LETTER FROM A MAASAI FRIEND -WE MISS YOU AND CHICKEN AND CHIPS

How are you ? Jambo sana?
I  hope that all is well with you. Thanks for praying for us. On the streets of Nairobi and in the country side I also made sure that all was well so that one day you could say that Peter taxi was a good friend. Men of God are judged by what they do and say.

Thank you for  spreading the word of  God in Maaisailand. You taught Pastors and Church Elders clearly about the cross more than anyone else and we will live to appreciate it. The Lord will also inspire us and help us learn more on our own till you come back to Kenya.

Currently the drought is still terrible! It is as before when you were in Kenya. The little rain that poured before you left was the last. However it was so little that nothing grew. If you could be in Kenya now you could be shocked by the magnitude of the the drought. Daily, the livestock are falling down one by one .There is no grass nor green forage anywhere. The land is dry and windy! Keep  praying for us as you normally do.

I miss your  lunch of chicken and chips as you came from the shopping mall. The people down in the village also remember your gift of corn and beans. Now we have to pray for one another opportunity to comes.

My children are well  and so are all my family members. Pass my my best regards to Paula and all the Taylors. I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

God bless you,
Peter Taxi (Peter Lekerian)
 

Philippians 4:7  "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus".

THE ENCOURAGING WORDS OF OUR  FAITH

It is hard to see those we love suffer-a son or daughter's first broken heart, a spouse loses a job and can't pay the bills, a friend confides the horrifying fear of terminal illness. These situations tare our heart into but as believer we have a hope that reaches beyond the sufferings and limitations of this world.  For many Samburu they must face their fears alone-they have no Heavenly Father, no eternal hope.  Our desire is to give the Samburu a chance to share our faith-the reason we do what we do. There will never be peace in this world-but there is a world of peace in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 – “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.” John 15:18-20 NIV

"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. ”
Article 1  UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
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32 slaughtered by bandits in Samburu
Updated on: Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Story by: Obadiah Ayoti and Husein Salesa
At least 32 people were yesterday morning killed and 12 others seriously injured when armed Pokot bandits raided the Pauline Range in Samburu District. Among those killed in the 5 am incident were eight children, three women and 11 suspected Pokot raiders.
The injured were admitted at Maralal District Hospital with serious gunshot wounds. Last evening, eight people who were in critical condition were airlifted to the Nairobi Hospital for specialised treatment. The bandits had earlier driven away over 3000 heads of cattle before the shooting ensued, leaving 31 people dead.

By last evening some of the bodies were still strewn all over the scene of the incident even after Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode toured the area. Ojode landed in the area at 4pm accompanied by fellow assistant minister Simon Lesirma who comes from the area, Internal Security Permanent Secretary Francis Kimemia, Deputy Police Commissioner Francis Okonya, Samburu East Raphael Letimalo and former Speaker of the National Assembly Francis ole Kaparo.
The killings in Mogurak come five days after Laisamis MP Joseph Lekuton raised a red flag over increased insecurity in Northern Kenya. Mr Letimalo, a Samburu, put the number of the dead herdsmen from his community at 24 but did not include the death from the Pokot side. The MP has previously accused the Government of selective disarmament saying, “It (disarmament) only targets the Samburu.”
He donated Sh100,000 to assist in the burial and ordered that the affected families be supplied with food and water. On his part, Lesirma attributed the violence to land ownership where the Pokots want to evict the Samburus from the Pauline Ranch. “This clash is about land ownership and not about pasture and water. The Pokots want to forcefully uproot Samburus from their land,” said the assistant minister. He asked the Government to beef up security in the area to protect lives and property.
Tension remained high in the area despite the fact that a contingent of regular and Administration Police officers were deployed to maintain law and order. Although police had launched investigations into the incident, no suspect had been arrested by last evening. Earlier, Samburu Central District Commissioner Tom Macharia said the incident was an isolated case of cattle rustling by armed bandits.
The killings come barely days after Laisamis MP Joseph Lekuton warned of impending attacks in pastoral regions as competition for water and pasture heighten due to prolonged drought. Last week, there was fighting between Borana and Samburu in Isiolo District in what was attributed to the competition for pasture and water.

PRAY FOR CALM IN SAMBURU LAND and CROSSROADS SAMBURU TEAM MEMBER, JOSEPH

Please pray for our Crossroads Samburu representative in Maralal, Joseph Leleruk. He has a wife, two little girls, and an elder mother he is responsible to protect.

Hi All,

"Todays paper has a story about a raid on a Samburu village in which 32 people died including women and children. The raiders were Pokot trying to steal cattle. It was somewhere not too far from Maralal because the wounded were taken to hospital in Maralal".  We'll pray for Joseph and his family, Stan

PRAY FOR RAIN IN KENYA - PRAY FOR RAIN IN KENYA - PLEASE, PRAY FOR RAIN IN KENYA

Easter Sunday,  after a long flight back from Zimbabwe on Sat., Cliff and I visited our Maasia friends to deliver sacks of beans and rice. Our hearts went out to them. We wished we could have help all the Maasai but of course that would have been impossible so we pray the Lord will care for them until the rains arrive.

The drought in east Africa's is so severe that the government has declared a state of emergency. Thousands of people face hunger and starvation after a poor harvest, crop failure, a lack of rain and the rising cost of food.

The economy is still recovering from post-election violence last year and facing fallout from the global slowdown on export markets. Kenyans have been horrified by multi-million dollar government graft scandals in the maize and fuel sectors in the middle of the food shortage, and at a time when the administration is appealing for international food aid. So goes Africa. 


Last month as Cliff and I waited in the bush plane in the dry barren Samburu area,  we gave thanks-thanks for the mercy God shows to those who heard and believed the gospel. Their simple faith is a beautiful thing to see.




We also gave thanks for Joseph, a bright young Samburu man who connects the Word of God through culture and language as no Western missionary can.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in ur time of need.

STAN'S EVERYDAY LIFE IN NAIROBI

8/15/09

Just a quick note before I am off to Kayole to teach. Sorry I haven't been writing much lately but this electricity thing is really throwing me for a loop. It has really put a wrench in my schedule. Since all my studies are on the computer, I can only work on the days it’s on. I have to hassle to get as much printing, etc. done as I can on Tuesdays and sometimes Thursdays. Since all my entertainment is also on the computer - movies, games, etc. – it’s quite an adjustment. Well, so far I am surviving but it’s a real pain.

What makes it worse is that most of the problem is caused not by a lack of rain, as the government would have everyone believe, but by corruption. If the people in charge would only allocate things correctly instead of according to who bribes them, there wouldn't be a problem. I think I told you that there was an article in the paper that one half of Nairobi's water supply was being illegally diverted by those who are selling it. Oh well. I don't understand why the Kenyans put up with this sort of government like the Zimbabweans did except they have the guns and the power. Well enough of that. I am fine as the Lord always takes care of us. I have to go get some lunch before I head out. See you all later. Stan

8/18/09

Thanks for the email Cliff. I'm glad to hear you all had a good visit with Pat. I hope she is well. I am back at the cyber-cafe today as my internet is not working. (long story). I was feeling a little isolated this morning since my phone is also not working. Today is MY day for electricity so at least this morning I was able to make progress on my studies. But then, instead of staying home and enjoying the luxury of having electricity, I had to come to the shops and try to get my phone and internet working again. Dennis is out of town for the week so he can’t help me this time. But in spite of the minor hardships I am in good spirits as God continues to give me His sufficient grace. I had to buy a gas stove so that I could cook when I don't have electricity. I can also heat water to bathe and shave, etc. so it is really a necessity at this time.

Not much to report except we had a good weekend of classes and God is continuing to minister to these men. I continue to be blessed by being used in the process. I need to get going and get some things done so I will see you all later. Stan

SALVATION ARMY-ZIMBABWE

SALVATION ARMY-ZIMBABWE

Our friends and hosts in Zimbabwe, the Pennys, are members of the Salvation Army Church. The Salvation Army Church in Zimbabwe does much more than just ring the bell at Christmas. It struggles daily with life and death issues: finding grain for starving families to keep them alive for one more day or a bottle of aspirin to help alleviate pain caused by a third degree burn, or broken bone. Many Salvation Army pastors walk up to 16 miles to comfort their flock. They rely on their congregations for income and are as needy as those they help.

During the Easter holiday the members of the SA church gather together for a three day camp meetings of celebration, evangelism and fellowship. The organize into groups and visit villagers to share the good news of Jesus Christ and encourage them in the faith. We had the privilege of being a part of this which was a great blessing. We never stopped being amazed at the courageous spirit of the Zimbabwe people.

ZIMBABWE and GOOD FRIENDS

While we were in Africa during 2008-09 we felt it necessary to make a trip to Zimbabwe to see how friends are making it as the country struggles to reestablish itself after a complete social and economic meltdown. Things were somewhat better than our last visit in 2007. The noticeable difference-food on the shelves and bread no longer costs $2.00US, a Zimbabwean’s monthly salary. The local currency presently being used in Zimbabwe is the US dollar. While Mugabe continues to blame the West, his coalition partner Morgan Tsvangirai is on a drive to restore full ties with Western governments that are crucial for financial aid to fix the battered economy.

Our time was with our friends, the Pennys, was truly a blessing. It was the Easter holidays so many of their relatives from the rural areas, and children who were away at school, returned to the family home in Harare to be together. It was a full house with no running water and sporadic electricity, but the wonderful time together made up for any inconvenience.

The Pennys are members of the Salvation Army church which was having a huge gathering, a type of old time camp meeting. Members came from all over Zimbabwe and camped on the grounds of a rural school. It was a week-end of singing, teaching, and reaching out to the surrounding villagers. We also traveled to Chinhoyi, a farm town in one of the “hot zone” of farm invasions. After visiting and encouraging friends there, Cliff and I drove to Lake Kariba, a huge lake build by damming up the Zambezi River. It is very beautiful area and Zambia is just a short distance across the border. During better days in Zimbabwe, it was a wonderful tourist destinations. There were lots of animal and miles of water for sailing. Presently the area is struggling to make a comeback but the beauty of Lake Kariba is unsurpassed.

LAKE KARIBA

EVERYDAY LIFE OF MISSIONARIES IN THE FIELD AND AT HOME

Everyday life of missionaries when they’re NOT IN THE FIELD.
Today is a beautiful day here in Carbondale Colorado. Cliff, Dan and DJ are busy pounding nails building the new horse fence. The weather is beautiful-not too terribly hot. It has been in the high 90's and when you’re a mile higher-closer to the sun-it can be scorching. We do not mind because this property is a blessing so we all work together to keep it in shape. It was an interesting process to watch the auger dig the holes for the big cedar post-much better than digging them by hand.

We just found a huge leak somewhere underground-right under my 10 year old herb garden-bye bye herb garden!

Everyday life of missionaries when they're IN THE FIELD

Stan settles into the daily chaotic life of Nairobi a little more each day. He now obtained a three-piece wicker set for his living room, something most of us would buy for our deck but in Africa it's great to j

ust to have a comfortable place to set. Previously his living room only had four plastic chairs

so this is definitely a step up. It will make a much more pleasant place to relax and counsel.

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

According to the Joshua Project, an organization that globally track unreached people groups, not everyone in the world has head the gospel. This is a difficult concept for most of us to grasp. We live in a country with an abundances of religious organizations. Crossroads has the privilege of ministering to one of these groups, the Samburu. Read about these fascinating people below and check our older blogs.

Joshua Project - Links to other Unreached Peoples and Great Commission sites

Joshua Project - Links to other Unreached Peoples and Great Commission sites Shared via AddThis

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Samburu

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Samburu of Kenya

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STAN: LIFE MOVED ALONG IN NAIROBI

PHOTOS: 1. Pastors class 2. Teen class 3. Just one of the thousands of LARGE billboards

Hello again. I just got back from running around Nairobi and am tired but decided to send an update since I haven't communicated in a few days. My Week: Monday I walked from one end of Nairobi to the other trying to keep up with Dennis' long strides. We were looking for a particular internet company that was recommended. We finally found it and the sales lady said she would come out Tuesday to install something so I could test it for a day. Well, it was all for naught as she never showed up. But at least I got more information about internet companies. I think I made up my mind to go with the one that had the half price deal. Dennis and I will set off again tomorrow to see if something can finally be installed. We have to go to an offices in Westlands, somewhere around Westgate. My living room is moving toward becoming a place where you can actually relax. I bought a nice large rug which covers almost the entire tile floor. Now I just need some furniture. Maybe I will look at the wicker set in Westlands tomorrow. (It cost around $175 for three handmade pieces).

Today, Dennis, Joshephat and I went to a couple of places looking at the areas just to get an idea of the property there. We went to the town of Kitengela which is about a half hour past the airport just off the road to Mombasa. The place we looked at was in the Rift Valley and was Masaai country. I wasn't impressed. It looked dry and desolate to me. Not quite as desolate as the area where Peter lived. But they said that farming was by irrigation and if you drilled a borehole the water would be salty and not drinkable. The advantage of the place is there is plenty of land and it is relatively cheap. We headed back with the intent of going to Kiserian but we never made it. We got as far as Ngong where we stopped for a late lunch and decided it was too far to Kiserian.

The area around Karen and Ngong was very lush and beautiful compared to where we had been and agreed it would be nicer for a school. I keep reminding them that I don't have any money but we are just looking.

Bye for now. Stan

STAN: LIFE IN BURUBURU

PHOTOS: Teaching the teen class My new (used) desk being delivered Thanks for the emails. I haven't been spending any extra money because my rent is coming up but I have been eating well. I got a recipe for Sloppy Joes from the Internet as it has always been one of my favorites. I actually found all the ingredients here so I mix up a big batch every now and then. The Africans seem to like it as well. Dennis, Joshephat and a couple of the teens, Kennedy and Dixon all tried it and liked it. They said it would go better with Ugali than over bread like I served it but that is to be expected.

Cliff, you will be glad to know I have a new hat. The street vendor in Kayole was selling them for 50 Ksh the other day when I went by and so I went for it. That amounts to only about 75 cents so I think I got a pretty good deal. Believe it or not it is not even dorky - it says 'Old Navy' on it. At least I don't think it is. You know me - what I think is dorky isn't necessarily what everyone else thinks is dorky.

I started Swahili lessons Saturday in Kayole with Jehoshaphat. He is teaching me while we have some time between classes. He is getting me a book like his beginners use with pictures, etc. It will be good to have someone teach me which will motivate me and make it easier. It will be good to be able to use a few phrases occasionally in my classes or just to understand people. In the city it is not a problem but in the country there are many people who don't know English so it will be worth it to learn.

I still don't have the Internet hooked up. I tried to call them but the person I talked to wasn't very helpful. I will have to go downtown to their offices. I was going to do that this week but I think I will put it off till next week when my leg is better. Also, one of the guys at my Buruburu class said his brother worked for an Internet company and he is going to get me particulars about getting set up through them. So I will wait until I talk to him Friday. I also have to go to immigration downtown to register as an alien again but the guy handling my paperwork said it was no hurry for that.

I ran into a bit of a problem in my teen class. They ask a lot of questions which I like because it kind of stimulates things. One of the guys asked a question about baptism because he has just gone through it. The problem is that apparently his parents believe that you need to be baptised for forgiveness of sins. I explained it the best I could but I saw a wrinkled brow. I think he was having a hard time reconciling what I was saying with what his parents or church taught him. I just hope he is able to recognize the truth as I teach it and see it without losing respect for his parents. Oh well, I can't really worry about things like this but just teach the best I can and let the chips fall where the Holy Spirit puts them. :)

OK- I'm going to quit for now and do some research. I am at the cybercafe but one that is quite slow. The one I usually go to is actually pretty fast but it was closed for some reason. Oh, I didn't tell you that I found a great place to buy movies. It is next to the cyber cafe - 100 Ksh and best of all the quality seems to be good. I have purchased a couple of TV series and they have been pretty good quality compared to others. Bye for now. Stan in Buruburu 40 Sec. in Buruburu

PAULA: THE FACES of SHERP (Samburu Handicapped Education Rehabilitation Program)

SHERP is located in the small dusty arid market town of Maralal in Northern Kenya and was founded in 1999 by a teacher of the blind, Grace Seneiya. Samburu disabled children suffer much. Not only from conditions of poverty, drought, disease and government corruption rampant throughout Africa, but from a traditional Samburu belief that disabled children are a curse.

The Samburu are semi-nomadic pastoralists. Cattle, as well as sheep, goats and camels, are of utmost importance to the Samburu culture and survival. Disabled children are considered a bad omen to their nomadic families and are often left behind when their families move on. Some are poisoned with tobacco, or buried alive. Grace, who is a Samburu, has rescued many such children from the brink of death.

The SHERP goal is to assist and teach children to overcome their disabilities and to live productive lives. They also advocate and educate the community to help change the stigma associated with being disabled. I had the privilege of training the staff how to use the expressive arts to help children express their pain and grief. All abilities and ages enjoyed playing with the puppets, drawing and singing to “not so great” harmonic music.

THE SAMBIRU DISTRICT-NORTHERN KENYA

The Samburu District is located north of the equator, an area about 8000 square miles (21,000 km²). The landscape offers diversity and beauty. After independence the area north of the equator was called the Northern Frontier District (NDF). Samburu district was once a large part of the NDF. Only government officials were allowed to enter and it was closed to foreigners of both European and African descent. A special permit issued by the administration was required to enter the NDF. Today the Samburu District is still a remote area
THE SAMBURU BELIEVER: Watching God's gift of pastor teacher in action by a brother in a foreign land is overwhelming! I am reminded of why, we in missions, do what we do. I met Joseph in Nairobi. He came to my classes at the Nairobi Bible Institute and I could see right away that he was a bright young man. I did not know he was from the Samburu Tribe. Most of the men in my class were from the Maasai or Luo tribes. After our five month course Joseph asked if he could drop by my apartment for some help with translating some verses of salvation into the Samburu language.

There is no doubt that Joseph is a gifted pastor/teacher. Watching him "equip and build up the body of Christ," -his fellow Samburu tribesmen- could be achieved only through such a spiritual gift. Joseph did a great job of teaching the Two Sides of The Cross. He spoke in Samburu, Maasai, and English. The Men commented on how wonderful it was to hear the salvation scriptures in Samburu

Ephesians 4:11-14 (NI V) ¹¹It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹²to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

CLIFF: MAASAI PASTOR TRAINING

I could not stop the tears as I thought, 100 Maasai men. In talking to Peter Olonapa, who arranged for me to teach Maasai men this Friday and Saturday at least. I said, "what must I bring. Besides 10,000 shillings for food and transport he said "your diagram of the two sides of the cross." (Thanks Sugar. I will have to simplify). I said, "how many copies?" He said, "there will be 100 Maasais to hear you teach."

I have arrived. They are coming. One hundred Maasai men. I saw them rising up out that desert soil of rocks and sparce trees, canyons and crevices, pools of water where small boys with flocks of goats had come to drink. Men having walked for two days toward me for words of wisdom and life.They were as phantoms coming from everywhere. Some wrapped in colorful sheets with sticks. Some looking almost like colored sticks standing on one leg. Others looking as though they had been touched by the outside world. Here we are, you, my children (Holly, Daniel, Genni, Josh, Ben, Emily, and Adam), Jeannie, Steve, Stan, Bill B., Bill R., Pauline, whoever is part of us-Taylor, Lauren, Cameron, James, Riley, Grey, Milenda, Ray and so many more. Here we are! This is what it all about. 100 Maasais. This is why we train. This is why we learn. This is why we pray and give and go. This is what its all about-souls. Their souls are as cups capable of holding living water. The water is the truth of Jesus Christ. We must pray that out from them will flow this living water as they return to their places, the phantoms in the desert of Africa.

Love. Love, Cliff