“ARUSHA”, a beautiful city of Tanzania, “Karao” – Maasai Village: Mission Report <2009-5>

Pleasant bus ride from Nairobi southward to Tanzania, early morning of Feb.11, 3.5 hours later, border of half an hour passport process, continue to south.

Mt. Logindo (2,629m) welcomes you 30km away, standing like a guard to greet you, feel like only a few hundred meters away. Most of 20 seater-bus passengers are on their way to the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,895m), the highest in Africa.

Further 2.5 hours of southward bus ride took us to “Arusha”, a stunning beautiful city of many trees, flowers and clean environment. Mt. Meru (4,565m), decorates Arusha, its peak shy to be shown, usual clouds can not overwhelm its height, adds its beauty to the already Switzerland atmosphere,  Mt. Horeb could have been like this when God was dwelling in it for Hebrews out of Egypt in Moses time.

In the outskirts of this gem of a city is the location for headquarter of SDA Tanzania Union. Pastor Joshua Kajula, President, welcomes with big smile standing a big rock, passed already retirement age but was asked to stay on until next election, thus continuously serving God. We found out we are “AIIAS” (SDA theological graduate seminary in the Philippines) alumni, I am older to him but he is about 15 years senior to me in school age.

In 1991 while last year in AIIAS, he recalls of Korean pastors association in AIIAS supporting him of his tuition and other expenses, and expresses gratitude simply because I happen to be a Korean. Those pastors then did not know they were grooming a future leader of SDA church in a great nation of Africa.

He escorted me to a tour of SDA University of Arusha, visited Theological faculty. On our way back, we stopped by an oldest SDA church, the building purchased from Orthodox church, its front entrance no doubted points to the east.

On the following day, Pastor Mambwe (Exec. Secretary) kindly arranged Pastor Lusingu, Education Dir., and myself to Maasay land; 70km due to north (where Mt. Logindo stands), then left turn (to due west) 30km on desert road.

Except 2-3 tall mountains (described above) standing guard, the entire region is flat and mostly desert; continued from Kenya southward, overflow into Tanzania, then gently twists to south-east, this approximate area is where mass Maasai is inhabited in a “Boma” (Kiswahili, mini village 5-15 families) style. Usually their houses do not stand out due to mud (for walls) and dried thatched roof colors, blend with surroundings.

We have arrived to “Karao”; there is no landmark except 4 classroom moderate school building. Without this school building, you can never tell “Karao” where about 1,000 somewhat Maasai reside in 2 km radius. If you extend to 5km radius, I am sure of thousands Maasai. Some Maasai students walk to Mairowa high school, next trading town 12 km away. Thus, small children study here since they can not walk that far. And there are wild animals.

We did not deserve such a welcome! About a dozen Maasai was dancing clapping hands according to rhythm. We eventually went to classroom due to throwing down sun. Maasai were already sitting down inside classroom pushing children aside.

Here, I met an angel, “Estelle”, herself an Irish, driving a taxi for living, 5th trip either alone or at times with friends as many as 6 missionaries, serves 4 weeks to 5-6 months. Estelle was living in a tent, spread out on concrete floor in one of empty classrooms.

This time, it was her 8th week and 6 more weeks to go. She was not so sure when and whether she will be able to come back because worldwide serious economic and financial situation even caught up with her taxi business…not many people want to go around in taxi anymore.

What Estelle did was;             

       1.  Hired and paid salary to 3 Maasai teachers, who take care of 70 children.  One  One of them is an evangelist.

       2.  Provided 1 meal a day to all 70 school children. Most of Maasai eat one meal a day.

       3. Scholarship to 4 Maasai student at boarding school.

       4.  Raised funds twice $30,000.- each time to drill bore hole for water.   No water was coming out; the day I visited Karao, we saw trucks still trying to drill  Too  the water. Too bad to see her money go wasted.

       5.  Became a natural friend with Maasai. Children lean on her, touch her.  

As she sat down, about 10 children came around sitting and standing.

I would like to suggest BMW to come in July for “Crusade and Medical Rally” for one week; Provide bicycles to each of these Maasai teachers, and see if BMW would like to take up what Estella has left…a jump pad God has provided to BMW for eventual evangelization of entire Maasai, whether in Kenya 1 million, or 6 million plus in Tanzania side.

Estelle’s work will never cease, instead she has just ignited a flame/torch…     for God’s work of mission…wouldn’t it be wonderful for BMW to carry on the torch/flame and we are sure God will bless all for their works.

Should BMW decide affirmatively, about 12-15 Korean-American SDA missionaries, including some nurses, medical doctors may come for a week in July. Tanzania Union has shown positive cooperation let alone their leadership in crusade which might start one week earlier than BMW arrival, thus making 2 weeks of crusade with one week medical treatment.

On a fine day (almost everyday is fine day here), we can view snow-covered Mt. Kilimanjaro Peak far away, Mt. Logindo-30 km away, and Mt. Meru beside Arusha -100 km away, in-between is all desert;

Wonderful setting to do mission work, having consolation from nature God has created…

          a Great Commission Jesus Christ has Himself has commanded

                      before He ascended into heaven!

Spent Sabbath at Tanzania Union Church, thanks for inviting me to share time during Divine Service, long bus ride back to Nairobi was rather short because of excitements and thankfulness to God for having led me to Maasai Karao with the expectation of continued service as His vessel to do His will.

Yang, Seung Chun

A missionary Congo DR, BMW coordinator in Africa.