Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Dressed in his Sunday clothes, those not familiar with the features of his people, would not identify Daniel as a Maasai – but he is AND he is very proud of it! He was also very talkative as he shared his excitement for his current mission field – his professors at the University of Nairobi. As my husband, Jack and Daniel talked last Sunday after church, Jack also felt pride – pride in this Baptist young man who graduate in a few days with a university degree in Geophysics.

Some would describe Daniel as a true Lottie Moon Story. As a child, Daniel was spotted in Kaputei (Ca – POO – tay) by David, one of your IMB missionaries working with the unreached Maasai people. When Daniel excelled in elementary school, this missionary helped Daniel attend Nyeri Baptist High School which was begun by IMB (FMB at that time) missionaries thanks to your financial and prayer support.

During his time at Nyeri, another of your missionaries, Jill, taught Daniel in the classroom and once again he was always at the top of his class. Not only did he win all the Nyeri Baptist awards the year he graduated, he still holds the record for the highest marks scored by a Nyeri Baptist student in the national exam. More importantly outside of class, Jill mentored Daniel and watched him grow in his understanding of the Bible and maturity as a Christian. Jill also shared her love for TRUE LOVE WAITS with Daniel and he became an active leader with this incredible witness to the youth of our country. During the gap year, which Kenyan students face before further studies, Daniel worked with Kenya Baptist Media selling Christians materials.

In a very unlikely union of relating his studies and his church involvement during his studies, Daniel made an unusual discovery. He determined that one of our Maasai churches was located over geothermal activity, so this church is now working with the national power company to help in the development of their area!


I praised God for Daniel as I read, “Visit your rural home or face the music” in today’s Daily Nation. I encourage you to read this article which shares insight into the Maasai culture and life including: “Maasai elders say that some morans (young men), who come to … towns, are being entangled in a wide web of the city life of cheap sex and alcohol, abandoning their wives, children and the elderly in the manyatta (home cluster) to poverty and hunger” (p.3) My praise is that these words don’t describe Daniel, but later words in the article do – “According to tradition, the moran is charged with the duty of guarding … the family and the community.”

Praise God with me for how Daniel is being a Christian guardian of his people and community as he actively witnesses of our Saviour’s love and salvation. Praise God for the impact and change he has brought about through his work with TRUE LOVE WAITS. Praise God for how he is already using his scholastic studies to benefit his people. Praise God also for the influence that your Baptist missionaries had on Daniel. Thank you for how you have also been a part of Daniel’s Lottie Moon Story through your prayer support and gifts to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon. Bert Yates
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“Visit your rural home or face the music” – http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=39&newsid=125540