Goodbye Joseph

Josph Kiranto is leaving Maasailand.  For those of you who don't know, Joseph has been a great friend to us and a key voice in our community in bringing about positive change.  MCC has a program called International Volunteer Exchange Program (IVEP) in which Joseph participated in 2008-2009.  IVEPers are chosen from around the world to spend a year in the US or Canada, usually working for some organization associated with MCC.  Joseph spent his IVEP year in Canada, working with the MCC Generations program, telling people about the Maasai people and the programs MCC supports in Maasailand.  He built some amazing relationships, some of his friends from Canada have already visited our community twice, once to record a cd with Maasai choirs and another time to participate in a cross-Kenya bike-a-thon. 
Once Joseph returned, he worked tirelessly to improve the work of the local NGOs and speak about the importance of valuing each penny that has been contributed.  For the past year, he has been the project manager of the HIV/AIDS program we work with and has done an excellent job coming up with new ideas and finding ways to improve the program's work.
Moreso, Joseph and his wife Elizabeth have been a great friends to us.  Having somebody to talk to in English who knows about North American culture was invaluable as we adjusted to life in Najile.  It made Najile seem not so far away from home.
This week, Joseph and his family left for Canada so he can study at Canadian Mennonite University to be better trained as a minister.   We pray each of God's blessings over their family as they transition to a very foreign and cold (literally) place.  We also pray that when they come back, they will each be better equipped to spread God's word and serve this community.  Goodbye Kirantos, you will be missed.