Outreach and Missions

Pasadena Presbyterian Church Kenya Mission: Update #4

Kenya can be a very sad place.

Dan and I visited a Maasai church in the Rift valley last Sunday. The Maasai are animal herders who wear traditional tribal garments. The animals are their only source of wealth. As you sit in church today, take a look at the walls. Compare them to the walls of the Maasai church which are made of clay with a final coat of clay mixed with cow dung. Check out your carpeted floor. Theirs is dirt. Admire your beautiful windows. Theirs has no windows. Enjoying your padded pew seat? Theirs is either a plasitc lawn chair or a backless wooden bench or, more likely, they are standing. Does the organ or the praise band sound pretty good? Their entire accompaniment consists of an 8 year old girl pounding an ancient drum. Forget your Bible? Grab one from the rack in front of you. They have no Bibles, even though there are versions translated into their language available.

Kenya can be a marvelously happy place.

The Maasai have outgrown their tiny church and need to extend it. This shoudl be pretty simple as soon as they find the money. They will just make it longer. No architectural drawings or intricate planning necessary. The Maasai welcomed us with open arms. Because I looked the oldest, I was treated as an eldera and several of them asked me to pray for them. They also asked me to say a few words. As I promised you, I greeted them as your representative from Pasadena Presbyterian Church. I told them you sent me so that I could work in Kijabe Hospital where they go for their most serious medical needs. I said that as the sun sets on their village, you will be attending services at PPC.

I added that you would be praying for me and those I met and, consequently, they could know that many people half a world away were concerned for their well being and spiritual health.

This village is blessed to have a very well educated Maasai pastor. His flock is growing and he is upbeat. There is a terrible drought in this area and people are starving. He has managed to establish a feeding program for the children. He preached a sermon dwelling on the church being a part of the world wide body of Christ. I hope you will remember him and the villagers in your prayers. They are our brothers and sisters. Oh yes, when they sing, they do so with a joy and gusto that would put the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to shame.

My teaching of the KRNA students continues in earnest. They are begining to understand the fundaments of how to administer an anesthetic and they show great promise. I have every faith that they will be a true blessing to their countrymen and women.

Patients here die like flies. It takes a little getting used to. Having to lead a prayer for an infant who has just died on the table despite our best efforts is not easy. I hope I do not have to do this again befoe I leave.

I thank you for your support and prayers. Please do not stop. Dan and I and the Kenyans we serve in Jesus' name need them badly.

Mike Nahrwold