story of the first hike
We all met in Nairobi
and drove 7 hours across the country to the town of Kitale
where we stocked up on supplies and drove another 6 hours north to the village of Nakali. That evening we rested and
enjoyed a time of fellowship with the people of the village. With great
joy, the people worshiped, prayed, and listened to the Proclaimer (the audio
Bible). We decided to get some sleep, since we had to get up at 4 a.m. to
begin walking. As we were going to sleep, we could still hear the people
listening to the audio Bible late into the night.

Four o’clock came very early. It was surprisingly cold as we were trying to wake up and gather our supplies. Our team consisted of 4 Pokots and 4 wazungus (white people). One man was carrying a drum. I asked him why he was taking the drum. I was surprised to hear that the main reason he carried it was to alert the lions of our coming. It was an eerie feeling to walk in the dark through the bush and over the rocks and hills and listen to the sound of the beating drum. At first it was a bit alarming, but when the sun came up many areas looked as if lions could be lurking around. Then I began to wonder why he was not beating the drum more often.
After about 8 hours into the walk, we began to realize that we had a problem. We thought the trip was going to be ten miles long and we had calculated that it would take us approximately 5 or 6 hours. After many rocky hills and sometimes 115 degree heat, the Pokots showed us a blue mountain in the far distance. They said that we were going to the foot of that mountain. It was blue because of how far away it was!
To complicate things even more, I had twisted my right ankle earlier that day, and now it was getting worse. I thought that if I happened to turn my ankle one more time, I might have to crawl out of this valley. It was not helping that I was only wearing sandals, so my ankles did not have any support. I asked the team to please pray for me. They did, and I noticed that in about five minutes my ankle was totally healed! It then became so strong that my left ankle seemed to be the weaker of the two. Tim Sheafer told us how his knee was beginning to lock up. We then prayed for him and not long afterward God healed his knee. The Lord was helping us, and we needed it. As we were walking, I silently prayed and said, “Lord, I know that this trip is not a surprise to you, but it is to me. You knew all along how hard it was going to be, and that is okay, because you are Lord. Now Jesus, I do not mind all of this hardship, but I want the whole village to be saved: every man, woman, and child!” I was shocked at my own boldness in that prayer, but strangely enough, I felt the Lord was pleased. I then began to believe that the prayer was going to be answered.
We were already out of water and the heat was becoming intensive. Some of us were exhibiting signs of heat stroke. We started walking slowly, going from shade to shade, hoping soon to find some water. We heard there might be a stream somewhere down in the valley, but it would take a few more hours to reach it. I began to have cramps in my legs. I felt that I just had to rest more or my body might shut down. I lay down under a shady bush. The ground was filled with sharp little rocks and thorns, but at that moment, it felt like a wonderful bed. Jacob decided to stay behind and take care of his dad. I was grateful and I knew then why God wanted him to go with me. I needed him. As a 12-year-old boy he wanted to travel with his dad to Africa, but now he was like a Marine sent to help me make it. He was only 17 but he showed great maturity, as he was always serving the rest of the team without any complaints.
As we rested, the others went on down the steep mountain to try to find water. Tim said that he had to get to water soon because he had had a heat stroke before, and he knew that he did not have much time before he might have it again. An hour later they found a small mountain stream. Elijah traveled back up to us with some water. He found both of us asleep. It was a pleasant surprise to wake up and see his smiling face as he was handing us the water. We followed him down the steep path to the valley. We had to be careful because instantly the small rocks could come out from under us. We then saw the dry creek bed which led us to the stream. It was a beautiful small mountain brook. We purified some water, bathed, and rested for about an hour.
After about 8 hours into the walk, we began to realize that we had a problem. We thought the trip was going to be ten miles long and we had calculated that it would take us approximately 5 or 6 hours. After many rocky hills and sometimes 115 degree heat, the Pokots showed us a blue mountain in the far distance. They said that we were going to the foot of that mountain. It was blue because of how far away it was!
To complicate things even more, I had twisted my right ankle earlier that day, and now it was getting worse. I thought that if I happened to turn my ankle one more time, I might have to crawl out of this valley. It was not helping that I was only wearing sandals, so my ankles did not have any support. I asked the team to please pray for me. They did, and I noticed that in about five minutes my ankle was totally healed! It then became so strong that my left ankle seemed to be the weaker of the two. Tim Sheafer told us how his knee was beginning to lock up. We then prayed for him and not long afterward God healed his knee. The Lord was helping us, and we needed it. As we were walking, I silently prayed and said, “Lord, I know that this trip is not a surprise to you, but it is to me. You knew all along how hard it was going to be, and that is okay, because you are Lord. Now Jesus, I do not mind all of this hardship, but I want the whole village to be saved: every man, woman, and child!” I was shocked at my own boldness in that prayer, but strangely enough, I felt the Lord was pleased. I then began to believe that the prayer was going to be answered.
We were already out of water and the heat was becoming intensive. Some of us were exhibiting signs of heat stroke. We started walking slowly, going from shade to shade, hoping soon to find some water. We heard there might be a stream somewhere down in the valley, but it would take a few more hours to reach it. I began to have cramps in my legs. I felt that I just had to rest more or my body might shut down. I lay down under a shady bush. The ground was filled with sharp little rocks and thorns, but at that moment, it felt like a wonderful bed. Jacob decided to stay behind and take care of his dad. I was grateful and I knew then why God wanted him to go with me. I needed him. As a 12-year-old boy he wanted to travel with his dad to Africa, but now he was like a Marine sent to help me make it. He was only 17 but he showed great maturity, as he was always serving the rest of the team without any complaints.
As we rested, the others went on down the steep mountain to try to find water. Tim said that he had to get to water soon because he had had a heat stroke before, and he knew that he did not have much time before he might have it again. An hour later they found a small mountain stream. Elijah traveled back up to us with some water. He found both of us asleep. It was a pleasant surprise to wake up and see his smiling face as he was handing us the water. We followed him down the steep path to the valley. We had to be careful because instantly the small rocks could come out from under us. We then saw the dry creek bed which led us to the stream. It was a beautiful small mountain brook. We purified some water, bathed, and rested for about an hour.

Then we continued on with our journey to find the nearest village. It began to rain and sometimes very hard. It was strange to be almost suffering from heat stroke and then to be cold from the rain. The sun began to go down, and after 12 hours of walking, we were very exhausted. We decided to make camp and send Elijah ahead to try to find the village. That night around the campfire, we heard people coming. Our scout not only found the village but brought many village people back with him. We were then told that it was only 2 more hours of walking. Early the next morning, we broke camp and began the final leg of our journey. We were still very exhausted from the previous day’s hike. At least I know I was. I was literally dragging my feet.

We then crested a large hill and began our decent. We could see a group of small huts in the distance in the valley ahead. Once we reached the village, people greeted us warmly. They brought out dry cow skins and placed them on the rocky ground for us to lie down and rest. It felt so good to stretch out and relax. The women of the village then brought us some hot goat’s milk to drink. It was so refreshing, and it immediately gave us strength.
We then learned there was to be a gathering down by the dry river bed. We started walking down and heard the beating of a drum and singing. The women and children were greeting us with traditional songs. Counting the men, women, and older children, there were about 55 people. I was asked to speak. The people of the Pokot tribe already believe in one God who is the creator of all things, who they call “Tororot.” They also understand and practice animal sacrifices. I could feel the Lord giving me strength, so from these two foundational truths, I began to tell them the good news of Jesus.
I told them that “Tororot” sent me to find them and to tell them of His Son, Jesus. I explained about sin, the holiness of God, and about our need for righteousness. I told them how Jesus came and gave up His life as a sacrifice for our sins. I asked the elders of the village to decide if they thought that God sent us or not. They said yes they believed that God had sent us, because no one else had ever visited them before. (We later found out that not only had they had never heard of America, but they had not even heard of their own capital city of Nairobi.) I then told them that if they believed in their heart that Jesus gave up His life for them and that He wanted them to give up their lives and live for Him. I invited any who wanted to do this to come forward and kneel down because Jesus was the king. The whole village came and knelt down, and all 55 of them surrendered their lives to Jesus. The Lord had answered my prayer!
We then learned there was to be a gathering down by the dry river bed. We started walking down and heard the beating of a drum and singing. The women and children were greeting us with traditional songs. Counting the men, women, and older children, there were about 55 people. I was asked to speak. The people of the Pokot tribe already believe in one God who is the creator of all things, who they call “Tororot.” They also understand and practice animal sacrifices. I could feel the Lord giving me strength, so from these two foundational truths, I began to tell them the good news of Jesus.
I told them that “Tororot” sent me to find them and to tell them of His Son, Jesus. I explained about sin, the holiness of God, and about our need for righteousness. I told them how Jesus came and gave up His life as a sacrifice for our sins. I asked the elders of the village to decide if they thought that God sent us or not. They said yes they believed that God had sent us, because no one else had ever visited them before. (We later found out that not only had they had never heard of America, but they had not even heard of their own capital city of Nairobi.) I then told them that if they believed in their heart that Jesus gave up His life for them and that He wanted them to give up their lives and live for Him. I invited any who wanted to do this to come forward and kneel down because Jesus was the king. The whole village came and knelt down, and all 55 of them surrendered their lives to Jesus. The Lord had answered my prayer!

Afterwards, Benson and Elijah began to lead them in new songs. They were now rejoicing and worshiping Jesus for the first time. Later, they slaughtered a goat and continued the celebration. I could feel the Lord’s presence, and I knew that He would continue His work even after we left. It was amazing to me how easily they received the message that Jesus is now living in them. Surely God has chosen the poor in the earth to be rich in faith.
We left that afternoon and traveled as the sun was going down so we could escape the heat. Earlier that morning while I was praying, I felt the Lord warn me that an attack from the enemy was coming. As we started to leave, I noticed that I was starting to feel nauseated. I must have gotten a tainted piece of goat meat. It was so bad that I even had trouble drinking water. I had to hold a small amount of water in my mouth and then slowly let it trickle down my throat. Needless to say, this made the hike even more difficult. Then, to make things worse, I stepped on a large sharp rock. I instantly felt bones in my foot move out of place. It was very painful, and I could not pop it back into place. The team then prayed for both my stomach and my foot, but this time neither was healed. Then I remembered how the Lord had earlier warned me of an attack. That helped me not to be discouraged, so I just kept praying and took one step at a time. Any chance I had, I closed my eyes and simply gave thanks. I learned that giving thanks was a great weapon against discouragement. On numerous occasions when I did this, I could see in my mind the faces of the people from the village. In my heart I felt the Lord saying that these were the people who would see us in heaven and thank us for coming. Each time I saw this, tears would come to my eyes, and joy would overcome my discomforts as we made our way out of that remote valley.
We stopped during the night and slept on the trail. We were so exhausted that we did not even put the tents up. We just laid down on the ground and went to sleep. Occasionally, I would open my eyes and see the flickering campfire, the starry African sky, and turn over to snuggle closer to Jacob to try to get warm. Then I realized where we were and how the Lord had allowed us to be part of such an adventure; to find a lost people and help bring them to eternal life in Jesus. With tears in my eyes, I gave thanks and was grateful that my son was there to experience this with me. I then turned over and went into a sound sleep.
At 4:00 in the morning, I was abruptly awakened by a smiling Benson, saying that we needed to leave soon and travel before the sun came up. Benson is an incredible man. He is so full of Jesus, and he has energy all of the time. Again we quickly gathered our things and started out to finish the 14 hour hike. We were grateful to finally reach the village of Nakali and celebrated our safe return with a cup of hot camel’s milk tea. In two days, we had walked over 56 miles through the rugged bush country of north Pokot! We left that same morning on a 7 hour drive to return back to the town of Kitale. Hot showers, warm food, and soft beds were greatly enjoyed. Tim and Brett then left to go back to the States, while Jacob and I stayed another 6 weeks in Kenya.
We left that afternoon and traveled as the sun was going down so we could escape the heat. Earlier that morning while I was praying, I felt the Lord warn me that an attack from the enemy was coming. As we started to leave, I noticed that I was starting to feel nauseated. I must have gotten a tainted piece of goat meat. It was so bad that I even had trouble drinking water. I had to hold a small amount of water in my mouth and then slowly let it trickle down my throat. Needless to say, this made the hike even more difficult. Then, to make things worse, I stepped on a large sharp rock. I instantly felt bones in my foot move out of place. It was very painful, and I could not pop it back into place. The team then prayed for both my stomach and my foot, but this time neither was healed. Then I remembered how the Lord had earlier warned me of an attack. That helped me not to be discouraged, so I just kept praying and took one step at a time. Any chance I had, I closed my eyes and simply gave thanks. I learned that giving thanks was a great weapon against discouragement. On numerous occasions when I did this, I could see in my mind the faces of the people from the village. In my heart I felt the Lord saying that these were the people who would see us in heaven and thank us for coming. Each time I saw this, tears would come to my eyes, and joy would overcome my discomforts as we made our way out of that remote valley.
We stopped during the night and slept on the trail. We were so exhausted that we did not even put the tents up. We just laid down on the ground and went to sleep. Occasionally, I would open my eyes and see the flickering campfire, the starry African sky, and turn over to snuggle closer to Jacob to try to get warm. Then I realized where we were and how the Lord had allowed us to be part of such an adventure; to find a lost people and help bring them to eternal life in Jesus. With tears in my eyes, I gave thanks and was grateful that my son was there to experience this with me. I then turned over and went into a sound sleep.
At 4:00 in the morning, I was abruptly awakened by a smiling Benson, saying that we needed to leave soon and travel before the sun came up. Benson is an incredible man. He is so full of Jesus, and he has energy all of the time. Again we quickly gathered our things and started out to finish the 14 hour hike. We were grateful to finally reach the village of Nakali and celebrated our safe return with a cup of hot camel’s milk tea. In two days, we had walked over 56 miles through the rugged bush country of north Pokot! We left that same morning on a 7 hour drive to return back to the town of Kitale. Hot showers, warm food, and soft beds were greatly enjoyed. Tim and Brett then left to go back to the States, while Jacob and I stayed another 6 weeks in Kenya.