Maasai Mission 2010
As I prepare for the trip to Kenya and Tanzania January of 2010, I am reminded of when this trip began. This will be my fifth trip to Kenya since 2005 to work with the Maasai people. In 1999 when my wife and I returned to NC to live, we felt God was leading us to a “mission minded” church. I felt he wanted us to be involved in mission work, wanting to be obedient I began to pray. That like many mission experiences is where it all began, a simple prayer letting God (and myself) know I was available and willing to be used. He led us to Hampstead Baptist Church where we have been ever since. He then used a series of events and people to prepare the way for me and others from the church to minister to the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania. That work continues with this trip and others.
The Maasai are somewhat nomadic and live much like they did hundreds of years ago. They reside in mud huts with no running water and no electricity. they are shepherds and are very dependent on the land to provide for their livestock and themselves. Spiritually they are much like the folks in the old testament, worshiping one God whom they call Enkai Sapat, believing in covenants, practicing animal sacrifice and circumcision. They do not know that God has a son, Jesus, who loves them. They have never even heard His name until now. Over the past 10 years, Calvary Road Ministry (CRM), led by pastor and missionary John Shepherd have been spreading the gospel in Maasai land. During the past 5 years, volunteer groups have been going to Kenya with CRM and telling the gospel using the Kanga story cloth developed just for that purpose.
During the last 5 years, many thousands of Maasai people in the bush of Kenya have come to know Jesus and pray to accept Him as their savior through this ministry - PTL! For the first time, indigenous evangelical Christian churches are being established amongst the Maasai in the bush. The old men who control everything and until now have refued to listem to the gospel are not only accepting the gospel now but are encouraging and helping us to spread it wide and far. It is an exciting time to be working amongst the Maasai. There are about 1.5 million Maasai best anyone can tell (they don’t like to be counted). Over 2/3 of them live in Tanzania and now starting with this trip in 2010 we will cross the border into Tanzania and begin to spread God’s word there! This past year has brought a severe drought to the land of the Maasai. Calvary Road Ministry and its volunteers gave help feed tens of thousands of familu members during this drought,and thus showing the love of Jesus to them.
Again on this trip, as on my last in in January/February 2009, we will be camping in the bush for most of the trip/ We will enter through Kenya then travel by road to Tanzania. We will spend almost 2 weeks in the bush camping, walking and teaching at the bomas (a small group of homes). None of this would be possible if not for God’s will and the prayer of many people like yourself who. Many have prayed for this ministry over the years and helped in other ways too. While some go, it takes many who stay and support the trips through prayer, encouragement and financial assistance. I encourage you to pray about how God wants to use you in this ministry. Perhaps it is to pray daily for the Maasai and those that bring the gospel to them or to join the team that prays for our trips. Perhaps it is through giving financially to help defray the cost of the trip. Perhaps it its to go on a future trip. It is my desire that you will be blessed through this ministry and your faithfulness to Christ!