Wednesday, April 17
Kenya
Moses Kinayia emphasizes his source of hope.
The Maasai people of Kenya rely heavily on cattle for their livelihood. Most boys spend their childhood herding cows and goats, roaming the savannah in search of grass. The community resists formal education, feeling that it threatens their culture and way of life. Over the last few years, however, some have begun to see education as perhaps useful in sustaining and developing the community.
One such is Moses Kinayia. One of 36 children in a polygamous family, he ran away as a boy in order to go to school. His father was opposed, but Moses persevered, performing well on national exams and receiving a scholarship for a bachelor’s degree at Daystar University. Completing this, he was sponsored for a master’s in public administration. With Moses’ help, a number of his siblings now go to school. Together with his home church, Kimuka Presbyterian, he promotes education and health, economic empowerment for women, management of natural resources, and cultural preservation.
Several of his family members have also become Christians, and one of his brothers, David, is pursuing training in pastoral ministry. He aims to complete a degree in leadership and management at Nairobi International School of Theology, where Dr. Marta Bennett serves, by June of this year. David feels that this degree will enable him to better serve God and lead God’s people. As Moses says, “When you are educating one child, you are not just educating one person; you are educating a whole family, and you empower a whole community.”
—Rev. Dr. Marta Bennett, PC(USA) mission co-worker, Nairobi, Kenya
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) People in Mission
Rev. Dr. Marta Bennett, professor, head of Dept. of Leadership Studies, Nairobi International School of Theology, National Council of Churches of Kenya • Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA): Rev. Phyllis Byrd, YAV site coordinator/director, Just Communities, Organization of African Instituted Churches, WM/United Church Board of World Mission, Rev. Brenda Harcourt, leadership trainer
Partners/Ministries
PCEA: Rt. Rev. David Gathanju, moderator, Rev. Festus K. Gitonga, general secretary, Rev. Patrick Thegu Mutahi, deputy general secretary, Mr. Johnson N. Wathiri, treasurer • Daystar University: Timothy Wachira, vice chancellor • National Council of Churches of Kenya: Canon Peter Karanje, general secretary • Presbyterian University of East Africa: Prof. Paul Mbugua, acting vice chancellor, Dr. Timothy Henry Gatara, deputy vice chancellor • St. Paul’s Theological College: Dr. Joseph Galgalo, vice chancellor • Nairobi International School of Theology, Dr. Emmanuel Bellon, vice chancellor
Presbytery Partnerships: Presbyteries of Blackhawk, Cimarron, Detroit, Greater Atlanta, Los Ranchos, National Capital, Newton, Northern Plains, and West Virginia, with the PCEA
Young Adult Volunteers
Nicole Cashen, Will Farrell, Catherine Freeland, Gina Meester, and Rob Vaughan,community development interns, PCEA
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Leah Gass, OGA
Let us pray:
Gracious God, continue to encourage and equip your people among the Maasai. We ask that you continue to raise up leaders to serve you and their community. Give them vision, wisdom, and ability to lead the way, according to your purposes. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 99; 147:1-11
First Reading Daniel 5:1-12
Second Reading 1 John 5:1-12
Gospel Reading Luke 4:38-44
Evening Psalms 9; 118
