Professional Documents
Culture Documents
INAUGURAL
ISSUE
March 2009
OVER 100
As they rejoiced over their bounty he says in Isaiah 9:12 “the people
verse 9 says, then they said to one who walked/dwelt in darkness have
YEARS LATER
another, “we are not doing right... seen a great light; those who dwelt
come let us go and tell...” I realized in the land of the shadow of death,
that like the four lepers, I was not upon them a light has shined”. I will
H istory would remind us that it doing right if I hoarded the gospel to both support those who go and at
is over 165 years since the first myself and preached only to those the same time be a witness of Jesus
missionaries stepped on the shores who have heard it for the umpteenth Christ in my generation. Call it evan-
of Kenyan coast. Ludwig Krapf and time. I asked myself a few ques- gelism, call it witnessing or even call
Johann Rebmann and all the others tions...what went wrong? What are it missions, the gospel must be told.
brought the Gospel “the good news” we Christians doing, or not doing?
of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. I then decided as an individual and
It was therefore with profound shock, my sphere of influence to reach out
horror and disbelief that we were to little “Ekomwa” and his communi-
confronted with statistical realities ty in Turkana in Northern Kenya. Je-
several years ago at a conference in sus’ final instruction to his disciples
Pretoria South Africa. We were in- in Mathew 28:19 was “go therefore
formed that there were about twenty and make disciples of all nations...”
two tribes out of the total of forty- this command stands to date.
two tribes, in my country Kenya, that The gospel is a liberating, transform-
had not been evangelized. ing agent in any society. Where it has
penetrated, there is development
The story of the four lepers in 2 kings and progress in all spheres. I identify
chapter 7 spoke to me afresh. The with the prophet Isaiah when
Bishop Bonifes Adoyo
four lepers stumbled into much loot. Christ is the Answer Ministries
The pastoralist man of Northern Kenya was hurting in hopelessness, just like the Samaritan woman. They both were
unable to access life or relate fruitfully with the living God, not because they did not want to, but because nobody
had ever told them of the gracious God of heaven.
The apostle Paul challenges us today; ‘how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall
they believe in him of whom they have never heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they
preach except they be sent? even as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good
things”
The urgency of the gospel today is not to those who have heard it repeatedly, but
to them who have never heard of the gracious God of heaven. The urgency in the
church today is not to boast of the great numbers of the people flocking our sanctu-
aries on Sundays, but to build, equip and send people to tell it well to the ends of the
earth.
STEP-M
T he Short Term Exposure Program in Missions (Step-M) has been and is a launching
pad for various Citam members into Ministry. Here are some ex and current Step-M
missionaries. Other Step-M missionaries will be featured in subsequent issues.
Mercy Muriithi
Japheth Mambo
Antony served in
Marsabit Borana for
3 months in 2008 Nigel is in Kargi among
the Rendille
Antony Omwenga
Nigel De Mello
3
MEET A MISSIONARY
with Livingstone Thuranira
STEPHANIE, ex Step-M Missionary
Let us meet Steph, as we fondly who have the whole Bible yet try to of Christ in Kenya start to crumble
call her tell God what we think He meant. under the pressure of the post-elec-
The Rendille people seem to exist tion violence last year – it was heart-
Steph tell us a little about yourself in the pre-colonial era, very little de- breaking, I had hoped our faith and
velopment with almost nonexistent identity in Christ were stronger than
Steph: I am on the verge of my 35th schools and health facilities. As the that – there is still a lot of healing that
year of life – come July I can boast of area supports no agricultural activ- needs to take place.”
middle age – half of 70 is 35 right? I ity, they are prone to famine. Such
am a single. I am vivacious, adven- needs make one less self-centred.” What of your most terrible dis-
turous and spunky; when I believe likes?
in something, I get consumed in its What is your best moment in your
pursuit. I am an introvert and like faith and life? “I dislike passiveness. Do something
quiet and private moments however, do not just watch things happen and
I am somewhat strong willed. “I am living it right now, seeing God whine. Be proactive.”
use me as a vessel to extend love
Your experience in the mission .... and nose picking? “Yuck!”
and compassion to others. However,
field?
the most notable moment is after
teaching as a volunteer at Tirrim What’s your take on feminism?
“For the first six months of my stay,
primary, a mission school in Korr for
I was getting a feel of Korr and the “Women should be given equal op-
one year and saw the school top the
Rendille people while immersing my- portunities, but we do not need to
district in KCPE results, with 3 pupils
self in their culture. It was during this emasculate men to achieve that. I
being admitted to national schools
time I felt it impressed upon me to believe I do not need to try to be a
and the other 9 pupils to provincial
go back in 2008 to serve as a volun- man to play my role in society, God
schools. This was the first class 8 for
teer teacher at Tirrim Primary school, was wise in creating me a woman
Tirrim Primary School and to have all
a Christian missionary run school.” – He wired me up to have what it
the twelve candidates score above
250 (the last had 302) was nothing takes to take up the responsibilities
How has it impacted you? anticipated of me. Men and women
short of a miracle, it was thrilling.
For the record, Tirrim has only two are partners.”
“I developed an appreciation of other
bonafide classrooms. The others are
people and practices that are dif- Yummy to the palate?
improvised classrooms in a hous-
ferent from mine and learnt to hold
ing project and up until last (third)
back my judgement on the same. “I like camel meat I guess because
term, the school had only two trained
I was challenged by the Rendille of staying in Rendille-land. Gener-
teachers.”
believers; they took God at His ally the meat up North is so tasty, it
Word. What the scripture said, is comes naturally seasoned due to the
...and your worst moment?
what they endeavoured to do – no plants the animals eat. Once you’ve
‘modern’ interpretation to suit the “I can give you two: the first is when tasted it, Nairobi meat is bland in
‘changing times’. This is against the I lost my only brother 15 years ago comparison.”
background that there is no Rendille – we were similar in some ways, he
Bible. The Bible is still in the process was artsy, loved music and uncon- Food for the soul?
of translation, what exists are a few ventional – I am all of these. Second
books of the New Testament and was sensing and seeing the body “Definitely, music – I am eclectic in
they hold on to every word unlike us
4
my taste of music. I like Christian rock, classical, jazz,
afro-fusion and soul. I enjoy and participate in drama Steph’s Album
and theatre for self-expression. I also love rock and
mountain climbing and books mostly biographies. I en-
joy the feel of grass under my feet – something I came
to appreciate after living in the desert. Long walks in
the evening with the warm desert breeze blowing or
simply putting out mats and lying outside under the
deep blue sky with countless stars catching up with
neighbours and friends was the closest I came to a
feel of heaven while in Korr.”
Did you have any mentors along the way? My three kids: (from left) Ajeycho - Nairobi School,
“Pst. Nellie Kigondu the mission’s pastor at NPC Val- Muslimo - Alliance Girls, Chimbreya - Kenya High
ley Road mentored me into missions. Dr. Adeyemo
spurred me on to have zeal for transformation against Taking my class
our shared belief that “It will take Africans to transform through a Shairi for
Africa” On the other hand, Lynne Swanepoel a mis- Parents’ Day
sionary with AIM in Korr inspired me to have steadfast
compassion for people. She is dynamite! Her love for
the Rendille is unwavering.”
STEP-M contd...
6
TELLING OF GOD’S GOODNESS
I t is now almost three years since
we launched missions to Northern
Kenya. At first, it was like scratching a
involvement among the un-
reached people groups. Plans
were set and policies drawn.
metal dome with bare hands. CITAM’s The next major leap was to
initial mission involvement was with move the missions from a policy
the sister ministry, Pentecostal As- document to the field. For this
semblies of God (PAG) - founded to happen then labourers were
by the Pentecostal Assemblies of needed. These would be people
Canada (POAC), which also founded who were not only knowledge-
Nairobi Pentecostal Church, which able about missions but also
later evolved into CITAM. By this passionate about it. It is at this
time, there was no felt presence of point the Minister for Missions
CITAM among the un-reached people and outreach was recruited Northern Frontier Missions’ launch
groups. This went on for a while until to design a strategy, which was to
there was restlessness for CITAM as steer the work off the ground. He im- off the work.
a ministry. Whatever we were doing in mediately embarked on circuit trips The following year saw the recruit-
light of what God expected of us, was to the potential areas of involvement. ment process of suitable candidates
not enough. The need was so desper- After a period of hard work, reading to run the missions work in the North-
ate; there were approximately twenty about, seeing and evaluating what ern frontier. The centres that were
two un-reached people groups in our was happening he drew a strategy, birthed to begin the work are: Mar-
eighty percent Christian nation. It was which was presented to the mis- sabit town among the Borana, Kargi
unacceptable! At that rate, how could sions’ board and later ratified. After among the Rendille and Samburu
we reach the rest of the world if we all the policy and strategy work had adopted from PAG missions. For easy
had not even explored our very own been completed a mega launch coordination of these centres, a mis-
backyard? took place in 2006. During which sion station was set up in Marsabit.
the Bishop of CITAM along with the Following are the accounts from the
It is from this realization that CITAM church leadership went round the centres as told by the missionaries.
embarked on serious missions’ Northern frontier mission field to set
T he Borana mission field’s initial bases are at Goro Rukesa and Mata Arba near Marsabit town. We have been
involved an in open-air meeting in Goro-Rukesa, as well as teaching in the Sunday service and person-to-person
evangelism.
These activities had a great impact in my life. For instance, the open-air meeting saw over ten souls won to the
kingdom in a Muslim stronghold; this challenged and humbled me because I had almost refused my evangelists to
organize it. After the two-day open air meeting and its results, I vowed not to limit God again.
The open-air meeting had a big impact on the community of Goro. Many people were able to see that the gospel
has much more power than Islam. The venue of the meeting was a Muslim ground where no Christian had ever been
allowed to even step. The village is known for chasing away God’s servants who try to preach there. Many people are
now beginning to see the difference between Christianity and Islam.
We have seen a number of people get saved and several members have been spirit-filled in Goro. Moreover, our
members are now more committed to making a difference in their Manyatta. There is an apparent new perspective
and understanding of God not only among our members, but also in the
villages where we minister. Villagers are now saying that in our church
every body has become a preacher and tells anybody about Jesus. With
this, we have learnt that God is always ready to save if someone is ready
to share the gospel. I saw this in the open-air meeting we held around
Goro.
I had the opportunity of sharing a testimony in NPC Valley Road during our
break. Though I had strictly been allocated three minutes in two services,
through God’s enablement, I was able to show the church 17 clips within
the three minutes. At the end of it, so many people were touched. I par-
ticularly felt blessed by one sister who came to me with a small Bible in
her hand. She gave me the Bible and told me to give it to any Borana who
may be in need. I was moved by her gesture.
At a ministry level, I have found myself struggling with inability to be consistent with my mentorship program. This
was because my evangelists are engaged in other businesses to earn a living. We look forward to enhance our men-
torship program as well as design relevant discipleship materials for the church.
Pray for our Family’s divine protection and good health, God’s help to identify two strategic places for expansion.
Increased favour amongst the Boranas, and finally penetration and breakthrough in Muslim strongholds.
SByAMBURU
Peter Saliku
C itam adopted the Samburu mission field from PAG church missions, from there on, we have endeavoured to
build the leadership and structures to help the Samburu church become self-supporting, self governing and self
propageting.
The Samburu Pentecostal Church has five regions for ease of administration, namely: Suguta Marmar, Wamba, Ki-
sima Maralal and Baragoi. In all these major settlements we have established churches. In addition to these, we have
satellite manyatta churches
These same regions are the adoption segments of CITAM Assemblies in Nairobi,
1. Suguta Marmar – NPC Buruburu
2. Wamba – NPC Woodley
3. Kisima – NPC Karen
4. Maralal Town – NPC Karen
5. Baragoi – NPC Ngong
The Samburu need support to establish the Church of
Christ in the area. Many Samburus in the rural set-ups
are coming to the Lord. These new converts do not
receive sound Biblical teachings, hence retarding in
spiritual growth. Unfortunately, the area lacks enough
trained pastors who can disciple these believers. As
a result, I will be relocating to Samburu from 29th of
March 2009 to implement a discipleship program. My
vision is to stir a vibrant Samburu Church that will cater
for her people with a contextualized service without
compromising the gospel of Jesus Christ. The will meet
this spiritual vacuum in the rural Samburu land. I will
also be teaching Samburu Church leaders to awaken
to this noble task of leading the flock of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
We have a school of ministry on the ground that has 21
pastors from the above five mentioned regions. They
Opening & Dedication service at Maralal meet every month for one week.
Pentecostal Church
This year, 2009, we are building a sanctuary in Baragoi that
will have a seating capacity of 800 people. At the same time, we are looking forward to building other small sanctu-
aries in the interior of the five regions through the mobilizing efforts of the adopting CITAM Assemblies. My heart is
excited to be involved in this great venture for the kingdom.
RByENDILLE
John Ndegwa
F or close to one year we have been living among the Rendille peoples of Kargi, where we have seen great acts of
God’s faithfulness. To begin with, we feel indebted to AIM missionaries and the AIC church in Korr who hosted
us for the first months to learn the culture and a bit of the Rendille language before proceeding to our current base.
They were so supportive that when we moved to Kargi they gave us people to assist in translation and sharing of the
gospel. God bless the Swanepoels and AIC Korr.
8
When we first arrived in Kargi as missionaries, the
welcome from the locals was overwhelming. Every
day, our house was full of visitors. We enjoyed it
even though it came with the challenge of feeding
them, nevertheless we thank God because it is for
the people that we came.
Rendille generosity toward us was abounding.
The area chief along with the elders allocated
us a piece of land free of charge. It is on this
land that our mission centre is set. While we
were putting up five mini (Rendille traditional
houses) on this piece of land as start-up to
our centre, one of the clans offered us an-
other piece of land on which we could build a
local church. Currently, we have two church
structures under construction on these two
pieces of land. The missionary’s house is half
done and the minis at the centre are already Christmas service in Kargi
in use by Step-M missionaries. We are currently hold-
ing services in one of the church structures with an
attendance of around two hundred people.
A month ago, the community gave us their primary school to run it as the sponsor. We are delighted at
what the Lord is doing and we feel we are in the right place. However, we have not been without chal-
lenges with our disciples. A few weeks ago while we were on break from the field, one of our members
wanted to batter his wife, in his words he wanted to nyorosha her. When the others intervened, he replied
by saying he could not see anything wrong since he had paid the required number of camels as dowry for
her and so he had the right to. Of course when we arrived from our break we had to set things right. We
are glad that he saw his wrong and was very remorseful. The other notable case was of our Sunday school
teacher, a lady who after being given biscuits to give to the children, gave some portion and then disap-
peared with the rest and stayed off the church for sometime (Maybe after she was through with them, or
after we were over the shock.) As laughable as this incidences may seem, they have enabled us to instil
lessons on integrity in our members.
In all these things, we have seen God’s faithfulness in many situations. Sometimes, we find ourselves
rushing the sick to the hospital, sharing our substance with the down trodden or teaching life skills to the
locals, and we have seen great impact among the Rendille people.
LAUGHTER LINES
Funny Statements from Insurance Claims Dumb Questions from Lawyers
9
CITAM MISSIONS REPORT 2008
Sharing the Gospel Among the “Unreached”
ern Kenya work headquarters. We
G
ones in this Northern field providing local missions only, we are going od was also full of surprises for
an extra hand for the overwhelming international, southern Sudan for us in the Borana work. Hardly
harvest field. Through this labour long-term involvement and places had our missionary Alfred Kenya-
force, great work is happening in like China, Singapore, Malaysia and manyara and family settled down in
the field including church planting. others for short-term mission in- the Marsabit land of the Borana, than
Discipleship materials and programs volvement. a “Macedonian call” came to share
specifically contextualized for the
people groups are being developed
and local church leadership capacity
is being built up. We also acquired
RENDILLE FIELD IN
a spacious house and compound in FOCUS
That’s the real, not imagined, situation our beloved country is facing...a
situation that has seen rains fail; temperatures rise and people staring
desperately for any hope. It’s a situation that the government declared
in early January 2009 as a “National Disaster” after it was reported that
at least ten million Kenyans are at the verge of death due to starvation.
We have traveled far and wide; gone to areas you probably have not heard
but are facing acute famine and drought. Places such as:
• Lokori in South Turkana
• Kolowa in East Pokot
• Nachola/Baragoi in Samburu
• Marti/Barsaloi in Samburu
• Tseikuru, in Mwingi
• Boranas in Marsabit
• Rendilles in Kargi/Kurkum
• Kitise in Makueni
Turkana
Next stop!
That’s not all on April 6th; we shall flag off the final distribution. We hope to
take at least two hundred tons of food to ten different locations:
• Wamba in Samburu
• Suguta Mar Mar in Samburu
• Kisima in Samburu
• Nachola/Baragoi in Samburu
• Marti/Barasaloi in Samburu
• Boranas in Marsabit
Borana • Rendilles in
Kargi/Kurkum
• Lokori in South Turkana
• Kolowa in East Pokot
• Illeret in North Turkana
Rendille
13
THOUSANDS OF KENYANS
UNDER THREAT OF STARVATION...