Orus where the Pokot people live in northern Kenya, is a dry, desolate, scrub brush area. A young, enthusiastic missionary travelled around the area talking and getting to know his neighbours. Everywhere he went he told about the greatness of Jesus, his salvation, and how he loves everyone.
One day while discussing these things informally at a church service, an old man wrapped in the traditional blanket asked him a question. Looking intently at the young missionary, the old man pointed an inquisitive finger and said, “We have not had rain in this area for two years! Can your God send rain?”
Without hesitation the young, cocky missionary replied, “Yes! Absolutely! No question!”
Later the missionary found out that the old man was a diviner who, with other diviners, had prayed for rain for over a year. They had gone to the mountains where their gods live and had sacrificed their best animals to plead for rain.
The old man scornfully said, “God has thrown us away. He hasn’t heard any of our prayers!” Then he said, “If your God is so great see if he will send rain!”
The people anxiously gathered around. The missionary told them, “First we must repent of all our sins. He explained to them that they had sinned by stealing cattle from the next door tribe and even killed others in the raiding. Then I told them we had to pray in Jesus’ name alone.” The people all agreed except the old man.
He prayed in Swahili and each sentence was translated it into Pokot. Like Elijah they thought they would see a cloud in the sky. But there was none. The next day as they left for another town about 25 miles away to buy supplies, they looked back and saw a huge dark cloud just over the Orus area where they had prayed.
They were greeted with the news that it had rained every day since they left and only at Orus!
During the next Sunday service, the old diviner stood before the people and said, “Truly it is Jesus who has power with God.”
But like Pharaoh, the man still has not believed. But dozens of Pokot believed because of this miracle. And hundreds of Pokot have been saved because as the story has been told over and over again.
Dave Hornberger concerning Art Davis, Aim International (Africa Inland Mission)
