With Pastor Bob taking the lead we spent our free day in Bandera, Texas checking out the sights. Our first stop was Polly’s Chapel. A sight of great historical significance for the Christian community in the region, and coincidentally the birth place of our host, Shepherd’s Gate Church. The centuries-old building and surrounding area was a beautiful and peaceful setting for a short time of prayer before proceeding with our adventure.

Next stop, Pipe Creek Christian School where Petro and Ezekiel impressed the kids by jumping high enough to hit their heads on the ceiling. The Maasai, and the Jeremies, were ecstatic to be around little kids again, with all of them sharing a moment thinking about their loved ones back home. But we were able to distract them at our next stop where there were domesticated long horn cows and a swimming pool to contemplate.

After convincing Yona for the third time that we really would not allow him back in the car if he jumped in the pool fully dressed, we headed down the road to see long horn cows on a much smaller scale, being half miniature, and a beautiful white donkey that proceeded to hand out sloppy and furry kisses to anyone with a treat in hand.

After Maliaki and Petro received genuine cowboy gear to complete their outfits we set off again. Even the mid-sized longhorns at the previous farm did not prepare us for what came next.

At our next stop we did the rounds of a farm once again, only this time everything was in miniature, the goats, the cows, the donkeys, even a pig. The only things that were taller than knee hight were the wallabies and a rather feisty llama. The highlight of this stop was watching the Maasai run with shouts of great excitement when a stallion came charging at the fence, only to realise he was small enough to fit in their suitcases.

To top off the day, we were granted an audience at the Bandera Courthouse. The judge requested the newspaper to drop in, and even the local radio rocked up. The choir sang in the main hall for the judge and staff members and have been welcomed back on their next tour. As we were leaving we saw an old western style horse cart with donkey and longhorn in tow. The Maasai were very excited to see what was for some, their first horse and the owner welcomed them over to investigate further.

A big thanks to Pastor Bob and his congregation who welcomed us into their homes and provided delicious meals for us throughout the day.