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Samburu Friends Mission

Up in the cool hills and valleys of central Kenya, a large group of small children is gathered under a tree. This is their nursery school. Their teacher is motivated by love — the love of Jesus for children. As the children receive an education that will give them a solid foundation for their future, their parents are touched by this ministry and are drawn toward it. Soon there is need for a building — center for worship, learning, meeting, and hospitality where people of all ages can gather.

Here in the Samburu district, what may sound like a beautiful dream is becoming reality through a new Friends mission initiated by Isaiah Bikokwa, a member of East Africa Yearly Meeting North and graduate of Friends Theological College. After ministering for several years among the Turkana people, Isaiah felt God leading him to reach out to other unreached peoples with the good news of Jesus Christ. This concern was shared by Friends United Meeting, which requested that the Turkana Mission Board release Isaiah to seek out people who would be receptive to Friends' understanding and practice of the gospel. Much prayerful exploration and research led him in the direction of the Samburu tribe. These people have welcomed him warmly, and, together with the tribal elders and leaders, are very supportive of his efforts to begin a ministry among them.

A prayerful, thoughtful people, the Samburu elders asked Isaiah who sent him and why the Friends Church has come to them. He responded that he has been sent by "the only true Living God," and that the Friends Church has come to proclaim the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ and to learn more about — not to change — their own culture. Isaiah has a vision and a calling for the building of the Church, and God has given him spiritual gifts which enable him to serve and to train others to carry on in leadership roles.

Although feeding peoples' spirits is the ultimate goal, this Samburu mission ministers to their day-to-day needs as well. In addition to education and worship, the mission provides the services of a veterinarian to care for the cattle of this cattle-herding people. The health of the cattle is necessary to their survival. Also underway is a plan to grow corn on a 10-acre plot, leased by a Friend in Kitale. The authorities of the nearby town of Maralal have offered some land to the mission for the building of a center where people could meet for school, worship, and other gatherings, and for a guest house.

To administer this new mission, the Samburu Friends Mission Board has been established by East Africa Yearly Meeting North and is clearly a fulfillment of the FUM mission to "energize and equip Friends, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to gather people into fellowships where Jesus Christ is known, loved, and obeyed as Teacher and Lord."

Much more financial assistance is required to help this mission meet the many needs. The Samburu Friends need a four-wheel vehicle to make safe travel possible. They also need building materials and other supplies and equipment for the new center and school. It is also our hope and prayer that another devoted person might come forward to assist and advise in the development of the new center.

All of these important ministries of Samburu Friends Mission are supported by an annual budget of only $32,000. 24,000 is sent direct to the Mission, 3,000 is needed for deputation in the US of the Project Leader, Isaiah Bikokwa, and the 5,000 is required for administration, management of publicity, communication, field support and funding in the US and Kenya.Your gifts are needed to help make these things possible. Money is additionally now being raised by supporters for a well at Losuk and for a new vehicle as well as for the Dispensary at Lotelelie.The existing vehicle is now over 15 years old and in need of replacement.

If you would like to support this ministry or receive more information, please contact us via the response form or the address below.