Testfying to the

gospel of the grace

of God

INAUGURAL
ISSUE
March 2009

Christ is The Answer Ministries - Missions

 THE KING'S BUSINESS
H ave you ever seen them on a rescue
mission? They come with blaring sirens
in haste and alert. They know the business is
INSIDE THIS
urgent- a matter of life and death. I read the ISSUE
stories of the US firemen who died on Sep-
tember 11th as they tried to rescue people
who had been trapped in the remains of
World Trade Center twin towers, christened
“ground zero.” Some of the firemen were on leave while others Pg 2
had retired from the service. However, when duty called they
did not wait to be recalled. Even those who had retired offered
themselves voluntarily and some of them died while of course
others came out as heroes.
We are God’s firemen (Jude 23). Every hour men slide into eter-
nity without God, their chance of being with God is lost as soon
as they die. Some people are born, live and die without ever
Pg 2
hearing of Christ and his saving grace even once. It is not an
imagination of the missionaries and the evangelists, it is a solid
w o rd

fact. For this, God is calling us to take up our urgent roles, to

ignore all risks and go out full steam to the rescue of thousands
who are stealthily and swiftly sliding into eternal damnation.
Sometimes, we do not fully see the picture, but when we read
accident and medical reports and missions journals, we dis-
cover how big the number of people who are sliding to eternity Pg 4
without God is. Therefore, we have a role in the eternities of
others. That is why God is urgently calling us out of our comfort
zones to the rescue. Like the retired American firemen we need
E d i t o r ’s

to enlist again if we had retired. However, if we had gone for a

leave, we should present ourselves to the master to be re-de-
ployed. And if we have never enlisted, let us do so while the
master is giving us a chance to make an eternal investment on Pg 6
others. The matter is urgent and a universal catastrophe! The
Lord has endowed us with talents, time and resources to invest
in the destiny of others. This calls us to rise up and be counted.
When we look around the world, it’s all panic: nuclear threats,
the global warming, famine, diseases and wars. It shows the Pg 7
Lord is ready on the cue. Are we expecting the Americans to
fight terrorism or the environmental protocols to deal with global
warming? Am sorry! We have to brace ourselves for the worst.
Mathew 24:1-35 tells us that the trouble will be great upon the
Pg 10
whole world. But Daniel says those that know their Lord shall
do great exploits (Daniel 11:32). These words Daniel spoke in
the context of the END time crisis. What exploits are we doing
in preparedness for the Lord’s coming? For those who are wise
will shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who
lead many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever (Dan. Pg 12
12:3).
Welcome to our maiden issue of the COMMISSIONED newslet-
ter and share our responce experiences. You can also visit our
web site www.citam.org for more information.
Livingstone Thuranira
1
FORE WORD FROM THE BISHOP

OVER 100
As they rejoiced over their bounty he says in Isaiah 9:12 “the people
verse 9 says, then they said to one who walked/dwelt in darkness have

YEARS LATER
another, “we are not doing right... seen a great light; those who dwelt
come let us go and tell...” I realized in the land of the shadow of death,
that like the four lepers, I was not upon them a light has shined”. I will

H istory would remind us that it doing right if I hoarded the gospel to both support those who go and at
is over 165 years since the first myself and preached only to those the same time be a witness of Jesus
missionaries stepped on the shores who have heard it for the umpteenth Christ in my generation. Call it evan-
of Kenyan coast. Ludwig Krapf and time. I asked myself a few ques- gelism, call it witnessing or even call
Johann Rebmann and all the others tions...what went wrong? What are it missions, the gospel must be told.
brought the Gospel “the good news” we Christians doing, or not doing?
of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. I then decided as an individual and
It was therefore with profound shock, my sphere of influence to reach out
horror and disbelief that we were to little “Ekomwa” and his communi-
confronted with statistical realities ty in Turkana in Northern Kenya. Je-
several years ago at a conference in sus’ final instruction to his disciples
Pretoria South Africa. We were in- in Mathew 28:19 was “go therefore
formed that there were about twenty and make disciples of all nations...”
two tribes out of the total of forty- this command stands to date.
two tribes, in my country Kenya, that The gospel is a liberating, transform-
had not been evangelized. ing agent in any society. Where it has
penetrated, there is development
The story of the four lepers in 2 kings and progress in all spheres. I identify
chapter 7 spoke to me afresh. The with the prophet Isaiah when
Bishop Bonifes Adoyo
four lepers stumbled into much loot. Christ is the Answer Ministries

WORD FROM MINISTER OF MISSIONS

SCALING THE WALLS
spear, sharpened it and walked out JESUS met the woman of Samaria
A n interesting but rather touching
story is told from one of our mis-
sion fields in the Northern Kenya. It is
of the Manyatta village declaring
war with the person they call “god”.
at the well of Jacob. A miserable
woman, rejected and dejected. She
Once in the outskirts of the village, had attempted all that she knew that
about a man from one of the pasto- the man looked up and started she might fill the hopelessness in
ralist communities we have engaged throwing words in the air to this ‘god’ her heart. Having tried six different
in the mission. He was wealthy and saying, “today you will men so far in her life, she wondered
boasting of a trail of livestock until face me for all that you have done what else this Jewish man asking for
a serious drought broke out in the to my livestock, you will have to die water would offer her. She was des-
area. today”. Looking up again and ensur- perately hurting but totally locked out
ing that his brightly-coloured red and of the available help of the living God
Courtesy of the drought, one by one, blue wrap (shuka) is well secured, by virtue of her being a Samaritan.
the cattle died, the goats vanished the man threw the spear upward In the mean time the Jews continued
and the camels perished. For a into the air, once twice, thrice –each to enjoy the wealth of knowing and
man, in his pastoralist community, time saying , “ I haven’t got you yet, worshipping the living God. Salva-
to be left with no livestock to take to but I must get you today”. Finally, tion, further more belongs to us the
pasture is the worst thing that could the man threw the spear again and it Jews, they said. They avoided the
ever happen. He was left bitter and seemed to have disappeared in the Samaritans by all means. When
hurting. He could not clearly tell who air, only shortly to have it pierce right travelling from Judea to Galilee they
it should be but someone had to be through his foot peg it to the ground. would rather take the longer route
punished for this calamity. Then he The man screamed for help, “Oowi! across River Jordan than the short
remembered there is someone that is Please come and save me from this route through Samaria. But to the
said to bring or stop the rains. That ‘god’ he has finished all my flock and surprise of the disciples Jesus had
somebody is called ‘god’ and he now he wants to finish my life”! The need to pass through Samaria.-John
lives somewhere the sky, he recalled. man ended in one of the mission- 4:4
hospitals for surgery.
The enraged man reached for his In his mission to the rejected and
2
 the dejected Samaritan frontiers, Jesus had to defy many norms-the norms of the routes used (John 4:4), the norms
of culture and traditions (Samaritans and Jews didn’t mix Vs 9&27), the norms of the demands of life (he was tired
and hungry – vs. 6 &31) and finally the norms of religions (Worship only on mountains or in Jerusalem – vs. 20-24).
Scaling over these walls, Jesus was able to meet the true need of this woman and indeed the men of Samaria. Her-
self worth was restored, she became one who could influence even the men of the city to come and believe in Christ.

The pastoralist man of Northern Kenya was hurting in hopelessness, just like the Samaritan woman. They both were
unable to access life or relate fruitfully with the living God, not because they did not want to, but because nobody
had ever told them of the gracious God of heaven.

The apostle Paul challenges us today; ‘how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall
they believe in him of whom they have never heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they
preach except they be sent? even as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good
things”

The urgency of the gospel today is not to those who have heard it repeatedly, but
to them who have never heard of the gracious God of heaven. The urgency in the
church today is not to boast of the great numbers of the people flocking our sanctu-
aries on Sundays, but to build, equip and send people to tell it well to the ends of the
earth.

Rev. Michael Muthengi

Missions & Outreach Pastor
(CITAM)

STEP-M

T he Short Term Exposure Program in Missions (Step-M) has been and is a launching
pad for various Citam members into Ministry. Here are some ex and current Step-M
missionaries. Other Step-M missionaries will be featured in subsequent issues.

Ex STEP-M CURRENT STEP-M

Mambo served in Mercy is in Sudan

Marsabit Borana for upper Boma
3 months in 2007

Mercy Muriithi
Japheth Mambo

Antony served in
Marsabit Borana for
3 months in 2008 Nigel is in Kargi among
the Rendille

Antony Omwenga
Nigel De Mello
3
MEET A MISSIONARY
with Livingstone Thuranira
STEPHANIE, ex Step-M Missionary

S tephanie Maitamei studied International Relations at the United States Interna-

tional University (USIU) – Africa and then worked for 10 years as a writer and
editor for various publications. She loved her work until 2005 when she joined a team
from NPC Valley road to Kargi for a short evangelistic trip. From that moment, she fell
in love with the place and the people. Later through Step-M program, she was sent to
Korr among the Rendille for three months, which eventually translated into one year
and a half. In her own words, she loved Korr like home.
Stephanie grew up as a strong willed and independent used to running her own life
until she sort of hit a wall and so she needed someone to run it for her. It is at this mo-
ment she turned to Jesus and said, “I hear you like running people’s lives, take mine
and try running it”. That was easier said than done on her part. She struggled with
letting go of her life and made numerous mistakes along the way but God has been
faithful and she is glad to have (finally) learnt to surrender to His will.

Let us meet Steph, as we fondly who have the whole Bible yet try to of Christ in Kenya start to crumble
call her tell God what we think He meant. under the pressure of the post-elec-
The Rendille people seem to exist tion violence last year – it was heart-
Steph tell us a little about yourself in the pre-colonial era, very little de- breaking, I had hoped our faith and
velopment with almost nonexistent identity in Christ were stronger than
Steph: I am on the verge of my 35th schools and health facilities. As the that – there is still a lot of healing that
year of life – come July I can boast of area supports no agricultural activ- needs to take place.”
middle age – half of 70 is 35 right? I ity, they are prone to famine. Such
am a single. I am vivacious, adven- needs make one less self-centred.” What of your most terrible dis-
turous and spunky; when I believe likes?
in something, I get consumed in its What is your best moment in your
pursuit. I am an introvert and like faith and life? “I dislike passiveness. Do something
quiet and private moments however, do not just watch things happen and
I am somewhat strong willed. “I am living it right now, seeing God whine. Be proactive.”
use me as a vessel to extend love
Your experience in the mission .... and nose picking? “Yuck!”
and compassion to others. However,
field?
the most notable moment is after
teaching as a volunteer at Tirrim What’s your take on feminism?
“For the first six months of my stay,
primary, a mission school in Korr for
I was getting a feel of Korr and the “Women should be given equal op-
one year and saw the school top the
Rendille people while immersing my- portunities, but we do not need to
district in KCPE results, with 3 pupils
self in their culture. It was during this emasculate men to achieve that. I
being admitted to national schools
time I felt it impressed upon me to believe I do not need to try to be a
and the other 9 pupils to provincial
go back in 2008 to serve as a volun- man to play my role in society, God
schools. This was the first class 8 for
teer teacher at Tirrim Primary school, was wise in creating me a woman
Tirrim Primary School and to have all
a Christian missionary run school.” – He wired me up to have what it
the twelve candidates score above
250 (the last had 302) was nothing takes to take up the responsibilities
How has it impacted you? anticipated of me. Men and women
short of a miracle, it was thrilling.
For the record, Tirrim has only two are partners.”
“I developed an appreciation of other
bonafide classrooms. The others are
people and practices that are dif- Yummy to the palate?
improvised classrooms in a hous-
ferent from mine and learnt to hold
ing project and up until last (third)
back my judgement on the same. “I like camel meat I guess because
term, the school had only two trained
I was challenged by the Rendille of staying in Rendille-land. Gener-
teachers.”
believers; they took God at His ally the meat up North is so tasty, it
Word. What the scripture said, is comes naturally seasoned due to the
...and your worst moment?
what they endeavoured to do – no plants the animals eat. Once you’ve
‘modern’ interpretation to suit the “I can give you two: the first is when tasted it, Nairobi meat is bland in
‘changing times’. This is against the I lost my only brother 15 years ago comparison.”
background that there is no Rendille – we were similar in some ways, he
Bible. The Bible is still in the process was artsy, loved music and uncon- Food for the soul?
of translation, what exists are a few ventional – I am all of these. Second
books of the New Testament and was sensing and seeing the body “Definitely, music – I am eclectic in
they hold on to every word unlike us
4
 my taste of music. I like Christian rock, classical, jazz,
afro-fusion and soul. I enjoy and participate in drama Steph’s Album
and theatre for self-expression. I also love rock and
mountain climbing and books mostly biographies. I en-
joy the feel of grass under my feet – something I came
to appreciate after living in the desert. Long walks in
the evening with the warm desert breeze blowing or
simply putting out mats and lying outside under the
deep blue sky with countless stars catching up with
neighbours and friends was the closest I came to a
feel of heaven while in Korr.”
Did you have any mentors along the way? My three kids: (from left) Ajeycho - Nairobi School,
“Pst. Nellie Kigondu the mission’s pastor at NPC Val- Muslimo - Alliance Girls, Chimbreya - Kenya High
ley Road mentored me into missions. Dr. Adeyemo
spurred me on to have zeal for transformation against Taking my class
our shared belief that “It will take Africans to transform through a Shairi for
Africa” On the other hand, Lynne Swanepoel a mis- Parents’ Day
sionary with AIM in Korr inspired me to have steadfast
compassion for people. She is dynamite! Her love for
the Rendille is unwavering.”

Any family aspiration?

“I hope to have my own family someday; currently I
have the three Rendille children who made it to Na-
tional schools. I act as their guardian while they are in Tirrim’s only block of
Nairobi. Lately I have spent my weekends running from classrooms
avisiting day, to an AGM to signing out one of them
for a school exeat – I am enjoying that. Some friends
and members of the church have graciously offered
to sponsor them for the four years of their secondary
education; am so grateful to God for that.”
Now that you are back what are you up to?
“I am in the process of establishing an outfit with a With some of my 32
two- fold objective: to mobilize resources for the facili- ‘babies’ from class 4
tation of education in the marginalized areas like Korr
as well as carry the gospel. Most marginalized areas
are home to un-reached people groups. Our work
has already started in Korr. Eventually we hope to be
national in nature covering other areas.”
Due to lack of
Lastly, what wisdom guides you daily? Schools these chil-
dren are not enrolled
“My favourite portion of scripture: Matthew 11:29
“....learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in in school and may
heart....”NKJV. It challenges me as it is contradictory never get education
to our, or should I say my human nature that is prone
to aggression and pride.”
“My ife’s maxim: 1st Thessalonians. 4:11 “....aspire
to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to
work with your own hands....”NKJV”

STEP-M contd...

Lilian is in Marsabit Victor is in Kargi Rendille

Boran

Lillian Waithira Victor Omondi

5
KNOW OUR MISSIONS PEOPLE GROUP
RENDILLE traditionally
dress by tying
T he Rendille are an ethnic group
inhabiting the Kaisut Desert of
Kenya. They are often referred to as
a loincloth
around their
loins while
“the holders of the stick of God”. women dress
in sheep and
They are nomadic pastoralists who goatskins tied
roam with their camels across about around their
16,000 square kilometers of Northern waists going
Kenya. Women, children, and older down while
men live in semi-permanent villages the trunk re-
that are moved only a few times mains naked.
a year and rarely more than a few Circumcised
kilometers. boys and
young men
The Rendille believe that they belong who have
in the desert not by mistake but clothing and are commonly seen
not yet undergone khandi, the rite wearing kikoys and t-shirts.
because it’s their “promised land”. into adulthood at age 30 whereby
In their popular morning prayers, men become Elders and are granted
they pray, “your people Waakh (God) Rendilles practice kholoo, a system
ownership of land, wear purple cloth of age sets fourteen years apart.
cannot climb mountains, cross seas and a white feather in their headgear.
but remain in this promised land in An age set is a group of men cir-
This switches to a Tartan pattern cumcised together and remain in
which You have looked after our fore among acceptance as an Elder.
fathers, us and our children’s chil- the warriorhood for 14 years before
Warriors are very sensitive of their they are allowed to marry and give
dren....” headgear and will become upset if way to another age set. Since 1962,
another tribal member, especially a there have been six age set namely;
Rendille staple foods include meat, woman, touches it. Many Rendille
and a mixture of milk and blood, ILMAURI, ILKIMANIGI, ILKICHILI,
have appropriated western and other ILKIRORO, ILMOOLI and the cur-
commonly known as “Banjo”. Men
rent age set, who were circumcised
in August 2007, ILMETILI. Rendille
culture is built on strict separation of
the sexes during important cultural
and spiritual practices. Women are
not allowed to talk or fraternize with
men, and traditionally are shunned
from major religious events outside
of courtship rituals.

Rendilles are believed to be alien-

ated and experts believe the pure
Rendilles are almost extinct with
their language confined to a few in
Kargi and Korr. Rendille language
especially is under threat from
Samburu, one of the Maa languages.
Attempts have been made to build
schools, though few schools, the
meaning of education has been well
seen through the leadership of the
late Hon. Titus L Ngoyoni, MP, effort
to add more school projects through
well-wishers, and new donations will
definitely make changes and will help
the Rendilles of Northern Kenya.

6
 TELLING OF GOD’S GOODNESS
I t is now almost three years since
we launched missions to Northern
Kenya. At first, it was like scratching a
involvement among the un-
reached people groups. Plans
were set and policies drawn.
metal dome with bare hands. CITAM’s The next major leap was to
initial mission involvement was with move the missions from a policy
the sister ministry, Pentecostal As- document to the field. For this
semblies of God (PAG) - founded to happen then labourers were
by the Pentecostal Assemblies of needed. These would be people
Canada (POAC), which also founded who were not only knowledge-
Nairobi Pentecostal Church, which able about missions but also
later evolved into CITAM. By this passionate about it. It is at this
time, there was no felt presence of point the Minister for Missions
CITAM among the un-reached people and outreach was recruited Northern Frontier Missions’ launch
groups. This went on for a while until to design a strategy, which was to
there was restlessness for CITAM as steer the work off the ground. He im- off the work.
a ministry. Whatever we were doing in mediately embarked on circuit trips The following year saw the recruit-
light of what God expected of us, was to the potential areas of involvement. ment process of suitable candidates
not enough. The need was so desper- After a period of hard work, reading to run the missions work in the North-
ate; there were approximately twenty about, seeing and evaluating what ern frontier. The centres that were
two un-reached people groups in our was happening he drew a strategy, birthed to begin the work are: Mar-
eighty percent Christian nation. It was which was presented to the mis- sabit town among the Borana, Kargi
unacceptable! At that rate, how could sions’ board and later ratified. After among the Rendille and Samburu
we reach the rest of the world if we all the policy and strategy work had adopted from PAG missions. For easy
had not even explored our very own been completed a mega launch coordination of these centres, a mis-
backyard? took place in 2006. During which sion station was set up in Marsabit.
the Bishop of CITAM along with the Following are the accounts from the
It is from this realization that CITAM church leadership went round the centres as told by the missionaries.
embarked on serious missions’ Northern frontier mission field to set

BORANA MISSION FIELD

As told by Alfred Kenyamanyara

T he Borana mission field’s initial bases are at Goro Rukesa and Mata Arba near Marsabit town. We have been
involved an in open-air meeting in Goro-Rukesa, as well as teaching in the Sunday service and person-to-person
evangelism.

These activities had a great impact in my life. For instance, the open-air meeting saw over ten souls won to the
kingdom in a Muslim stronghold; this challenged and humbled me because I had almost refused my evangelists to
organize it. After the two-day open air meeting and its results, I vowed not to limit God again.

The open-air meeting had a big impact on the community of Goro. Many people were able to see that the gospel
has much more power than Islam. The venue of the meeting was a Muslim ground where no Christian had ever been
allowed to even step. The village is known for chasing away God’s servants who try to preach there. Many people are
now beginning to see the difference between Christianity and Islam.

We have seen a number of people get saved and several members have been spirit-filled in Goro. Moreover, our
members are now more committed to making a difference in their Manyatta. There is an apparent new perspective
and understanding of God not only among our members, but also in the
villages where we minister. Villagers are now saying that in our church
every body has become a preacher and tells anybody about Jesus. With
this, we have learnt that God is always ready to save if someone is ready
to share the gospel. I saw this in the open-air meeting we held around
Goro.

I had the opportunity of sharing a testimony in NPC Valley Road during our
break. Though I had strictly been allocated three minutes in two services,
through God’s enablement, I was able to show the church 17 clips within
the three minutes. At the end of it, so many people were touched. I par-
ticularly felt blessed by one sister who came to me with a small Bible in
her hand. She gave me the Bible and told me to give it to any Borana who
may be in need. I was moved by her gesture.

Among the challenges we have faced as a family was a break-in at our

house. God does work all things to work for good. The robbery attempt
A service at Goro Rukesa
7
made several of our Muslim neighbours believe in the God we serve. Soon after the attack, I delivered a message
drawn from Psalms 91 about God’s faithfulness at the Goro church. It was while I taught that it suddenly dawned on
me that truly the Lord means what He has says. I found myself under a very new realization of God’s love and good-
ness to me even when I felt I did not deserve it.

At a ministry level, I have found myself struggling with inability to be consistent with my mentorship program. This
was because my evangelists are engaged in other businesses to earn a living. We look forward to enhance our men-
torship program as well as design relevant discipleship materials for the church.

Pray for our Family’s divine protection and good health, God’s help to identify two strategic places for expansion.
Increased favour amongst the Boranas, and finally penetration and breakthrough in Muslim strongholds.

SByAMBURU
Peter Saliku

C itam adopted the Samburu mission field from PAG church missions, from there on, we have endeavoured to
build the leadership and structures to help the Samburu church become self-supporting, self governing and self
propageting.

The Samburu Pentecostal Church has five regions for ease of administration, namely: Suguta Marmar, Wamba, Ki-
sima Maralal and Baragoi. In all these major settlements we have established churches. In addition to these, we have
satellite manyatta churches
These same regions are the adoption segments of CITAM Assemblies in Nairobi,
1. Suguta Marmar – NPC Buruburu
2. Wamba – NPC Woodley
3. Kisima – NPC Karen
4. Maralal Town – NPC Karen
5. Baragoi – NPC Ngong
The Samburu need support to establish the Church of
Christ in the area. Many Samburus in the rural set-ups
are coming to the Lord. These new converts do not
receive sound Biblical teachings, hence retarding in
spiritual growth. Unfortunately, the area lacks enough
trained pastors who can disciple these believers. As
a result, I will be relocating to Samburu from 29th of
March 2009 to implement a discipleship program. My
vision is to stir a vibrant Samburu Church that will cater
for her people with a contextualized service without
compromising the gospel of Jesus Christ. The will meet
this spiritual vacuum in the rural Samburu land. I will
also be teaching Samburu Church leaders to awaken
to this noble task of leading the flock of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
We have a school of ministry on the ground that has 21
pastors from the above five mentioned regions. They
Opening & Dedication service at Maralal meet every month for one week.
Pentecostal Church
This year, 2009, we are building a sanctuary in Baragoi that
will have a seating capacity of 800 people. At the same time, we are looking forward to building other small sanctu-
aries in the interior of the five regions through the mobilizing efforts of the adopting CITAM Assemblies. My heart is
excited to be involved in this great venture for the kingdom.

RByENDILLE
John Ndegwa

F or close to one year we have been living among the Rendille peoples of Kargi, where we have seen great acts of
God’s faithfulness. To begin with, we feel indebted to AIM missionaries and the AIC church in Korr who hosted
us for the first months to learn the culture and a bit of the Rendille language before proceeding to our current base.
They were so supportive that when we moved to Kargi they gave us people to assist in translation and sharing of the
gospel. God bless the Swanepoels and AIC Korr.
8
 When we first arrived in Kargi as missionaries, the
welcome from the locals was overwhelming. Every
day, our house was full of visitors. We enjoyed it
even though it came with the challenge of feeding
them, nevertheless we thank God because it is for
the people that we came.
Rendille generosity toward us was abounding.
The area chief along with the elders allocated
us a piece of land free of charge. It is on this
land that our mission centre is set. While we
were putting up five mini (Rendille traditional
houses) on this piece of land as start-up to
our centre, one of the clans offered us an-
other piece of land on which we could build a
local church. Currently, we have two church
structures under construction on these two
pieces of land. The missionary’s house is half
done and the minis at the centre are already Christmas service in Kargi
in use by Step-M missionaries. We are currently hold-
ing services in one of the church structures with an
attendance of around two hundred people.
A month ago, the community gave us their primary school to run it as the sponsor. We are delighted at
what the Lord is doing and we feel we are in the right place. However, we have not been without chal-
lenges with our disciples. A few weeks ago while we were on break from the field, one of our members
wanted to batter his wife, in his words he wanted to nyorosha her. When the others intervened, he replied
by saying he could not see anything wrong since he had paid the required number of camels as dowry for
her and so he had the right to. Of course when we arrived from our break we had to set things right. We
are glad that he saw his wrong and was very remorseful. The other notable case was of our Sunday school
teacher, a lady who after being given biscuits to give to the children, gave some portion and then disap-
peared with the rest and stayed off the church for sometime (Maybe after she was through with them, or
after we were over the shock.) As laughable as this incidences may seem, they have enabled us to instil
lessons on integrity in our members.
In all these things, we have seen God’s faithfulness in many situations. Sometimes, we find ourselves
rushing the sick to the hospital, sharing our substance with the down trodden or teaching life skills to the
locals, and we have seen great impact among the Rendille people.

LAUGHTER LINES
Funny Statements from Insurance Claims Dumb Questions from Lawyers

T he following quotes taken from the Toronto News on

July 26, 1977, are actual statements from insurance
forms where car drivers tried to summarize accident details
T he following questions by lawyers were taken from
actual court documents in America:
“Now doctor, is it not true that when a person dies in
in as few words as possible. Such instances of faulty writing his sleep, in most cases he just passes quietly away and
serve to confirm that incompetency can be highly entertain- doesn’t know anything about it until the next morning?”
ing.
Q: “What happened then?”
•The other car collided with mine without giving warning of its A: “He told me, ‘I have to kill you because you can identify
intent. me.’”
•As I approached the intersection a sign suddenly appeared in a
place where no sign had ever appeared before, making me un- Q: “And did he kill you?”
able to avoid the accident. “Q: “I show you exhibit 3 and ask you if you recognize
•I was sure the old fellow would never make it to the other side that picture?”
of the road when I struck him.
•A pedestrian hit me and went under my car. A: “That’s me.”
•The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of Q: “Were you present when he picture was taken?”
times before I hit him. “You don’t know what it was, and you didn’t know what
•The pedestrian had no idea which way to run, so I ran over him.
it looked like, but can you describe it?”
•An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car and vanished.

9
CITAM MISSIONS REPORT 2008
Sharing the Gospel Among the “Unreached”
ern Kenya work headquarters. We

W e are now among Samburu,

Borana and the Rendille
peoples with the Gospel of Christ.
give praise to God for His doing.

As fascinating as this may be the five

In addition, through a partnership missionaries cannot attain all there is
arrangement with the BTL, we are to be done, not without the partner-
involved with the Daasanach people. ship of others who are like-mind.
Our five-fulltime CITAM missionaries CITAM cannot do it alone; it must
be done ‘Pamoja’ (together). We
have therefore launched an initiative
dubbed Pamoja together to facili-
tate the rest of the body of Christ
with accurate information of the Missionary Rendille (Kargi) - John,
various unreached people groups. wife Alice & children
By this, we make provision and
sions’ Month (September) outreach,
create a platform for them to easily
which took the form of a veterinary
adopt other people groups.
camp, had wide-ranging impact on
this pastoral community as over
We also appreciate that it is not
twenty five thousand (25,000) of their
only in the far lands we have
livestock were attended to. This year
unreached peoples. They are right
we are working to establish disciple-
here with us, in the city. For this,
Northern Frontier Coordinator - ship materials and programs specifi-
we are making the first steps this
Harun, wife Judy & children cally contextualized for the Rendille
year in establishing a CITAM urban
people.
mission frontier work with a clear
task of developing strategies for
together with their families are doing
exploits in the Northern frontiers
sharing the Gospel with the un-
reached peoples within the urban
BORANA BURSTING
block. Other five short-term (three
to twelve months) missionaries are
areas. AT THE SEAMS
also serving alongside the fulltime Finally, we are not only focusing on

G
ones in this Northern field providing local missions only, we are going od was also full of surprises for
an extra hand for the overwhelming international, southern Sudan for us in the Borana work. Hardly
harvest field. Through this labour long-term involvement and places had our missionary Alfred Kenya-
force, great work is happening in like China, Singapore, Malaysia and manyara and family settled down in
the field including church planting. others for short-term mission in- the Marsabit land of the Borana, than
Discipleship materials and programs volvement. a “Macedonian call” came to share
specifically contextualized for the
people groups are being developed
and local church leadership capacity
is being built up. We also acquired
RENDILLE FIELD IN
a spacious house and compound in FOCUS

O ur missionaries John Ndegwa

and family are at the Rendille
Kargi location. What we thought
would be a long process of begin-
ning to build relationships with the
locals was overtaken by an over-
whelming response of the Rendille
elders and community as a whole to
the message of the Gospel. Since
then a congregation of over hundred
and fifty (150) adult Rendille people
has been born and two church build-
ings put up in the shopping centre.
Lucy Kega - Logistics Missionary
Construction of a Rendille CITAM
Northern Kenya
mission centre is in its final stages. Missionary Borana - Alfred and wife
Last year’s Annual Joint CITAM Mis- Rose
Marsabit town for our CITAM North-
10
 the Gospel in an interior Borana
and local pastors – Pas-
area called Goro Rukesa. A fellow-
tors Ekunyuk, Lototo and
ship was started and before long
Joseph. They have also
a member donated a one-acre
been involved in a lot of
piece of land where today stands a
Ngong neighbourhood
temporary church building housing
outreach work.
one of the largest Borana congre-
NPC Woodley focused
gations in Marsabit with over 200
on their mission field -
attending Church every Sunday.
“Samburu Wamba” where
We thank God for NPC Valley
they have also assisted in
road, which assisted in
planting and construction
of an extra Church in the
construction of the Church struc-
interior of Wamba.
ture. Two other Borana fellowships
were started in the year in the vari-
ous parts of the Borana land. Over
forty children and Children Ministry
Missionary Samburu - Peter & wife Marble SOCIAL ACTION
workers from NPC Woodley travelled
for DVBS ministry organized at Mar-
sabit town. There were more than
our newly recruited missionary to the
Samburu people will be relocating
in the second quarter of the year to
B esides supporting the indig-
enous churches in the mis-
sion fields the assemblies were also
three hundred children and children settle among them with a clear task involved in drugs and alcohol cam-
workers in attendance. The children of on-the -ground local leadership paigns, the Msafara campaigns and
were engaged in creative biblical les- and effective ministries development
sons for a whole week. Thank God in the five main Samburu churches.
for the pacesetting NPC Woodley!

The construction of a CITAM Bo- ADOPTING THE UN-

rana mission centre is in progress REACHED PEOPLE
this year on a six Acre piece of land
acquired by CITAM about six kilome- GROUPS
tres in the outskirts of Marsabit town.
A school of ministry is also starting
this year to equip the upcoming Bo-
rana church leaders.
T hrough the “Adopt a mission”
strategy by the assemblies, we
have witnessed increased involve-
ment of the assemblies in the mis-
sion field in the year. In this strategy, A prayer session at U-Turn for Christ
DISCIPLING THE SAM- each CITAM assembly has taken Drug Rehab Centre

BURU PEOPLE FOR

up the responsibility of at least one
mission field to walk along with the ‘Operation Nehemiah’ which involved
CHRIST indigenous churches planted in the
field for evangelization of the com-
reconstruction of the churches burnt
down at the Kibera slums during last
munities. In the process, we achieve
O ur work among the Samburu is year’s political instability. In addition
a mobilized CITAM membership for to these were medical camps, relief
growing greatly. Last year we missions but also the CITAM mis-
launched a landmark Maralal Pen- food and clothes distribution as well
sionaries and the indigenous pastors as involvement of CITAM leaders at
tecostal Church sanctuary during are afforded the warmth and care by
which Pastors were ordained by governance level social justice ne-
the ‘big brother’ church. gotiations as some of the highlights
CITAM’s Bishop Adoyo. Closely fol- Last year NPC Ngong walked along
lowing this was the powerful ‘Heav- of our social action ministries. The
with “Samburu Baragoi” and even U-Turn for Christ drugs and alcohol
en’s Gates, Hell’s Flames’ drama helped them build an extra Church
at the new sanctuary. We have rehabilitation project at Ngong has
structure so far graduated over
continuously focused on leader- at Nas-
ship development programs for the 20 ex-drug and alcohol
hola in the victims, most of whom
local pastors, to prepare them for interior of
excellent leadership and holistic were fully rehabilitated.
Baragoi. We are so grateful to
discipleship of the Samburu people. They also
Through a direct contribution by God and greatly covet
took good your prayers
some of our CITAM members, we care of
were able to purchase a motorbike the CITAM
for one of the Samburu pastors and mission-
a public address system for Maralal ary Rose
Pentecostal Church. Peter Kalwale,
11
INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT

LOST AND FOUND

By Adah Adoyo
T here are two types of people
in this world:-
repents....
Right at the outset of His ministry,
was most disappointed when
the preacher of the day lashed
out at politicians as his sermon.
1. Lost he said in Matthew 4:17 “Repent, I looked at the mourners’ faces
2. Found for the kingdom of heaven is at and all that I could see was emp-
hand.” tiness and lost fullness. That was
A story is told of this 6-year-old a mission field, a grand opportu-
boy called Teddy. He followed Paul writing to young Timothy
said ...Christ Jesus came into nity to point the high and mighty,
some bigger boys that were the poor and rich the young and
going to another school some the world to save sinners, of
whom I am chief. the old to the way of the cross
5 km away for a football match. that leads home.
Unfortunately, for Teddy it started
There are some of us who think
raining and everybody ran to find In fact, all of us are missionar-
missions or evangelism is for
some shelter. Soon the match ies. From now my dear reader
the special few, with certain gifts
was over and crowds of peo- consider yourself a missionary.
and talents. They believe it is the
ple started to go back to their Anyone who comes your way;
talented and gifted Jesus’ great
homes. Teddy too started walk- be a witness of Christ to them.
commission is directed to. Others
ing towards what he thought was Avoid getting into sticky discus-
say that they do not know how to
home. sions that have to do with poli-
tell others about Jesus.
tics. Make it your aim to lead lost
Before long Teddy realized that, people home.
none of the bigger boys he came Jesus expects all of us to par-
with was anywhere. On the ticipate in telling the world of
muddy and wet road, Teddy knew why He came. He came to save
that he was lost. He could not sinners. But, He needs you to go
remember the way home. Natu- tell them. Is it a family member,
rally, he started crying. Some friend etc? Every man or woman
people came to his rescue and of whatever colour, age or height
Teddy told them if only I can get needs Jesus.
Mrs. Adah
to the place with a big cross I will Adoyo is the
You ask, ‘how can I start to tell
get home. wife of Dr.
my schoolmates, workmates
family and neighbours? I am Bonifes Adoyo
Do you realize that your next- the Bishop of
scared that they will walk away
door neighbour could be lost? Christ is the
on me or they will laugh at me.
Your boss, that rich man, that Answer Minis-
..What if they respond rudely?
powerful politician could be lost. tries (CITAM).
However, in the midst of all these
People are groping in the dark She is actively
questions and fears the Lord ex-
looking for how to get home. involved in
pects us to act against them and
Like Teddy, they need to be outreach and is a regular speaker on
do the needful, witness.
helped find the cross, which will Hope FM
help them find home. Romans 10:8 “The word is near
you, in your mouth and in your
Jesus’ concern while here on
heart” (that is, the word of faith
earth and even at the point of
which we preach).
his departure was ...”Go make
disciples of all the nations’...
Paul said in Romans 10:1 Breth-
Matthew 28:19.
ren my heart’s desire and
prayer to God for Israel is that
He said, ‘be witnesses to me’
they may be saved.
...Acts 1:8
My dear reader, we hear of peo-
Jesus came on earth to save
ple going to East Timor, Garsen,
people-the lost “For the son
Baragoi missions and other far-
of man has come to save that
lands to witness but I want to say
which was lost”. Matthew 18:11
that everywhere you go or you
The same Jesus said in Luke are is a mission field.Not too long
15:7 “....there will be more joy ago I attended a funeral of a saint
in heaven over one sinner who who had served God greatly. I
12
 BREAD OF LIFE CAMPAIGN REPORT
Imagine going without food and water, not for one day or two or three...but for several un-ending days. Not because
you have planned a fast but because the seed you planted did not yield any fruit. Imagine seeing your children suc-
cumbing to hunger, while you helplessly stare at them...wanting to offer the world to them but in reality you just can’t.

That’s the real, not imagined, situation our beloved country is facing...a
situation that has seen rains fail; temperatures rise and people staring
desperately for any hope. It’s a situation that the government declared
in early January 2009 as a “National Disaster” after it was reported that
at least ten million Kenyans are at the verge of death due to starvation.

It is because of this hopeless and helpless situation that Christ is the

Answer Ministries (CITAM) together with Hope FM launched the Bread
of Life Campaign in February this year. The Bread of Life is a campaign
in response to the famine situation in Kenya which we could not wish
away! It is a campaign that runs for three months i.e. from February to
April traveling to the un-reached starving Kenyans, to share food.

So far, so good! We have managed to feed one thousand families and

Bishop Adoyo leading the food distri- distributed approximately 118 tons of food, thanks to you! It is your
bution packet of maize flour; your two kilogram tin of cooking fat; your kilo of
dengu; your thoughts and
prayers that have contributed to turning around the situation.

We have traveled far and wide; gone to areas you probably have not heard
but are facing acute famine and drought. Places such as:
• Lokori in South Turkana
• Kolowa in East Pokot
• Nachola/Baragoi in Samburu
• Marti/Barsaloi in Samburu
• Tseikuru, in Mwingi
• Boranas in Marsabit
• Rendilles in Kargi/Kurkum
• Kitise in Makueni
Turkana

Next stop!
That’s not all on April 6th; we shall flag off the final distribution. We hope to
take at least two hundred tons of food to ten different locations:

• Wamba in Samburu
• Suguta Mar Mar in Samburu
• Kisima in Samburu
• Nachola/Baragoi in Samburu
• Marti/Barasaloi in Samburu
• Boranas in Marsabit
Borana • Rendilles in
Kargi/Kurkum
• Lokori in South Turkana
• Kolowa in East Pokot
• Illeret in North Turkana

How you can be a part of this great campaign

First and foremost, we covet your prayers as this is a very strenu-
ous exercise to carry out. We also want to encourage you to
continue giving because that seven year old boy; that old man;
that mother; that grand mother; could have been you!

Rendille
13
 THOUSANDS OF KENYANS
UNDER THREAT OF STARVATION...

JOIN THE BREAD OF

LIFE CAMPAIGN.

DONATE FOOD AND

SAVE OUR STARVING
COUNTRYMEN

CONTACT: HOPE FM TEL:2730989/6/7

OR CITAM MISSIONS
TEL: 3864657-9