Safe and sound

Team Lomon Supati (we learned the correct spelling is Lomon, not Lomoon) has arrived home safe and sound.  We dropped off Dwight in Chicago, and the rest of us arrived  back in Manhattan early this evening.  Thank you all for praying and we look forward to visiting with you in person to share stories of our time with Ken and Susan in the Samburu District of Kenya.


Team Lomon Supati on the porch before departure:
(L to R) Dwight Irwin, Lawrence Lesas, Nicholle Haupt,
Michelle Haupt, Susan Black, Ken Black,
Brian Smith, Steve Brantl, Wesa Brantl



Homeward bound

We have arrived safely in Nairobi and are back at the AIM Guest House.  We leave for the Kenyatta airport in a couple of hours (7:30 p.m. Kenya time/11:30 a.m. CST).  Thanks for your prayers and we will see you all soon!

Winding down

Our last day in Maralal started with church services at Lare Oibor. Approximately 300 people attended (normal attendance is between 150-200) so the service was held outdoors under the tree where the church began. It was a beautiful day. Once again there were presentations by the Samburu women's choir, youth choir and childrens's choir.

Church services at Lare Oibor

Samburu women's choir

This afternoon the team was able to meet the children we each are sponsoring in Compassion. We had cake, balloons, and played the Samburu version of "Duck, Duck, Goose" with the children.

Eating cake with Compassion children

Playing the Samburu version of Duck, Duck, Goose called
"I've Lost a Letter"

We ended the evening with prayer for the future ministry of the Jesus Film with the Samburu people. Then Dwight, our videographer, shot the final footage of our journey by interviewing Ken, Susan, and Brian. Dwight has captured most of the images you have seen on this blog, as well as shot many hours of video to document our time in Kenya.



Dwight and Brian interviewing Timothy Lesimalele.  Timothy
is one of the Bible translators in Maralal.



Most of the team is now packing or already sleeping.  Bright and early tomorrow morning, we begin our journey home.  Thanks for your prayers as we begin our travel.  We will try to post once more from Nairobi before we head to the airport.

Full measure of joy

The Jesus Film at Lare Oibor

It's difficult to describe the extent of our joy tonight.  Just a few hours ago, we watched the Jesus Film in its entirety with the Samburu people.  With an estimated 500 people in attendance, we sat under a tree which was the site of the first service at Lare Oibor church.

Shortly after the film began, there were light rains.  Thankfully the sky soon cleared to reveal an audience whose eyes were rivoted to the screen.  As we watched the film with those who have never heard or seen this message in their own language, we heard groans as Jesus was suffering and saw faces covered as He was nailed to the cross.

Steve and Wesa pushing the button to start the film.

 At the end of the film, an invitation was given to receive Christ.  More than 50 people raised their hands and prayed to receive Christ!  Praise God!  As we return to Lare Oibor tomorrow morning for church services, we will be able to celebrate Pentecost with new brothers and sisters in Christ!
 

Children in the Compassion program at Lare Oibor

Earlier today we spent time with the children in the  Compassion program at Lare Oibor church.  We were treated with songs and special performances by children in the program.We were then able to observe the students in their classrooms, as well as serve them their morning porridge.

Nicholle serving porridge

His ways are higher than ours

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth,  so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:8-9

Today was a great day! However, the story may not be what you expect to hear.  The day began with a celebration and dedication of the Samburu Jesus Film.  Local pastors, government officials, a retired member of the Kenyan parliament, and the commanding police officer for the Samburu District were in attendance. 

Samburu women's choir performs at the morning
celebration and dedication

Although the weather was beautiful all day, as we drove to the soccer stadium the clouds began to grow dark.  While waiting for the sun to go down, it began to rain lightly.  The rains let up for the film to begin, but shortly thereafter, steady rains returned.  As it rained, between 100-200 people gathered under the stadium canopy.

Film goers under the canopy at the soccer stadium

The rains continued.  After about 45 minutes of the film, the equipment became too wet to continue the film.  The announcement was made to the crowd that the film will be shown in Maralal at a later time.  However, before we dismissed, those in attendance were given the opportunity to pray and receive Christ.  At the conclusion of the prayer, seven people made a decision to follow Christ!

"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."  Luke 15:7

Rain is considered a blessing by the Samburu people. Tonight's showing of the Samburu Jesus Film was only the first showing...but it is by no means the last.  Tomorrow we will attend the premiere at the Lare Oibor Church.   May the rains we saw tonight foreshadow the blessings of God yet to come for the Samburu people.

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55: 10-11

Getting ready

Today we attended a training session with approximately 120 Kenyans.  Everyone is gearing up for the Jesus Film Premiere tomorrow night. Both pastors and church members were present to prepare to respond as follow up counselors. Those present were learning about how to lead someone to Christ, as well as how to help a new believer follow Christ and grow in their faith.

At 9:00 a.m. tomorrow (1:00 a.m. CST) government and church officials from the district will meet to view the film, pray, and dedicate it to God.  At 7:00 p.m. (11:00 a.m CST) the film will begin.

Worship time during the training session

For more than 2,000 years, the Samburu people have waited to hear the Truth of the gospel in their mother tongue.  Their wait is over.  Tomorrow is the day!

Catching a glimpse

Brian Smith blowing out birthday candles with help
from Lawrence Lesas.  Happy Birthday!

Today was an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the day to day lives of Ken and Susan. We visited the Bible Training Center and sat in on a bit of the current class in session.  We visited the translators working at BTL (Bible Translation and Literacy) and met those who worked on the translation of the gospel of Luke which was needed for the Jesus Film.  It was exciting to hold a copy of the "good news" from Luke in our hands!  We also visited Lelendu Church, and the site of the future borehole project near Lare Oibor Church.

Wesa writing names of children at Lelendu church

In addition we toured another ministry in Maralal, the Samburu Handicapped Education and Rehabilitation Program, and saw the incredible work being done to rescue disabled Samburu children.  After dinner, devotions, and celebrating Brian's birthday, we were notified that the Kenya Jesus Film Team had safely arrived in Maralal. 

Tomorrow, we attend a training session to prepare for the premiere on Friday.  At the training will be 10 people from each of the local churches who will be ready to assist those who respond to the Jesus Film.  

Ken and Susan in festive party hats for Brian's b-day!

Although we visited many places today, it cannot be underestimated the ministry that happens simply by Ken and Susan being available for the Samburu people.  It is a blessing to see how God has used, is using, and will continue to use them in minstry.

Schedule for the week

Tonight Ken shared with us the outline of the week.  We wanted to share this with you in order to be praying...

Wednesday, May 23rd: 
Morning - The team will visit SHERP (Samburu Handicapped Education and Rehabilitation Program) which is an orphanage of children with disabilities (such as Down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, etc.).  Also close to this campus are the Bible translators from BTL (Bible Translation and Literacy) where the team will stop and visit with the translation team.

Afternoon - The team will visit the Samburu Bible Training Centre and sit in on one of the classes being conducted for the new pastors in training.   The team will then depart to Lelendu, the site of the second church plant and then on to the proposed borehole site near Lare Oibor.

Thursday, May 24th:
The primary task this day will be to participate in the training of volunteers for the premiere Friday night of the Samburu translation of the Jesus Film.  It is anticipated there will be around 200 volunteers trained who will be trained to respond to the people who experience the Jesus Film and have questions or pursue further the movement of Holy Spirit on their lives. 

Friday, May 25th:
09:00 - a special presentation of the Jesus Film - Samburu Translation, will be given to local, county/district and government officials at the Anglican church. 

Dusk - the premiere of the Jesus Film - Samburu Translation, at the soccer stadium in Maralal. 

Saturday, May 26th:
Compassion Saturday at Lare Oibor.   The team will spend the day at Lare Oibor, the first church plant.

Dusk - the Jesus Film - Samburu Translation will be shown by the Jesus Film team at Lare Oibor.

Sunday, May 27th:
Morning - the team will celebrate and worship at the morning church service at Lare Oibor. 

Monday, May 28th:
The team will depart Maralal and fly to Lake Nakuru for a game drive and lunch, then fly on to Nairobi to prepare for the flight going out that evening and travel back to the States. 

Arrival in Maralal

Ken & Susan's Home

Greetings again!  Team Lomoon Supati has arrived safely in Maralal and have made it to Ken & Susan's home.  We just had lunch with sandwiches and Fanta!  While we ate, Ken went to a Jesus Film planning meeting.  He just returned to grab lunch, and is off again to another meeting.  Banners advertising the film are hanging in town and radio spots begin today.  Lots of anticipation for the premiere on Friday!

Safely in Nairobi

Greetings to all!  Our team has arrived safely in Nairobi.  We were able to rendezvous with Dwight in London and now we are all at the Mayfield guest house which is part of Africa Inland Mission.  Tomorrow an AIM pilot will fly our team to Maralal.  We will try to update when we arrive at Ken and Susan's home.

It's a 'being' trip

Cactus behind Ken and Susan's home

Tonight we had our final team meeting.  We talked and prayed, and to sum it up - we're excited!  We leave Sunday after first service at Westview.  It is amazing to anticipate what God might do next week, especially as we consider the Samburu Jesus Film premiere one week from tonight.  Thoughts from Wesa, one of our team members, seem to capture what this trip is all about. 

 

 

See her thoughts below...   

After many years of watching and supporting my sister as a missionary to Africa it is finally my turn to travel and serve God in a far away land. My husband and I are headed to Kenya as part of a team from our church.

This trip is not a medical trip. It is not a construction trip. We are not even putting on a Vacation Bible School for the children there. Many people have asked me what we are going to do.

This is more a trip for being. We will be with the people as they watch the Jesus Film and hear the words of Jesus in their heart language for the first time. We will be with them as they celebrate what the Holy Spirit is doing in their church on Pentecost Sunday. We will be with the local pastors as they take the movie to the manyattas for the first time. We will have the opportunity to be with the Compassion Children that our church family sponsors as they attend school. We will be with our church’s missionary family as we see the reward of 4½ years investment in the Jesus Film project. We will watch as that which we sowed in faith produces a harvest of righteousness, to the glory of God.

Well be there to partner with the Holy Spirit as these things unfold. Perhaps we will pray for healing, or salvation or deliverance or comfort. We will listen for what the Father is saying. We will watch for what the Father is doing.

These are the Samburu people...

These are the Samburu people of northern Kenya.  The population estimate for this people group is 242,000.

Although some of the Samburu follow Christ, the primary religion is an ethnic religion.

Please pray that the hearts of the Samburu would be open and receptive to the Truth of the gospel.

Pray also for strongholds to be broken and that the light of Jesus will be clearly seen.

Pray for discernment and guidance as future ministry plans are made.







Pray that God would give our Westview team wisdom, grace and protection.

Pray also that we will do well supporting Ken and Susan and be authentic in shining the light of Christ.

Thank you for praying with us and for us!

Just a little history...

View from Lelendu (southeast of Maralal)

Thanks for dropping by to check out our blog and pray for our upcoming journey.  For some of you, it may help to know some details.

Who:  The Samburu people are a nomadic tribal group living predominantly in northern Kenya. Less than 2% of the Samburu follow Christ.  Ken and Susan Black, and their boys Robert and Joseph, are from Westview Community Church and have been working among the Samburu for several years.

What: The Jesus Film, www.jesusfilm.org.  The Jesus Film is a powerful, two-hour docudrama about the life of Christ based on the gospel of Luke where people see and hear about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection in their own language.  

Timeline:

·         Late in the year of 2007 - God gave individuals from Westview Community Church the desire to produce the Jesus Film for a people who had not yet heard the “good news” of Jesus’ message of hope. 

·         Christmas 2007 - Westview raised funds to sponsor a Jesus Film for the Samburu people.

·         March 2011 - the translation of the gospel of Luke was completed in Samburu. 

·         During 2011 - the audio was recorded for the film. 

·         March 2012 - the Samburu Jesus Film was completed.

Where:  Maralal, Kenya.  A team of six from Westview who call themselves “Team Lomoon Supati” will travel to Maralal to assist the efforts of Ken and Susan Black and the Jesus Film team in Kenya.

When:  May 25, 2012 is the Samburu Jesus Film premiere date.  For the first time ever, the Samburu people will hear the words of Jesus in their own language.  The team from Westview will leave on Sunday, May 20 and return Tuesday, May 29.

Why:  God's desire is for all humanity to hear the Gospel and receive the gift of eternal life.  Jesus' death and resurrection have opened God's kingdom to all who confess their sins, repent, and turn to Him.

Thank you for praying with us for the Samburu people!