DOUBLE HANDOFF
Matt took the lead on the water project.
Over the years, I’ve learned that one of the hardest things in ministry is the handoff. It’s difficult to release something you’ve poured your life into. Dare I say, it can be like handing over your baby at times. However, creating a ministry that multiplies is not just building something for God — it’s raising up others who will carry it farther than you ever could. Multiplying ministries is not for everyone. Some people are called to one thing, but Unusual Soldiers is about continuously raising up unusual soldiers.
In Acts 13 and 14, Barnabas brought Paul onto the mission field. At first, Barnabas’ name is always mentioned first. Meaning he was taking the leadership role. But somewhere along the journey, the order changes. Suddenly it becomes “Paul and Barnabas.” Barnabas was secure enough in the Lord to step back and let another man take the baton. His humility takes a confidence that comes from trusting in the Lord.
I’ve watched something similar happen with Matt in Kenya. In the first year, he traveled with me to launch an endeavor with the Maasai tribe. During that initial trip he caught a vision for bringing hope to the Maasai in Tanzania, and now that vision has poured into other tribes like the Turkana people. Over time, I have watched his confidence grow — not confidence in his own ability, but confidence that God could use him and now he is carrying the vision forward.
Recently, Matt raised funds to construct a water tower in a Turkana village where we had initially put a borehole in. Now water flows from the borehole to a hydrant near the school. There is also the potential to construct pipelines to carry water throughout the region. Families are even moving closer to this village because the water is considered some of the best in the area. This borehole truly has become the title given to it": “Apiaro,” meaning “God’s blessing” .
Another pivotal moment took place after our team dedicating this well to the Lord…another handoff.
We gathered the village and explained that this water system belonged to them…not us. At first, they were discouraged. They thought our handing it over meant we were abandoning them. But I assured them, “We are not leaving you. We are believing in you.”
With guidance from World Relief and our research, we had the tribe select seven community leaders — a president, treasurer, secretary, mechanic, and women leaders who understood firsthand the daily burden of searching for water. Together, they formed a “water-protector” team that would protect, maintain, and steward the well for future .
And then you could see it happen. Confidence began rising in the selected leaders. A God-confidence, that the Lord could use them to help sustain and protect what He had provided. They become ready to take on the task to begin creating a small fee structure that would help with managing the well. Their posture changed. Their faces were hopeful. And a we-can-do-this attitude seemed to capture their hearts. Now the management of the well has officially been handed off to them.
The “Water Protectors” of the Turkana village.
