Endulen Diary
Vol. 23, #3
March, 2008
Wild dogs,
A pack of about fifty wild dogs has been roaming our area of Endulen for the past few weeks. They are doing their best to deplete our impala and wild pig populations. This is the first time in many years that these animals have been seen around Endulen. Although I guess it is unlikely that they would attack people, everyone is a little apprehensive and watchful when walking. During my time in South Maasai during the early seventies, I would see them regularly when out traveling by motorcycle. They were absolutely fearless. I would rev the bike up and pass through the middle of them. They would just sit there and stare at me, very scary.
Maasai Christian Creed,
The following creed was composed by Fr. Vince Donovan in about 1967. I was reminded of it during the last couple of days by a good friend and classmate, Carl Scheider and his wife, Judy. Carl heard it quoted and discussed on National Public Radio. I now remember that Vince showed the creed to me when we were stationed together at Loliondo in 1967 and 1968, and then promptly forgot all about it. Now am translating it into Maasai and will show to the Maasai people to get their reactions. I think it is great and that we should begin to use it in our gatherings. Perhaps some among you would like to take a look at it.
We believe in the one High God, who out of love created the beautiful world and everything good in it. He created man and wanted man to be happy in the world. God loves the world and every nation and tribe on the earth. We have known this High God in the darkness, and now we know him in the light. God promised in the book of his word, the Bible, that he would save the world and all nations and tribes.
We believe that God made good his promise by sending his son, Jesus Christ, a man in the flesh, a Jew by tribe, born poor in a little village, who left his home and was always on safari doing good, curing people by the power of God, teaching about God and man, showing that the meaning of religion is love. He was rejected by his people, tortured and nailed hands and feet to a cross, and died. He was buried in the grave, but the hyenas did not touch him, and on the third day, he rose from that grave. He ascended to the skies. He is the Lord.
We believe that all our sins are forgiven through him. All who have faith in him must be sorry for their sins, be baptized in the Holy Spirit of God, live the rules of love, and share the bread together in love, to announce the good news to others until Jesus comes again. We are waiting for him. He is alive. He lives. This we believe. Amen.
Buff attack,
A warrior was attacked by a buffalo down on the plains at Olbalbal. He has terrible wounds. His whole leg was laid open from calf to waist. When the doctors were sewing him up without any kind of an anesthetic, he did not make a sound. They must have used between fifty and a hundred stitches. His only reaction came at the very end of the ordeal when tears began to roll down his face, but he still did not cry out.
Maasai proverb,
Te imiet eilanyae
It is at five that man overtakes, succeeds,
The Maasai consider five things necessary for success in life, a wife, a cow, a sheep, a goat, and a donkey.
Till next month,
Ned