Julius Murgor is a native of the Pokot tribe. As a child he was educated in the herding of cattle — the primary activity of the Pokot people. Julius did not take to the idea of being a herder and he would wander into the bush and make toys for himself out of sticks, rocks and whatever else might be available. This lack of interest displeased his father who asked the village chief to send Julius away to boarding school as a punishment.

Moving away from the tribe to an academic environment was difficult, but Julius was a good student and was able to skip two grades in elementary school. High school became a challenge financially, but God was in control and a man in Canada supplied the funds for Julius to be able to complete High School.

Julius’ acceptance of Jesus as his Lord and Saviour came through a friend who attended another High School about forty miles from where Julius’ school was located. Over a school holiday he shared with Julius what a teacher at his school had shared with him about the Good News. Julius became the first believer in his village of about 5,000 people.

After High School, through the continued support of his Canadian sponsor, Julius attended Kenya Highlands Bible College where he met a teacher who changed his life. This man suggested that Julius go to the United States to learn to teach others to share the Gospel. He knew that foreigners would have a very difficult time surviving under the harsh conditions which the Pokot live. It would take a national to bring the Pokot to Christ.

Julius was hesitant because of finances, but the Lord provided a full scholarship to Washington Bible College where Julius completed his undergraduate studies and then completed his masters at Trinity Divinity School (Trinity International University) in 1987. With degree in hand, it was time to return to the hard life that he had left. Many people tried to convince him to stay in the States, but he knew that God kept speaking to him through Isaiah 6:8 “Whom shall we send and who will go for us.”

Julius returned, got married and headed off to the middle of one of the toughest areas of Pokot where he preached for five years with no fruit. It was his wife Rachel who caused a turn in the ministry. She invited village women to tea and bread at the house. She started with about six to eight women and the conversations soon brought questions about creation, customs and beliefs. That small group blossomed into a Bible study, then a church and now has grown into 177 preaching points and continues to grow each year.

Julius and Rachel have four children — three girls and one boy. Julius oversees the work at three orphanages housing 450 children and 10 medical clinics. He also conducts evangelistic training for pastors and evangelists. He is constantly looking for new ways to improve the lives of the Pokot as a way of bringing glory to the Lord for His provisions.

God took the life of this one man to make a difference to a tribe of close to 1,000,000. With God all things are possible!

The roads in Pokot are rough and traveling them is a lengthy and arduous process. Pastors and evangelists walk long distances daily to minister unreached people and preaching points as they continue their mission to reach those that have yet to hear the Gospel. They walk tirelessly and are focused as they minister for Jesus Christ.

Vehicles are often unavailable or undependable in reaching those deepest in the bush. The most efficient, economical, and realistic solution is bicycles but they are often not affordable for nationals.

In August, through a gift given in memory of the late Harold Stevens, Harvesters was able to purchase ten bicycles for evangelists working in the bush of West Pokot District, Kenya. Harold worked with the Zulu tribe of South Africa for 27 years and later with Harvesters. Their charge, “Harold Stevens gave his life that others may know salvation through Jesus Christ. Use these bicycles to further that mission in memory and honor of him.”

Those evangelists are very thankful and proud to have received their new bicycles. Those bikes are truly an evangelism tool and helpful in their service. A bicycle that may seem simple and unsubstantial to us makes a world of difference to a people lost and hungry for salvation and to those that labor for Christ.

Those in Pokot send their thanks and appreciation for the faithfulness and charity of such a gift. They thank God for your love and faithfulness. And God is honored in such a gift and that is why we are here.

Greetings in the Name of our Lord.

We are doing well in Pokot and as a family, we are doing well. Josephine and Rebecca in boarding school are doing well. It is hard to believe that Josephine is in 8th Grade and looking like she is 16 years old yet she just turned 14 in September.

Rebecca went to join RVA (Rift Valley Academy) in August. I thought she would hang on to Josephine like a baby, but she has surprised all of us because she is very independent and has made her own friends.

Her dorm parents told me that she is well liked and loved by the other girls and does her class work well, even though she talks very little.

Jumboy and Miriam are the two little ones left with us at home. The going away of the two older ones has improved the relationship between Jumboy and Miriam who normally play rough on each other. Now that they don’t have any other playmates at home, they have learned to like each other.

Rachel is doing well and her Bible study groups on Tuesdays and Saturdays are growing well. I have been busy traveling, preaching, counseling and visiting new areas for the purpose of Church planting and evangelism.

Church Planting and Evangelism

Julius Kaprech, our head of evangelism, and Solomon Amanikor, pastor of the church at Kauriong, went to school in September. They went to my former school the Kenya Highlands College in Kericho. Both of them are studying theology which will take them four years. But as always, God has others to replace.

Peter Siwa will fill the position of evangelism. Last week he led our evangelistic campaign team to Korokou where they had a whole week of preaching and teaching to over 500 people. 160 came forward to receive the Lord.

Among those who received the Lord include cattle raid leaders who have led raids in Uganda and have been regarded as heroes by the tribesmen.

The power of the gospel was felt and realized so much that witch doctors gave up their false practices and accepted the Lord.

When others saw what the Lord had done to the witch doctors, fear gripped them as to what is happening and they also surrendered to the Lord.

Part of an errant group of Uganda Army from the Karamojong tribe in Uganda raided Kahewani-Karito area in September killing two of our church members and wounding one. That even caused a lot of problems to our church congregations in the area, moving back and forth to safe places.

Medical Services

Our clinics are busy giving both the word and medical services to very needy areas of Pokot where there are no doctors. Areas like Nyakwala, Nyaunyau and many others have never set an eye on a physician apart from what we are doing.

God has been faithful and has seen us through very dangerous emergencies like child birth complication and a malaria outbreak in the months of June, July and August this year.

It has been a challenge, however, to take these services to the people because of very limited funding to buy medicine, to pay monthly allowance to the growing staff and other expenditure.

We recently received a helping hand through the October medical team led by Ed Hirshman. The testimonies we receive now are so encouraging and giving glory to the name of our Lord.

Then we were in Lomut area for four days. Many people felt touched by the relational love from the team and God in bringing the team and making it possible for them to bring medicine.

Water Drilling

We have had mechanical problems with our drilling machine. It breaks down and it is difficult to replace because it is old and parts are not readily available. Please pray that God will provide the $135,000 still needed for the new equipment. Likewise, join me in giving praise for the $125,000 that has already been donated.

This year alone we will be able to drill 10 holes if the machine mechanically holds up together.

There are many other areas that still need water. Masol where Ed and I were treating and distributing medicine is known for bee stings that have claimed a lot of lives, especially children. When the bees cannot find water, they seek out any moisture possible, which often results in the bees attacking humans and animals.

Ophanages

Chemolingot, our third orphanage, is being finished and the children are ready to “come home”. This home will address the homelessness and hopelessness that the children in the East are facing.

It is becoming a great challenge for us to care for the children in Kauriong & Kodich Orphanages. Food, maintenance, staff allowances and clothing are becoming a challenging expectation to be met every day.

Right now we need $10,000 to clear up for previous supplies and be able to keep up and about $5,000 for teachers and staff allowances.

We are very thankful to those of you who have shipped clothing, pencils and notebooks that will help us up to the end of this year.

The other part of orphanage that continues to be a challenge is paying fees for those in secondary school and those in colleges and universities.

I have had to go to Ed. again and again trying to keep the students in schools. We however thank God for them because our tomorrow with them will be better than today without them. The community and Pokot society has built a lot of trust and confidence in them.

May God so richly bless you in abundance,
Julius Murgor

Psalm 68:5 “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.”

War has raged for decades along the northwestern border of Kenya. This was is a result of tribal conflict and recent famines. The bows and arrows of the past are being replaced with guns and casualties have escalated. There are many facets of the war – water, food, cattle and survival. The most recent conflicts are over livestock raids with the tribes along the eastern border of Uganda. The death rate has soared and with it the number of fatherless children.

In the early days of Pokot Outreach Ministries (POM), Julius Murgor, our Kenyan mission’s partner, recognized the need of these desperate children and an orphanage at Kauriong, near the Uganda border, was established. This orphanage has continued to grow over the years, and in 2007 six staff loved and cared for 250 children through nutritious meals and housing as well as daily chapels and discipleship. As these children have grown, it is wonderful to see how they have matured into leadership roles within the ministry and many have enrolled in Bible College, nursing programs and even law school.

These children do not take the opportunity of receiving an education lightly nor do they take for granted the clean drinking water, solar power or food they receive. In a measure of appreciation the children wrote, and had Julius translate, the following thank you to Harvesters International Missions.

The Harvester’s Harvest

Let us sing of the group we love

In our hearts we cherish Harvesters

With our lips we praise them

While our hands cling to their title

Christ Harvesters

Through our coordinator Murgor we thank you all.

As a good shepherd the Harvesters no exception

Duty-minded he is

Personal desires exist not in our coordinator Murgor.

With a rational mind and a patient ear

You provided us with a sewing machine for our uniforms

Now we shine

Through our coordinator Murgor we thank you all.

Shining in the dead silent night because of the solar in our hostels

Making our studies easy.

Was it not out there, the land of the weary?

Oh the land of the lost hope you came to our rescue?

By providing the four stolen solar panels

And the switch

Now we drink clean water

Through our coordinator Murgor we thank you all.

And with joy immeasurable you are ours to love.

For the forty bags of maize and two bags of beans you bought for us.

For the two camels you bought for us.

Milk we shall drink as soon as mother Maziwa will give birth.

Through our coordinator Murgor we thank you all.

You embraced us to yourself and made us your own.

In your love and care, that preciously adorable love!

Like a mother humming bird

You have nestled us with mattresses and blankets.

We know now for the fact that you are ours to cherish

And we are yours for the asking ever.

You are ours – never shall we forget!

Through our coordinator Murgor we thank you all.

Like a charged battery you are strong and useful!

Our motherland appreciates your strong and devoted services.

Long life to the Harvesters.

Remain the light and the salt of the world.

In dedication and determination

Continue to be fishers of men.

The Word of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our future depends on you, The people of God.

Thank you.

These children may have lost their earthly fathers, but they are thriving under the care of their heavenly Father.