We had been called Mzungu (singular) and Wuzungu (plural) throughout our whole trip. It's a "loving" term meaning white person(s). It's a term they use for foreigners which we quickly became accustomed to and played up. However, on the day of the celebration we were made official Maasai people. They brought each of us our very own Maasai outfit from head to toe (which yes included shoes made from tires - which were very comfortable).
They had brought in many people for the celebration: there was other priests from neighboring communities, a representative for the Bishop, members of the council, and the Member of Parliament representing the NCA.
They conducted a 4 hour service at the Church celebrating the community, the work, and but most of all the people. I have never seen such a gracious group of people. They had us read during the service and participate throughout. Each of us made a speech expressing our own thanks and gratitude to the community (which was of course translated into Maasai by our personal translator Godfry). From there we went to the Generator and had the official cutting of the ribbon followed by the flick of the switch initiating the pump.....Success!!!! We scooted up to the Water Tank to open the tap and have the official first bucket of water from the new source.
Absolutely incredible!! This was the whole reason we were here and it was magical!!
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