Children, Canoes and Hippos

What an incredible way to spend a Sunday. We joined the children for their Sunday service this morning over at the school. Every where we go, we are so welcomed and appreciated. It is a wonderful feeling. We listened to the children’s choir sing and then the preacher spoke from Isaiah. He spoke almost exclusively in Swahili. Sometimes we get an interpreter and sometimes not. Today there was none, so I had to concentrate hard to pick up a few words. But I could still feel the Spirit. There is something so powerful about worshiping the same God half way around the world. At the end of the service, everyone forms a line and you shake hands down the line and then step to the end. After everyone does that, you will shake hands with everyone who attended service. It was a very nice touch.

We had a wonderful Indian lunch after coming home. It was catered by one of the teachers at the school. We eat so much and so many different things here. Yesterday, we had Antelope for dinner. It was fixed like roast beef. It was incredibly tender and simply delightful. For breakfast this morning, we had warthog ham. It, too, was delicious. I will say that I’ve had my fill of white rice. We have it every single day in one way or another, but other than that, I thoroughly enjoy all the meals.

This afternoon we had a wonderful, peaceful canoe ride across Lake Babati looking for hippopotamuses. The canoes were made from a dug out fig tree. I love being out on the water and it was great to be in the canoes and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. We did see 6 hippos—2 big ones and 4 babies. We had to stay at a distance, because they are dangerous in the wild. But the scenery was great. And we topped it off after we returned to shore with a traditional African dance. I joined in the dance and had a fun time.

When we arrived at the lake, there were a lot of families and a ton of kids down near the water washing clothes and hanging out. These are just local families and the devastation of the poverty never gets old with me. Seeing the kids in filthy rags, playing in mud and dirt is so hard on my heart. I believe God has sent me here partly to get my heart broken and bring the message back to my mission field, Danville, IN. How that plays out…well…I’ll have to wait on the Lord…

Well, we are getting ready to eat dinner. Kelli has made homemade pizzas tonight. What a treat. I can’t wait. I look forward to after dinner discussions as I deepen relationships, laugh and encourage one another.

How great is our God! I see Him, I feel Him, and I love Him with all my heart!!