We are just over three weeks into our 2018 Home Assignment and are beginning to settle into some routines. We have some travel plans set and other plans still in process. Our desire is to see and talk with as many of our supporters as possible but we also sense a clear direction from God to use this home assignment as a time of rest. Realizing that we may not have an opportunity to meet with all of our supporters, we have decided to send out numerous blogs over the coming months to highlight ministry and life in Kenya. We pray that these posts will give you insight into the last two years.
I (Tim) have many roles at Moffat Bible College and one I enjoy greatly is serving as patron of a student group called Antioch Mission Fellowship (AMF). AMF has a clear mandate to reach the unreached and underreached in Kenya – specifically the Maasai, S*m*l*, and Dorobo people groups. AMF meets weekly to fellowship and pray for the lost and also seeks opportunities to go on outreaches. I would like to share about an outreach we took to Songoloi on February 10-12, 2017.
The people of Songoloi are considered to be Dorobo. The Dorobo are considered engaged but not reached with about 1% Evangelical Christian. The Dorobo (“those who have no cattle”) are outcasts largely from the Maasai who prize cattle. In this particular community we found not only Maasai but also many Kikuyu who had been displaced for a variety of reasons. We partnered with a local AIC (Africa Inland Church) pastor so that there would be follow-up once we left.
The trip to Songoloi took about 6 hours. Once we left the main highway the road was somewhat rough but passable and the closer we got to Songoloi the more beautiful the scenery.
I’ve include many photos in this blog so that you can get a good feel for Songoloi.
We arrived in Songoloi early Friday evening and were met at the church by the pastor. I realized after arriving that the elevation was higher than Kijabe which sits at about 7500 feet. This provided for some fairly chilly nights!
This is our team at the church just after we arrived. In the background is the AIC church building.
Three of our team members – Colins, Titus, and Timothy
Not a great photo but this is our team in the church building huddling around a fire to warm ourselves the night we arrived.
The night we arrived the pastor arranged for an evening meal and led us to the nearby school where we would sleep, shower, take our meals, etc.
Breakfast!
After breakfast on Saturday morning, we split into groups for door-to-door evangelism. The pastor arranged for a church member to guide each group.
We spent time sharing with this gentleman about God and salvation. We found that many along our route were Kikuyu and spoke little Swahili. There were three students in my group – John, Colins, and Timothy. John (pictured above on the left) became our main communicator as he is Kikuyu. Colins (middle) is Luo and Timothy (left) is from South Sudan. It was good to encourage this mzee (elderly) Christian man as he lives alone and does not get around well anymore. We also helped him cut a tree and build part of a fence.
We came across these children who were home alone – their parents were out working.
Such an amazing view of God’s creation!
This man is also a Kikuyu. His background is Catholic but he allowed us to talk and share about Christ. He had not attended church in a long while and asked us to pray with him to be restored to fellowship with God.
All along our path, we connected with people as God allowed. John decided to give a hand with clearing this gentleman’s field.
We ran across two ladies working in their field and took time to share and pray.
Our guide led us to her home where we met her daughter and grandchild. We also shared with her son (pictured below) as he had walked away from church. We encouraged him to commit himself to Christ and the church. He seemed receptive.
We later came across this family and shared Christ with them. The father considers himself an SDA (Seventh Day Adventist) but we shared and prayed and they agreed to come down the hill on Sunday morning for church at the AIC Church.
On our way “home” we came across a water reclamation device. Actually, the hills are covered with these contraptions. There are steam vents throughout the region and the locals tap these vents to collect water through condensation. Steam comes up from the pipe at the base of the tank and travels up and through the long pipes that extend out of the tank. Before the steam reaches the end, it condenses into water and then flows back into the tank where it is collected.
The town of Songoloi . . .
This a water tank that has been constructed to collect water for use in the small town below as well as the school.
On Saturday evening we held a crusade in the small town (sorry, no photos – too dark) where we showed the Jesus Film and shared testimonies. The following morning (Sunday) we held an extended worship service in the AIC Church (above).
This is Timothy, the chairman of AMF (2016-2017 academic year), greeting the community and introducing the speaker (Francis – seated in the background).
Abigail did a great job leading Sunday School for the kids!
After the service we circled up outside the church and prayed for the community.
In the end, 17 people gave their lives to Christ and 1 was restored to the church. Praise God!
John Kahugu, who is now the vice chairman of AMF, has returned to Songoloi after our outreach to encourage the pastor and will go there in July 2018 for a two-week internship. Please pray for him and for God to continue working in the hearts of the Dorobo of Songoloi. They may be outcasts in their own country, but they are loved by God.
In Christ,
Tim, Maureen, Luke, & Kate
McAlhaneys on Mission 