Greetings from team Kenya, we have safely arrived and settled into our new home in the remote village of Arsim.
The weather has been kind to us so far with temperatures usually reaching around 35 degrees Celsius at the peak of the day. We are pleasantly surprised by how we have adjusted to our new environment. Since arriving, we have integrated well with the culture except for the language barrier which has been a bit frustrating at times. We expected to encounter a completely different world out here where we would feel out of place, but we are thankful to have found far more similarities than differences. People are the same as they are at home. The children are whimsical and joyous, the youth are reckless and naive, and the elders are trying to preserve their culture in an ever modernizing world.
Sun-burning on a giant rock
Arsim is a rural community that in many ways feel a lot like home except for all the “monkeying” around. It has the feel of a small town community where you greet everyone on the street and people go out of their way to welcome you. Although there are many similarities, there are also stark contrasts that we have noticed. One of the big differences we have noticed is that the life of the Samburu revolves around their animals and providing for them. Also, we have come to understand that Nkai (God) has been at work here for thousands of years, long before Jesus walked the earth. People here trace their spiritual heritage back to the time of the patriarchs, but many of them have not yet chosen to believe in Jesus Christ or believe that the same God that they have always known is a living God.
Roasting goat bushman style
Right now the Samburu people are going through a severe drought and have been struggling to find enough food and water for their flocks and families. This has been very hard on the people but they are still trusting in God to provide for their needs. The government has been working to help alleviate the drought but unfortunately due to corruption much of the aid never actually reaches the people. Please pray for the Samburu people that they may come to know Jesus in a more meaningful way and their land might be healed. So far much of our work has involved helping people as they are trying to endure the drought.
Clearing thorny trees from the road
We have spent a couple of days delivering water to nearby villages where the river has dried up. These people have been very thankful for this life-giving water because, without it, they have to hike many miles to gather water. Along with delivering the water, we have also been helping with many of the Bible teaching opportunities such as teaching Sunday school, showing the Jesus film to a nearby village, and attending an AA meeting.
Distributing water to the people of Sedai
In this time of trial, one verse that would describe the mindset of the people is 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 which says,
“At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops or send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”
Thank you for your continued prayers and stay tuned for further updates.
Team Kenya signing off.
