Greetings from the land of cheetahs, lions, tribal herdsmen in colourful robes, and savannas that seem to go on forever!  Or, as they say in my part of the world, Jambo!  Habari gana?

This is your Maasai friend, Joseph Tepelit Ole Jukawe.  I am sorry for not writing; taking care of cattle and going to school consumes most of my freetime activity.  Other chores and church are two more things that keep me very busy.  I hope you understand why you don't hear much from me.

Our cattle are well; my family is too.  It's only by the Lord's grace that things are going well.  No loss of cattle to predators, no sickness has befallen our family, the rains have started, after months of dry weather and drought, and the savanna is starting to green with new life, giving us all a renewed sense of hope.

That is another thing.  I am now a Christian.  I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart.  I did that about a month ago when some American missions workers came to my country to talk about Jesus.  They held a special crusade, and I went the first night.  This was when I suddenly felt like the world's worst sinner, so I asked Jesus to come into my life. 

The change in me has been nothing short of extraordinary. 

I no longer worry about things, and I put all my cares at the foot of the cross whenever I pray.  I am happier about my lot in life, and my family sees the change in me.  Maybe one day they will come to know Christ as I do, but right now they are too busy; they don't have the time.

I keep telling Mother, Mama, and Father about Jesus, but right now they don't want to listen.  They have the cattle to tend to, and my two mothers have to take care of the house, the cattle, and other family members.  Maybe one day I will leave a piece of paper for them to read; it's a paper that has a message about Jesus written in it. 

I'd love for my family to come to know Jesus as I do.  Jesus is a wonderful person; He heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, makes the crippled walk.  He gives them unconditional love, and even if you kill someone and then you ask Him to come into your heart, He is more than happy to let you.  No matter where you are or what you've done in life, if you ask Him to come, Jesus will forgive you and love you! 

He's that kind of a man; He loves everybody and everything!

I have been reading about Jesus in the Bible the American missions people gave me; it's written in the Maasai language, so I can understand it.  It's complicated, but I feel, as I read more/learn more about Jesus, it will become easier.

I hope so.  I love learning about Jesus.  And I love the fact that He loved me, little Joseph Jukawe of Kenya, East Africa, to die on a cross so I could be free from sin!  All I had to do was ask, and I did!  So now I have Jesus in me, and I am very, very happy!

Pardon me while I dance; I suddenly feel like praising Him...

Okay.  Now that I danced, I feel much better now.  I feel so happy I feel I could fly straight up to Heaven and play with the angels!  :)

Well, Mother is calling me; she wants me to finish milking the cattle.  I will go now; until later, this is your friend, Joseph, saying Kwaheri!  I will write again soon; take care, and may the Lord bless you!

~Love, your friend, Joseph Tepilit Ole Jukawe.  :)