We found the mounds of salt really fascinating. Even Bayo had do go and check it out. We were encouraged by the local officials to take some little samples home with us.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the salt lake. With everyone in the picture wearing winter coats, you would be tempted to think that it was cold and wintery. But, alas, it was in the 80's and sunny.
(Note the lush hillside beyond the salt mounds)
As a part of our tour, we drove to the deepest part of the valley: the salt lake near Dawari.
Because the fall rains have been abundant this year, the salt gleaning season has already finished. The migrant workers who normally populate the area from July through October have departed, returning to their homes until next year's dry season.
When the lake water is low, workers can dig up the salt as a source of income. It's big business here!--everything from table salt for human consumption...to additives for animal feed...to scouring pads for pots and pans.
Once the salt has been pulled from the lake, it is analyzed for its texture and purity, then categorized by number according to its quality. Large white mounds are made, and potential buyers are welcomed to choose which mound they will buy.
Once purchased, arrangements are made for trucks to haul the salt away to refineries. . .even as far away as Rwanda and Uganda!Of course, once the rainy season arrives, as it is now, the water helps to return the residue back down to the lake.
Note the size of the hut in comparison to the salt mound!
Mt Hanang is the dominant feature throughout the region as it towers above all the valley and villages below.
The seasonal rains have transformed this area into lush and fertile ground. The animals and even the people seem to be more alive and hopeful, and the green trees lend a sense of hope.
Acacia trees have become my favorites. Their twisting limbs create interesting patterns, and their sprawling canopies provide a cooling respite, a peaceful setting in the lovely grove.
As we finished the training conference with the Pastors in Dawari, we packed up our car and felt very blessed to be a part of what the Lord is doing in East Africa.
It is our prayer that we will continue to witness true transformation in this area as people are set free from bondage, sickness and disease, and their minds and hearts are opened to the power of the Gospel message. The beautiful and friendly people of Dawari were truly a blessing to us, from the children playing along the roads and fields to the smiling faces of the locals as they greeted us along the way.
We pray a blessing upon them, as well. . .on their homes and on their families, on the fruit of their crops, and the fruit of their herds.
May the Lord bless and keep them as we are apart for the next few months, and may He bring us together again to share testimonies of God's mighty work and presence among them and to spur each other on again to love and to good works (Hebrews 10:24).
When we prayed at the Gendabi springs, seeking the Holy Spirit and then acting on His direction, we had noticed a few villagers watching from the cover of the scrub brush and bushes. We learned later that some had carried word of our actions to surrounding villages. Upon seeing the evidence of the purifying of the waters the locals who had been doing the sacrifices were now afraid to go back to the tree, since it was clear that the "One True and Living God” has strong power. Because,….
by the end of the day, there was already evidence being reported!
"What were the problems with the water?" you may ask. Local pastors reported that sickness (and from time to time even death) has been directly linked to drinking water from this spring. Goiters develop, not over a long period of time, but within days! Teeth also begin to discolor and decay very quickly. But most strangely of all, within 30 minutes of a person drinking from this spring, he/she begins to exhibit an inexplicable sudden onset of anger and violence. The locals compare it with an alcoholic drunken rage. . .but, they were consuming no alcohol! Only this spring's water.
Since our prayer time there, the reports are continuing to come in! We are repeatedly being told that the contention and drunken anger stopped the very day we all prayed over the spring at Gendabi. Truly amazing! In addition, an overall improvement in health is being reported in the local villages and down the mountainside. No more quick-onset goiters! No more unexplainable dental problems!
We rejoice that God has revealed His goodness and power to these people, and pray that the pastors can effectively continue to bring the good news of the Gospel to these people who have seen and even TASTED the goodness of the Lord. Many more testimonies have been reported of the change that has taken place from that day. We rejoice and bless our Lord Jesus Christ who is indeed the healer and redeemer! May His Name be praised forever!
Here is a report we received just this week from Pastor Gabriel Magang, the Unity Committee Chairperson: (please excuse his broken English)
“ I and my people we are still remember the days we spent together with you! Especially the day of prayer we shared with you at the source of water at Gendabi spring and at the salt lake. Praise the Lord with us, because we received the answer of that prayer… for [your] information, people are reporting: The ones who concerned to put that poison in the water source was [name withheld], who went to witch doctors and brought the devil-poison from there to put into the water source in order to enable him to rule easily all the users of that water from Gendabi down to Dawari village.”
Our experience at this local spring was a sort of training for the pastors who accompanied us. We are encouraged that they saw the simplicity of seeking the Lord instead of a formula. Indeed, God knows what needs to happen in every circumstance and He is willing to lead us into all truth when we wait upon Him, and follow Him in obedience and courage.