Feasting on the spirit, the scenery, the food

We had a fantastic day on Wednesday. We left early to drive toward Sondu to visit Macdonald and his group of people and Kenneth and his group of people. The weather had been raining since Monday—we’ve entered the “long rains” season. So I was a bit concerned about the dirt roads, but we only needed 4 wheel drive a few times. We picked up Macdonald at the Kolweny market and he showed us to his house. First we stopped to visit his 97 year old grandmother and Tom gave her a priesthood blessing as she was not feeling well.

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Macdonald had about 12 people for us to visit with and teach. We spoke of God’s plan of happiness—where we come from, why we are here, and where we are going after this life. It brings such peace to know that God loves us and wants us to return to Him. He didn’t just place us here on earth and say, “Good luck! I hope you make it back!” Rather, he has a plan, a path, a way to return to him. If we follow it, we can have peace and hope and an assurance all will be well. Macdonald’s people were interested and asked good questions. We thought to leave about on time, but then his wife insisted we stay for “a little something” which was rice and some great tasting beans. We passed on the glasses of water.

Here is where she cooks the food. In the dry season, when the seasonal streams have dried up, they must walk about 5 miles for water.

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A funny thing. I think Macdonald must have spent a lot of time clearing the path to his house in the hopes that it could become a road for the truck. I was right. They do think if they can walk someplace, a truck can go there, too. We tried the first 100 yards, came to a tree, and had to back up. Good thing! The path wound down into a ravine and back up the other side of the mountain! But the view was spectacular! Tom said he wanted to buy land on that mountain and just look out and see.

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So we were about an hour late to Kenneth’s place. Macdonald and George, his friend accompanied us and directed us there. It was a good decision as there were several forks in the road. We thought it would be 20 km there, but they really are only 10 km apart. Kenneth’s people had already gathered in the church and were singing songs as they waited. Again, we taught God’s plan of Salvation and again they had good questions. There were about 50 people there. They translated into Lou, the native tongue, but I think many understood English.

At the end of the meeting, the choir got up and sang to us.

As we spoke, the wind picked up and rain started spattering against the tin roof. But no, we could not just leave. Again, we were invited into the house for some chapates, fresh tomatoes and onions, and a roasted chicken. All was good. I wondered about the bottled water being poured into glasses that still had their rinse water on the sides. But I remembered the verse about poison not bothering the Lord’s servants, and I believed I was so blessed. They gave us some very sweet bananas to take with us and we left just as the rain started to come down. We got pretty wet just getting to the truck. Then it slacked off for a while. We could see the dark storm clouds and the black sheet of rain in the distance as we drove home, then on both sides. Then on us.

I can’t explain the wonderful feeling that comes from sharing the gospel. It just lifts you and fills you with such joy! We felt like we had a feast of the spirit, a feast of the stomach, and a feast of the eyes as we enjoyed the magnificent scenery. It was a great day.