Our Time in the African Bush

I have considered myself to be a decent communicator and writer. However, I am not quite sure that I can this justice. The things that I heard, saw, and experienced today is the church of Acts!

Let me back up a bit. Gary picked us up bright and early this morning. Gary is the one on the team that builds relationships with tribes of the Unreached People groups as well as helping to support and encourage church planters after they have been through the Training Center. We set out on our journey not really sure what the day would hold but I have not been so excited in a long time! Traveling back up the same rugged road leading to Nairobi was not extremely appealing but that is life here. Little did we know that it was one of the better roads we would travel on. My eyes were pealed for anything and everything to see. The first spotting were antelope which were pretty but not much grander than our average deer. Secondly, I laid my eyes on an ostrich female and male. One can tell by the color of their feathers. Still not real sure I spotted this long skinny necked friend cause without a fence at the zoo the color of brown really makes them blend in with the scenery. However, then I spotted my favorite thus far~ giraffe!! We were so excited and fascinated to watch them move! When you can see one there are typically more around as well. We saw later on the way home closer than we could ever see them at the zoo. Really incredible!! No elephants but we saw the destruction of where some had defiantly passed through!!! We had driven for about three hours listening to Gary's wealth of information about the Masai, tribal people, and life in Africa. He has been in Tanzania for five years but a missionary in Kenya for quite some time. He was amazing to listen to and the time flew by! We had traveled somewhat along the mountains for quite sometime then Gary said ok we are going to the Bush! Bill and I cracked up cause the last 2hours had looked like the middle of nowhere Bush to us!! We headed up the mountain a bit on what Gary said were roads but not like any roads you and I would call roads!


We came upon several villages Gary would point out that a church had helped them or ministering there. CMF in Tanzania really are reaching people who have NEVER heard about Jesus before! The Masai in some of these villages have never hardly seen a white person Muzungu (Keep in mind that I have hard enough time spelling tired and jetlaged in English let alone Swahili!) James is the Masai church planter in the area. Actually, he is the area mentor for other church planters and teaches some at the Training Center. Gary actually first met James in his work in Kenya. We actually were right on the border of Kenya and Tanzania. Anyway, it was an honor to meet James. He gathered some of the people of his church around the site they home to build an actual church building. Right now he gathers close to 100 people under a tree for church! The foundation is there and the blocks are piled up ready to build. There is a bit more money to raise but also the lack of water makes it difficult to put towards cement or mudding. But, back to the people they were there at the church site anxious to meet us! A little timid but just as excited as we were. They sake your hand as a greeting. Gary introduced us and they decided if we needed a new Masai name or not! Bill had to be William, Heather's name meant Blessed one (can't for my life spell it!), and my name well there is a slight humorous moment about this (especially for Bill.) They couldn't quite comprehend Wendy as a name so first it came back as smelly one which Bill had a field day with!! Naropeal (that is how is sounds have no idea about Masai spelling) actually was translated as arrival of sweet aroma. As I stood there and they were grinning from ear to ear it brought tears to my eyes. We were served tea and it actually was good! I mean this because Gary had prepped us for sour milk, muddy tea since there is such a lack of water, etc. But, the tea was good, a sign of hospitality, and great sacrifice for them. Then, the best part~ they sang!!! In Masai with grins on their faces each of them sang with all his/her heart about Christ who would be coming from the clouds one day! We clapped along with them as they praised the Lord together. As the singing grew the movement did as well and I found myself being able as well as compelled to move along with them. They grinned at my efforts but it is what unified us in being able to worship together! There truly are no words for this moment in time and something I hope I never forget.

We were able to take pictures with them which are FASCINATED by being about to see after! I had one of the ladies who seemed to be one of the more energetic of the group befriend me. A sign of friendship is to hold your hand which to my surprise she did. Momma Rose is her name who to my greater surprise gave me one of her tribal bead necklaces! I was stunned and touched!

James invited us to his home where we were invited to lunch of chipatta and beans. Of course rather than engaging in too much adult conversation I was in the yard playing with Jame's seven children! Afterwards he told me it was to no surprise that children were my ministry! We were able to have prayer for James and his family. What a tremendous blessing and humbling experience to see believers who have nothing, face such trials, but have such JOY!

We indeed have an amazing God who blesses us. Bill, Heather, and I count it a great honor to have met our Masai brothers and sisters and to pray for the Unreached.

Love from Africa

Points of Prayer:

• We are so grateful for good health and safety
• Pray for the believers in Mathali of the Masai Tribe
• Pray for James the leader of the church planting efforts of this Unreached People Group
• Pray for RAIN many are hungry and cows are dying
• Blessings to my new friend Momma Rose