Zebras and elephants and gazelles, oh my!

Supa! (Hello!)

We arrived in Arsim (which hardly anyone has heard of) a few days ago. Hooray! The ride was very bumpy, and very exciting. (Our buttocks are very strong now) We rode in the back of the truck with our two new friends, Amine and Peter. Bob and Jean Ward were also traveling with us. They first started the work here in Arsim many years ago, and came with us for a visit.
It was a long trip but there was so much to look at! We saw gazelles, zebras, dik diks, buffalo, cranes, ostriches, monkeys, giraffes and elephants! We drove through many small villages and got to see how the people here live. It was a good introduction to Africa.

So we've been in Arsim for a day and a half, and we love it! The people are lively and energetic. We went to church yesterday and received a warm welcome from all the people. Church is so exciting here! They sing all the time and the songs are very rhythmic, with lots of clapping.

We've found out a bit more about what we'll be doing here. We'll be going to many of the bible studies they have, and leading some...teaching guitar, piano, and computer lessons. We take Samburu lessons from Amine every morning, and are slowly learning the language. On thursday we'll be doing a homestay for a night with a Samburu family, and possibly throwing a party for some of the families on Saturday.

On Friday, as we were packing all of our food into the truck, Gloria told us that she just heard that there was no food in Arsim or the surrounding towns. We felt sick to our stomachs looking at how much food we were bringing, while the people we were going to see had none. Every meal we have so much to eat here, and then we go to church and shake hands with everyone else who is probably starving. It's frustrating, confusing, hmmm. Our feelings are taking over our thinnking...

However, last night some emergency food did come in and I think they're cooking up a goat right now to feed some of the women and children. God provides. Every time we walk out our door there are people waiting to sell us things, to make a bit of money. It's hard to say no to them. And we're unsure what to do about all the people asking us for money for surgery and medical treatment.

So, thats where we're at right now. Confused and tired but, enjoying everything and learning a lot. Keep praying for us and for all the people here in Arsim.

Until next time...