Gracious Hospitality (10-23-2024)

Our drive to Mwatasi was a bumpy one, so bumpy that people’s Apple Watches recorded 49,000 steps and up 40 flights of stairs.  Amazing!  We got all our exercise in for the day by sitting in a bus.

After a rough ride through the country side dotted with beautiful jacaranda trees adorned in purple blossoms, we were initially welcomed by young men from the village exuberantly honking their motorcycle horns.  They escorted us the rest of the way altering the villages of our presence.  Young and old alike greeted us with smiles and waves.  We arrived at the church in                                  the village Ibuanga near Mwatasi to an energetic, joy filled singing and dancing.  With bells on their feet the men as the village welcome rang out in song.  Joy was expressed in bright colors, wide smiles and beautiful music.

It was heartwarming to watch the love expressed to Michele as it had been six years since she had been in the village.

We proceeded to Mwatasi.  The church members were gathered outside with more singing and dancing.  Children lined the front pews, staring at us with big eyes and wide smiles.

Pastor Shem introduced us to the leadership of the congregation followed by introductions of our group with the help of Pastor Msigwa’s translation.  The body of Christ joined in prayer and scripture.  The choir song and a translator was not needed because you could feel the message of gracious hospitality, love and joy.  It moved one’s soul.

An especially moving moment was when Michele introduced herself in Swahili and the response was powerful.  They broke into song, “Momma, you are home.”  The love they have for her was palpable.

Following lunch we walked through the village which is on the top of a high ridge.  We saw a woman carrying  a 5 gallon bucket of water on her head with young children in tow carrying smaller containers of water.

To understand the hard work of providing water needed for daily life we hiked down the steep incline with the children of the village joining us.   Thanks to the water system that Trinity helped build, the water was clear and clean.  The trek up the hill was difficult for us.  Many needed to stop to catch a our breath and we could not imagine carrying 5 gallons up the path and certainly not on our heads!

Our walk through the village ended at the government school where 564 children attend.  Mike rang the school bell which brought the teacher our of his house.  It became clear to us that the bell is rung only to call school children to class and in case of emergency.

The teacher extended gracious hospitality and invited us to tour the school taking us into his office and classrooms.   With enthusiasm he shared how he taught young children the alphabet and numbers.

The sun began setting while we were at the top of the ridge-a beautiful end to another great day.

Pictures will come with better connectivity.  Right now, we are top of a ridge, on a road, singing in a bus, while thinking of our friends at Trinity posting this blog.  We send our love.

Kris Linner





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