By Tohru Inoue
In the dry lands of northern Kenya, where life follows the rhythms of the land and livestock, David Gargule, chairperson of the SIM Kenya board of governors, lives out his calling as a modern-day shepherd.
David is also a member of the Rendille – a northern Kenya pastoralist community. He grew up tending his family’s goats and sheep, learning from a young age what it means to care for others. But today his shepherding looks different.
Now an African Inland Church (AIC) pastor, David shepherds his community spiritually by guiding them in faith and helping them grow in their knowledge of God. He is determined that his people, often overlooked by the wider world, will know that they are not forgotten by God.
Historically, pastoralist communities in the north like the Rendille have fallen through the cracks of formal education, lagging behind in literacy. They live in the arid areas of the country and are out of sight and often out of mind. The Rendille themselves know this too.
God’s provision is at work through David, who serves as director of the Tirrim Trust; a Christian organisation bringing education, literacy and community development to pastoralist communities in northern Kenya.
Among other things, the organisation runs an adult literacy programme, which he calls ‘training trees’ because that’s where they meet. Recently, they graduated their tenth adult literacy class; their biggest yet. The 204 adults who have passed through the programme learnt how to read and write, a spectacular achievement for some who did not even know how to handle a writing instrument when they started. It took them three weeks to learn to use a pencil and now, as David would say, “They handle Jesus’ language.”
For David, literacy is about more than reading and writing. It’s about restoring dignity.
At the graduation ceremony, standing under the wide Kenyan sky, David shared words from the book of Revelation: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…”
And then he said something I will never forget: “Heaven is for nomads too.”
And it’s true. It reminds me of when the angels first appeared to the shepherds while they watched their flocks. They did not live in cities or spend all their nights under comfortable roofs. Some of their nights were spent under the wide open heavens, much like the Rendille are nomads today.
“Heaven is for nomads too.”
The day after the graduation ceremony, David sent me a message:
“After a very busy day yesterday, I decided to take a break from my responsibilities and spend some time with my goats. I find that being out in the bush with the herders and animals is peaceful and refreshing. It helps me to disconnect from the stresses of life and reconnect with nature. Plus, the playful nature of goats always makes me smile.”
Once a shepherd, always a shepherd. True shepherds care for their sheep, like a shepherd guiding lost sheep, he gently leads his people towards the truth that they are seen, valued and loved.
Please Pray
- Ask God to continue strengthening and guiding him as he pastors the Rendille people.
- For Rendille and other pastoralist communities in northern Kenya, that they would know they are seen, valued and loved by God, and that education and the message of Jesus would bring lasting hope and dignity.
- For lasting impact from the adult literacy programme, that those learning to read and write would grow in confidence, flourish in their communities, and encounter God’s word in life-changing ways.
You might also like
In Ethiopia, a Bible curriculum designed for semi-literate teachers is transforming how children learn about God. Developed by SIM mission worker Sharon Sa...
In South Sudan, SIM’s Doro Clinic is offering medical care, dignity, and the hope of the gospel. Through weekly outreach programmes, chaplains and health...
In Botswana, ten church leaders are studying theology online while continuing to serve their churches. With support from SIM and Union Bible Institute, the...
When God asked Sara to step into something far beyond her experience, she said yes. Children’s ministry and walking with widows through grief, Sara's tes...
Francis Kuntenga, a Malawian mission worker serving with SIM among the Yao people in Mozambique, chose celibacy after a heartbreak. Today, he sees his de...
In our Ask a Mission Worker column, Ryan Hannah shares why going deeper in language and culture is vital for effective mission work. With insights from yea...
Carpentry skills learned in the American home renovation industry are giving young men gospel hope in Senegal.
We’re pleased to announce the launch of our new SIM International website.
In southern Ecuador, Rachel Wilson is equipping local believers to follow Jesus deeply and disciple others through God’s Word.
The Lord planted Sports Friends coach John Lufani, his wife Agness and their family of five in the heart of a community hostile to the good news.
In Zimbabwe, people living with HIV are finding hope and healing through the love of Jesus. Thanks to the work of Windows of Hope and the support of volunt...
Rocio felt alone and unloved after her parents left when she was just seven. But through a Christian radio programme, she heard the message of Jesus and fo...