Living Water and Living Faith in Turkana

In the harsh desert of northwestern Kenya, where survival has long depended on scarce water and fragile food sources, God continues to bring both physical and spiritual renewal among the Turkana people.

According to longtime CMF missionary Gene Morden, the Turkana team is on track to drill at least 32 new wells this year, pushing the total close to—or beyond—500 wells installed across the region. Each well represents more than clean water; it is a testimony to God’s care in a place where access to safe water once meant life or death for many families.

Alongside the wells, the ministry continues to expand irrigated farms, with plans to bring irrigation access to 60 additional families this year. These farms provide daily nutrition through crops like cowpeas, spinach, squash, and lentils, while onions and watermelon serve as cash crops that help families pay school fees, improve their homes, and start small businesses.

The work is intentionally rooted in discipleship. The goal is for every group of ten families on a farm to be shepherded by a pastor—a model that has consistently led to healthier farms and deeper spiritual growth. Gene points to leaders like Peter Lozuru, who oversees 11 farms and 110 families. “You can feel the joy when you go to a farm,” Gene says, laughing as he calls Peter the ‘onion king’ for the steady stream of photos showcasing thriving harvests.

The team is also experimenting with moringa, planted as windbreaks along farm rows. The fast‑growing tree is already producing abundant leaves, finding its way into local meals and emerging markets. The prayer now is for wisdom—to steward this new crop well and explore opportunities that could further strengthen self‑sufficiency in Turkana communities.

Spiritual growth continues alongside agricultural progress. Discovery Bible Studies fit naturally with the regular teaching already happening at farms and in villages, helping people grow as disciples at God’s pace. Churches are meeting both in buildings and under shade trees, with new congregations continuing to take root.

As Gene reflects, the prayer remains simple and steady: that missionaries and local leaders alike would be faithful ambassadors for Christ, and that the Turkana people would continue to honor God with the resources He has entrusted to them—water, land, and living faith.