Nationals Do Make A Difference

After the new church began in the Engaresero area, Maasai co-workers have been going periodically to this area for follow-up teaching, discipleship, leadership training, and encouraging the new believers.  These traveling servants reported that "there was difference among the people" when they went back without me or volunteers.  They said that the true believers who wanted to truly participate and grow in their faith attended the teaching sessions and worship.  Others who were simply "looking for some monetary or personal gain" did not come because the "white faces" were not present.  The "wazungu (white people) are the attraction.  The truth comes from God's Word delivered by God's servants.

 This reminds me of John 6:66 where Jesus began to explain true faith and discipleship.  The ones there for the food, miracles, and personal benefit left because Jesus' words were "hard to abide by" and demanded commitment and faithfulness without a promise of an immediately "reward".  People are people where ever you go -- the same sin nature abides in us all.  The is why the miracle of redemption and reconciliation applies to all people - we are the same in our nature.

So, nationals do make a difference because they can "winnow out" the true believers from the opportunists.

Please pray for these faithful nationals!!

You Can Read - How ?

There are ongoing debates regarding orality and literacy -- whether teaching should be solely oral or should it be coupled with the written word.  It is the assumption is that many Maasai are illiterate but that picture is changing as Maasai go to school and learn to read.  The printed media then becomes very important.  The following account was related to me during a recent trip to Longido by a Maasai friend and co-worker concerning the Maasai and Bibles.

Obedi is the one on the right

Obedi traveled to and stayed in the town of Kitumbeine for several days to participate in a seminar and discussions concerning different issues related to ministry.
I was able to give him some Maasai Bibles to take and distribute to some pastors in that area.
I saw him several days later.
He said that the pastors were overjoyed to receive the Bibles and wanted to know if they could get more.
Obedi then related that many people wanted Bibles so that they could read God's Word for themselves.
I asked him if they could really read with understanding.
He relayed that many Maasai, even women who had no formal education, were able to read and understand the Bible in Kimaasai.
Obedi talked to them personally, listened to their readings, asked questions about what they read, and they responded according and correctly.
He does not know how they were able to do this until he asked them about it.
They said they were not able to go to school.
So they prayed and asked God for understanding and for the ability to read and understand His written Word.
Then they were able to obtain a Maasai language Bible.
They began practicing and were able to read and understand it in just a few days.
No instruction, no formal education, no teacher.
They said that God gave them the ability to do this.
Obedi said it must have been the Holy Spirit Who enabled them to read and understand God's Word.
He could not explain it any other way.
I accept this explanation and view it as a modern day enablement from God for these Maasai to read and understand His Word through the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2 comes to mind after his story was finished.
But it is still continuing in many places in Maasaini where Maasai desire to know God and His Word.
Will miracles ever cease?
No.
Not as long as God is working them.