Old and New Bibles

The discipleship teaching sessions had gone well.  Nairokoki (Nigh Row Ko Key) was proving to be an able and knowledgeable student of the Word.  As we were getting ready to leave, I noticed her Bible.  It had that "used" look that books acquire in the bush -- dirty on the outside, cover missing, re-bound several times with available materials (cardboard in this case) and pages missing.  As I went to the vehicle, Holy Spirit prompted me to action.  I asked Nairokoki if she would trade me her Bible for a new Bible and I would include a zip-up cover with it.  She thought for 2 seconds then gladly agreed.  So, she acquired a new Bible with cover (and all the pages intact), and I acquired a piece of Maasai spiritual history from this faithful disciple.

I am privileged and blessed to have this piece of nostalgia and also to have resources to buy Bibles to use in the Maasai areas of Tanzania.

Youth on Mission Part 2

 When many people hear of others going on a mission trip, many thoughts can run through their minds. However, after actually getting to go on a mission trip across the world only one word runs through my mind: undescribeable. (Im not sure that is a word, but still) 
After returning back to the states to my family, friends, and even classmates, everyone wants to hear about it and often ask, "tell me a story?". Many times I do not even know where to begin because there are SO many stories! I have one for from the time I arrived at the first airport that morning

to stories that make me yearn for the people I met. Usually, I just say okay and tell as many stories as I can untill I notice that they aren't listening anymore. I try to add so much passion that went into making the stories when telling them, yet sometimes it just doesn't sink in. I do know though that I absolutly want to go back, maybe for a little longer and get to know more about the profession of being a missionary and to experiance the people and life changing events again. I loved it there and I can honestly say, not a day goes by that I don't think about and connect my life here to what I learned there; no matter what I'm doing, or how busy I am, or what I want to do in the future, this trip will forever be in my mind. Savannah Reaves

Youth on Mission

This trip was beyond amazing! God works in many ways! Right before I found out about the trip to Tanzania I felt like God was calling me to youth ministry. I knew this would be a great opportunity for God to show me more of what He has planned, I just didn't know how great it really was going to be. I still do not have words to describe this trip. What stuck out the most was how eager the Maasai people were to learn and praise God! They are on fire for the Lord! All I could wonder about is why we, back in America, weren't as on fire as them? On Sundays we worship God, but the rest of the week what are we really doing? I am just thankful that as a 17 year old I had this opportunity and experience! Ethan Stalker

Who Says We Can't Do It?

Recently, we received a report concerning a week long meeting in an area of Maasaini.  Two speakers from Mbeya Tanzania and two from Kenya led the proceedings.  The final statistics were tabulated.



The average daily attendance was 5000 people.






There were 600
professions of faith recorded for the week.

One cow and 15 goats daily gave their lives to help feed this great number.  All churches in the area participated in this endeavor.  The new believers were encouraged to attend a church near them so that they can be discipled and participate in worship.  It seems like the Maasai in certain areas are most capable of serving the Lord.

Now to the areas that have no work!  Who says they can't do it?

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Mikaeli, Lazaro, and Mika, 3 Maasai pastors, made the journey to the new church at Engaresero.  They used 2 motorcycles as their mode of transport.  Two men rode on one bike, and the other man and supplies were on the 2nd bike.

Their journey took 9 hours.  On the way, they stopped beside the dirt road/path to look at "swala twiga" (deer like animals with long giraffe-type necks), regular twiga (giraffe), and other assorted wildlife.

As they were observing this local wildlife, they noticed that a truck was coming toward them at a fast clip.  As the truck approached their position, it swerved to the left, barely missing them and their bikes by inches.  The truck then continued on its way.  They thanked God that they were not hurt and continued on to Engaresero.  They had a great time of teaching and encouraging the new believers there over the next 2 days.

Later, they discovered that this same truck had traveled to Engaruka on its way to Engaresero and Gelai.  During the trip, 3 men on motorcycles with guns tried to stop them and steal their cargo, money, and cell phones.  The robbery attempt was unsuccessful as the truck sped past the culprits and did not give them the opportunity to steal or harm them.

When this same truck, driver, and companions saw Mikaeli and his fellow travelers by their bikes on the side of the road, the driver and passengers thought these were the same men who tried to rob them earlier.  They sped up with the intent of hitting the men and their bikes, possibly killing them in the process.  One of the passengers saw the men and recognized Lazaro as a Maasai pastor from Kitumbeini.  He yelled at the driver, who maneuvered the truck at the last instant to avoid a collision with the men and bikes.

Mikaeli related that all 3 of them thanked and praised God for protection and deliverance from this potentially lethal situation.

They also thanked Lazaro for his faithfulness in service to God.  If he had not been faithful, the passenger would not have known him and they would have been certainly severely injured if not killed.

Make sure people know who you are and Who you serve.
It could save your life one day.

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.