• Rev. Earl John Andersen was born to missionary parents of the Africa Inland mission, at Kijabe, Kenya on July 12, 1913. Since his parents were serving among the Nandi at the time of his birth, he was always claimed by them and they named him “Arap Nandi,” meaning “son of Nandi.” All through his years he lived up to his Kenyan name by his associations with the Kalenjin people by learning their language and their culture, perhaps better than any other white man. There was no “color bar” with him. All Kenyans were his people.
- Rev. Colin Densham3450

• Earl had been born and had grown up among nomadic Nandi people, so spoke their language like a native. In fact, his parents had pioneered five stations for A.I.M. among similar people. Andrew Andersen believed that in order to establish a truly indigenous church the people had to be economically able to support it. So he set about to teach them how to use their beautiful land that had plentiful rainfall, much as Jefferson had done in Kitosh. Having won the admiration and confidence of the proud Kipsigis tribe, he was able to teach them to plow with oxen (although the men at first rebelled at having their precious cows do women's work). He imported a circular grind stone from India and taught them to make similar ones to be run by water wheels. He made roads, and he bought the first truck, which he taught them to maintain. In 1934, six weeks before he died of a heart attack, his son, Earl, arrived home from Columbia Bible College in the States. The Mission Board then cabled Earl to, "Please hang on until we find someone to take your father's place!" He has been "hanging on" ever since.3434, pp 118-9

• Earl, their son, had been sent to Rift Valley Academy at the age of seven. Years later the R.V.A. principal, Mrs. Josephine (Hope) Westerveldt, became ill and was compelled to return to America with Dr. Westerveldt. Wanting to continue helping missionary kids, the Westerveldts welcomed twelves MKs to make their home with them in the United States while in school. At the tender age of thirteen, Earl left home and became one of the Westerveldts kids while attending high school, John Brown College, and Columbia Bible College.
After graduation from Bible School, Earl returned to Kenya at the age of twenty-one, not having seen his parents for six years. The following day on Sunday he addressed the congregation tin Kipsigis and the following week he taught in the Bible School. People were delighted that Earl still remembered Kipsigis, which he had learned as a child.3436, p 163

• It was at a Keswick, New Jersey, conference one summer that Earl finally made the choice for full time Christian service. His intellectual side wanted to remain in school to become more or less a professional student. He enjoyed the academic life and appreciated the esteem he derived from making good grades. However, his very poor and humble beginnings, and the family's constant lack of money played terrible tricks with Earl's self esteem. The problem was that he tended to boast and brag about his abilities, sometimes making others uncomfortable. He never felt quite as good as the next person, or as well educated, or as competent. He covered all these feelings of low self worth with braggadocio.
Even at the time he made the decision to go into full time Christian service, Earl was not confident that he would be able to understand what God really wanted him to do. He therefore asked God to shove him into the way He wanted him to travel. He wanted to be picked up and put down in the correct spot. Little did he know that he would be picked up and put down very soon, and very abruptly.
He graduated from Columbia Bible College and had plans to enroll in the University of South Carolina. But the Danish authorities informed him that his Danish passport was to be revoked as of his twenty-first birthday since he had not fulfilled his national service, and he did not even speak Danish. Therefore he would also no longer be welcome in the United States on a student visa. He was a man without a country! He had to return to Kenya.
On March 11, 1934, Earl arrived back in Kenya just shortly before our father, Andrew, died.3409, pp 197-8

• Now Earl had been picked up and put down at Litein. This was when, after Dad’s death, the American home office sent Earl the cable saying, “Please carry on your father’s work until we can find a replacement.” They offered ten dollars a month, which would would be taken out of the general fund since Earl had no home church or support base. Although Erik and Emily Barnett were assigned to Litein some months later, Earl continued with his father’s work. Fifty years later the AIM still had not sent a replacement. He never filled out a formal application, but was considered a member of the Africa Inland Mission from that moment on.3409, p 321

• In 1939 the world was at war. Earl was still a man without a country. There was a fire at the court buildings in Nairobi, and with it all documentation for his American citizenship through his mother burned. The American Consulate said they would send the processing forms to the U.S. Knowing this could take an eternity, Earl went to check at the British Consulate and found a friend behind the desk. The fire had settled his problem. Although he had been born six months before the country became a British Colony, Earl was immediately considered British because of his birth there. He now had a passport and a country! But he was not called up right away.3409, p 199

• Earl decided he would train an assistant to help him. He recalled the very promising young man named Daniel Arap Moi whom he had met at Eldama Ravine. Daniel was now a school principal, but he agreed to become an instructor or lecturer at the college. Earl was delighted with his new assistant who relieved him of much of the teaching. The schools soon began to show improvement. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on one's perspective, the appointment was not to last for very long.
About that time the government decided to train Africans for the Legislative Council, the seat of government in Nairobi. Earl was asked if he knew of anyone whom he could recommend. The person he would recommend must have ability and honesty as well as leadership skills and a good personality. Immediately Earl thought of his new assistant. He was tempted to be selfish and not mention his name, but he readily recommended Daniel. Within two months Daniel was accepted as a member for Legislative Council for the Rift Valley Area. Having recommended him, Earl could do nothing but give him God's blessing and wish him well in this new position. With a parting prayer and a firm handshake, Daniel Arap Moi was on his way into politics, which would eventually lead him all the way to the presidency of Kenya.3409, pp 204-5

• Earl and his wife Esther were in an automobile accident and both consequently died of injuries in Nairobi, Kenya.3406, p 3

• Esther's funeral had been fairly small and quiet with family and some friends attending. Earl's funeral took on major proportions when the President announced that he was going to attend. The windy cemetery at Kijabe now held three of our family. As Daniel Arap Moi placed a wreath on the grave, he said he placed it there as a representative of the family. He spoke some kind words about Earl and what he had meant to him personally and to Kenya. The funeral was a moving tribute, and one Earl would have appreciated.3409, p 226

• President Moi was among hundreds of relatives, friends and mourners who attended the burial of Reverend Earl J. Andersen at the Africa Inland Church cemetery, Kijabe, yesterday.
Speaking at the funeral service which was led by Reverend Erik S. Barnett, President Moi described Rev. Andersen as a dedicated and committed Christian and a courageous man who never failed to do his duties even where there were problems.
President Moi praised Rev. Andersen for his work in Kericho, Marsabit, Samburu and Archers Post.
The President noted with appreciation that Rev. Andersen was a cheerful man who worked tirelessly as a Christian.
“He was committed in matters of the youth to make their lives better,” the President noted. He expressed the hope that the foundation that he laid will support the spread of the word of God.
President Moi paid glowing tribute to the Reverend for being active in different fields such as education and youth activities.
Rev. Andersen died on October 27 following a motor accident on September 30, near Ngong Hills.
His wife, Mrs. Esther Andersen, was killed instantly in the same accident.
Mr. Andersen is survived by his mother aged 95 years, three sisters, three sons and 10 grandchildren.3449

• Howard [Andersen] used to say Earl was asked by AIM to hold the fort at Litein until they could send new recruits. (That never happened.) Earl remained married to Esther and eventually moved on. For a number of years he had no support, neither did she! He got work for the government during WWII as a District Officer amongst the Kipsigis people as he knew the language so well. He finished translation of the N.T. his dad started which led to his getting support from Park Street Church in Boston. In fact they supported both Earl and Esther which was unheard of.3430, pp. 1-2

• pg 265-269. President Daniel Arap Moi is mentioned but I do not see the story of how he got started in politics. The story Howard told me was – when Dad Earl needed an office worker in the DO (District Office in Tugen Kipsigis area), Earl chose Moi for the job. He was a young man and got his office training from Earl which opened up more important jobs as time went on – that led to the presidency which is another story!!3430, p 2

• Their joint grave marker reads “Together With The Lord.” With this scripture: “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” 1 Thess. 2:83447