Lyle’s Kenya Report

Masai School of Ministry - Kenya Dec. 2012

Every time I go to Masai Land it is always a different experience; new people, new insights, new adventures, new breakthroughs, new relationships.

This week was very different right from the beginning because I stayed a couple of  nights with missionary friends Kamau and his family in Nairobi, capital of Kenya. They work in one of the biggest slums in Africa. In Nairobi it is estimated that 65% of the city’s population (6 mill) live in the slums or in slum type conditions. Kamau, a Kenyan man, actually grew up in these slums. Then he was invited to do a DTS with YWAM. He eventually made his way to Russia where he met his American wife. 10 years in the US then to Zambia to run an orphanage where we first met them. The Lord began stirring Kamau’s heart for the same slums he swore he would never return to. They are there now running a couple of kids clubs. He took me around the slums to visit his extended family who are still living there. A great testimony from Kamau. No American should ever complain about the conditions they may live in.

Bus to Masai Land

 Then I was off to Masai land by taxi, bus - and to reach our final destination, motorbikes were the only transport available.

Mark with Ingatu, the guest speaker

This time a Zambian lady was invited to come and minister. I was not sure what kind of stir that might create due to the male dominated culture there. The first time she came up to speak many of the Masai men were not sure they liked what was happening. As she began to speak their thoughts quickly changed. It was very encouraging for the Masai women to see that it is possible for a woman to be called and used by God; for women in the Masai culture are generally always at home with the goats, sheep and kids, that is their place and only their place.

            Over the days the Lord really ministered through our sister and many were prayed for, and delivered from all kinds of stuff. Hundreds would run up to the front at every invitation saying “I am ready for something new, pray for me!”

No more room inside...

Men and women alike here in Masai Land are hungry and ready for something new. They are tired of living in the fear of the spirit world and the curse of their own controlling traditions,  which are many. My purpose every time I go is to speak a bit more into some of these customs and offer them life-giving biblical principles for living. Over the past 6 years I have seen especially the young men grow in faith and have a heart to see their own people set free.

Standing room only...

            The original plan for this seminar was to only invite pastors and church leaders but in the end it was opened up to all church members as well, and our last days there were over a thousand that came to take part. The Saturday night I spoke; how they got 800 plus in the little building is amazing. I am glad I was on the little stage in front; there was no room at all, not an inch of floor space, there were more standing than sitting. The other 200 plus were standing outside. On the Sunday we all moved outside.

           

A challenge of full surrender

I spoke on the mind and how it can be our own worst enemy; some of the lies that are believed and lived out have kept many lives in bondage. Daring to speak into some of their cultural beliefs, confronting some of the very lies that keep them in bondage. There was a big response in the end. I also spoke on the cross, that salvation is all about me, but the cross is all about Christ and His kingdom. Many came and fell before the cross and wept. This is something that all Christians must understand.

 I spoke to the pastors on “Church with Purpose.” One pastor commented, “Is this really what church should be like? I never knew.” Another one asked me “Why did you beat us up so hard?” It was then followed by a big smile and two kisses on the cheek, I assumed that was his way of saying thank you, I don’t think it was betrayal…

On the way to the church

             For me, every morning was a walk through the savannah, this time of year everywhere one looks is a picnic spot, the rains have just begun and the plains are green and full of life.

We took a day and half and jumped on a pikipiki (motorbikes) and went over the hills and into Tanzania to visit some of my Masai friends. 6 hours of fantastic beauty, scattered wildlife - and of course three flat tires, that part was not fun!
 

"Nyama choma" - roasted meat

We stopped at a several Masai markets along the way, enjoying the vast sea of Masai colors and culture and roasted meat, the staple diet for the Masai.

            On our way back to Kenya we stopped at a ceremony where the young men are circumcised and enter into adulthood and the warrior stage, this is the most important time for the life of the Masai. The celebration lasts up to 3 weeks. Thousand gather for this event. I was not allowed to take pictures, though I did sneak one picture of the witchdoctors hut. His hut is in the middle of a large circle of smaller huts, maybe about 100. There is a fence made of thorns around the witchdoctors hut and it is called the "holy of holies". (Imagine that..) If any person child or adult, dog or animal is found inside this fence they are killed.

"holy of holies"

During this ceremony cows and goats are sacrificed by the witchdoctor and I was told there are also 5 human sacrifices made. (All single adult males) These are not physical sacrifices, but all done through the spirit world, within days of the spoken curse these men die. All these sacrifices are done to enhance the spiritual blessings and protection on these young men who move from boyhood to manhood. They are anointed as the warriors and protectors of the Masai people, their culture and ways of life. 

This is some serious stuff and you don’t play spiritual games dealing with this, there is the tourist level of friendship but then there is the ‘eternal’ friendship. This is a completely different level; it is the level I am after, to take the power of God, the freedom of the Holy Spirit and the Salvation of Christ into this culture. You don’t just do this over one week - it takes years of relationship, study, asking questions and attentive eyes and ears as to understand, so I can pray, preach and teach with understanding, being led by the Holy Spirit.

We had to move outside...

During my last day I met a very influential Masai man who works throughout Kenya and Tanzania. He asked me to please come and speak at two large Masai conferences that he runs twice a year. He said that the all the Masai need to hear your message on the mind because you understand, many foreigners speak but do not understand. These are some more open doors. The Lord has given me great favor among the Masai and this is a great blessing for me. 

            There is so much to say, about the Masai, their culture, their world, etc. If you are interested please scroll further down and read in my Masai diary from earlier this year.

I want to thank Jette, my wife. She has kept the home and the kids going lots this year while I have been away. Thank you to my fantastic lady. I love you.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Enjoy a few pictures:  

Grandma giving her life to Jesus

Just what is that white man doing??

Mark's church in Tanzania

Making an arrow...

Not often you see Masai boys play soccer...

Masai warriors

Market day, full of colors

Having a cup of tea

On the way to Tanzania

My Masai mother...

Masai mother and her kids

Power of three...

Herdsmen

Masai cattle auction

This one went for $300

This bull took a definite dislike to me....

If donkeys could only talk...

Learning to plow...

Cows are the highest value for the Masai

Milking a sheep

Secretary Bird