I arrived in Amsterdam on an overnight flight from Nairobi. Once in the terminal, I made my way to the Meditation Room on the second floor for morning prayer. It is interesting that I find the interfaith gathering conducive to prayer rather than a destraction. Somehow in ways we often fail to recognize out in "the world," here we find our common ties in faith as we pray to God each from our own traditions. For my part, I was using Daily Morning Prayer: Rite II from the Book of Common Prayer - Psalms: 40 and 54, Lessons: Genesis 17:15-27, John 6:1-15 and Canticles: 14 and 18.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen
Thursday, February 25, 2010
On a Wing and a Prayer - Day 17: Thursday, 4/2/2010
The drive to the airport seemed like it took forever. There was that aboding dread of saying goodbye that made time seem to hang forever and in fact it took us two hours to get there because of the traffic jams, which John had correctly anticipated. I got there more than three hours before departure because they had to get back home in order to get proper sleep for the coming day. We had our last embraces, words of love and tears. As I left the screening area and the terminal's front wall of glass, we waved goodbye and I turned towards the check-in counter. It was the 2009 departure all over again.
Now as I sit in the airport awaiting my departure, my safe travels home depend on a wing (the skills of the pilot, ground crew, etc., the maintenance of the plane and the weather) and a prayer. As I prepare to return to the U.S., the motto on our currency comes to mind: "In God we Trust."
Now as I sit in the airport awaiting my departure, my safe travels home depend on a wing (the skills of the pilot, ground crew, etc., the maintenance of the plane and the weather) and a prayer. As I prepare to return to the U.S., the motto on our currency comes to mind: "In God we Trust."
Wendano Ministries is born! - Day 17: Friday, 4/2/2010
This morning, John, Susan and I sat down for our business meeting to discuss our collaborative mission plans. They explained how they were drawn to work with orphans after two children in their extended families were orphaned after both parents died of AIDS. We talked about what has been done with the 20 children at Wendano Village and about what we hope to do in the future.
Of course the ministry wasn't born today in one sense, because it has been ongoing. It was born in the sense of adopting "Wendano" or "Love Among Us" as an overarching name that can broaden the ministry beyond the limits of the village.
The ministry in Kenya is now registered with the government and John and Susan have identified a board of five including themselves. Now the formal establishment of the American side of the ministry must begin. We will need to establish a qualifying charity recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service. This will enhanse our ability to solicit donations and to seek charitable grants.
I explained that the ministry in the U.S. needed to be organized such that its mission is specific enough to focus on the children of Wendano Village and general enough to allow for future expansion of the ministry. I also explained that I thought it was important to continue to build a relationship with Namrata Shah Children's Home operated by the Diocese of Thika in order to continue to build bridges between our two churches. I also explained that there may be future collaborative ministries in Zimbabwe with my friend Pastor Michael Dube. It remains to be seen whether legal requirements will allow us to create one united organization or whether we will two organizations with "joint operating agreements!"
We concluded by giving thanks for the "love among us" that has drawn us into relationship and to shared ministry and invoking the power of the Holy Spirit in our endeavor to do the will of the Father and to follow in the Way of Jesus. (Did you get the Will, Way and Power connection?)
Of course the ministry wasn't born today in one sense, because it has been ongoing. It was born in the sense of adopting "Wendano" or "Love Among Us" as an overarching name that can broaden the ministry beyond the limits of the village.
The ministry in Kenya is now registered with the government and John and Susan have identified a board of five including themselves. Now the formal establishment of the American side of the ministry must begin. We will need to establish a qualifying charity recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service. This will enhanse our ability to solicit donations and to seek charitable grants.
I explained that the ministry in the U.S. needed to be organized such that its mission is specific enough to focus on the children of Wendano Village and general enough to allow for future expansion of the ministry. I also explained that I thought it was important to continue to build a relationship with Namrata Shah Children's Home operated by the Diocese of Thika in order to continue to build bridges between our two churches. I also explained that there may be future collaborative ministries in Zimbabwe with my friend Pastor Michael Dube. It remains to be seen whether legal requirements will allow us to create one united organization or whether we will two organizations with "joint operating agreements!"
We concluded by giving thanks for the "love among us" that has drawn us into relationship and to shared ministry and invoking the power of the Holy Spirit in our endeavor to do the will of the Father and to follow in the Way of Jesus. (Did you get the Will, Way and Power connection?)
Sharing a Meal in the Name of the Lord with Goat and Lamb - Day 16: Wednesday, 3/2/2010
This is my last full day in Kenya. As we celebrate our time together, we also must prepare to say goodbye. Thankfully, we have found a way to make technology work for us so that we will be better able to stay in touch until I return in 2011.
We partook of roasted goat, a meat often associated with big celebrations, (George and I are chomping down) and a host of my favorite Kenyan dishes.
We partook of roasted goat, a meat often associated with big celebrations, (George and I are chomping down) and a host of my favorite Kenyan dishes.
After this meal, we had another meal recalling the sacrifice the Lamb of God made for our sins as we celebrated the "memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ's death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension . . ." John asked me to preside from the BCP of The Episcopal Church using The Holy Eucharist: Rite II service. At this Eucharist we blessed by their first use the vessels of the communion set given to me by All Saints at my ordination and first mass, which I then presented to John. It seemed to be a "right, and a good, and joyful thing" to share one of the two sets I had received. Rather than to have one of two sets sitting on a shelf, they are both now in regular use thus blessing those who were so generous to me. As this set is used by John, prayers will be lifted up for the people of All Saints, Pleasant Ridge in Cincinnati, OH.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
A Private Conversation - Day 16: Wednesday, 3/2/2010
This afternoon, John and I sat out on the covered veranda at the back of the house and settled in for a private conversation at my request. As we were preparing for a business meeting the following day to discuss our moving forward in collaborative ministry, I thought we needed to put a few things on the table for discussion so that we didn't enter blindly into this enterprise.
After reviewing the history of our relationship and mutually giving thanks for it, I told John that I thought it was important for us to acknowledge the risk involved with what we were proposing to do. I told him that if one was ever inclined to "Google" my name, it would be easy to discover that I'm gay. I wanted him to know that I was concerned that in the future his association with me could pose risks for his ministry.
John's response, which I paraphrase: I know what kind of a person you are, i.e. I know you are a man of God. I know the Holy Spirit is calling us into this collaborative ministry. Therefore, we must move forward in spite of the risk.
I was brought to tears by this response though it did not come as a surprise. The tears were tears of joy that the Lord of Love would lead us to such a bond of affection. My initial reaching out in friendship has been blessed by what is now a mutual relationship not only with John, but with his whole family.
After reviewing the history of our relationship and mutually giving thanks for it, I told John that I thought it was important for us to acknowledge the risk involved with what we were proposing to do. I told him that if one was ever inclined to "Google" my name, it would be easy to discover that I'm gay. I wanted him to know that I was concerned that in the future his association with me could pose risks for his ministry.
John's response, which I paraphrase: I know what kind of a person you are, i.e. I know you are a man of God. I know the Holy Spirit is calling us into this collaborative ministry. Therefore, we must move forward in spite of the risk.
I was brought to tears by this response though it did not come as a surprise. The tears were tears of joy that the Lord of Love would lead us to such a bond of affection. My initial reaching out in friendship has been blessed by what is now a mutual relationship not only with John, but with his whole family.
A Page out of the American Prayer Book - Day 16: Wednesday, 3/2/2010
John was telling me that the Kenyan prayer book did not have a rite for the celebration of a new ministry or induction as he called it. When John discovered such a rite in the BCP of The Episcopal Church, which he received as a gift from Bexley Hall Seminary before he returned home, he recommended it to his bishop for adoption in the Diocese of Thika. And so it was!
In The Episcopal Church, I've been in a number of churches that have used prayers in "Our Modern Services" of the Anglican Church of Kenya. In a church where we often say, "If you want to know what we believe, see how we worship," perhaps borrowing from each others prayer books which are both mostly adaptations of the 1662 BCP shows we really are much more alike in our beliefs than loud voices and news media would suggest.
In The Episcopal Church, I've been in a number of churches that have used prayers in "Our Modern Services" of the Anglican Church of Kenya. In a church where we often say, "If you want to know what we believe, see how we worship," perhaps borrowing from each others prayer books which are both mostly adaptations of the 1662 BCP shows we really are much more alike in our beliefs than loud voices and news media would suggest.
A Day at the Country Home - Day 16: Wednesday, 3/2/2010
Sounds like a well-to-do family from the big city going out to spend a weekend of rest and relaxation at the country estate - well not exactly.
There is a distinct tie to the land in Kenya. Those who have moved to the cities for work are still connected to the family homestead, which is often subdivided so that each son has a plot of ground. Some choose to stay and earn a subsistence living on ever shrinking size plots of land. For those who become urbanized, it is still quite common to build a "rural home."
For John and Susan who live in a home furnished by the church, their "rural home" is their source of security when mandatory retirement comes. They know they will have a place to call home when they are no longer serving a parish.
Today, we went to the country. It took us an hour or so to get there. We reached the edge of Thika and turned right into a developing estate. The houses there were spread out and grew thinner as we went on. As we traveled on, the earthen roads grew worse and eventually seemed to be nothing more than a well worn path over the ground. Finally we arrived at the homestead, a 15+ acre farm where John grew up. The family home was there as well as the duplex house he and his brother Henry had built for their two families. The dwelling here was a bit more rustic than in town. There was no electricity save a solar charged battery that allowed for watching TV. The stove burned wood rather than gas and water was gravity fed from elevated tanks built to hold rain water. You guessed it, the "facilities" were outside!
On the farm, the principle crops were chicken, goats and maize. Since Henry had just moved back to the farm, the agricultural use of the land was expanding. You could sense the pride of home ownership among the two brothers.
As we drove back and I could see from where we had come, we were really not that far out into the courntryside, it just seemed so because the travel had been at such slow speeds. We were not but a mile or two away from the outskirts of the estate. Taking a page from the American experience, I know that one day urban sprawl will gobble up their farm and their home. I suppose they will be the wealthier for it when it happens, but the ties with the land will be gone.
There is a distinct tie to the land in Kenya. Those who have moved to the cities for work are still connected to the family homestead, which is often subdivided so that each son has a plot of ground. Some choose to stay and earn a subsistence living on ever shrinking size plots of land. For those who become urbanized, it is still quite common to build a "rural home."
For John and Susan who live in a home furnished by the church, their "rural home" is their source of security when mandatory retirement comes. They know they will have a place to call home when they are no longer serving a parish.
Today, we went to the country. It took us an hour or so to get there. We reached the edge of Thika and turned right into a developing estate. The houses there were spread out and grew thinner as we went on. As we traveled on, the earthen roads grew worse and eventually seemed to be nothing more than a well worn path over the ground. Finally we arrived at the homestead, a 15+ acre farm where John grew up. The family home was there as well as the duplex house he and his brother Henry had built for their two families. The dwelling here was a bit more rustic than in town. There was no electricity save a solar charged battery that allowed for watching TV. The stove burned wood rather than gas and water was gravity fed from elevated tanks built to hold rain water. You guessed it, the "facilities" were outside!
On the farm, the principle crops were chicken, goats and maize. Since Henry had just moved back to the farm, the agricultural use of the land was expanding. You could sense the pride of home ownership among the two brothers.
As we drove back and I could see from where we had come, we were really not that far out into the courntryside, it just seemed so because the travel had been at such slow speeds. We were not but a mile or two away from the outskirts of the estate. Taking a page from the American experience, I know that one day urban sprawl will gobble up their farm and their home. I suppose they will be the wealthier for it when it happens, but the ties with the land will be gone.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
An Ash Wednesday Sermon Insert
There are still a few days of my time in Kenya to blog about and I plan to do so in the next few days. Meanwhile, ministry calls me to account here in Granville! Today is Ash Wednesday. I thought some of you might like to read my sermon for the day, so here it is:
Each year at this time, I remember well an Ash Wednesday from my early seminary days in the 80’s. That year I was near perfect in my observance of a day of penitence and fast. I dutifully participated in the office of the day and worshipped at the mass. I was diligent in measuring my food portions so as to make sure that all of meals for the day were less than the equivalent of two full meals. By the end of the day, my stomach was letting me know that I had indeed fasted! But my heart was not participating in the fast my body was undertaking. On the outside, my piety appeared to be perfect, but my heart was not humbled. My heart was “secretly” planning a coup d’etat and my piety was successfully overthrown. You see I stayed up to the stroke of midnight for the purpose of studying or so I thought. I learned better when at the stroke of midnight I was on the phone to Domino’s ordering a large pepperoni pizza!
I think each year as the anniversary of this coup d’etat rolls around, God get a little chuckle. Don’t you remember a time when a child you were close to (a son or daughter, niece or nephew or grandchild) pulled a fast one and thought they got by with something? You probably even let them think they actually did. Eventually you used it as a teaching moment. Don’t you laugh about it now? It may even have become a favorite family story. I think that is how that Ash Wednesday is for God and me.
What I remember about Lent from my childhood years was that it was about denying myself something I really liked and following a few rules like fasting on the appointed days and not eating meat on Fridays. I remember going to confession on Holy Saturday so that on Easter Sunday I would be properly disposed to receive Communion. This was all fine as far as it went for a child and perhaps I’m simplifying things a bit, but the point is Lent can be so much more than this.
In today’s reading from Joel, we hear the prophet calling the people of Israel to repentance. He speaks of a God who is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.” He then says in effect, ‘If we repent of our sins and return to the Lord, perhaps he will turn from judgment and punishment and forgive us.’ There seems to be some element of doubt expressed in Joel’s call, but he calls on the people to trust that God might just relent and forgive them.
In our own lives, doubt as to whether or not God will forgive us or even as to whether or not we are forgivable can dissuade us from repenting and returning to God. Why bother we might say, it won’t make any difference. I’m doomed anyway. There’s no way God will forgive me for what I’ve done. Hogwash! If you are in anyway tempted to believe this, I particularly invite you to keep a holy Lent.
This is the season in which we are pointed towards Christ’s suffering, death and ultimate resurrection from the dead while at the same time calling to mind the distance that may exist between us and God. We are called to wrestle with this juxtaposition. It is this wrestling that removes any doubt about our being forgivable.
We are called to be mindful of our own sinfulness during Lent so that we can identify Jesus’ sacrifice as necessary for the forgiveness of our sins and to remember at the same time that his suffering and death alone were not the means of our reconciliation with God, but also Christ’s glorious resurrection from the dead.
I invite you to discern for yourself a Lenten discipline that will bring you into a humble presence before the Lord. What practices of alms giving, prayer, study, fast, and/or acts of love will bring you into that humble presence before the Lord? How can you best acknowledge your sinfulness and limitations before God, keep your eyes upon Jesus as you follow his way to the cross and prepare yourself to receive once again the truth, the revelation, and the promise, that through faith in Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven?
Discern what Lenten discipline will do that for you. It need not be a matter of public knowledge, but rather something between you and God. If however, you find yourself having difficulty maintaining your discipline perhaps it would be helpful to talk to a priest or any person of faith that can help you examine your chosen discipline, revise it if necessary and provide support and accountability if needed.
We do this not only for ourselves, but for the sake of others. We not only need to repent and return to the Lord as individuals, but also as communities; as church, village, city, state, and nation and as citizens of “this fragile earth, our island home.” This can be accomplished not by dictate, but by individual example. When we live in the truth of the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God we have through Jesus Christ, we will be truly the light of the world which, will direct others to the One who is the source of our light. As we walk towards the light of Jesus, we can walk in no other path, but that of love, peace and justice. As we walk this path, we will live into the reality that Jesus came to reconcile the whole world with God.
As Paul says, “now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation.” Let us choose today, to repent and return to the Lord.
Each year at this time, I remember well an Ash Wednesday from my early seminary days in the 80’s. That year I was near perfect in my observance of a day of penitence and fast. I dutifully participated in the office of the day and worshipped at the mass. I was diligent in measuring my food portions so as to make sure that all of meals for the day were less than the equivalent of two full meals. By the end of the day, my stomach was letting me know that I had indeed fasted! But my heart was not participating in the fast my body was undertaking. On the outside, my piety appeared to be perfect, but my heart was not humbled. My heart was “secretly” planning a coup d’etat and my piety was successfully overthrown. You see I stayed up to the stroke of midnight for the purpose of studying or so I thought. I learned better when at the stroke of midnight I was on the phone to Domino’s ordering a large pepperoni pizza!
I think each year as the anniversary of this coup d’etat rolls around, God get a little chuckle. Don’t you remember a time when a child you were close to (a son or daughter, niece or nephew or grandchild) pulled a fast one and thought they got by with something? You probably even let them think they actually did. Eventually you used it as a teaching moment. Don’t you laugh about it now? It may even have become a favorite family story. I think that is how that Ash Wednesday is for God and me.
What I remember about Lent from my childhood years was that it was about denying myself something I really liked and following a few rules like fasting on the appointed days and not eating meat on Fridays. I remember going to confession on Holy Saturday so that on Easter Sunday I would be properly disposed to receive Communion. This was all fine as far as it went for a child and perhaps I’m simplifying things a bit, but the point is Lent can be so much more than this.
In today’s reading from Joel, we hear the prophet calling the people of Israel to repentance. He speaks of a God who is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.” He then says in effect, ‘If we repent of our sins and return to the Lord, perhaps he will turn from judgment and punishment and forgive us.’ There seems to be some element of doubt expressed in Joel’s call, but he calls on the people to trust that God might just relent and forgive them.
In our own lives, doubt as to whether or not God will forgive us or even as to whether or not we are forgivable can dissuade us from repenting and returning to God. Why bother we might say, it won’t make any difference. I’m doomed anyway. There’s no way God will forgive me for what I’ve done. Hogwash! If you are in anyway tempted to believe this, I particularly invite you to keep a holy Lent.
This is the season in which we are pointed towards Christ’s suffering, death and ultimate resurrection from the dead while at the same time calling to mind the distance that may exist between us and God. We are called to wrestle with this juxtaposition. It is this wrestling that removes any doubt about our being forgivable.
We are called to be mindful of our own sinfulness during Lent so that we can identify Jesus’ sacrifice as necessary for the forgiveness of our sins and to remember at the same time that his suffering and death alone were not the means of our reconciliation with God, but also Christ’s glorious resurrection from the dead.
I invite you to discern for yourself a Lenten discipline that will bring you into a humble presence before the Lord. What practices of alms giving, prayer, study, fast, and/or acts of love will bring you into that humble presence before the Lord? How can you best acknowledge your sinfulness and limitations before God, keep your eyes upon Jesus as you follow his way to the cross and prepare yourself to receive once again the truth, the revelation, and the promise, that through faith in Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven?
Discern what Lenten discipline will do that for you. It need not be a matter of public knowledge, but rather something between you and God. If however, you find yourself having difficulty maintaining your discipline perhaps it would be helpful to talk to a priest or any person of faith that can help you examine your chosen discipline, revise it if necessary and provide support and accountability if needed.
We do this not only for ourselves, but for the sake of others. We not only need to repent and return to the Lord as individuals, but also as communities; as church, village, city, state, and nation and as citizens of “this fragile earth, our island home.” This can be accomplished not by dictate, but by individual example. When we live in the truth of the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God we have through Jesus Christ, we will be truly the light of the world which, will direct others to the One who is the source of our light. As we walk towards the light of Jesus, we can walk in no other path, but that of love, peace and justice. As we walk this path, we will live into the reality that Jesus came to reconcile the whole world with God.
As Paul says, “now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation.” Let us choose today, to repent and return to the Lord.
Another Thought about Coffee, Day 15: Tuesday, 2/2/2010
Having visited more than one family with a small farm including coffee and tea, I was interested in how one might establish a direct link with one of these families for exporting coffee and tea. When these farms have only an acre or two at most of these two commodities, I wonder if a parish or a diocese could contract to purchase all of the coffee and/or tea from an individual farm or a coop of small farmers guaranteeing them a good price for their harvest. This would be a fair trade coffee enterprise that created lasting relationships too. Local roasters in the U.S. could also join in the relationship. I wonder where the Lord could lead such relationships in the pursuit of church mission.
Sent on a Mission by the Bishop, Day 15: Tuesday, 2/2/2010
After meeting with The Rev. Joyce, John and I were sent on a mission by the bishop along with two other priests to pay a visit upon a family in one of the parishes in a neighboring town. Our job was to recruit them for a role in an upcoming fundraising effort for Namrata Shaw Children's Home, the AIDS orphanage operated by the diocese.
Before we could conduct business, however we had to share a meal. And what a meal it was. It included all of my favorite dishes and there was plenty for seconds and thirds! It was some of the best food I've eaten in Kenya. After we were finished eating, we had the formal introductions. Then the discussion began. Our mission was successful and the children of Namrata Shah will be the beneficiaries.
As we were waiting for our parting gift of bananas, one of the other priests and I had a conversation about the current efforts to draft a new constitution. Amazingly the different parties were reaching consensus or making the necessary compromises to move this effort forward. One contentious issue that may doom the passing of a new constitution is the provision for separate Islamic courts. This is seen by many Christians as one religion receiving favored status by the government. A referendum on the new draft constitution is scheduled this summer. We shall see how it goes.
Before we could conduct business, however we had to share a meal. And what a meal it was. It included all of my favorite dishes and there was plenty for seconds and thirds! It was some of the best food I've eaten in Kenya. After we were finished eating, we had the formal introductions. Then the discussion began. Our mission was successful and the children of Namrata Shah will be the beneficiaries.
As we were waiting for our parting gift of bananas, one of the other priests and I had a conversation about the current efforts to draft a new constitution. Amazingly the different parties were reaching consensus or making the necessary compromises to move this effort forward. One contentious issue that may doom the passing of a new constitution is the provision for separate Islamic courts. This is seen by many Christians as one religion receiving favored status by the government. A referendum on the new draft constitution is scheduled this summer. We shall see how it goes.
A Visit with The Rev. Joyce, Day 15: Tuesday, 2/2/2010
Hearing various voices about female clergy in the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), I wanted to hear someone tell me about their first hand experience so I made an appointment to meet with The Rev. Joyce, a friend I had met on my first visit to Kenya when she was serving on the staff of the cathedral. She is now the vicar at St. John's.
A bit of history: The first woman was ordained a priest in the ACK in 1987. There is no canonical restriction prohibiting a woman from being consecrated as a bishop. There are still two diocese within the ACK that have not ordained a woman.
I was surprised that she was not aware that we had elected The Rt. Rev. Katherine Jefferts Shori as our presiding bishop in 2006. Don't we Americans often think that we are the center of the universe? She was greatly encouraged by this news!
Joyce has been a priest for 10 years, but before that she was a lay leader in the Church Army, an evangelical missionary society in the Anglican Communion.
She described a climate in which women have to work doubly hard to prove themselves. It is esential for women to be successful because to be unsuccessful cast a cloud over all women. It is a double standard because each man stands on his own merit.
There is still resistance in some places, but acceptance is growing. In Kenyan society in general gender issues and the role of women are evolving.
Though there are cultural difference between the U.S. and Kenya, I couldn't help but see more similarites than differences between the struggles for women's equality in the two countries. While the struggle is not over in the U.S. we are a bit further along.
With regards to women in The Episcopal Church, there has been a long hard battle for full inclusion. I believe we are now shining a bright light leading others in the Communion forward. I can't help but believe the same is true for LGBT persons in the church.
At the end of our discussion, without mentioning specific issues Joyce and I agreed that while we may go kicking and screaming the church will ultimately find itself where God would have it be!
A bit of history: The first woman was ordained a priest in the ACK in 1987. There is no canonical restriction prohibiting a woman from being consecrated as a bishop. There are still two diocese within the ACK that have not ordained a woman.
I was surprised that she was not aware that we had elected The Rt. Rev. Katherine Jefferts Shori as our presiding bishop in 2006. Don't we Americans often think that we are the center of the universe? She was greatly encouraged by this news!
Joyce has been a priest for 10 years, but before that she was a lay leader in the Church Army, an evangelical missionary society in the Anglican Communion.
She described a climate in which women have to work doubly hard to prove themselves. It is esential for women to be successful because to be unsuccessful cast a cloud over all women. It is a double standard because each man stands on his own merit.
There is still resistance in some places, but acceptance is growing. In Kenyan society in general gender issues and the role of women are evolving.
Though there are cultural difference between the U.S. and Kenya, I couldn't help but see more similarites than differences between the struggles for women's equality in the two countries. While the struggle is not over in the U.S. we are a bit further along.
With regards to women in The Episcopal Church, there has been a long hard battle for full inclusion. I believe we are now shining a bright light leading others in the Communion forward. I can't help but believe the same is true for LGBT persons in the church.
At the end of our discussion, without mentioning specific issues Joyce and I agreed that while we may go kicking and screaming the church will ultimately find itself where God would have it be!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Journey to the Mountain, Day 14: Monday, 1/2/2010
Mt Kenya, Africa’s second highest peak is regarded as the realm of Ngai, god of the local Kikuyu people. Traditionally, all Kikuyu home were built to face this sacred peak. They call it Kirinyaga, or place of light. (old.magicalkenya.com)
The Kikuyu believes in one God, Ngai, the creator and giver of all things. (http://www.mircea-eliade.com/from-primitives-to-zen/004.html) Because of this traditional belief in one supreme god, the Christian missionaries translated God as Ngai when they translated the bible into the native Kikuyu language.
I was expecting I guess something like the American Appalachian Mountains. Mt Kenya, however is a dormant volcanic mountain and so completely different. This is a mountain for serious mountain climbers. There are no winding roads arounnd the peaks and through the valleys. There were 4x4's available for hire that could take you over 10 kilometers of very rough terrain to the base of the mountain. We did not have the time or the money to make such a journey, so we satisfied ourselves by enjoying it from afar.
Our encounter with the mountain of Ngai reminded me of our encounter with God. We cannot approach God on our own terms and we cannot fully know God. We could not get too close to Mt. Kenya and we cannot get too close to God. In both cases, however, there is a surety of the presence of both. I did not have to reach the summit of the mountain to know its presence. I also don't have to know God completely to know God is present.
Let the sure rock solid presence of the mountain stand as a sign of my faith in the one God, creator and giver of all thingss.
The Kikuyu believes in one God, Ngai, the creator and giver of all things. (http://www.mircea-eliade.com/from-primitives-to-zen/004.html) Because of this traditional belief in one supreme god, the Christian missionaries translated God as Ngai when they translated the bible into the native Kikuyu language.
I was expecting I guess something like the American Appalachian Mountains. Mt Kenya, however is a dormant volcanic mountain and so completely different. This is a mountain for serious mountain climbers. There are no winding roads arounnd the peaks and through the valleys. There were 4x4's available for hire that could take you over 10 kilometers of very rough terrain to the base of the mountain. We did not have the time or the money to make such a journey, so we satisfied ourselves by enjoying it from afar.
Our encounter with the mountain of Ngai reminded me of our encounter with God. We cannot approach God on our own terms and we cannot fully know God. We could not get too close to Mt. Kenya and we cannot get too close to God. In both cases, however, there is a surety of the presence of both. I did not have to reach the summit of the mountain to know its presence. I also don't have to know God completely to know God is present.
Let the sure rock solid presence of the mountain stand as a sign of my faith in the one God, creator and giver of all thingss.
Sure cure for the hiccups, Day 14: Monday, 1/2/2010
Here's a sure fire cure for the hiccups that George swears by:
Tear off a small piece of paper (say lozenger size), lick it and stick it to your forehead!
Try it next time you get the hiccups and let me know how it works!
Tear off a small piece of paper (say lozenger size), lick it and stick it to your forehead!
Try it next time you get the hiccups and let me know how it works!
A Handmade Thank You Card, Day 13: Sunday, 31/1/2010
It was nearly 8 p.m. when Isaac and I returned to Thika after our day together at church and visiting his family and friends in the area where he grew up and now lives with his aging parents. You know how children can be when they've been waiting impatiently for a long time for someone to arrive. I thought George would knock me down when he came rushing to greet me when I walked through the door! He exclaimed, "I have a surprise for you!" as he pulled me down the hall to my room.
Precious gifts are not such because of their economic value, but because of the love with which they are given. George had made me some simple, but priceless gifts while I was gone. He extolled the love and generosity of his uncle and extended the same to me in a handmade thank you card. From the same notebook paper, he also made me a paper airplane, a paper boat and a paper hand fan. One gift was not enough. He had to follow my example and give more.
I am reminded that I too was following the example of others. We all follow the example of Christ who gave everything for us. "We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19) NSRV
Being loved with the bountious, sacrificial, infinite love of Christ, we are called to love in the same way. It may be painful at times, but therein lies the source of all joy.
Precious gifts are not such because of their economic value, but because of the love with which they are given. George had made me some simple, but priceless gifts while I was gone. He extolled the love and generosity of his uncle and extended the same to me in a handmade thank you card. From the same notebook paper, he also made me a paper airplane, a paper boat and a paper hand fan. One gift was not enough. He had to follow my example and give more.
I am reminded that I too was following the example of others. We all follow the example of Christ who gave everything for us. "We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19) NSRV
Being loved with the bountious, sacrificial, infinite love of Christ, we are called to love in the same way. It may be painful at times, but therein lies the source of all joy.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Love is Patient . . . - Day 13: Sunday, 31/1/2010
Welcome to A.C.K. St. Peter's Kairi! I was made to feel most welcome as I came to concelebrate with my friend The Rev. Isaac Njemga Mwangi (standing to my immediate left in the second photo, the first photo showing the sanctuary) who was priested (ordained) just three months before I was. We wore matching handwoven green stoles from Guatemala. My home church, Church of Our Saviour, Cincinnati, had given one to me as an ordination gift and I likewise had given one to Isaac for just such as an occasion as today! What a joy to be able to celebrate the Eucharist together in the local Kikuyu language! Let's just say Isaac did most of the speaking!
Isaac had also invited me to preach, though with only a few days lead time, I was a bit anxious as my prep time was minimal. But lo and behold when I saw the scriptures included the 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians I breathed a sigh of relief. This is one of my favorite passages in all of the scriptures for it includes St. Paul's beautiful discription of love. to which I added a bit from St. John's first letter that proclaims that God is love.
My main point was that any relationship that fits Paul's description of love is of God because God is love. As I explained to the congregation not all such love is readily understood or accepted by others. By way of example, I shared the story of how I became a son to an African American woman named Sandi. Our relationship is undeniable one of love and each time our introductions raise a few eyebrows, we have another opportunity to give a testimony!
I was a bit less than satisfied with the sermon as it came to a close. It didn't unfold quite the way I had planned and it didn't flow all too well because of the pauses for translation. Isaac, however was singing its praises after the service. He explained how over the past several weeks he had invited guest preachers, all of whom preached on love; a message he said was just what the congregation needed to hear. Then I remembered the prayer often said before one preaches: "May the words of my mouth and the meditaions of our hearts be acceptable to you O Lord, our rock and our redeemer." Today, the Holy Spirit was busy in the House of the Lord!
When finished preaching, I sang "They'll Know We are Christians by Our Love." When the service was over, I was approached by a choir member requesting the words for the song. They had heard it on the radio and wanted to teach it to the choir, but didn't have the words. This Sunday, the Lord provided the words to them.
I didn't leave before several people invited me to bring Sandi to their church. Just so happens, she is planning to travel to Kenya with me on my return visit in 2011! You can be sure we will visit St. Peter's.
Back to School - Day 12: Saturday, 30/1/2010
Today we went to visit the children of Wendano Village that we are currently ministering to. There are 20 in all, but not all of them could be excused from the classroom to meet with us.
The little girl in this photo (John is working on compiling a file for me that will include name, bio and photo for each child) is in Form 1 (first grade). The school term began just this month.
For some reason, this girl reminded me of my mother. For that reason, I'm particularly fond of her.
The purpose of today's gathering was two fold; to introduce me to the kids and to measure them for new school uniforms.
Our children go to school in worn out uniforms and often without shoes because their guardains simply can't afford any better. Sadly, I learned that some of the children also don't have textbooks because they are not provided free of charge.
Now before you go to thinking that these children are neglected or abused, let me simply say that they are all twice orphaned and live in a village where the residents live on $1 to $2 a day. They are the blessed ones because they have a guardian and haven't ended up on the streets.
John and Susan had determined that one of our first projects should be to provide one new uniform and a new pair of shoes for each child. This will be a tremendous boost to their egos when they join their fellow students in the classroom.
We are employing one of the women in the village to make the uniforms, so that the economic benefits of the project will be realized in the village as well.
There are more projects in the pipeline. There will be more about that in a later blog.
It is hard for me to imagine my mother growing up in such circumstances or going to school in a tattered uniform without shoes and hard for me to accept that the little girl that reminds me of my mother does.
Praise be to God, soon she will be smiling big when she has a new set of clothes for school!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Living in the Moment
As any regular reader of this blog has seen, I haven't exactly been blogging in real time. While recording bits of my experience here in Kenya over the past 2+ weeks has been an important part of my visit, actually living in the moment has been even more important. In other words, it's more important to take the time to experience things that it is to take time to write about them.
I have been spending what time I have to spend on the computer in the past few days readying my laptop for its new home. Today is my last day here, and there is much to do not the least of which is the business meeting John, Susan and I will have this afternoon to lay the groundwork for our future ministry together.
Beginning Saturday, February 6, I will begin the completion of my blogging about my time in Kenya, so come back to hear the rest of the story and from time to time in the future as I intend to keep this blog open. God is overwhelming me with blessings and from my own experience, I know this will continue, which means there will be lots more to write about as my ministry continues!
Pray for my safe travel home.
I have been spending what time I have to spend on the computer in the past few days readying my laptop for its new home. Today is my last day here, and there is much to do not the least of which is the business meeting John, Susan and I will have this afternoon to lay the groundwork for our future ministry together.
Beginning Saturday, February 6, I will begin the completion of my blogging about my time in Kenya, so come back to hear the rest of the story and from time to time in the future as I intend to keep this blog open. God is overwhelming me with blessings and from my own experience, I know this will continue, which means there will be lots more to write about as my ministry continues!
Pray for my safe travel home.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Paradise Lost (and found) - The Rediscovery of Eden? – Day 11: Friday, 29/1/2010
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Well I’m sorry to say this wasn’t the case. If Eden did actually exist as one place on Earth, I don’t think anybiblical scholar believes it was located in modern day Kenya. Where we actually went was a park not far from Thika.
We had a great day, exploring a small cave, taking a peaceful rowboat ride on the lake and riding a camel! It wasn’t exactly paradise, but we had a great time as you can tell from look on Marci’s face and the Gitau family ride on a camel in these photos!
Developing a Strategy for Better Communication - Day 11: Friday, 29/1/2010
John and I have been discussing the need to have faster and more reliable communication going forward as we collaborate in future ministries. On this end in Kenya, John has been working with a Pentium III generation computer and dial-up speed internet. Enough said.
Today we met with Peter who has an IT business managing computer networks for his clients including the Diocese of Thika. We sought a diagnosis for John’s computer with upgrades to meet our needs. It needs more RAM, a faster processor, etc. In other words, it’s already on life support with every major system failing (for the stated goal of faster and more reliable communication).
Plan B was to see about buying a new computer here in Kenya. New computers here are mostly a couple of generations older than ours. (I just saw an ad in the paper announcing the arrival of Office 2007. In the U.S., if Office 2010 hasn’t already come out it will shortly.) In short, it would cost as much or more to buy a new computer here as it would in the U.S. and it would already be outdated (by U.S. standards). Peter looked at my two year old laptop and said it would be a top of the line computer here in Kenya! Plus my computer is already loaded with lots of software.
So after Peter left, John and I discussed the situation and agreed we could get more bang for the buck by him acquiring my laptop while I buy a new one in the U.S. We also discovered that there is a wireless 3G network here in Kenya that would provide broadband internet access. So it appears that within a short time our communication dreams will come true.
We thank God for this gift and offer it back to God for God’s purpose as we are led forward by the Holy Spirit in ministry!
Today we met with Peter who has an IT business managing computer networks for his clients including the Diocese of Thika. We sought a diagnosis for John’s computer with upgrades to meet our needs. It needs more RAM, a faster processor, etc. In other words, it’s already on life support with every major system failing (for the stated goal of faster and more reliable communication).
Plan B was to see about buying a new computer here in Kenya. New computers here are mostly a couple of generations older than ours. (I just saw an ad in the paper announcing the arrival of Office 2007. In the U.S., if Office 2010 hasn’t already come out it will shortly.) In short, it would cost as much or more to buy a new computer here as it would in the U.S. and it would already be outdated (by U.S. standards). Peter looked at my two year old laptop and said it would be a top of the line computer here in Kenya! Plus my computer is already loaded with lots of software.
So after Peter left, John and I discussed the situation and agreed we could get more bang for the buck by him acquiring my laptop while I buy a new one in the U.S. We also discovered that there is a wireless 3G network here in Kenya that would provide broadband internet access. So it appears that within a short time our communication dreams will come true.
We thank God for this gift and offer it back to God for God’s purpose as we are led forward by the Holy Spirit in ministry!
Lunch with the School Manager - Day 10: Thursday, 28/1/2010
After visiting Pioneer Christians Memorial Academy, we had lunch with Simon the school manager, his wife and his brother and his wife. As is the custom, Susan took a few things for the woman of the house. Lunch was one of the most delicious meals I’ve had here in Kenya. I had two huge plates and the hosts were very pleased! For a while the luncheon conversation focused on the “gay issue” in the church. My contribution to the conversation consisted of two points. I explained that the future of those who have broken away from The Episcopal Church is far from certain. I also discussed the problem of bishops taking actions inside another bishop’s diocese without permission. I think I made some headway when they agreed that this is something that would not even be allowed within the Anglican Church of Kenya itself.
After fellowship and lunch I said a prayer of blessing for the household and then we toured the small farm with its dairy cows, goats, bananas, several kinds of produce and coffee trees. As we were going to leave, we were given at least 50 pounds of potatoes and the banana harvest from three trees.
The one thing that stands out for me more than anything else was Simon’s comment, “You’re not like other white men. You should learn Kikuyu and become one.” I’m not sure exactly what he meant, but I do know it was an obvious compliment. I know God is doing a good work through me because as I build up goodwill and develop relationships, the day will come when they will be challenged to rethink everything they think they know LGBT people are. I don’t know when that will be. I’m not quick to come out at this point. The timing I pray will be God’s and not my own.
After fellowship and lunch I said a prayer of blessing for the household and then we toured the small farm with its dairy cows, goats, bananas, several kinds of produce and coffee trees. As we were going to leave, we were given at least 50 pounds of potatoes and the banana harvest from three trees.
The one thing that stands out for me more than anything else was Simon’s comment, “You’re not like other white men. You should learn Kikuyu and become one.” I’m not sure exactly what he meant, but I do know it was an obvious compliment. I know God is doing a good work through me because as I build up goodwill and develop relationships, the day will come when they will be challenged to rethink everything they think they know LGBT people are. I don’t know when that will be. I’m not quick to come out at this point. The timing I pray will be God’s and not my own.
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