Before we went to Kenya, Della received a request from a First Nations friend to bring back a stone from the land of the Maasai. As a member of the First Nations community in North America, he feels a special connection, a brotherhood, with the Maasai, a nation that roams the continent of Africa and owns much of the land in Kenya.
So when Lydiah told us about her friend, the Maasai pastor whose father owns a large tract of land several hours from Ongata Rongai, we were eager to visit. Following Lydiah's instructions we brought along a few groceries including oil and flour for the widows in the Maasai community.
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While visiting this village, Della offered to buy the pastor's blanket, the one he had drying on the tree. |
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After wrapping himself in the blanket one last time... |
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the stone ceremony begins. Pastor and Della pray over the rocks which have been gathered from the creek bed which runs through the Maasai land. |
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As the stones change hands, the blanket moves across shoulders. |
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The rocks are blessed and will be a symbol of unity between the peoples. |
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Time to head back to Rongai. |