Day 3 - From the Boardroom to the Bush

Yesterday's meetings followed a typical pattern, men and women in crisp shirts and tailored suits, hand shaking and planning in well-lit rooms. Today will shatter that mold, as we begin before dawn on a journey that will take us to the bush and a Maasai village in the shadow of Mt.  Kilimanjaro.

Our guide and friend is Bishop Jefferson Nyatuka of Operation Blessing, and he has launched a 'transformation center' that plans to bring life to a dry and thirsty land through economic, educational, and spiritual development.

After a three hour drive (on the new 'superhighway', the largest improvement project in Kenya's history) we turn off the pavement and bump along for some 20 minutes before coming to a sign that reads, 'Operation Blessing, Kenya'. In the distance, a shockingly blue-roofed schoolroom stands out against the landscape of high grass and bush, crisscrossed by animal trails.  As we step out of the Land cruiser, the Maasai suddenly appear: one holds a small club in his right hand, his bright smile sparkles and assures that we have met a new friend; five others--all dressed in brightly-colored garb with intricate, beaded necklaces and wristbands adorning their beautiful, dark skin.   

We meet 'Stephen', who seems to be a leader. He walks us a few steps down to the little school, and we step from the bright morning light into a dark, single room with 43 students aged 4-7; two smiling female teachers move among them, asking about a word they are spelling or helping them through a reading passage. In the front of the classroom is a chalkboard with ten words and corresponding chalk illustrations of a 'ball', a 'bag', and so on. One of the teachers taps her yellow yardstick against the black slate, and we hear a spirited, unison chant that demonstrates their hard work in learning the English language (they speak a tribal language and most also speak Swahili).

This school--which Regent has helped fund--allows these children (there are 65 in the class; an eye infection has kept a third away) to participate in early education. The grass is so tall in this area that predatory animals make it too dangerous for them to walk the 6k to the nearest school. Hence, they have been perennially behind in school. Many drop out. They now have the promise that comes with learning.

Jefferson narrates OB's vision for this area. It includes an irrigation system using the deep well OB has already drilled. They also hope to build tourist 'eco-huts' to attract the many visitors drawn to Kilimanjaro's mystique. In addition, they evangelize the Maasai in the area, promoting spiritual and physical wellness. We step into one of the traditional huts and see a tiny girl with a wound red and oozing. She had fallen into a fire. Jefferson hands the leader some money and tells him to get her to the hospital before she 'loses the arm. He tells us that if they go to hospital without money, they may wait days for treatment.

The day ends as about ten of us join hands and pray God's blessing on the vision for this place. The Maasai open in their native tongue; I pray in English, and Jefferson closes in Swahili. The sound of global praise echoes and is swept by the wind toward Kilimanjaro; and the whole earth is filled with His glory.