Maasai Women Students
Church World Service works alongside the Maasai community in the Narok District. The Maasai people are easy to identify as they are usually clad in colorful attire and adorned with lots of beaded jewelry. The community we visited in Narok started functional literacy classes to prepare themselves to run small businesses. Once the community completes their training, they will receive micro-loans. The hope is that increasing economic activity will lead to greater food security, as the people live in a dry area prone to droughts. 
The Maasai community we visited in Narok lives among the wild animals, about a four day walk from town. While driving the rocky road from the community’s market back to town, I noticed that the Masaai mud homes were spread far apart from one another. Mr. Paraiyo, a Masaai who works in town directing a community organization, explained to me that when a Masaai is traveling along the road, he or she is welcomed into any home. The traveler is invited in and given the greatest portion of the dinner meal.
Young Maasai Men in Class (photo by Henry Coates)
The Maasai community still practices the radical hospitality we read about in scripture. I was reminded that Jesus sent out the disciples saying, “take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts… Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town” (Luke 9:3-4). Jesus assumed that the community would take care of the disciples as they traveled. I am grateful that the Maasai people practice radical hospitality, and I think their love for each other embodies the spirit of Christmas.
Posted on December 21st, 2008 by Nancy
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