THE UHLC ELDERS - (1)

Do you know the Elders of our Uhuru Highway Lutheran Cathedral? On April 14th, after our meeting, we took this picture in front of our church. Some are finishing their term as Elders and new Elders were elected at the Annual General Meeting - AGM, on April 15 (see the next pictures). They represent the English Congregation and the Swahili Congregation and the regular meetings are held on the first Saturday of the month, from 10am to noon.
From left to right: Mrs. Jane Orutwa, Prof. Joseph Malo, Mr. Thomas Mokua, Treasury Mr. Henry Meena, Chairman Hosena B. Lonogelo, Vice-Chairperson Mrs. Linneth Shiundu, Mr. Jason Nyaribo, Ms. Pacifica Omambia, Dr. Zoltan Balint, Deaconess Mary Khainga, Very Rev. Enos Omodhi, Evangelist Sylvester Opiyo, Rev. Dr. Carlos Walter Winterle and Mr. Issac Ngala.

(This set of seven (7) pictures will introduce you better the Elders and also Major Chuchu's family; it's our intention to introduce all the UHLC families through this BLOG. If you are with all your family in the Service, please ask Mrs. Lídia Winterle (Pastor Carlos' wife) to take a picture of your family and give her all the names written in a paper, in the same sequence you are standing in the picture, from left to right).

Elders - (2) - Another picture of the Elders

From left to right: Mr. Isaac Ngala, Mr. Jason Nyaribo, Dr. Zoltan Balint, Ev. Sylvester Opiyo,
Chairman Hoseana B. Lonogelo, Deac.Mary Khainga, Mr. Thomas Mokua, Mrs. Jane Orutwa,
Mrs. Linnet Shiundu, Mr. Oscar Mushivochi - Auditor, Mr. Henry Meena, Ms. Pacifica Omambia,Very Rev. Enos Omodhi, Prof. Joseph Malo, Rev. Dr. Carlos W. Winterle. Absent: Mr Steven Kisamo.

Elders - (3) - Prof. Malo's birthday

Prof. Malo was celebrating his 66th birthday just the day of the Elders Meeting, April 14. A cake was brought by Dr.Balint's family and all sang "Happy Birthday to you".
Prof. Malo is now in Sweden for some weeks and our prayers are with him.

Elders - (4) - Chairman Dr. Lunogelo

On April 15, between the English and the Swahili Service, UHLC hold its Annual General Meeting - AGM. Pastoral and Financial Reports were presented, and two new Elders were elected (see pictures 5 and 6 of this BLOG).
Chairman Dr. Lonogelo is moving back to Tanzania, his home-land, were he will assume a new position. He lived in Kenya for the last 17 year and chaired UHLC the last 8 years.
We wish him God's blessing for this new position and we say THANK YOU for all he has done as Chairman. (He is planning to come back once a month and join with us at UHLC services.)

Elders - (5) - Atera's family

Eng. Lawrence Atera was elected as Elder in this AGM. His wife Carol is Sunday's School Teacher.
In the picture: Mrs. Caroline, Ted Bosive, Eng. Lawrence and little Tviza Movaa.

Elders - (6) - Aming'a's family

On April 4th, Zephania Aming'a and his family were visited by Pastor Omodhi, Pastor Carlos and Ev. Sylvester in Dandora. His daughter was hospitalized and we visit her too. His sister-in-law Eunice and her son Kevin were visited the same day, and Kevin was baptized on Easter Sunday.
Mr. Aming'a was elected as Elder in the last Annual General Meeting - AGM.
In the picture: Mrs. Eunice Geshemba Aming'a, Mr. Aming'a and their grandson.

Major Chuchu's Family - (7)

On April 25th, the family of Major Chuchu was visited in Komarock. Major Chuchu is going in a Peace Mission to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, for one year. We sang, we prayed and we read the text of Romans 8:31-39, "nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord". His family will still remain here in Nairobi.
His wife Christine serve a very nice lunch for all.
In the picture: Sitting: Linah. Josephine, Gunnel, Gertrude and baby Nicole Akinyi;
Standing: Ev. Sylvester, Collins, Henry, Mrs. Christine, Major Chuchu, Pastor
Omodhi and Pastor Carlos. Vicar Nathan took the picture.

IN PRISON (1) - The visitors

Jesus said: "I was in prison and you came to visit me" (Matthew 25:36).
Representatives of Nuru Lutheran Media Ministry (The Lutheran Hour in Kenya) and the two Pastors and the Evangelist of Uhuru Highway Lutheran Cathedral (UHLC) visited the main and biggest prison in Kenya last Friday, April 13,2007. They are more than 8000 prisoners there. 3.200 are students of Nuru Free Bible Correspondence Course (BCC). Several of them finished the Course and received their Certificates that day (look pictures 4 - 7).
(From the left: (standing, with tie) Mr. Jared Nyaema, in charge of this Nuru prison's ministry; (seating:) Rev. Geoffrey K.Muiru, Prison's Chaplain in Charge; Pastor David Mbogoro, assistant to the Chaplain; Kristi, in charge of the BCC; Evangelist Sylvester, of UHLC: Very Rev. Enos Omodhi, pastor in charge of UHLC prison's ministry. Pastor John Wambua Mulonzi, assistant to the Prison's Chaplain, and Rev. Dr. Carlos Walter Winterle aren't in this picture).

In Prison (2) - The prisoners

The prisoners were very attentive to God's Word. Pastor Carlos spoke about Psalm 103:3:"The Lord forgives all my sins", remembering Good Friday and Easter (last week) (in English, with translations to Swahili). Pastor Omodhi quoted Luke 4:18ff:"The Spirit of the Lord... has sent me to proclaim freedom do the prisoners" (in Swahili). Nuru representatives addresses messages to the prisoners to.
Two prisoners' choirs sang very nice songs!

In Prison (3) - Testimonies

Several prisoners spoke, given a good testimony about their faith in Jesus and how the Nuru Bible Correspondence Course was helpful to them.
They asked for more Courses, and asked also for pens, guitars, trumps, soap, laundry soap... they have so many necessities!!! What can we do??? Help us to help!

In Prison (4) - Receiving the certificates (a)

After several speeches from the pastors and from the prisoners, Ev. Sylvester called by name one by one, and Kristi, Pastor Omodhi and Mr. Jared gave them the Certificate of the Nuru Bible Correspondence Course. More than 400 concluded the Course, but not all were allowed to be there on that occasion. (We spend 3 hours with the prisoners! This never happened... to stay for so a long time with them...)

In Prison (5) - Receiving the Certificates (b)

Pastor Carlos was invited to give some Certificates to the prisoners too.

In Prison (6) - The certificates

After receiving the Nuru Certificate, all came together and showed very happy the Certificate!
(First with tie, on the left: Pastor David Mbogoro, from the prison: next with tie: Mr. Jared Nyaema, from Nuru, in charge of this prison project; and with a blue blouse, Kristy, from Nuru, in charge of the Bible Correspondence Course.)

In Prison (7) - The group

All the group was very proud with the certificates!
We thank God for this opportunity to share the Gospel with so many people in prison! The Chaplain and the prisoners invited us to visit them often!
Beginning of May we will visit the Women's Prison, and clothes for their children and toiletries (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste...) are necessary. If you can help us... "Remember those in prison as if you were their follow prisoners" (Hebrews 13:3).

ABLAZE/EASTER #1 - Previous Meeting

ABLAZE has the goal to reach 100 million unreached and uncommitted people with the Gospel by 2017, which is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Our sister church LCMS invited all its partners to join this evangelist effort. Pastor Carlos talked about ABLAZE in some of the Pastoral Staff meetings; and we had a special meeting on April 03 with Dr. Paul Müller, LCMS-WM Regional Director/Africa, and with Rev. Claude Houge, LCMS-WM East Africa Area Facilitator to talk about ABLAZE. Representatives of the UHLC Parish, of the ELCK national staff and of Nuru Lutheran Media Ministry (The Lutheran Hour) were there to learn more about ABLAZE. - Follow us in this seven(7) commented pictures to see how we celebrated EASTER and introduced ABLAZE in our congregation.

ABLAZE/EASTER #2 - "Hearts burning..."

"Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" was the question the disciples walking to Emmaus did to themselves, after their met the resurrected Jesus(Luke 24:32). ABLAZE movement was introduce at UHLC on Easter Sunday and we will work on it until Pentecost intensively, going on after this season too. As the women "came back from the tomb and told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others" (Luke 24:9), so we will go and share the Good News to our friends, relatives and neighbors.

ABLAZE/EASTER #3 - The Ablaze Folder

The ABLAZE folder was given to all participants of the English Service and of the Swahili Service, so that they can read at home more about ABLAZE and practice it during the week.

ABLAZE/EASTER #4 - Two Baptisms

"How do you start a fire with water?" is the question that introduce the ABLAZE folder. And the answer is: "It happens with every Baptism..." So, we had two Baptisms on Easter Sunday: Kevin Aming'a, 9 years old; and Braville Kimaro, 9 months old. Pastor Carlos made the link between ABLAZE and the BAPTISM, presenting both children to the congregation.

ABLAZE/EASTER #5 - Bravville's Baptism

Little Braville Kimaro was baptized first. On Easter we remember that "we were buried with Christ through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (Romans 6:4).

Look how nice he was looking to the baptismal water!!! He didn't cried... but was happy. He is one more child in Jesus' kingdom!

ABLAZE/EASTER #6 - Kevin's Baptism

Kevin was very happy after his baptism and was reading his Baptism's Certificate. When we visit him the week before, we study with him and his mother about the Baptism in the Small Catechism. He himself was reading the Luther's text. After the study, I asked him: Do you believe in Jesus? and he answered: YES! And then I asked him? Do you wan to to be baptized? and he answer again; YES! Now he his part of Christ's body in the Holy Christian Church.

ABLAZE/EASTER #7 - Receiving the tracts

After the Service, all received a tract "Good News about Jesus" or a Small Catechism to read and after this to share with another person, giving a personal testimony about Jesus. They all received a wallet-tract with some Bible Verses and a little report-paper to bring back the next Sunday about how many people were reached during this week.

We will continue to share with you about ABLAZE in our congregation.

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE - The Processional

On Good Friday, remembering the day of Jesus' death, the Uhuru Highway Lutheran Cathedral celebrate a joined service English-Swahili, at 10:00pm. The Swahili Choir lead the processional in the beginning of the service. The hymns were sung in both languages, some lectures were done in English and others in Swahili; the Gospel was read in both languages; and the sermon was translated from English to Swahili. So we celebrated the sacrifice of Jesus for us, assuring all that the way to God is now open through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(This series of GOOD FRIDAY has seven(7) pictures and comments; after this we will share our EASTER/ABLAZE celebration!)

Good Friday - The Service

The Presiding Bishop Dr.Walter Obare Omwanza accepted the invitation to be the Celebrant in this Good Friday Service, assisted by the Very Rev. Enos Omodhi and by Rev. Dr. Carlos Walter Winterle, who preached about Luke 23:45b:"And the curtain of the temple was torn in two" when Jesus died- a sign that the way to God is open through Jesus' blood.

Good Friday - The thorn tree and the thorn crown

A thorn crown was put in the church during all Lent Season, and a torn tree was put for this Good Friday Service. All were invited to wrote a Prayer or a Confession of Sins on little papers and to put them on the tree. After the Service... (see another picture...)

Good Friday - The Blessing

Bishop Obare was the celebrant in this special service and gave us also the Blessing.

Good friday - Greetings to the congregants

Bishop Obare addressed a message to the congregation outside the sanctuary, demising all in peace, in the hope of Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Good Friday - Burning the thorn tree

After the Service, the Thorn Tree was burn outside the church, symbolizing that our sins were burnt and forgiven through Jesus' death.

Good Friday - Farewell

Bishop Obare, Pastor Omodhi and Pastor Carlos said goodbye, happy that Jesus is no more in the tomb, but he is still alive! Alleluia! (On the next Blog we will focus on Easter Sunday and the presentation of ABLAZE to the congregation.)

HOLY WEEK IN AFRICA (#1) The Lord's Supper

Dear friends: It's Holy Week and we will celebrate Easter. Let us follow Jesus and the apostles during this week until Pentecost watching some Africa's pictures and reading some Bible texts.
We wish you all a BLESSED EASTER IN THE CRUCIFIED AND RESURRECTED ONE: JESUS, OUR SAVIOR!
Pastor Carlos Walter and Lídia Winterle

The Crucifixion - (Holy Week #2)

"So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golghota). Here they crucified him, and with him two others - one on each side and Jesus in the middle." (John 19:17,18)

Jesus' Death (Holy Week #3)

"Jesus called out with a loud voice,'Father, into your hand I commit my spirit.' When he had said this, he breathed his last." (Luke 23:46)
"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4,5)

The resurrection (Holy Week #4)

"On the first day of the week, the women went to the tomb. Suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them and said to them: 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" (Luke 24:1,4-6). Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings', he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him." (Matthew 28:9).
"When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all others." (Luke 24:9)

Jesus appears to Thomas (Holy Week #5)

"Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have nor seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

The Ascension (Holy Week #6)

"While Jesus was blessing, he left them and was taken up into heaven." (Luke 24:51)

Pentecost - (Holy Week #7)

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place... and all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit!" (Acts 2:1,4)

MEDICAL TEAM - KIBERA

Kibera is the biggest slum of Kenya. More than 1.500.000 people lived there.
A Medical Team brought through the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod - World Relief and Human Care, leaded by Sally Henrickson, worked on Kibera this March 31.
15 people from USA were involved with local physicians and nurses.
Spring of Life congregation is part of the Uhuru Highway Lutheran Cathedral -UHLC parish.

Examination room

Small examination and counseling room were prepared in the basement of the church.

Medical Team with local doctors

Most of the Doctors are from Texas, USA; but Doctors and nurses from Kenya worked together with the Medical Team. In the picture you can see part of the Team with local physicians, in front of the Church.

Bishop Walter Obare

Bishop Walter Obare, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, lead the opening devotional at the beginning of the work of the Medical Team.

People waiting

Tends were built to attend better the people.

Examination rooms

On the basement of the church were the Examination Rooms: little boxes for every doctor.

Brazil Football/ Soccer

This little boy with a Brazilian football shirt was there with their parents waiting for an examination by the Medical Team.
Every day I went to downtown I met someone with a Brazilian T-shirt. Brazil is very well know about its football and its players are well recognized by the Kenyans.

PALM SUNDAY CELEBRATION

Joined us in our Palm Sunday celebration this April 1st.
(This is a block with 7 pictures about this celebration).

Medical Team

LCMS-World Relief and Human Care brought a Medical Team to work in Kibera and in Kissumo. They were in our Palm Sunday Service (on the left side of the picture).
Vicar Nathan was the preacher this Palm Sunday.

Sunday's School Children

The Sunday's School Children sang in the Palm Sunday's service too and after receiving the blessing, they received branches to remember the entrance of Jesus in Jerusalem.

The Youth Choir

The Youth Choir sang on Palm Sunday.

Youth Choir with Choir Master Vicar Nathan

The Youth Choir have its rehearsal on Saturday afternoon (twice a month) and is open not just for youths in the age, but for all who love to sing. Come and join us!

AKUKU's Family

We will introduce slowly the families of our congregation, so that we can know us better. We will take pictures during visits and, please, when your family are all in the church, let me know to take a picture (give me complete names and birthdays of all, please).
This his Akuku's family: Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Beatriz, Anthony, Ida and Eric. They live in Karen.

MULOKO's Family

Following the presentation of our members, we introduce the Muloko's family:
Mr. Muloko, Elisabeth, Thomas, David and Mrs. Margareth. Elisabeth and Thomas will be confirmed on next April 22