So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said; “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” Acts 17: 22-23
While the Luo people group as a whole are seen as reached with the Gospel, our trip to Siaya county reminds us that even in groups that are reached statistically, there are pockets of people who don’t have access to true teachings of God’s word.
Building huts in family clusters, these Luo people live a great distance from things that we see as essential. It is over nine miles to the nearest school and over six miles to the nearest clinic and church - a Catholic church. As farming people, monkeys and hippos are big challenges for them as the animals raid their fields eating the young plants and the harvest.
There is a woman famous for her prayers living in the Seje area. People living in Siaya County and beyond visit her asking her to pray for their medical needs as well as their financial needs, crop failures, and any other life challenges they are experiencing. Unfortunately, she does not understand the power of God and prays to the ancestors as well as to God.
While they have a smattering of church knowledge, they do not understand that Christ is the Son of God; so they fill in the gaps with other beliefs.
The truth of Christ – the truth of John 3:16 needs to be taught to them. They are not averse to knowing God, they are seeking, but there is no one to tell them the Gospel story.
Julius, one of the missionary trainees, hopes to start a much-needed school in the area, as well as a church and begin sharing that Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life – that no one can come to the Father except through Him.
As Julius begins sorting out the details and logistics of living in the Seje area, pray for wisdom and discernment. Ask God to prove His faithfulness to Julius and pray that Julius will be obedient to follow God’s calling and leadership in his life.