Vol
8/2010 MARCH—JUNE 2010 ISSUE.
The Glorious Awakening.
Eph
5:13 ff:
Advent
Edition.
In the course of one’s
life there are a couple of people who shape and influence our future in ways we
cannot understand at that particular time! A parent, a friend, a mentor or a
teacher can all play a role in the formation of who we are and the person we
become. For me as for many others Madam Meg was just such an influence!
I first met Madame Meg
more than 10years ago as a college student studying for ordination training,
the connection was immediate. There was no doubt in my mind that she was
someone special, a unique woman. I had read all I could about her profile and I
was duly impressed and respectful.
Her amazingly sharp
intellect, her piercingly clear thinking and insatiable capacity for research
and understanding was just legendary in both reputation for championing bible
doctrine and Anglicanism. With the
tenacity of a theologian was a balance of peaceful grace and selflessness with
which she demonstrated and shared positively with her students.
Meg is one of the great
scholars of modern theology this diocese has been privileged to have!
As evident as that was
when we first met, it was the lady herself who impressed me the most and
everyday thereafter. Her sense of caring was ever- present, always a guide in
her decision-making processes! Madam Meg
loves people, particularly needy students and always found new ways to assist them to continue with their
studies.
Throughout the years
Meg’s teacher relationship with her students developed many interrelated facets
– she became a counselor, mother, supporter, a mentor and above all a friend. I
gained more than I could have imagined from her presence in my life. I’m a
better person, pastor, teacher and writer because of her.
Madam Meg has left us
with a great legacy and through us she will live forever. We love you Meg!!.
By
The Rev
Kennedy O. Ofundi
MOMBASA DIOCESE
The Glorious awakening
is published by the Vicars’ Desk Every three months P.o. Box 59 Kinango.
EDITOR’S
NOTE.
It is
Advent and the smell of Christmas has hit the stores and malls everywhere in
all the regions of the earth.
Advent is the culmination
of the church year and the beginning of the Christmas season in the church of
Christ across the whole earth. The word ‘Advent’ is derived from a Latin word –
‘adventus’ which means ‘coming’. Advent is the season in the church year during
which the church requires the faithful to prepare for the celebration of the
Christmas feast with proper instruction and thorough devotion to worthy
celebration of our Lord’s nativity, namely the anniversary of the birth of
Jesus.
The mystery of this great
occasion has everything honourable, perpetrating the theme, that by repentance
and prayerful contemplation of the final days here on earth, we may be ready
and prepared to meet Him, upon His second coming, when he comes to judge the
world.
Advent is the season
whereby Christians should reflect on the amazing gift that God gave to mankind
in the person of His son who came to dwell among us on earth.
Advent is also an occasion for restoring Jesus
to his rightful position as the figurehead and reason for our holiday
festivals.
Advent starts the fourth
Sunday before Christmas and is appropriately both joyful and somber!
The themes during the
Advent season and the symbolism behind the event which Christian families share
in the Church, include joy and the sharing of gifts, great as well as
expectations of peace. Traditionally
five candles are lit during the Advent services, events being firmly grounded
on the scriptures, despite the fact that the symbolism surrounding them has
changed with the passing of time. The central focus has continued to be based
on the great theological significance that the Messiah came to earth and is
coming again and how we celebrate the former and anticipate our heartfelt
longing for the latter.
Happy Advent and merry
Christmas to you all
The Rev. Kennedy
Ofundi
The Feast Of Epiphany
2010
Editor
Associate Editor,
Marlene Reid
DIOCESAN NEWS
There is no more
important area of study than history!
They say history makes men wise! Perhaps it does since it is a special
study of man’s life in the society. So we can say nothing develops special
character and features more than studying the lives of great people, especially
Christians and their walk with faith.
In this regard,
outstanding women and men of God are some of our great mentors and are worthy
objects of special study in history
Their journey with God
and combat with faith is a subject for special study as they are worth
emulating for by doing so we get to understand more about the Christian way of
life from accounts of their dealings with God, and from both their principled
strengths and weakness, indicating how they are men and women of the flesh just
like all of us.
Looking dramatically at
the life and times of Margaret Merrifield popularly known as Madam Meg in her
role as the 5th principal of Bishop Hannington Institute, we can say
that Meg is a lady who has indeed lived beyond the expectations of many, to a
great calling as a teacher, trainer, mentor of many pastors and clergy in the
field of theological education in this region and beyond.
I personally know Meg
Merrifield as a cultured pragmatic principle, a focused and strict
disciplinarian, and a humble approachable woman.
Former principal of
Bishop Hannington Institute, Meg has finally retired from active service after
a long and illustrious career in the field of education in Nigeria and
Kenya. Madam Meg will be best remembered
in the field of education in this diocese and province for devoting most of her
life to train clergy for the ordained ministry.
Madam Meg was born in
Cardiff, Wales, in Britain in the 20th century and was educated at
the University of Wales from where she obtained BSC, majoring in chemistry, and
worked as a high school teacher for ten years before joining the ministry.
It is important to state
here categorically, that Meg gave her life to Jesus while still a teenager,
before joining high school. She obtained a diploma and postgraduate masters in
theology from the same university before joining the CMS – training for
overseas missions for duration of 9 month terms.
The CMS sent Meg to Bida,
in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, south of the River Niger, where she
performed the duties of a bible school teacher, monitor expatriate and
missionary in Bush Bible College. She stayed in Nigeria from 1978 -1998.
MOMBASA KENYA
Madam Meg came to Mombasa
in 1998 after finishing her term in Nigeria.
Madam Meg is known
throughout the Anglican Communion, particularly in the field of theological
education, in both Nigeria and Kenya, and for being a lover of education and
students.
She is loved for her
enthusiasm in her great contribution in the field of education in this diocese
and her willingness to share the knowledge she gained over a lifelong affair
with the University of Wales.
The 10 plus years that
Madam Meg worked in this diocese have been very much characterized by her
intense love of students and education and her motherly and caring attitude,
especially for students with fee problems, encouraging them, always drawing
attention to the importance of serving God through ordination ministry. As
Madam Meg retires, we know that it is her passion and expertise which has
nurtured so many of us to be the pastors and church leaders we are today.
Madam Meg Retires.
She will always be
remembered as a pragmatic charitable woman, upright, straight forward and hard
working. The Glorious Awakening pays to you Madam Meg, a glowing
tribute, for your tireless endeavor in the task of making Christ known to all
nations. The Bishop Hannington alumnus is meeting during Epiphany to discuss
the way forward. Let us meet and discuss a way of giving our mother a standing ovation,
a hero’s farewell, befitting the heroine she is.
Madam Meg: Long and happy life after retirement and hats
off to you dear lady! Kudos for a job
well done and a life well spent.
THE BATTON PASSES ON
Saying ‘goodbye’ is
always a difficult assignment! Which is
why it is cultural to have farewell’s very brief.
After slightly over three
decades of exhilarating mission work in Africa, Madam Meg has finally bowed out
as a. CMS missionary, trainer, teacher and church planter here in Kenya and
Nigeria thus moving into a new position and season in life. Actually for Madam
Meg,
it has been a ground
breaking exhilarating and awfully rewarding, occasionally challenging 31 years,
living and working in absolutely foreign lands, with foreign people combining
together with those people, putting together the gospel of Jesus Christ to
present to the hearts of people of different cultures.Madam Meg indeed
represented and reflected in the lives and aspirations of the many pastors and
church leaders that she tirelessly and whole heatedly labored to train, in a
way that would enable them to take charge, with full responsibility, in church
leadership and to some extent in all the ways of living a good Christian life
in the ACK diocese of Mombasa and beyond.
“I’m blessed to have been
privileged to serve the church of Christ here in Africa especially in the field
of theological education and training” says a graceful Meg with nostalgia,
during a brief interview with the Glorious Awakening in her BHI office
during Advent 2009.
“What makes my exit more
bearable is with the knowledge that I
leave you people in the hands of a capable and talented new principal, Patrick
Mukholi. We are indeed humbled and privileged to have him on board’, adds Madam
Meg.
“Patrick brings home a wealth of experience and expertise
from Oxford, England, in the field of missions and he is the right person
qualified to be Bishop Hannington’s new Principal”.
Patrick and his wife
Helen were CMS partners in Britain and have been in youth ministry in Oxford
since the year 2000.
It is always amazing when
a great woman of God, such as Madam Meg, makes the courageous decision to put
their professional teaching career on hold to go and serve God. It takes real
guts to do that and her profile speaks clearly about the cost and rewards of
being a woman of faith, going out to serve the church in the way that Meg has
done.
“You are a woman of noble
character and surely further potential!
What are you intending to do after retirement”?
Retirement marks the
beginning of a new season and position in life whereby one is not necessarily
fully engaged on regular full time official episcopal assignments, but rather
heralds the time when one is at last
free to choose what one desires to do.
Madam Meg looks forward
to going back to the province of Wales, UK, to serve maybe in the ordained
ministry, applying the expertise and the experience she has acquired over the
years in Kenya and Nigeria. One of her desires, she revealed during an
interview, is to serve as an ordained minister, drawing from her experience as
a bible school teacher and a missionary .Before that Madam Meg is expecting to
refurbish her house in Cardiff which she inherited from her late father, before
embarking on serious retirement assignments.
Despite the fact that
Madam Meg will be greatly missed by Bishop Hannington alumni, the student
community and the entire Diocese of Mombasa, her living legacy as a lady who
loved knowledge and education will live on.
We here at the
GloriousAwakening desk wish Madam Meg the best of the luck in her
retirement, to find peace and favor in God for whatever she will do. Let us
remember her as a pragmatic, lovely lady straight forward and focused. Let us
give her a standing ovation with the dignity she deserves. Once again Madam Meg
this is a congratulatory message to you for a good job well executed with
grace. Hats off to you!
WHAT DO OTHERS SAY?
Madam Meg has been an
inspiration as a theologian for her philanthropy and humanity!
Madam Meg used her sharp
intellect to impact her research, bringing different fields together to make a
whole that would have an impact on current theological and philanthropic
understanding and ultimately on the lives of many people. As a CMS missionary
in many difficult areas here in Africa - Nigeria and Kenya, she was always
persistent in her convictions and ideas in spite of resistance, and was
eventually proven right.
Madam Meg was a prolific
teacher and lecturer, taking her time to explain and coach theological students
and experts alike, never hesitating to give advice when requested. She was a generous mother figure, especially
to needy students, gentle and caring. She was also full of life with love and
concern for people from all walks of life. Madam Meg was just as comfortable
with a joke to lift up the spirits or a question that could stump the most
mischievous student or an articulate speaker. I feel highly honored to have
served with her as Bishop Hannington’s student president. Happy retirement Meg
(Editor)
What do others
say
As I think back over the
years there are few relationships that have had such a powerful impact on me
and B.H.I as our relationship with Madam Meg .What an example she has been to
each and every one of us pastors who underwent ordination training through her
hands! What a blessing to have her with us all these years! What a legacy she
has given us! I will be forever be grateful for her immense contribution to the
field of theological education and training in Mombasa diocese and that of so
many pastors she has trained from all over Africa. We will always remember her
with love and appreciation. We will miss her!
It has been a great
privilege knowing Principal Margaret. We the B.H.I community, past and present,
have been blessed by her brilliant intellect and sharp mind, as well as her
fun-loving personality! She will be truly be missed by us all even the chickens
will miss her. She was particularly gifted in the field of systematic theology,
church history and Greek New Testament. Long life and happy retirement Madam!
Rev. Mary Micere
What a great
privilege and honor it has been to have one of the greatest minds of our
generation dedicated to the training of many pastors and church leaders and the
development of theological education in Mombasa Diocese in the province of
Kenya. We will always be indebted and forever be thankful for Principal Meg‘s
contributions, contributions that will continue to impact the lives of
thousands of people for many years to come. Madam Meg’s exemplary and remarkable
input to our way of life was always fully focused and vibrant throughout her
tenure as a teacher, disciplinarian, church planter and trainer. Her wonderful
understanding and gentle nature will be sorely be missed by her close cronies,
the alumni community! Long life, happy
retirement, lovely friend!
Rev. David Amukowa
We really appreciate
Madam Meg’s vast Knowledge and her potential to present it to the average
students. She also had an open, friendly personality mixing well with students,
staff and non-teaching staff. We will always remember her teaching N.T Greek,
systematic theology, church history and psychology when we were first and
second year’s students at Bishop Hannington Seminary. She did use her time so
that the use of her life will outlive her life.
Rev. Zablon Mwanyumba
DIOCESAN NEWS
Doing what she loved
to do.
Principal Meg Merrifield
in full academic regalia speaking to graduates during her last address as the
BHI principal during Advent 2009.
Madam Meg in group
photograph below with graduands during the 14th graduation ceremony
2009.We will miss madam!
Members of the college
council; Bishops Mwaluda and Dena listening to Meg’s laast graduation address
in BHI late last year. Present also was the guest speaker, Dr Okalet (far
right).
REV ROY TAYLOR
Madam Meg’s predecessor
the Rev Roy Taylor was also present during Meg’s final address at BHI.
Madam Meg giving her
contribution during a synodical meeting in November 2009. She announced the
signing of the MOU between BHI and KU.
Big graduation photo –
A day to remember
Graduands, alumni,
friends and guests came not only to witness the 14th graduation
ceremony but bid farewell to Meg a great woman.
Principal Meg
Merrifield in her BHI office.
“It has been a great
privilege knowing Madam Meg. We have been blessed by her brilliant mind and
sharp intellect as well as her fun loving personality. She will be truly be
missed by us all! God bless you in your retirement” –
Observer Graduands – 14th graduation
ceremony BHI
We are very grateful to
you Madam Meg not for what you mean for us in the theological world but also
for the example of humility, generosity, moral support and integrity you gave
us. You showed us how we can be so successful and how to live a morally
balanced and upright life.
Your teachings have also
benefited our lives greatly and they will do so for generations to come. What a
wonderful gift for us your students! Thank you most sincerely teacher!
A Gift to the Future
Generations.
Madam believed that if
students had access to the right information they would make better choices
about their life style and bring transformation to their respective communities
as she had done .Standing in front of the college library, named in her honour,
the Magaret Merrifield library, she modeled for us all the value of applied
information. She found things she loved doing like reading, studying and
discussion and did them articulately well into her last moments with us. Madam
Meg got Merrifield library financial support and encouragement from overseas
friends and she also gave those of us who know her much more. What a gift to
the future generations! God bless you Meg – Observer.
Below the outlook of the
modern multinational theological Merrifield library
Kitchen project.
Madam Meg initiated a
poultry project for the college. She is pictured outside the poultry house.
Even birds respect her!
The chickens provide eggs and meat for students studying for ordination
training. Other projects initiated by Principal Meg are the modern classrooms,
the sinking of the well and the storey hostel building for the students! What a
credible achievement! Kudos Meg.
STORIES TO REMEMBER
In our previous issue we saw how the
Moabite girl Ruth made serious commitment to her mother-in law Naomi. When
Naomi urged Ruth to return to her kin Ruth replied “Don’t urge me to leave you
or turn back from you, where you will go I will go and where you stay I will
stay; your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will
die and there will be buried” Ruth 1bff.
GOD IS OUR REFUGE
PSALM (46:1)
The majority of us
Christians are familiar with this text in the Bible.
“God is our refuge and
strength, an ever present help in trouble”. This text actually is the
theological conclusion of any message contained in the book of Ruth! It is quite interesting to note that Ruth
finds out vividly for herself that God himself, protects and defends her,
against any external harm and aggression. The series of events culminating her
personal life are divinely driven because God is always present with her. In Ruth 2:12 Boaz raises this theme about
God’s sovereignty and protection:
“May the Lord repay you
for what you have done. May you be
richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel under whose wings you have come
to take refuge.”
STORIES TO
REMEMBER
This text foresees
what lies ahead and puts much emphasis on the fact that Boaz will be the key
figure that God uses to salvage, look after and care for Ruth and Naomi. Boaz
is aware and recognizes that God is the central subject of this sweet story as
he reflects the imagery used in Deuteronomy 32 where Moses compares the
shielding and caring work of God to an eagle taking care of its eaglets which
parallels Boaz’s imagery of the wings of God providing refuge Ruth.
“Like an eagle that stirs
up its nest and hovers over its young that spreads its wings to catch them on
its pinions”
The phenomenon of refuge
includes safety, help, protection, hope, provision and above all refreshment.
In a nutshell, refuge is a safe haven
during hard moments difficult to define, uncertainty and vulnerability.
Ruth finds out clearly
that the God of Israel is her refuge and strength and above everything her God.
Ruth Gets Approval
From Boaz Ruth 2:
8-10
The happy ending to the
sad story of chapter 1 begins at this point. A tiresome day’s labor in the
field turns out to be a moment for approval and a blessing in disguise as the
opportune meeting with Boaz’s harvesters bears fruits.
Likeminded People.
Boaz praises Ruth for her
kindness to Naomi. (Verse 11-12). “May
the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the
Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
Ruth
Likewise Ruth hails Boaz
for immense generosity and kindness;
“May I continue to find
favor in your eyes my Lord,” she said. “You have given me comfort and have
spoken kindly to your servant - though I don’t have the standing of one of your
servant girls.”
A Popular
Landowner Who Values His Workers
As Boaz is introduced
into the story he greets his labourers with courtesy (verse 4) “The Lord be
with you!”
This implies that Boaz is
a very popular landowner amongst his workers and knows the value of his
employees at hand. The workers firm response;
“The Lord bless you” they
called back. Boaz is an articulate, good mannered cultured man, the right
candidate possibly suitable for kind Ruth!
It is significant to note
that Boaz is also a relative. Boaz is descended from the family of Elimelech.
In those days in Israel particular relatives had outstanding responsibilities
towards other family members, especially those who had experienced poverty and
bereavement. Boaz is a figure of hope and restoration.
Ruth’s providence is
celebrated by both Naomi and friends at the end of the story.
“Praise be to the Lord
who this day has not left you without a kinsman – redeemer.” (CF. 4:14 ff). The
story of Ruth is the story of God’s loving care and so it is customary to
respond to it by praising him.
AROUND ABOUT KINANGO
MINISTER ATTENDS
KENYATTA DAY CELEBRATIONS.
The assistant minister
for lands, Kinango MP Hon Gonzi Rai attended the Kenyatta Day celebrations held
at Baraza Park in October last year.
Addressing his constituents during the national celebrations Hon. Gonzi
appealed to wananchi to be patient with the coalition government as most of the
burning issues like roads and other infrastructural facilities are being
addressed.
He was responding to
questions from wananchi who wanted to know why the Kwale Kinango Road has not
been carpeted since independence
Solar Eclipse
The Eclipse of the sun is
also called solar Eclipse. The solar Eclipse occurs when the sun comes in
between the moon and the earth. This year’s solar Eclipse ocured at around
8.00am and lasted for thirty minutes. What does the bible says about Eclipses?
The sun will be darkened , and the moon will not give it’s light, the stars
will fall from the sky.
Mathew 24:29
CHURCH PRAYS FOR THE
STATE
The ACK Church in Kinango
is always active and at the forefront during national and state functions. The
Kinango parish vicar is seen conducting public prayers during a national public
holiday at Baraza Park last October. The district commissioner Kinango
district, Mr E. Okello, was the chief guest. Other dignitaries present were the
area MP, the district security team, councilors and other members of the local
provincial administration.
On behalf of the
president of Kenya the DC read his speech - picture below.
The Church requires
public prayers to be offered for His Excellency the President and other leaders,
in order to teach citizens the duty of loyalty and submission to the civil
roles and to secure and just government.
“I urge, then, first of
all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving to be made for
everyone - for kings and all those in
authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and
holiness.” (1 Tim :2 1-2)
ANIMALS ON THE
MOVE DUE TO DROUGHT
The 2009 draught and
famine was one of the worst in our recent history. Animals such as these
trekked great distances from as far as Oloitoktok in the Rift valley, to
Msambweni in the coast province of Kenya, in the search for pasture and water
for grazing. Many of them succumbed to death due to acute starvation. Carcasses
of dead animals littered the roadsides with their decomposing corpses. It was a
sad moment for many pastoral communities as most of them had to sell their
livestock at throwaway prices in order to sustain their livelihood.
CONNED BY THE
PASTROLISTS
Things aren’t always what they look
like!
“Dear friends, do not
believe every spirit but test the spirit to see whether they are from God,
because many
false prophets have gone out into the world!”(1 John 4.1)
These two gentlemen
(centre and right) belong to a handsome tribe of Kenyan nomads! They look so
humble, honest and innocent! They sold this sick heifer to the Kinango vicar at
Ksh 4000/-!
The heifer died eight
hours later from a disease called anaplasmosis caused by a protozoan parasite called anaplasma
maginale. Animals suffering from anaplasmosis develop complications such as swelling of
the gall and dewlap, become weak and fall down hours after infection.
When the vicar discovered
that he had been tricked the two gentlemen had moved as far away as Oloitoktok
and switched off their mobile phones to evade being contacted.
.
BEWARE! Things aren’t
always what they seem?
“But I tell you: Love
your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your
Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends
rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt.5:44)
Children Get
Modern Library.
Pupils, parents and
teachers of ACK Bishop Kalu Primary School, Kinango Parish, have been given a
new library! The new library, which was built with funds from the school’s official
sponsor, Mrs Henry Smolder, was officially opened during the 21st
week after Pentecost by the ACK Kinango Vicar.
The library cost 4000 Euros! This
followed a splendid performance of ACK Bishop Kalu Primary School during the
past examination season at KCPE level. The library, the only one of its kind in
the whole of Kinango District, is a token to Bishop Kalu Primary School
following its excellent performance in exams. Congratulations for a job well
done!
The teaching staff of ACK
Bishop Kalu Primary School pose for a photograph in front of their new modern
library.
Getting Facts
Right.
The Kinango parish Vicar
(right) seems to get the right information from Mr Adrian Streetman, the
emissary of Mrs Henry Smolder, the sponsor of Bishop Kalu Primary School’s new
library during its inaugural opening in October last year. Mr Adrian conveyed
special messages from Mrs. Henry Smolder, who was sick by the time of going to
press, and said there is more to come for the Bishop Kalu Primary community.
Mrs. Smolder, he said,
was suffering from kidney failure and was appealing for any well wishers to
donate for her a kidney!
The Glorious Awakening
wishes her a quick recovery and God’s blessings.
BEST TEACHER
Mr Kupulo is the
Kiswahili teacher at ACK Bishop Kalu Primary School in Kinango Parish!
His subject performed the
best at KCPE level, attaining a mean score of 76.77 during the 2008 academic
season.
Mr Kupulo is also the
Bishop Kalu Primary School senior teacher. Thank you sir!
The Yoke and the
Plough
Jokes aside! Collar down,
and back to serious farming activity during the onset of El Nino rains -
The Kinango Parish vicar,
Fr Ofundi, with the plough, demonstrates how ploughing, using the oxen, is
done, to his Christians in Kinango Parish. For the Bible says in Matthew
11-29ff
“Take my yoke upon you
and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest
for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Children’s new Library
A.C.K Bishop Kalu Primary
Staff in front of the new Children’s library when it was commissioned last
advent.
YOKING THE OXEN
These young men followed
the Kinango Vicar’s instructions on how ploughing, using oxen, is done.
Here they are doing it
alone in the Vicar’s garden in Kinango Parish during the beginning of the
planting season last October.
It is essential that
families have enough to eat for survival. Where there is not enough food
available, food needs to be imported. In every adverse situation like 2009 in
Kinango, people have to rely on food aid agencies, like the Red Cross, to
provide food.
Improving Food
Security.
During the onset of the
El Nino rains, we planted corn, water melon, pumpkins cowpeas etc to address
the issue of food security in the parish.
The first Millennium
Development Goal (MDG) is to eradicate extreme poverty, malnutrition and
hunger. Food security exists when citizens have enough food at all costs to
give them power and zeal to lead productive lives.
Participatory learning
action (PLA)
To address food
security in Kinango.
The Vicar’s wife Kinango Parish sundries cowpeas
from the Vicar’s garden to demonstrates food security to the Kinango Christians
last planting season
A BASKET FULL OF FOOD
The Kinango Parish
evangelist, David Chiti, (left) and the Kinango Parish Vicar’s wife arrive from
the Vicar’s garden with a basket full of food, cowpeas, pig weed, black night
shade, cassava and water melon during a bumper harvest. Next photos show
sun-drying of cowpeas, threshing and winnowing .We harvested over 100kg of
cowpea beans! Hundreds of plants grew
from every magic seed!
In many areas, here in
Kinango, there is growth in agriculture! Although most people are farmers, they
are unable to produce enough food to feed their families. This means most of
them have to rely on humanitarian food agencies to bring them food.
Hunger and malnutrition
are greater here than in coastal cities, even though the majority of families
make their living from farming.
Research indicates that
growth in the agricultural sector has much greater impact on combating poverty
and hunger than urban and industrial development.
Bumper harvest for the
Vicar.
Increasing and
diversifying agricultural productivity is a very fundamental aspect in
addressing the food insecurity challenge. One such area which needs to be
re-addressed is irrigation. Half of the world’s food is grown through
irrigation. We in Kinango are asking our readers and stake holders to donate to
us a
10,000 cubic meter tank,
a sprinkler and a hose pipe to help us set an example on how to address this
need for irrigation!
DROUGHT IS OVER
The drought is over! The
rains have come and the birds are seen feeding in our garden! “See! The winter
is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season
of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” (Song of Songs
2:11-12)
EDUCATION AND
PROFESSIONAL IN KINANGO PARISH:
“Train a child in the way
he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.”(Proverbs 22:6)
“Discipline your son, for
in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.”(Proverbs 19:18)
Over the past three
years, in Kinango, we have invested heavily in professional education and
training! We have encouraged our parishioners to study hard and pursue
professional training for a fast growing industrialized world! We are
privileged to share with you their testimonies:
Evelyn Kambua; baptized
and a communicant of ACK Kinango Parish, the eldest child in a family of 7, was
born in 1987. She attended St Joseph’s
Primary and Kinango Secondary schools. She is now a 2nd year teacher
trainee at the Islamic Teacher’s Training College in Mikindani, expected to
graduate in August 2010.
Gladys Munyoki is a
first year teacher trainee at Shanzu Teacher’s Training College. She was
educated at Amani Primary School and Waa Girl’s High between 1994-2006. She is a member of the youth choir in the
parish. She is also baptized and a confirmed communicant.
.
Jackson Julo is a second
year Kenyan student at Kenyatta University in Nairobi. He is pursuing a B.E.D.
He is the son of Mr and
Mrs. Tabitha Julo, both congregants of the ACK Kinango. Jackson Loves
football! Born in 1987, he attended
St.Joseph’s Primary and Shimo la Tewa High Schools. He is a member of the
church youth choir.
It is very interesting to
see how ACK Kinango is taking part in national development through Millennium
Goals in the field of education. More are coming, this is just the tip of the
ice berg!
FROM THE OX AND THE
PLOUGH TO ARCHBISHOP’S CHAPLAIN!
It is not ploughing with
oxen all the time; it is also a prestigious opportunity to serve as the
Bishop’s Chaplain whenever he comes to the archdeaconry!
You are more less
an-aide-de-camp as it is! A very
involved, prestigious and noble assignment!
You need to be physically
fit in order to stand many hours without getting tired! It is, by the way, a great privilege and
honor to hold the Bishopric Meter, to serve as the Bishop’s Chaplain even if it
is for only one day! These were
confirmation services at St Paul’s, Ukunda and St Stephen’s, Jadini respectively!
KINANGO DISTRICT
GETS A NEW BUS
The Kinango district
secondary schools’ Heads Association acquired a brand new bus last November!
The 60 seater vehicle, brought from Nairobi, bought using funds from the CDF,
was handed over to the DC, Kinango. The
vehicle will help alleviate transport problems of teachers in the district
during education functions. Present during the function were local education
officials and leaders of local authority in Kinango.
PULPIT’ NEWS 2009.
The Kinango pulpit, as is
usual, was flooded with blessings, especially from visiting preachers.
Bishop Julius Kalu,
Bishop of Mombasa, came for a confirmation service and preached from Matthew
13:24ff. ‘The parable of the weeds’ - “Let the wheat and the weeds grow
together”
The Vicar’s warden,
Kitengela Parish, Kajiado Diocese, was our speaker during Advent and his
message was derived from John 11- ff:
The story of Lazarus, the friend of Jesus. Kefa Ngure elaborated well the value of
smelling and stinking moral character in the church.
Tabitha Yobera from
St.Paul’s Kasemeni, was the Christmas preacher for Kinango Christians. She shared the good news of our salvation
from prophet Isaiah 9:6ff: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, .
. . . . And he will be called Wonderful
Counsellor, Mighty God and Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”.
Mrs. Kefa Ngure, the wife
to the Vicar’s warden, Kitengela parish, summarized for us a series of
preachers throughout 2008. Joyce Ngure
preached from Rev. 20.
The youth also had their
service; the preacher was Emmanuel Munyoki.
It was a very enterprising service!
We were able to discover potential talent among our youth!
Disability is Not
Inability!
Disability is not
inability for this one-legged dancer of the Lazalaza group of dancers in
Kinango! The man balances articulately
and dances for many hours without getting tired. What great ability and art he
has! The occasion was Kenyatta Day celebrations at Baraza Park, Kinango.
AROUND THE DIOCESE
Synod Endorses
Subdivision of the Diocese.
The standing committee of
the synod endorsed the subdivision of the ACK Mombasa Diocese!
The committee of experts
which was given the mandate to oversee the subdivision of the diocese led by Mr
John Mangenge, completed its work in June 2009.
Gathering views across the diocese indicated that most Christians were
of the opinion that the diocese should be subdivided into the Diocese of
Mombasa and the Diocese of Malindi!
The Diocese of Mombasa
will, according to Mr Mangenge, comprise the large districts of Mombasa,
Kilindini, Kisauni, Kwale, Msambweni and Kinango.
The new diocese of
Malindi, on the other hand, will comprise districts of Kilifi, Kaloleni,
Malindi, Tana River, Tana Delta and Lamu.
The Diocese of Mombasa
will have 20 parishes, 57 congregations and 12,227 communicants. The new
Diocese of Malindi will have 36 parishes, 152 congregations 10,869
communicants.
Mr Mangenge said the
timeline for the division is 2010, beginning first with the sensitization of
the Christians, preparing them for the proposed division; 2011 is the year for
electing the new bishop; enthronement to be the same year in November, to
enable him consolidate his diocese for the 2012 general elections.
The diocese of Mombasa
was founded in 1898 following the subdivision of the Diocese of Eastern
Equatorial Africa! The Diocese of
Mombasa comprised of Uganda, Tanzania, Boga, Rwanda and Zaire.
The first Bishop was William
George Pearl 1899-1916.
Big Diocese Function in Jilore.
A big diocesan function
was held in Jilore Parish early this year!
The Rt. Rev Julius Kalu
led the occasion; the function involved the official opening and consecration
of Emmanuel Jilore Church, admission of women to be members of the Mother’s
Union and infant baptism with above all the Eucharistic service.
The occasion also
witnessed the blessing of a new member of the House of Canon, James Mulewa MD
KPA.
Mr Mulewa is a Jilore
Christian who sponsored the building of Emmanuel Jilore church at an estimated
cost of 3 million Kenyan shillings.
Accompanying the bishop
were members of the clergy of Mombasa Diocese and the diocesan administration
officials.
Every detail was so well
planned and executed with grace.
Other dignitaries
present - see our pictorial news of the
occasion.
Brother Paul
Brother Paul Pattni,
former Goldenberg director and now a minister of the gospel, gave a donation of
100,000 K shs to support the ministry of Christ in Jilore Parish. Brother Paul
shared his testimony with the Jilore Christians on how true happiness is found
in Christ. In the picture, Brother Paul shares a glorious moment with the
Glorious Awakening editorial staff during the occasion.
Brother Pattni, Ven.
Kashuru and Ven Murutu share a joke!
Brother Paul responds to
questions from respondents and other members of the media.
The Rt Rev. Kalu, in a
jovial mood, after the official opening of Emmanuel Jilore church. Bishop Kalu
was once vicar here!
Canonized:
The bishop of Mombasa
Julius Kalu leads the canonization service at Jilore Parish of Canon.
James Mulewa, who was
honored for a good job well done! Jilore
Christians worshipped God in a building which was falling down, until Canon
Mulewa built for them a church at a cost of 3 million shillings. Canon James
Mulewa is the MD at KPA.
Kenya’s Ambassador to
Burundi. He is also the ambassador for Christ; H.E. Ambassador Mweri.
Former C.G.S
General Joseph Kibwana
and Kaloleni MP Kazungu Pesa address the congregants.
Fully packed in the
church, Christians from all walks of life, gathered in Emmanuel Church, Jilore,
during its inaugural opening. The speaker was the Bishop of Mombasa, Rt. Rev.
Julius Kalu.
The cathedral staff were
also present: Mrs F Kiseu (right), the wife of the provost Rev F Kiseu and Mrs.
Nzaka (right), wife of Rev Nzaka, singing praises in Jilore during the official
opening.
The outside view of the
New Emmanuel Jilore Church.
A cross section of the
members of the clergy of Mombasa Diocese, led by Bishop Kalu follow proceedings
during the event.
Ambassador Mweri (extreme
right) Rev. Koi, Brother Paul in glasses and other members of the clergy of
Mombasa Diocese dine together during the official opening and blessing of
Emmanuel Jilore Parish Church.
Rev D.Amukowa (below)
deserves a pat on the back for the good organization of the occasion.
The bishop of Mombasa,
Julius Kalu leads the service in Jilore when he admitted several women to be
members of the Mothers Union. Partly hidden is Mama Rose Kalu, the bishop’s
wife.
Kamlesh Pattni, as he was
popularly known, addresses Christians and clergy from the diocese of Mombasa in
Jilore Parish! He gave a cheque of
100,000 to support the vicar of the parish.
Rev. David Amkowa Vicar
Jilore Parish.
KCPE CANDIDATES
The Fr Moses Erute of St.
Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kinango, poses for a group photograph with 2009
KCPE Candidates of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School during advent 2009.The
ACK Kinango vicar was among the clergy invited to offer prayers for the
candidates. Fr Moses Celebrated the mass.
The Rev Ofundi below on
his motorbike, conducted prayers for three different schools in one day! What a
pastoral exercise! Amani, ACK Bishop Kalu, and St Joseph’s Primary schools! All
the candidates showed optimism towards exams. The best of the luck to you all
pupils!
Venerable Komura is
sick Ven.Dhadho
Komora is the archdeacon for Rabai!
He was taken ill last
Advent. The legs had swollen to the extent that it made him difficult to walk.
I visited him last advent and helped celebrate the mass for him. Pray for him
and other clergy and their families. Praying for them teaches the duty of love,
loyalty and obedience to our spiritual leaders (2 Thess. 3:2) “And pray that we
may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.”
EAST AFRICA
CLASSIC RALLY
The East Africa Classic
Rally championship, held in Advent; cars racing through Kinango from the
neighbouring Tanzania provided spectacular entertainment for the Kinango
residents. It reminded us of Joginder Singh and Sheka Metha, the legendary
rally drivers during the seventies.
The winner of the 2009
East Africa Classic Rally champion was Ian Duncan, car no 47, not in the
picture.
Car number 42 looks
strong with its navigators well prepared for the long journey, in full rally
gear! “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the
devils scheme.”
Car number 8 was the
fastest, well navigated, but somehow behind the time. Car number 15 was the
most outstanding of all but did not win the race. Car number 10, the bayonet, was extensively
damaged; ropes were used to hold it in position to continue with the race. Paul
says in I Philippians 3:14: “I press on
towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in
Christ Jesus”
The three men are
checking-in cars to ensure they run according to the rules of the rally! No car arrives too early or too late.
“Do you not know that in
race all the runners run? But only one gets the prize!
Everyone who competes in
games goes into strict training! Run in
such a way as to win the prize.
HELPING THE WEAK
“We who are strong in the
faith ought to help the weak to carry their burdens. We should all please our
brothers for their own good in order to build them up in faith” (Romans 15:1)
The Vicar’s warden for Kitengela Parish extends a helping to Wanza, a
centenarian. Mr Kefa visited 6 more
families with the same message. Thanks
APPRECIATION
Susan Kanauji, our dear
sister from St. Philips, Likoni, was our chief guest during our fundraising in
Pentecost. She helped raise 86,000/=!
Other guests who made our
day a success were Mr Nzau from Kenya Navy, Madam Rose Musuya from Mtopanga
among others. May God Almighty bless you all for a job well done.
We would also like to
extend our appreciation to SPYN (St. Peters Youth Nyali) for feeding the
Kinango Christians during the famine and the Women’s Fellowship for supporting
the Kinango girls by supplying sanitary pads throughout the year. Our sincere gratitude also goes to the Vicar
of St. Peter’s Nyali, Rev.Dr Dorcas Kiundu, for taking time to pray with us
during challenging moments.
To the readers also of
the Glorious Awakening for taking your time to make yourselves part of
our world! Thank you very much.
Wishing you all a
prosperous 2010 with God’s blessings.
(EDITOR)
Meg
Merrifield (Madame Meg as she is known in the college) has been in Mombasa for
the last 11 years. This appreciation of
her is not based on her academic ability which I know is considerable but on my
own personal knowledge of her.
Bishop
Hannington College has always had a special corner in my heart and I have seen
with delight how much Meg has done for the college during her stewardship. I have seen great commitment and
determination in always doing what is good for the college and the students as
well as instigating and maintaining income generating projects and at the same
time promoting development and expansion of the college itself. New library, dining room, dormitories etc are
just some of the developments we have seen in the last 11 years. There is a very successful poultry and egg
project which I pray (for my own selfish reasons as well as for the good of the
college) will continue after Meg leaves.
I know that those more involved with the running of the college will be
able to list a lot more of Meg’s achievements and many students will remember
her with appreciation.
Meg has also had an involvement with many other aspects of life in
Mombasa, not just limiting herself to the college life; she has been a faithful
supporter of the Friends of Fort Jesus Museum, serving on the council as
secretary, coming on the monthly bird walks, attending the lectures and
outings, being part and parcel of this cosmopolitan society. Meg also took part in many concerts performed
by the Nyali Singers. It is very
gratifying to see someone like Meg contributing to all these aspects of Mombasa
life knowing how demanding her college life has been especially during the
years when she has been principal.
Meg
has been a welcome addition to our Mombasa community in every respect, she will
leave behind many friends and she will be very much missed by all of us and not
least by the college itself. (Marlene
Reid)
Elizabeth
Righa addresses clergy consultative conference last advent at ACK Guest house.
Elizabeth
Righa a community worker with ACK Pwani Christian community services (PCCS) was
impressed with the work done by members of the clergy especially on the war
against HIV/AIDS pandemic. She asked them to provide comfort and care for the
HIV/AIDS people, (PWA) and fight against stigma. More than 100 clergy from
different religious bodies attended the function last advent. The picture above
shows a section of the members of the clergy from all over the Coast Province
who turned up for the three days grand occassion. Present also were the ACK
PCCS staff Mr. Mangenge, director, Rev. T. Dawa, Elizabeth Achieng, Joyce Kenga
among others.
Pictorial News Round
up.
Vicar’s green
garden in Kinango with corn, ready to tussle. The Vicar demonstrate how to
address food security to Christians in his Parish. He who does not work should
not eat. These words to us from the
apostle Paul.
M.V Zambezi
This water vessel M.V. Zambezi as
seen from Kilindini harbor Mombasa Kenya is fully parked with goods and cargo
sailing into the deep waters to her destination. There are many challenges in
the deep sea like pirates and dangerous winds but M.V Zambezi will anchor
safely when it arrives home.
Zoom! Zoom! Best Safari car for the
rough road.
The classic East Africa Safari rally,
was spectacular! Car No. 8 though did not win the classic championship but made
a difference to many of it’s admirers. It was a strong vehicles meant for the
tough terrain it does not break easily it is a reliable machine to have.
Baby Sasha playing with water!
Sasha is a Sunday School girl in
Kinango Parish. She goes to St. Joseph’s primary and in KG III. She is a friend
to the Vicar of Kinango Parish she loves to sing to the Lord God and dance.
With these pictorial stories of
around and about Kinango, Vicar’s maize Garden, M.V. Zambezi, Car No. 8 and
finally Baby Sasha playing with water, we wish Madam Meg a happy and a blessed
retirement.
Pulpit News Kinango 2009 out look
The Parable of the weeds.
The Rt. Rev. Julius Kalu Bishop of
Mombasa visited Kinango Parish During the weeks of Pentecost 2009. He
elaborated about the parable of weeds from the Gospel of Mathew. Let the weeds
and wheat grow together, they will be known by their fruits by the end of time.
The Story of Lazarus retold.
The Vicar’s warden Kitengela Parish
Dioceses of Kajiado Cefa Ngure was our guest preacher during the first weeks of
advent 2009. He clearly illustrated the story of Lazarus and Jesus Christ. How
are we similar yet different from Lazarus? What lessons can we learn from
Lazarus life in relation to Jesus Christ?
Youth Service in Advent 2009.
Kinango youths Everlne, Emanuel
Saidi, Grace, Carroline, Jernet and Gladys standing, Emanuel Munyoki and
Emanuel Kilonzo squatting had a wonderful youth service let last year. The
guest preacher was Emanuel Munyoki a school leaver from Waa Boys High School in
Kwale.
Ecl. 12:1 Remember your creator in
the days of your Youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach
when you will say I find no pleasure in them.
Kinango Women praise God.
The Kinango women of God Maria,
Nelly, Prisca, Grace, Ann, Flora, Elizabeth, Magunia and Eunice were not left
behind throughout 2009 in worshiping and singing praises to the most high even
during challenging and difficult times. God is in control even when we are
hardly hit, trust him.
