Well, I have just printed my boarding pass in preparation for departure this evening. I have still only just begun to believe that I am really here and it is time to leave. Though I am ready to come home and see family!
My last entry included a lot of pictures. I don't think I will be able to include so many this time. Since I last wrote, we have visited 3 more congregations and I have finally had the much awaited session with the ladies.
Here I am , moving back and forth with Peter translating, as we spoke to the group.
They were interested to learn Hebraic dance and several men and women were willing to try while everyone else watched. Since they don't normally count the same way we do, it was all so confusing! Redemption, Peter's daughter, later explained to me that they demonstrate a pattern for your feet by using letters, and how many steps you make on each part of the letter, sort of like our jazz square. I left the steps for Oh Jah! with her and had also taught them Hine Ma Tov. I think they will need a refresher!
As has been true at each place, people visiting from other areas are asked to step up and provide a word or a song of encouragement to all.
Here I am with Lucy and Margaret at Kutus.
Our last place of gathering was at Peter's home place in Kahawa West. They rent this concrete building with a dirt floor for use, by the month. They are able to leave only chairs and a small table there as more would probably be lost to vandalism.
This man, known as John, survived a terrible beating in which he lost his eyes. Peter tells me that some people doubt that he is capable, but really all you would have to do is listen to him speak with such quiet and sure confidence in Messiah to know that he is really okay. He was able to provide translation between Kiswahili and English as needed, too.
Some ladies object to them, seeing it as a spiritual matter, not a physical one. Several like wearing them. It seems that there is a sort of "status" or rebellion here too. Some women wear coverings low over their forehead to their eyes, while others feel more free or daring to let their forehead and ears show. They were surprised that I wore a partial covering but very open. The elders had already let me know that they do not view it as a "must" behavior and are not opposed to changes. Still, most of the ladies have understood that they are not free to have an opinion in their previous assemblies, so it will be some time before they are more comfortable and open. They had some good questions on marriage and remarriage and divorce as well. We didn't have nearly enough time, so they do want to know if we can talk and do a teleconference as most have cell phones. We will see if that can work!
As always, people keep telling me that I must come back, and fully expect it to happen!
As for me, I am blessed beyond measure to have had this opportunity and am quite willing to wait and see what YHWH might have in mind.
My thoughts are so full that I cannot order any more to write, but will say good bye and blessings with just this final picture of one of the ladies saying goodbye! That's little Marta behind! She has stuck to me like glue since we had time to talk about Bible stories and questions she has! Her dad is Baba Marta, the leader of the local group, and her mom is Susan, MamaMarta, who translated for me with the women. They are such a blessing and gentle though enthusiastic influence here!
I will be coming into Green Bay about 12:30 Tuesday afternoon, Yeshua willing!
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
watching and praying,
Barb
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