Rev. Dr. Suzana Sitayo does a wonderful job teaching the lessons. She wrote the lessons, and this is the third time she has taught them.
The lay pastors in training are actively engaged, diligent in their note taking, and sit for most of the day on uncomfortable slatted bottom pews. (I’ve learned to bring a camping sitting pad along or grab a plastic chair!)
This was a very Maasai context (note the traditional Maasai earlobes below). There are even two sons of the local traditional Maasai shaman in the group, who in the lessons affirmed the power of the Holy Spirit as the only power for good.
This is another area where the government has been recategorizing the traditional Maasai grazing lands to be conservation areas that end up as private hunting grounds for the royal family of Dubai. (See Gardner, Benjamin. Selling the Serengeti: The Cultural Politics of Safari Tourism. Athens, London: University of Georgia Press, 2016.)
So, I asked questions to the district pastor how he guides the local churches. We had a long conversation, but to summarize: First, we tell the people to be peaceful. Second, we pray. Prayer is our power. In addition, there are people who are raising up, especially lawyers, who are not selling out to privileged government positions meant to keep them quiet. So, we have hope because God hears our prayers.
While in Wasso, I heard from Suzana that one the older students has a daughter in her early 20s. A health issue resulted in not being able to conceive with her husband, so the husband’s family rejected her and sent her back to her father, but she remains stigmatized in her community. She was helping to teach confirmation with her father, which she was enjoying. So, he was wondering if there was an opportunity for her to be equipped to be a lay pastor. When I heard this, first, I was so moved at the depth of compassion of this father toward his daughter. In a patriarchal Maasai society, this is not so common. Then, I said to Suzana, the scholarship in my husband’s name is to support lay pastors’ children in their schooling. I will get her funded. Finally, I said to Suzana, that I appreciate her wisdom, as she makes it possible for me to be a better blessing. The needs are innumerable, so having Suzana’s wisdom to know how to strategically be a blessing is important. She understands the culture and circumstances in order to determine priorities.
Please also pray for Suzana, as just a couple days ago, her grandfather passed away.
Mikitamayana Engai! / Mungu akubariki! / God bless you!