Getting Back to Grass Roots
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to reflect back on the early days of ministering out in Maasai in the early 90’s. At that time two days a week were set aside for visitation with the Maasai people. One day was Wednesday, when we would fill the back of my vehicle full of water containers and because of the drought, if we could afford it, dry beans and rice. We would visit in different homes, offering clean drinking water, pray with them and invite them to come to church. The next visiting day was Sabbath. Some mornings would be spent picking up women and children to come to church service. After the service, we would send the women home with containers of fresh clean water. I like to think that not only did they receive the fresh water to quench their thirst but also water of life bringing healing into their lives.
With the growth of Maasai Development Project and the increasing amount of administrative work that has to take place, my “under the tree” time has been greatly decreased. Often times when I’m getting ready to leave on another trip to Kenya, my friend Celeste, will pray for me and ask God to give me that needed “under the tree time”.
Yesterday, God took me back to the roots of MDP. My plans for attending a certain station had to be changed because of the amount of rain making the road/path impassable. Instead we went to KMQ. While they have had some rain, not near as much as in most areas. The plan was to visit Ntorosi church, but as we came near decided to take d detour and visit Oloolera station where Philip Nankoris is working as a lay pastor and Josephine is working as the adult literacy and preschool teacher. Upon arriving at 11:00 we found only Philip in the church. In the distance we could see one lady on her way. Because we had baptismal certificates to hand out at the Ntorosi church, we decided to go back to Ntorosi for divine service and come back to Oloolera for visitations.
Ntorosi is a stationed that was opened by MDP lay pastor and now Kajiado Coordinator, Patrick Muyia in April of 2001. Since that time 4 additional Sabbath Schools have been opened in the area with 130 baptisms. Yesterday morning I was impressed and amazed at the size of the youth group in the church but I also noticed that many people were missing. After handing out the baptismal certificates, the Lord impressed me to speak to the church members about the importance of visitation. To look around and see who was missing in their midst and to ask the question why? Were they discouraged, sick, having difficulties at home, backsliding? Reminding them that God has given each of us the title of Ambassador and the responsibility that comes with that title. We talked about visitations, the power of praying with someone and sharing God’s word. The greatest privilege and opportunity came to pray for Lay Pastor Francis Sosoika and Lay Pastor Patrick Muyia as they take on the challenge of mobilizing and equipping their church members to reach out to those missing members as well as the community. To then pray for those who were newly baptized for God’s Spirit to be poured out upon them as they share what they have learned and are continuing to learn about the love and saving power of Jesus Christ. Finally praying for all church members to be empowered by God’s Holy Spirit to be the Ambassadors that he has appointed them to be.
After the service, I had to say goodbye to the church members as I had promised that I would return to Oloolera for visitations. As I was about to get into the vehicle a few of the youth girls asked if they could accompany me on the visitations in Oloolera. My heart thrilled to have them come with us. When we arrived back at Oloorera, at 1:15, the church service was just about to begin. Again, after the service, the baptismal certificates were handed out with the opportunity to share and pray for Lay Pastor Philip Nankoris, the newly baptized members, those just learning about God and all church members in their role as Ambassadors.
During the time that I was speaking, I knew that the Holy Spirit was speaking to my heart what His plan was and that we needed to get back to our grass roots. How important the one on one touch of the people is and that we must teach by example. My heart was thrilled! In my heart I was saying, “Yes, Lord, that is your method”. It is not enough to preach, it is not enough to tell people truth, but rather it is only effective when by the grace and power of God, we live out by example and touch lives where they are at, regardless of circumstance.
After the service, with the members that were able to stay, we began walking for the nearest boma (family village) to visit. At the boma we were readily welcomed in. The women called all that were within to come meet the visitors. I had the greatest opportunity to give a short sermonette about faith and love. Those who are close to me know how much I love sharing with others about God’s love. I don’t often get that opportunity anymore, but God was taking me back to my roots. To pray over that family did more for me in reminding me what God’s desires of each one of us is, than I’m sure it did for anyone else.
Interestingly enough, the woman of the boma was a sister to a Maasai man that I had been teaching literacy to in 1994 at Maxwell Academy, Saoyio. When Saoyio was married, some of the people at Maxwell were invited, among them, Mama Mitchell. Mama Mitchell is Gwen Edwards, the lady who actually started the work with the Maasai village behind Maxwell and drew me in with her. I was so excited, what a small world, I didn’t even know that was the home where Saoyio came from. I excitedly told her that Mama Mitchell would be coming back to Kenya in July with our next mission group trip. During that time we hoped to pay a visit to the Ntorosi church and invited her to come. She said that she would like that very much.
As we left our newly made friends, one of the ladies that had been visiting that family decided to accompany us to the next boma. Her name was Leah and she just happened to be the wife of the chief of that area. At the next home, Josephine gave the next sermonette and prayer. What a blessing to sit back and listen as she witnessed for God. By the time we got back to the road and found Ogecha with the vehicle waiting for us, it was time to head back to Nairobi.
After encouraging my friends to continue, as a church group and individually, to share and pray with their friends, family and neighbors, I sadly said goodbye. One the way home I was praising God in my heart for taking me back and giving me the “One on one” touch time with those He has asked me to serve.
God showed me that while administrative work is necessary and important, it cannot and must not take away from the “One on one” time of sitting “under the trees”, touching the people where they are at. That was and still is Christ’s most effective way of reaching people for His Kingdom and sharing His love with them, giving “Hope in life, Hope for life eternally”.
