We fly to Lodwar via a brief stop in Eldoret. A small
version of Rio’s Jesus is looking down at us from the big hill overlooking
Lodwar “International” Airport, so named because small planes might someday come
here from countries bordering Turkana, such as Ethiopia and Uganda. It is hot.
Desert hot. There has been a severe drought here, one of the Share
International staff tell us, for the last five years. There has been only occasional
rain and in minute quantities.
The Send Center is an oasis in this harsh place—physically as
well as spiritually; through careful planting of hundreds of small trees and
recycling of water, the green is wonderfully inviting. The trees have taken off even
in the two years since I first came.
After a quick orientation, dinner and assignment to rooms,
we head off to bed to sweat under mosquito nets and fans.
Monday morning we rise early for shared devotions at 7am,
breakfast and the teams’ departure to the villages. My co-teacher, Gary, and I
set up the room for our pastor/leader/missionary students who are excited to be
preaching to us from the Old Testament book of Habakkuk. So much packed into 3
short chapters. We are excited to be exploring it with them. This is their 8th
of 9 modules in Bible Pathways over the last 3 years. In the other auditorium, another
group of pastors is receiving other training on evangelism and discipleship by
Big Life, and on Principles of Shepherding. This will be 8 days choc full of spiritual
and practical goodies.
