earlier in the day had changed into their bright blue school uniform. I sat in the middle of them and was pretty sure that I might not be able to get my legs out from under the bench. But, I didn't care!

This entry has taken me awhile to post. I have never had a desire to be a magnificent painter but struggle to paint my "time of God's Namayina." You see namayina means blessing in Maa. The blessings twinkled like the stars in the sky and I am consumed by the beauty of what God is doing. I was constantly moved to tears by the shear thrill of being a very small part of the beautiful master piece being painted here in Tanzania. It was exactly a year to the day that this possible venture to Tanzania was spoken of. A year when a simple statement from Tami's lips to my ears is now a part of my heart. What a year it has been. As I sat that afternoon in a circle under a tree with the church planters of the Matale area listening to struggles and great celebrations of making Christ's name known in Masai Land I was constantly moved to tears. Stories of snakes, illness, disease, absolutely no cows from the lack of rain, being stripped of everything were cries of the heart shared. But, seeing the radiating faces of these church planters of how God has taken over that area bringing people from the pit is even more glorious than the stars that show at night. Hundreds of people are coming to know Christ and the men kept repeating this is the Time of God. God is Here and He is moving! There has been a great season of discouragement in taking Christ to Matale. The guys would say they would walk for miles trying to find someone who would listen about the stories of Christ. Now people are flocking to them to know of the Bible and the Savior! God is Here!

A morning walk to see a boma was exciting on Sunday. I am a greater student and learn so much faster by seeing and experiencing. I was soaking it up like a sponge! By the time we returned to the tree where church was to be held I had a kid on every finger like rings and I couldn't help but smile. Church was an experience like I have never been a part of before. All I have to say that we in the States are going to have to get our groove on when we are praising our God cause the Africans are going to seriously show us up in eternity if we don't get to practising on this side of life!

So the part you are all waiting for... I had goat for the first time. Now let me tell you I didn't just eat it but I was all about understanding the entire process to gain a greater understanding of my friends where God has me in this time and place to minister. So, the church planter guys took me down to where we were to prep and cook the goat. It was an honor to be trusted with the ways of Masai. I felt like a kid standing on a stool looking out a window to a world so fascinating. To keep this within the "G" rating I will not go into too much detail but we are a long way from the frozen meat section at Kroger!

Through my venture to the Bush I have a greater understanding of Matthew 28, the First church of Acts, and what I am doing here. Even the experience of killing a goat brought me to a deep understanding of many things I am still processing. But as I headed behind a goat with a very tall Masai Man (who the week before on a brief visit at the center barely made eye contact with me) took my hand which led me from the window seal to be a part of his world I knew I had made friends for eternity. God's Blessing Indeed!

Prayer Points~

• Pray for the church planters in Matale as well as the new believers!
• We have completed the course with this group of church planters and graduation is Friday! We are very excited to send them out but will miss having them on the Center. Please pray for these three families to take what they have learned and implement it in a mighty way in their unreached areas!