Monday, June 30, 2014

Outreach in Kenya

Some of my friends in Kenya went on a short term missions to the dry northern regions of Kenya to a place near Marsabit, Kenya. Along the way you can see it is quite dry. You can see wild ostriches along the highway.


As they got closer to Nanyuki, Kenya, they had a car breakdown and had to overnight there.

You can see some scenes in the general area and how dry it is.

Stopping for a break.


This young missionary couple in the photo are from the Maasai peoples of Maasai Mara and they were being accompanied to their missionary post in Marsabit area, where they will minister to the Rendille tribe of peoples.

Young missionaries from the Maasai Mara in southern Kenya.

A natural, local landmark.

A local man in traditional dress pops into the local store.

My friends were also on an short missions trip to deliver food, medicine, water and the gospel to these precious people.  The missionary family will stay behind and make this area their new homeland.  I've learned that there are a lot of high powered weapons around this area.  My guess is it is because there is a lot of cattle rustling that goes on in these far flung areas where tribes raise cattle. Once you leave Laisimis and carry on north to Marsabit, outsiders often need armed escorts to accompany them for their own protection.


The Rendille people are largely unreached by the gospel and follow their traditional beliefs and god called Ngai.  The people originate from Somalia and have amalgamated with the Samburu people of Kenya. They live in very large villages in the dry regions of the Kasuit desert.

I absolutely love the intricate bead work the women are wearing on their heads and around their necks.

Drought has forced many to leave their traditional ways and move closer to aid depots and towns.
Marriages are arranged by parents, and a heavy bride price of livestock is involved. Rendille marriages are frequently between an older man and young girl.

Pray for these people. If you wish to donate anything to the efforts there, please send via Pay Pal to kerichojoy[at]gmail[dot]com

At this time, please also keep Elvis in your prayers. He is the young medical student studying in Kisii Town. We are anticipating he will have two more months of university and then graduation. We still need to cover his final living costs and graduation expenses. If anyone would like to help him, funds can also be sent to kerichojoy[at]gmail[dot]com. Just specify whether you want funds to go to Elvis or to Rendille efforts.

I spoke to my cousin yesterday. She is visiting me from Edmonton, Alberta; a far distance from Vancouver.  It was good to see her again as it has been a few years and she almost passed into glory in February 2014.  I consider her a walking miracle.

She has expressed an interest in travelling to Kenya.  I am hoping next time I go there she will be with me.  That will be so exciting!  Many friends have said they want to travel with me but no one actually saves for the trip.  When my cousin sets her mind to saving, she can do it so I am very hopeful. It would be a trip of a lifetime for her and I would be privileged to share it with her.

Many thanks for reading and for praying.

Have a wonderful week.

Joining in with Our World Tuesday.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Interesting post!! Boom, Bobbi and Gary.

Cynthia said...

I love seeing the colorful clothing, so different from ours. I wish I could send them some of our rain!

carol l mckenna said...

Fascinating shots of Kenya ~ colorful native dress for OWT ~ thanks, ^_^ Sending rain to them asap ~

artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful post! I love seeing their dress and the pretty beadwork around the necks. You are so nice to help them, awesome photos from Kenya! Enjoy your week!

Rajesh said...

Very informative post with wonderful images.

Joy said...

A very interesting post, Joy, thank you for explaining so much for us. Everything does look so very dry and difficult for many. I hope your dream of another trip over there does eventuate, and with your cousin, well, that would be wonderful for both of you. xoJoy

Debbie Harris said...

How beautiful this post was. Beauty in that we see the work there through the missionaries and your love for these people. I will be praying for the many needs that you mentioned.
My youngest daughter and I were able to go on a missionary trip some years ago to West Benin Africa, and work with some missionaries there. It was a trip of a lifetime, and I would do it again in a heart beat!
How wonderful it would be for your cousin to be able to make such a trip. I will pray to that end.
The Lord bless you!
Joy! Debbie

Rajlakshmi said...

I feel it's a different world out there. The cultural experience must be rewarding. So happy to know that you are helping them.

Anonymous said...

What gorgeous traditional clothes.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

What an exotic and wild place you live in. Thank you for sharing.

jabbott said...

Your friends really persevere under difficult conditions. I take my hat of to them for there determination x

George said...

Thank you for this beautiful, informative post. I truly admire these young people for the work they are doing.

John's Island said...

Hi Joyful, This is a wonderful post. I enjoyed the photos of Kenya and the missionaries. Africa is such an interesting continent and I do hope to see at least a little bit of it one of these days. When do you think your next trip to Kenya will be? It would be great if your cousin could join you. I want to say Thank You for your comments on my blog and also, for that explanation about your To Do lists. You are an inspiration when it comes to planning out your days. I am not nearly so good, and as an example, July 1 came and went and I completely forgot to wish a happy Canada Day to all my friends up in your beautiful country. So, belatedly, I hope you had a great day. It is kind of curious to me that we celebrate our national days so closely together, Canada on July 1 and July 4th down here. Lastly, on the weather, things warmed up down here and it was actually hot on Tuesday, but it is back to some cooler and milder conditions for the next few days. How about your area? I hope you have a fine weekend and take care up there. I’ll look forward to your next post on SNAP THAT. John

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Such an exciting adventure to look forward to for you and your cousin and so much good you are doing. I wouldn't want to have my car break down on the desert ... Any desert. Glad theirs had a happy ending.

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