The journey started with a four hour drive up the coast of Kenya. Mombasa to Malindi is a two hour trek on a two lane and thankfully no potholes. The back end of the safari is less smooth with thousands of potholes to dodge. As hard as we tried, we probably hit 100 potholes so when we finally hit the dirt road we were relieved. Above is a picture of our last stretch into the village of Bandi.
After making sure the car was still in one piece, we enjoyed the village view. We would estimate there are 200 mud and thatched houses in Bandi and roughly 800 people living there. Aaron felt like he was living a national geographic film he watched growing up, truly rural.
The people were very friendly and gave us some of the best hospitality and care we have received in Kenya. They were eager to show us around the village and the "normal" life the Bandi.
Dama is outside of a typical thatched house. The thatched houses are for newly weds. As time goes on the couple might decide to build a mud house. It is the duty of the women to build a strong home.
The people are primarily pastoralist. They spend days out with their cows shepherding them to a safe and abundant pasture. At night hundreds of cows return home to be milk by their owners. Dama asked "How does the owner know which cow is there's?" One youth responded "When you park your car with other cars do you still know which one is yours?"
The people of Bandi are Orma. Virtually everybody marries within their tribe; however, we were told of one Orma in Bandi that married an American.
The majority of Orma 99% are Muslims. Women have to dress in a respectful manner, this often means covering everything except the face. Dama says the covering is great for keeping the mosquitoes out but not so great for the heat.
The Bandi are a very close and committed community. One elderly man bragged how there were no alcoholics or thugs in their village. The accountability and support in the village is admirable. Still, the Bandi's are sinful people and desperately in need of their Savior. Right now they do not know Jesus, will you pray with us that they might come to know Him?
