The SEED – March 2019
1st Quarter Report
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.”
Isaiah 43:18-26
This was the challenge that Sammy Murimi presented to the SHARE staff at the “Mission & Strategy” meetings during his month’s stay in Turkanaland in February. “Ministry trainings used to happen at the SEND Center in Lodwar. We are now decentralizing and transitioning to the 10 strategically located BLOCKS across Turkanaland for easy accessibility and more effective training and discipleship ministries among the masses by our trained staff and missionaries.”
Construction of 3 Block Centers has now been completed – Nayada, Sopel and Kalobeyei. Seven blocks to go!
From January – March this year, a total of 2,250 people have come to Christ in Turkana and 352 have been baptized!
Church Planting in the Villages of Napak and Tina
During the month of March, our Lodwar staff and missionaries in Kachoda and Kalmengorok Blocks went door-to-door to share the Good News in two previously unreached remote villages – Napak (pop. 19,500; about 125 miles from Lodwar) and Tina (pop. 310; about 80 miles from Lodwar). The teams conducted open-air evangelistic and revival meetings, screened The Jesus Film, then held a church service in each of the new church plants. Prior to reaching Tina, the team set up camp and shared the Gospel at Kalemngorok township. A combined total of 2,554 people attended the meetings in the two Blocks, with 432 putting their faith in Christ as Savior and 38 baptized. The resident missionaries in the Blocks will continue to reach many in the respective villages while helping the new believers grow in their new-found faith.
We request you to lift before the Lord in prayer the following needs:
- A spirit of violence and raids dominates this area, creating insecurity for both people and livestock. Pray for safety and peace.
- That those who have trusted Christ will remain strong in their faith and have a desire to learn more.
- That missionaries in these Blocks will be strengthened and encouraged as they disciple new believers.
Door-to-Door Evangelism in Napak Village
Jackson Erus preaching at the Open Air Meeting
Jacktan Kachi preaching at the Revival Meeting
Adult Literacy Classes
A total of 484 adults enrolled in an Adult Literacy Class in November 2018. As of February 1,144 adults are enrolled in literacy classes throughout Turkana. In the last 4 months over 330 people have taken the proficiency test and graduated from the program. They are now serving in their respective churches – disciplining others. The average attendance varies due to families migrating to find more food for their families and livestock.
Children’s Ministry Follow-up in Nayada Block
SHARE Staffer Mary Esinyen traveled 45 km from Lodwar to the village of Kalokutanyang in Nayada Block in the beginning of March to follow up on some Children’s Ministry training that she had with the Sunday School teachers there. She was excited to see how the class was being taught and that the teachers were following the training that they had been given. There were 105 students in attendance. They were very eager learners.
2019 VISION TRIP REPORT
In February 2019 a team of six people from The Chapel – Hinsdale Campus traveled to Kenya to witness firsthand what God was doing in Turkana through the missionaries and staff of SHARE International. The Chapel has had an ongoing relationship with SHARE since the 1990’s but no one had ever been to Kenya to witness the work that God was doing through SHARE. This year’s Vision Team was: L-R: Bob Newland, RIck Callahan, Nena & Don McKain, Gwen & Jim Philip. Below are some excerpts from Rick & Jim’s experiences as Vision Team members.
Pastor Rick shared – “We had a fabulous experience, starting with all the work that the SHARE staff did to host us, continuing through participating in two remote village outreaches. At one of the outreaches, 141 villagers gave their lives to Christ and submitted their names for follow-up by the local missionaries. This was more than half of those who came out to the gathering!
What a privilege to see such response to the gospel, from a people group that can benefit so much from the Word of God transforming their lives and community!
Whether you might consider an exploratory vision trip like we did, or possibly join one of the future summer mission trips, a visit to Turkanaland with SHARE is an opportunity to see God at work in ways that are seldom seen by the western church. We’re looking forward to see where this path leads for our church family!”
Jim shared – “For such a short vision trip, we honestly didn’t expect to accomplish much. But it was a joy to be able to deliver some supplies and audio-visual tools that SHARE missionaries will use. And what an encouragement to meet some of the dedicated missionaries and church planters, encouraging each other regardless of how different our cultures are, we are all one in Christ.
Financial Stewardship:
SHARE has a monthly budget need of $58,533. It costs $200/month to support a Turkana Missionary. Right now we have a total of 34 trained missionaries without support. We request you to consider supporting one of them. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. Please consider serving as an ambassador for the Turkana people right where God has placed you. The SHARE Director – Sammy Murimi – is open to share at your church or small group upon invitation.
You may mail your donation to:
SHARE International, Inc.
P.O. Box 1011
Wolfforth, TX 79382
Some of the SHARE-supported Missionaries in Kalemungorok Block:
James Eregae
Alfred Morulem
James Kaaman
2000 Annual STORM Team
Turkana shares its borders with four counties:
Marsabit to the East,
Samburu to the South-East,
Baringo and West Pokot to the South-West.