Several days spent with the Masaai Tribe was an amazing experience, and
I’m sure one of the most memorable weeks of the entire trip. Sleeping
in a bat infested church building in the middle of the most interior
part of Kenya and learning how to use the bathroo
m in a hole in the
ground wasn’t exactly pleasant; but the breath taking moments when God
was clearly present made up for all the uncomfortable living
conditions. Mornings spent on top of a huge bolder to watch the sunrise
opened my eyes to the beauty in the details of the African bush that
are hidden amongst the monotonous color pallet of the landscape.
Afternoons of excitement as we were able to see wild elephants,
giraffe, and buffalo allowed me to truly appreciate the variety of life
that surrounded us…I especially enjoyed the moment when a huge, angry
elephant charged our bus (yea they aren’t friendly in real life…).
I’m sure one of the most memorable weeks of the entire trip. Sleeping
in a bat infested church building in the middle of the most interior
part of Kenya and learning how to use the bathroo
m in a hole in theground wasn’t exactly pleasant; but the breath taking moments when God
was clearly present made up for all the uncomfortable living
conditions. Mornings spent on top of a huge bolder to watch the sunrise
opened my eyes to the beauty in the details of the African bush that
are hidden amongst the monotonous color pallet of the landscape.
Afternoons of excitement as we were able to see wild elephants,
giraffe, and buffalo allowed me to truly appreciate the variety of life
that surrounded us…I especially enjoyed the moment when a huge, angry
elephant charged our bus (yea they aren’t friendly in real life…).
Free time spent exploring the area guided by two Masaai children might
have been one of the coolest experiences ever…we found a leopard’s
den complete with two freshly eaten giraffe legs and a variety of bones
and animal carcasses spread throughout the area. I can’t leave out the
fact that we definitely rode a camel and it was amazing…granted it
wasn’t trained so some of the group struggled to the point of face
planting off of it (Stephanie); nevertheless, it was a great time. Can
you believe it gets better?? Better than all of our African Adventures,
are the people we met there.
have been one of the coolest experiences ever…we found a leopard’s
den complete with two freshly eaten giraffe legs and a variety of bones
and animal carcasses spread throughout the area. I can’t leave out the
fact that we definitely rode a camel and it was amazing…granted it
wasn’t trained so some of the group struggled to the point of face
planting off of it (Stephanie); nevertheless, it was a great time. Can
you believe it gets better?? Better than all of our African Adventures,
are the people we met there.
I think I could write pages about each
person and each encounter I had with them. However, for me, one
particular day stands out in my mind the most. The second day we were
there, Sunday, we attended their church service. I could not take my
eyes off of the elaborate beaded jewelry wrapped around the necks of
the
Masaai women and the brightly patterned cloths they draped around
themselves. I was blown away and completely excited to participate in
worship with them. Jumping up and down, moving there necks back and
forth and doing crazy things with their shoulders to make their jewelry
bounce was the tribal dance style I’ve been waiting for. An elder at
the church grabbed my hand and escorted me to the front of the church
and I attempted to participate in the dance with her…I’m sure I
wasn’t doing it correctly but they didn’t seem to mind. It was the most
joyful, exciting, Holy Spirit led, worship I have ever experienced. One
of the most challenging parts of the day was putting my nerves to peace
when I got up to speak. I remember sitting on a rock before the service
freaking out about what I was going to say….what would glorify
God…what does the congregation need to hear…Usually public speaking
doesn’t phase me, but I get bothered at the thought of publicly letting
down God. Aside from the doubts of my flesh, I was slightly nervous at
the fact that I decided not to prepare a single note or have any idea
what I was going to say. I wanted to trust in the Lord to lead my
heart….GUESS WHAT…He definitely did! Praise God! I prayed right
before I spoke and as my voice trembled I prayed that the Lord would
calm me…then I just started speaking. I can’t remember what all I
said and I can’t even tell you if it made sense…but something must of
happened because I was told it went well! The pastor, church members
and my teammates were very encouraging and their positive feedback has
even further encouraged my trust in the Lord. AH!!! It was AMAZING!
person and each encounter I had with them. However, for me, one
particular day stands out in my mind the most. The second day we were
there, Sunday, we attended their church service. I could not take my
eyes off of the elaborate beaded jewelry wrapped around the necks of
the
Masaai women and the brightly patterned cloths they draped around
themselves. I was blown away and completely excited to participate in
worship with them. Jumping up and down, moving there necks back and
forth and doing crazy things with their shoulders to make their jewelry
bounce was the tribal dance style I’ve been waiting for. An elder at
the church grabbed my hand and escorted me to the front of the church
and I attempted to participate in the dance with her…I’m sure I
wasn’t doing it correctly but they didn’t seem to mind. It was the most
joyful, exciting, Holy Spirit led, worship I have ever experienced. One
of the most challenging parts of the day was putting my nerves to peace
when I got up to speak. I remember sitting on a rock before the service
freaking out about what I was going to say….what would glorify
God…what does the congregation need to hear…Usually public speaking
doesn’t phase me, but I get bothered at the thought of publicly letting
down God. Aside from the doubts of my flesh, I was slightly nervous at
the fact that I decided not to prepare a single note or have any idea
what I was going to say. I wanted to trust in the Lord to lead my
heart….GUESS WHAT…He definitely did! Praise God! I prayed right
before I spoke and as my voice trembled I prayed that the Lord would
calm me…then I just started speaking. I can’t remember what all I
said and I can’t even tell you if it made sense…but something must of
happened because I was told it went well! The pastor, church members
and my teammates were very encouraging and their positive feedback has
even further encouraged my trust in the Lord. AH!!! It was AMAZING!
