The Maasai people have been fiercely traditional for centuries. They are noble and unique among African tribes, an iconic symbol of Kenyan culture and vitality. They resisted colonization by the British and continued their way of life in nomadic pastoring of cattle, sheep and goats. We just learned at a campfire culture talk this week that the word "Maasai" comes from Maa meaning the people and sai meaning to pray to Enkai (their name for God). So they are "the people who pray to Enkai". In the late 1970's and early 80's a young Maasai man named Timothy heard a word from the Bible which said "Whoever has the Son of God has life and whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life" (I John 5:12). He began to ask himself "Am I not alive? Then, what does this mean?" and he went to find someone who would teach him what the Word of God meant. He heard of a missionary with a big beard that hid his mouth and white skin and was widely feared. He was also known as one who taught the Words of God. So Timothy walked about 30 kilometers to sit under the meeting tree with him and hear about the Son of God who offers life.
God is moving in big ways among the Maasai today. From the seeds that were planted in the hard dry ground of Maasailand in the '80s up until today, the number of believers is really growing. They are communal people and like to make community decisions. The Good News of the Kingdom of God is for communities too. God wants us to be in community with Himself. That is why the Son of God became one of us, to bring us back to God.
The missionaries of just one or two generations ago shared the Word of God with today's Maasai elders who are continuing the work of the Kingdom of God. Today, our friend Timothy has a Masters degree in Disaster Management and is director of the ministries at Africa Hope. They are pushing back the edges of extreme poverty through holistic outreach with water security and sanitation, children's camps and family sponsorship, all in the name of Jesus. The same bearded white missionary recruited me to be part of the work back when I was a college student and I came to Kenya to help with the start of Africa Hope in 2003. A year later, we broke ground on a conference center for Africa Hope and my mom and dad came to help mix concrete and lay blocks for that building.
This year, our kids and our sweet niece came and mixed concrete to help make some sidewalks that people use when coming for training and programs. The center is so big now. I was asked to do some staff development this time and it was marvelous to see a whole new generation of community health workers and pastors growing in their understanding of the Word of God! I and they together told the story of the whole Bible about 7 times over with a different theme each time. It offers a 35,000 foot view on how much God relentlessly loves and pursues His children to bring them back into his family through restoring life, rest, rule, friendship, and salvation. It was 3 days of Bible stories that weave together like an epic movie trilogy. Most people read one verse or passage at a time and miss the big picture. Imagine watching your favorite movie in 5- 10 minute increments over a period of a year versus a binging the whole story at once and getting swept up in the drama! The staff was so encouraging in their joy at the Word of God! It was like medicine to my soul to be part of this. As we left from Africa Hope, they offered a beautiful send off with prayers, singing and adorning us with Maasai blankets and beads. The girls and I were wrapped in Kenyan flags and I felt like a marathon winner! Then it came to me "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith".
Girls fetching water from a secure source- a bore hole that Africa Hope helped to bring the community:
AH staff and send-off time:
God is good! And you write beautifully!
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