baptism

My Journal

I was proud of something I saw this week during our Bible Institute.<br /><br />The culture puts children on the bottom of the food chain. The men eat first, then the young men, then the mamas, then young women, and finally the children.<br /><br />Pastor Peter's 3 kids came to town (all by themselves) to find their dad. They live in Nanyangakipi, some 40 kms away. He was studying with us in our school. They were sick and were needing to see a doctor. <br /><br />They showed up unannounced, so no preparation were made for them to eat at our school. When we broke for lunch, there they all sat...sick and wanting to see their dad.<br /><br />I went to the kitchen and asked Angelina (our cook) if there was anything left to give them. There was not. Our food had already been dished into bowls (3 chapati-pieces of bread, and stew-3 potatoes, 3 pieces of meat cooked in broth). I told Angelina to bring 2 extra bowls and I would divide my lunch into 3 and they could eat (it would not hurt me to miss a meal).<br /><br />She brought the bowls and before I could begin to divide my food up, all the men started taking their own food and adding it to the bowls. <br /><br />We filled those 3 kids bowls with bread, meat, potatoes. We men were the ones that ate a little. I looked and everyone had given more than half their lunch away. Those kids were stuffed...and surprisingly, so were we!<br /><br />I have to state the obvious. These men were some of our pastors and preachers who have completed 3 years of study in our Bible school. It was these men of God who saw the need and met it. These men who stood against their traditional way and showed those kids (and their dad, Pastor Peter) the love of God. <br /><br />It was AWESOME! <br /><br />I am so thankful to see God moving in the hearts of His people in Turkana!<br /><br />Much love,<br />Eddie Ekiru
Posted on 09 Dec 2011 by Eddie
I stand at awe with God. <br /><br />In August and September, many were starving in Turkana because there was no rain. No rain meant no grass. No grass meant dying animals and starving people.<br /><br />We had 2 weeks of rain the first of November. I thought that was it. Then the rain began again and has continued for 5 days now. <br /><br />I drove out to church today and had to stop and take in just what God has done. The rolling hills between Lodwar and Kerio are covered with knee high green grass. Water is puddled everywhere. The animals are fat and producing more milk than the folks can drink. I loved watching 2 camels which were close to the road trot off and their bodies just shook from all the fat...kind of like what I would look like if I were to break into a trot!<br /><br />All these blessings are enjoyed by everyone. However, the rain has brought much sickness. Pastor Moses' mother was near death with malaria and thyphoid. I helped them come to Lodwar for treatment. She was well enough today to travel with us and went home.<br /><br />I was supposed to go to Nangolipus yesterday to teach and show the Jesus film, spent the night, and worship with them today. However, there is a large river (which is normally dry) that I have to cross to get to their village. <br /><br />It is so full of water, I could not cross. <br /><br />I locked the truck into four-wheel drive and pushed our way to Nanyangakipi. Lots of water and mud makes for adventurous driving. I love it! <br /><br />Pastor Peter welcomed us (me, Pastor Moses who was travelling with me to his church in Nangolipus, William, and Paul). <br /><br />Please pray for Peter and his church. They have been under much attack from Satan. Peter is weary and discouraged. <br /><br />I taught and Moses preached. <br /><br />After church, Peter came to Lodwar with us because the Upendo class starts again tomorrow in our Bible institute. <br /><br />I pray that this week with the brethren will help, encourage, and recharge Peter. We will be studying through the book of Acts...which is very exciting for those of us who are involved in church planting, like the Apostle Paul.<br /><br />Thank you for reading and for praying for us as we labor for our Lord in Turkana.<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 04 Dec 2011 by Eddie
This is the first Turkana Tale I have written. This section is different than my journal. I wanted a place to share some of the lessons I have learned living in Turkana and some of the challenges I face culturally. This section may not be for everyone. It is not intention to cause offence or to be critical. I just wanted to be able to ask questions and share answers...<br /><br />...so welcome to TURKANA TALES! <br /><br />There were many things I learned this past week in marriage seminar about the culture here. Some of them were very hard for me to understand. <br /><br />One of them I want to share.<br /><br />First, I want to state the obvious. I am a white man from a Southern family with deep roots in Florida. I am still a very typical Florida cracker, in many ways.<br /><br />This week, I heard many questions asked by the men (some were pastors, others church leaders and members). Many of the questions were asked with this statement included...Niko moto ndani mwili wangu...I have fire in my body. <br /><br />Why do men here take multiple wives...they have fire in their bodies. What is a man to do, if his old wive is finished performing her duties...but he still has fire in his body? Sometimes they have to force their wives...afterall, they have fire in their bodies. <br /><br />The Biblical plan of marriage (one man and one woman) is very different than the traditional plan of marriage among the Turkana. Monogamy (I was told) is practiced only by white men because we do not have the same fire in our bodies as they do as Africans. <br /><br />They used this "fire" excuse every time their culture conflicted against the Bible.<br /><br />I shared some personal experiences, mainly that a man can renew his mind (as per Hebrews) and win the battle against his own fleshly desires (Paul said he beat his body into subjection) with the help of the Bible and the Holy Spirit. As fallen men, we do have "fire" within us...but that does not give us a reason to sin. If he will allow God to not only save our souls but sanctify our lives, we will become vessels of honor in this world.<br /><br />I was shocked at the backlash. <br /><br />Basically, I was told that I could never understand the fire within them. I am not a Turkana. Up until this point, all week, I was called Ekiru. During this discussion, they called me Eddie. <br /><br />I was made to feel like an outsider and a bit of a freak...the first time in a very long time that has happened. <br /><br />So I ask you, though I fear many or all of you are white Americans...Am I right? Can a Turkana man learn to control his "fire" with the help of God? Or am I just a freak that has lived 11 years alone? Has my "fire" gone out?<br /><br />Much love,<br />Eddie Ekiru<br /><br />
Posted on 26 Nov 2011 by Eddie
First, let me publically apologize to you (especially George) for taking a break from my journal. Getting back to work, I have been a bit overwhelmed with everything and just have not found the time to log in. <br /><br />I will not try and catch you up on all what has happened since September...I will just begin again.<br /><br />Two weeks ago, we invited the Basic class back to LBBI. I taught through Homiletics and I had the best time with the guys. Trying to teach proper sermon preparation, outlines, and delivery was a blast. They told me afterwards, this class taught them more than any other they have studied. <br /><br />Last week, we held our 5th annual marriage seminar. Pastor Julius and Violet Kalande came back to teach. It was a very challenging week. There were many direct discussions about dowry, multiple wives, spouse abuse, and sex. Pastor Julius shared with us that the marriage situation in our churches down country has changed after 20 plus years of following Scripture. It is our prayer, that the same testimony will be found among the churches in Turkana too...one day!<br /><br />I took the Kalandes on a tour of our churches and the villages where we are working after the seminar. The eye effects the heart. <br /><br />I also used my new trailer to carry benches out to Nangolipus LBC. There are 6 more here in Lodwar, and I hope to bring them out a week from today.<br /><br />Thanksgiving was a quiet day at home. I told the guys it was a big holiday in America and I would like to take the day off. I grilled a t-bone and enjoyed a relaxing day. I also was able to talk to my kids while they gathered at my sister's house with her family and my grandmother (their great grandmother). Breanne actually picked her up at her house and drove her to Brenda's. Nannie told me she felt very old when her great granddaughter showed up driving a car. <br /><br />It has rained the last 3 days (off and on) and Turkana is in full bloom. We had 2 weeks of consistant rain the first of the month and now 3 more days of rain. It is actually cool here and grass (and weeds) are everywhere, including my yard. If this keeps up, I may have to get a lawnmower...LOL!<br /><br />Well, that catches you up on what is going on here. <br /><br />Please say a prayer for the parents of my friend and fellow missionary, Ernie Hopper. He and Cissy are back in the States and both of his parents are near death. His mother has cancer and his father is in heart failure. All of the Hoppers could use our prayers.<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 26 Nov 2011 by Eddie
At the invitation of Pastor David, I travelled to the village of Nakechichok for a few days to help in a camp meeting at this church.<br /><br />I taught 4 times, preached once. He taught 3 times...all in 3 days! It was a great time with this sweet church.<br /><br />One of the surprises that came the reaction from the church when I preached on tithing Sunday morning. They applauded! I have never seen such joy, excitement, and praise in a tithing message before! It was AWESOME! <br /><br />They also presented me with a goat and several baskets to show their love and appreciation for me coming to help. <br /><br />If there ever was a church in Turkana like the churches of Macedonia Paul wrote about in Corinthians, who knew great grace, who first gave themselves to the Lord, I believe it is Nakechichok Landmark Baptist Church.<br /><br />I am thankful God has allowed me the priviledge to know them, love them, and serve Him along side them.<br /><br />Much Love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 26 Sep 2011 by Eddie
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Journal Archive

I was proud of something I saw this week during our Bible Institute.<br /><br />The culture puts children on the bottom of the food chain. The men eat first, then the young men, then the mamas, then young women, and finally the children.<br /><br />Pastor Peter's 3 kids came to town (all by themselves) to find their dad. They live in Nanyangakipi, some 40 kms away. He was studying with us in our school. They were sick and were needing to see a doctor. <br /><br />They showed up unannounced, so no preparation were made for them to eat at our school. When we broke for lunch, there they all sat...sick and wanting to see their dad.<br /><br />I went to the kitchen and asked Angelina (our cook) if there was anything left to give them. There was not. Our food had already been dished into bowls (3 chapati-pieces of bread, and stew-3 potatoes, 3 pieces of meat cooked in broth). I told Angelina to bring 2 extra bowls and I would divide my lunch into 3 and they could eat (it would not hurt me to miss a meal).<br /><br />She brought the bowls and before I could begin to divide my food up, all the men started taking their own food and adding it to the bowls. <br /><br />We filled those 3 kids bowls with bread, meat, potatoes. We men were the ones that ate a little. I looked and everyone had given more than half their lunch away. Those kids were stuffed...and surprisingly, so were we!<br /><br />I have to state the obvious. These men were some of our pastors and preachers who have completed 3 years of study in our Bible school. It was these men of God who saw the need and met it. These men who stood against their traditional way and showed those kids (and their dad, Pastor Peter) the love of God. <br /><br />It was AWESOME! <br /><br />I am so thankful to see God moving in the hearts of His people in Turkana!<br /><br />Much love,<br />Eddie Ekiru
Posted on 09 Dec 2011 by Eddie
I stand at awe with God. <br /><br />In August and September, many were starving in Turkana because there was no rain. No rain meant no grass. No grass meant dying animals and starving people.<br /><br />We had 2 weeks of rain the first of November. I thought that was it. Then the rain began again and has continued for 5 days now. <br /><br />I drove out to church today and had to stop and take in just what God has done. The rolling hills between Lodwar and Kerio are covered with knee high green grass. Water is puddled everywhere. The animals are fat and producing more milk than the folks can drink. I loved watching 2 camels which were close to the road trot off and their bodies just shook from all the fat...kind of like what I would look like if I were to break into a trot!<br /><br />All these blessings are enjoyed by everyone. However, the rain has brought much sickness. Pastor Moses' mother was near death with malaria and thyphoid. I helped them come to Lodwar for treatment. She was well enough today to travel with us and went home.<br /><br />I was supposed to go to Nangolipus yesterday to teach and show the Jesus film, spent the night, and worship with them today. However, there is a large river (which is normally dry) that I have to cross to get to their village. <br /><br />It is so full of water, I could not cross. <br /><br />I locked the truck into four-wheel drive and pushed our way to Nanyangakipi. Lots of water and mud makes for adventurous driving. I love it! <br /><br />Pastor Peter welcomed us (me, Pastor Moses who was travelling with me to his church in Nangolipus, William, and Paul). <br /><br />Please pray for Peter and his church. They have been under much attack from Satan. Peter is weary and discouraged. <br /><br />I taught and Moses preached. <br /><br />After church, Peter came to Lodwar with us because the Upendo class starts again tomorrow in our Bible institute. <br /><br />I pray that this week with the brethren will help, encourage, and recharge Peter. We will be studying through the book of Acts...which is very exciting for those of us who are involved in church planting, like the Apostle Paul.<br /><br />Thank you for reading and for praying for us as we labor for our Lord in Turkana.<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 04 Dec 2011 by Eddie
This is the first Turkana Tale I have written. This section is different than my journal. I wanted a place to share some of the lessons I have learned living in Turkana and some of the challenges I face culturally. This section may not be for everyone. It is not intention to cause offence or to be critical. I just wanted to be able to ask questions and share answers...<br /><br />...so welcome to TURKANA TALES! <br /><br />There were many things I learned this past week in marriage seminar about the culture here. Some of them were very hard for me to understand. <br /><br />One of them I want to share.<br /><br />First, I want to state the obvious. I am a white man from a Southern family with deep roots in Florida. I am still a very typical Florida cracker, in many ways.<br /><br />This week, I heard many questions asked by the men (some were pastors, others church leaders and members). Many of the questions were asked with this statement included...Niko moto ndani mwili wangu...I have fire in my body. <br /><br />Why do men here take multiple wives...they have fire in their bodies. What is a man to do, if his old wive is finished performing her duties...but he still has fire in his body? Sometimes they have to force their wives...afterall, they have fire in their bodies. <br /><br />The Biblical plan of marriage (one man and one woman) is very different than the traditional plan of marriage among the Turkana. Monogamy (I was told) is practiced only by white men because we do not have the same fire in our bodies as they do as Africans. <br /><br />They used this "fire" excuse every time their culture conflicted against the Bible.<br /><br />I shared some personal experiences, mainly that a man can renew his mind (as per Hebrews) and win the battle against his own fleshly desires (Paul said he beat his body into subjection) with the help of the Bible and the Holy Spirit. As fallen men, we do have "fire" within us...but that does not give us a reason to sin. If he will allow God to not only save our souls but sanctify our lives, we will become vessels of honor in this world.<br /><br />I was shocked at the backlash. <br /><br />Basically, I was told that I could never understand the fire within them. I am not a Turkana. Up until this point, all week, I was called Ekiru. During this discussion, they called me Eddie. <br /><br />I was made to feel like an outsider and a bit of a freak...the first time in a very long time that has happened. <br /><br />So I ask you, though I fear many or all of you are white Americans...Am I right? Can a Turkana man learn to control his "fire" with the help of God? Or am I just a freak that has lived 11 years alone? Has my "fire" gone out?<br /><br />Much love,<br />Eddie Ekiru<br /><br />
Posted on 26 Nov 2011 by Eddie
First, let me publically apologize to you (especially George) for taking a break from my journal. Getting back to work, I have been a bit overwhelmed with everything and just have not found the time to log in. <br /><br />I will not try and catch you up on all what has happened since September...I will just begin again.<br /><br />Two weeks ago, we invited the Basic class back to LBBI. I taught through Homiletics and I had the best time with the guys. Trying to teach proper sermon preparation, outlines, and delivery was a blast. They told me afterwards, this class taught them more than any other they have studied. <br /><br />Last week, we held our 5th annual marriage seminar. Pastor Julius and Violet Kalande came back to teach. It was a very challenging week. There were many direct discussions about dowry, multiple wives, spouse abuse, and sex. Pastor Julius shared with us that the marriage situation in our churches down country has changed after 20 plus years of following Scripture. It is our prayer, that the same testimony will be found among the churches in Turkana too...one day!<br /><br />I took the Kalandes on a tour of our churches and the villages where we are working after the seminar. The eye effects the heart. <br /><br />I also used my new trailer to carry benches out to Nangolipus LBC. There are 6 more here in Lodwar, and I hope to bring them out a week from today.<br /><br />Thanksgiving was a quiet day at home. I told the guys it was a big holiday in America and I would like to take the day off. I grilled a t-bone and enjoyed a relaxing day. I also was able to talk to my kids while they gathered at my sister's house with her family and my grandmother (their great grandmother). Breanne actually picked her up at her house and drove her to Brenda's. Nannie told me she felt very old when her great granddaughter showed up driving a car. <br /><br />It has rained the last 3 days (off and on) and Turkana is in full bloom. We had 2 weeks of consistant rain the first of the month and now 3 more days of rain. It is actually cool here and grass (and weeds) are everywhere, including my yard. If this keeps up, I may have to get a lawnmower...LOL!<br /><br />Well, that catches you up on what is going on here. <br /><br />Please say a prayer for the parents of my friend and fellow missionary, Ernie Hopper. He and Cissy are back in the States and both of his parents are near death. His mother has cancer and his father is in heart failure. All of the Hoppers could use our prayers.<br /><br />Much love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 26 Nov 2011 by Eddie
At the invitation of Pastor David, I travelled to the village of Nakechichok for a few days to help in a camp meeting at this church.<br /><br />I taught 4 times, preached once. He taught 3 times...all in 3 days! It was a great time with this sweet church.<br /><br />One of the surprises that came the reaction from the church when I preached on tithing Sunday morning. They applauded! I have never seen such joy, excitement, and praise in a tithing message before! It was AWESOME! <br /><br />They also presented me with a goat and several baskets to show their love and appreciation for me coming to help. <br /><br />If there ever was a church in Turkana like the churches of Macedonia Paul wrote about in Corinthians, who knew great grace, who first gave themselves to the Lord, I believe it is Nakechichok Landmark Baptist Church.<br /><br />I am thankful God has allowed me the priviledge to know them, love them, and serve Him along side them.<br /><br />Much Love,<br />Ekiru
Posted on 26 Sep 2011 by Eddie
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