MCSPA Lobur Mission, Kenya

Kenya, Turkana.

The origins of the Lobur Mission goes back to 27th December 2001, when some members of the MCSPA were heading out to meet a group of elders at the dry river bed of Meyen, 12 km north of Kokuro. In passing they saw, along the cliffs of the Kacheriangor range of mountains, a shinning set of greyish rocks: the sign of water! They climbed the escarpment and discovered a small but deep “ebur” (pool) among the rocks. Overlooking the horizon from that spot, in full view of the Ethiopian border, they agreed that this would be an ideal place for the establishment of a new mission station within the Elemi Triangle, in order to reach out to the nomads all the way to Kibish, 85 km further north.

Since then the missionaries spent 4 years camping on the cliff, building 6 rock-dams and drilling several boreholes. With the confirmation of the availability of water in plenty in the area, they constructed the first mission house in 2005. A pilgrimage march with 300 people made its way from Lokitaung along the 74 km track to Lobur on 25th December 2005; they marched for peace, unarmed. Along the way there were baptisms, songs and dances in several villages. On arrival at Lobur on the 27th of December, there were more baptisms, the blessing of a statue of Saint John that presides the mission’s entrance today, and the spearing of a bull to signify the covenant between the nomads and missionaries, who shared the meal together.

A PixelMusica Production, 2015