Sunday, April 13, 2008, 4:06 p.m., D.S.T., Nashville, TN~

Dear Journal~

Ronee' here.  Hope you are well; as for me, I'm doing great! :)

Today at church, we had missionaries visiting from Kenya, in Africa.  Their names were Bettye and Russell Otumbwe, and they have been working with the people of Kenya for the past fifteen years.

The Otumbwes were talking about how they are trying to reach the people of Kenya with the saving message of Christ's love.  They are not only preaching the gospel:  they are living testimonies, too.  They are helping the Kenyan people with food, water, schooling, shelter--anything to try to better their lives.

The Otumbwes have a special place for the Maasai people.  They are fluent speakers of Ol-Maa (the language of Maasai), as well as Swahili and English.

They were showing our congregation slides of their work in Kenya; they also had artifacts on display:  beadwork, clothing, statuaries, pictures, and more.  I fell in love with the pictures of the cheetahs and the children.

Now I am seriously thinking of where I'd like to go into missions when I am older.  I would like to go to Africa or to Alaska as my mission field. 

I'll go whereever God leads me.

They had a group of singers from Kenya, Maasai people, and they were awesome.  They were garbed in their native dress.  Very beautiful to see, hear.  These young people (most were around my age, some were younger) were on fire for the Lord; they had beautiful voices that shook you to the very core of your soul.

By the time the group was done singing, I was in tears.  Even though the language was different from what I speak, you could feel the passion and love they had for Christ.

After the service, they were invited to eat at the church, to meet the congregation.  They were happy to accept the invitation.  I got to meet them; they were happy to learn that I knew some Swahili (and Ol-Maa).  I told them I knew enough to get into trouble; they thought that was funny. 

I told them about my friend M'Buti Sormiento; one of them said, "That's not a Maasai name!"  I said, "She was born in Kenya and is part Maasai."  They said they'd like to meet M'Buti some day.

I told them I'd be happy to introduce her to them. :)  Tried to call her on the cell phone, but no answer.  Dang it; she would have loved this!!

Anyway, we had some storms the other night.  They were bad, but not as bad as they could have been.  Bad enough I worked myself into a panic attack; had to spend the night at the hospital.  Couldn't breathe, chest hurting.  I thought I was having a heart attack; it scared me.  Scared mama, too!

Loueva and Debby had asthma attacks, and Johnny pulled a seizure.  Only Johnny and I spent the night at the hospital, to make sure we were gonna be okay. 

Which we were, or I wouldn't be writing in here! LOLOL

Well, we are going to take a quickie nap, then go to church again. 

Finally got a hold of M'Buti; told her about the service this morning, which will be repeated tonight; she plans to be there.  Good!  Can't wait to see her or her family; it's been a while! (They go to a different church.)

Will write in here again soon; take care and may God bless you mightily!  I can't wait to see where God wants me to go, in terms of missions; should be exciting to think about!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your gal pal, Ronee' Le-Anne. :D