“But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin.”

A Shared Life

I love this Message Translation of 1 John 1:7. The Greek New Testament calls this “shared life” koinonia…being united with one another because we are united with Christ…living in His light together.

Over the last 31 years, Tammy and I have experienced the fulfillment of this promised “Shared Life” here, amongst our brother and sisters in Maasailand, and it has been sweet. 

The Unreached

In October, we hosted our dear friend Pastor Tim Anderson from Calvary Chapel Burbank. Pastor Tim sent Tammy and I out to the Maasai 31 years ago from Santa Barbara, CA. Through speaking, and even more importantly as a real life example, he taught on “Becoming a Sending Church.”

He led our Maasai leaders from four different districts in understanding the theological under-pinnings of joining God in His mission to the world, as well as what to do practically to sustain a missionary movement. Together with our teammates Solomon and Sarah Kipi, we are coming alongside the Maasai church as they begin to take the Gospel from Maasailand to other tribes and nations. It felt to us that Tim’s input came at an historic moment.

A fisherman in a Muslim community took Solomon under his wings and taught him how to fish…something COMPLETELY foreign to a Maasai! As their relationship has grown, Solomon has been sharing the love of the Father with him. Recently, after being prayed for, his bad leg was healed and he has joyously been taking Solomon and Sarah to pray for other family members, something completely unheard of!

A Little Family News

Then in June, Tammy was able to be in Austin to welcome our sixth grandchild Bowen Ash Russell (“Victorious Dreamer”) on June 5th, 2022, born to Chase and Amanda.

Enduata School

Back in Tanzania, we were able to complete two new classrooms at the Enduata Christian Primary School to bring the total now to 4! What a powerful tool this school is proving to be in bringing transformation to the next generation of Maasai!

The Land

We’ve been in the midst of an extended drought and I don’t remember ever seeing the land so dry. This is a picture of the seventh and last station of our prayer walk here on the land. It is a gate where pilgrims ask the Lord what is He calling them to leave behind, and what is He calling them to step into.

We have been called to create this place of retreat so emerging leaders can hear the voice of God and so be fruitful in their ministries. Unexpectedly, this prayer walk has frequently become what visitors share was most transformational for them.

Then and Now

We are so blessed to see how Wild Hope’s Retreat and Training Center has grown and is now being used to advance the Kingdom of God.  From our own discipleship training to like-minded organizations using our facilities for mobilization, leadership development, and vision casting, Wild Hope’s impact has increased dramatically.

Seven Years Ago

Tent Living Accommodations

Now

Restful Living Accommodations

Thanks for Partnering with Us

Once again, thank you so much for all your years of partnership!  Here is a current update video that we hope will be inspirational for you.

As you know, December is our biggest giving month — would you pray and consider a special end-of-the-year gift to enable our work of discipleship in East Africa?

You can easily give online by clicking the Donate button below (it is helpful if you choose Where Needed Most). If you prefer to give by check, make your check out to Wild Hope International and mail it to P.O. Box 40576, Pasadena, CA 91114

Christmas Blessings

This Christmas may you be filled up to the brim with all the goodness that comes with the beautiful Shared  Life: A life God made possible by sending His Son to  be born in a manger in Bethlehem all those years ago.

Gratefully yours, 

Peter and Tammy Russell