The Great Rift Valley is home to many of the iconic animals of the African savannah. Lions, rhinos, giraffes, antelope and elephants roam the grassy plains, and a multitude of monkeys, apes, and gorillas can be found in the tropical forests and lush mountains of this unique valley. Freshwater lakes and rivers dot the landscape, home to a wide variety of fish, and a vast array of birds can be seen perched in trees, gathered near lakes, and flying across the plains.
This beautiful area is also home to the Maasai tribe, an indigenous group of shepherds and livestock herders that has inhabited the Great Rift Valley for more than 500 years. Their colorful clothing and mud and grass huts are the images many people see in their minds when they think of sub-Saharan Africa.
Tribal culture and tribal religion run deep in this nomadic group, so though Christian missionaries have been sharing the gospel with the Maasai for more than 150 years, it is only in the recent past that some have responded. Today, more than 40% of the Maasai are Christians and follow the Shepherd who died to save them.
One of the David Caleb Cook Foundation’s partners has established churches in the Great Rift Valley, with some strong congregations of faithful followers of Jesus. But while many adults attend church, most of the children are left in the fields watching the herds or are considered unready to learn what it means to be a Christian. Though DCCF’s denominational partner has been trying to establish children’s ministry in this critical area, they haven’t met with success.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, DCCF’s Africa coordinator, Serah, recently traveled to this remote region to train ministry leaders to serve the children of the Maasai community–and God, in His faithfulness, opened new opportunities for ministry. We are excited to share more with you in the coming days! In the meantime, please join us in praying for God’s work in the hearts of the Maasai people.
