Pastor Zakayo Sirimiti and Rev. Kipsami Kamba sent out invitation to different churches around Kapsokwony area, the slopes of Mt Elgon, western Kenya, informing them about Sabaot Audio Bible Training at the African Inland Church Nomorio. They were told that at the training, they will receive Audio Bibles which they will use as an evangelism tool.
Leaders from 18 churches showed up for the training. The churches included: AIC, Maranatha Church, Church of the Lord Nomorio, Church of Christ, Church of God, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist Church, Calvary Church, Neno Church, Full Gospel Assemblies, Magogo Home Fellowship, Friends Church, Christ Victory Chapel, The Fathers House Church, Anglican Church of Kenya, Magogo Home Fellowship, Catholic Church and Salvation Army. A total of 28 leaders were trained.
Rodah Chebet, after training said, “Can we have more audio Bibles? This is the right tool to help our church team evangelize effectively. How soon can we have more of our leaders trained?” We assured Rodah that we will be back in Mt Elgon, checking on the progress of the program and training more.
“My radio played on almost the whole night. I have a companion that keeps me company all the time now”. This is how the excited Gogo (grandmother) Zipporah said the morning after receiving her Audio Bible. The 92-year-old recalls going to school for only three days when she was a young girl, she clearly remembers what the teacher taught in class. When we visited she spoke in Sabaot, “Who am I to receive this gift, why me among all the people, God really loves me, thank you”.
The sabaot community for a long time were hesitant to embrace Christianity, especially coming from what they consider strangers, because they feared losing their land. This aspect affected the pace at which the rich agricultural area experienced slower development growth which included the installation of infrastructure and institutions.
The analogy of the Sabaot is: “Sabaot kisobo tetaa”, (The cow saved him). A Sabaot believes for one to take away his cow, you must kill him first, therefore he will fight to save the cow. All his life is vested in the cattle. The Sabaot people believe they are the superior ethnic sub-tribe of the Kalenjin tribe group. The comprises of Keiyo, Endorois, Kipsigis, Marakwet, Nandi, Pokot, Terik, Tugens, Sengwer and Lembus. They say when the other sub-tribes decided to scatter to different directions, they stayed on the original land of the forefathers, around Mt Elgon.
