Asbury VIM Construction/Water Well mission trip - Entry 5

Habari,

Hey all - just another wonderful day in paradise. We had a great day today on the construction team and everything went as planned. We were even able to do additional work at the church we had not planned on.

We completed the trusses and made perlins for them as well.

We are having a great experience with the people of this village. We had some extra time on our hands today so Bill, Mike, Bo and I went for a walk in the bush with some of the people of the village in search of Baboons. EUREKA >>> We found them - several different groups of them actually. We couldn’t get any closer than about 75-100 yards. It was awesome just walking in the bush with these other men. They have a unique custom of holding hands with you as you walk along. In America not only would I probably not do this, I would feel very uncomfortable as well. They don’t do it every time you walk; just occasionally. It’s really quite cool and humbling. These people teach you life lessons that you will never forget, but probably have a hard time adhering to them when you return.

The water well team or as I called them tonight the "Wet Ones" had another great day filled with tons of walking and searching with the Massai people. They all came back with many questions about the clothing that is worn and the significance it represents. They wear very beautifully colored clothing and lots of jewelry too. They also have these plastic white sandals as part of their attire. They found a well that had been dug 15 meters deep by a small boy (Chief’s son) this is close to 50’ and it was only about 30 inches wide. I can only imagine what that was like.

Both teams are having a great time and we are both experiencing two completely different yet similar things along the way. We have people interacting with us on the construction team. The "Wet Ones" are dealing with tribal elders and many other things in an attempt to start the drilling process for new wells.

Bo and I had a great time this evening at a meditation area that looks out across the plains that are at the base of the Uruguru mountain range. I don’t know how tall they are but I would guess at least 5,000 feet. These aren’t the hills of Oklahoma … I would call it a beauty that you cannot imagine without being here. So, have you signed up for your next mission trip yet, or even your first one, what are you waiting for? You too can be a part of Asbury’s wonderful mission experience serving God and others… I will close with letting you all know we have been praying for Mary Ann, Bill Abernathy , and Mark Watkins as they head to Azerbaijan . We wish them well and pray that God will work through them in mighty & powerful ways.

P.S. It’s Bo’s 45th birthday tomorrow and we have something special planned for him… In His Grip, Glen