Vol
13 PENTECOST. JULY - SEPT 2012 ISSUE.
The Christian Magazine
The Glorious Awakening.
The Bishop’s Edition
The Kakamega KAMA Conference 2011
The December 2011 KAMA delegates at the
Kakamega Men’s Conference from Mombasa Diocese and other Dioceses, in a group
photograph with Bishops Julius Kalu (Mombasa), His Grace Dr. Wabukala,
Archbishop of Kenya, Simon Oketch of North Maseno and Josiah Were of Nambale,
in Hill School Kakamega, in the Diocese of North Maseno. There were over 250 delegates in attendance.
“We men of the Anglican Church, Kenya
Anglican Men’s Association (KAMA), do hereby solemnly declare that, as true and
real men of the Anglican Church, guided by the Holy Ghost and above everything
else grounded in the doctrine of the Bible
and that of the Anglican Church and originating from a wider and diverse range
of backgrounds and traditions, from different parts of the republic of Kenya,
have chosen to turn and listen to each other with the love of Christ, with
commitment, compassion, utmost faith and patience within the body of
Christ. It was evident in Kakamega that
commitment to true Christian fellowship has led all the men of the Church to
understand one another; their roles as men, at home, in the Church and in the
wider community at large, to be dependant upon God and the Holy Spirit in their
engagement in Christian missions, bilaterally and cross culturally with each
other, within the body of Christ.
The
Inside, Story.
ALI
JUMA, THE HUMBLE MUSLIM BOY, WHO BECAME A BISHOP!
“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. We can say nothing develops
special character 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 mentors and are worthy objects
of special study in history.” Glorious Awakening, (Advent edition March 2010)
Many historical books
contain tales and stories of ordinary boys and girls who later grew up to
become great and famous men and women in the history of mankind. People for example who knew James Hanington,
David Livingstone and Samuel Ad jay Crowther when they were growing up as poor
lads earning a few dollars, must have been surprised when they afterwards heard
of their tremendous success and achievements in life. It is sometimes amazing and difficult to
imagine that stories of this kind are still happening in our world today; that
boys and girls from ordinary backgrounds and homes, who at times may not have been brilliant and gifted at
school, can still become as great, successful and famous as any of the great
figures in history. There is for
example, the story of Ali Juma, a Muslim Rabai boy who became an Anglican
bishop. So every age has its heroes who
shape and stir the imagination of ordinary people! For Christian believers in particular in the
way we have already noted, there are tales of heroism, adventure, great
courage, achievement and success which are a paramount and essential part of
Christian growth and development as well as being to the glorification of the
body of Christ.
Biography
Juma Ali was born in a village called
Rabai in the mid 1950s among the Rabai people, some distance from the Indian
Ocean, in the Coastal region of Kenya.
No one would have thought that one day the little boy, from a staunch
Muslim background, from the remote parts of the Coastal area would become one
the greatest teachers of our modern times; and above all one of greatest of all
the bishops within the Anglican Church.
His father was Ali Bin Khamis, his mother Rukia Khamis. Young Juma was educated at Isaac Nyondo
Primary and Makupa High Schools. After
leaving high school he attended Kericho Teachers Training College and graduated
with a teacher’s certificate. He later
taught in various schools in Mombasa and also served as a curriculum developer
and a religious teacher.
Christian
Catechumen
Juma Ali became a
Christian while in Isaac Nyondo School, a Christian mission school in Rabai,
while observing Christian ways of worship.
He was by then a standard seven pupil. Every Friday he recalls how all
the pupils could gather inside the Church hall for prayers where the priest
would read some scriptural sentences from the Book of Common Prayer and the
Bible before praying and dismissing the pupils back to their respective
classes. Episcopally speaking there are
usually two ritual rites a person undergoes when becoming a full
Christian. These are baptism and
confirmation. Theologically speaking baptism is a covenant or rather an
agreement whereby one is made a member of Christ and above everything else an
inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven; alternatively it can described as an
outward sign of an inward spiritual grace which is given to us. For one to be baptized and confirmed as an
adult, he or she has to undertake catechism lessons, popularly known as offices
of instruction.
The purpose of this is to instruct
candidates or catechumens for both baptism and confirmation and in the
fundamentals of Christian faith and living.
The curriculum entails the mastery of the 10 commandments, the articles
of faith, the Lord’s Prayer and the 39 articles of religion amongst other
teachings. In Juma’s day the offices of
instruction or church classes took a longer time; from two to three years
before the candidates were examined and then brought before the bishop for the
laying on of the hands or confirmation.
After undergoing the catechumenal classes Juma Ali was baptized and took
the name Sammy Lawrence Kavustu Dena. A
short while later Sammy Lawrence was confirmed and admitted to partake of the
Holy Communion by Bishop Peter Mwangombe in St. Paul’s Church, Rabai. Our interview with Bishop Sammy Lawrence
Dena last December indicated that all this time during baptism and confirmation
the young and pragmatic Sammy had not received Christ as his own personal
savior! He was just a nominal Christian!
Salvation
It was not until 1984, January 17th
while attending a Christian seminar for CRE teachers at a place called
Goibei Christian Center, in Western Province, that Sammy Lawrence gave his life
to Jesus. The preacher on that occasion
was Reverend Mark Kidula who taught about ‘Practical Christianity’. He derived his teachings from John3:15. This, the bishop shared with us, was a
turning point in his life! The Holy
Spirit descended upon him and he became very active both in the Christian life
and in service in the church.
What
happened after he became a Christian?
This was perhaps one of the most
harrowing experiences in the life of Sammy Lawrence Dena! He was cast out by his parents, friends and
relatives and regarded as a ‘kafir’ for denouncing the Islamic faith.
The Price of being a
disciple of Jesus Christ.
“Hear the words of challenge and comfort our savior Christ says
to all who follow him. If anyone comes after me, let him deny himself, take up
his cross and follow me. For whoever
would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will
save it” (Luke 9:23-24)
Sammy Lawrence had no choice but to
take up his cross and follow Christ! He
was faced with the challenges of fending for himself; for food, upkeep, housing
and school fees since now nobody in the family, even his mother and his friends
did not want to be associated with him for fear of being victimized and
stigmatized too.
“Be strong and
courageous! Do not be terrified; do not
be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you will go”
(Joshua 1:9).
He was asked how he
managed to overcome all the odds without food.
Plus all the other Challenges of life at that very tender age? Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of
life”. He who comes to me will never go
hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still
you do not believe. All that the Father
gives me will come to me and whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:35ff)
“Those who sow in tears will reap
with songs of joy. He who goes out
weeping carrying seed to sow will return with songs of joy carrying sheaves
with him.” (Psalm 126:5-6)
Professional
Record.
In 1990 Lawrence Sammy Dena
enrolled for a leadership course in Haggai institute from where he acquired
leadership skills. While serving as a
teacher, he continued to study and went on to qualify for admission to Hawaii
in December 2000 to advance on the same leadership skills. He was already a qualified successful
marriage counselor after graduating from a ‘Marriage and Richness’ course in
Canada in 1987.
In 2003 he attended yet another
training course in South Africa, Cape Town: ‘Precept Ministries’, which deals
with teaching believers the word of God through stages. Just before his appointment and consecration
as the first assistant bishop of Mombasa on the 6th of February
2006, he was rightly and canonically admitted into the Holy orders, both deacon
and priest, in 1994. He then served as a
School Chaplain at St. Augustine’s Preparatory School in Tudor, Mombasa, before
being moved to Lenana High School in Nairobi two years later in the same
capacity. It is good to note that it
was while serving in Lenana that his talent was fully recognized and he was made
a canon. Whilst in Nairobi, he went
ahead to seek admission to the Nairobi School of Theology, popularly known as
NIST, where he pursued a masters degree in theology, majoring in Bible
exposition, graduating in 2002.
Marital
Status.
Bishop Lawrence Dena is
married to Jane Dena and they have four children two girls and two boys. These
are Isabel Neema, Donald Shauri, Riziki and Sifa, all born in Rabai. The Bishop and his wife are also blessed with
several grandchildren.
Bishop Dena is also an accomplished
author and curriculum developer having worked with the famous Christian
Churches Education Association (C.C.E.A).
The C.C.E.A was responsible for the writing of academic Christian
Education books for primary and secondary schools and Colleges. Among the most popular book that Bishop Dena
co-authored is ‘God’s People’ a book for form 2 students which many of us used
during our high school years. The same book is still in use today.In September
2006, Bishop Lawrence Dena was posted to Nairobi as the Provincial Secretary of
the Anglican Church of Kenya, working in the office of the Archbishop as the
undersecretary, a position he held until 2009 when he came back to Mombasa as
the assistant bishop and the administrative secretary.
Bishop Lawrence Dena also lectures at
Daystar University on ‘Leadership Skills’ and Bible courses. He also lectures at Bishop Hannington
Institute on development and counseling.
Bishop Dena is a humble, pragmatic, approachable man of God who is very
fatherly in manner when dealing with issues brought to him.
What about
parents!? What happened to them?
Lawrence is a very obedient, loving
person. He does not harbor grudges or
hatred. He kept on caring for his
immediate family including his parents.
He cared for both their physical and spiritual needs! Above everything
else, he discipled his mother and father by being kind and compassionate to
them. He became the salt and light in
their lives! The Bible says in the
Gospel of Mathew 5:16 ”In the same way let your light shine before men that
they see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”. Staunch
Muslims, his parents, became Christians and took Christian names! Ali Bin Khamis became ‘Amos Dena’ and his
mother, Rukia Khamis, was christened “Rebecca Kuvuna Dena”. What a wonderful thing to happen in ones
life! There are no words to
sufficiently express this!
With
Parents
“Let your light so shine before men
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Mathew:
5:16) “To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the
One he loves” (Ephesians: 1:.6). One of
the greatest and momentous decisions made by Ali Juma was to abandon Islam to
become a follower of Christ.
Muslims regard this as betrayal of the
highest order; but indeed there was a longing within the heart of Juma, who
became Lawrence, to know God in the way his parents seemed not to have known
him. In this photo Lawrence and Jane
Dena in a family gathering in those early days.
The gentleman on the extreme left with a white cap is Mr. Ali Bin Khamis
the father of Bishop Lawrence Dena when he was still a Muslim. The lady on the extreme right is Rebecca
Kuvuna, formerly Rukia Khamis. Note
that Ali Bin Khamis became Amos Dena. “Look, God’s home is now among his
people! He will live with them, and they
will be his people. God Himself will be
with them. He will wipe every tear from
their eyes.” {Revelation: 21:3-4}
Compare this picture and those others of Bishop and Mrs. Dena elsewhere,
spot the difference and then say ‘Ebenezer’ or ‘this is how far the Lord has
brought us’.
Exemplary
Church Career.
Sammy Lawrence Kavustu
Dena was rightly and canonically ordained both deacon and priest of the
Anglican Church of Kenya Mombasa Diocese in the early and mid nineties and was
thereafter posted to Lenana High School in Nairobi as a School Chaplin after
serving for a very brief stint in a similar capacity in St. Augustine’s
Preparatory School, Tudor. One of the Episcopal duties Rev Lawrence did was to
reclaim the school back to the ownership of the Anglican Church. Other religious bodies had expressed interest
in the school and were just beginning to gain influence and control of the
institution.
Bishop Dena remarked that
this was not easy.
In this picture, taken while in Lenana
High School, Nairobi, Rev. Dena is seen conducting baptism by immersion in the
school swimming pool. The Church recognized Rev. Dena’s exemplary and
distinguished career in Church service and made him a canon. Usually a canon or
collation for that matter is an order of honour awarded to men and women who
have made an outstanding and
distinguished contribution to the life of the Church. In other words they are Church heroes!
Thanksgiving
after Childbirth!
“A woman giving birth to a child has
pain because her time has come; but when the baby is born she forgets the
anguish because of her joy that the child is born into the world.” {John:
16:21} The Right Reverend Lawrence conducts a
thanksgiving service after childbirth in Jadini Parish last advent. When Christians bring their children to the
Church for dedication they are strictly following the example of Mary who
presented baby Jesus to the temple in what is some times referred to as the
‘purification of St. Mary, the Virgin’.
Parents therefore should submit to this in obedience to the ordinances
of God’s church.
A Caring Grandfather!
Bishop Lawrence is not only a bishop
and a father; he is also a grandfather. He is seen playing the grandfather’s
role at home after a day’s hard work late last year. He had just arrived home after a busy and
tiring confirmation service in Jadini parish.
Bishop Lawrence Dena is blessed with four Children, two boys and two
girls.
Full House!
This group photograph brings together
part but not all of the bishop’s family.
Sifa and Neema had just gone out when this photograph was being
taken. From left to right is Donald
Shauri, Bishop’s elder son, Mrs. Jane Dena, Bishops wife, Bishop Dena, then
there is the daughter-in-law, holding the grandchild. Front row left to right Rev. Capt. Evelyn
Manjewa, Felisters Baraza, Vicar’s niece and Mrs. Annie Omusugu. “An overseer must be above reproach,
the husband but of one wife, temperate, self controlled, respectable,
hospitable, able to teach, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome. He must
manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper
respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take
care of God’s Church?” {1Timothy 3:1ff.}
KAMA
Provincial Conference in Kakamega.
The Kenya Anglican Men’s Association
(K.A.M.A.), provincial conference was held in the month of December 2011 in
Kakamega town in Western Province, from 5th to the 8th week before
Christmas. The conference whose theme was derived from 1st.
Chronicles 17:16 “Who am I O Lord?”
brought home men from all walks of life from all the 32 Anglican dioceses in
the Province of Kenya: Mombasa, Nairobi,
Mount Kenya East, Kitale, Bungoma, Nambale, Katakwa,Butere, North Maseno, South
Maseno, West Maseno, Mumias, Eldoret, Marsabit, Lodwar, All Saints diocese in
Nairobi, Mbeere, Meru, Thika, Kajiado, Machakos, Kitui, Taita/Taveta, Nakuru,
South Nyanza, Bondo, Mount Kenya Central, Mount Kenya West and Embu.
It
was indeed a very rare thing to see all the men of the Anglican Church
from all the corners our Province of
Kenya coming together like this ,
congregating and worshipping and praising God together, praying for their wives
and families and the needs of the nation.
These are challenges facing all the men in Kenya as the head of the
families! Just as the women of our
diocese did, during the Mpeketoni women’s conference, 2011 edition in Lamu, the
men of our Province borrowed a leaf from them, enjoyed each other’s company,
shared testimonies and life challenges facing them as men and as the heads of
the families; the stories of courage and faith, how to deal with stubborn wives
through the eye of Christ among other things. The men of the Anglican Church of
the Province of Kenya, through their excellent speakers, Dr.Murugu of Murugu
Herbal Medicine, C.C.S staff Western Region, Equity Bank and bishops and clergy
who graced the occasion, in theological reflections and discussions on the
topics they were assigned to teach the delegates.
KAMA
PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE!
We of course, yet again, tasted the
warm and hospitable karibu of the host Bishop of North Maseno, the
Right Reverend Simon Oketch. The men of
the Anglican Church from all over the thirty two dioceses gathered in Kakamega
Hill School assuming friendship, congeniality, caring for one another, bearing
in mind that they are indeed united by sharing the same faith values, vision
and mission as true men of the Anglican Church.
As true men of the Anglican Church, guided by the Holy Ghost and
grounded on scripture, they came from a wide range of backgrounds choosing to
turn to each other within the body of Christ, just as the women of our diocese
did when they set the example during the 2011 Mother’s Union did in the
Mpeketoni, Lamu conference. It was
evident that commitment of the utmost to Christian fellowship has really been
awakened in all the men and has led them to know and discover, as men, the
responsibilities entrusted to them by God as the heads of their families.
The
Archbishop’s Address to the 2012 KAMA
Conference.
His Grace, the Most Rev. Dr. Eliud Wabukala , Archbishop and
Primate of Kenya was the chief missioner during the 2011 KAMA conference in
Kakamega last December. During his
dramatic address to the delegates, His Grace, in his opening remarks, expressed
deep regret and apologized as to why the 2010 KAMA conference did not take
place due to what he termed to us as logistical reasons while affirming that
today’s event has come to pass, thus accomplishing God’s driven purposes. His Grace went on to remark that if all the
men of our Church are dependant upon the Holy Spirit, we shall all be safe from
all challenges, disappointments, life setbacks, unnecessary talks and squabbles
and what the devil might bring in our midst to stop us from accomplishing the
divine goals and aspirations that God has assigned for us to undertake.
Archbishop Wabukala said that
the Anglican Church was the leading Church in Kenya at Independence in terms of
Church growth, which was estimated to be at 50%, yet today many mushrooming
religious bodies have really challenged us and there is the greatest need for
the Anglican Church to engage herself in mission work and church planting in
order to meet the challenge of the new millennium. In order to emulate the example of our Lord
Jesus the Anglican Church, led by its men, should be at the forefront to bring
transformation and new life, peace and hope to the community at large. He further encouraged all the KAMA men who
had turned up for the Kakamega conference to engage themselves in fellowship,
prayer, Bible study and meditation as really great men of God in the Bible used
to do. He emphasized that this will
encourage all men to remain within their contexts, focused in their
relationships with one another within the body of Christ.
KAMA
Commended For a Job well Done!
During his address to the 2011 KAMA
delegates in Kakamega, His Grace the Most Reverend Eliud Wabukala,
Archbishop and Primate of Kenya, illustrated the significance of theological
education as yet another important aspect geared toward an accelerated growth
of the Church. He reiterated for all to
be aware that education is a very fundamental aspect of Christian
development! Education enlightens and
transforms the entire human person for holistic development. We are therefore
obliged to make use of our available institutions of higher learning, including
our Universities. The Archbishop, on his
part, commended the men’s initiative and enthusiasm for KAMA, exhibited during
the previous Conference in Kabarak, to establish our own Kenya Anglican
University (KAU). The Anglican Diocese
of Mbeere has heeded this Call and has already donated 96 acres to
establish this Christian University which is 100% Anglican.
The President of the Republic of Kenya,
Mwai Kibaki, is no 1 supporter while the Right Hon. Prime Minister, Raila
Odinga together with the Vice President, are also members of this noble and
divine task.
Addressing
Conference Delegates.
His Grace the Most
Reverend Dr. Eliud Wabukala, in jovial mood, commended the KAMA for a good job
well done in establishing an Anglican University whose main Campus is in Mbeere
Diocese. He was addressing the 2011
edition of the KAMA conference in Kakamega last December. More than 250 men from all over Kenya were in
attendance. The Primate conveyed special greetings from the head of state,
President Mwai Kibaki to KAMA delegates.
President Kibaki has become member number one of the Kenya Anglican
University by giving 1 million shillings.
The Archbishop had just completed his
pastoral visit to the diocese of Kitale in the month of November 2011. While in Kitale the Archbishop visited
Kapenguria, Makutano, St.Paul’s and his former school, ADC Nai Primary, where
he taught in 1975; here he launched a 5 year strategic plan for his former
school and also inspected his former house which was in a horrible state. A tree was then planted in his honour.
His Grace
Grass Thatched House in Nai Complex.
Humble beginnings can be exciting as
well as interesting. Did you know that
His Grace, the Archbishop of Kenya, was once upon a time a classroom teacher
and lived in this grass thatched house in ADC Nai Primary School between 1975
-1978? This might sound interesting and
amazing to you yet it is true!
Mr. Eliud Omukekhe (his
true and correct names) was a teacher for many years where he taught history
and Christian education while at the same time taking a keen interest in sports
where he took part in 800m and was the best teacher of his time! Omukekhe in the Luhyia Bukusu language means
‘little one’, or ‘one with little and slender body’! Can you compare and match the name Omukekhe
and the man himself and get the meaning of the name? The condition in which Dr. Wabukala found his
house, nearly 40 years after he had left the place, was just disgusting and
heart breaking. The roof was still
conical in shape the way he had left it but there were no windows and the floor
was in such a dilapidated condition.
This brought him sad old memories of when teaching here! One day while Mr. Omukekhe was resting in
this house looking up to the open roof, seeing the stars in the sky, a Puff
Adder crossed before his eyes from one end of the roof to the other hunting for
mice. This made him very scared and
prompted him to occupy the deputy headmaster’s house below which he had to
enter by force. I was a standard one
pupil when Mr. Omukekhe used to discipline us inside this grass thatched hut
every Saturday at 2pm during offices of instructions, preparing us for
confirmation. I was personally baptized
inside here in 1971 by the Reverend John Kanga of Mombasa Diocese.
This prompted His Grace
to launch a 5 year strategic plan for his former school. How interesting history can be! During the late 60s Dr. Wabukala, then
Mr.Omukekhe, together with Sir Patrick G.B. Long, a white settler, had founded
ADC Nai Primary with the prime aim of teaching literacy skills to his workers
on the farm, which later became ADC Nai Complex.
Sir Patrick GB Long.
Sir Patrick GB long the famous white
settler together with Dr. Eliud Wabukala founded ADC Nai Primary in the 60s.
Strategic Plan for a school!
His Grace, the Most Reverend Eliud
Wabukala, flanked by the head teacher of Nai Primary, launches a five year
strategic plan for his former school when he visited the School last advent to
the glory of God. It is interesting to note here that His Grace still has a
passion and love for education which is why he called the KAMA men to establish
an Anglican University. What a legacy
for a man of God! What an example he has
set for us, his former pupils! He will
be remembered with nostalgia!
A Tree in
His Honor!
This tree His Grace, Eliud Wabukala
planted in his former primary school where he taught for many years during the
seventies is to commemorate his legacy to future generations of teachers.
KAMA Anthem.
During the 2011 edition of the KAMA conference
in Hill School Kakamega, the men of our province challenged by the women who
had earlier composed their own anthem during the Kabarak Women‘s conference the
previous year based on Esther 4:14 which says “For if you remain
silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from
another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal
position for such a time as this?” The men felt humbled by such a divine
assignment done by the women of our Church and so decided to act on the same by
composing the Men’s’ Anthem based on the book of Joshua.
We Will Serve The
Lord!
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day
whom you will serve, whether gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or
the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve
the Lord.”(Joshua 24:15ff)
KAMA
Provincial Secretary Leads Men in Singing KAMA Anthem.
KAMA Provincial Secretary, John
Nyaga, is seen leading close to 300 KAMA delegates in singing the newly
composed KAMA anthem in Kakamega last advent. The anthem was based on the book
of Joshua Chapter 24, verse 15 ff. The
men with their deep male voices sounded very ‘basso profundo’ as they followed
the conductor singing: “We will serve
the Lord”.
If it seems evil for to you to serve
the Lord choose now who you will serve day by day!
But for me and my
house, we will serve the Lord!
In and out of house of
bondage we will serve the Lord,
In and out of the house of bondage,
we will serve Lord.
KAMA Men
sing their First Ever Anthem in Honour of all men who serve the Lord.
Men, men everywhere sing their first
ever anthem based on the book of Joshua during the Kakamega KAMA conference
last December. The men in solidarity and
the Spirit of togetherness vowed to be faithful men to their wives and to
honour the roles they have been called to undertake as men and as the heads of
their respective families. The issues of wife and husband battering,
unfaithfulness in marriage, and HIV/AIDS emerged as the most contentious of
their concerns. ‘Where real men are,
great things happen’ was the men’s slogan during the five day event. The men discovered that through fellowship
relationships fractured families are healed and restored, and the dignity and
the image of a man in society, as the head of the family, is cherished. The presence and the manifestation of the
Holy Ghost were in deed manifested in a very rare and spectacular manner! As
true and real men of the Anglican Church, guided by the Holy Ghost, and above
everything else grounded in the doctrine of the Bible and of the Anglican
Church, emerging from a wide and diverse range of backgrounds and traditions,
from many different parts of the Republic of Kenya, have chosen to turn and
listen to each other in love, commitment, compassion and with patience as the
heads of their families, within the body of Christ.
It was evident that commitment to true Christian fellowship has
led all the men of our Church to understand one another and their roles as men
at home, in the church and the wider community at large; to be dependant upon
God and the Holy Spirit in their engagement on Christian missions bilaterally
and cross culturally with each other within the body of Christ.
St. Mark’s,
Mikindani Raises ACK Mombasa Profile
If there is a parish that deserves
commendation at this point in time in the Mombasa Diocese, it is St.Mark’s,
Mikindani. Mikindani Parish registered
the highest number of delegates who went to the 2011 KAMA conference in
Kakamega last advent. In total
Mikindani alone sent 30 out of a total 50 delegates to the Kakamega conference,
making the Diocese of Mombasa to take the lead as the Diocese with the largest
number of delegates ever. In the picture
below you can see Mikindani Parish taking to the stage to lead other KAMA
delegates in praising God in a manner like never before just before the
curtains of the conference came down with grace. It is also interesting to note that Mr.
Edward Olouch the Diocesan KAMA Chairman, hails from Mikindani Parish!
Mombasa
Diocese Steals The Trophy!
The ACK Mombasa Diocese was awarded
with an impressive trophy during the 2011 KAMA conference in Kakamega as the
Diocese which send the highest number of delegates ever; 53 in total thus
beating the hosts who had 30 compared to Mount Kenya East who had 47. Receiving the trophy from the national KAMA
patron the Right Reverend Julius Kalu, Edward Olouch the Coast Region KAMA
chairman remarked that God has really answered prayers since for a long time
now the Coastal diocese has been performing poorly when it comes to national
functions such as these but this time round though we started like lambs in the
end we roared like lions!
KAMA
Chairman Receives Trophy!
Mr. Edward Olouch from ACK St.
Mark’s, Mikindani Parish, receives the
most prestigious and impressive trophy from the Bishop of Maseno North, the
Right Reverend Simon Oketch at the close of the conference in
December last year. Mombasa Diocese was
recognized as the Diocese which sent the highest number of participants to the
conference this time round.
Waiting for
His Grace:
His Grace the Most Reverend Eliud Wabukala, the Archbishop
and the Primate of Kenya, was Chief guest of the 2011 KAMA conference in
Kakamega. His Grace arrived on board 540
which landed in Moi International Airport in Kisumu. In this picture the bishops and other KAMA
officials are waiting to receive him when rumour reached us that he was just a
few minutes a way. In the picture L to R
Josiah Were (Nambale), Julius Kalu, (Mombasa and also National KAMA chairman),
Simon Oketch (North Maseno), Canon Shadrack Owuor, John Nyaga (National KAMA
Secretary), Edward Olouch, KAMA coordinator, Mombasa, from Mikindani Parish and
two others.
Offering a
Complimentary Hand!
His Grace, the Most Rev. Wabukala,
upon his arrival at the KAMA conference, is here seen giving a complimentary
hand to Bishop Julius Kalu of Mombasa Diocese upon his new appointment as the new
Provincial KAMA Chairman; Canon Owuor of North Maseno, (centre) looks on. Bishop Julius Kalu replaces Bishop Njoka of
Nairobi who has now retired from active church service. Congratulations Bishop Kalu for your new
appointment as the Provincial KAMA Chairman and thank you most sincerely for
raising Mombasa Diocese’s profile.
Kwaheri! Your Grace.
The Bishop of Mombasa Julius Kalu,
together with Bishop Simon Oketch of North Maseno Diocese are escorting His
Grace Dr.Wabukala, the archbishop, to board a plane back to Nairobi after
officially gracing the 2011 KAMA Conference which lasted for five days. The establishment of the Kenya Anglican
University dominated his agenda
A Glimpse
of the Past.
Often it is believed that of all our
memories none are more powerful than childhood memories. No matter how far we go from home they never
leave us! Malcolm Muggeridge, one of the
most outstanding radio broadcasters of his time, once remarked on the
importance and power of memory; that no matter how quickly we move in the road
of life or how far away we go we cannot run away from our past. Our past is always there behind us wherever
we go! What amazes me and many others is
that the older we become the more clear and fresh the childhood memories
become. I am standing in our former
house exactly five meters from where I was born, facing our longtime neighbour,
settlers and friends Rev and Mrs Alan and Desmond Knight. Mrs. Alan Knight was my Sunday school teacher
in those days.
We were a group of five girls and two
boys always sitting on a circle of chairs made of matting placed strategically
outside the church gymnasium. Lesson by
lesson the word of God was unfolded before us by Mrs., Alan Knight who was
always soft-spoken and consistent in her care and concern for us. My father, Jospa, was a dairy officer who
worked for the three white settlers, Michael Wilson Hiss, Sir Patrick GB Long
and Alan and Desmond Knight. Eliud Wabukala,
then Mr Omukekhe, visited us every Friday evening for fellowship, riding on his
bicycle. Riding and especially owning a
bicycle was a very prestigious thing in those days! Although none of my family stays in Nai where
I was born, whenever I am in Endebess for holidays, to visit my father
and mother, I drive there through the
village, park my motorcycle and reflect on some of the things that took place
there during my childhood. What is so
good about this place? Have I forgotten
something so special? Kenneth Grahame,
the famous writer, affirms that there is a time in childhood when doors open
and usher in the future.
Vicar Takes
Part in Church Marathon.
The Jadini Parish Vicar, Rev. Kennedy
Ofundi, with the Jadini Church Marathon Secretariat, in the weeks preceding
advent 2011 when they organized a 40 kilometer Church marathon to raise funds
for charity, spot youthful talents and above everything else preach the news of
our Lord Jesus Christ in the way the Apostle Paul says in his numerous letters
to Philippians, Corinthians and even Timothy. Leading a pack of 30 Church marathoners,
the Vicar clocked the 40 kilometer mark in two hours and twenty minutes from
Likoni to Jadini on the morning of 4th December 2011.
CHURCH
MARATHON!
The marathon was to mark the vicar’s
contribution to the work of God for the Jadini Christians whose Parish quota
was unpaid for several years when he first arrived at Jadini and where there
were no signs of its payment being made!
The Jadini Church marathon was an eye-opener for many a doubting Thomas;
that God works under very mysterious circumstances, beyond our control. The response from various sponsors towards
Reverend Ofundi’s Jadini Marathon was enormous and exceptionally successful, to
the Glory of God proving the doubting Thomases wrong.
Straining
Forward!
In the earlier part of the long
distance race, athletes are still strong and have that energy to move an extra
mile! They are still very relaxed! As the race progresses some get exhausted due
to the long journey and drop by the wayside.
Those that have done enough practice and can withstand the pressure of
the race strain forward with that extra stored kinetic energy to propel them
forward ever nearer to the finishing mark to win the prize. Here Fr. Ofundi is seen straining forward to
the finishing point of the 40 km Jadini Church Marathon, setting the pace for
the junior runners who were several meters behind him.
The Reverend, guided by the Holy Ghost
and the grace of God, together with his compatriots managed to raise close to
160,000 Kenyan Shillings to the glory of the Most High God who never fails his
humble servants. Tribute goes to
Chandarana and Muthaiga Supermarkets, Leopard Hotels, Diani Sea lodge, Diani
Sea Resort, Palm Beach Hospital, Colobus Trust, Edith Matiba, Esther Kotak,
Haron Ng’ang’a and Diani Beach Hospital for helping us to realize our dream, to
the glory of God.
Forgetting
what is behind!
Athletes always look forward when
taking part in any kind of athletic championship. They never look back! Looking
back has several dangers. The runner can loose focus, miss steps and fall down
or alternatively he can cross into the lane of another runner and cause him to
miss steps and fall down also. Shalom
and his sister Nancy were not left behind by their running vicar; the two,
alongside their vicar, as you can see in the picture, took part in the Jadini
Church marathon and were able to finish.
“The race was fantastic and I was able to finish the 40 km though it was
tiring. I felt good being part of the Vicar’s success! I only see the vicar in his collar and in the
pulpit in robes breaking the bread and blessing the cup and pronouncing the
absolution and the benediction. But
today I have seen the other side of our vicar as a very gifted and talented man
of God” said Nancy during the interview.
“I was so excited when my Vicar told me to take part in the Church
Marathon where everybody who takes part in this Church event is a winner.
My sister and I have been practicing
very hard for this rare church event for several weeks, ever since the Vicar
announced it at church some weeks ago.
My sister and I have been waking up early to prepare for the same and I
thank my mother for allowing us to support our Vicar and the work of God at
church. Our vicar has been supportive in
prayer and in inspiring us to be future athletes who bring glory and honor to
the work of God” said Shalom after the marathon last December.
Pressing on to the mark!
Jadini runners: Tony at the centre, Esther on the right and
Mrs. Mgindo brave the morning heat en route to the finishing point in the
Jadini Church marathon last year. It was
such a great success as you can see.
The heat and pressure was too much for some runners yet they could not
just give up! What a team spirit it
is! By the time this photograph was
taken the Vicar had already completed his race and was waiting for them at the
finishing point.
Cruising to the finish
line!
Run Vicar! Run Vicar! Go! Go! You are almost there! Don’t despair! You are just about to take the trophy. The
Jadini Running vicar leads a pack of two runners during the Jadini Church
marathon to reach the 40km mark last advent.
This was perhaps the hardest part of the race! One is tired, about to collapse due to
exhaustion, yet one needs not to give up but to press on! What does this mean to us Christians? You can
draw your own conclusion.
Church
Marathoners in a group photo:
Jadini Church marathoners in a group
photograph after taking part in the 40km race from Likoni to Jadini to the
glory of God. Congratulations to all who
sponsored us and stood by us during the hour of need. Special tribute to the
Church Olympic Committee: Edith Matiba, Esther Kotak, Haron N’ang’a and Judith
Ochiel. We would also like to mention
the officer commanding the police station O.C.S Diani for giving us two
security officers Kandie and Abdi. We
honour you all.
ORDINATION!
Only Lady Among Men.
We were privileged to have Rev. Juliet
Orlando, the KAMA Chaplain, with us during the 2011 KAMA conference in Kakamega
last advent! Rev. Orlando who also
doubles as the Buxton Parish Curate, moved the conference participants to a
frenzy during her rhetoric address and her Biblical exposition on men’s
issues. She is seen speaking to men of
varying caliber and tradition in Kakamega.
She, with no doubt, won the hearts of many and became the toast of the
conference.
Ordination
In the month of February 2012, there was a very big
ordination service at the Mombasa Memorial Cathedral presided over by the
Diocesan Bishop Julius Kalu. The service, which involved the making of the
deacons and the ordering of the priests witnessed 10 ordinands admitted to Holy
orders of deacons while 8 were admitted into priesthood making the total number
of 18; the highest number ever in our ordination history. The Right Rev.Jackson Ole Sapit, Bishop of
Kericho Diocese, took the ordinands through a one-week retreat instructing them
in the call and expectations of ministry.
Episcopally speaking, ordinands make three declarations before the
Diocesan Chancellor and the Bishop: An
oath of canonical obedience, a declaration of assent and one more.
Mombasa
Diocese Sends Missionaries to Dar.
During a recent ordination service at
the Mombasa Memorial Cathedral, Rev Audrey Ahmed holding the Bible and an
ordination certificate, was made a deaconess.
What an achievement! Rev. Audrey
is the daughter of Rev. Newman Mwangombe, Bishop Kalu’s Chaplain for many
years. Reverend Newman is the son of the
late Peter Mwangombe, the first African bishop of Mombasa. Rev.Audrey, together with her husband was
send to Dar es Salaam as an Episcopal missionary.
Like
Grandfather! Like father! Like daughter!
The Rev. Audrey Ahmed and her father
Rev. Newman Mwangombe, before the ordination service started. Now they are
Kenya’s missionaries to Tanzania!
Ordination:
the Big Photograph!
Bishops, Diocesan Chancellor, ordinands
and evangelists pose in an ordinal group photograph outside the Mombasa
Memorial Cathedral moments after the service.
Bishop Kalu is holding the bishopric
meter; standing next to him is Right Rev. Jackson Ole Sapit of Kericho with
military height. Bishop Lawrence Dena is
on the extreme right. Note the ordinands
in their full colourful regalia! The
deacon’s and deaconess’s stoles hang from the right shoulder, diagonally across
the breast downwards to the bottom left.
In bygone days deacons were waiters and waitresses which is why they are
dressed like this!
Books,
Magazines and Bible Vendor.
Mrs. Annie Omusugu is a
very hardworking and industrious woman among wives of the clergy of Mombasa
Diocese. She is a vendor of the Glorious
Awakening Magazine, Church SYMBOLS Book, and New version of Book of Common
Prayer. For all your books needs
concerning liturgy, hymn books and other Uzima Literature contact her on
0726954349, all the books are at very affordable rates! She does the sales in all the parishes within
the Island and beyond.
St. Luke’s Makupa; St.
Peter’s Nyali; St. John’s Buxton; St.
Paul’s Kiembeni; St. Jame’s Mshomoroni, St. Andrew’s Soweto; St. Faith
Migadini; All Saints’ Mtwapa; St, Thomas Kilifi; Mombasa Memorial Cathedral and
St. Philp’s Likoni among others. May God bless you all, over there, in your
ministry?
We would like to take this
opportunity to thank all our esteemed readers and vicars in the following parishes
for making our ministry easy and successful:
Honouring
the Retiring Heroes!
Canon Emmanuel Nyamawi has finally retired
from active Church service late last year.
Venerable Canon Nyamawi has served the Diocese of Mombasa for nearly a
half a century; first as an evangelist, then as a deacon and finally as a
priest, before rising through the ranks of an area dean before being
venerated. His last parish is St.
Mathias, Shimba Hills. The gift he requested from us church media people is
nothing other than a copy of the Church Symbols book, a Bible and a Glorious
Awakening Magazine.
You see him holding with appreciation
and nostalgia his Gospel literature to keep him fit and updated while on his
retirement. Enjoy your retirement and
do have a long life!
Since your
singing is so good!
The St. Luke’s, Makupa, Church Choir
was at its musical best during an ordination service at the Mombasa Memorial
Cathedral earlier this Year. You can see
for yourself how the occasion was. God
bless you all men and women of God in your singing!
FOCUS
ON OUR MEDICAL TRAINING STUDENTS!
Goat eating
party in St. Mathias, Shimba Hills!
In the month of March, towards Easter
2012, there was a goat eating contest at ACK Shimba Hills Parish in Shimba
Hills Deanery. The parish vicar, Ven.
Morris Mwambawa, invited all the parish Christians living in the diaspora to
come home and support the ministry of God at home wherever they might be
working. The vicar, venerable Mwambawa,
took this opportunity to address the Christians who had turned up for this
auspicious occasion when a goat was slaughtered and roasted for all the guests
who had turned up to grace the day. The
vicar released his 5 year blue print plan for the parish for the Christians to
embrace. The Christians from the
diaspora responded by having the church perimeter fence electrified, among many
other things. Some promised to be bringing
their tithes to the home Church which was a very good thing to do! The Venerable Mwambawa poses for a group
photo with the Christians from the Shimba Hills and the diaspora during the
goat eating party cum–five year blue print vision by the vicar. NOTE:
every Christian in the above photo is holding a chunk of meat for
feasting. Have nice feasting day, won’t you?
Focus on
our Medical Training Students.
The English service at ACK St. Luke’s
Community Church, Msambweni, is well attended by medical college students from
the local medical training centre at a place called Tumbe in Msambweni
district.
The students are drawn from all over
the republic of Kenya, meeting the college admission requirements so having
been admitted to the college to start their diploma programmes, on
environmental health, nursing or health records. We are glad to share with our esteemed readers
their profiles and testimonies in this issue.
MERCY
WILLIAMS.
Mercy Williams was born in Kisumu
district, Nyanza province, in 1987. She
was educated at Homa Bay Primary and Ogande High school between 1996 and
2006. Before joining the medical
training centre, here in Msambweni, she worked for several years in Turkana,
Northern Kenya, with the Catholic
Diocese of Lodwar in the field of education and training. Mercy is the first born a family of three. She is a baptized and confirmed Anglican from
South Maseno Diocese in South Nyanza, Rachuonyo District. During her interview
with us she affirms that the sky is the limit in her studies. She is about to graduate late this year with
a diploma in environmental health science.
Her ambition is to pursue studies up to PHD level and set a good precedence
for other ladies from her area of origin to emulate. She loves gospel music, reading the Bible,
inspirational literature as well as sports.
We wish her good luck in her future endeavors!
SAM
WYCLIFFE
Sam Wycliffe was born in 1988 in South
Nyanza, the 6th born in a family of 9. He went to Kariba Primary before joining
Karama High school where he sat for his O levels in 2007. While in High School he developed a keen
interest in science disciplines. He was
very active in the science congress in which he participated up to national
levels. Wycliffe, a third year nursing
student, joined the Medical Training Centre Msambweni in 2010, pursuing a
diploma in clinical nursing. Before
joining the college of medical professionals three years ago, he was involved
in what he describes as horticultural farming, i.e. the growing of vegetables
for a livelihood. He says that coming to
study nursing is a prayer answered, fulfilling a life long dream and career. He is a member of the English service of the
Anglican Church, Msambweni Parish. He is
not baptized neither is he confirmed! He
is expecting to be baptized in the month of May, this year. He is a very committed student of Bible
studies.
JOSEPH
MACHARIA, OR ‘MASH’.
Joseph Macharia is popularly known among his peers as
Mash! Mash was born of Anglican parents
in the Anglican Church of Kenya, Thika Diocese.
His Bishop is Dr.Githika! His
mother is a lay reader in Ngoingwa Parish in the Diocese of Thika. Joseph Macharia was educated at Gatumaini
Primary and later Karwara Boys High School between 1997 and 2009. He is a baptized and confirmed member of the
Anglican Church and above all has received Jesus Christ as his personal
saviour.
Spiritually she is a baptized and
confirmed member of the Anglican Church. She was saved in the year 2007 in a
seminar while attending a Pentecostal seminar in Nairobi! Environmental health science, Penina tells
us, deals mainly with disease surveillance, epidemiology, diagnosis, meat
inspection, public health law, first aid, building and construction amongst
other things. Penina is a soft spoken
lady with focus! Epidemiology and
disease surveillance is her area of specialization!
ELIJAH OUMA
OGOLA
Elijah popularly known as ‘Eli’ among
his peers, was born in Pumwani, Nairobi in 1988 of Christian parents. He
attended Nyayo Primary and Got Agulu High School between 2003 and 2006. At high school he managed get a mean grade B
and was lucky to get admission to the Medical Training Centre in Msambweni
where he is currently taking a course leading to a diploma in environmental
science. Ouma loves his job which he
does diligently with all his heart and with very little supervision. His future ambition is to further his
education in the field of business; in particular with Bachelor of
Commerce. He is a born again Christian,
loves bible study and singing in the youth church choir!
CATHERINE
AWERE.
Catherine Awere is aged 23 and was
born in Kisumu, 5th born in a family of 6. Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Anyango Arindo! She attended Luworo Primary and Lwaks Girls’
High school 1994-2008. At primary level
she scored 334 marks out of 500 and went on to score a mean aggregate of B- at
Ordinary level.
When in 2nd form she was
elected as class representative!
Catherine as young and slender as she is has leadership qualities
already exhibited as she leads others in singing during Sunday services. She has a personal relationship with
Christ! She is a staunch member of the
Roman Catholic Church, is confirmed and baptized in the Diocese of Kisumu, Lwak
Parish. Fr. Onyango is her priest while
her Bishop is Okoth. She qualified for admission to KMTC in 2009, and she is
about to graduate with a diploma in environmental health. What she hates most
is polygamy in the family! She prays
that men and women stick to what the Bible says: one man one wife! Having come from a polygamous setting the
experiences she has encountered in her life have been harrowing! A veritable litmus test! “The Lord is close to the broken hearted save
those who are crushed in Spirit” {Psalm: 34:18}. Asked about her future plans? She intends to pursue further studies and
will probably continue in the field of environmental health. The best of the luck to you Awere!
MERCY
MANGA.
Mercy Manga is a very close friend of
Mercy Williams. She was born In Migori
District back in 1992. Mercy is a gifted
girl full of life and hope! She sings in
the church youth choir and is an extrovert.
She is both baptized and is a full
communicant of the Anglican Church. She
attended Chulaimbo Primary before proceeding to Migingo Girls’ Secondary School
from where she scored a mean grade of C plain in 2008. She thereafter enrolled for a diploma in
environmental health at MTC Msambweni in September 2009. She is now a third year student and is
expecting to graduate later this year.
She is a born again Christian and loves reading about the Bible. Philippians 4:13 is her favorite verse. She
narrates to us that her worst moment is when she lost her best fiend earlier
this year through a road accident. She
comes from Ogollah Parish in the archdiocese of Kisumu. Joseph Otieno is her father while Beatrice
Otieno is her mother and she wishes them both a long and peaceful life. Travelling, swimming and reading books are
her hobbies! Her ambition is to pursue
further studies up to PHD level in the field of environmental health.
GODFREY
OTIENO OBURU.
Godfrey was born in the historic
Forte Nun in Muhoroni in 1985. He comes
from the Upper Nyakach ACK Diocese of
South Maseno. He completed his primary
and high school at Jobber and Muhoroni between 2000 and 2004 where he obtained
a mean grade of C+. He later enrolled
for a diploma in environmental health sciences at Medical Training Centre in
Msambweni. He is expecting to finish his
course next year. He got saved in 2005,
immediately after high school! Mr. Oburu
is a gifted singer! He sings base voice
in the church youth choir! He loves
football, watching Christian movies, swimming, and making friends. Mr. Oburu is very grateful to ACK Msambweni;
especially for the current vicar who shows care and concern to the youths by
revolutionizing their worship. To God be
the glory!
SHARON
AKINYI.
Sharon was born of Christian parents in
1990 in Nairobi. She went to school
in Kariobangi North and later Sinaga
Girls’ High school between 2005 and 2009. She joined KMTC Msambweni where she is
undertaking a course leading to a diploma in community nursing. Sharon is a lady with a difference as she is
very much grounded on scripture and a life of prayer! She is the first born in family of two girls
and one boy! Her hobbies are singing and
encouraging people. “He gives the
strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” is her favorite text
in the Bible. The names of her parents
are Mr. and Mrs. Apollo Omondi and Beatrice Achieng. Her parents attend St. Joseph’s Anglican Church,
Migori. She, like others that we have
seen, sings in the church youth choir.
Nice to meet you Sharon!
KENNEDY
MUNGAI MWIRURI.
Kennedy is a medical college student
undertaking a diploma in Kenya enrolled community health nursing. He is in his first year and is expected to
complete in 2015 by the grace of God. He
was born in 1992 in central province and has a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ. He is not yet baptized or
confirmed. He is looking forward to
join catechism classes as soon as the parish vicar announces them. He is a very
active member of the English service! He
will be the happiest youth if his dreams of being baptized and confirmed come
to pass. Thanks for your spiritual
enthusiasm towards your undertakings!
VALENTINE
KABITA.
This little one was born in 1990. She looks younger than that. Both her parents are alive and Christians
which is why this girl has such sound Christian morals and principles. She attended Kituneni Primary and Matungulu
Girls’ High School between 2002 -2006.
She Joined Msambweni Medical Training College in September 2009. She is pursuing a course in environmental
health sciences! She is expected to
graduate towards the end of 2012. She is
born again and loves Jesus Christ; loves singing and reading the Bible. After her diploma, her main ambition is to
get a PHD in public health! Valentine is
grateful to her parents Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kabita who attend All Saints
Cathedral, Nairobi for bringing her up in such a good Christian manner. She at
the same time grateful to her vicar, Rev. Kennedy for guiding the youths so
well!
WINNIE
KERUBO
Winnie Kerubo was born in 1992 in
Nyamira District during the time that the multiparty winds were blowing across
Kenya. Her father, the late Jones,
passed on while she was still very young.
She is the first born in a family of three. Her mother, Ann Moraa, was left with the
responsibility of taking care of her and her other siblings. Her follower is in college while the last
born brother is writing his KCSE this year.
Winnie was educated at Nyaisa Primary where she scored 339 marks, then
proceeded to Nyabuburu Girls’ where she got a mean grade of B-. Upon finishing high School she wanted do
commerce but decided to do nursing because of her love of helping sick people
especially as she was affected when there was nobody to help her mom when she
was diagnosed with anemia. She is
currently taking a diploma in community registered health nursing. Female nurses wear epaulettes on their
uniforms to distinguish them from untrained non-professional people. She is not baptized but is looking forward
towards that soon. Her parting shot to
other youths: “Don’t pray for opportunities to come, but pray that you are
ready when they come”
JOHN MWANGOYA.
John Mwangoya is a baptized and full
communicant of the ACK church. Born in
Wesu, Taita district in the late seventies John was educated at Shagah Primary
and went ahead to train for carpentry and joinery in a local youth
polytechnic. John, a humble young man,
is very active in church and youth affairs.
He sings tenor in the youth church choir and also doubles as the youth
treasurer. He is a trustworthy and
straightforward gentleman with a bright future.
He is also a regular attendant during Bible study sessions on Saturdays.
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY!
Celebrating
the Triumphal Entry in Msambweni Parish!
It was a historic occasion in St.
Luke’s Community Church, Msambweni, as the storm of excitement and anticipation
swept through Msambweni central business district during which the Anglican
Church in the area, guided by the Holy Ghost, led the way by celebrating the
triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, after 40 days of
fasting in the wilderness with people singing hosannas. Christians in all walks of life in Msambweni
take part in the triumphal entry procession to mark the end of the 40 day
Lenten season which began on Ash Wednesday.
Msambweni Christians with
palm leaves, singing hosannas during the end of the Lenten fast. Palm Sunday is the beginning of what is
liturgically called the Holy week. The
Holy week has three principle holidays, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter
even and Resurrection Sunday.
Msambweni
Women Celebrate Mothering Sunday.
The women of our Church celebrated
the Day of the Annunciation in March this year in style. The women in the service dedicated to them,
led the service, sang and preached in emulation of the most respected woman in
Church History; that is Mary, Mother of GOD and of our Lord Jesus Christ! Mary Mother of God is called Theotokos; while
Mary Mother of Christ is called Christakos!
This occasion, is also sometimes referred to as the day of the Blessed
Mary because the Angel of God called her ‘blessed’. Women also take time to pray for their
families, visiting the widows, the sick and the underprivileged people in the
society.
Reading the
lessons during the service!
Msambweni Anglican women reading the
lessons during last mothering Sunday service organized in their honour. The ladies look so nice in their blue
attire. Note the pictures elsewhere put
everything in black and white. The ladies in the picture are Loiza Shake left,
Priscilla Shoka centre and Florence Mwakamsha
Women of
our church in their blue attire after the service!
The ladies of ACK St. Luke’s
Community Church, Msambweni pose for a photograph outside the church after the
women had celebrated the mass. It was a
very spectacular service and above everything else it was good to see how the
ladies of our church are so vibrant and rich in talents. The ladies in the pictures are Florence, Mrs.
Waweru, Lina, J. Mathenge, Mrs. Chumbe, Mrs. Mwakamsha, Notina, Diana, Sera,
Agnes, Mrs. Nyabuto, Priscilla Shoka and Jane Baya “God bless you all ladies”.
WOMEN
INTERNATIONAL DAY!
DC attends International
Day for Women.
The District Commissioner, Msambweni,
led the women of her district in celebrating
‘Women’s International Day’ in style during March 2012. Madam Latif, in her address to the
women, who had gathered in Mwangulu, Msambweni District. Madam DC inspected a guard of honour mounted
by the Scouts and Girl guides of Mwangulu High School. She asked the parents to take the education
of girls seriously and discouraged early childhood marriages.
A HAPPY DAY!
His Grace on the 5th May,
2012, got married to Rev Rhoda Luvuno in a colourful wedding in St. Peter’s Church,
Nyali. The wedding was presided over by
Bishop Julius Kalu of Mombasa. The
address to the newly married couple was given by Rt. Rev. (Rtd) Stephen Njihia
from the Diocese of Nakuru.
HAPPY
DAY!
WHAT A
LOVELY SURPRISE!
The Vicar of St Peter’s, Rev. Dr.
Dorcus Kiundu, was surprised to receive a telephone call on Friday May 4th
telling her that His Grace, the Archbishop, was going to be married the
following day at St Peter’s Church! The
bride was no other than Rev. Rhoda Luvuno who was at one time very closely
attached to St Peter’s when she was running the Compassion International
programme at St Matthew’s ACK Church, Kanamai.
This caused a lot of excitement and happiness for all of us who knew
Rhoda so well. Coming from Shimba Hills
she is one of us ‘Pwani’ people. The
wedding was a very blessed occasion with lots of singing and laughing. Smiles were on everyone’s faces, not least
those few officials and friends including the Provost of All Saints Cathedral
who accompanied the Archbishop from Nairobi.
The ceremony was followed by a lovely reception in St Peter’s Church
Hall. This surprise wedding was reminiscent of the story in the Bible
about the wise and the foolish virgins, the wise having oil in their lamps when
the bridegroom arrived unlike the foolish ones who had to go buy some and were
absent when the bridegroom arrived. I am
happy to say that St Peter’s had their oil ready and enjoyed being with the
Bridegroom and his lovely Bride. This
was such a wonderful occasion and an honour to St Peter’s.
The Vicar and all the
people of St Peter’s, Nyali, wish His Grace and Rhoda a very happy and blessed
life together. (Marlene Reid)
We here at the Glorious Awakening
desk do also with utmost faith wish His Grace the Most Rev. Dr.Eliud Wabukala
along life and best of the luck with his newly wedded wife Rhoda.
Rhoda and Eliud Wabukala at
their wedding in May
Delegates
to the 2012 historic liturgical conference with His Grace.
His Grace the Most Rev.Dr.Eliud
Wabukala in a historic group photograph
with some o f the delegates from all over the Province of Kenya in Nairobi in
May this year. “I would like to
urge us all representing the whole nation to make prayers for our counties and
especially among the youths who bear the largest stake in this country by
virtue of longevity of life. I also note
the limitation of the liturgy books both the book of Common Prayer and our
Modern Services Book in addressing the needs of the youth in the litany. I
therefore challenge this conference to make proposals on how this issue
can be addressed to make litany more appropriate to the youth”. (Dr.
Wabukala Archbishop of Kenya.)
Congratulations
Teacher for a Job Well Done!
His Grace, the Most Rev. Dr. Eliud
Wabukala and his former pupil Rev. Ofundi upon his wedding day to Rev. Rhoda in
St. Peter’s, Nyali, in this May 2012 picture.
Note that Dr.Wabukala was Rev. Ofundi’s primary school teacher in ADC,
Nai Primary between 1976 and 1979 before he joined the seminary, and thereafter
became the first Bishop of Bungoma Diocese.
His grace had a keen interest in sports and took part in athletics in
particular and I personally remember him running 800m during primary school
games, Mountain Zone, in Nai Endebess
KAMA
PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE:
Bishops,
who turned up for the KAMA Conference!
The 2011 Kakamega KAMA conference
attracted a total number of 6 bishops from 6 different dioceses across the
Province of Kenya. Left to Right in the
picture is Michael Sande of Mumias Diocese, (standing holding a microphone),
Zacheus Epus of Katakwa, Simon Oketch of North Maseno (the host) and Bishop
Julius Kalu of Mombasa Diocese who is also the new provincial KAMA Chairman.
About Lent
and Easter
Alleluia! Praise to
Christ our Saviour! Indeed it is Easter
again and we here at the Glorious Awakening’s desk are delighted to send
to you all, our esteemed and dear readers, our heartfelt greetings in
the name of our risen Lord, the redeemer of the world, who died in our place,
making full atonement for our sins. May the good Lord be kind and merciful to all
of you wherever you maybe, near or far, and in whatever manner you are
celebrating this year’s Easter vigil.
Thank you once again for being part of our world and may God bless you
all abundantly.
Easter and Lent are
closely related; for instance the origin of the lent season lies in our Lord’s
re-enactment of our Saviour’s time in the wilderness which theologically
remains as a secondary focus of the season, in rigorous preparation of
believers for celebration of the crucifixion, death and resurrection of our
Lord Jesus Christ which culminates in the passion of the Holy week at
Eastertide.
Right from the beginning
of the early church, the Lenten season has been observed with utmost solemnity
by baptismal candidates and catechumens, signifying their final preparations
before being incorporated into Christ’s Church which was customarily done
during the Easter Liturgy. At the same
time those Christians who had been excommunicated for serious doctrinal
offenses of public sins would be eventually readmitted back to the Church’s
sacramental life during Eastertide for a season of penance. Thus the early Church recognized the
significance of Christians being readmitted back to the church family. This solemn occasion was preceded by penitence
and fasting by the imposition of ashes on the foreheads of the penitents with
prescribed words such as the reminder that we are dust and to dust we shall
return. “Turn way from sin and be
faithful to Christ”. Ash Wednesday
service, which is predominantly characterized by silent reflection and
penitence, seeks to blend the penitential theme reflecting the traditional
ancient custom that involves the imposition of the Ashes, for inclusion in the
lent liturgy. Sometimes the rite may be
left out as a matter of convenience when such custom is not usually followed.
EDITORS’S
NOTE
ADIEU, ROWAN WILLIAMS!
After one full decade, at
the helm of the Anglican Communion and the archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace
the Rt. Honorable Rowan Williams, finally handed power to his successor the
Right Reverend Justin Welby at the end of December 2012.
The Rt. Hon. Lord Luce, Gevo was tasked to head the
CNC (Crown Nominations Commission), which will be solely responsible for the
selection of the next Archbishop of Canterbury to succeed the Most Rev. and Rt.
Honorable Dr Rowan Williams.
Archbishop Williams was
appointed in May 2012 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to the position of master
of Magdalene College, Cambridge beginning from January 2013. The most prestigious
and influential position which Rowan has fully accepted! Therefore he will be
stepping down from office as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, the
head of the 70 million Anglican Communion at the end of December 2012.
These intentions have been enthusiastically
received by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of England, who is the Supreme Governor
of the Church of England and who episcopaly appoints the Archbishop of
Canterbury. The Rt. Honorable Rowan
Williams was appointed into office as the 104 Archbishop of Canterbury,
replacing George Carey in 2002. He will
therefore continue to execute and perform the episcopal assignments entrusted
to him as the Archbishop of Canterbury, for the Church of England and the
Anglican Communion up to December 31st 2012
Williams has had a very
turbulent season in office both as the Archbishop of Canterbury and as the
Primate of the Anglican Communion; and will be remembered as the Archbishop
during whose era the communion almost disintegrated following the apostasy on
the some part of the Anglican Church, most remarkably in U.S.A and Canada, in
the light of Gene Robinson’s, consecration as the gay bishop.The Archbishop of
Canterbury selected commission, patron Archbishop Eames, issued the Windsor
report which tried to answer the big question?
The Glorious Awakening
Magazine is specifically published for the enlightenment of the Christian
family and for the glory of the Church of Christ. The Glorious Awakening reports news, informs,
educates, it tells about people in many places and above all examines
Christianity in relation to other social sciences. It probes beneath the surface and reveals the
meaning of life and does not exalt one race against the other. Most important of all, the GA builds in the
reader’s mind God’s promise of peaceful coexistence as we wait Jesus’ Second
coming.
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Email: kennedyofundi@yahoo.com
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glorious awakening Pentecost 2012
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