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Fct:;xuary 1982
To Roach a Hidden Pooph
Courtney
Christian
Mission
P.O. Box20.S3 P O, Box 000
Salem, OR 97.'^08 Kitalo, K(nv<i
Vol. No. 1
g' ''' *f'''*''
could be described as interest-
ing, harrowing, uplifting, dangerous, discouraging
moving, and delightful. We're anxious to spend a few months at home to report to our sup
porters, share these experiences with you, and relate to you what the Lord is doing in the
lives of the people of Kara Pokot.

No doubt about it, the life of a missionary

in Kara Pokot is often exciting, Sometimes
the rivers are impossible to cross-'-sometimes
just difficult. In the arid land of Kara
Pokot, we are always grateful for rain. Even
now, during the dry time of the year, we of
ten need the winch to make it across this
wide, sandy riverbed.
When we came to Kenya, Kara Pokot was in
the midst of a famine. Hundreds of people
were literally starving to death. With the
help of many of our supporters at home, and
World Vision, we were able to staxt a work-
for-food relief program. Countless lives
have been saved, and the people are now
learning more effective farming methods to
enable them to become self-supporting.
"a
.-WK
" "Mg" |j
Law-
kers
Witnessing the rebirth of people we have come
to lovethat is our joy as we work here in
Kenya.
We are anxious to share that joy with you
when we return to the States.
We are grateful to those of you who make this
work possible through financial and prayer
support, or because you have contributed to
our lives through your friendship, teaching,
spiritual guidance or love.
COURTNEY CHRISTIAN MISSION
P. 0. Box 2053
Salem, OR 97308
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
r^. -
-.r'l
5
Construction of a church
building is under way at
Kiwawa. We hope to see
it completed before we
leave in February. The
new building will be a
welcome change from the
thorn branch shade shel
ters in which we have
been meeting. The new
building will seat about
300 people in close fel-
lowship--AfriccLn style.
It will also be nice to
have a roof over our
heads during the rainy
seasoni
PLEASE FRAY FOR ...
Tony and Carolee Greener from the Somer
set Christian Church in Beaverton, who
will be replacing us while we are on
furlough. Pray that they will receive
adequate financial support to enable
them to arrive in Kenya prior to our de
parture .
--Our safety while traveling. We will
leave Kenya February 23, arriving in Los
Angeles February 26 on KLH flight 6OI,
continuing on to Portland on United
flight 736, arriving there at 9:55 Fri
day night.
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Permit ^^05
Salem, Oregon
'To Reach'a Hidden People'
Courtney Christian Mission
P.O. Box 2053 P.O. Box 900
Salem, OR97308 Kitale, Kenya
m m
Courtney Christian Mission is a "cross-cultural evangeli-
V stic arm" of the West Salem Christian Church, and as such
receives non-profit status through the church, and is res
ponsible to the church board and to the boards of its other supporting chur
ches. Courtney Christian Mission has an Executive Board of five members and
an Advisory Board of two members which assist in making decisions regarding
the work on the field and which are responsible for evaluating the work on a
semi-annual basis.
In Kenya, Courtney Christian Mission is a part of the Associated Christian
Churches of Kenya, a fellowship of independent Christian Church/Church of
Christ missionaries. . Other members are Dick and Jane Hamilton of southern
Oregon, Diane and Justin Sylvestre of Ohio, and Tony and Carolee Greener of
Beaverton, Oregon.
OUR WORK
Our primary work is in West Pokot along the Ugandan border, with a tribe known
as the Pokot. We currently have 20 congregations meeting at various locations
throughout West Pokot, eight of which have church buildings. Over 30 African
people serve as pastors and Christian workers with A.C.C.K. Average Sunday
attendance at all the churches is about 600-700. It is impossible for us to
personally visit each church on a weekly basis, but we help with Leadership
Conferences, Youth Camps, Women's Work, Sunday School Workshops, and other ac
tivities which benefit all the churches.
OUR PURPOSE
Our primary goal is to see the entire Kara Pokot area evangelized and to help
as many individuals as possible to have a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ. We are also concerned, as Jesus was, with the "whole man." The Pokot
people have suffered from many physical problems such as drought and Jack of
food, poor water supplies, and no medical help. We have provided aid in these
and other areas. Our desire is to help the Pokot people help themselves, both
physically and spiritually.
THE OUTREACH
The bulk of our time, energy, and finances are spent in the area of Kara
Pokot, the "lowland" of West Pokot, with the very primitive Pokot tribe. The
work in Kara Pokot is currently being carried out at eight locations.
Kiwawa: Centrally located in Kara Pokot, the base for our outreach in this
area. We have elementary school, Sunday School, Worship Service, two full-time
African pastors and their families, Work-For-Food Program for drought victims,
Christian adult literacy program, full time clinic staffed by African and Am
erican nurses, child care program for over 200 children, evangelism by Pokot
evangelists and older Christian school children into outlying villages, leader
ship training program, women's work, daily discipleship classes.
WHO WE ARE
Kamuqeto: Two full-time pastors, elementary school, Christian school teachers
mobile clinic, Sunday School, worship service and a child care program for 90
children.
Kasei and Cholobi: Each of these locations has an elementary school, Christian
school teachers, Sunday School, Worship Service, mobile clinic.
Kamelia, Kasess, Nayapong, and Karakol: Outlying preaching points visited by
the pastors. Two of these locations have church buildings.
STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENSE
for twelve month period ending
December 31, 1981
TOTAL INCOME:
Expenses:
Field
Vehicle -
*Vehicle -
*VehicTe -
Building
Equipment
Tools
Staff Salary
Medical
Special Projects
Office, postage, customs
Promotion
Mission Miscellaneous
Personal:
Housing
Salary
Total Expenses - Field
Home
Postage, Newsletter, Promotion
Land Cruiser Payment
Salary
*Miscellaneous
Total Expenses - Home
Furlough Savings
TOTAL EXPENSES AND SAVINGS
Petrol ($3 per
Major Purchase
Misc.
gal.) $3123
1366
3880
808
534
130
1040
251
488
499
662
363
3327
5701
$22173
$759
2685
700
3423
$7567
$5950
$34405
$35691
n l u d e s major purchases of a Stoner 2-way radio and a used
Subaru 4-wheel drive station wagon.
SOURCES OF INCOME
In 1981 Courtney Christian Mission received $34,405.00 All income was from
donations from churches and individuals in the western United States.
Breakdown of income by source:
64.25% Individuals
35.75% Churches
by area:
52.37% Willamette Valley area
8,78% other areas of Oregon
17% California
13.2% Washington
6.66% Montana
1.94% Arizona
To Reach a Hidden People''
Courtney Christian Mission
P.O. Box 2053
Salem. OR 97.308
ph. 363-2599
Forwarding agents:
Cliff & Carole Bowen
581-9055
P.O. Box 900
Kitale, Kenya
ph. 135Y3
July 1982
Vol. 4- No. 2
AND THEN HUNGER CAME
Before going to Kenya, we thought we had
it all figured out. We had taken all the
right missions courses. We read the best
and most current literature in the field.
We wrote down our goals for evangelizing
the Pokot people, and our step-by-step
strategy for achieving those short and
long-term goals. First, we were going to
learn the language. We were going to immerse ourselves in Pokot culture.
We were going to do missions right for the Lord in Karapokot. But then
hunger came...
Arriving in Karapokot, Kenya in March of I98O, we found ourselves in the
center of sociological chaosthe gradual destruction of a culture and
people by physical starvation. Once a typical cattle-raising, spirit-
worshipping primitive tribe, and Pokot were facing grave threats to their
traditional way of live. Two years of very meager rains reduced their
land to a virtual desertno edible plant life was available. Cattle
raiders from Uganda and disease reduced their once great herds to almost
nothing. Gone were the milk and blood that once sustained them through
the bad times. The old rules just didn*t apply anymore, and neither did
our carefully planned "strategy."
Instead of plunging into the surrounding hills in search of "Hidden
People," we found ourselves hauling trailer loads of powdered milk and
maizemeal across sandy riverbeds. Instead of compiling lists of Pokot
verbs, we organized child care programs for orphans and wrote out long
requisitions for medical supplies.
We.received criticism. Some of our colleagues in more prosperous areas of
the country accused us of making "rice Christians." But they did not come
to cradle the tiny brown bodies too weak to even cry. Most of the women's
breasts had dried up long ago from lack of proper nutrition. The birth of
a new baby simply meant another death.
It has been two years since we first went to Pokot. We did not learn to
speak the language fluently. We cannot explain to you the deep cultural
significance of the practice of "feeding the departed ancestors." But we
received an evaluation from an old Pokot man with many children which we
think helps define our new strategy. He said, "The other missionaries
tell us God loves us, but they let our children die. You tell us God
loves us, and we believe you because we can see that Love in what you da"
We pray that our "new" strategy is really God's plan for the Pokot people.
H
It is great to be home! Nearly every week someone
asks me if I miss Kenya. There are many things I
miss about Kenya and the work that we have done
there. On the other hand, I haven't had enough
hamburgers, pizzas, and root beer floats yet.
There are many people I have missed and have not
been able to hug enough times yet!
People have been very good to us--and very tolerant. As we have
traveled to our supporting churches, there have been times when
we have been tired, and Trevor and Laura become weary of always
having to be on their "best behaviour."
Our furlough so far has been busy, but we have had plenty of opportunities
to be rejuvenated and to enjoy fellowship with family and friends. There
are many friends and relatives that we have not yet been able to visit.
We will be taking off for Kenya again after Christmas, so please give us a
call or drop us a note so we can get together before we leave. This fur
lough has been God's way of giving us a rest and building us up for our
next term, and we thank Him for it all.
THANK YOU:
As our forwarding agents, Cliff
and Carole Bowen have done a terrific
job of handling our financial and
business affairs here in the States.
They are literally the link between
each one of you and us. Without them
we would not be able to operate on
the field. We want everyone to know
how much we appreciate their work.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Us as we prepare the budget for our
next term. Our field expenses have
increased approximately 30^' We ex
pect inflation and international mon
etary policies to continue to make
our field work more expensive. Pray
with us that we will wisely use what
God has given us.
photo by Eric Mooneyham
World Vision
COURTNEY CHRISTIAN MISSION
P. 0. Box 2053
Salem, OR 97308
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #505
Salem, Oregon
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
"7b Reach a Hidden People''
Courtney
Christian
Mission
FORWARDING AGENTS: Rich &Mary Ann Jenks / P.O. Box 2053 / Salem, OR 97308 / (503) 394-3958
FIELD ADDRESS; Mike & Linda Courtney / P.O. Box 900 / Kitale, Kenya
Vol. No. 3 December 1982
One of the most exciting aspects of our mission work is moving into a
new area, an area where the Gospel has yet to be preached. As we have shar
ed with many of you, we are planning to begin work up in the mountains of
Kara Pokot at a place called Karakol. Karakol is inaccessible by road and
is even difficult to reach on foot. We have done some survey work there by
helicopter and have found many Pokot people who want us to come and help.
A recent development on the field has aided us in reaching the people
at Karakol. One hundred acres at Kasei has been given by the Pokot people
to the mission. Kasei has been one of our satellite locations. It is at
the end of a road that is about four or five miles from Karakol. Work at
Karakol will entail building a road up a very steep mountain and Kasei will
be an excellent base from which to work.
Of course, when we return to Kenya it will probably take us several
weeks to get our feet back on the ground and get settled in again. We want
to begin heading for Kasei and Karakol as soon as possible. We know from
past experience that your prayers and support will make this possible. We
are looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us.
WE NOW HAVE A DOCTOR FOR
KARA POKOT. . Dr. Larry &
Ellen Banta and their three
small children arrived in
Kenya in August to begin
working in the soon-to-be-
completed clinic at Kiwawa.
PRAY FOR _PEACE .. Recently
the warriors fromthe Pokot
and Kararaojong (Uganda)
tribes met together and de
clared a four-year truce.
We praise God that the peo
ple are beginning to see
how harmful the continued
raiding is. Such a truce
can be easily broken, and
we ask for your prayers,
that it will continue.
Peace among these tribes-
people will greatly facil
itate the local economy,
ease the food situation,
and promote the growth of
the church.
^ ^
'.Shut your eyesI'm fioinft to add
the 11 secret herbs and spices."
r\Cy^
G^ioo
+ + + + + + +
This furlough has "been so good for us--and espe
cially for Trevor and Laura. They have been able
to have many experiences that they could not have
had in Kenya. They are anxious to get back to Ken
ya, though. Laura misses her friends, her bedroom,
and her dolls. Trevor misses all the adventure of
living in Africa--repairing vehicles, driving thr
ough rivers, riding motorcycles, exploring the
bush around Kiwawa, hunting scorpions--on second thought, it
might be safer to stay here.
Please pray for Trevor and Laura while we are in Kenya. You know how mothers
are--we tend to worry a lot.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + +
UPCOMING EVENTS... We will leave Oregon December 30 to visit friends and re
latives in Florida and Virginia. We will then travel to Kenya via Amsterdam,
arriving in Nairobi January 1^. Please pray for us in these final days of
packing and all the accompanying hassles that go with moving.
VIDEO TAPE AVAILABTiF. We have a videotape of --the work- in Kara Pokot which
is available to be loaned out to churches and interested individuals. It is
3^ minutes long, and is available from our forwarding agents.
NEW FORWARDING AGENTS... Rich and Mary Ann Jenks from Scio, Oregon have ag
reed to be our forwarding agents this term. Their address and phone number
are on the masthead. They will be available for speaking dates to present
the work in Kenya.
UPCOMING EXPENSES... We are packing two crates for shipment to Kenya. Ship
ping costs and insurance will be $2000. Our airline tickets also have to be
purchased this month. They will be $3700. We have an outstanding debt on
items purchased to return to Kenya of $2100. Additional expenses of about
$1500 will be incurred upon our arrival in Kenya, such as re-licensing and
insurance for the vehicle, rent, etc. We currently have $5^00 to cover these
expenses.
Trevor
COURTNEY CHRISTIAN MISSION
P.O. BOX 2053
SALEM, OREGON 97308
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
La Utn
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #505
SALEM, OREGON
AFRICA
Kenya
'To Reach a Hidden People'
Courtney Christian Mission
P.O. Box 205^
Salem, OR 97:^08
ANNUAL REPORT
P O, Box 900
Kitale. Kenya
Courtney Christian Mission is a "cross-cultural evan
gelistic arm" of the West Salem Christian Church, and
as such is responsible to the church board and to the
boards of its other supporting churches, Courtney
Christian Mission has an Executive Board of five members who assist in msiking
decisions regarding the work on the field, and who are responsible for evalua
ting the work on a semi-annual basis.
In Kenya, Courtney Christian Mission is a part of the Associated Christian
Churches of Kenya, a fellowship of independent Christian Church/Church of
Christ missionaries.
The work of Mike and Linda Courtney is in the Kara Pokot region of western
Kenya, bordering on the country of Uganda. Work is carried on among the Pokot
people, a very primitive, semi-nomadic tribe of cattle herders. Mike and
Linda's work in Kenya began in early 1980. During their first term they assist
ed Dick and Jane Hamilton and Justin and Diane (Messik) Sylvestre with the work
in the location of Kiwawa.
In 1982 the Courtneys spent ten months in the States reporting to supporting
churches. During this time they traveled over 25,000 miles (which does not
include their air travel to and from the West Coast or Mike's trip to Texas
to interview a doctor for the work in Kenya). They visited seven States and
kept over 13O speaking engagements.
Upon their return to Kenya in 1983 Mike and Linda began working to establish
the Church in the new area of Kasei (kah-SAY) in the mountains of Kara Pokot,
about 22 miles by road from the first mission station of Kiwawa, Linda, a Reg
istered Nurse, will be operating a clinic and teaching the Courtney's two
children, Trevor (eight years) and Laura (five years). Mike will be working in
evangelism and leadership training, attempting to also reach the "hidden" Pokot
living in the isolated mountain areas surrounding Kasei.
rt'* West
S'y^Kitale
KENYA
Nairobi
Kamila
i^Kiwawa
\ Kasei
WEST POKOT
Kapenguria
STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENSE
for twelve month period ending
December 31 1982
TOTAL INCOME (DONATIONS);
Expenses; (Mission)
Field; (Mission)
Vehicle - Major Purchase (motorcycle)
Vehicle - Gas
Vehicle - Miscellaneous
Mission equipment - building
Tools
*Miscellaneous
Housing
Special Projects
Medical
Worker's Salary
Office, Customs, Postage
- Promotion (film and developing)
Two months in Kenya
Ten months in U.S.
Exchange rate; U.S. $1.00 = KSh 10.35
$3^,792
Stateside; (Mission)
*Miscellaneous
Equipment
Vehicle payments and insurance
Postage, Newsletter, Promotion
Housing
Gas
Phone
Shipping
Personal;
Salary
Outfitting for next term
TOTAL EXPENSES;
*Miscellaneous includes;
airline tickets
donations to other missions
books, medicaljournal-sr
missions conferences, passports,
etc.
$3000
1100
$483
456
205
149
32
338
558
19
11
147
13
$2,424
$6000
3967
2130
1407
3396
965
376
181
$18,422
$9600
4919
$14,519
$35,365
SOURCES OF INCOME
In 1982 Courtney Christian Mission received $34,792. All income was from donations from
churches and individuals.
Breakdown of income by source:
51^ Individuals
49^ Churches
by area:
60^ Willamette Valley Area, Oregon
1% other areas of Oregon
12;^ Washington
7% California
^ Montana
other States