Alter Moments

After the sherehe we ventured further to Enkeywa.  We joined our friends at Wild Hope's Campsite along James' (church planter) property.  We set camp up and began cooking dinner over an open fire before we lost to much daylight.  Between the drive through parts of the Rift, a tent, and cooking over the fire among many other things flood thoughts of things I never thought would be in my days work activities!  Or did I?  But, still there are many moments when I think what if people of the States could see me now!  The night falls and this night so did the rain!  We ran for our tent in hopes of not being cold and wet for the night.  Our tent held up which was also quite a victory!  It is so unusually green here!  Crops are being planted in hopes of a good harvest.  Until this occurs there are still hungry people but as least hope insight.  Off in the distance hyenas can be heard as we drifted to sleep.

The morning was spent with tin cups filled with something warm to drink around the fire.  Glancing to the right there were five or six ostriches that were cruising through.  These sites never get old of God's creation here in Tanzania.

Church in Enkeywa was an amazing time of worship.  Naserian was sitting outside the church when we pulled up.  She ran to me placing her arms around my waist.  We were escorted to the front of the church to sit.  This is also one of the reasons for the title of this post.  In the Old Testament many of the patriarchs after moments/victories would construct an alter.  The mound of rock would be a place of worship~ "a journey marker."   To acknowledge God's direction and strength.  As I sat in church I suddenly was reminded of the significance of this very site.  I did not build an alter but over two years ago I ventured to this ground while on my site assessment trip.  While here I felt confident that God was calling me to return to teach of His truths in Tanzania.  I looked to the hills and I found peace.  As we stood by the footers for the church.  I was given my Masai name of Naropeal.  There was not enough water to construct the church but that did not keep the people from worship.  I also met my friend Momma Rose who gave me my first Masai gift of beads and told me that I would return.  This day that seems many many days removed from today. is never far from my heart.  A confirming moment within my journey I sat in the front row on Sunday in Enkeywa with Naserian on my lap.  My thoughts traced back to that day and once again amazed by God's faithfulness and all that has transpired since.  We were greeted and asked to share a word with the church.  I shared the significance of returning to this site (now inside the church rather than standing by the footers) through a sea of faces I saw Momma Rose.  Her round face with a very broad smile on her face appeared and I knew it was my friend.  I was overcome with joy being back in this village area.

James, Solomon and Matteo carried on with service.  I watched the apprentices overcome with the depth of worship.  James talked about the Sherehe and then asked Naserian to come forward.  She left my lap to hold James' hand embarrassed by being up front.  She smiled fighting the desire to hide her face like she does when shy.  James shared about the program and the difference the efforts would make in the lives of those like Naserian.  Tears welled in her eyes but she stood tall.  James asked if I would come forward and talked about our relationship.  With my hands on Naserian's shoulders there were now many tears between myself and those with me.  A very old hunched over woman yelled to the front.  As James translated and informed me the woman was Naserian's grandmother.  The grandmother said she could not see me very well due to the fact that she is going blind.  But, she yelled, "you are now my daughter.  I lost but now I receive."  I was humbled as this woman graciously gave me what she had~ acceptance.  As we filed out of the church the grandmother placed one of her beaded necklaces around my neck.  I helped her out of the church and Naserian was on my other side.  I realized that even though Naserian had missed the Sherehe God blessed us with a wonderful confirming day.  Pictures were taken and rejoicing with my friends new and old took place under the bright blue sky.

Naserian came back to our camp to share lunch and we were able to give her gifts from the Sherehe.  She smiled and was thrilled to be with us for the afternoon.  The ladies at PCC made her a new dress with a cute hat.  The fabric matched a skirt that Marjorie had made for me.  She also received the first pair of flip flops that the kids of the Price Hill VBS made.  I adore my relationship that I have with this young girl who too wants to be a teacher.

Later in the afternoon we climbed one of the hills that stretches over Enkeywa.  It was tough and always more of a challenge in a skirt!  But, we were not about to let the guys leave us behind!  The sites were beautiful but I had another "alter moment" while climbing.  For you to grasp the significance of this moment there is a story that I must tell.  I have shared this with very few people but I guess that is about to change.  Growing up my Grandpa and Grandma Coulter had a piece of property not far from Lake Manroe.  Such fond memories flood my mind of this place.  We would hike a great deal around through the woods, along the creek, and up the huge hill in back.  I remember several occasions walking the tree line with my grandpa as he pointed to each tree that had a name of each grandkid in birth order.  As he would go about mowing I would walk down to the creek.  There was a special tree that I liked to sit in along the creek.  Hiking along the creek and up the hill I remember pretending that I was navigating through foreign fields as a missionary,  Active with my feet but only in my mind would I trace out scenes of missionary journeys that I had heard about in church.  While everyone was role playing movies or skipping rocks I was pretending to be a missionary in the depths of nowhere.  I would return to the trailer from my ventures,  I would find my grandma in the trailer busy in the kitchen.  She would always stop to sit with me and ask me about my adventures.  She is the only one I ever told about my ventures and what I dreamed.  My grandma would listen intently to my stories.  I would lay in her lap and she would tickle my back and arms.  I liked to call this "spealing."  Why I don't know but a term I developed when I was very young.  She would also comb my long hair for ticks but listened as I uncovered desires of my heart.  I remember when I was finished she would never comment specifically on my pretend hiking ventures but would look me in the eye cupping my face in her hands with a smile and say, "my angel."  As I hiked up this mountain in the middle of nowhere my thoughts went to my childhood hiking days and how the active steps were no longer a pretend journey.  Tears glistened as I would give anything to tell my grandma of my adventures.  The distance is no longer the only barrier for my grandma is traveling down the later stages of Alzheimer's.  Slowly we have had to say goodbye in different ways for a long time.  I would love to be near her but I know she would look at me if she could and say, "my angel~ go you are who you desired to be."  She believed in me and I will always love her no matter how far a part we are.  Thank you for venturing down memory lane with me for this weekend was special.  A deep encouragement to the desires of my heart and dreams of a young girl that at times wasn't sure could be.  God keeps His promises and on this journey of faithfulness I am grateful for reminders such as these that keep you along the path even in the most difficult of times!  

The hike continues from one village to the next announcing like angels, "Glory to God!"

  

Prayer Points~

• We rejoice in the victory in Jesus that this land once captive by witch doctors is now being penetrated by light.  We pray that this area will worship the one true God.  The presence of witch craft is something to be aware and mindful.  But, we continue to pray in Jesus Name that its presence will be no more.  
• I am preparing this week to return to Enkeywa again on Saturday for the first training of pre-priamry teachers in Matale.  Amy, Olais, and I will make the trip Sat. and return Sunday.  
• Pray for my family.  My grandma is dear to all of us and it is difficult to watch the disease take over.  Pray for me as it is hard to be so far away at times.