5a – Kenya – USA diary 2008

The Maasai, a Chief Moses and a Divine Appointment

The blood and water that flowed from our Lord’s broken heart is that balm3.

That Sunday Ed gave his famous big luncheon after church. It was there that I met Larry Goff, a missionary who ventures to go where no one else would, traveling to Kenya on December 3rd. I was going on November 19th.

“Where in Kenya are you going?” I asked him.

“To Nairobi,” he said.

“And from there, where do you go?” I wanted to know.

“To the Maasai,”4 was his reply.

I knew it was not easy to visit this tribe in the more remote areas, apart from the areas frequented by tourists.

“Is someone taking you?” I asked.

“Sure,” he said, “the Lord.”

“Well,” I said, “I mean, do you have someone meeting and taking you?”

“Yes, the Lord,” he said again.

“You mean you just fly to Nairobi but don’t have any contact person to meet you?” I kept asking.

“Sure I have a contact person – the Lord’s,” he replied with absolute certainty.

‘That’s a little foolish,’ I said to myself.

Instantly the Holy Spirit rushed into me and said, “Give him your contacts!” Yes, Lord!

Excitedly I gave Larry the co-ordinates of Bishop Christopher Simiyu Bera in Webuye, my friend and “Macedonian call” of 4 years ago5.

I and Bishop Bera were the Lord’s contact persons for Larry Goff – arranged right then and there at Ed’s luncheon!

Larry had never heard of the Maasai prior to G-d’s call. He knew nothing except that G-d wanted him to reach them.

I e-mailed Simiyu about Larry (with a picture taken at the luncheon) and he was delighted and willing to take Larry to the Maasai. His son Mike would pick Larry up from the airport.

During the week I stayed with Ed & Nancy, I unexpectedly ministered both prayerfully and prophetically to a group of women who joined us after sensing G-d’s great anointing from an adjacent room. I also enjoyed meeting my friend Bitsy and her daughter, Jessica, who squealed with delight at seeing me. Jessica had once been severely handicapped, but after God’s intervention, she can now stand and walk and moreover has become an artist under the tutelage of her devoted mother.

What made my joy complete was seeing my beloved brother in the Lord, Max, from Living Waters at Cross Plains, my former “home-base”. Five years ago satan had managed to sow discord between us which led to separation and silence between us. My love for my friends would not leave me at peace until there was mutual forgiveness and reconciliation. Max and I parted with love, prayer and blessings.

The next Sunday Ladell & Gary brought me to their home where I remained until my return home. I visited with our grandson, David, a college student in Decatur, Texas, and at a little church “way out yonder” with a Jewish Pastor seeking to restore the original foundations of the faith. The Holy Spirit manifested so strongly that we spent hours in ministry.

The evening before my departure, Ladell’s friend Laura came by for a visit. As I spoke about my “divine connection” with Larry and his call to the Maasai, Laura got excited over G-d’s work among that tribe. Suddenly, she began to pray prophetically over me with Ladell anointing me. Laura immediately phoned a friend connected with the Maasai, who, in turn, had much information for me. The following morning we had a conference call during which I was introduced to a Kenyan who gave me names, phone numbers and prayed over me.

Just hours before leaving for the airport, I received a divine appointment to meet with a Maasai chief by the name of Moses. Maa-sai derives from the word Maa, and means “my people”.

Kenya is God’s Lighthouse to the African Continent

Secondly, a severe Malaria attack put Simiyu in the hospital for a week, after which he was diagnosed with two bleeding ulcers. Finally, the promise of a rented car for the duration of my visit fell through. At least he had been able to rent a larger and safe house for my visit from the love gift of my friend and partner in writing, Phyllis.

Despite all this opposition, I arrived as planned in Nairobi on Sunday, November 19th. Simiyu and Pastor Herman Kasili drove me to the Gospel Lighthouse Church – a tent structure – of Bishop Dr. Justus Wanjala, where I was scheduled to minister. The Lord’s warning message concerning Barack Hussein Obama 6 and Raila Odinga 7 was visibly being received, as well as His appeal to the churches to unite and stand as one man in prayer to avert disaster. G-d’s purpose for Kenya is to be a lighthouse to the African continent, which Satan is trying to prevent by using Odinga.

I spent the night at the lovely “Rusam Villa guesthouse,” a quaint and quiet chalet with self-contained rooms, in the Old Doonholm Estate; and the next at Wanjala’s house, which was without water for over a month as was all of Nairobi. If not quickly solved the specter of a cholera epidemic breaking out in Nairobi’s slums, such as in Zimbabwe, may soon become an awful reality.

Early next morning Bishop Bera and I took the EasyCoach to Webuye, a trip of nearly 10 hours over countless potholes. Family, children and helpers welcomed me in the courtyard, and Mama Peninah proudly showed me to my room which had a working toilet, shower, and closets. Although spacious and modestly furnished, the house had electricity and running water, glory hallelujah!8 I was delighted!

The next morning Pastor Paul, a friend of Bera, had us visit an orphanage at Lupao, for which Bishop rented a matatu bus and driver. At a loss as to what to say to the orphans, I gave them my testimony since we shared some common experiences. I ministered to all of the children of various ages.

One beautiful, gentle little girl who had lost everything in last year’s post-election violence, captured my heart – if only I could have adopted her!

After the customary meal of rice, a little meat, broth, greens and ugale (Kenya’s daily bread made from mais flour in boiling water), and Kenyan tea with milk, we visited the premises while the younger children practiced a dance.

Our matatu bus did not show up. It took a long time to wave down another one, and we got back home late. It is wise to pack a lot of patience when coming to Kenya for as the Kenyans love to explain – this is Africa. Ha!

After the usual meal and a prolonged wait for rain to subside, we found we were locked out of the car. Bera eventually opened the trunk door.

The next two days we ministered in Bungoma (a town much larger than Webuye with terrible roads), at Gospel Outreach Church, a newly established congregation with many visiting pastors in attendance. Each time I preached the extremely powerful and uplifting messages the Lord gave me, His Holy flame rose up within me with its heat bathing me in perspiration. I eventually realized that the Holy Spirit was manifesting in me just as He had once shown His form to me: in the shape of a man completely covered in flames that were moving as if the wind was passing through them. This, too, is a way in which He frequently manifests in me – rushing through me like the wind.

It was like this in all the churches: in Amagoro (a village in the Teso tribe district), Machonge, Bukole and Webuye. I ministered and preached two, sometimes even three sessions daily for two or three days, unhampered by any time constraints. As long as the Holy Spirit moved, no one curtailed Him. Praise G-d!

It was most gratifying to see all of the pastors paying close attention and taking notes. Some seemed to literally “eat” the teachings of the Lord. They also asked me to come to their house and bless it and their families. According to their understanding of Genesis 12:3, hosting and blessing a Jew from Israel – moreover, a servant of the Lord – brings them abundant blessings. May this be so!

In Amagoro the first sermon was “Total Forgiveness Leads to Total Freedom.” Such fruit came from this teaching that I cried, overwhelmed with great joy. Evelyn, a Kenyan evangelist who for 20 years was bound with hatred and bitterness, found healing and deliverance after seeking out and forgiving both a best friend who had poisoned her and the pastor who had supported her friend. Never had Evelyn expected to encounter such weeping and begging for forgiveness on their parts. Today, Evelyn is a changed person, totally set free and happy, being re-vitalized with new-found fervor and love for the lost.

Kenya – My Home in Africa Away From Home

Early Sunday morning, I heard Bishop praying loudly. Peninah had once again fainted, slamming her head against a wall, loosening a tooth. He rushed her to the hospital where they pulled the tooth without any pain killer. Peninah remained hospitalized, and within a few days, her goiter was surgically removed after Simiyu made the required down payment of KSh 10,000 a friend provided in answer to prayer.

The Lord showed me that Satan desired to kill Peninah in order to limit Bishop’s ministry and to stop mine altogether. I fasted and prayed for Peninah’s healing. While no miraculous healing occurred, the surgery was successful and she recuperated well. Family members were with her at all times and Bishop visited her 3 times daily.

On Monday, Bishop and I met with the District Commissioner, Dominic Kyenza, upon his request. He had been promoted to this position from District Official in just 1 year, in answer to my prayer on his behalf and my blessing him – so he declares. He had even heeded my remark about the deplorable state of Webuye’s streets and had them renewed, leveling them and fixing the potholes.

There was a lot of noise due to Peninah’s absence. I longed for some peace and quiet and got terribly homesick. Everyone spoke in Swahili as if I weren’t there, which served to intensify my longing.

Bishop was so much on the go to keep the meetings going, have a car available and visit Peninah, he hardly slept. His funds were dwindling rapidly, the money I had given him upon my arrival already used up. I was in my room reading in my Bible when the Lord said, “Go, give him also the money you kept for your mother’s grave. You don’t need it now but he does.” He, Junis and Kathryn were just discussing how to make ends meet for the upcoming 3-days conference of the 10th anniversary of Power Gospel Ministry. I told him what the Lord had said and gave him the money. It solved the problem.

That afternoon Pastor Martin Mwambu drove me to a tiny church in Machonge, his birthplace. It was a surprise meeting – I had no inkling as to what to teach. During praise and worship, the Lord gave me Isa. 55:8-9, expounding on His omnipotence; how He needs no help from us to get His purposes accomplished. I gave the examples of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, of Rebbecah and Jacob and how the repercussions of their “helping G-d” are felt until this day. I closed with the account of our Aliyah: my rabbi had suggested that I convert, since I lacked the required documents to prove my Jewishness. G-d had warned, “Do not produce an Ishmael. Trust in Me; I will do it.” G-d required no help from me to accomplish His purposes. Now, we are all assembled in the land with documents that prove our right to the Return.

People loved the teaching and invited me back the next day, Wednesday; that same day the van and driver rented for transporting conference guests got taken by police because the driver was drunken and cussed out the police.

Thursday, December 4th, was the first day of the Conference, with people arriving from various towns. It was also the day Larry Goff arrived in Nairobi. And the day of Peninah’s surgery. I thought the mobile phone would grow to Bishop’s ear.

That evening, I opened the conference with John 17, the Lord’s prayer on oneness and unity in the Body.

On Friday I preached three sessions. The Lord wanted them to grasp who and what and where they are NOW in His Kingdom while still on earth. First, I preached on Eph. 2:11-19, Ro 6:2-8 and Gal. 2:20; second on Eph. 2:4-6 and Col. 3: and third on 1 Jn 3:1-3; 4:17, and 2 Pe 1:3-4. The Holy Spirit gave me powerful messages for all meetings and His anointing electrified me as well as the people. It was glorious!

Over Shabbat, I felt prompted to offer Larry the Sunday closing session, since Bishop had already announced his arrival to the people. Not unexpectedly, Satan immediately tried to cause division between us over the “Law” of Moses9 (Torah). However, we both chose to walk in love and forgiveness.

Sunday, the last morning of the conference, I preached on 1 Cor. 12:14-21, then Matt. 5:3 with Pr 3:5-10 and 2 Cor. 9:6-12, closing with Ps 37:3-7. After that Bishop Bera preached on my teaching and the people gave over KSh 1,000 (way beyond the usual giving). The afternoon session celebrated the10th anniversary of Power Gospel Ministries with much joy, singing, dancing and cake.

Unaware that I had opened the conference with the Lord’s prayer in John 17, Larry closed it with the same teaching. The Lord had orchestrated everything! Glory!

The Maasai Chief Moses, The Tribe Of Manasseh And A Divine Promise

But he got restless, wanting to go to the Massai and staying there for a long time. This began to trouble me, as I saw my divine appointment getting side-tracked. Although Bishop had assured me he would take me to the Maasai, that they had churches there and I needed no contacts, he now said the way was terribly long and rough, that he had no car and it was futile for me to go without knowing where to find the chief.

I prayed fervently.

Consequently Larry realized that he could not get to the Maasai right away. Hence, he looked for another field of activity, not wanting to waste any more time. Having heard of the primitive Pokot tribe 10, he was off with Mike to join Pastor Peter and venture deep into the interior, even to a more primitive tribe – if necessary on donkey and camel.

Then the Lord reminded me of the contacts I had been given in the States. I called Bishop Kiseve, but he did not answer. I called another contact who then called Kiseve’s brother-in-law (in the States). He, in turn, called Kiseve, who promised to take me to Maasai Chief Moses.

Bishop Wanjala’s daughter Florence, a travel agent, changed my flight from Kisumu to Nairobi twice so that I would have enough time to visit the Maasai and make my return flight home. The Lord, however, said to go meet the chief on Monday, Dec. 15th, which was also the day of my departure back home. Hence, this would not leave me with much time as I needed to reach the airport by 4:00 p.m.

Saturday evening I called Kiseve to discover he had no car. How would he take me to the chief? For KSh 5,500 I hired from Florence’s travel agency a driver and car to take me and Kiseve to the Massai.

Sunday morning I preached again at Wanjala’s Gospel Lighthouse church – after waiting first 3 hours in his office. Although I was fatigued from a mostly sleepless night, the Holy Spirit rose up in me again like a flame and I delivered what He gave me for this congregation and this hour – beginning with a warning about Odinga11.

I still had no message for the chief – only to greet him and give him the humble gift of the stars of David. What then was the point of my going? I earnestly prayed and felt prompted with Jer. 29:10b-14; 23:7-8; 33:12-13, and Ez 37:21-23. But I told the Lord that I would not give this Word unless He confirmed it first.

Monday morning Kiseve, I and driver Steve left Wanjala’s house at 9:30 a.m. But now it turned out Kiseve did not know the chief personally nor where he lived. So, he contacted a friend who pastored a large church in Kajiado, a town in Massailand about 30 minutes from Nairobi, who might know him. It was nearly 11:30 a.m. before Rev. Charles Kitonga met with us. He didn’t know the chief either, but as we were waiting for him at a “Paw” gas station with restaurant, the Lord led a Maasai business friend and believer in Yeshua across his path. George Meritei met with us and we told the whole story again. He was certain the chief could not be found in such a short time in the vast Maasai-land reaching all the way into Tanzania. Did I know at least the district the chief was in?

“If only you had more time,” he repeatedly said to me. “Can’t you change your flight? One has to go about this matter very cautiously. Not everybody can be trusted.” Unhappily, a friend’s brother had been killed by thugs and George had been asked to arrange for the funeral; so he too couldn’t help me find the chief.

In the face of a seemingly hopeless situation, I nevertheless refused to doubt or give up. And after several phone calls, the Lord connected George with another Maasai believer, Ezekiel, who happened to know chief Moses very well – he was his brother.

Recognizing G-d’s intervention, George took us to Ezekiel. Through a slow, long and bumpy ride, the Holy Spirit enflamed me, strongly confirming the Scripture message from the evening before. We met with Ezekiel, who brought equipment for a 3-day village crusade he was starting that day. As George rushed off to the funeral preparations, Ezekiel called the Chief who awaited us.

“Chief Moses, I am sent to you by the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Holy One of Israel, to deliver to you this greeting, a message and a humble gift.”

“First of all: many years ago you received a promise from Him, which now He is confirming to you, saying the promise is sure. He will bring it to pass. And this is the message the Lord G-d Almighty has me deliver to you:

“For thus says the L-RD: I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you My promise and bring you back to this place (I explained this place being Israel). For I know the plans I have for you, says the L-RD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you. You will seek Me and find Me; when you seek me with all your heart12, I will be found by you, says the L-RD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from this place and all the places were I have driven you, says the L-RD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”13

“Therefore, behold, the days are coming, says the L-RD, when men shall no longer say, ‘As the L-RD lives Who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ but ‘As the L-RD lives Who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where I had driven them.’ Then they shall dwell in their own land (which is Israel, I explained).”14

As I read this 2nd Scripture the Holy Spirit so overwhelmed me that I could not speak, tears rushing into my eyes. All doubt was washed away — for a certainty I was standing before the right chief, speaking precisely the divine message to him, Kiseve being a witness.

“Thus says the L-RD: In this place which [was] waste, without man or beast, and in all of its cities [now] rebuilt, there shall again be habitations of shepherds resting their flocks15. In the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the Shephelah16, and in the cities of the Negev17, in the land of Benjamin [now occupied by the so-called Palestinians]18, the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, flocks shall again pass under the hands of the one who counts them, says the L-RD.”19

“Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and gather them from all sides [and also from this place], and bring them to their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land [as is the case today], upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all [as of today, a Prime Minister]; and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms. They shall not defile themselves any more with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will save them from all the backslidings…, and will cleanse them; and they shall be My people [Maa-sai], and I will be their G-d.”20

Now I added as the Lord had instructed me: “Chief Moses: and I, the messenger sent to you by the G-d of Israel, am of the House of Israel, of the tribe of Judah, of the House of King David, of the lineage of his son Solomon, the royal lineage. The proof to this is kept safe in a private Bank in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. You are held in honor, chief Moses of the Maasai.”

I hoped Ezekiel translated everything correctly into Maa. Then I gave the chief the stars of David Phyllis had felt led to buy: the large one for him, the 10 smaller ones to pass out at his choosing. I had placed them in one of the beautiful cards my friend Elisheva always sends me.

Bishop Kiseve photographed. Then the chief spoke to me in Maa, Ezekiel interpreting: three times the chief assured me that he did accept the message and thanked me for having come such a great distance to bring him this message and promise. Moreover, he also recognized G-d’s divine intervention in finding him within just a few hours in this vast expanse of land. This proved to him that I was indeed sent by G-d; that both the message and the messenger were genuine.

“If G-d should bring you again to Kenya, you shall be my welcome guest. All my people will be present to greet and meet you,” chief Moses solemnly promised. He then gave me his full name and address, taking mine to keep contact.

Finally I asked:

“I have heard of a Maasai belief passed on from chief to chief – that you are descendants of the tribe of Manasseh, who was a tribe of shepherds and cattle herders together with the tribes of Reuben and Gad21. Is that true?”

Both the chief and Ezekiel confirmed.

“I also heard that long ago, the Maasai were led across a great sea by a man named Moses, and that one day you will be led back to Israel. Do you believe this?”

Again, both confirmed this to be true. Then I was truly amazed.

It was 2:30 p.m. We had to leave. Ecstatic over this marvelous appointment having been accomplished so divinely, we took pictures, shook hands, and took our leave.

At 4:30 p.m. I checked in at the airport and paid for the car rental and driver. At 6:30 p.m. the plane took off to Adis Ababba. I was on my way home. Hallelujah!