Missionary to Samburu killed in Kenya

From Our President

Missionary to Samburu killed in Kenya

February 2014
Dear Partners in the Great Commission,
Consider the power that goes out when we use the enclosed Prayerline in our daily devotions. We are uniting in Christ as we pray together for the requests made by these humble missionary workers each day of the month.
The Lord Jesus told His disciples, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it,” (John 14: 13-14 KJV). Thank you, friends, for praying.
God is answering our prayers. We appreciate your generous response to our letter mailed at the end of the year requesting assistance with operational expenses. Your faithfulness enables us to continue sending your designated gifts 100% to the mission field. This is our promise to you and we thank you for your part in making it possible.
Another bit of news is that in early December of 2013 the Board of Directors elected me for a second term as President.
When I was first elected in 2012, I went into the position knowing God had told me not to fear, for He was with me, and not to be dismayed. He would strengthen me, help me, and uphold me with the Spirit of Christ Jesus (Isaiah 41:10; paraphrase). He has kept His promise.
This last week would have been one that would have “dismayed” all of us here at Christian Aid when we learned a much loved young Kenyan pastor, Ezekiel Lenato, was murdered while serving our Lord. But our sadness is tempered by the fruit of his ministry and our confidence that Ezekiel has now joined those under the altar crying “How long, O Lord” as in Revelation 6:9-11.
We are most familiar with Brother Ezekiel because he worked with Gary Darcus, Director of Christian Aid’s Africa Division. Gary recently returned from a five-week trip to six African countries where he met with ministry leaders strengthening the existing relationships and building the new.
When Gary spent time ministering with Timothy Kinyua (pictured on the envelope), a ministry leader in Northern Kenya, he also met and worked with 35-year-old, Ezekiel, who translated for Gary when the team visited a village in Samburu County. The police force has been unable to contain political infighting in the area, and it is thought that Ezekiel was killed by bandits taking advantage of the lack of a police presence.

Ezekiel giving cooking oil to a Samburu woman.

Brother Ezekiel was walking home on December 29 from his second Sunday ministering in a Samburu village called Siunta. He was following-up those who had received Christ earlier as a result of viewing the Jesus Film. He was shot in the abdomen, his body thrown into the bush, and discovered on Monday when he failed to return home.
Ezekiel was recently married and leaves a bride, Susan, and the two orphaned sons of his brother and sister-in-law who died of AIDS. Please pray for God’s provision for Susan and the children, and that God would use Ezekiel’s death to win many souls for Christ.
The item in Prayerline for February 20 was written before Ezekiel was killed. Since his death, we have received word that another missionary has been beaten and robbed by bandits in the same area. These tragedies show the urgent need for security personnel to travel with ministering pastors in northern Kenya and for our earnest prayers for their safety as they preach the gospel of peace and bring literacy to the Samburu.
In His love and service,

Cynthia Finley
President
P.S. Thank you for your outpouring of help for victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
Missionary Sanchez wrote, “Thank you so much for your timely gift. Truly when God sends His blessings to His children, it is always exactly at the right time and in the exact amount.”
And from missionary Mayeth, “On behalf of everyone, we would like to say thank you for all the help that you’ve given. Every help that was offered, every hand extended is truly appreciated, and no words can ever express how grateful we are. It’s true that in times like this, we are not divided by race, language, or nation but rather we are united as God’s children to become one.”
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