In the past few months, we have been able to place 1,020 Bibles in students hands, and new relationships being established between the schools and our local churches, giving opportunities to preach the Gospel and followup with Bible lessons. We are getting feedback constantly, but it seems that over 200 students have already responded to the salvation message!
Last Thursday we were blessed to spend a day in the bush with faithful Pastor/Church Planter Daniel Kalasinga. He accepted Christ 34 years ago and immediately began ministering the Gospel of reconciliation to his own Maasai people first, and then beyond! His ministry has literally reached from Central Kenya as far as Tanzania, Uganda, and well into the great ‘Northern Frontier’ of Kenya.
Kalasinga & Mariamu
This photo was taken over TEN years ago – he was an “old man” then! (“Mzee” in Swahili means “old man” in an honorable way!) His faithful wife, Mariamu, has stayed by his side, encouraging him through many difficult times!
Because of their age, we helped them build a new home near their main church in the trading centre of “Dol Dol”. Our trip on Thursday was to mainly see their new home and have prayer of dedication.
Kalasinga’s New House
Of course, there were lots of children around! Daniel & Mariamu have fed many hungry children, in this drought prone area, out of their own meagre pantry for three decades!
Kalasinga’s Family
Some good old Maasai Buttermilk was a must! Justice Brown had to go through the initiation! He loved it!!!
Pastor Kalasinga insisted that we drive up through the forest about 2 hours to a spectacular view point. The view towards the North and East facing Ethiopia and Somalia was an unforgettable reminder of the “regions beyond” which are still to be reached with the Gospel!
It reminded me of Paul’s challenge to the rich Corinthian church (who thought they were suffering — but, in fact, were quite rich compared to other early Christians). He challenged them saying: “…having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you… to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you…” (2 Cor. 10:15-16)
Looking over the Northern Frontier
Pastor Boonstra confirmed as a "Maasai Elder"
Last Sunday was the milestone 30th Anniversary of our first Maasai Church, in Dol Dol. They have started 19 churches out of this original church. What a wonderful privilege to have my first Pastor, Carl Boonstra, as the honored guest! Accompanied by his two wonderful daughters! What a memorable day! Pastor Boonstra preached a challenging message which touched many hearts. About a dozen people came for salvation, and many more for rededication!
Pastor Boonstra was the honored guest when we dedicated the Dol Dol Baptist Church 30 years ago! None of could have foreseen the wonderful fruit which has come out of this ministry!
Pastor Kalasinga is now 62 years old, but his passion for evangelism and church planting is burning brighter than ever! This week he will lead a team 100 miles into the remote “Northern Frontier” to start planting a new church in a key town.
Wamba Flood
Wamba Flood
Wamba Flood
Three pastors who face daily struggles in their remote ministry areas recently conducted a fund-raiser among the Maasi congregation in Dol Dol. With some help from a Bible Study group in South Florida were able to obtain a sacrificial gift of eight sheep which they took to John Lekumpai, the pastor of a new church in the extremely remote and needy village of Wamba.
Over the weekend trip they had services at the little church in Wamba and also did public evangelism and house-to-house soul-winning. Eleven souls accepted Christ as Savior, and a struggling pastor and his “forgotten” flock near the end of the earth were encouraged!
After a long and crushing drought the El Niño rains have brought another set of difficulties and the trip to Wamba was held up for several hours waiting for the floods to subside. But overall the people are happy to see green again!
Jerry & Sherry Daniels