Shopping in the markets of Eldoret was an experience I'm unlikely to forget soon. There is so much pushing and yelling .... and of course you must bargain for everything ... you must insist on the Kenyan price not the mzungu (whiteman)price. It is pronounced (moo zun goo). It is NOT a racist term. Believe me when I tell you I do not blend into the crowd.... and everyone can see the mzunga coming. The missionaries here love bargaining....I do NOT. I was invited to dinner by Kathy .... the woman who is working with me at the camp.... and her roommate Marcia ...who is Dean of a college here. I offered to buy the ingredients for the meal ....and was able to experience the market. These wonderful ladies ....who are two of my new heroes .... do amazing work here in Eldoret. I hope after my 60th birthday I have the spirit of adventure of these two. They prepared a wonderful Mexican dinner ....even made fresh tortillas .... and had a rubarb cobbler ....along with the icecream I purchased ....Then I settled in for an evening of incredible stories and pictures. Life out in the bush... being adopted into tribes and way to many others to tell here. On Sunday night I will be going to another weekly event for the missionaries ....they use this like a small group ...for encouragement prayer and accountability. They've asked me to bring my guitar so that will be fun as well.
The kids at the camp have really bonded as a group. There is so much kindness towards on another. Just when I thought the singing couldn't get much better ...they took it up another notch. For those of you who know my music....the favorites here are Pharaoh (big surprise there) Ain't Nobody ... I'm a new Creation .. Jesus Loves me ... the favorite worship tunes are ... Tradin' my sorrows (sorry MD) and Lord I Lift Your Name on High ....and of course one of my personal favorites ....Some May Trust in Horses. I've recorded many of the songs on my MP3 player... the quality is surprisingly good. I hope to put a little slide show together with their singing in the background ....but that will have to wait til I return.
There is a sadness starting to come over the camp due to the fact some kids do not want to return home. For many this camp is like a 5 star hotel compared to where they live. So ....pray for the campers to have strength to leave. I must confess it is absolutely heartwrenching to know they have to return to the enviroments I've witnessed here.
Tomorrow is our last day ...and then Sunday I will be speaking and performing at the church who hosted the camp. These services tend to be on the lengthy side and I understand the enthusiasm level is high. One minor disadvantage of my luggage arriving is that I no longer have an excuse not to wear the $5 sportcoat I purchased at Goodwill. You can be certain that a some Kenyan citizen will be blessed shortly after the service is over.
Thanks for your continued prayers!
John
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