Category Archives: Updates

one year, 28 new churches

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In 2010, the number of CCC churches in Kenya grew from 135 to 163!

(CCC is “Community Christian Church”, the name of the fellowship of congregations planted by CMF … including the daughter, grand-daughter, and great-grand-daughter churches.  Currently, the CCC church planting movement is expanding among the Maasai, the Turkana, and the Samburu peoples.  Note:  the total of 163 does NOT include many church plants that are still in the beginning stages.)

two more churches …

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Jackson Meing'ati, one of the pastors of congregation at Ewaso Ng'iro

Jackson Meing'ati with Zerachiah

Our friend and co-worker, Jackson Meing’ati, came over today to drink shaai (tea with milk and sugar, or honey, in this case) and “chew the news.”  Zerachiah, who hadn’t met him yet, quickly made friends!

We discussed the implementation of the Enkinosata Ororei Le Nkai curriculum in the Maasai churches.  He also told me that the Ewaso Ng’iro congregation has just recently planted two new churches!  I think that brings the count of CCC congregations up to 144 among the Maasai, Turkana and Samburu (not counting numerous other church plants that are still “in progress”).

Maisisi Olaitoriani!  Let us praise the Lord!

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New Birth

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death: crucified and buried with Jesus

At church today we had seven baptisms.  While the new beginning and new birth of baptism is always exciting, this baptismal service was particularly special, for two reasons.  First of all, there were four different tribal groups represented:  Maasai, Kikuyu,  Luyha, Kisii.  What a wonderful foretaste of heaven!  Just three years ago, Narok was on the brink of a couple of months of terrible inter-tribal violence during the post-election crisis in 2007-08.  Today, at least in this place, representatives of enemy tribes have been brought together in Christ.

new birth: raised to walk in the resurrection life of Christ our Lord

Secondly, all of those baptized were youth between the ages of 15-18.  And I think without exception these youth came from member families.  While it is always delightful to witness the coming to Christ of people from completely outside the Church, we have often seen faithful believers mourn that their children are not choosing to become followers of the Way.  What a blessing when parents are able to share the good news with their children!

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Of course, we must remember that as with all life, the birth is just the beginning.  Pray that these new believers will grow into mature disciples of our Lord.

Eton Kira Parmang’at

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We’ve learned a new phrase in the Maa language.  Parmang’at is an adjective that describes that state of in-between-ness experienced by those in transition.  It means being neither here nor there, but being somewhere in between, or perhaps being mostly here but still a little bit there.  When you have shifted your cows because of drought (maybe walking 10 – 100 miles on foot), but have not yet built a new village, you are parmang’at, unsettled.

So we find that “Eton kira parmang’at” — we are still not settled.  (For those of you who don’t know, we arrived back in Kenya just less than six weeks ago.)  But since we are sojourners, “strangers and aliens” as Peter puts it, that’s not a bad place to be (even though uncomfortable).  After all, our forefather Abraham was but a “wandering Aramean” (Deuteronomy 26.5).  And the Lord whom we serve had “no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8.19-20; Luke 9.57-58).

Back in Kenya

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Entasupa pookin!  (Greetings to all of y’all)

After an extended furlough, we are now back in Kenya.  (We had let our prayer partners and our supporting churches know of our return date, but had been so busy that we had not sent out a general update.)

We arrived in Nairobi late on Saturday evening.  We’ll be in the city for a couple of weeks for meetings and to look for the right vehicle.  Then we’ll head to Narok to look for a house.

We are looking forward to getting reconnected with our Maasai co-workers in ministry.

Glad Tidings!

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Greetings and glad tidings to you all in the name of our Lord who saves us!

Our little one has arrived; both Ruth and baby are well.  The three big sisters are very excited to have a new baby brother.  Zerachiah Joshua was born yesterday at home (as planned).  Those of you who have been praying for Ruth and Baby:  Thank you.

For those of you who must know, Zerachiah was 21 1/3 inches long and weighed 7 lbs 15 oz.

grace and peace to you all in our Lord Jesus,

joshua & ruth barron,
with alitzah, hannah gail, eliana AND zerachiah