Several Activities (F) - Services

The December 9th Services in English and in Swahili were very special ones. - At the English service were dedicated 50 Pew Bibles and 170 Lutheran Worship, received as a gift from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Riverside, California, US, through Mrs. Carolyn Elfman, member of that church.

People received the Hymnals when they entered the sanctuary; the Bible were on the Altar and on the first pew. During the Dedication Prayer, all raised the Hymnals.

After the Dedication Prayer, the Bible were passed to the people on the pews. -"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105)

The Hymnals at the entrance of the church with the Bulletin and the Advent Order of service, and the Usher Rosalyn. -

"Sing to the LORD a new song." (Psalm 96:1)

THANK YOU, IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, AND THANK YOU, CAROLYN, FOR THIS GIFT AND FOR ALL EFFORTS DONE TO SEND THESE BOOK TO OUR CONGREGATION.

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

During the Swahili Service on December 9th, Pastor Omodhi celebrated the wedding of Norah B. Oino and Zebedee N. Mosongo. Zebedde is one of the leaders of the Swahili Service. -On the picture: Norah with her Maid of Honor Judith Njoroge, the Flowers Girls Shiley, Janice and Rebeca; and her Brides Maids: Elinipe, Daish. Elisaria, Stenkah, Ruth, Purity, Priscah, Lillian, Asenath, Jacquiline and Naom.

The groom with his Best Man Raymond O. Mabeya and the Grooms Men: Martin, Kennedy, Benard, Jones, Daniel, Eric, John and Elias.

Norah and Zebedee at the Service, waiting for their wedding.

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).

Several Activities (F) - Sunday School Rally

On December 6th the children of our parish were gathered at a Sunday School Rally. The venue was the UHLCathedral and the Traffic Children's Park behind the Cathedral. 80 children and 14 Sunday School Teachers from UHLC, Kawangware and Kibera were together from 10am to 3:30pm. The theme of the Rally was: I AM GOD'S ANGEL (MESSENGER) TO PROCLAIM CHRIST TO THE WORLD. It was an ABLAZE RALLY!!! The "Conquerors" performed a nice Christmas drama about the message of the angel to the shepherd; and some teacher told the stories how the angel announced Christ to Zachariah, to Mary, to Joseph and to the shepherd. So, we can proclaim Christ to the others too!!!

Several children led the other children in songs and poems.

Some Kawangware's children performed the Christmas Story while a teacher was reading the Gospel.

At 2pm was a break for lunch, prepared by two mammas: pilau (rice with meat), some salad and a soda.

Lunch time: a happy time! - After lunch the children had activities inside the church.

The children, with the help of the teachers, made little angels with the inscription: "I AM AN ANGEL/MESSENGER OF THE LORD TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS". They sang and prayed before they went home, and received little gifts and sweets.

At the end of the day Deaconess Mary, in charge of the Sunday School, and the Sunday School Teachers of the parish were happy and thankful to God for this blessed day! "TRAIN A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO, AND WHEN HE IS OLD HE WILL NOT TURN FROM IT" (Proverbs 22:6).

Several Activities (F) - World Aids Day

On December 1st, 2007, World AIDS Day, the Churches United Against HIV/AIDS - CUAHA, organized and Ecumenical Meeting at "Spring of Life Lutheran Church" in Kibera. "Full Gospel Church in Kenya", "Orthodox Church of Kenya" (Greek Rite), "Coptic Church in Kenya" and the "Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya" are members of CUAHA. Evangelist Sylvester is the ELCK representative at CUAHA, and Mr. John Maina, Nuru Media Ministry Director, was the Master of Ceremony on that day. Dr. Kenedy Ondede, from Kenyata Hospital, and CUAHA Kenya Working Team Chair, opened the event, after Pastor Dennis Meeker's opening prayer.

The "Conquerors" performed a drama about HIV/AIDS and led songs with the people.

350 people attended the celebration. It was a raining day, but people were not afraid to come. Saly, a member of "Spring of Life", who is widow, has 3 children, and is HIV/AIDS infected, gave a nice testimony about her faith in Christ and the support she has received from the church; she is our "Ambassador of Hope".

Several choirs, as the Madare Choir, from our sister church KELC (Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church) were there. ELCK Bishop Richard Amayo Ogosi, from Lake Diocese, spoke in behalf of Presiding Bishop Walter Obare, who was in South Africa on that day, participating at a LWF meeting. Representatives from the other church members of CUAHA gave their message too.

Our prayer is that people who took part at this celebration will follow God's solution for HIV/AIDS: Sexual abstinence for the single and faithfulness for the couples is God’s medicine for HIV/AIDS. God is a merciful God, who accepts all who come to Him through Jesus and forgives our sins.

Several Activities (F) - Visitors

Prof. William Schumacher, from Concordia Seminary St. Louis, MO, after spending one week at Matongo Seminary with some Concordia students, visited with P.Carlos tourist places, congregations and Bishop Obare on November 20th and 21st. From left to right: Prof. William Schumacher, Kara Koschmann, Mark Koschmann, Marcus Breitbarth, and Michael Knippa at the Giraffe Center.

People from Nebraska and from Michigan, USA, visited us on November 25th: Rev. Russ Sommerfeld - LCMS Nebraska District President;Rev. Ray Wilke - President of Orphan Grain Train (Nebraska);Rev. Richard Boring - Mission Executive for Nebraska District, LCMS;Rev. John Deang - African Immigrant pastor for Nebraska District;Glen Ziegler - retired attorney from Michigan, helping with mission projects;Rev. Claude Houge, LCMS-WM East Africa Area Facilitator introduced the team and traveled with them the next day to Sudan.

A team from the World Mission Prayer League (WMPL) visited us on November 25th: (from left to right) John Lorumo Lenareu, Samburu member; Rev. Charles Jackson, Arsim Pastor in Samburu and his wife Anita Jackson, Literacy Teacher; Rev. Chuck Lindquist, WMPL Director; Mike Koski, Africa Program Coordinator; and Gloria Sauck - KRN - Nurse in charge of Arsim Lutheran Dispensary in Samburu for the last 14 years, who introduced the team. The group met Bishop Obare the next day.

The President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eritrea, Rev. Asfaha Mehari and his wife, visited us on November 25th.

Andrew Ole Ngeseyan (left) brought their friends to the service on the 25th November: Antonin Lourdel and Laura Copini. The day after Antonin and Laura flew to Amsterdam.

Several Activities (F) - 4 - Baptisms

The twins Pauline Akinyi Odhiambo and Nicole Achieng Adhiambo were baptized by Pastor Omodhi at the Swahili Service on 4th November. This was the first time that Pastor Omodhi baptized twins.

Emmanuel Ratemo Mokua and Blessings Kerubo Nyambane were baptized on the same day by Pastor Omodhi. Parents and God-Parents received the blessing after the Baptism of the children.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these", says Jesus, Mark 10:14.

Silwa Vatula was born on September 11, 2007, and was baptized by Pastor Enos Omodhi on December 2nd. His parents: Sidney and Laura.

Silwa's family was visited by the Pastoral Staff+ Mrs. Clara Omodhi, pastor Zedekiah (from Kawangware) and by his Grandmother Edna Auma on the 28th November. The Bible study was about Baptism.

Several Activities (F) - - Do you know these people?

Osmo Arjula is the Principal Matongo Lutheran Theological College (ELCK Seminary) and his wife Arja Harjula is Principal Matongo Lutheran Teachers Training College. They are from Finland and are working for many years as missionaries in Kenya, supporting the ELCK education.

Sabina Bosibori is working with the Lutheran Heritage Foundation - LHF, in Karen, and has two daughters: Janet Viviane Monyenye and Janice Valerie Moraa

From left to right: Dorcas Mwende (Justus's sister), Irene Nyang'an (Justus daughter), Justus Nyang'an and Annabel Nyabonyi (Justus daughter). Justus is working with Scripture Mission (Langata Rd) and lives in Ongata Rongai.

These are Joseph Mbui, Evelyne, Rony and Monica (Our godchild). They live in Ongata Rongai.

This is Maulyne Awino Agandi, one of our youths.

This is Rev. Dennis Meeker, pastor at "Spring of Life Lutheran Church", Kibera; and his wife Deaconess Lorna.

This is Sizi Lavela, a faithful Christian at our English service and a good singer!

So, we are introducing of our brothers and sisters through this BLOG. Lídia is taking the pictures. Look for her after the Service and let us put your picture in the BLOG too.

Several Activities (F) - 6 - Bishop Obare

Bishop Walter Obare and his wife Eunice visited us at our home on 26th November afternoon. We talked about several projects and about the continuity of P.Carlos' ministry in Kenya. Was very good to share lot of experiences! Thank you, Bishop Obare, for your support!