Market, Martin, Memories

June 30, 2010


The days here are perfect, but the nights are terribly cold at this altitude. Our day began at 6 a.m. with breakfast. After breakfast we split up into four groups to shop in local markets along the mountain side roads. Mary, Emily, and I and we had the shortest distance to go because of my leg. We were the only group who got to set up their own spot to sell things. We sold Kuman Bibles, Jesus films, and posters of the 10 commandments. Mary let Emily and I do most of the shopping so we could practice the language.

Every afternoon was spent doing quiet time going through the devotional we were given, taking naps, or spending quality time with the people. I was giving devotions later that night, so I prepared that before going out and playing with the children. I also had the privilege of holding a four month old baby named Martin. Later I helped Mama Wimai prepare dinner for the team, peeling sweet potatoes. Mary came with me helping me understand all that was being said and asked. By the time all the food was ready to cook I had become Wimai’s daughter and Peter’s sister who was also there told me I was a nice girl and Rachelle was a good name. While the food was being cooked Mary and I enjoyed sitting and listening to our family talk in their mother tongue and Gabi was playing his guitar in the background. One observation I have already had is that every time we enter the bush house every one of our team members is given a place to sit other than the ground. We were given these small handmade stools or small tree stumps to sit on.

That evening all of Mama and Papa’s children, daughter and son in-laws, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and grandchild came to our temporary home to sing and pray together as one big family. They sang 10 or more songs and we jumped in if we could because some songs were in English. By the end of the trip we were able to sing all of their songs, whether in English, Kuman, or Tok Pisin. Our team sang five songs. While in California we had learned this song in Swahili from Tracy and the people loved it. It was a very enjoyable evening.