SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (N) - I - UHLC+PARISH ACTIVITIES

25/April: UHLC hosted a parish meeting in the new fellowship hall. Representatives from Kibera, Kawangware, Kiambu, Kariti, UHLC and NURU (Lutheran Hour Ministry) discussed parish issues and also the ELCK new Constitution. A second meeting was held on May 9th.

26/April: .Rev. Osmo Harjula, from the Matongo Lutheran Theological College, preached at the Cathedral.

28/April: A Teens Seminar was organized by Deac. Mary, Ev. Sylvester and Sunday School Teachers leader Mosa Lisaliza.

Around 80 teens from the parish came together from 10:00am to 04:00pm

They review the Small Catechism, they sang and prayed, and had several activities.

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On 03 May: The Nairobi Girls Choir visited the Cathedral and sang during the Service.

Ufunuo Choir from the Swahili Service also took part in the English Service that Sunday.

Sandra Aikaeli Mushivochi was baptized that Sunday. She was born on 2ndMarch 2009

daughter to Oscar Mushivochi Laban and Juliana Desaria Muchivochi.

It was also the farewell of Sarah and Lexi Padre. They went back to the USA after one and half years in Nairobi. Stephen Padre moved back to the USA two months ago.– Stephen, Sarah and Lexi: we miss you!

An English Confirmation Class in going on, led by Ev. Sylvester. A Swahili Class is also going on. The confirmation will be in December/09.

The regular Bible Study Class (1st. and 3rd. Sunday of the month) was led by Lynn Haven on May 3rd. Lynn is a visitor from the USA (see post IV in this BLOG).

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On 10 May: MOTHER’S DAY was celebrated at the Cathedral on the 2nd Sunday of May. A Power Point was presented with pictures from several mamas and their children. “Christ, the vine – we, the branches” was the theme of the Sunday. Three (3) baptisms were performed that Sunday:

Valentin Mjolhus, born on 1st April 2009, son to

Rev. Rune and Jane Mjolhus. The siblings: Saline, Ruben and Silas.

Natalie Edna Achieng Omala, born on 31st March 2009, daughter to

Timothy Omala Omenda and Eunice Akikyi Omala. Siblings: Ruth and Joshua.(see the family on Post V of this BLOG).

Sheilla Kemunto Apima, born on 4th March 2009, daughter to

Benard Apima Mosongo and Winnfer Moraa.

Ann-Jorid Stavnes and Anne-Hjørdis Grøvan, from the Norwegian Mission, sang at that Service,...

...and the Namibian youth also.

The Sunday School children honored the mamas by singing at the end of the service and...

... giving them flowers.

Some mamas came specially dressed for Mother’s Day.

On behalf of and in honor of all the mamas, we published the picture of UHLC Chairlady and her daughter: Mrs. Linnet Shiundu and Laura. God bless the mamas!

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Rev. Omodhi, Rev. Dennis and Deac.Lorna, Ev. Sylvester and Deac. Mary visited a Maasai community last Tuesday, May 12th. It’s an exciting experience of Christian love!

Rev. Dennis wrote: “Pauline lead the team from Nairobi Parish to Suswa, Olturkel community to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. About 50 people gathered to fellowship and pray. Food items were distributed to end the day.”

Deac. Lorna wrote: “Heart to Heart is sending five girls from this community to boarding school this week. we praise God for his mercy and kindness.”

Just to explain: Those girls (age around 12 years old) were “sold” to be married with older men. The Police Chief of that section asked to Heart to Heart Orphans Children Center- HHOCC to take care of those girls. Pray for them! HHOCC is looking for sponsors for those girls. Will you help?

Pastor Omodhi told me excited about that experience! He baptized children, preach the Gospel, and talked about future plans.

He said that when food was distributed, some men came and said: “Give me one more pack of unga (flower); I have two wives at home… Give me more three packs of unga; I have four wives…”

One of the Maasai leaders gave to the church a big plot to build a church and maybe a nursery school. This is a big and good mission project!!!

Deac. Mary Khainga

The other pictures speak by themselves…

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (N) - II - KIAMBU

As we reported at the last BLOG, a group of volunteers is coming form the USA (Springfield, MO and Gardner, KS) to help to build a church in Kiambu. The plans and the work are going on.

The architect George Nessa visited the plot on April 7th with Pastors Omodhi and Carlos.

Pastor Zedekiah, from Kawangware, goes once a month to celebrate the Lord’s Supper; Evangelist Francis is in charge of that congregation.

Mr. Maico is the chairman.

Pr. Carlos visited the congregation on April 26th to present the plan to the congregants. They were very happy and ready to help to build their sanctuary.

The children after the service.

The congregants after the service.

On April 28th we were there again, with the contractor, Mr. Samuel Otieno.

The groundbreaking was celebrated by Pastor Omodhi on May 11th, joint with local members and some people from the parish.

The money we have from the parish and from the American Team is not enough. If you can help us to finish that building, let us know. - “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17).

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (N) - III CHOIR FESTIVAL

May 1st, the International Labour Day is holiday in Kenya too. Nuru – Lutheran Hour Media Ministry organized a Choir Festival – a competition. A Band was invited to play. Pastor Omodhi opened the Festival with a devotion.

Nairobi Girls Choir opened the Festival as invited guest.

“Spring of Life Choir” – Kibera ( Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya -ELCK).

“Samaria Choir” – Kawangware (ELCK).

“Jerusalem Choir” (Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church - KELC).

. “Mathare Choir” (KELC).

Kawangware Choir (ELCK).

“Ufunuo Choir” – UHLC (ELCK)

“All Saints Choir” – Kawangware (Anglican Church)

Each choir presented also a Religious African Song. Some were wearing special African uniforms, like “Spring of Life” – Kibera – in this pictures.

The judges.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (N) - IV VISITORS

Several visitors were visiting the LCMS Mission Office and the ELCK. –Dr. Mike Rodewald, LCMS World Mission -Regional Director for Africa. - Rev. Edward Nzeme Sunge, Interim Bishop of the ELCSudan; and Rev. Jacob Elinama Bisi, also from the ELCS. (In the picture, from the left: Rev. Edward, Rev. Claude Houge, Dr. Mike, Rev. Jacob).

They visited Kawangware and saw the Orphans Feeding Program.

They visited also “Spring of Life” – Kibera, which was burnt down in Janury 2008 during the post-election violence. (In the picture: Dr. Mike, Mr. Emmanuel, Rev. Jacob, Rev. Dennis, Rev. Edward).

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Leaders from Salem Lutheran Church – Tomball, TX came to organize their next Mission Trip at the beginning of June (eye and dental clinic). They had a meeting with Bishop Obare and with the ELCK Leadership. 50 volunteers are coming to work in five different places in Kenya. (In the picture: Standing: Mr. Kevin Pieper, Rev. Carlos & Lidia, Rhoda. Dr. Mike. Sitting: Mr. Ray, Rev. Graumann, Mr. Paul Althaus).

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Alison Dumas and Lynn Haven were in Kenya with a LWML group last year and they came back this year. Lynn’ husband Del came with her. (Pastsor Omodhi on the left.)

They led a seminar to the HIV/AIDS infected/affected people in Kawangware on 30th April. (In the picture: Del).

Alison Dumas

Lynn Haven.

On 2nd May they had activities with the children in Kawangware. Thank you, folks!

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (N) V - DO YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE?

Pastor Zedekiah’s family, from Kawangware: Wife – Callen Moraa Nyanyu; children: Nehemiah Nyorwoyo, Joshua Sabwengi, Daisy Kerubo and Phoebe Nyanyu.

Glenn Stocker, visitor from the USA on 26th April. He came on a Mission Trip.

Timothy Omala Omenda, his wife Eunice Akinyi Omala and the children: Ruth Florolle Akoth Omala, Joshua Allan Omala, Natalie Edna Achieng Omala and their nice: Diana Esther Athieno.

Lawrence Otiso and his daughters: Cynthia Moraa and Stellah Kerubo.

Joseph Wachira, his wife Anne and little Ryan.

Benard Apima Mosongo , his wife Winnfer Moraa and little Sheilla Kemunto Apima.

Oscar Mushivochi Laban, his wife Juliana Desaria Muchivochi and little Sandra Aikaeli Mushivochi.

Florence Mariki and her son Stanly.

Zebedeu Mosongo, his wife Norah and their son James Mosongo. (Zebedeu is brother to Benard Mosongo).

Anne Kavere Asasa and her children: Chavez and Miranda.

Lineth Shiundu, her daughter Laura & Peter.

Christine Chuchu and daughters

– Caroline Atera and children: Ted + Triza

Clara Omodhi and her children: Hillary + Purity. This is Pastor Omodhi’s family.

Deac Mary Eliaikao and her children.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (N) - VI - ASCENSION: JUST FOR THE EYES AND THE SOUL

Jesus’ Ascension is celebrated on May 21st this year. When Jesus went back to the Father, Act 1:9 tells us that “He was taken up before their eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” And Jesus Himself said: “They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30). – The sky and the clouds in Nairobi are very beautiful!!! It would be very nice to see Jesus coming back on the clouds of the sky of Nairobi! – Enjoy with me the following pictures and the Bible texts. (If the characters of the text are too small, please, click twice on the picture to enlarge it.) God bless us all as we are celebrating Jesus’ Ascension!