Current NewsletterFollowing seven years of marriage, Dan teaching middle and high school instrumental music, Connie practicing nursing, and two years of overseas missions preparation, the Crum family began ministry with the Maasai people of Kenya June 1988. They were greeted, Sarah (1985) and Josiah (1987) in tow, at the Nairobi airport by warm, smiling faces of the team they were joining.
The first term included a year of language study, attempting the beginning of a new work in Samburu (northern Kenya), filling in for furloughing missionaries, all focusing on Christian evangelism and church planting. Rachel joined the family in 1991.
From 1993-1998, the Crums lived in a community near the national animal reserve called Maasai Mara. They focused on building relationships while teaching the good news of Jesus Christ with new churches being started. Ministry focus drastically changed in 1998 when they unexpectedly moved into Nairobi. Dan continued working with the developing Maasai church leaders along with translation of the language related to materials production. In 2001, Dan’s role changed as he became the team leader for the CMF missionaries working with the Maasai while continuing church leadership development. Dan focuses on team related issues and nurturing seven main Maasai ministry leaders. A highlight in the last 6 months has been the establishment of several boards to help oversee specific ministries.
Throughout their ministry, Connie has been a support to Dan and caring for the children and home, periodically teaching Bible lessons for the Maasai women at gatherings, corresponding with financial supporters, being a teammate, homeschooling the children for several years, and occasionally using nursing skills for the Maasai and team. The Crums have been powerfully impacted by needs which have arisen among Kenyans due to the presidential post-election outbreak of violence which began in December 2007
Rachel is in her junior year at Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi and looking towards her future post-high school years while continuing to love living on the continent of Africa. Josiah and Sarah graduated from Rosslyn Academy and are students at Azusa Pacific University in southern California. Sarah will graduate in May 2008 with a degree in liberal arts, emphasis on elementary education. Chris Odell joined the Crum family May 2007 when he and Sarah married. Chris finished his undergrad program in sociology in December 2007. Josiah will begin his junior year in September at APU after completing a 5 month discipleship training school in Jamaica.
The Crums will complete another term of missionary service in June 2009.
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