SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (G) - 2 - KIBERA

I asked Pastor Dennis Meeker, from Kibera, to send me some pictures and to write a report about the actual situation there after the church and other facilities were burnt during the post-election violence. He wrote on March 9th:

“Springs of Life Lutheran Church Kibera is celebrating peace in Kenya. We really thank God for this change in the aftermath of much chaos. Your prayers are no small thing and we so much appreciate the fact that we are united with you in Christ Jesus our Lord. With many challenges before us we can only ask that you continue to pray that God will provide what we need to sustain us and move us forward in the rebuilding process.

We have been trying to do the little we can in the interim period as politicians are now headed the right direction for the betterment of the country. Water and electricity have been restored. Temporary fence has been put up to enclose the compound from the public. As of yesterday the main gate foundation is being dug. This is God’s work as many never thought this could happen so soon. Opposition from those who depend on the water they retrieve from our plot really was an obstacle but God has changed attitudes to agree to our security and also we agree to make water available to those that depend on it so much. A permanent stone fence with razor blade wire topped with electric fence is top priority as a proposal has been submitted to World Relief Human Care of LCMS St. Louis for assistance. Please pray that God may open the avenues for this security to be realized. It is crucial to the rebuilding process. In fact rebuilding would not be practical without a permanent fence.

We have put temporary roofing on two rooms of the parsonage so the Pastor has an office and also some storage for necessities. The church roof has been temporarily repaired and new glass fixed in the big window above the altar. This will keep us dry when the rainy season begins.

The Nursery School has over 30 children .Vision Africa has set a feeding program for our nursery school children. Thanks be to God. The restrooms at the school were least damaged and are being renovated with gifts from our friends at Scripture Mission. This is very important to pass inspection and keep the school open. The water tower is about finished with a 5,000 liter tank. Many fittings were stolen or broken, yet a plan is in place to replace and repair everything.

Plans are being put in place to temporarily replace the roofing of three classrooms and kitchen at the school. This includes widows, doors, electricity, plumbing, power washing, and painting. This will allow some normality for the children and give us time to plan well and fund raise for rebuilding the school as it was before the fire or even better. The love of Christ abides forever.

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Dennis Meeker “

Lidia and I attended the service in Kibera on March 30th. The burnt cross is still there, to remind of the suffering of Christ on the cross and to remind of the suffering of His people who had their church and facilities burnt.

The church was full! People are reacting very well, coming to the Services and to other activities, and helping to rebuilt the facilities.

Pastor Dennis asked me to help him when the Lord’s Supper was offered to God’s people.

Just to remember: On December 16th 2007, I preached at Kibera. The church and the other buildings had been painted and remodeled not long before and were all very nice and clean. But, God can change the bad to good!

“ The Bible from Kibera Lutheran Church”
This piece from a Bible was found in the ruins of the Lutheran Church in Kibera slum, after the fire that has been there. The Church, School and the clinic was striked of this fire.
This piece was saved from all the trash after the fire.
Psalm 124:2-3
“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, Then they would have swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us.”

(Report sent by Pastor Rune Mjolhus, from Scripture Mission).

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (G) - 3 - BAPTISMS

“How do you start a fire with water?” - is one of the questions raised by ABLAZE. And the answer is: “It happens with every Baptism… it happened with yours! Our involvement in God’s mission begins when we are touched by the Holy Spirit through water and the Word in Baptism.”

JOSHWA, born on 2/May/2007, son of Emmanuel Nyamweya Mogeni and Gladys Kemunto Nyamweya, was baptized on 23rd December 2007.
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– REV. ISAIAH OBARE, GOOD-MOTHER LORNA MEEKER AND GRAND-MOTHER EUNICE OBARE
Rev. Isaiah Obare brought his 5-days-old son Walter Ralph Obare II to the Holy Baptism on Christmas Day. (Pastor Isaiah translated the Christmas Sermon to Swahili that day. He is doing his Master Degree in Theology at the Fort Wayne Seminary, USA).

Bishop Obare assisted the Baptism of his grand-son. Mother Carol was still at home, but sister Rehema was at the Baptism Service.

Young Yunuke M’Maltsi, born 25/May/2007, was baptized on Christmas Day too. Young is daughter of Wilfred Fan M’Maltsi and Lydiah Wanjiru.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (G) - 4 - CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION - KAWANGWARE

On 12/December/2007 a special Christmas Celebration took place at the Kawangware Lutheran Church. The local Pastor, Rev. Zedekiah, opened the Celebration with a message and prayers. The Norwegian Youths took part at the celebration and they brought gifts and food for the children and the families."Heart to Heart Orphan Children Center" sponsored the event with a special grant.

The 30 orphan participants of the Feeding Program were there with their mates from their school and several other children. They sang and told poems together.

The HIV/AIDS Mamas gave their testimony about their Christian Faith, and they sang.

The Street Boys came together to say how important the support was, that the Church had given them, and they sang very happly.

Several ladies from the congregation and the youths helped to prepare food for nearly 200 people gathered that day. We thank God for this opportunity to share the message of God’s love in Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem with all these people.

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CHRISTMAS EVE ABLAZE

The Uhuru Highway Lutheran Cathedral celebrated the Christmas Eve Service ABLAZE! “We are God’s Messengers” was the theme of that night. Five short messages highlighted how the angels, as God’s Messengers, proclaimed the Good News about Jesus’ Birth to Zachariah, to Mary, to Joseph, to the shepherds; now “We are God’s Messengers” to proclaim the Good News to all people around us. This is ABLAZE: To share the Good News about Jesus with our friends and relatives.

Bishop Obare addressed one of the messages and offered the prayers.

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CHRISTMAS DAY ABLAZE

On Christmas Day, 25th December 2007, the same theme directed the Christmas Service.
As God’s Messengers, we are ABLAZE with the “Good News of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord!” And we want to share them with all people

Bishop Obare was the Celebrant and he assisted us at the Baptism of his grand-son Walter Ralph Obare II on that Christmas Day (see this BLOG # 3).

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (G) - 5 - OUTREACH

KUMPA/KAJIADO

Moses Aboka, the Youth Leader, wrote: “The Nairobi Lutheran Youths organized for a Youth Rally purposed to mobilize, motivate and prepare youths for evangelism. The event was organized in the remote area of Kumpa – Kajiado, a Massai area, (from 9th to 12th August 2007). Youths from different congregations and background came together and did almost everything in unity and love… We held Bible quiz on Friday… Youths participated and it was amazing to notice how this young people had invested their time in reading studying the word of God.”

The bonfire

It was an ABLAZE event, and at the first night the youths learnt about ABLAZE surrounding a bonfire: “Praying to the Lord of the Harvest Lutheran Church Missouri Synod – World Mission (LCMS-WM) in collaboration with its North American and worldwide partners, will share the Good News of Jesus with 100 million unreached and uncommitted people by the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.”

Emmanuel Mungami, from “Spring of Life” – Kibera, shared with the youths about ABLAZE. (Pastor Carlos was invited to be there, but he couldn’t.) Moses wrote: “During the Camp fire, before the blaze was lightened, Emmanuel spoke about Ablaze and explained to the eager crowd about reaching people through the word of God. He also reminded the crowd that the blaze should signify the fire that burns in our hearts after baptism. All youth leaders came together and lit the fire as sign of readiness to spread the Good News.. All along during the Camp Fire, the fire reminded me of Youth Ablaze... a strong blaze that no man can stop.”

Door to door

Moses wrote more: “We were able to share the gospel with approximately 321 people for all the three days. I have the names of the individuals, and we can also include them in the Ablaze contact /response form that we normally have.”

Smilling Stellah in front of her house

“We also distributed the Massai Good News during our door to door evangelism and the crusade and every other day that we had programs with the local people. Most people were overwhelmed by the gifts of the word and it was true that access to Christian literature was a challenge to them.” (Obs.: The Massai Good News were donated by Scripture Mission; thank you!”)

Sport and Youth walk together. “Nairobi Combined” was a good team!
God bless these youth as they are sharing their faith in Jesus”

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MOLO

At the end of November 2007, Emmanuel Mugami led some youth, members and the choir from “Spring of Life”- Kibera, to Molo (Nakuru area), for a seminar with the local people. Molo is a new emerging congregation, that began with some contacts with Kibera’s member’s relatives, and now the Pastor of Nakuru is in charge of that new congregation. – Several children were baptized that day.

The service was held outside, at a very simple place. But many people came together to hear the Word of God.

Several adults were instructed in the Christian Lutheran Faith and confessed their faith publicly that day.

A lady was baptized that day…

and some youth were baptized too...

... and other youth confirmed.

The Holy Supper was offered to the new members for the fist time and to the Lutheran visitors from Kibera.

Emmanuel Mungami wrote a report about MOLO:
“The Ministry in Molo started in April 2007. There wasChristians in Springs of Life Lutheran Church inKibera who when they visited Molo as their rural homehad to worship in other churches and those living inthe rural home worshipped in other Pentecostal churchthere. This inspired the youth outreach ministry inSprings of Life Kibera to visit the area and preachnot only to the few Lutherans but also to reach out tothe unreached. Open air preaching were done in the monthof April 2007 and home visitations to the inhabitants.The results were good as many reached with the wordinspired the team when they started fellowshipping inone of the Christians home and doing bible study. Thisgrew up to a congregation of 15 adults Members andmore than 30 children. A Christian offered his schoolhall premises for the people to worship every Sundayand the Parish leader in Nakuru Parish assigned a layevangelist to be visiting and lead Lutheran worshipservice every Sunday and teach Lutheran Catechism.The Bishop visited in May of 2007 with 20 visitorsfrom TOMBALL CHURCH, USA and were able to see this newABLAZE MISSION work by ELCK.Parish pastor in Nakuru would occasionally visit andlead and teach the worshippers too. In July of 2007the congregation increased over 30 Adults wouldcongregate for Sunday worship and more than 45children. This growth was an inspiration and the teamleader Emmanuel organized with Nuru Media Ministry andvisited together with Conquerors Singing group andthe youth in Kibera for follow up evangelization andfor 4 days the team was in Molo in August. More peoplewere reaching by the word of God through Nuru filmMinistry and home visitations.In July of 2007 Pastor Carlos Winterle of theNairobi Uhuru Cathedral, team leader Emmanuel and 4youths from Springs of Life Lutheran Church visited forSunday worship service in which the pastoradministered Holy Communion with the Nakuru Parishleader. At that time 38 Adults were alreadycongregating every Sunday and more than 45 children.
In November 2007 the Parish of Nakuru held its Synodin Molo and 3 other Lutheran congregations that formpart of the Parish were in attendance. Springs of Lifechoir attended as Guest Choir Emmanuel and DavidMaseno attended in Official capacity as Elders inSprings of Life Kibera for 3 days in which Lutheranteachings were taught and in the worship service inthat synod 12 youths above the age of twelve years werebaptized, 22 Infants were baptized too, 11 Adults werebaptized, 5 were received back to the fellowship of theLutheran Community since they had joined otherchurches and 1 person received confirmation. Thefollowing joined the Lutheran church and to continuewith Catechism teachings 1 from Free Pentecostal, 2 fromP.C.E.A Church, 2 from Good News Church,1 from P.A.GChurch,1from A.G.C. Church, and 1 from full GospelChurch. WE THANK THE LORD OF THE HARVEST JESUS CHRISTAND FOR USING HIS SERVANTS IN THE FIELD OF GOD'SVINEYARD.Emmanuel Mungami and David Maseno handed over thecongregation to the leadership of Nakuru Parish underPastor Samuel Langat. The Bishop was to consecratepastor Chepkwony to be in charge of that New borncongregation Springs of Life Lutheran Church – KOINGE.Unfortunately the place was adversely affected by thepost election violence; this will be done once theplace is calm and people resettled.”
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KIAMBU

On December 11th, Bishop Obare visited Kiambu with Pastor Omodhi, Pastor Carlos and Ev. Sylvester to discuss about the construction of a new chapel. The present building is falling down. A Construction Team from Springfield, MO, USA, “Builders for Christ”, is planning to come and to help local people to build a new chapel. The new building is necessary to do a better outreach program in Kiambu.

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THE CONQUERORS

On March 7th 2008, THE CONQUERORS visited St. Deborah Girls Secondary School in Kawangware. They are working under the ABLAZE umbrella and invited Pastor Carlos to go with them in that visit. Since last year they have visited several schools to share the Gospel. They are planning to visit two or three schools every month.

They sang and prayed and preached about RECONCILIATION, creating a very good link between RECONCILIATION in the country after the post-election violence and RECONCILIATION with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Students from Uganda, Tanzania, the Sudan and, of course, Kenya, heard about Jesus and the reconciliation He brings to us through the Gospel.

SEVERAL ACTIVITIES (G) - 6 - DO YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE?

We are trying to introduce our members and visitors through the BLOG. Please, if you haven’t been introduced till now, ask Lídia after the Service to take a picture of you (or of your family) and give your name(s) written on a piece of paper to her. So, you will be introduced through the BLOG too.

These are Prof. Godwin Kowero and Mrs. Isilda Nhantumbo, their niece Laura Takia, their daughter Victoria (Vicky). Isilda is from Mozambique and is the only one with whom Lídia and I can speak Portuguese!
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Stephan Padre, Sarah and Alexandria Leah (Lexi – 8 and half months old)). They are from the USA; Stephen is our organist; Sarah is working for the LWF.

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Jane T.Ndwigia and her sister Susan Nkemanze. Susan lives in the USA and her sister helps her here with “GRACEWORKS KENYA” – an entity that works with HIV/AIDS orphans.

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Irene Kanini and her daughter Purity. They were visited by the Pastoral Staff on December 11th. Irene lost her husband in a Road Accident in November and he was buried in Tanzania.
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Emmanuel Nyamweya Mogeni, Gladys Kemunto Nyamweya and their children: Mitchel Nyamduko and Joshwa Gitenyi. Joshwa was baptized on December 23rd.
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Dr. Dmitri Zaroslovd and Milllen Noni.

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Justus Nyang’au , the General Manager of Scripture Mission.
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Sabina Bosibori Oseko and her daughters: Janet Viviane Monyenye and Janice Valerie Moraa.

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VISITORS:

Evelyn Boren visited us on January 6th, just on her birthday!. She is from Arizona, USA and comes several times to Kenya. Her friends: Gustin, Veronica and Mary.

Eight ladies from the Lutheran Women Missionary League –LWML – LCMS, are visiting the ELCK this and the next week( from March 30th to April 12th) . They are: Sandy Herron (Florida), Becky Mustard (Nebraska), Wendy Denman (Nebraska), Marilyn Treanor (Florida), Alison Dumas (California), Lynn Haven (California), Carol Albright (Ohio), Carol Martin (Ohio); and they came to see and to help the work among the children, among the HIV/AIDS women and the mission that is being done in Kenya. Catherine (right on the picture) and Rhoda, from the LCMS-WM office, are in charge of their schedule. WELCOME AND GOD’S BLESSINGS!