Rebeca Chebet from POM hosted the annual International Zero Tolerance Day rally against FGM (female genital mutilation) on February 6. Although this horrendous cultural practice is against the law, it is still a threat for Pokot girls. Almost 1,000 Pokot gathered to learn more about the physical and emotional impacts of FGM, hear how God has changed the women that have laid down their knives, and celebrate girls saying no to FGM. During the rally, four women relenquished their knives! Because FGM is illegal, it was incredibly brave for them to do so publicly. The punishment could be a minimum of three years in prision, as well as fines of 100,000 to 200,000 shillings, equivalent to $1,000 to $2,000. Please pray that these women will remain steadfast in their decision to no longer be part of this heinous practice.

The Women of Pokot ministry is focused on encouraging and discipling women in the harsh world of western Kenya. Partnering with People on Mission, its goal is to train up women who are committed to reaching other women in the community and sharing God’s love with them. The ministry also supports the National Zero Tolerance Day, which speaks out against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Pokot culture places little value on women. They are treated more as possessions, and are not allowed to own or inherit anything. Young girls will bring a dowry of up to 45 cows to struggling families, contributing to early marriages, often to men much older than them. Because of FGM, many endure monthly physical pain and complications in childbirth. Each day, they carry the burden of finding water, food, and shelter in a land stricken by constant drought. They work hard to pay school fees, knowing education will provide a better life for their children. While their society treats them as having little value, we know that God values each precious Pokot woman and her children. For the last few years, I have had the privilege to be a part of the Women of Pokot team from Kensington Church in Michigan. Each February, our team spends about two weeks traveling to encourage, educate, and empower the Pokot women. In Kapenguria, we hold a training day with leaders from the local women’s groups. Transitioning away from a focus on basic training in job skills, as the women have excelled in that area, training is now focused on discipleship. We share our stories and listen to theirs, pray together, lead Bible training, and encourage the women to be Godly leaders in their communities. After experiencing the power of “listening prayer” during our team training, we were excited to share this spiritual tool with the leaders and women’s groups. Just as we had experienced, the women let go of the lies they had believed about their worth and value, and heard God speak clearly His true names for them, hearing words like “Ambassador,” “Rock,” “Strong Tower”, and “Child of God.” God truly has great plans for each one of them as they continue to grow as Christ’s ambassadors in their families, villages, and communities. We also support efforts to end FGM among the Pokot. Partnering with Becky Chebet, a local Kenyan and United Nations-trained anti-FGM presenter, the team attends and speaks at the local National Zero Tolerance Day rally, typically attended by more than a thousand Pokot men and women. The team also travels with Becky as she speaks at local high schools, standing with her to share with young girls that they “are fearfully and wonderfully made” by God and offering hope to those who have already undergone this horrific practice. We also use every opportunity to encourage the young women to finish their education and be leaders among their peers. Each year, the Pokot women say how amazed they are to have women come from the other side of the world to meet with them. As one Pokot woman shared, “It is a miracle that I would share a meal with a you!” And while they tell us that meeting together refreshes and encourages them, our team members leave forever changed and challenged by the strength and courage of the Pokot women, who truly become our sisters in Christ. By: Stacy Mallard, Guest Contributor

In October, Julius Murgor, Reuben Meriakol and Becky Chebet, from Pokot Outreach Ministries, traveled to the United States to visit their long-time supporters. It was the first trip to the US for Reuben and Becky! Julius is the director of Pokot Outreach Ministries, our partner in Kenya. Reuben is the first Pokot missionary, now living in South Sudan and serving the Toposa tribe. Working with Support Women of Pokot, Becky empowers young women by providing community training against the horrendous practice of FGM. The group spent the majority of their time in Michigan working on plans for the next year, as well as sharing the stories of how God is working in Kenya and South Sudan. Both Reuben and Becky ran in the Detroit Half Marathon as part of the Hope Water Project team - and without any training! Hope Water Project works tirelessly to bring clean water to the Pokot people, which in turn allows POM to share the living water of Christ. Julius and Reuben also made visits to North Carolina and South Carolina, where Reuben got to see the ocean for the first time. Please continue to pray for these faithful servants and God works through them to grow the Kingdom!

Pokot Outreach Ministry, Kenya

Continuing The Fight

andrea2020-02-11T20:06:51-05:00February 20th, 2020|Pokot Outreach Ministry, Kenya|

Rebeca Chebet from POM hosted the annual International Zero Tolerance Day rally against FGM (female genital mutilation) on February 6. Although this horrendous cultural practice [...]

End Of The Year Ministry Needs

andrea2019-12-02T17:49:47-05:00December 2nd, 2019|Pokot Outreach Ministry, Kenya|

POM’s ministry in Kenya continues to expand with churches being planted, giving rise to the need for additional pastors. There are several ways that you [...]

The Kind Of Medication You Can’t Write A Script For

andrea2019-06-03T09:30:12-04:00June 3rd, 2019|Pokot Outreach Ministry, Kenya|

By Guest Contributor, Dr. Mark Paschall This image has haunted me since our return from a remote village in a forgotten region of Kenya. They [...]

Women of Pokot

andrea2017-09-28T14:44:31-04:00September 28th, 2017|Pokot Outreach Ministry, Kenya|

The Women of Pokot ministry is focused on encouraging and discipling women in the harsh world of western Kenya. Partnering with People on Mission, its [...]

From the Field – Ministry Update

andrea2016-08-29T12:34:35-04:00August 29th, 2016|Pokot Outreach Ministry, Kenya|

Some of you have had the opportunity to work with us in one of the three countries where we are spreading the Good News – [...]

Pokot Outreach Ministries – Kenya Update

andrea2016-03-30T15:47:17-04:00March 30th, 2016|Pokot Outreach Ministry, Kenya|

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for our ministry to the Pokot people of Kenya! Peter Siwa and a team of our preachers [...]

Adventure in America

andrea2016-03-30T15:31:47-04:00March 30th, 2016|Pokot Outreach Ministry, Kenya, Pokot Outreach Ministry, Sudan|

In October, Julius Murgor, Reuben Meriakol and Becky Chebet, from Pokot Outreach Ministries, traveled to the United States to visit their long-time supporters. It was [...]

New Solution for an Age Old Problem

andrea2015-09-29T13:03:09-04:00September 29th, 2015|Pokot Outreach Ministry, Kenya|

It seems like such a minor thing here in the United States: access to sanitary pads for women. They are readily available at an affordable [...]

Pokot Outreach Ministry Update

andrea2019-11-01T15:37:22-04:00June 11th, 2015|Pokot Outreach Ministry, Kenya|

Winter greetings to you all from the snowy and icy roads where I am struggling to drive! I arrived in the US on February 11 [...]

Pokot Say “NO” to FGM

andrea2015-03-14T22:00:38-04:00March 14th, 2015|Pokot Outreach Ministry, Kenya|

The Women of Pokot ministry was started three years ago with a mission to educate, empower, and reclaim the Pokot women’s identity and worth as [...]