“Koow, lamma, seyyah, affar …,” Ebele*, a Rendille woman from Northern Kenya, counted quietly, identifying each goat’s familiar markings and personality. “One, two, three, four …” not one escaped notice. Ebele’s goats are precious, a source of milk and meat to feed her family.
Ebele (pictured, left) stopped counting. One of her goats was missing! She counted again. Where could he be?**
The Rendille are one of seven nomadic tribes in Northern Kenya, totalling over 2.5 million people. Severe drought, massive flooding, tribal violence, and political and economic uncertainty place great pressure on these groups. Yet—not one escapes God’s notice.
The Rendille, Borana, Daasanach, Gabra, Pokot, Samburu, and Turkana people—are all loved by God. The young goat herder in the bush. The elderly woman slowly drawing water, bucket by bucket from the deep borehole …
God sees each one and loves them with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
In July, your prayers and financial support shared God’s Word in audio in many locations. Praise God for the opportunity to provide Bible Engagement Training for over 100 pastors in Kenya with Dr. Tara Rye (Audio Scripture Ministries Bible Engagement Director) and partners Pastor David Gargule (Tirrim Trust) and Helen Etyang (Theovision Kenya). In addition, more than 1,000 girls and young women received Biblically-based Feminine Hygiene Training by Pads4Pupils partners Danna Swartz and Emily Pederson. Thank you for your generosity in helping share God’s love!
Before the team arrived, I met with Pastor David and Helen (pictured, left) to pray and plan together, seeking God’s guidance and the Holy Spirit’s wisdom for expanded Gospel partnership.
We believe healthy ministry partnerships are essential, giving us greater opportunity to serve in unity with Christian brothers and sisters (John 17) for the sake of the Gospel.
Eight ministry area projects including new audio Bible recordings, expanded audio Bible distribution, Bible Engagement training, serving prison chaplains and those incarcerated, microenterprise opportunities, and much more were identified as ways to share the Gospel among each of these seven people groups “on the move.” Would you pray for discernment, open doors, and funding needed to move these projects forward, to the glory of God?
Much has been accomplished, but many more need to know God sees them, God knows their needs, and in Jesus Christ there is hope. Will you help?
Jesus told the Parable of the Wandering Sheep (Matthew 18: 12-14, Luke 15:4-7), reminding His disciples and religious leaders that every person is precious in His sight, and no one escapes the notice of the Good Shepherd. Jesus said there is rejoicing when a lost sheep is found, “more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7, NIV)
Together, let’s pray that God uses these Gospel partnerships so rejoicing in heaven increases as more people hear God’s Word and turn to Jesus the Good Shepherd!
*Name changed for security.
**And yes, she found her lost goat!
