SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (J) - 1 - BAPTISMS

The brothers Peterson and Paul brought their families to the Holy baptism on June 29th.

Melody Moraa Ongoya, daughter to Peterson and Grace, was the first one who was baptized.

Her sister Marcyline Ayuka Ongoya was the next.

Her cousin, Ismael Miruka Ondieki, son to Paul and Catherine, was baptized too.

Ismael’s mother, Catherine Kaleha Ondieki, has a Salvation Army background and was not baptized. When we visited the families to teach about the children’s Baptism and we realized that she had not been baptized, we asked her if she wanted to be baptized; and she answer YES, confessing her faith in Jesus.

Jesus promised: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16). UHLCathedral and the heaven were happy that Sunday!

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (J) - 2 - DO YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE?

Mrs. Pirkko Igendia, from LEAF – Lutheran Evangelical Association of Finland, received the visit of their children living in Finland: Edi Igendia and his fiancee Kirsi Kaparen, and her daughter Miriam Igendia. They were at the service on June 22nd.

Cole and Marilyn Dodge received the visit of their 12-year -old grandson Luke, from California, USA.

Mr.Tapio and Mrs. Sirkka worked in Kenya for about 40 years, first in the service of industry and later on as missionaries. Sirkka worked in Nairobi as a parish worker and later on they both worked in Kisumu as missionaries; Tapio as a manager of the ATP training centre and Sirkka as a parish worker. – Tapio used to be an Elder at UHLC some years ago when they lived in Nairobi. - They went back to Finland because they retired. – Thank you, Tapio and Sirkka, for all the work you did for the Kenyan people and for the ELCK. God bless you in this new stage of your life.

Lutheran World Federation representatives, on their way to a LWF Council Meeting in Tanzania, stopped in Nairobi and came to our Service on June 22nd. They are (from left to right): Peter Schirmer (Lutheran Church of Australia), Barry Lynam (from Ireland, working at the Head Office in Geneva), Rudelmar de Faria (from Brazil, working in the Head Office in Geneva), Virginia Ivañez (Lutheran Church in Venezuela) and Peter Stoll (from Germany, treasurer of LWF).

Mrs. Jean Ochich and her children: Lisa, Evans Larry and Robin.

Deac. Mary Khainga, Lídia Winterle, Vivian Materu (Sunday School Teacher) and Marlene Roschmann.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (J) - 3 - OVERNIGHT PRAYERS

Another Overnight Prayers was hold at the Cathedral on June 20th, from 10:00pm on Friday to 5:00am on Saturday. This is a monthly activity organized by the Youth Leaders of the ELCK (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya) and of the KELC (Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church). Each month another church hosts the event.

35 yougsters sang, praised, prayed and heard God’ Word during the whole night, with a little break at 1:00am for a tea with biscuits.

After 2:00am in the morning we watched and commented the film LUTHER (starring Joseph Fiennes).

The next Overnight Prayers will be held on July 11th, at Kawangware.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (J) - 4 - LWF MEETING

On June 18th, afternoon, a meeting took place at the Lutheran Guest House (ELCK) in Lavington with the President of the Lutheran World Federation-LWF, Bishop Mark Hanson. He is also the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – ELCA – with 5 million members.

Dr. Ishmael Noko, LWF General Secretary for the last 14 years, was with Bishop Hanson; and also John R. Brooks, Director for ELCA News Service. They were going to a LWF Council in Tanzania. They invited ELCK Bishop Walter Obare Omwanza and KELC Bishop Zechariah Kahuthu, and representatives from both churches for this meeting.
(In the picture, first line from left: Dr. Noko, Bishop Obare, Bishop Hanson, Bishop Zachariah. Behind: representatives from the ELCK and the KELC).

A lunch was offered by the ELCK to the visitors.
– Some of the representatives are:
KELC – Mrs. Imelda, Assistant to the Women Department; Rev. Bob Schmaltzki and wife Denise, Nairobi International Lutheran church – NILC; George Arende, Communications Director; Rev. Yako Babusa, Jerusalem/Madare; and the new pastor of the NILC.
ELCK: Rev. John Halakhe, Ex. Secretary; Mr. John Michoro, Treasurer; Rev. David Chuchu, Project Manager; Most Rev. Enos Omodhi, UHLC; Rev. Zedekiah Nyanyu, Kawangware; Rev. Dennis Meeker, Kibera; Rev. Isaiah Obare; and Rev. Carlos W. Winterle, UHLC; Ev. Sylvester Opyio; Mr. Muloko Kongolo, LUCCEA.

After lunch, the Bishops and the General Secretary addressed brief messages to the group. – Bishop Obare quoted Psalm 133: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity” and addressed welcome greetings to all. – Bishop Hanson asked “What does it mean to be Lutheran?” – and he answered: It means to be Evangelical (the Gospel), Confessional, Ecumenical and Missional (Evangelizing) . – Dr. Noko asked “How are we preparing new Theological Leadership”; and talked about the next LWF General Assembly in Stuttgart, Germany, 2010, with the Theme: “Give us today our daily bread.” - Bishop Zachariah addressed farewell greetings and the closing prayer.

Bishop Hanson forwarded a wooden cross, with wooden pieces from different parts of the world as a symbol of unity in diversity, to Bishop Obare – ELCK.

…and to Bishop Zachariah – KELC.

Dr. Noko gave LWF ties to Mr. Michoro and to some other representatives of the churches.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (J) - 5 - PASTORAL STAFF VISITS

On June 18th the Pastoral Staff visited thee families on Mombasa Rd. This was a visit to prepare for the baptisms of Melody, Marcelyne, Ismael and Catherine on June 29th.

(From left to right:) Grace Nyanduko Ongoya, Melody Moraa Ongoya Mercyline Ayuka Ongoya, Peterson Ongoya Miruka, Mercyline Ayuka Ongoya.

Catherine Kaleha Ondieki, Paul Ondieki Miruka, Ismael Miruka Ondieki (and Ev. Sylvester)

Evelyn Kerubo and Abiut Miruka

On July 2nd the Sures were visited in Kayole: Joseph Sure, Irene Kerubo and little Richard Masita, who was baptized last June 8th.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (J) - 6 - VISITORS

On June 17th, Pastor Carlos took his friend Dr. Dirk to visit Kibera and Kawangware. – Dr. Dirk English is Regional Medical Officer for East- and South-east Africa of the Embassy for the Federal Republic of Germany in Nairobi. He and his friends: Dr. Robert Petzhold is Regional Health Delegate of the German Red Cross in Nairobi (a member of the international Federation of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies), and Mr. Jürgen Herbig, Senhor Projetct Manager of the German Red Cross in Assosa, Ethiopia met Rev. Dennis Meeker and other leaders of “Spring of Life – Kibera” and of Kawangware.
(From left to right: Dr. Dirk, Rev. Meeker, Mr. Jürgen, Dr. Robert).

They visited the church and other facilities, which were burnt during the post-election violence.

The Principal of the Nursery School explained to them the process of recovering the school.

They entered the slum and saw the poverty of the people. They discussed with Pastor Dennis what the plans are for the Medical Clinic, which was completely looted and burnt, looking for opportunities to help with this project.

The parish house is being prepared to host provisory the Clinic, but the plan is to build a new Clinic to help the people of the slum.

In Kawangware, they talked with the youngsters about the HIV/AIDS program of the church.

They saw the children coming at lunch time for the Orphans Feeding program…

…and heard from Ev. Sylvester an explanation about the Social Programs developed by the church with children, street boys, HIV/AIDS infected and affected people, displaced people and victims of violence.

A meeting was booked for July to discuss the possibility of partnership with the Doctors as volunteers and the community. (From left to right: Ev. Sylvester, Mr. Jürgen, Dr. Dirk, Ev. Emmanuel, Dr. Robert)

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (J) - 7 - HARAMBEE KIBERA

“Spring of Life – Kibera” had a special Thanksgiving and Harambee (Fund Raising) Celebration on June 14th for the rebuilding of the burnt church. Bishop Walter Obare led the service, together with Pastor Carlos, Pastor Omodhi and Pastor Dennis.

Pastor Dennis Meeker was the preacher and Pastor Enos Omodhi translated to Swahili.

The choir wore their new uniform.

The Conquerors sang praises

Bishop Obare blessed all the people who attended the Service.

After the service, people gathered outside the church for the Harambee.

Pastor Dennis opened the event, greeting all participants.

After the official opening, the Conquerors presented some songs.

The Conquerors were using their new Sound Equipment.

People were willing to bring their offerings, and many brought them several times to the main table.

Ev. Francis and Martha, who lost most of their goats during the post-election violence, brought one goat as a special offering; it was sold and the money was part of the offerings. - Ksh 324,090.00 was raised on that day. Much more is necessary, but this was a good beginning.

Father Moses, from the Coptic Orthodox Church, was there too and addressed a nice message to all participants during the Harambee.

On the cover of the brochure (Program for the Day) was the picture of the burnt Bible found in the ashes with the Text: “IF IT HAD NOT BEEN THE LORD WHO WAS ON OUR SIDE,” – LET ISRAEL NOW SAY – “IF IT HAD NOT BEEN THE LORD WHO WAS ON OUR SIDE WHEN MEN ROSE UP AGAINST US, THEN THEY WOULD HAVE SWALLOWED US ALIVE, WHEN THEIR WRATH WAS KINDLED AGAINST US.”
Psalm 124:1-3