Pastor Carlos W. Winterle - UHLC

MOZAMBIQUE 2011

2011-08-08T21:47:00.000+02:00

This has been my second trip to Sena, Mozambique. A Theological Education by Extension course is ongoing there, sent by the Seminário Concórdia, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brazil. (Read about my first trip in this Blog, Postage August 2010).

What's new?
The flight:

Last year I came from Nairobi, Kenya, to Johannesburg, South Africa, a 4-hour flight. I needed to sleep one night in South Africa to go to Mozambique the day after. This year I came from Cape Town to Johannesburg, a less than 2-hour flight; and the connection to Beira, Mozambique was on the same morning. - My wife Lídia came with me as far as Johannesburg, and from there she went to Porto Alegre, Brazil, to see our children and Henrique, our grandson. Henrique will turn 3 years old in August, and last time we saw him was in April 2010. So, Lídia is not alone in Cape Town while I'm far, and is enjoying her time with the children in Brazil.

What's new?

In Beira:

I arrived in Beira around 1:30 pm on Monday 25 July.

A driver from the Project Kuwangisana met me at the airport of Beira and took me to the Hotel. We were to drive 8 hours the next day to Sena.

- While in the hotel, Pastor Davis Wowa, from Malawi, came to meet me. He travelled more than 1.800 km by bus (about 1 200 miles) from the north of Malawi to meet me. We had been in touch by e-mail. Dr. Mike Rodewald, LCMS World Mission Regional Director, had introduced me to Pastor Wowa. Pastor Wowa is the President of a new Confessional Lutheran Church in Malawi, a country that borders Mozambique. We spent the afternoon with a good conversation, getting to know each other more and sharing plans for the church in Malawi and the church in Mozambique.

What's new?
The trip:

On Tuesday, around 11 am, we began our trip to Sena. Before this, Pastor Wowa saw the Indian Ocean for the first time and tasted the water! And he came with me to meet Pastor Alfazema in Sena.
We stopped several time to buy bananas, cabbage, onion, coke and others.

It was already getting dark, a little before 6 pm, we had a puncture. Thanks God the driver changed the wheel soon, with the help of two assistants who were traveling with us.

We arrived safely in Sena at 7:00 pm. The last 1 hour was on dirt road.

What's new?
Hosting:
Pastor Alfazema was waiting for us and I was hosted in a new guest house he built close to his house and to the Project Kuwangisana. (see the first picture of this Blog).

It is in the middle of the village. The setting of most of the villages in this area is similar to this one.

What's new?

The students:

From the 8 original students, one, Jordão, was substituted by Paulo

The other 7 were faithfully there for the classes.

They were all accommodated in a small hostel, and the classes were there as well. We had classes from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, break for lunch; and the afternoon session went from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. The course was about the Christian Doctrines, using Koehler's Summary, in Portuguese. Not all the students speak Portuguese so well, and we went advanced very slowly with the material, so that all could understand it.

A member of St. Thomas congregation donated special T-shirts, embroider with the Luther Rose. Other shirts were also donated by other members and given to the students. - Thank you!

What's new?

The food:

I prepared my breakfast every morning: coffee, bread and bananas. Pastor Alfazema gave me some very good papayas as well, freshly harvested from the tree. The students had their breakfast in the hostel.

For lunch we had chima (Ugali= white corn flower cooked in water, like a polenta), rice, beans, chicken, goat, beef.... not all on the same day, of course, but every day something. When I saw cassava (mandioca) planted behind the hostel, I asked the cook to prepare some. Cassava is very popular in Brazil and I like it. I couldn't find cassava in Cape Town.

One night pastor Alfazema invited Pastor Wowa and me for dinner to his house. He prepared a special dish: dried fish, pigeons and hippopotamus intestines, with chima and rice.

What's new?

Sunday:

I preached in three churches on Sunday, 31 July.

The first one was in Kapasseni, the very first place were Pastor Alfazema began the work. It was a 1 hour drive from Sena. Pastor Alfazema was born in Kapasseni and he came back from Canada to see his mother, having been away as a refugee for many years.

The chief of Kapasseni asked him to build a school there. And this is how the mission began in this part of Africa in 2006.

Rui, one of the students, led the service. - I received a hen as a gift after the service. (The hen was already inside the room during the service. It was our dinner on Tuesday)

The second service was in Morrema were another student, Ernesto, led the service.

I got another chicken after the service!

The third was in the afternoon, in Mpango,

were Marcelino, a church leader, led the liturgy. The new student, Paulo, is from this congregation. Marcelino was severely injured during the civil war in Mozambique, and due to the injury his right arm was amputated a few months ago.

In all the services, people sang a lot, in their own way to sing with a drum and other typical instruments.

What's new?
Pastor Alfazema (on the right, behind)

Because of health issues, pastor Alfazema is moving back to Canada at the end of this month. His 3 children are living there. His wife, Mrs. Perpétua, is Director of the Project Kuwangisana in Sena. She is planning to come back for some months every year. The Mission Board of the Project in Canada is studying the possibility to send Pastor Alfazema for a few months back to Sena as well. Please, pray for this new mission.

The 8 students are already in charge of 6 congregations. They are not ordained, but they are accepted by their people to lead the services. Pastor Alfazema has trained them to do so, and the TEE course is giving them more knowledge and training to be faithful to the Gospel as they are ministering to their people. Maybe they will be ordained when they finish the TEE course. This is their dream.

What's new?
The Project:

The Kapasseni Project has already been handed over to the Government. It's doing well with the school and the hospital.

The Kuwangisana Project in Sena has partnership with the International Medical Team, of the USA,

and receive food from the World Food Program.

It has more than 60 employees, most of them called “activists”, this means: they go to the houses of the people infected by HIV/AIDS to give them orientation, medicament, food and counseling. Around 300 people are reached by the Program, in Sena, Kapasseni and Chemba.

The Project also manages a school, that has new facilities in a big plot donated by the government. They have just built a Library and are asking for books in Portuguese for the children.

On the last day in Sena, I planted a tree in this new property.

A new nursery school was dedicated on my last day in Sena, after we had finished the TEE course. It is on the same property as St. Paul Church in Sena. The chief of the village and other authorities were there.

People sang, danced, presented a drama about the challenges of the orphans, and demonstrated some skills of the children. After all, a lunch was served to all the people who attended the dedication.

What's new?
The church:

The church has Jesus' promise: “For where two or three como together in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). The Christians are optimistic about the future of the church. Sorry that many are moving from the rural area to the cities, looking for a job and better opportunity. The church suffers from this.

Pastor Wowa had good discussions with Pastor Alfazema. Both are working with people who understand a common language: Shichewa. Many of the Mozambique people used to be refugees in Malawi during the civil war and had learned that language while there.

The students loved to talk with Pastor Wowa! - Maybe the two churches will join efforts in the future. We lay everything in God's hands and are praying for a good solution for the mission.

What's new?
TEE:

Every year someone is supposed to come to Sena to lead the TEE program. Maybe a Professor from the Brazilian Seminar will come next year, and I will go to Angola.

PRAYERS AND THANK YOU:

Thanks to the churches, brothers, and sisters, who are giving support to the TEE program. Four partners are involved: Kapasseni Project, Canada; LCMS World Mission, USA; Seminário Concórdia and Igreja Evangélica Luterana do Brasil; and St. Thomas Congregation, Cape Town, South Africa. It would be impossible to have this program without your support. THANK YOU! - Donations can be sent to:
LCMS World Mission
Missionary Support
PO Box 790089
St. Louis, MO 63179-0089
(Designate: Winterle 60606

Pray for the program, for the church in Mozambique, for the Social Projects, for the people, for the pastors. God bless you all!
Pastor Carlos Walter Winterle
www.st.thomas-org.za

Transition from Kenya to Cape Town

2011-03-07T22:58:00.000+02:00

A – MY INSTALLATION at ST. THOMAS CONGREGATION, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

The Installation Service at St. Thomas Congrgation was performed by Bishop Dieter Reinstorf on 23^rd January assisted by the Councilors: Quinton Aubrey, Shawn Johnston, Marja Wybrow and Guenther Meier.

The call and other documents were signed after the Installation service: Bishop Dieter Reinstorf,

Pastor Carlos Walter Winterle,

And the Councillors: Mr. Guenther Meier,

Mrs. Quinton Aubrey

Mrs. Marya Wybrow, and

Mr. Shawn Johnston.

Some official pictures were taken by Lídia.

Bishop Dieter, Lídia and Pastor Walter.

In the evening, Bishop Dieter took us to see Bloubergstrand, one of the beautiful beaches of Cape Town, with the Table Mountain in the back.

We stayed there to see the sunset: gorgeous! - And here we are! Please, contact us, pray for us, visit us. Welcome! Visit our Website: www.st-thomas.org.za

*************************************************************

B - ARRIVING IN CAPE TOWN

We arrived in Cape Town on 6^th January afternoon, after a four and half-hour flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg + a two-hour flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town. People of St. Thomas Congregation were there to welcome us and to pick us up: Wesley, Quinton, Mandy and Gunther. Our son Léo and Carol came with us to Cape Town and stayed with us until 16^th January, helping us with the moving a lot!

We were taken directly from the airport to see St. Thomas Church...

… and to see the parsonage, our home for the next five years, God willing.

Gunther and Lydia Meier hosted us and our children in their house for the first 12 days. The parsonage was painted during that time, we were introduced to the city by some friends, and we began to buy some furniture and other stuff for the house. – Gunther lent us a car and Léo and Carol gave us a GPS.

Quinton sent the following welcome letter to St. Thomas members:

Hi St Thomas congregation, (Thursday, 06 January 2011)

The Winterles are here!

They arrived on schedule today. Gunther, Wesley, Mandy and myself were there at the airport to greet Pastor Walter, his wife Lydia, son and daughter in law at Cape Town International. They enjoyed their trip here, and are very happy to be with us. Their journey started at 03h00 this morning. After a brief showing of the parsonage and St Thomas, they were left in the care of Gunther and Lydia, who are graciously accommodating them, while we prepare their home.

Tomorrow we are all geared up to collect their luggage at SAA Cargo and hopefully set them up at the Parsonage as soon as possible. - A special thanks to Wesley and Jackie.

(Friday, 07 January 2011) - After a good night's rest we set off early this morning. We managed to secure the Winterle's luggage safely to the parsonage and proceeded with sightseeing and shopping. The Winterles are quite captivated by Cape Town.

While we were showing them around town, Gunther was kept busy with the tedious task of arranging all the paperwork and red tape that comes with the welcoming of a new Pastor. We thank him for his effort.

Please be reminded that Pastor Walter is currently residing with Gunther and Lydia. He can be contacted through Gunther or via his newly activated cell: 0726333997.

Pastor Walter and his family will be introduced to our congregation this coming Sunday 9 January 2011. We hope that our congregation members who are back from holiday will come to greet them.

With kind regards, "LOVED BY GOD. LOVING OTHERS" , Quinton & Mandy

Besides the first services (on 9^th and 16^th January), (see the Table Mountain behind the church) and the organization of our house and of our luggage, we found time to visit some tourist attractions in Cape Town with our children.

On our Wedding Anniversary (13^th January) we climbed the Table Mountain. It was a perfect day to go there: clear, without wind! We took the coach...

...that took us up to the top of the Table.

This is now our new flag: The colorful and beautiful flag of South Africa!

We could see the city all around...

… and the new soccer stadium built for the World Cup 2010 as well.

We were walking around for more than two hours.

Many indigenous flowers were blooming...

… a snake was on our way...

… and a lizard was relaxing on the stone...

We could see also the mountain next to Table Mountain. When we came down, the Table became cloudy and we couldn’t see it anymore.

Another day we went to Cape Point. On the way we visited the Vasco da Gama Pillar.

The Portuguese brought the Christian faith to South Africa before 1500.

And they found the way to India through the Cape of Good Hope.

It's really windy at the Cape of Good Hope, but an unforgettable experience!

Léo and Carol enjoyed to visit the Cape Point.

The sign points to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Lídia was born in that city!

We thank God for this opportunity to see another nice part of the world!

******************************************************

C – BEFORE WE LEFT KENYA

Two Confirmation Classes finished their courses at Uhuru Highway Lutheran Church and were ready to confirm publicly the Christian faith before the congregation: One Adult Class and one Teenagers Class. They were prepared by Deaconeses Mary Khainga and Khatleen Lutz, and by Vicar Jeff Ross, with the assistance of Pastor Carlos. They came together for a last review on 18^th December 2010.

The Confirmation was performed on the Sunday before Christmas, 19^th December. 15 were confirmed in the English service and three were baptized: two children and one adult.

After the regular questions & answers and the confession of faith, little Nathan Dickens Omala was baptized.

After this Ina Len Juma was baptized.

And then Dennice Murimi Khadeji was baptized.

One by one the confirmands received the blessing given by P. Carlos, assisted by P. Omodhi, Vicar Jeff, Deac. Mary and Deac. Khatleen.

The confirmands are: Eunice Akinyi, Gunnel Akinyi, Emmah Awudr, Jackline Akinti, Edwina Gowi, Edna Kisivuri, Rosebella Komen, Kim Miguel, Meghan Muthoni, Dennice Murimi Khadeji, Gertrude Atisah Mulima, Billy Omondi, Divinah K. Ondimu, Cornel Otiemo, Emmanuel Ratemo. (+10 people from the same classes were confirmed and/or baptized in the Swahili Service:Dorine Amisi. Daaniel Ndelilio, Beatrice Nyaranga, Joseph Saigura, Lexon Omambia, Jonathan Nyang'au Ondieki, Gift Mmbando, Xavier Nshimiyimana, Angel Moraa, and Sebastian Mzei.)

The freshly confirmed were the first to receive the Lord's Supper. We pray that God will strengthen their faith and that they will remain faithful until the end.
********************************************

Our son Léo and his wife Carol arrived from Germany on Christmas Eve. This was our special Christmas gift!

Rev. Claude preached on Christmas Eve, and Bishop Obare celebrated the service and preached on Christmas Day.

Some friends came to our home on Christmas Day for a farewell lunch. A Maassai Folk- dance Group came to sing and to dance in our garden. The leader of the group, Daniel, is a Lutheran brother and a good friend of mine. - This was a very special farewell for us!

We left Kenya on 6th January 2011. We thank God for these four years and three months of blessings!
It was a very special time for me and my wife, and for our ministry. We miss our good friends in Nairobi, the Uhuru Highway Lutheran Cathedral, and everything more. Greetings and blessings to all!- But we are sure that God placed a new and good challenge in front of us as he called us to serve Him and His people in Cape Town! To Him be the Glory!

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

2010-12-18T18:10:00.000+02:00

A) Advent + Christmas

A1 - It’s almost Christmas again! 2010 has passed by so fast! It seems that time runs faster every year as we become older. On the one hand we are worried that time runs too fast and that Christmas is almost at our door again. But on the other hand we thank God that His grace is renewed again at one more Christmas in our lives, as we sing:

Every year the Christ child / Comes to us on earth / To proclaim redemption / Through His Holy birth.
We wish you all a Blessed Christmas! May God be with you in the New Year, guiding you always in His paths.

We like to decorate our home for Christmas. Lídia makes some new pieces of handcraft for Christmas every year.

This is “Silent Night” embroidered with Maasai beads.

I got a new Advent Stole embroidered with Maasai beads as well. This is just one detail. (Lidia sewed it and a Maasai friend embroidered it).

One of the Shopping Centers has a nice typical Christmas decoration: A stylized baobab tree, made of banana fiber, and decorated as a Christmas tree.

********************************
B – UHLC Activities

NORBERT ONDENGE & BEATRICE OKELLO were visited by the pastoral staff on 3rd November.

Their daughter Stacey was baptized on 14th November thus her name was written in the Book of Life by God Himself.

The UHLC Elders held a Seminar on 6th November. Bishop Obare led the devotion and introduced the history of the ELCK and the UHLC in a short way.

Pr. Omodhi, Pr. Omwoyo and Vicar Jeff presented some Theological Foundation about the role of the Elders. Pr. Omodhi coordinated the organization of the Elders Committees and Pr. Carlos talked about the Church Calendar, the role of the Elders during the Service and explained the Order of service. – It was a very helpful retreat for everyone!

KPA new Mission: Pr. Omwoyo, Vicar Jeff and Pr. Carlos visited the new Mission in KPA slum, which is located along the airport road, on 7th November. This was the first time that the Lord’s Supper was celebrated in that mission. (In the picture: Vicar Jeff, Pr. Omwoyo, Peterson and Fred, leaders of the mission. (Fred had his little shelter demolished with many other small houses in the slum last weekend. The City Council claims that the houses are built on public property. Please, pray for them!)

After the service, the children had their Sunday School and they showed us the pictures they were painting.

The Namibian group, students at Nairobi University, sang in their mother tongue in the Service on 14th November. They were leaving for Namibia to spend the Summer school break at home.

This was also my farewell to them. When they are back, I will be in Cape Town. –Thank you, Namibian folks, for your friendship and for faithful participation in the church’s activities. God bless you!

Nairobi Girls Chorale performed at the service on 14th November.

They presented a Concert in the Cathedral on 12th December. It’s a very good choir!

Deac. Julia (WMPL) came back from the USA after some months in furlough. She married Vincent, a Lutheran from Samburu, Kenya. Congratulations and God’s blessings!

20 children from the Heart to Heart Feeding Program were baptized and/or confirmed in the Kawangware Lutheran church on 12th December. Some of the Homeless Boys were baptized as well. We thank God for the gift of faith granted to these children and teens!

************************

C) – A SAFARI – NNP
Tim and Beth Heine, and Tim Norton (not in the picture), missionaries in Guinea, West Africa, came to Nairobi to attend several meetings. I took them to a one-day safari in the Nairobi National Park.
We were lucky: we saw lions there!
Lots of impalas…
… a colorful lizard and a hyrax.
These are rock hyrax, and very friendly. We have tree hyrax in the bushes around our house, but they are nocturnal and we can only hear their loud cry in the night. We very seldom see them.
We met also a crocodile, not so friendly! We saw three in that dam.
Eland (a big antelope) and lots of giraffes, among many other animals: zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, rhinos, monkeys, etc. It’s always exciting to see God’s creatures in their natural habitat.

*****************************************
D) VOLUNTEERS + VISITORS

44 volunteers came in November with Eye and Dental Clinic, coordinated by Salem, Tomball, TX. They divided themselves into several teams working in different places. We visited the team working in Kawangware on 16th November. – We arrived there just at Heart to Heart (HH) Children’s lunch time.

Dave Devore, one of the Team leaders, and Janet, from Heart to Heart Board, with the Dental Clinic supplies.

Catherine, from LCMS World Mission Office in Nairobi, with the Office Team, organized in advance what was necessary for all the clinics.

Local dentists helped the team as well.

Pastor Kevin Westergreen, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Austin, TX, and Dave Devore, came to our house for dinner. Dave helped me to fix my computer.

LCMS World Relief and Human Care Mercy Medical Team attended our Service on 7th November. The Team: Jacob (Leader), Mike, Leah, Beth, Carolyn, Ashley, Denise Kim.

Volunteer Coordinators Conference took place at LCMS WM office from 7th to 9th November. Catherine, Rhoda, Jennifer, Cindy, Beth and Erin, after our service.

Bruce and Karen Broughton, Director of Compassion Works International, from Canada (British Columbia).

Rev. John Juedes, from Highland, California. He was teaching for five weeks at the Seminary in Matongo (ELCK) and is now back in the States.

*****************************************

E) FAREWELL SERVICE

As we accepted the call to St. Thomas Congregation, Cape Town, a FAREWELL SERVICE was celebrated on 5th December at Uhuru Highway Lutheran Cathedral.

It was a joint Service English/Swahili, and the order of Service was a mixed one in both languages.

The Order of service was projected on the screen.

Pr. Omodhi led the Confession and Absolution in Swahili.

The sermon in English was translated by Oscar into Swahili.

Both congregations English/Swahili came together at 10:00am.

The church was full!

The Lord’s Supper was offered to all confirmed members of the church.

Rev. Ari Lukkarinen was introduced to the congregation. He is Professor at ELCK Matongo Seminary and will serve the English congregation till July, when Rev. Isaiah Obare comes back from his studies in the USA.

He was blessed and greeted by the other pastors.

After the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper, Pr. Omodhi led the Farewell ceremony. He prayed over us and read the Word of God.

Lídia prepared a message in Portuguese to the congregation, and our friend Beata read the English translation.

We gave a memento to the Congregation: The logo of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brazil made of Brazilian wood.

Several people gave messages: Mr. John Michoro spoke on behalf of Bishop Obare and of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya – ELCK. He gave us a Thank you Letter from the Bishop.

Rev. Claude and Rhoda spoke on behalf of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod World Mission.

Mika Piittala said goodbye on behalf of LEAF (Lutheran Evangelical Association of Finland), representing the Mission Partners of the ELCK. His son Valtteri brought the Brazilian flag we once gave him. – They gave us two T-Shirts written; Kenya-Finland.

Eng. Lawrence Atera spoke on behalf of the Elders.

A nice plaque of Recognition was given to us on behalf of Archbishop Walter Obare, the pastors and the Elders.

Deac. Oruko (Mary) Eliaika gave an African dress to Lídia on behalf of the UHLC women league.

We both hugged Pr.Omodhi and his wife Clara on behalf of all congregants.

After the Service, a lunch was offered to all participants.

Typical Kenyan dishes were on the menu.

The strip said: SORRY, YOU ARE LEAVING!

Lídia tried the dress as we came home and it fits her very well! Thank you!

We thank God and all of you for this opportunity to serve for the past four years in Kenya. It was a blessing for us! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOVE AND YOUR FRIENDSHIP!

Rev. Carlos Walter & Lídia Winterle

KAWANGWARE WATER PROJECT

2010-12-18T18:03:00.000+02:00

This text was written by the Committee in charge of the project and forwarded to me by Prof. Thomas Krueger. As we know the real need of a Water Well in Kawangware, we are publishing this matter in our Blog to help this Project:

Imagine you having to carry between 5 and 10 gallons of water for several miles each day and that you got this water from a dirty cistern or a polluted stream or pond. Imagine having to use only this much dirty water for your entire family each day. This is life in Kawangware. One bath or shower uses more than this in the States.

Consider the diseases that are carried in this water. In the world, a child dies every 15 seconds from diarrhea. That is the equivalent of 20 jumbo jets crashing each and every day. Men women and children are sick up to 50% of the time, mostly from water borne disease. Think of the productivity and learning opportunities that are lost just because of poor drinking water.

ELCK (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya) in conjunction with a congregation in the United States is raising funds to bore a water well at the Kawangware church to furnish the congregation and the community with pure clean water. If anyone wishes to participate with this critically essential need, please contact Woodie Arp at warp6@austin.rr.com or Tom Krueger at tjkrueger@austin.rr.com . A website has been established for additional information. That website is: http://www.agiftofwater.org/

Tax deductible contributions may be sent directly to:
Texas District – Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
7900 East Highway 290
Austin, Texas 78724
Attention: Linda Hagge

Please note on your check that your donation is for the Kawangware Water Well Project.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (Z) - 1 - UHLC, NURU, HHOCC+ More

2010-10-27T13:04:00.000+02:00

Welcome – KARIBUNI – to our October Blog Postage. Enjoy it!
Pr. Carlos Walter & Lídia Winterle
***********************
NEW MISSION POINT - KPA

Pastor Omodhi and Pastor Carlos visited a new Mission/Preaching Point on 3rd October, after the UHLC English service. It’s along Mombasa Road on the way to the airport, in a slum – KPA - close to Nairobi National Park.

Three brothers: Peterson, Samson and Fred, are the leaders there. We visited them two years ago and, as it is far and expensive for them to come to the church, we suggested them to began a Bible Study group. They already began a group five months ago, using some books and other materials we gave them.

Eight children were waiting to be baptized:
- Brevian Otunga Nalemae, born on 19. September.2010, to Proters Fuamba Nalemae and Joyve Nasihu Otunga.
- Francis Nyabuto, born on 18th July 2010, to Geofrey Machoni Otieno and Ruth Biyaki.
- Berminas Ogora Mogendi, born on 9th September 2007, to Geofrey Mogendi Maudi and Evalie Nyaboke.
- Mildred Nyaboke Obae, born on 30th September 2006, to Jefither Obae Nyagwencha and Edinah Moraaa Obae.

…and the siblings born to David Nyamao Nyangau and Doricah Moraa Nyamao:
- Fenic Nyambeki Nyamao, born on 28th October, 1997;
- Victor Omae Nyamao, born on 20th February 1999;
- Felistas Nyanchera Nyamao, born on 23rd November 2001;
- Diana Nwango Nyamao, born on 18th September 2004.

The little room was too small for all the people who attended the Service. The sermon was a special study about Baptism.

After the service, they served lunch for all: rice and beans.

This is Peterson’s family.

All the group took a picture together before we left. – We are planning to go back there in November to take the Lord’s Supper to them. It’s a good beginning and many visitors are coming. - They have many challenges: They need to enlarge the room, to buy another plot next to the little church, to buy some chairs and some musical instruments…

***********************

NURU - LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRY

Nuru Lutheran Media Ministry – The Lutheran Hour Nairobi Office, organized a Sunday School Teachers Seminar on 15th and16th October. Around 20 people were gathered from Kiambu, Kawangware, Kibera, Uhuru Highway Lutheran Cathedral and some other places. The theme of the seminar was: REACHING THE FAMILY THROUGH THE CHILD. Mr. John Maina Nuru Director, welcomed all and gave orientation and introductions.

Mr. John Maine and Pastor Dennis Meeker

Pastor Carlos presented the first paper on Saturday from 08:00am to 10:00am: The art to Communicating to a Child. Pastor Dennis Meeker, from Kibera, presented: The Sunday School Teacher and The Basics of the Lutheran Faith for a Child. Isaac Ngala and Jared Osoro, from Nuru, presented: Equipping the Saints Principles: Evangelism, Equipping and Proclamation.

The day after I could see one of the participants, teacher Nora, leading the Sunday School at UHLC. The room was too small and she took the children out to the garden.

***************************

HEART TO HEART - HHOC

Heart to Heart – HHOCC Board visited the school of Chief Malombe in Satellite, Kawangware after our regular Board Meeting. He opened the school in May 2010 and is looking for a partnership with HHOC, but HHOCC doesn’t have any resources at the moment to support more children in the School Fees Program or to open another Feeding Program. Our waiting list is long! – Chief Malombe has already put up the name of the school: Heart to Heart Educational Center. – He is one of the Elders at UHLC.

He has a van to transport some of the children who live far.

The children were just on their lunch time.

The Principal of the school Mrs Julie explained us about the plans and the needs.

These are the school premises and HHOCC Board with the teachers.

HHOCC volunteers went to Kawangware on 21st October to take the regular food package to the guardians whose children are in the Scholarship and Food Program. They meet and talk about the families’ and children’s problems and needs every three months. They receive basic food and toiletries.

11 families are enrolled in this program and many are on the waiting list for some more help.

************************************

VOLUNTEERS +More

Prof. Adam Lee, from Concordia, Irvine, California, USA, came for the second time to Kenya. He leads, with Prof. John Norton, a group of 32 students from Concordia. They are visiting several countries, helping people in their needs, and having classes during this time as well.

They enjoy singing with the local youth and the homeless boys!

A second Bible Stories Seminar was held at the Cathedral on 23rd October (the first one was on 25th September). We went through 140 stories of the Old Testament and 120 stories of the New Testament showing pictures of each story and commenting on them briefly.

A youth group from Norway visited our service on 24th October. They arrived in Kenya on 22nd October and will stay here until next year. They came through TeFT (Short Term Mission, in Norwegian), Scripture Mission, Norwegian Lutheran Mission, and they are planning to do all kinds of volunteer work in Kenya.

Trinity, Klein, Texas: A volunteer team came to offer eye clinic in the Maasai Area. Their leaders are Ray and Flora Tacquard.

*****************************

DO YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE?

Paul Kalu, visitor, father to one of the Nairobi Girls Chorale singers.

Oswald Orassa, visitor from Tanzania.

Glenn & Joan Stocker, visitors from Selah, WA, USA.

Anthony Okene, visitor, student doing a research about Lutheranism. Hekima College, Jesuit School of Theology.

Ebenezer & Jonah Shoo, members and part of the Worship Team.

Stella M. Njagi and her twins Martina & Andreas, members.

Flora & Austin Kamala, members. They have just moved back to Kenya, after some years in the USA.
David A. Isindu, Founder and Director of the Nairobi Girls. They perform once a month in the Service at UHLC.
Josphat Ochoi, member.
Herald Loshi, member
Andrianaivosoa, from Madagascar,Ignatius A Tambudzai, from Zimbabwe, and Marcel Tchabounono, from Togo, visitors, students doing a research about Lutheranism. A Constituent College of The Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Jesuit Community.
Mr. Lambert Wilson Ndiwaita, Mrs. Grancia Kokushubira Ndiwaita and children: Michelle Kokugonza Ndiwaita (not in the picture), Esther Mukaile Ndiwaita, Katriana Julius Masabala and Kagemulo Salome Masabala. Members at UHLC.
Wilfred Tokpah, visitor from Liberia, working temporary in Somalia.
Vicar Jeff Ross, from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, USA.
He arrived in Kenya on 19th October and will stay here until August 2011, helping the LCMS World Mission office in Karen and UHLC as well. And: – Pastor John Juedes, from Highland, California, USA. He came to teach at Matongo Seminary for five weeks.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (Z) - 2 - KAWANGWARE WATER WELL PROJECT

2010-10-27T10:24:00.000+02:00

I’m sharing with you the brochure prepared by Mr. Thomas Krueger about the
KAWANGWARE WATER WELL PROJECT

Kawangware is a slum situated approximately 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) in the western outcasts of the Nairobi Central Business District.
About 800,000 people live in this 2 square mile (3 kilometers) area. Their ethnic backgrounds are diverse.
Inhabitants of Kawangware live with:
 scarce safe drinking water,
 water-borne diseases,
 respiratory and aspiratory pneumonias,
 malaria,
 air-borne diseases, and
 poor drainage systems.

These people may get one meal per day. Those with homes have no electricity or running water. Half of the children do not have parents.

WHAT IS BEING DONE

Provision for their basic needs of life. The inhabitants of Kawangware need food, water, and shelter. Of these, water is the most critical.
A project is underway through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK) to provide a well for the church in Kawangware and the surrounding community. In fact, a hydro-geological survey has been completed and paid for by LCMS-Kenya and ELCK.

The Current well: contaminated water

WHAT THE WELL COSTS
The hydro-geological survey revealed the well for the Kawangware church would be over 900 feet deep. Following are estimated costs:
Upgrading the electrical power from single phase to three-phase ............................................ $ 2,800
Drilling the borehole and setting the casing ....................................... 23,300
Outfitting the well with the pump, wiring, meter, storage tank, distribution system, and pump house construction ................... 20,900
Total cost ...................................................$47,000

Washing hand with contaminated water

“This project is bigger than anyone can do alone, and so we’re suggesting that we join forces to make some significant advances in meeting the needs for clean
water, not only for the church, but also for the surrounding community.”
Rev. Claude Houge
East Africa Area Facilitator
LCMS World Mission

- NAME: __________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________
CITY: _________________________________ STATE: __________________________ ZIP CODE: ___________________________ PHONE: _________________________
Enclosed is my gift of : __________________ □ I wish to remain anonymous
Make checks payable to either:
REEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH referencing in the memo line KAWANGWARE WATER WELL PROJECT
1500 W Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757
OR
TEXAS DISTRICT – LCMS referencing in the memo line KAWANGWARE WATER WELL PROJECT
7900 East Highway 290, Austin, Texas 78724

Redeemer Lutheran Church
1500 West Anderson Lane † Austin, Texas 78757
Phone: 512-459-1500 † Fax: 512-459-6779

Texas District
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
7900 East Highway 290 † Austin, Texas 78724
Phone: 512-926-4272 † Toll Free: 800-951-3478

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (Y) - 1 - Heart to Heart Orphan Children Center - HHOCC

2010-09-28T11:26:00.000+02:00

We welcome you to follow us in two new postages of our Blog:HHOCC and UHLC. We are sharing God’s blessings upon our work in Kenya, reporting Several Activities that happened in the past weeks and introducing some people to you. Feel free to contact us: cwwinterle@yahoo.com.br
Pastor Carlos Walter and Lídia Winterle
************************************

HHOCC had visitors from St. John Lutheran Church, Orange, California, USA at its meeting on 9th August:

Rev. Chris Singer, Mr. Jeffrey W. Lyall (Chairman), and Dr. Susan Njemanze, representing St. John and “Graceworks – Hope Network for Children International”. We shared common concerns about the needy people in Kenya and the HHOCC projects.

*************************************

HHOCC OPEN MEETING

Heart to Heart Orphan Children Center - HHOCC held its first Open Meeting on 18th September.

After the devotion led by Rev. Carlos, we heard the report of Babra Institutes of Education Ltd, the manager of Laiser Hill Academy. They are sponsoring five HHOCC children in their boarding school and are willing to sponsor more next year.

Deac Mary, one of the founders of HHOCC, introduced a DVD prepared by Deac. Kathleen and Nuru Media Ministry about HHOCC beginning, goals, and projects. The video was shown to all participants. – Deac. Mary presented also reports about “The Orphans & Vulnerable Children Care Project and School Fees Program”, “Micro-Finances Project” and about the “Marginalized Groups and the Maasai Girls”. - Six Maasai Girls were rescued from early marriage and are now in Boarding School with the assistance of HHOCC. They need more sponsors and 10 other girls are in the waiting list to receive support. - 120 children are in the School Fees Program and more than 200 in the waiting list.

Sally, from Kibera, gave the report about “People Living with HIV/AIDS – PLWHA”. They organize Post Test Clubs (PTC) to give orientation and support to each other. – She read the report about “Addictions Recovery” on behalf of Julia, who is in the USA. This program is run in Mombasa

Esther, from Ongata Rongai, reported the work she is doing there with the help of Sally.

Mosa Lisaliza, from Kawangware, gave the report about the “Children Feeding Program”: 35 to 40 children come to have lunch 5 times a week during school time, and more than 50 during school break time; the children of the program bring their younger siblings and they share the same plate. – 15 orphans are already in the baptism and confirmation classes, and two have been baptized and confirmed. Many children are bringing their parents/or guardians to the church.

Douglas Masheti, from Kawangware, presented a report about the “Homeless Boys Program”. The program is run by the Kawangware Lutheran Church with the support of Fikisha. - 40 to 50 boys receive a plate of food twice a week and orientation for their lives. Five boys are already out of the streets and studying in Boarding School. Others are being prepared for going to Boarding School. - HHOCC is helping the program as well and built the Shower Block for the boys. –

Eric Mosigisi, from UHLC, presented a report on behalf of Valmah Obare about the “Volunteer Work”. They organize the HHOCC files and follow up with the teachers to update the performances of the children at school. They also visit the children in the Boarding Schools and at their homes.

Edward Mureithi, Treasurer of the Kawangware Lutheran Church, gave his input to HHOCC programs.

The participants of HHOCC Open Meeting outside UHLC meeting hall. – You are welcome to support HHOCC. Please, write to us. – A website will be ready soon with all details of the programs and how to help.

*******************************
HHOCC SUNDAY

St. Michael’s Day (29th September) is a special day for the children in Kenya. We celebrated it on Sunday, 26th September, as the HEART TO HEART SUNDAY.

Children from the Feeding Program in Kawangware and others came to the UHLC Service. They sung and said memorize Bible verses.

They received a lunch after the services and all the children received candies.

A report of HHOCC activities was presented with a Slides Show, as follow:

Heart to Heart Orphan Children Center is Community based and acts as one of the social support arms of the church in the ELCK Central Diocese offering education and healthcare support for the orphaned and vulnerable children especially HIV & AIDS orphans with the primary goal of holistic care in education and decent desired development.

(In the picture: HHOCC Board)
We have a laid down program of activities that is designed to address the Christian faith of the children we are working with:
1./ Feeding program
2./ Orphans and Vulnerable children scholarship program
3./ Street Youth ( homeless boys) Outreach support for rehabilitation
4./ HIV & AIDS Support Groups- Post Test clubs and microfinance program
5./ Addiction recovery
6./ Rescue of vulnerable girl child in the marginalized communities

*************************************
1./ FEEDING PROGRAM:

This is a lunch time fellowship program feeding about 40 children who come for lunch at our congregation in Kawangware from Monday through Friday. In the feeding program we reach them with the word of God.

Our team of volunteers follows up with those in the schools where Bible study programs are conducted.

Most of the children that are sponsored by the program attend the Sunday school and often bring their parents or guardians to the services as well. Two of them have been baptized and confirmed.

Fifteen more are attending baptism and confirmation classes and will be baptized and confirmed in December.

Presently there are 40 children on the program, however there is a great demand to extend it and start new ones at other locations.
COST OF THE PROGRAM: 1,000 KES/child/month

************************************************

2./ ORPHANS AND VULNARABLE CHILDREN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

If a child does not attend school he misses not only the education but is exposed to all kinds of dangers and may end up as a street-child. That is why our high priority is to provide schooling for as many children as possible.

We do not give cash to the families but pay the school fees (directly to the schools), buy the uniforms, textbooks, and other learning material for orphans aged 5 – 25 years.

There are several former street children among them, who had the chance to return to school with our assistance.

Occasionally we distribute basic groceries to some of the families
Number of children in the program: 120
Number of children on the waiting list: 300

You can open up the possibility for an orphan to go to school and escape the dangerous life of a street child
Grade 1 – 8. KES 1,800 / month / child
Form 1 - 4. KES 3,600 / month / child
College KES 8,000 / month / student

***************************************
3./ STREET YOUTH/HOMELESS BOYS OUTREACH:

We partner with Kawangware Evangelical Lutheran Church to reach the homeless boys in the slum of Kawangware under the Fikisha initiative.

So far we have been able to construct a shower block for the boys.

During the daytime, 40 to 50 boys can comfortably come to the church compound and wash themselves and their clothes at the shower place.

Besides we also have quarterly program of collecting and distributing clothes for them.

**************************************
4./ HIV & AIDS SUPPORT GROUPS – POST TEST CLUBS AND MICROFINANCE PROGRAM

We have several programs working with People living with HIV and AIDS. We have what we call Post Test Clubs (PTCs).

These are people who tested HIV positive. We have about five such groups in Nairobi and one in Nakuru.

Among the activities is to support them psychosocially by encouraging group meetings, group counseling and individual counseling, training on micro finance loaning scheme, handcraft making among other activities.

We believe that these acts of mercy complement the spread.
*************************************
5./ ADDICTION RECOVERY
It has been discovered that one of the contributing factors to orphan and vulnerable children stems from drug and alcohol abuse and addiction. The aim of this coastal program is (i) to combat drug addiction by establishing Anonymous Groups, and providing counseling and treatment for the addicts; (ii) organize a prevention program with the involvement of the local community.

************************************
6./ RESCUE OF VULNARABLE GIRL CHILD IN THE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES

The Maa speaking communities of Maasai and the Samburu have been among some of the marginalized communities in Kenya. Among them are mostly the pastoralist communities such as the Pokot, Borana, Rendile, Burji, Somalis to mention but a few.

These communities have also maintained cultural practices and traditions which are very good and are admired by many visitors. However some of the cultural practices are not so favorable to the girl child and thus many are forced into early marriages and other vices like female genital mutilation (FGM) at the very tender age of about ten to thirteen years.

Because of the patriarchal nature of the communities the girls are left with no choice but to either follow orders or be banished. The Church through Heart to Heart responded to this need and reached out.

After several discussions and based on an agreement with the local chief, at the moment we have been able to support six girls who had already been sold off for marriage and are now in boarding primary school. These are just a few of the girls who were rescued but we have many that need such help.

For us the need is real and therefore need your partnership; and any regular or one-time support towards any of the above purposes will be highly appreciated. (End of the Report)
September 2010

*******************************************
POLE SANA

POLE SANA, our sympathies, to Deac. Kathleen Lutz, member of HHOCC Board and a strong HH supporter. She lost her mother on beginning of September, a day before she went back to the USA to visit her mother that was very sick. “Blessed are the death who died in the LORD from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them” (Rev. 14:13).

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (Y) - 2 - Uhuru Highway Lutheran Cathedral

2010-09-28T09:59:00.000+02:00

SERVICES AND BAPTISMS

Five baptisms were celebrated on 22nd August 2010: Ashlee Njeri, born on 16th April 2010, to Henry and to Irene Davor.

Faith Atieno Otieno, born on 18th October 2007 and Fidel Otieno Wasega, born on 26th February 2010, to Peter Otieno Wasega and Dorine Amisi Otieno.

Jedric Zedpeter Onsoti, born on 26th May 2010, to Jared Onsoti Rangeria and to Dyphna Nyanbuko Bisera. He has a brother: Cedric Sure Onsoti

Trizah Kwamboka Moenga, born on 21st April 2010, to Job Moenga Mogeni and Damaris Nyatichi Machabe

Florence Nightingale Ombogo confirmed her faith publically on 11th July. She is married to Pauli.

***********************************

Rev. Isaiah Obare went back to the USA to continue his studies at Concordia Theological Seminary - CTS, Fort Wayne, IN. His wife Caroline Awino and their two children Rehema and Ralph remain in Kenya.

Rev. John Halakhe, ELCK General Secretary, got also a scholarship to study in CTS - Fort Wayne. His wife Jane Dalo Galgallo and their son Daniel Halakhe Halkano remain in Kenya as well.

A special Farewell and Godspeed service was held for both Rev. Obare and Rev. Halakhe on 29th August. Mr. John Michoro, ELCK Treasurer, spoke on behalf of the UHLC and the ELCK.

**************************************

ANGAZA Choir launched their DVD on 19th September.

They sang during both services (English and Swahili).

The DVD is available at the church office. It’s a good record of Christian music and a good gift to be given to friends. Do you have your copy?
********************************
LUCCEA

Lutheran Communion in Central and Eastern Africa - LUCCEA –held a Seminar on Poverty and Gender and the Involvement of the Church, and held also a General Assembly from 1 to 7 September in Nairobi. Mr Muloko Kongolo is the Administrative Secretary of LUCCEA. (The other sub-regions are: LCSA- Southern Africa, and LUCWA – Western Africa). LUCCEA has a membership of over 13,000,000 Lutherans from Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, the Sudan, Madagascar, Eritrea, Uganda and Ethiopia. Some of the participants came to the UHLC Service on 5th September and they introduced themselves:

From the EECMY – Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus - Ethiopia
Rev. Dr. Wakseyoum Idosa Negeri, President of the EECMY and also President of LUCCEA…

…Mr. Tessma Hirbaye Webilo - Development and Social Services Commission …

…Mr. Teshome Amenu W/Semiat – Dean of Theology at Mekane Yesu Seminary…

… Mrs. Tadelech Loha – Women’s Ministry Coordinator, and…

…Mr. Danile Lallissa Gemechis – Youth Coordinator.

From the LCMU – Uganda:
Mr. Noah Isanga – President

From the LCS – the Sudan:
Rev. Matta Butrus Kumi – General Secretary

From de LCR – Rwanda:
Bishop George Wilson Kaliisa – Presiding Bishop, and …

…Rev. David Ntidendeza – Youth Coordinator

From the ELCCo – Democratic Republic of Congo
Bishop René Mwamba Sumaili – Presiding Bishop

From the ELCT – Tanzania:
Rev. Anza A. Lema – Youth Coordinator

From the ELCE – Eritrea:
Rev. Yosief Araya – President, and…

...Mrs. Dr. Senait Bahta – Women’s Work Chairperson

From the ELCK – Kenya:
Mrs. Pamela Oyieyo – LWF Council Member

From the LWF – Lutheran Word Federation:
Rev. Dr. Musa Panti Filibus – LWF DMD Director

From the LUCCWA – West Africa :
Mr. Jean Claude Hamadjam – Administrative Secretary

Meeting Recorder:
Ev. Sylvester Opiyo (ELCK)

After the service, the group poses for a photo with other visitors.

**********************************
NURU CHILDREN CAMP

Nuru Media Ministry – (The Lutheran Hour – Kenya) – held a Children Camp at Kawanguare Lutheran Church from 2 to 4 September.

Around 200 children came together: From the congregation, from the HHOCC Feeding program, from the neighborhood. The teachers taught them about the Gospel and entertained them as well.

Some mamas prepared the food:

Beans with rice.

The children were divided in five teams and they had competitions among them.

The children love to see the pictures in the camera!

*****************************

A SPECIAL VISIT

My brother Oscar Winterle and his wife Regina visited us from 26th August to 15th September. It was so good to have them with us!

We visited Spring of Life Lutheran Church in Kibera. The church’s facilities and part of the church were burn down during the post-election violence in Kenya in January 2008. The church still needs to be remodeled, but some things have already been done:

The altar, the internal walls and the floor were painted and a new cross was put on the altar wall.

But the Medical Clinic has not been rebuilt yet…

… and the roof of the church is still waiting for a better remodeling.

Oscar and Regina loved the children in Kibera and…

… in Kawangware.

They also introduced themselves at UHLC services…

… were they attended the services twice.

They also visited several wildlife parks in Kenya and went back home excited with these very different experiences in their lives.

*****************************************
DO YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE?

Catherine Wangari and her two boys Mark and Eugene. Catherine is the Eats Africa Volunteer Coordinator and “the right hand” of the LCMS World Mission office in Karen, Nairobi. Mark is studying in Concordia, MO, USA and was in vacation at home

Malachi Akoroda, visitor from Nigeria.

Ghebrejesus Ghebrelul and Mrs. Smret Zere, from Etritrea, now members at UHLC again (They were living in Nairobi some years ago).

Aries Mosaso, Choco A. Peña and Geralyn Piliin, visitors from the Philippines.

Rosmary and Helen, visitors from Sweden.

Gunnar Lundstrom, visitor from Sweden. His father, Rev. Martin Lundstrom, former missionary in Kenya, bought the property at Uhuru Highway in l963, where the Cathedral and the Luther Plaza were built.

Eliki Bosonga Louis, visitor from Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ray and Flora Tacquard from Trinity Lutheran Church in Klein, Texas. They came to work with the ELCK to find locations in the Maasai area for future eye clinics. Theirteams have been coming twice a year to do this for two years now.

Maureen (right), visitor from Namibia. She was welcomed by the Namibian students studying at Nairobi University, members of UHLC. In the picture, one of them: Helvi(left).

Peter Rimmele, from Germany, working now in Rwanda, was brought by his friends, Christian and Marlene Roschmann, members at UHLC.

Bishop Dr. Peter L. Mwamasika, from Dodoma Diocese, ELC Tanzania.

Anders Lilleheim and his wife is Linda , from Norway, Director of Scripture Mission in Karen, Nairobi.

Tracy Beedy, from Lilongwe, Malawi.

Aichi Kitaly, from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

*********************************

We are happy to share these Several Activities with you. Pray for God’s work in Kenya and around the world and pray for us as well. Pastor Carlos Walter and Lídia Winterle.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (X) - 2 - HOMELESS BOYS - KAWANGWARE

2010-08-15T17:20:00.000+02:00

We are back with a new Blog, reporting special activities that happened during the month of July and beginning of August. It was a blessed month, with very special activities. Follow us in the three postages about: I -Homeless boys Shower Block Dedication in Kawangware ; II – Our trip to Germany; III – My trip to Mozambique and the TEE Course. – We thank you all for the contacts and support.
**************************************
Shower Block Dedication

The shower block had been built since last year with the help of many donors, but only now it was possible to install a water pump to have running water in the showers. –What seems to be very natural to some people is not common in Nairobi’s slums: They don’t have showers to wash themselves or running water to wash their clothes. – This shower block will be used not only by the homeless boys, but by the local community as well. – Thank you to all who helped Heart to Heart (HHOCC) and ELCK Kawangware Lutheran Church to build this shower block!

The dedication took place on 11th July, after the service. The pump installation had not been finished yet when we arrived there.

Dr. Balint was supervising the last preparations.

The old well is still there and some people are using it. A new well was dug, but the water is not clean either. The next project for that Kawangware community is to have a borehole; some friends in the USA are working on that project. You are welcome to join them in their efforts.

Pastor Zedekiah preached in English and was translated to Swahili by Evangelist Emmanuel.

After the service, Pastor Zedekiah went out of the church to the shower block, followed by the congregants and visitors. He offered prayers of thanksgiving and read the Word of God.

He unveiled the main plaque first:

“ELCK (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya) Kawangware Shower Block – Donated by Heart to Heart Orphan Children Center – Officially opened on 11/07/2010.

The second plaque was unveiled: “In loving memory of Mark Mast Haws”. Mark passed away; he had had a big concern about water to the people in Africa. The plaque was his mother’s last wish before she passed away as well; and a donation was sent for this project by Mark’s sister.

Pastor Zedekiah finished the dedication ceremony…

…and blessed the people.

Pastor and some youth in charge of the Homeless boys Program opened the tap and water flowed abundantly!

Immediately some of the homeless boys ran to the water and washed their hands!

You can see their happiness!

Heart to Heart (HHOC) Board is glad to report this event as a joint effort of many friends around the world through HHOCC and through Kawangware Lutheran Church. . THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Some of the homeless boys; proud about the shower block.

They had received bread and tea on that morning with their regular Bible Study as usually…

… and sodas were offered to them and to all people who attended the dedication service. (See more about the Dedication Day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLZrFDYTGYU
Lídia filmed it and our son Léo edited it in the YouTube in Germany. (I haven’t been able to see it because our Internet is limited and we cannot open YouTube here.)

*************************************
B – The Homeless Function

A special party was planed for the Homeless boys the week after the dedication. It took place on 15th July.

Some people of the Kawangware church prepared the food…

… with the help of some of the boys.

While the food was prepared, the homeless boys had several activities: Bible study, counseling…

...games…

Mrs. Beata Balint, member of the HHOCC Board, with the boys (She took the pictures of the function. Thank you!)

After the activities, each of the homeless boys received a big plate of food and a soda.

They enjoyed it and they say a big THANK YOU to all donors and supporters of that Homeless Boys Program and of the Shower Block building.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (X) - 2 - OUR TRIP TO EUROPE

2010-08-15T16:43:00.000+02:00

Lídia and I had the opportunity to go to Germany to celebrate our birthdays there with our son Léo…

… and with our daughter-in-law Carolina.

We flew direct from Nairobi to Zurich, were Léo and Carol met us at the airport. – Zurich is Ulrich Zwingli’s city, were he performed Reformation at the same time as Luther was preaching and doing his reformation in Germany. This is Zwingli Church, were most of the religious reforms occurred. – It was very important and exciting for me to see that place, about which I had heard so much at my Church History classes during my Seminary time.

A plaque on the church commemorates Zwingli. – He died in a war defending his ideals. The location of Zwingli’s grave is unknown.

The engraved gate of the church depicts several moments of Zwingli life. This detail shows the Marburg Debate (1529) between Luther and Zwingli. They agreed on several Biblical points at that time (14 in total), but they didn’t agree on The Lord Supper doctrine. Zwingli affirmed that bread and wine were only symbols of Christ Body and Blood; but Christ was not really present at the Lord Supper; just in a spiritual sense. On the other hand, Luther pointed to the Scripture and affirmed the Real Presence of Christ in the Lord Supper as a Means of Grace. – It was not possible to join the efforts of both Reformers, as it was the wish of some common friends.

From Zurich, we went to Konstanz, Germany, on the same day (just a 2-hour drive). (The border between Switzerland –S - and Germany – D= Deutschland - )

*************************************

Konstanz is an old and historical city, with several nice old buildings well preserved, on the bank of the Bodensee.

We found a Brazilian flag among other flags just at the City Map…

… and this is where we were in the map!

That house was rebuilt in 1294… When was it build? Other buildings are from 1209 and later.

Goethe lived for some time in that house.

Graff Zeppelin was born in Konstanz…

... and we saw a Zeppelin!!!

We enjoyed seeing the many beautiful gardens in that and in other cities as well. It was the first time I was in Germany during summer time. It’s a very special season to visit Europe!

The Cathedral of Konstanz.

Under it’s altar…

… there is the tomb (relics) of St. Pelagius, Patron of Konstanz (Born ca. 270 - Died ca. 283). The relics were transferred to that city around 904 AD (as it is believed).

Many fountains of fresh and drinking water are around the city, some of them in a very strange design…

The Council of Konstanz was held from 1414 to 1418. It is the 15th ecumenical council recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. Besides several other matters, it sentenced John Huss, a Czech Reformer (born ca. 1372, Boemia – Put to death in July 1415).

The conclave was held in this old building, now a restaurant (where we had dinner that day).

John Huss was hosted in this house before he was sentenced by the Council

… Now it is a Museum.

St. Stephen Church, …

…where several activities of the Council were held.

Memorial Stone where John Huss was burnt.

The date on the monument: 14th July 1415 – It was a coincidence that I was there just on 14th July, 595 years later! – “Huss was a key predecessor to the Protestant movement of the 16th century, and his teachings had a strong influence on the states of Europe, most immediately on the approval for the existence of a reformist Bohemian religious denomination, and, more than a century later, on Martin Luther himself” (Wikipedia).

*************************************

From Konstanz we went to Leo and Carol’s apartment in Schiltach, Germany. From their balcony we could see the church we attended while with our children.

Lidia’s birthday was celebrated on 15th July. Lidia’s brother and sister-in-law, Luis Gustavo and Olivia, came from Sulzburg to the birthday party.

Carol and Léo prepared a fondue and a strawberry cake…

… and we all sang “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU”!

On my 60th birthday, 20th July, we spent the day visiting some beautiful cities near Schiltach. It was especially remarkable to visit the open air Museum: old houses rebuilt as an old village from the XVI century. Some people are there working in the very old style to show to the visitors how the life at that time was.

The Museum Map.

Old furniture was well exposed inside the houses.

An old picture was on the wall of one of the houses: Melanchton, Martin Luther, King Gustav Adolph and a German Dignitary.

In the evening, Carol prepared a genuine Black Forest Cake (we were in the Black Forest region!)…

… and a nice and good table, with several kinds of cheese, ham and homemade bread. HAPPY BIRTHDAY was sung again. – We thank God for one more year of blessings in our lives and that we could spend the birthdays with our children. – I went back to Nairobi for the weekend service (25th July) and then flew to Mozambique for two weeks (see the next postage). Lidia remained with the children in Germany until I came back from Mozambique.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (X) - 3 - MOZAMBIQUE

2010-08-14T20:05:00.000+02:00

On my way to Mozambique on Sunday (25th July), via-Johannesburg, I spent a night at the house of the LCMS World Mission Regional Director Dr. Mike Rodewald (right) in Pretoria. Bishop Dieter Reinstorf (left), FELSISA – Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa, picked me up at the airport and took me to Pretoria. We have known each other since 2001. We talked a lot about my call to St. Thomas Congregation, Cape Town, and we had a meeting together in Dr. Mike’s house in Pretoria.

I flew to Beira, Mozambique, on Monday, where I stayed one night.

Beira is the main city of the Province of Sofala, in the center of Mozambique. Mozambique’s borders are: Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. – Mozambique is a Portuguese speaking country (my mother tongue) and I was invited to begin a TEE Program (Theological Education by Extension) there. The TEE Program is offered by the Seminário Concórdia of Brazil. – It was a partnership with Kapasseni Project, who is in charge of that mission in Mozambique, managed by Carol Kerr and a Board, from Canada - THANK YOU ALL!

It was a nine-hour drive until we reach the village of Sena on Tuesday evening. Pastor Alfazema and the students were happy to see me arriving safely.
********************************
TEE PROGRAM

We began the TEE course on Wednesday morning. Every morning, at 08:00a.m, Pastor Alfazema had a brief devotional session with the employees and the volunteers of the Children Program. It’s a very good missionary link to the village inhabitants.

The classes were held in that church building…

… around a table. We had classes from 08:00am to noon and from 02:00pm to 06:00pm. - The wheater was very good every day we were there and they were no mosquitoes (malaria danger…), God be thanks!

This was my little hotel room, not far from the church.

We had all the lunches and dinners together, prepared by a cook in this rustic kitchen.

Our dining room was outside in the pastor house’s yard.

Beans and rice, or Ugali and goat, or rice and chicken, added to dark green leaves cooked (sukuma wiki) was our daily and nutrition food.

Eight students are being prepared by Pastor Alfazema as leaders in their villages. They lead the services in the absence of the Pastor, do counseling and visit the sick. They came from their villages by bicycle (some 40km far from Sena) and stayed at a small room in the church compound. Let me introduce Pastor Alfazema and the students:

Pastor Alfazema and his wife Perpétua. – He was a 15 years old refugee during the Civil war in Mozambique. He fled first to Tanzania, were he became a Lutheran; then to Kenya, were he studied to be Evangelist at the Matongo Seminary with Pastor Omodhi and the current Bishop Walter Obare; and then he moved to Canada as a refugee. There, when he was over 50 years old, he graduated as pastor and was sent back to his home village in Mozambique by his Canadian Congregation. He began his mission work in August 2006. He has now 9 congregations and about 800 baptized Christians. – His wife was also a refugee. She is the Coordinator of the Social Work in the Children Project. They have three children, who remained in Canada, where they are studying.

João Luis Nota, born on 7th April 1977, married to Chica G. João. They have six children.

He is leading the church in Chemba with Julio.

Manuel Jone Jambo Macualo, born on 18th August 1968, married to Maria Araújo Lisboa. They have seven children.

He is helping Pastor Alfazema at the church in Sena.

Julio Albano Castomo, born on 14th April 1980, married to Angela Julio Albano. They have three children.

He is leading the church in Chemba with Nota.

Rui Jalene Sousa, Born on 12th March 1961, married to Imaculada António. They have eight children.

He is leading the church in Kapasseni.

Mateus Domingos Sifa, born on 28th October l989, single.

He is helping Pastor Alfazema at the church in Sena.

Jolinho Inez Nhapigode, born in 1959, married to Vaida Araujo Tuboi Zabezil. They have nine children.

He is leading the church in Sabonete.

Ernesto Domingos Raposo, born on 23rd April 1969, married to Joanita Ernesto. They have seven children.

He is leading the church in Morrema.

Jordão Mairoci Chuva, born in 1962, married to Jarasa Mirizi Zanole. They have five children. –

He is leading the church in Zodanhe.

They received a Certificate of Participation at the end of the Course. A PROCLAIMER in Portuguese helped to pass through some of the New Testament Bible Stories.

********************************
THE CHURCHES

On Saturday, 31st July, the plan was to visit all the different congregations where the students live. Pastor Alfazema drove us and some students in his car.

We visited the church in Mpango first. They have 97 baptized members. Their leader Marcelino had been admitted in the hospital in Malawi that week.

After this we visited the church in Morrema, where Ernesto is the leader. They have almost 100 baptized members.

This is Ernesto’s family (two children are not in the photo).

There we realized that a tyre of the car had a puncture . We were not able to go to Kapasseni, where the mission work began in 2006 and where they have a big Children Project as well. There was no cell phone coverage in that area and Pastor Alfazema didn’t have a right toll to change the tyre…

… so, we went back to Sena by bicycle (more or less 1:30 hour by bicycle…). Zeferino is the name of the guy who took me back to Sena. - It was nice to cross several villages and the people waving to us!!! - Pastor Alfazema looked for help in Sena, but he worked all the afternoon to repair the tyre, until 08.00pm at night.

On Sunday morning, 1st August, Pastor Alfazema led the liturgy and I preached in the church of Sena.

The people were sitting on the floor (someone is making the benches).

Mateus led the Youth Choir.

People gathered outside the church after the service.

Mrs. Alfazema was with the Sunday School children. They sang so nice!

After the service we visited the village around the church. This is Mateus’ house and some of his nephews.

Manuel lives in the same village. This is his family.

Manuel’s grandmother (at my right side) and some people of the village.

The village itself.

We went to Chemba on Sunday afternoon for another Service. (more or less a one-hour drive from Sena).

The service was outside, under a tree…

… because the church is under construction.

People sang so nice, with a drum and some rattles.

The Service was held under this big tree. The people were sitting on the ground. They stood up to sing and clap, in a very typical African style. Suddenly, all jumped up and ran away: A one meter long snake was slithering out of the bushes among the people!!!

One of the leaders killed the snake immediately!

God be thanked that no one was bitten by the snake!

This is João Luis Nota’s family. He is one of the TEE students and is assisting Pastor Alfazema in Chemba. (He killed the snake!!!).

This is Julio’s family, leader in Chemba as well and one of the TEE students.

The Christians of Chemba gave us a special gift: a Guinea fowl and a chicken...

… those were served as our dinner two days later.

Some carpenters were working in Pastor’s backyard…

… preparing three pulpits, three altar tables and three crosses, besides some doors and chairs for the three new churches that are being built.

The only tools they have are these in the pictures: Everything was very artisanal hand made!

**************************************
THE CHILDREN PROJECT

Projeto Kawangisana (Sena) gives support to orphans , to HIV/AIDS infected people and to other needy people (like the Projeto Kapasseni, the first one of the mission).

Ryan Rushing, an American, stays by the Project several months a year, helping to develop the Project. He is working on behalf of an American social service entity that supports the Project in partnership with the two Lutheran Churches in Canada who began the mission and the Children Projects. – Mrs. Perpétua Alfazema is the Coordinator of the Projects.

These are the premises of the Project in Sena, where we had the TEE Program.

The well that supplies water to the entire compound.

Children of the Project receiving orientation …

… in that shelter. Rooms are under construction and new facilities are being built.

Marimba: Children play on it and it has a very nice sound!

The kitchen to the children, where ugali and other dishes are prepared.

A stretcher pulled by a bicycle helps to bring very sick people to the Project.

Pastor took me to see the new campus where the new facilities are being built: It’s in Sena,a little out of the main village.

The cement bricks are made one by one…

These cement bricks are made one by one…

… with this mould.

*********************************************

I came back from Mozambique to Nairobi (via-Beira, via-Johannesburg) on 7th August, Saturday night, to be at the service on 8th August. Lídia came back from Germany on 9th August. We thank God for all the protection during our trip and for all the opportunities we had to see His awesome creation in Switzerland, in Germany, in Mozambique, and to serve Him through His people.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (W) - 1 - SERVICES+VISITORS+ACTIVITIES

2010-07-10T21:09:00.000+02:00

The WORLD CUP in South Africa is over! We were supporting BRAZIL (of course!) and the African Teams.

Unfortunately none of them won the World Cup! Sorry!

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva came to Africa. He visited Kenya and met Pres. Kibaki. “Kenya and Brazil signed six key agreements aimed at the boosting trade, investments and economic ties between them” (Pictures and text from the National News, p. 8).

President Lula went to South Africa to launch the WORLD CUP 2014 in BRAZIL! Welcome to Brazil in 2014! Pack your luggage and save money. Brazil is a country worthy to be visited!

*********************************************
SERVICES+VISITORS+ ACTIVITIES

Rev. Dr. Arthur A. Just, from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, USA, was our guest preacher on 6th June.

He has been several times in Kenya, reaching at Matongo Seminary and doing other activities as well.

Volunteers: LCMS World relief & Human Care MERCY MEDICAL TEAM took part in the service on the same Sunday. 17 volunteers, led by Jacob Fiene, came for a 5- day Medical Clinic + for a 5-day Home Based Seminar held in Atemo, Lake diocese.

UFUNUO (Revelation) CHOIR sang that Sunday,

and Fared & Helvi, Namibian student at the Nairobi University, sang in their mother tongue Ochiwambo.

Rev. Glenn F. Merrit was the guest preacher on 13th June (in the picture with his wife). He is the Director of Disaster Response of LCMS World Relief and Human Care.

Mr. Hans Springer, Associate Executive Director Fund Development (LCMS WR & HC) accompanied Rev. Glenn.

Mr. Norbert Knaus, from “St. Paul Lutheran Church”, Pretoria, South Africa, visited us on 13th June.

On 20th June it was Rev. Rune Mjolhus’ farewell. He was the Resident Representative of Norwegian Lutheran Mission in East Africa - NLM EA and the Director of SMEA and NNM. He moved back to Norway to be the General Director of the NLM. - We are missing you all: Rev. Rune & Jane and children: Seline, Rubens, Silas and Valentin. God’s blessing to you in your home country and at your new position.

Rev. Rich Tursic & Kathy with their children: Andrew, Kelly and Scott are visiting Kenya for some days. They spent the first day in Kenya visiting the Elephant Orphanage and the Orphan’s Feeding Program in Kawangware. They are from the USA, but they were missionaries in China for a long time. God bless them as they are visiting some of the ELCK and Mission Training Center – MTC mission station and enjoying the beautiful safaris in Kenya.

**********************************************

A new Adult Class is ongoing at UHLC.

The candidates have classes after the English service.

They are studying the principal doctrines of the Bible following the Small Catechism.

Deac. Kathleen Lutz and Deac. Mary Khainga (not in the picture) are in charge of this class.

The English Choir, led by Pianist Mozart, has their rehearsal after the English service as well. They sing at the Service almost every Sunday; most of the singers are youth from Kenya and from Namibia (Temporary in Kenya as students at the Nairobi University).

Joseph Wachira & Ann + Ryan were visited on 1st June. His brother and sister-in-law were with them on that day.

**********************************

UHLC NEW ELDERS

Bishop Obare installed the UHLC new Elders elected at the Annual General Assembly, 27th June.

The installation took place at the English Service on 4th July. The new Elders are as follows:

Mrs. Linnet Shiundu

Mr. Martin Akuku

Eng Lawrence Atera

Mrs. Beata Balint

Dr. Jared Mecha

Mr. Muloko Kongolo

Prof. Andrew Guidamis

Ms. Helvi (Youth representative)

Ex-Chief Samson Malombe

Mr. Zephania Aming’a

Mr. David Mollel

Mr. Amos Nyamoko

Mrs. Jane Orutwa

Mrs. Loreen Asacha.

They were introduced at the Swahili Service as well

and Bishop prayed over them.

***************************************************
MRS. INGER MALO – IN MEMORIAM

Mrs. Inger Margareta Otieno Malo passed away on 1st June. She was born on 1st May 1948 in Sweden.

She was married to Prof. Joseph Otieno Malo. Both owned the longest membership at Uhuru Highway Lutheran Cathedral, since July 1972. Whenever she was not traveling she was always a faithful participant of the UHLC services with her husband.

She took part in several activities in the church and in the society as well, leading prayer and Bible Study groups, helping the needy and living her Christian faith day-by-day. (In the picture: Cleaning the Cathedral’s windows on the ‘general cleaning day last year’).

She worked more than 30 years as Librarian at the University of Nairobi. Many friends and relatives came to the funeral.

The funeral was held on 8th July: A short moment of prayer with the family at the mortuary; then the main Service at the church, where several relatives and friends spoke; then a short moment at her house (in the picture); and finally the ceremony at the Langata Crematory.

Her family: Arne Shadrack Malo (son), Prof. Joseph Otieno Malo (husband), Carl Malo (nephew), Lois Malo (Niece), Lois Maj Malo (daughter) and Dalvin Bangura (grandson). The other grandson André Malo couldn’t come.- Prof. Malo will spend some times in Sweden, were their children live. – REST IN THE PEACE OF THE LORD!

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (W) - 2 - MAASAI CONGREGATION

2010-07-10T20:41:00.000+02:00

Some of us from the UHLC visited the new Maasai Congregation in Kibiko settlement Scheme on 30th June. Maasais from different places: Kajiado, Ewaso, Narok and Magadi, where displaced during the long dry spell because they lost the source of their livelihood, their cows. They were settle in Kibiko and are now farming. – The church stands on a nice hill, surrounded by small farms of maize and bean fields.

We took books and pencils for the school and biscuits and fruits to share with all.

They welcomed us with Maasai Christian songs.

The teacher was teaching Mathematics to the children who were seated on stones along the wall of the little iron sheet church that is also used as a classroom. Around 120 children live in that area, but not all of them can come to the school because some cannot pay the KSH 100.00 per month to the teacher (US$ 1.33).

Pastor Moses Konana Ole Sinandei is the pastor of Euwuaso Parish and established that congregation as well a year ago. (Deac. Maty, Pastor Moses and the teacher)

Pastor Carlos and Pastor Isaiah. (The shirt I was wearing was made by Massais from that parish.) – Each of us had the opportunity to introduce himself and to address a message to the people. All speeches (in English or in Swahili) were translated to the Maasai language by Pastor Moses.

The teacher receiving the two boxes full of books and pencils.

The children are happy with their new books!

Children in line to receive the biscuits.

Mamas also in line…

and receiving the biscuits.

Deac. Kathleen distributing some gifts.

Children sitting outside, happily eating the biscuits and the fruits.

Beata was happy to see the children!

The old Massai man is not yet a Lutheran, but he brings his grandchildren to the church and to the school.

Before we left they sang again and all stood together for a picture.

As we were getting into the car, they said: KWAHERI = Good bye. – Pray for these people and for Pastor Moses. He is doing a good and blessed job! He will be ordained on August 1st.

********************************************************

MOZAMBIQUE: I am going to Mozambique from 25th July to 7th August to introduce a Theological Education by Extension – TEE program in Sena, in the north of. This course is offered by the Seminário Concórdia of Brazil. There is a new Lutheran Church growing in Sena, led by Pastor Joseph Alfazema and sponsored by two congregations of the Lutheran Church Canada. Eight candidates are enrolled in the program: Jolinho Minez Nhapigode, Ernesto Nhama Domingos, Rui Jaleni, Manuel Jone Jambo, Jordão Mairoci, João Luis Nota, Julho Albano, Mateus Domingos Sifa. Mozambique is a former Portugal colony and they speak Portuguese besides their local language. Pray for the candidates and for Pastor Alfazema. More details in the next Blog.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (V) - May Report

2010-06-06T18:48:00.000+02:00

Hi: Follow us in a report about our activities during the month of May at Uhuru Highway Lutheran Cathedral – UHLC. – Lídia and I are fine, with God’s blessing.

– 45 volunteers from Texas came to Kenya during the two first weeks of May. They were led by Tomball Team, and they conducted 7 eye clinics at different locations in Kenya. We visit one clinic in Kibera slum.

People who came to the clinic first had an opportunity to hear the Gospel. Four evangelists were doing this work, in four different tents. (Ev. Francis Mboche presenting the Gospel.)

After this, people were enrolled and they received a Good News Magazine, while they waited for a consultation.

The clinic was organized inside the church, in several stages. The local pastor Rev. Dennis Meeker + local people were actively engaged in this work as volunteers as well.

Dr. Mike Rodewald, , Rev. Claude Houge, Shauen Trump and myself were there on 6th May. These clinics are a blessing for our people in Kenya!

The Sunday School Teachers had their regular training on 15th May. After the training, they enjoyed a hot dog with some members of the English Choir.

Heart to Heart Orphan Children Center had its regular meeting on 18th May. All members of the board where there: (Sitting, from left to right: Julia, Mary, Beata, Janet, Kathleen; standing: Pr. Carlos, Pr. Omodhi, John Maina and Sylvester. – We had also an extra meeting on 26th May to work on our Strategic Plan. Kathleen is leading us in this work.

Kawangware choir visited us on Mother’s Day, 9th May. The mothers were called for a special prayer and received roses.

Guest preacher: Rev Dr. Endor Modeste Rakoto, President of the Malagasy Lutheran Church (FLM) – Madagascar, was our guest preacher on 9th May.

The Fianconana Loterana Malagasy– FLM, has almost 3 million baptized members, and it’s roots go to 1866, when missionaries from the Norwegian Missionary Society began the work there.

Lutheran Evangelical Association of Finland – LEAF – youth visited our service on 30 May. They introduced themselves and the activities they are doing in Kenya for some time and also sang at the service. They are (not in order in the picture, sorry): Jari Savalairer, Joahanna Juupaluoma, Joona Vuorinen, Tia-Riina Kesti, Maiju Vairianpëä, Kaisa Lydky, Anniina Ylinen and Johanna Luomaranta.

Rev. Ari Lukkarinen, also from LEAF and teaching at Matongo Seminary, Kenya, was the guest preacher that Sunday.

***************************************************
Do you know these people?

Irene Diwan and her little baby Ashlee were visited by the Pastoral Staff on 12th May.

Shauen & Krista Trump and little Josiah are LCMS missionaries who moved from Kampala, Uganda, where they had served the last two years, to Nairobi, Kenya. They will work close together with Rev. Claude Houge, especially in Tanzania and Kenya. Read more in their Blog: http://thetrumps.org/blog/2010/5/21/transcultural-mission-formation-program.html

Araya Haile and her husband Leul.

Nathaniel Rhein, a volunteer from the USA, comes regularly to our services during his time in Nairobi.

Wilfred Tokpah, from Liberia, is working temporarily in Nairobi and attends our services regularly.

Derek Pierson and his wife visited us in 16th May. Derek used to be an elder at UHLC (he moved from here in 2006, just before we arrived) and played an important role here during the time he was living in Nairobi.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (U) - 1 - OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN BRAZIL

2010-05-17T20:43:00.000+02:00

Lídia and I were in Brazil from March 28th to April 28th to take part in the 60th General Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil – IELB (Igreja Evangélica Luterana do Brasil), to have meetings and to give reports; and we had two weeks of vacation with our family (we did also an intensive medical check-up using our health plan in Brazil).

All our children and some friends were waiting for us at the Porto Alegre airport on Monday evening. (29th March) and we had dinner together there

It was just then Dickson’s birthday (our son-in-law) and we celebrated with him, his parents, relatives and friends.

Our little grandson Henrique (one year and seven months old) was happy when he received some gifts from the grandparents.

We were in Brazil when Henrique was born on 23rd August 2008 and I baptized him.

But after this we were following his growing just through skype. It was so good to see him and to hug him!!!

Grandma Lídia gave him a Children’s Bible and was telling him some stories.

Our son Leo and his wife Carol came from Germany and we spend all the time together with our 3 children and their families: We went to the services together, we visited Martin’s grave (our 13 year old grand-son who died in an accident last November 22nd), and we celebrated Easter together, the Feast of Hope and Life!

Our family on Easter Sunday (from the left): Paulo & Flávia, Carol & Léo, Carlos Walter & Lídia, Henrique + Tatiana & Dickson.

Before Easter lunch we exchanged the Easter gifts: Chocolate eggs and sweets.

Henrique likes music and Paulo played the violin for him. He enjoyed it!

We are so proud and thankful to God for Henrique!

He is a lovely and cute child. We love him!

Our niece Inês Martina, who visited us in July 2009 with Martin, invited us for a lunch at her apartments. Her mother Ruth (my sister) prepared a good homemade lunch for us. In the picture: Lídia, Ruth, her husband Hiltor, Carlos Walter, Léo , Carol and Jairo (Inês’ husband).

My sister Dora invited us for a lunch. Our nephew Heitor and his wife Angelita were also there.

The time was too short to go to my home city Santa Cruz do Sul. So, my sisters, my brother and theirs families came for a lunch to Porto Alegre on Sunday April 11th . Some cousins and their families came as well. It was a nice family reunion and we had the opportunity to see all of them + our nephews and some grandnephews.

The five remaining siblings: Clara, Carlos Walter, Dora, Oscar, Ruth (Else passed away in 1992).

One afternoon we had a café and cake at Paulo & Flávia’s apartment: Our cousin Lia, my sister Dora Lidia’s sister Kuki (Eunice) and Lídia came together. We had a good chat.

Dickson’s parents, Valdir and Marilu, invited us twice to their home for lunch and to be with our common grandson Henrique all the day. It was a lot of fun!

Our cousins Paulo & Lia, plus Valdir & Marilu and Walter & Lizete invited us for a nice supper in a German Restaurant. - We had dinner also with our friends Paulo and Elisa,and with Rev.Arnildo and Amabile at their homes.

Some friends from our former congregation invited us for a lunch as well: Pastor Gustavo Scholze & Hildegard, Vera Cavalheiro & her husband, Dayse Lüdke, Mercedes Müller and her daughter Agnes, and Lori Blank (who took the picture).

Lídia met at Concórdia Service two friends from her youth time: Madalena Rieger and Iris Hegele Kunzendorff. Since 1963 the three of them haven’t been together!

We met also our fiend Elsa Zaffari at her shop downtown Porto Alegre,

And our friend Regina Joris came from the city of Gramado specially to see us! – We met many other friends in the services and meetings. It was so good!

I had also some meetings: The first one was with the IELB National Board. I gave a report about our work and challenges in Kenya and we talked about future possibilities.

Rev. Adilson Schünke invited me to speak to the graduating class at Concordia Seminary, São Leopoldo.

It was nice to share with the future pastors the mission challenges in a foreign country.

My former congregation “Concordia” invited me also to have a presentation about our work, with time for questions & answers.

It was a good opportunity for Lídia and me to meet old friends and to share our experience in Kenya.

Leo and Carol were supposed to go back to Germany on 18th April. But the volcano in Island didn’t allow them to go back that day.

But even so we had a farewell lunch with the children before Lídia and I went to the IELB General Convention. (Paulo and Flavia in the picture).

And we enjoyed the presents of our grandson Henrique with their parents Dickson and Tatiana.

Our family again after the last service we attended together (18th April) before coming back to Kenya: Paulo & Flávia, Léo & Carol, Lídia & Carlos Walter, Tatiana + Henrique & Dickson.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (U) - 2 - IELB 60th GENERAL CONVENTION

2010-05-17T17:17:00.000+02:00

We traveled to the Igreja Evangélica Luterana do Brasil -IELB - 60th General Convention in Foz do Iguaçu, PR, from 21st to 25th April. It was a 16 hours bus drive.

More than 800 participants took part in this Convention, which happens every four years.

The Igreja Evangélica Luterana do Brasil – IELB has 236.345 members, 898 pastors, 2,107 congregations and preaching points. It is spread all around the country, in all the Brazilian states.

I was invited to have a presentation about Cross-Cultural Mission, sharing our experience in Kenya.

– It was like to “recharge our batteries” as Lídia and I met so many friends at the Convention.

A new President was elected: Rev. Egon Kopereck, a good, old friend.

Rev. George Groh, LCMS World Mission Regional Director for Latin America, was also there, representing LCMS President, Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnkick.

Rev. Marcos Fernando Ziemer, the President (Rector) of the Lutheran University of Brasil – ULBRA, spoke on behalf of the University.

We met also some relatives there: Rev. Carlos Hasse (Lidia’a brother) & his wife Lenir, Ignez (Lidia’s cousin).

Three old friends came together again: Rev. Carlos Walter Winterle (former IELB President), Rev. Paulo Moisés Nerbas (current IELB President at the time of the Convention), and Rev. Nilo Lutero Figur ( Lutheran Hour Ministries – Secretary for Latin America).

We were Youth Group Mates in the 1960s /1970s. The three of us sang at a Cultural Youth Competition at that time… some years ago and some kg(pounds) less…

****************************************************

One afternoon was free for excursion. Most of the participants visited the Itaipu Dam and the Iguassu Falls.
“The dam is second only to the Three Gorges Dam in its generating capacity. It is a bi-national undertaking run by Brazil and Paraguay at the Paraná River on the border section between the two countries, 15 km (9.3 mi) north of the Friendship Bridge. The project ranges from Foz do Iguaçu, in Brazil, and Ciudad del Este in Paraguay, in the south to Guaíra and Salto del Guaíra in the north. The installed generation capacity of the plant is 14 GW, with 20 generating units providing 700 MW each. In 2008 the plant generated a record 94.68 billion kWh, supplying 90% of the energy consumed by Paraguay and 19% of that consumed by Brazil.
Of the twenty generator units currently installed, ten generate at 50 Hz for Paraguay and ten generate at 60 Hz for Brazil. Two 600 kV HVDC lines, each approximately 800 km long, carry both Brazilian and Paraguayan energy to São Paulo where the terminal equipment converts the power to 60 Hz.” (Wikipedia)

“A fantastic piece of engineering work, Itaipu is a gigantic hydroelectric power plant… One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, chosen by the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE), Itaipu impresses bu its sheer numbers: the dam extends nearly 8 thousand meters, stand 196-meters tall, and its spillway handles 62,200 m³;sec. and 18 turbines.” (From: Iguassu Guide).

After the Itaipu Dam, we visited the Iguassu Falls (Cataratas do Iguaçu).

“Their name comes from the Guarani or Tupi words y (IPA:[ɨ]) (water) and ûasú (IPA:[wa'su]) (big).[1] Legend has it that a god planned to marry a beautiful aborigine named Naipí, who fled with her mortal lover Tarobá in a canoe. In rage, the god sliced the river creating the waterfalls, condemning the lovers to an eternal fall.[2] The first European to find the falls was the Spanish Conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in 1541, after whom one of the falls in the Argentine side is named.[1] The falls were rediscovered by Boselli[2] at the end of the nineteenth century, and one of the Argentine falls is named after him.

Iguazu Falls was short-listed as a candidate to be one of the New7Wonders of Nature by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation. As of February 2009 it was ranking fifth in Group F, the category for lake, rivers, and waterfalls.[3]

The waterfall system consists of 275 falls along 2.7 kilometers (1.67 miles) of the Iguazu River... Some of the individual falls are up to 82 meters (269 ft) in height, though the majority are about 64 meters (210 ft). The Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo in Spanish or Garganta do Diabo in Portuguese), a U-shaped, 82-meter-high, 150-meter-wide and 700-meter-long (490 by 2300 feet) cataract, is the most impressive of all, and marks the border between Argentina and Brazil. Two thirds of the falls are within Argentine territory.[1] About 900 meters of the 2.7-kilometer length does not have water flowing over it. The edge of the basalt cap recedes only 3 mm (0.1 in) per year. The water of the lower Iguazu collects in a canyon that drains in the Paraná River at Argentina, shortly downstream from the Itaipu dam.

The falls can be reached from the two main towns on either side of the falls: Foz do Iguaçu in the Brazilian state of Paraná, and Puerto Iguazú in the Argentine province of Misiones as well as from Ciudad del Este (Paraguay) on the other side of the Parana river from Foz do Iguaçu. The falls are shared by the Iguazú National Park (Argentina) and Iguaçu National Park (Brazil). These parks were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984 and 1987, respectively.[4]

On the Brazilian side there is a long walkway along the canyon with an extension to the lower base of the Devil's Throat. From Foz do Iguaçu airport the park can be reached by taxi or bus to entrance of the park. There is an entrance fee to the park. Free frequent buses are provided to various points within the park. The park opens at 9 am and closes at 5.30 pm. The town of Foz do Iguaçu is about 20 kms away and the airport is in between the park and the town.

The Argentine access is facilitated by the Tren Ecológico de la Selva (Rainforest Ecological Train), which brings visitors to different walkways. The Paseo Garganta del Diablo is a one-kilometer-long trail that brings the visitor directly over the falls of the Devil's Throat. Other walkways allow access to the elongated stretch of falls on the Argentine side and to the ferry that connects to the San Martin Island. The fall area provides opportunities for water rafting and rock climbing.” (Text from Wikipedia).

***********************************************************

The Closing Service of the Convention took place on Sunday morning, 25th April. Former President Paulo M. Nerbas and the local pastor Rev. Celso Wottrich lead the entrance processional.

The sermon was preached by the newly elected Pres. Rev. Egon Kopereck.

The new Board was installed by Rev. Nerbas: Pres. Rev. Egon Kopereck: 1st Vice-President Rev. Arnildo Schneider; 2nd Vice-President Rev. Geraldo Walmir Schüller; Secretary Rev. Rubens José Ogg; Treasurer Mr. Renato Bauermann.

A special honor was given to those who presented papers at the Convention. We thank God for this opportunity to be with our home-church at this 60th General Convention!

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (U) - 3 - Bishop's Award

2010-05-17T17:10:00.000+02:00

O b a r e R e c e i v e s
Walter-Künneth-Award
(text: From the ILC News May 2010) idea/selk-news
- The Presiding
Bishop of the
E v a n g e l i c a l
Lutheran Church in
Kenya, The Most
Rev. Dr. Walter E.
Obare Omwanza,
N a i r o b i , h a s
received the Walter-
Künneth-Award.
With it his worldwide
engagement for the
lasting validity of the
Bible as the word of
God and the
Confessions of the
C h u r c h w a s
appreciated.

With this honor the Rally Around Bible and
Confession (RABC) in Bavaria, Germany
expressed the connectedness of European
Christians with the growing churches in Africa
which are faithful to the Bible, said RABC
chairman Andreas Späth, Ansbach, at the
conferring of the medal on 14 March 2010 in
Nuremberg.

Like the name bearer of the award,
Prof. Dr. Walter Künneth (1901-1997), Obare
also preserves “faithfulness towards Holy
Scripture in disputes with representatives of an
alleged modern theology which tries do
undermine the authority of the Bible and the
confessions of the Church,” Späth continued.

- Several speakers from Germany and
Scandinavia especially pointed out that five
years ago Obare consecrated Swedish pastor
Arne Olson as Bishop of the “Mission Province”
within the Swedish State Church.
The Mission Province advocates
conservative theological standpoints which are
not tolerated by the rest of the Swedish Church.
To it belong pastors which are not employed by
the State Church because they reject the
ordination of women.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (T) - 1 - UHLC

2010-03-26T18:03:00.000+02:00

We, Lídia and Carlos Walter, are flying to Brazil on 28th March, Palm Sunday, after the Service, for one month. We will spend Easter with our children and their families: Léo and Carol are coming from Germany to Brazil as well; Dickson, Tatiana and little Henrique live in Porto Alegre; Paulo and Flávia live in Porto Alegre also. We will meet our siblings and their families in a family reunion on 11th April and some of them at their homes. After this we will take part on the 60th General Conventions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brazil (IELB) in the city of Foz do Iguaçu. May God bless us and we ask for your prayers.

This is our BLOG/REPORT for the month of March. Follow us as we are sharing with your God’s blessings upon His work in Kenya.

WE WISH YOU ALL A BLESSED EASTER!
Pr. Carlos Walter & Lídia Winterle

**********************************************************
(A) BAPTISMS

ISAAC NGALA ESILABA and EUNICE JARED ACHIENG were visited by the Pastoral Staff on 17th March. They had their second baby on 17 February/ 2010, Shadrack, brother to Nathan Ngala Esilaba.

Shadrack Ombacho Esilaba was baptized on 21st March, and his sponsors are Oscar and Juliana Musivochi.

AMOS ANDAMA NYAMOKO and DIVINAH KWAMBOKA ONDIMU were visited by the Pastoral Staff also. Their first born Cromwell Nyamoko Andamo was born on 24th October 2009.

Cromwell was baptized on the 21st March as well. His sponsors are Teddy & Rhoda Ogendo.

The Chairlady Mrs. Linneth Shiundu greeted the new baptized members and their parents and godparents after the baptism.

*****************************************************
(A) SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS TRAINING

The Sunday School Teachers have their meeting and training every third Saturday of the month.

This time, after the Bible Study about Lent and Easter, they prepared Easter handcrafts, donated by Clear Lake Lutheran Church, Fremont, IN (Thank you, Kathy).

Teachers from Kibera, Kawangware, Kiambu, Kiriniata and UHLC were together and took the handcrafts as an Easter gift for their children:

Foam’s Butterflies with a pencil.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (T) - 2 - HEART TO HEART ORPHAN CHILDREN CENTER - HHOCC

2010-03-26T17:03:00.000+02:00

(A) VISITS:
Dr. Gert Heizer, his daughter Nina (Martina) and their friend Michael visited the work of Heart to Heart Orphan Children Center – HHOCC on 5th March with Rev. Carlos and Lídia.

In Kibera, Sally explained them the work that she and others are doing with the People Living With HIV/AIDS – PLWHA. Sally is the Ambassador of Hope

The Principal of Spring of Life Academy explained them how the school grows after it was burned down during the post-election violence in January 2008.

They saw the kitchen were the food is prepared for the children of the school.

They visited Kibera slum as well.

In Kawangware, they met with the Homeless Boys (Street Boys) and with the youth who are in charge of that program.

They saw the ongoing Orphans Feeding program.

Mosa Lisaliza explained to them how they are serving the different needs of the people, and how The Conquerors are doing their outreach through music and drama (read about The Conquerors in the previous BLOG/February 2010).

Dr. Gert is married to Martha Winterle – maybe a relative of us from very far; we didn’t find the family connection… They live in Austria and they came to Kenya on a mission among the Maasais in the Maasai area.

******************************************************************

Our friends Paulo and Elisa Luguesi came from Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil to visit with us from March 6th to 13th. Paulo is the former Chairman of our former CONCÓRDIA congregation; and Elisa is a Sunday School Teacher and the former Chairlady of the Women’s League.

They visited the Elephant Orphanage and other tourist sites in Kenya.

They visited the work in Kibera and Kawangware as well.

At the HHOCC Feeding Program, they saw the older siblings bringing their little ones to share the plate of food.

**************************************************************
(B) SCHOOL FEES + FEEDING PROGRAM

Besides the Orphans Feeding Program (5 days a week), HHOCC has also a School Fees program and gives support to People Living with HIV/AIDS – PLWHA. The children and their families enrolled in that program receive some food every three months. (HHOCC volunteers ready to distribute the food).

16th March was the day: The volunteers bought maize flour, rice, milk, cooking oil, bread, sugar, tea leaves, and some hygienic products.

15 families receive the packages of food this month (an average of US$ 12.00 per family).

They received also the Spiritual Food as the Evangelist Emmanuel shares the Word of God with them.

**************************************************************

On 19th March, HHOCC Board visited Chief Samson Malombe in Kawangware. He is organizing a school and he wants to work in partnership with HHOCC. He already put the name of the school as HEART TO HEART EDUCATION CENTER.

HHOCC Board is studying the best way to do this partnership.

***********************************************************

(C) HOMELESS BOYS

About 30 to 40 homeless boys (street boys) are enrolled in a program run by the youths in Kawangware, with the support of the Congregation, of HHOCC and other friends of FIKISHA KENYA (To reach Kenya). This program has the goal to give the boys a HOPE IN CHRIST, taking them from the streets, reconciling them with their families and putting them back to the school.

Douglas explained how the program is running, now that they have a small room to accommodate some of the boys for a month before sending them to a boarding school.

Moses Aboka is one of the leaders of that program. He wrote:” Before joining schools they have to undergo preparation period for one month. . During that time the boys attend tuition classes, besides we mentor them to drop out off drugs and live responsible lives.” – Moses sent me some stories and pictures that I will share with you now:

The first 5 boys that were prepared to go back to school

VOICE FROM THE STREET
"I was born in a loving family, with caring mum and dad on my side. But when I was 7, my dad was shot dead on the streets. My mum didn’t have a job at that time and with no source of income, she went into depression. Once in a while she would be called to do laundry work and earn Kshs. 200 (2$) per week.

Then when I was 9, my mum got re-married to a man who started to beat us and calling us bad names. He threatened mum by telling her that if she continued supporting us then he would abandon her. The wounds from the beatings couldn’t allow me to attend school regularly, besides I was absent from school on several days because of lack of school fees. But whenever I attended classes most of my classmates would laugh at me because I wore torn uniform.

When I was 11 years old I ran to the streets for comfort and companionship. I have great friends who love me in the streets. We share almost everything. But when it rains, we are usually so sick with no one to take care of us. My skin is full of lumps from the mosquito and lice bites. Sometimes it’s cold outside at night, I wish that I could be at home, but my mum doesn’t want to see me. When I lay my head on the stone to sleep I pray that the sun will rise early. But before it raises the policemen comes and beats me up, or even arrest me. I have been taken to police cells more than 10 times. The other day I was lucky they didn’t arrest me but they left me with a broken hand. If the policeman doesn’t show up then the bigger boys might sodomize me. They have done so to several of my younger friends. I’m now more terrified of the dark. God protect me one more night.

Just before the sunlight, I pick my bottle of glue and sniff it. I have sniffed jet fuel, smoked cigarettes, bhang and soon may start on pills. I also work as a luggage carrier, at times I ferry the illicit brew and the hard drugs.

When we meet with you, you call me chokora (scavenger). I lift my weak hands to greet you but you slap it away and hurl insults at me. Do you do this because of my tattered and stinking clothes or is it because I eat from the leftovers you throw from your house?

Why does nobody wants to think about me, not even my mother? I don’t know where my siblings are. I want to go back to school but I don’t know how. I want to stop taking drugs but no one trusts me. I don’t want to stay on the streets because someone might hurt me.

I’m alone in my world. Unless you come to rescue me, I may be shot soon by the policemen as I try to rob someone. Please help me because I’m not a street boy, am a child calling for help.

One boy with his grandmother and uncle. One of the goals is to reconnect the boys to their families.

Four boys at Fikisha Room

Morning devotion

RECOVERED HOPE

“I had already loosed hope with my life” said Kabue who had spent almost 9yrs of his 18 yrs as a street boy. After his parents separated when he was 3yrs, Kavue felt so bad and angry. His dad got remarried to a step mother who didn’t like him; she mistreated him on every single occasion. Despite Elvis not being a street boy, his father decided to enroll him into a Streets Children Rehabilitation School in order to reduce the pressure that he was facing from her ‘wife’. While in the centre, Elvis met several street boys who were being rehabilitated. They bullied him so much, by taking his food and beating him every moment. A friend of him from the centre introduced him to glue sniffing by persuading him that it will assist him in forgetting the rough life that he was facing.

When he couldn’t take the torments anymore, he run away into the city centre and became a street boy. His dad kept searching for him, while he kept evading him. One day he was arrested and remanded in a police cell for a week. He spent nights and days at the police cell, being beaten and forced to do hard labors. Later on his dad found him and took him back home. Unfortunately, her step mother was still hostile with him, and he decided to run back to the streets.

In December 25th 2008, Elvis followed other street boys to Kawangware Lutheran Church for the Christmas celebrations. “I was jumping and singing and this made me to be so happy” He commented. After receiving a few Christmas clothes, he was surprised to realize that there was a place in this world where he was appreciated and loved.

When the lesson of forgiveness was covered in November 2009, he remembered how desperately he needed to forgive his stepmother. Before he joined the preparation room, we had to visit his parents, and his dad shade tears (not quite normal for an African man) when he realized that his only child had decided to go back to school. Elvis forgave his step mother and said that he’ll be praying for her to prosper in life.

Right now, he doesn’t take drugs. Instead he encourages the younger Miracle Boys to be out of drugs. Sometimes he’s even sent to the shop with excess money and he always brings back the change. He’s catching up well in class despite his absence of 9 years. “For me being old doesn’t matter” he added “what matters is living a good life, and I can only live a good life when I’m educated”.

Laundry in the new showers block

Before going to sleep, he confessed that he didn’t remember the last time that he had slept on a mattress.

DANIEL THIONGO
Life for Daniel Thiongo had always been to wait until there is no man walking on the road so that he could lay his head on the stone to take a quick nap at night. Every time that he slept on the roadside, he kept wondering if it’s the policeman who will harass him or the older boys will molest him. The idea of the older boys molesting him, made him to join other small boys in a rather dangerous roadside as his place of sleep.
On the other hand, the thought of going back at home couldn’t cross his mind; he’d better sleep in the chilling night that live with mistreating and abusing step father. His real father left one day and never came back. Wherever he asked his mother, she beat him while telling him that the father went to abroad and will never come back. When he couldn’t take the beatings and abuses any longer he decided to drop out of school and seek refuge in the streets.
One day he followed his friends to Kawangware Lutheran Church for the special Sunday service, and what made him to be coming back is the love that he was shown and the warm cup of tea that he drunk. After attending the rehabilitation program (Tuesday & Thursday), he showed improvements from reducing the intake of inhalants; participation in group activities and willingness to go back to school. That’s when he was picked by the mentorship team to be amongst the first kids in the back to school list.
During his first night at the preparation house, Daniel confessed. “I can’t remember the last time that I slept on a mattress”. The next day he was very jovial to be drinking warm tea before joining the rest in the tuition program.
Since then, he’s showing great signs of improvements both emotionally and in classroom. His favorite subject is Science and he’d like to be a pilot. His first word to write on the Fikisha wall was “Nampenda Mungu-I love God”
PLEASE, READ AND SEE MORE AT
http://picasaweb.google.com/moseabo/FikishaKenyaPreparationDepartment02?feat=email#
**************************************************************

(D) HANDCRAFTS

HEART TO HEART (HHOCC) has a program to enable the People Living with HIV/AIDS – (PLWHA) to do some handcrafts.

These handcrafts are sold by HHOCC and the income helps the PLWHA to have some money to their needs.

The women come together to learn how to do it; and those who know it better teach the others.

Alison Dumas is our contact in the USA. She wrote:

"The easiest and least expensive way for Americans to send money to HHOCC through me is to write a check to Hope for Living and mail it to:
Hope for Living
PO Box 2117
Shingle Springs, CA 95682

If they want to send the money for a specific project, they should include a note that explains that. You might want to explain that Hope for Living is the name of the American "branch" of HHOCC, and all funds they send will go directly to HHOCC. You might also include that Hope for Living is a tax-exempt non-profit corporation in the USA. If they want more information about Hope for Living and HHOCC, they can check out the website www.hope4living.org.
We can also accept donations through that website, either by credit card or PayPal. Both of those options include the vender charging about 3% of the contribution amount as their fee.
People can also do a bank transfer to Hope for Living, but that's an expensive way to send money. As long as the people live in Canada or America, mailing a check is the easiest and least expensive way to send money. Then all the funds can to go HHOCC.
If people have questions or want more information, they can contact me at alison@hope4living.org.

Alison has some handcrafts as well. Contact her, please.

The final result: I MADE IT!

The group has other activities as well. In the picture: they were learning how to make cheap washing detergent for themselves and for sale.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (T) - 3 - KIAMBU

2010-03-26T13:44:00.000+02:00

In June 2009, a Building Team from Redeemer Lutheran Church, Springfield, MO, and from King of kings Lutheran Church, Gardner, KS came to Nairobi to help to build the church in Kiambu. They built the 3 walls and the roof.

After this, the local people closed the fourth wall and the windows with metal sheets and they are still using the room for their Services.

We were there on 21st March. Evangelist Francis Mboche was leading the service and about 30 people were gathered. Most of them come from Uganda to work in the coffee plantation in that area.

The floor was still dirt and they need a cement floor. This was done last week.

Chairman Michel, Pr. Carlos. Pr. Omodhi, Ev. Francis, and the Contractor Otieno with the local people

Sunday School Teacher Jane and the children.

They have still big challenges to finish the church, but they are happy for what they have now to come together and to worship.

Ev. Francis dismisses the people outside after the service.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (S) - 1 - UHLC + ELCK ACTIVITIES

2010-02-26T21:25:00.000+02:00

We are happy to share with you our monthly activities. God is blessings His Word in the heart of many people. – We have new sheep in our flock:

There are REAL sheep!!! The landlady of our compound brought four sheep to graze the grass of the gardens, and they come to our backyard too…

The Elders visited us on 23rd January. It is a custom here to visit the families who mourn. They brought comfort from the Word of God, remembering that our grandson Martin was sealed by the Holy Spirit when he was baptized. - Martin was to confirm his faith on 6th December and died two weeks before, 22nd November.

We sang and prayed together…

…and we also had lunch together: a hamburger was prepared. Thank you, dear friends, for this visit.

The pastoral staff visited Dr. Solomon Asacha and his family. They were blessed with a child on Christmas Day 2009, named Christian Emmanuel.

Christian was baptized on 21st February.

Three baptisms took place at the English Service and three at the Swahili Service that Sunday (21st February):

Rurns Orango Atuya…

and Jeanette Moraa Nyambati.

The Sunday School children were invited to watch the baptism from the steps and to remember their baptism before they went to the Sunday School.

Nimrod Miruka Ongoya, Victor Ondieki and Elisabeth Nyambaita were baptized in the Swahili Service.

The ELCK nine (9) Maasai Parishes were called for a Seminar 17th and 18th February in Ongata Rongai. That Seminar was organized by LEAF – Lutheran Evangelical Association of Finland. “LEAF has been doing the mission work in Kenya for 40 years. In the Maasai area LEAF has been working in the Transmara side for about 30 years and in Kajiado side about 20years LEAF has been doing the parish work, organizing seminars for parish workers, supporting the pastor's and evangelist's training of Maasai students by providing scholarships for them, built the nursery school and the church etc. The latest seminar was for the Parish treasures. The seminar focused on the following: how to handle the money, do the bookkeeping, write reports, make the budget etc. We were very happy, because we got many good teachers from church diocese and the head office.” (Report sent by Mika Piittala, from LEAF in Kenya).

Ev. Sylvester gave four PROCLAIMERS to each parish. – “The Proclaimers are small machines with the entire New Testament recorded in different languages, part of the "Faith Comes By Hearing" program. These were recorded in the Maasai language. They were donated by Trinity Lutheran Church in Klein, TX.” (Rhoda Houge).

One participant that had known the PROCLAIMER turned it on immediately.

Another went to the front and explained to all how to use it.

All were very curious and happy with this gift. It’s a wonderful experience to hear the Gospel in small groups. – THANK YOU, donors!

***********************************************

AKOBO SUDAN MISSION TEAM , from St. John’s Sudanese Ministry (LCMS) visited our service on 31st January. (From left to right:) Rev. Carlos Walter Winterle; Wiyual Jang, St. John's Sudanese Lutheran Church, Salt Lake City, Utah; Rev. Jim Rivett, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Golconda, IL; Rev. Claude Houge, LCMS Area Facilitator East Africa; Omot Ochan, Christ Lutheran Church, Eagan, MN; Jim and Susan Roberts, Salt Lake City, UT; Ben Houge & Jutta Fredrichs.

A team from NOREA MEDIA MISSION was at the Service on the same Sunday (31st January). NOREA is owned and run by the Norwegian Lutheran Mission and uses radio, TV and the Internet to proclaim the Gospel in more than 25 languages throughout the world. –
E-mail:post@norea.no – Internet: http://www.norea.no/
(From left to right): Rev. Claude Houge (LCMS Area Facilitator East Africa);
Hailu Wolde Semaiat;
Rev. Asfala Mehari, Pres. of the Ev. Lut. Church of Eritrea;
Astrid Froysnes;
Martin Birkedal;
Rev. Bogo Somesco;
Rev. Timo Reuhkala;
Rev. CWWinterle.

Rev. Claude and Rhoda Houge’s son Ben and Jutta. Ben and Jutta visited them in February. They are living and working in China.