Saturday, July 12, 2008

This past week, I met Daniel, the young man whose story I shared in a “Young Maasai’s Lottie Moon Story” (June 18th). As we talked, I learned more of his story, plus a few corrections, and I heard his dreams. Daniel will graduate with a BS in Geophysics this coming week from Jomo Kenyatta, one of the national universities. I jokingly asked if he was planning on wearing the traditional Maasai beadwork that one often sees on graduates in the news reports – even when these “sophisticated” youth rarely wear these items (everyday wear is seen in the picture of Maasai youth). His reaction was: It wasn’t in his plans, but he was certain it would be in his mother’s plans as she was so very, very proud of him! And yes, I did respond that his Mom has every right to be proud and he should do as she asks!

He also shared how his mother became a Christian. When Daniel was still in elementary school, an IMB missionary named David, visited his boma (Maasai homestead) and shared of God’s love and salvation. Daniel’s Mom responded by becoming a Believer during that first visit! It was the same missionary that realized Daniel’s potential and helped him attend Nyeri Baptist High School. Daniel had done very well in his elementary school, but it was a simple school and the change to a more challenging school was difficult. Thankfully, God used another missionary, Jill, a teacher at Nyeri, to help Daniel catch-up and meet his potential – which resulted in his moving to the top of his class and making the best scores ever achieved by a Nyeri Baptist student in the national exams.

Daniel is now a very confident young man who is in the process of applying for a local master’s programme in water sanitation. He is using this time out of school to write a proposal for a water project in the Lake Bogoria area related to a problem that Americans may find a bit unusual. Kids in this area and many other parts of Kenya avoid toothpaste with Fluoride – there is so much naturally in the water of their areas that it turns their teeth brown. Finding ways to reduce the fluoride content is one of Daniel’s dreams. Daniel also spoke of one reason he wants a Masters – the increased salary potential – and he has plans for the salary! He dreams of helping poor and orphaned children in his home area to have increased opportunities for quality education. Daniel also has a heart for helping street kids and finding ways to help them dream of a future full of opportunities, including the opportunity to hear of God’s love and salvation.

Continue praying that Daniel and other Kenyan Christian youth will continue growing in their relationship with Christ and their desire to be his servants. Thank God for other servants, including your IMB personnel, who obediently share the Good News of our Saviour. Pray that each of your missionaries – those you sent from the States and Kenyans “on mission with God” – will be sensitive and dependent upon the Holy Spirit as we invest in the lives of others so that we don’t miss any DANIELS that God places in our paths! Bert Yates