I’ve just returned from the bush country near Masai Mara region of rural Kenya. While there, my training partner and I worked with a group of Masai pastors, launching a new network.
We began by offering a one day overview conference for a larger group of church members and pastors. All were excited to learn with their Bibles open as we walked through many passages. In case any people started getting drowsy in the smokin’ hot metal church, ushers walked around with long sticks to swat people who were drifting off. I chuckled at the thought of how that would go over in America.
From here we started working with our group of Masai master trainers who will in turn pass the training on through the 300 churches in Covenant Church International under David Kereto’s leadership. We were surprised to find that the entire group was fluent in English, so the training went much smoother than normal. The group enthusiastically received the training and is eager to pass the workshop on to other pastors.
After finishing the training, we returned to Nairobi to meet with Bishop Abel and Pastor Harun. Although we had planned to do another training that these two pastors were coordinating, for the past four months Harun has been in the hospital with severe meningitis and other problems. Thankfully, Harun says he has been healed of meningitis, but is still not able to walk. He has been discharged from the hospital, but is unable to leave till he pays the 475,000 Kenya shilling bill (about $4750 USD). Each day his bill increases, and his family, church and friends have given all they can. If you are interested in contributing for Harun’s hospital bill, please email me at eric.belz@efca.org. He remains in our prayers.
At one point, Pastor David wanted to take us into Masai Mara to show us some animals. Within two hours we had seen giraffes, hippos, impalas, gazelles, water buffalos, zebras, warthogs, elephants, a cheetah, and then we stumbled upon a pride of at least seven lions. Very successful time.
I have high hopes for this group, and as long as they can stick with the program and put it into practice in their churches and pass it on to other pastors, I believe there will be a significant impact in their region of western Kenya.
Pressing on, Eric