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FINISHING WELL: There
is something beautiful and hopeful in watching an old man plant small trees.
Bondet Keah, an elder of the Sabaot tribe lives on Mt. Elgon, the second highest mountain in Kenya. Bondet, which is a respectful title for “Old Man,” doesn't really know how old he is. Born between 1942 and 1945, his parents never heard of a calendar. They also did not know about Jesus Christ, nor did any of the other tribe members. The Sabaot were thus classified as an Unreached People Group.
 Keah was one of the first two Sabaot to become a Christian. He placed his faith in Christ in 1968, after first hearing of Jesus through a traveling African evangelist. This missionary continued to invest in Keah’s life, discipling him during his monthly visits. Because of Keah’s positive experience as a disciplee, he has been a lifelong discipler.
Keah and his wife have raised eight children, all of whom are Christians. Many are now involved in full-time vocational ministry. Being only one of two Christian families on the mountain during the early years, they experienced social isolation and persecution from their own community. During the 1970’s and 80’s there was strong pressure from the Sabaot tribe to circumcise all girls. At that time it was thought that if a woman was uncircumcised, she would never find a husband - or if she did, she would be barren. However, Keah’s faith in God's provision gave him the resolve to stand away from the crowd. To this day he is proud that he did not let his daughters be circumcised.
Today Bondet enjoys sitting on the porch of his home watching his trees grow – the ones he planted many years ago. He loves his farm and garden. Grandpa Keah loves being home with his children and grandchildren. He would be very happy retiring to a quiet life on his land. But he believes that God has more planned for him.
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Sabaot Family with Cow received from Market of Hope Sabaot children strum homemade guitars
THE SABAOT PEOPLE
* An African tribe living on or near the slopes of Mt. Elgon in eastern Kenya and Uganda
* Population estimated at 500,000 in 2006
Mt. ELGON
* An extinct volcano on the border of Uganda and Kenya
* The largest circumference of any free-standing mountain in in Africa
* 50 miles in diameter
* Second highest mountain in Kenya
* Starting at an altitude of 5,000 feet the hills gradually rise to
14,178 feet
* Crisscrossed by mountain streams and spectacular waterfalls
* Famous for lava-tubed caves and herds of wild elephants
TIME LINE OF THE SABAOT PEOPLE
1968- First Sabaots become Christians.
1981- Wycliffe begins Bible translation in Sabaot
language.
Tribe is categaorized as an UNREACHED
PEOPLE GROUP with less than 2%
evangelized.
1987- ICM begins work on Mt. Elgon.
1996- First Sabaot graduate with BA from ICM
Seminary, Kitale.
1998- ICM begins formal training program for
Sabaot. worshipers
Sabaot worshipers inside AIC Church
1999- July, Jesus Film premiers on Mount Elgon in the
Sabaot Language.
2001- Construction of Mt. Elgon ICM Training Center
2004- Mt. Elgon Training Center dorm is built.
2006- First ICM Mt. Elgon Training Center graduation.
Trio reading the book
of Proverbs aloud
together in their native
Sabaot language
PRAISE REPORT
When ICM began work with the Sabaot people in 1987, the tribe was categorized as an UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUP with less than 2% evangelized.
By 2006 ICM is projecting 40% of the Sabaot tribe is evangelized.
25% are professing Christians.
Every Sabaot village has at least one church.
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 Instead of settling into a well-earned retirement, one year ago Bondet accepted the job of administrator at ICM’s Mt. Elgon Training Center. He enjoys watching Christian leaders grow, even more than ‘watching trees grow.’ He has a vision for discipling pastors, church leaders, evangelists and missionaries. Leading ICM on Mt. Elgon is a perfect fit for him.
Last year Keah approached Stephen Mairori, the head of ICM-Kenya, and a Sabaot, and asked if he could help at the seminary. He did not want a salary. He only wanted his final life work to be significant - to help train the next generation of pastors. Stephen was thrilled that such a wise, respected elder in the Sabaot community, who has walked with the Lord for so many years, wanted to give his final work to ICM. Keah’s offer was accepted immediately, and he is now the Vice Principal of ICM’s Mt. Elgon Training Center.
Keah commutes two to three hours on public transportation to get to the training center each week. He rents a room nearby, where he lives Monday through Friday. Arriving at the ICM office each day at sunrise, he doesn’t return to his small room until sunset. In his spare time he reads the Bible, "in a devotional way" and enjoys reading books on Christian leadership. He commutes back home to his farm and family each weekend.
Bondet Keah and Jerilyn Stewart, an ICM-USA Board member, conducted seminars together on Mt. Elgon in the fall of 2006. She was impressed by his enthusiasm, energy, and the respect afforded him. In her own words:
"Bondet is an amazing leader. We gave seminars in eight different towns in two weeks. Traveling many hours over terrible roads to reach remote places, he always arrived fresh and with energy for teaching, and the lengthy question and answer time, which followed afterwards to solidify the training. He used each of these opportunities to encourage pastors and church leaders to consider further training with ICM.
I was amazed by his receptiveness to new ideas and methods. I can only hope that I will be as receptive to input from others and trying new things in my twilight years. I am encouraged by the zest and vitality of Keah. His willingness to attempt new projects and set such ambitious life goals at this time in his life is impressive. While many of his age-mates are content to sit back and relax on their farms and enjoy the fruits of their labors, he is pressing on to a goal - the expansion of God's Kingdom. He encouraged me to attempt new works for God throughout my life."
Bondet Keah’s hobby for the next few years is simple. He aims to make the ICM Mt. Elgon Training Center, the "most beautiful place on Mt. Elgon." His plan includes planting many trees, terracing the property, and planting flowerbeds. There is something beautiful and hopeful in watching an old man plant small trees. There is something faithful and loving in watching an old man help young Christians grow into men and women of God
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