The Daasanach People of Kenya

October 2007

Nalinga’s Story

We especially wanted to let you know that the Lord has been a Defender for Nalinga and her girls. This is a Daasanach widow whose daughters were at risk of being forced to undergo the procedure of FGM. Over the course of the months of July and August, there were numerous confrontations with the girls' uncles who have "legal" power over her and her children, and Nalinga's faith and our faith was sorely tested, yet the Lord put a hedge around the girls. At present, Nalinga has gone north with her girls to be out of the hot spot for a while.

Ultimately, we need to continue to pray for a long term solution - for changed hearts and lives in the extended family so that  Nalinga's family can live according to their convictions without being in constant tension. Pray for this precious sister and her girls that this testing of their faith will only make them stronger in the Lord as they wait upon Him for his intervention.

The provision of godly husbands for both girls in His time would relieve a lot of the pressure. The uncles fear that the girls won't marry (and thus they will not be able to claim any bride price) unless
they have undergone FGM since it is in integral part of traditional Daasanach culture.

Challenges for Believers

Please also continue to keep all of the Daasanach believers before the Lord in prayer as they  continue in their journey with Jesus Christ. There are a number of other traditional cultural practices which the believers are breaking away from, and these changes sometimes come at a great cost to
them. Pray for courage and for strong leadership within the church there as these ones take a stand.

Bless you for upholding the Daasanach in prayer!

With loving greetings from your Daasanach brethren as well,

M & D Battermann