Kenya

Kenya Missions

Maasailand Report 2018

Summary of the EMMA Kenya mission : 17/2/18 - 3/3/18

AWAY Team : Doctors : Kwasi Appiah (team leader), Alison Jordan, Tony Males, Richard Scott, Charlotte Spencer

Nurses : Loraine Donegan (eyes), Doreen Wardle (pharmacy)

Registration and Prayer : Paul Spencer, Jenny Wong

HOME Team : Pastors David Kereto, Aaron and Rogers

Dentist : Shadrach Kaelo

Nurse : Patrick (one day)

Catering : John (i/c) with Elizabeth, Musa and Dan

Translators : Joseph, Gladys, Lilian, Noah, Emily (maneno mengi), MariaHelper : Stephen,

Driver : Joel

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Saturday a.m 17/2 Flight : BA Heathrow (3), arriving late evening in Nairobi - where we met a Canadian medical mission team (“Tumikia” = service) who’d also just arrived for a fortnight in Kenya - and were relieved that at least some Englishmen had faith! The incident humbled us : we are just a tiny part of God’s much bigger picture. Stayed in a noisy town centre hotel.

Sunday 18/2 a.m : Alison led our team time. Theme = Faith, which she memorably likened to hearing a bird sing when taking the dog for a walk in the dark. Many of the heroes in Hebrews 11 were scoffed at - like Jenny, prior to Kenya. But as the Bible reminds us 2,000 times - serve the poor.

Travelled to our first camp - @ KIRKURIA. Very windy, hot and extremely dry. Population approx. 700. Dumping kit in our tents, we sang, Doreen gave testimony and Paul preached in the Church service. David Kereto introduced us to an old lady who’d set up many churches. With no schooling, God had taught her to read & write and she was seen taking notes from Paul’s sermon!

Sunday p.m : set up clinic in the primary school. We divided ourselves into registration and prayer, male docs, female docs and dentist/pharmacy/eyes. The headmaster gave up his office for the female medics, and after compressing the pupils into half the school buildings, promptly gave up the unequal battle, giving them a day off and us the run of the place. This was probably my worst “consulting room” ever! Unpacked the pharmacy (supplies sadly incomplete from Nairobi).

Sunday eve : 1st Jesus Film. No George Wanyonyi, so Bernard showed the film here instead (replaced by Rogers & Aaron elsewhere). Very well-attended and although no-one responded to Tony’s testimony/call mid-film, some hands were raised when the call was repeated by Aaron at end. Cold night.

Monday 19/2 : Fascinatingly, primary school children walk to school carrying not only the obligatory firewood, but also now their parents’ mobile phones! The school was the only source of electricity for charging!

Continued Faith theme during team-time. Tony reminded us to hold onto faith and Kwasi contributed with the 3 Ms : personal Moments and historical (biblical) Memories of what God has done in the past - and via present-day heroes eg. Michael Green - produce a Memorial that ensures we are not dominated by any adverse present circumstances.

CLINIC DAY 1 : Following joint team introductions, Kwasi’s morning Gospel preach to the assembling patients emphasised the need for spiritual and physical healing. We treated 247 patients, with 54 dental extractions taking place and spectacles dispensed. As ever, God linked patient numbers to doctor supply. One memorable lady with arthritic hands was frustrated, no longer able to work “like a tractor”! Another reflected a common theme : beaten by her husband, this time as a leopard had taken 2 goat kids. Another complained of a painful side, having been butted by a ram as a child. Finally, everyone thinks they have anthrax!

That evening, I felt prompted to preach next Sunday on 2 Chronicles 7 : 14.

Monday eve : Charlotte spoke @ 2nd Jesus Film. 40 kids later responded to Pastor Aaron’s appeal, kneeling before God - a wonderful experience for all.

Tuesday 20/2 : Alison led the team-time. Wonderfully, her toilet had fallen down just before-hand. It wasn’t on solid ground … which chimed with Jenny’s calling as an architect. We need to align ourselves with God’s plan.

CLINIC DAY 2 : Picking up on Kwasi’s previous day theme, RS spoke from 2 Kings 20 (Hezekiah’s healing). Six (adults and kids) responded : presented to the local pastor.

290 patients today, with 74 dental patients (64 extractions) and 48 pairs of glasses dispensed. Kwasi saw a deaf & dumb boy, whilst I advised a man with a forehead bony exostosis following a tree falling on his head not to have it removed - to avoid inadvertent brain surgery! One lady, shown shoulder exercises, had no problem as she praised the Lord already! Sadly, a 21 year lad not walking well, following a motorbike crash, demonstrated spastic gait, having undiagnosed spinal cord injury. One for the prayer team, in addition to an 11 year old anorexic girl.

Wednesday 21/2 : Struck camp following an early start. On the way to our second location @ OLIBELIBEL, extended population 5,000, near the Tanzania border, David Kereto and Richard spent another £225 on medicines. We’d been allocated a small “cooperative” building - but not the secondary school, as planned. The smaller building became our accommodation (along with 5/9 tents) and dining room. Later, the headmaster insisted we use General Joseph Nkaissery High School buildings, across the road. The only problem : exams were still taking place! This would delay our first morning (tomorrow), although the school chaplain would help by shifting the last exam to the laboratory. Registration and prayer now under the big yellow canvas.

During team-time, Tony mentioned the onion rings of faith : an inner ring = I go to work, treat 45 patients, get some right. Middle ring = I’m helping the community in my work, seeing some patients come to faith. Outer ring = I am helping transform the whole area. Several team members spoke of tough times at home : Doreen’s son (Charlie)’s death, RS’ daughter Abbie’s health, Alison’s husband’s adultery, exacerbating her migraine, Paul’s heart surgery. We also noted that Daada (our EMMA Liberian contact) was recovering from back surgery. Later this week, Alison’s health would improve and RS would have the great joy of hearing that his daughter got engaged back in England.

Thursday 22/2 : CLINIC DAY 3 : 239 patients seen, 46 glasses dispensed but just 34 teeth extracted after delay in purchasing more dental cartridges. Following the usual introductions, the old men asked to be treated first! One most unusual patient was the butcher who supplied the school who’d fallen whilst carrying a sheep’s carcass. He’d dislocated his patella superiorly - something we’d never encountered previously, then promptly dislocated the other one, falling off a motorbike on the way to hospital! Another younger man presented to Tony with a grossly infected leg requiring removal of the intramedullary nail pinning his femur, whilst a third man had fallen before being trodden on by his cow. One lady nicely illustrated a common complaint - I can’t walk far, meaning only 5 kilometres, rather than the usual 20 K!

Thursday eve : 20 secondary school kids responded to Kwasi’s memorable testimony @ 3rd Jesus Film. No surprise that God influenced the rota in advance, ensuring that Kwasi - who’d boarded @ secondary school in Ghana, spoke to similar African secondary boarders? We sang, “God is good, all the time” - then translated it, singing “Ashe, Ashe, Ashe, Jesu” - thank you x3 Jesus.

Overnight, however, we were reminded that saints and sinners co-exist. Three boys were caught trying to break in to our temporary pharmacy.

Friday 23/2 : RS spoke on the benefits of faith @ team-time. So many!

CLINIC DAY 4 : A total of 488 patients seen over the 2 days in Olobelibel. 79 teeth extracted and 48 glasses dispensed. Tony’s interpreter, Joseph (David Kereto’s middle son) wants to become a neurosurgeon - benefitting from time together. During the lunch-time Gospel talk from Doreen, it transpired that none responded because all were already saved! A lovely late eve walk allowed us to reflect on the animal bones so reflective of drought - but also on the goats moving towards their overnight thorn-protected compounds. Safe from leopards and hyaenas, they little realised that their greatest enemy were the missionaries (we eat one per day).

Friday eve : Both generators struggling. The Lord didn’t mend our team electricity supply; instead, fill it up with oil! But He did enable the Jesus Film generator to work following prayer. To paraphrase Scripture : seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all diesel things shall be added …

Paul gave an excellent testimony of God supplying his cardiac needs. Billy Graham has died, but Pastor Aaron is equally anointed!

Saturday 24/2 : Camp struck early. Another gorgeous sunrise as we decamped to our 3rd place - ENOOSIKITOK. With Kilimanjaro in view, the local population of 300 were tough : it was even hotter and drier with even the Kenyans finding it hard going. The toughest place DK has ever worked in. Tony reminded us of the aphorism, “11 – 3, go under a tree”. After putting the large marquee up, a sand-storm nearly blew it down. DK worried as a recent, large political gathering here was buffeted by such a storm, killing one person and hospitalising 70 others. Placing the lorry between the tent and any future storms sufficed. We sent word to 2 translators who’d left us at Kirkuria to return. Local translators were used to the generosity of World Vision (builders of the clinic here), demanding payment for their services. We prefer to give gifts at the end.

At team-time, Charlotte taught us about the 3 As : Ask and be Astonished at the Abundance of God’s provision. We’d soon discover (again) just how apt this was.

Sunday 25/2 : As our extended team introduced themselves in Church, DK lined us up opposite local Maasai for them to rename us : “Hot”, “Peace”, He who breaks many spears” were among them. Translator Gladys then asked to give a word : “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Just the encouragement I needed, as this reading from 2 Chronicles 7 : 14 - was my text. Jenny’s mime on God hearing and forgiving also proved just right. At the conclusion, the entire Church (of 100) sank to their knees, crying out for forgiveness and healing of the land. We ended by singing (in English and Maasai), Russ Hughes’ “We Humbly Pray (Lord, Send the Rain)” …

Lord, send the rain

Pour it on this parched land

Soften every hard place

Flood through every desert

That we may wade

Out into the water

A mighty flowing river

Lord, send the rain.

How would God respond to His peoples’ cries? It wouldn’t take long to find out …

Sunday p.m : some time off, driving to Namanga to straddle the Kenyan / TZ border. On our return, the local pastor told us that people were coming from far, staying overnight, having been told to arrive at clinic at 6 a.m tomorrow! Clouds gathering.

Monday 26/2 : CLINIC DAY 5 : in all 3 locations, we acceded to requests from primary school teachers for extra Paracetamol and Mebendazole - for fever and worms. One woman presented in pain after being beaten by her drunken husband (thus neatly demonstrating two of the sins for which we’d repented the previous day!) Another lad required antibiotics for an infected skin graft post-snake bite. A dust-storm passed through our clinic.

Today was a market day, reducing our work by half. 149 patients, 17 teeth and 12 glasses only. The reduced workload allowed Jenny, Tony and myself to learn more of Maasai customs - and the country’s problems - from Pastor Aaron.

FEMALE CIRCUMCISION : sadly, some Christians are still practising FGM. They do so in secret, not shaving the girls’ heads and without special dresses being worn. Culture still tops religion. Even pastors can be influenced by their grandmothers. They MUST teach the Word. But now 70% in Maasailand are against FGM, with the Church making the difference, alongside government rules forbidding the practice and modern education. Tony wondered whether specialist teams might help here too - especially where an affected prominent female was involved.

ALCOHOL : the Kenyan government has banned local brewing - although the practice still continues rurally.

PREGNANT TEENAGERS : are very common. Two of our translators/cooks have children already. Before children get admitted to Form 1 - they must undergo a pregnancy test! If positive, they will not be admitted, returning home with their parents’ fees of 70 – 80,000 Sh. forfeited until the child is born. Rape in Maasailand is very rare. One added problem - children are off school in November/December - so there are many September babies!

Once a girl is pregnant, the father may come and claim the baby. If paternity is unclear, DNA testing is possible, but pastors eg. Aaron are heavily involved, identifying the father - who then has to pay for her lost school fees. Having done so, the child is taken to his home., and brought up by his mother - unless there is a strong agreement between the boy and the girl.

If a girl becomes pregnant, her mother may also be at risk of a beating; she should have brought the child up better. Running away, the pastor is needed for reconciliation between father and mother, teaching them they fight for nothing!

CONSANGUINITY : the Maasai are very clear that close-linked relatives must not marry. ALL Maasai trace their clans and blood-lines - so early on in a relationship, a couple asks the pastor to search their kinship. Only if the relationship is acceptable can they continue. If the two marry and are later found to be closely-linked, a penalty is paid (usually a heifer).

DISPUTES : eg. land boundary disputes or theft. Although there are village chairmen etc - they won’t do much without consulting the pastor - who gets involved. Pastor stands for peace.

A lovely walk uphill to a manyatta (small village). Prayed for the family there. Passed many cow skeletons, a hyena ambush hole and a venomous snake.

Monday eve : 15 responded to the Jesus Film.

Tuesday 27/2 : at team-time, Ephesians 1 taught us again that it’s all about God. Later, Paul’s Gospel message from John 1 to assembling patients saw 4 respond. At lunchtime, so many patients came that Tony gave a second Gospel message - using a cardboard box, sharp piece of wood and plastic bottle-top to illustrate Christ being pierced and crushed for our transgressions. Another 8 adults responded!

CLINIC 6 : 271 patients today, 30 teeth and 52 glasses. One old man memorably dated his low back pain to his days as a Moran (warrior) - falling over whilst killing a lion! Another man had been gored by a buffalo and a third girl pierced her cornea with a needle whilst attempting to remove a thorn - so ubiquitous in Maasailand. One man told a different story : his side pain resulted from being beaten by robbers. To illustrate Aaron’s teaching, a very young mum (now 13) came in with her handicapped year old child. Finally, one man testified that his sciatica had responded well to prayer previously - so we prayed again!

Tuesday eve : 20 children responded to Alison’s testimony @ our last Jesus Film.

Wednesday 28/2 : at team-time, we learnt that it’s not what you give that counts, but what you hold back (cf. the widow’s mite). We reflected on the simplicity of life here, not being a slave to time or the internet. Not planning each day by the minute. How powerful local preachers are and how we need to take life in the UK similarly by the horns. As we packed up and gave gifts for the last time to locals and our departing translators, RS was humbled to receive an extra necklace from a lady pleased with my sermon.

Wednesday p.m : safari time @ Amboseli National Park. Driving over the bed of the completely dried out Lake Amboseli, the urgent need for rain was obvious.

Thursday 1/3 a.m : Finally, at 2.40 a.m that night - the clouds that had been gathering burst! The whole night and the next one it rained. We would learn from DK later (Friday 2/3) that rain was heavy in Narok and Nairobi and that the place where we’d prayed - Enoosokitok - asked us to return from the airport to give thanks! Truly, we serve a great God! Awesome!

NB : Final TEAM MEETING 1/3 - money-distribution - see Tony’s later report.

Saturday 3/3 : overnight flight back from Nairobi to UK. Sadly, Loraine’s luggage was misplaced in DK’s car - to be sent on later - but otherwise, all went smoothly.

Blessings

Richard Scott

Maasailand Report 2016 In Association with the Maasai Evangelistic Association

SUMMARY of EMMA / TFM Joint Maasai Mission Jan 16th-31st 2016

EMMA : Drs : Tony Males, Phil Reynolds, Lydia Baffour ( + Dr. Joseph)

Dentists : Martin + 1 (locals)

Nurses : Linda Wood, Suzanne C, Judith Reynolds, Doreen Wardle (pharm)

OTS & Physio : Caroline & Henri Louis, Linda Berry

Medical admin : Ed Wood

TFM : RS, Kevin Granville, Andrew Gardner, Jane Henya, David Rhodes, Trevor Daykin, Ali Stevens, Sheila Hughes

Sat 16th Jan : UK team (including Henri & Suzanne from California) met @ Heathrow 6 a.m. God provided early as 3 extra bags allowed free - following the travel agent’s false promise! Flight fine but Judith migrainous.

Prayed, no problem getting through Nairobi customs, stayed overnight @ Kolping Guest House (as previously).

Sun 17th : On road to Narok by 7 a.m. Met Bishop Ben, Nixon and George Wanyonyi there. Transferred new digital version of Jesus film to Ben, thanking him for his help over the false allegations made against David Kereto in 2015. Drove to our 1st location @ KATAKALA.

Discovered we hadn’t arrived in the hot season! Rain for 2-3 months, so cattle v. healthy but our lorry got stuck in mud. Late arrival ensued, but our army-style tents already up as we unpacked quickly prior to church. 2 songs, Doreen & Phil testified then Tony preached at the CCC (Community Christian Church).

Afternoon : sorting bags, t-shirts and medical equipment, school pretty basic and not closed by headmaster, thus less classrooms (4) available than ideal! Discussed school-work with David K - and discovered his sister-in-law now promoted to headmistress in one school we will visit, thus easy access!

Mon 18th : John cooking so food royally supplied again! Linked to my current reading in 1 Kings 18 when Elijah was fed bread and meat daily by ravens whilst the unfaithful Israelites starved.

Clinic began, followed by Caroline’s lunchtime preach at which 4 adults responded. One man came for glasses from the other side of the Maasai mara, leaving @ 3 a.m. Other old men had set out on foot @ 5 a.m. UK Linda prayed for an old man who wanted salvation.

Door to Door (donkey to donkey) = DTD : one man said to me, “Your words are very hard. We are on a journey.” So I invited him to the Jesus film. Jane gave her testimony : Despite her Kenyan village upbringing in Kajiado, with no electricity /gas / water, she never saw herself as poor. Instead she was rich as the joy of the Lord is her strength. Left Maasailand when had the chance to go to U.S - now 26 years in UK and my neighbour. An example of how faith in God opens doors, possibilities.

We heard of an old man who used to shoot evangelists with arrows as didn’t want his wives or children converted (see later). But now some locals so keen that one lady took a pen and started writing down her friend’s name even before we’d prayed for salvation! Wonderful time as we slipped and slid our way along the muddy road, when we came across 7 casual (seasonal) working men and women form the Kalangin tribe - all of whom responded and raised their jembes (hoes) in celebration! They wanted their own shamba (fields) so Pastor Aaron told how he’s been in their position only 5 years previously, God responding in just this way to his prayer.

As we met people on the road to clinic, Jane used her Swahili : “dawa inaitwa Jesu” (medicine called Jesus) is greater than tablets from doctors (“dawa inaitwa daktari”). I then pinched this theme subsequently. As we spoke to others, 2 men drove past in their combine harvester then stopped, wanting to know why Wazungu (whites) were here. Another chance for the Gospel!

That afternoon in Katakala Primary School, we were delayed as torrential rain fell. Prayer was required, allowing one class but not the second as planned. No worries, as the second took place the next day.

That evening, David K told us how he’d agreed to this location. A tall lady evangelist I’d met previously - Monica - had begged him to bring a medical team to her home in Katakala. Agreeing, he went to visit her but she’d just died in an RTA. Keeping his promise, he knew God would deliver souls.

The first Jesus film - shown by George, was attended by 3 of us following our team meeting. We came in just as blind Bartimaeus was receiving his sight - a great starting point for my message, allowing George to appeal and 25-30 children responded for the first-time. Taking their names, George asked them to return before the following night’s film for initial follow-up.

Tues 19th : Illness in the camp - Judith then Linda with fever / vomiting. On the road, 3 more Kalangin seasonal working men stopped their digging, gave us time & listened, with 1 responding. Then one boda boda (motorbike taxi) man who’d seen us as he drove back and forth stopped to receive Christ! Ali then led a young girl to the Lord before we prayed for her severely burnt 6 year daughter who’d just attended clinic, whom we discovered was the sister of the boda boda driver.

Wed 20th : Kevin prayed for a couple who had 6 girls but no son. And for a herd of sick goats. Began to meet people of road proudly demonstrating their glasses received in clinic. One man, already drunk in the morning, asked for prayer to stop drinking. Trevor - at our pre-mission get-together in west wales - had told us he’d be delighted to lead just one person in Kenya to the Lord. God had a bigger plan, granting him several this morning alone!

In the medical clinic, Linda saw a child with bad cerebral palsy improve with prayer, leg stiffness gone by the time she sent him to the OTs. One person, receiving glasses, later had their spiritual eyes opened on the road - showing how our 2 teams function well together.

That afternoon, we went to Oloenae School - where David K’s sister-in-law now HM. Following our songs, their songs and 2 sketches and a preach, 29 children responded. Took 3 schoolboys in our bus back home - and translator Steven showed us his book of pictures and sayings. Such a faithful lad, but schooling stopped after his father refused to sell a cow for fees. Best saying : don’t tell God how big your mountains are, instead tell your mountains just how big your God is!

In evening, heard Pastor Eric’s tale. He’d come to Katakala 12 years previously to preach the Gospel - and been given 3 choices by the locals - 1) stop preaching 20 leave 3) keep preaching here and be killed. “You’ll have to kill me then”, he replied. Twelve years later, the locals decided his message must be true because ours was identical! He was delighted with the responses, and proudly told us how he’d spend the next 2-3 weeks following the 50 up, with Monday to Friday Discipleship Bible study planned. Elders visiting his house that day said their experience showed that God had sent his missionaries here. They were also delighted that our arrival had led to more rain - humbling when we were praying against rain for comfort and journeying!

Finally, I learnt from George at the evening film that there are 3 people you can’t hide from - God, Satan & yourself.

Learnt that the next District (Kajiado) had heard of our medical mission on the radio - why aren’t we coming there? David K happy for 2 teams per year!

Thurs 21st : All day travel to our 2nd location @ OLKARKAR. Again, got stuck in mud with much prayer and our theme song taught by Lydia, “Who has the final say? Jehovah has the final say.” We’d already sung it, with Jane’s testimony again to the assembled children at Katakala School as we waited for the truck to be ready, but now He did as we made progress, arriving just in time as the sun set.

Friday 22nd : We learnt about our hosts from the Kenya Hope Centre - sponsored from Pennsylvania - and how the adjacent church at Eryeit had no building. Less agricultural here, bomas (homes) more spread out, the people relying on their livestock. Meant we started on the road later - as locals had to pasture their cows first, and need to be back by 6 p.m to avoid wild animals.

RS and Trevor started with men vaccinating their goats against mouth diseases caused by flies. One responded, before another man rather unusually responded whilst all the surrounding ladies didn’t. How times have changed from 2002-4, when Sheila noted how women wanted to respond but were prevented by their husbands from doing so! Their prayer has softened men’s hearts! One man, however, demonstrated similar delaying tactics to those we see in the UK. He was a builder and pretty filthy. Refusing to respond in such a condition, he asked us to return at 9 a.m the next day when he would give us his answer. This sounded reasonable, so we did. But although he’d promised Saturday was a day of rest, it isn’t in Kenya and he’d gone, called to another job far away. He was more concerned with outer than inner dirt. Passed to the local pastors to follow-up.

Afternoon school - very slow to respond, like wading through treacle. Did pump sketch, guitar out of tune, David spoke but nothing seemed smooth or easy - yet 200 + responded. Truly God’s work!

In evening, Kevin spoke of his sense of oppression here. Pastors talked of a spirit of bondage, fear, with traditions, poverty, sickness and witchcraft holding people back. Criminal cases eg. one man awaiting life in prison for killing a lion. But the sense of god remained, with one lady going to the back of her house to kneel down, giving her life alongside a similarly kneeling Sheila.

Sat 22nd : a slow start on roads, but spent the 2nd half of the morning very productively chatting to patients awaiting their turn in clinic. Two men re-committed their lives - after the pastors explained v. honestly that they were back-slidden! Trevor led a whole family to the Lord.

In afternoon, we experienced some opposition. Took the jeep into bush, spoke to some Maasai under a tree and RS examined an old lady with a chest infection. But we were prevented from going further by an over-zealous elder who complained that he hadn’t been personally informed of the mission, demanding an apology on a subsequent day! Pride - but also an opportunity for humility for local pastor Karam!

Sun. 23rd : Andrew and Trevor preached in the 2 churches. Four ladies who’d responded the previous day came to the church under the tree at Elephant Springs and at least 2 men at Olkarkar came from conversion. Two men responded to Andrew’s message in the service itself.

In team-time, Jane taught on Paul’s instructions to Timothy - that evangelists should be 1) courageous and enthusiastic 2) not be ashamed of gospel 3) be loyal to their spiritual leaders. And that all of us should have both a Paul (mentor) and Timothy (mentee) in our lives.

Mon. 24th : All day journey to our last stop at NKOILALE Had to mend the road crossing a dry river bed. At our destination, announced our arrival by singing songs at the main road and later in a local market. About 50% expecting us. Now dispensed with our tents, staying in a low-level safari lodge on edge of the Mara.

Tues. 25th : on the road, we were again joined by local Christians we picked up en route. Good example for the UK churches here! Many responded, including another boda boda driver (John), carrying a local evangelist on the back of his bike who w as delighted! Interesting as the women we spoke to hadn’t responded, but talking to them allowed him to arrive. Ali led one lady standing in her doorway to Christ, who’d never set foot in church. Each DTD sub-group led approx.. 10 to Christ this morning.

Trevor met the first woman to be converted here - 40 years previously. She then spoke over the group, saying that in receiving men, some people welcome angels. Wonderfully, as I led 2 ladies to Christ, Pastor Michael arrived - “and here is your pastor!” The pastor told how he climbs a mountain with elders, staying there 2 days to pray - the same mountain which was a haunt for warriors is now a prayer mountain.

Jane, George and Kevin encountered different types - business people - at their shops. Harder to reach with some Muslim influence, but as the Holy Spirit touched them, some men started crying. One man admitted to a hard heart, young and old came to Christ. We all met a man from the KWS (Kenya Wildlife Service) who invited us for further discussion to his house the next day.

That night, more than 400 people in town saw the Jesus film with 35 responding. But George has shown the film to 3,000 in one go elsewhere.

Wed 26th : David & RS spent 2 hours with the KWS man. Says he is saved, but we’re not sure! But happy to learn the difference between faith & works in terms of salvation and for our answers on why God allows the devil to fall. Our visit was likened to a car going for repairs.

Dr. Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) remaining busy as most of the team have now succumbed to the trots. In this last afternoon school, we dispensed with the Hands sketch, instead converting the traveller to a boda boda traveller (who rejects Jesus) following it with the Prodigal Son (who didn’t). No child responded - as they were already all saved! But loved their singing & dancing, joining in.

In evening - even more saw the film and responded than the previous evening! David K now wants to work more closely with George in future.

Last day of medical clinic- Total number of patients seen over the 7 clinic days was 1593

Thurs. 27th : 4 a.m goodbye to the translators, Ed & Linda Wood - and a temporary leave for Jane (seeing her sister) and the Reynolds (visiting an Christian eco project). Another 50 or so responded on the roads in this 3rd 2 day mission location.

These next 2 days were spent on safari, with Lydia and Suzanne seeing cheetah from their hot-air balloon, while we had to be content with jackal, hyena and lion from our new lorry!

Had a really good last team-time on Timothy, mentioning projects we needed to fund - decisions tomorrow!

Fri 28th : 7 Projects were identified. Of these …

    1. Bibles - already bought ~ 35 (@ 10 dollars = 1,000 K Sh each). Trevor will try to fund more from his UK Church
    2. George’s Ministry - he needs a new DVD player at least! Was robbed on a bus 2 years ago, losing much of the equipment we had previously funded ~ 6 years ago. Tony may contribute here.
    3. Katakala Water Project - needs a generator, pipes and pump. David may help here (money from non-believers)
    4. Church under the tree - needs a roof and side pillars to start. Our TOP priority - as people won’t attend if rain or XS sun not prevented by a roof.
    5. 3 patients were discussed - we favoured funding the burns child
    6. Rescue Centre
    7. Pastors Rogers & Aaron requested more training. Former has never had any instruction - with David K pointing out the dangers for churches here! Aaron has been to Bible College in Nakuru. Trevor agreed to seek financial support here too. Twins mentioned the Langham Partnership (attached to their church) which does 2-3 weeks in-country training and David K already knows Wanyeki - a Kenyan who has now returned home to disciple locals.

Sat. 30th : visited the Rescue Centre in Narok on way back to Nairobi. Heard prof. Paul talk about itinerant evangelists Bible College there and Bishop Ben Koikai about the rescued girls. Latter remain in Christian homes in holidays till funds available for the 12 of them to eat / be cared for in the centre. Room available for 6 girls in each of 6 rooms i.e 36 girls. Ben’s church uses building on Sunday - helping to pay for caretaker in the process.

Richard Scott

Maasailand Report 2012 In Association with the Maasai Evangelistic Association

Date: 8th – 25th March 2012

The Team

In 2012, EMMA’s medical team from the UK visited several areas of southern Kenya ministering and providing medical care to the Maasai. This was the second such trip to this area, the first being in March 2010. The group were invited once more to bring ministry and medical help to the area by Pastor David Kereto of the Maasai Evangelistic Association.

We were 14 in number comprising of the following:

4 nurses, 1 physiotherapist, 1 occupational therapist, 5 GPs, a laboratory technician, and 2 dentists.

Preparing the Way for Mission

Through donations from individuals and churches and from fundraising, money was raised to purchase in the UK boxes of medical supplies, mainly medication, to be distributed free of charge at the three ‘camps’ that were set up during our trip in different very isolated areas of the country where medical provision was lacking.

Pastor Kereto had put out the word through Kenyan national radio and through church contacts on the ground that a medical team would be in a certain place for several days beginning on a particular date.

Maasailand Clinics

Queues of people from babies to the elderly awaited our arrival each morning. From 9 till 6 each day. Medical and dental care was provided at no cost. The team had interpreters to assist them in speaking with the people.

Over 3000 folk were seen and treated in total. 100s of bad teeth were extracted!

There were many opportunities for the team to provide holistic care in its fullest sense, by presenting the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Team members gave testimonies and preached the word on many occasions. The local Christians I believe were greatly encouraged by our visit. Many people heard the Word of God, some even whilst waiting in a queue to see nurse, doctor or dentist.

Evening Mission

In the evenings the “Jesus Film” was shown. A number during our stay expressed great interest in learning more about Christ and some made a commitment to follow Him. On-going vital discipleship of new Christians was left in the hands of Pastor Kereto and his team of pastors and church workers on the ground.

Monies left over at the end of the mission were left with Pastor Kereto along with unused medicines. The monies will support on-going medical care and treatment of particular needy children, and will also support the building of a Rescue Centre for teenage girls in distress.

Reflections

We give thanks to God that the team remained healthy and worked very well together, a team in which many of the individuals had only met once or twice before at briefing sessions.

We give thanks to Almighty God to have been able to participate, even in a very small way, in providing healing for the body, and by His Grace healing for the soul, as the Word of God was preached.

Not to us O Lord, not to us, but to your Name be the Glory, because of your Love and Faithfulness- Psalm 115:1

Beyond the Mission

Over the past year, 3 of 4 churches which we were involved with have reported increased congregations. Through money raised by team members, we were able to help more individuals in Maasailand.

Donations used:

  • Equipment for 2 health centres
  • Support disabled patients
  • Repair the pastors' vehicles
  • Improved water supply to a primary school
  • Laptop and video projector for a school
  • Fund the building of a rescue centre for girls escaping forced marriage and circumcision

By Dr Mark Harney, team leader 2012

Maasaailand Report 2010

Date: 6th - 23rd March 2010

The medical team led by Dr Richard Scott provided free healthcare in Maasailand, Kenya, at the invitation of Rev David Kereto. This "Medical Mission" was an adjunct to evangelism and church development work, and built on an eight-year partnership between Dr Scott and the pastor.

For many Maasai healthcare is poor and difficult to access, by the virtue of their semi-nomadic lifestyle and the level of coverage and capability of existing government and non-government health facilities.

The team consisted of five GPs, one physician, two gynaecologists, two dentists, three nurses, one physiotherapist, one occupational therapist and a laboratory technician. The team was accompanied by a public health doctor for the first week.

The team ran "medical camps" on a total of eight days in four locations within Kajiado and Narok districts. The principle was that treatment and care for the two days in each location would be completely free and, apart from at Oloikarere Health Centre, the camps were run independently from local government and mission clinics, with the support of a team of translators and one mission medical assistant.

Clinic Activity

The following numbers of people are estimated to have been seen at the four clinics.

The medical diagnoses from those seen by doctors have been analysed to give an indication of the main problems that presented over the eight days. For a significant number of patients the main diagnosis was selected from several recorded, based on the treatments given, and for others an attempt was made to interpret the data recorded so as to fit the patient into a limited number of categories. A number of patients had unusual or interesting diagnoses and are classified as "specials".

By Dr Richard Scott