The pain of peace and a leadership style

March 18, 2018

I don’t often write about politics. Truthfully, I’m not a consistent or avid follower.  I keep myself reasonably aware of public and social affairs as well as global activities.  Since my husband is much better at being politically apprised, he is often my best source of information.  Being in positions of influence as leaders, we commit to being politically neutral given the risk of inadvertently swaying someone’s thinking or their voting persuasion.  For us, following the ‘news’ is be about awareness and concern for our community and nation.  This often leads us to prayer for the people including electoral officials, as well as a consciousness of any advocacy opportunities.

Living in Kenya for over a year has heightened for me a deep concern for national peace.  The disputed elections of 2017 gave rise to unfortunate violence, the innocent loss of life including children, ethnic polarisation, and a political stalemate that adversely affected the country’s economy for several months - a high price for citizens to pay.  Last week a political twist appeared to bear new light on a grim situation. The President and Opposition leader came together with a ‘painful’ but important decision meant to end a ‘decades-old vendetta’.  When the new President was elected last August, a People’s Assembly was created and on January 30, an illegal ‘swearing in’ of a people’s President happened.  This caused a deeper apprehension for future stability.  The surprising announcement a few days ago revealed a dissolution of the People’s Assembly, providing opportunity for improved strides of political unity and restored prospects for the well-being of Kenyans as an anticipated priority. While the Opposition will continue fighting for electoral reforms, reasonable political dialogue and an increased effort towards unity is the fresh agenda. Building a peaceful nation appears to be the goal, addressing issues of exclusion, poverty, and corruption.  I am not naïve and I know political promises can be skeptical, but I do join Kenyans in hopeful optimism for better days ahead.  

As I read the news articles surrounding this decree, I reflected on some leadership principles.  The negotiations leading to the truce of President Kenyatta and Mr. Odinga were made solely between the two leaders. The ‘deal’ was made in secret, leading to back lash from the party members when the news surfaced.  For several days, no public discussion divulged the process or the reason for this method of decision making, ensuing speculation and criticism. I couldn’t help but reflect on the conviction Morris and I have about collaborative leadership. When would I ever think it is right for a leader to ‘secretly’ meet with one other person and make a decision that affects the many? Is this unhealthy control or is there legitimate discretion for leaders to do this, especially if the outcome appears positive?  In the case of Kenya’s political leaders, the ruling crafted seems beneficial for the country – though more implications are arising.  But what of the leadership method?  Where was transparency, accountability, and inclusion of others? Aren’t these inherent leadership values?  Do leaders have a right to confidential or back room processes when there is more at stake in the ‘big picture’ than what those affected realise? As a spiritual leader, I have to ask, do we see this in church governance?  If so, what does it look like? And when, if ever, is it okay?

Another piece that troubled me was the price for peace.  The cost which incurred over the past seven or eight months since the first election included the death of 360 people due to political tension, including virtuous children (I find that thought hard to shake) plus increased tribal division. The political leaders have declared that justice will be served and both parties will preach peace and reconciliation for all 44 tribes as they move forward.  As new information regarding the goodwill discussions were revealed, the word ‘painful’ kept recurring. Painful talks, a painful handshake, and painful processes have described what it has taken to reach greater hope for peace in Kenya. A painful price. I lament that anguish was experienced at so many levels.  Isn’t that the case in so many global situations and in many people’s personal lives? Our earthly truism - we are not free from pain, though its forms vary. Yet, mysteriously beauty rises from ashes.

Pain. Gripping torment. Skeptics. Agony. I think I’m describing someone else who walked a painful road. His style of leadership? Humility. Suffering love. A servant.  Alone, he willingly endured unjust pain for his cause and ours. And on Good Friday, we will remember the cost of our peace, the price paid for our reconciliation with God, and a restored hope for the human race.

“The servant grew up like a tender young plant. He grew like a root coming up out of dry ground. He didn’t have any beauty or majesty that made us notice him. There wasn’t anything special about the way he looked that drew us to him. People looked down on him. They didn’t accept him. He knew all about pain and suffering. He was like someone people turn their faces away from. We looked down on him. We didn’t have any respect for him. He suffered the things we should have suffered. He took on himself the pain that should have been ours. But we thought God was punishing him. We thought God was wounding him and making him suffer. But the servant was pierced because we had sinned. He was crushed because we had done what was evil. He was punished to make us whole again and His wounds have healed us.” (Isaiah 53:1-5, NIRV)

When you eat your smarties ...

Who remembers this jingle?

              When you eat your smarties, do you eat the red ones last?

              Do you suck them very slowly, or crunch them very fast

              Eat that candy coated chocolate but tell me when I ask –

              When you eat your smarties, do you eat the red ones last? J

I have no recollection of red smarties being tastier than the other colored ones, do you? But somehow this marketing tactic elevated the sales of this candy, playing on the assumption that ‘saving the best for last’ is alluring.  This ditty consumed my mind last Saturday as we were driving to the ‘last’ of our division and district visits. Gusii is one of our smaller regions with just eight corps comprising the District. It’s a four and a half hour drive from Kakamega so we travelled on Friday in order to be in the area for the Saturday morning Councils. When the leaders met us, we were informed the venue the next morning was the Kenguso corps which would be an hour’s drive, giving us the opportunity to see another side of the area. We were happy with the plan.

To our pleasant surprise, this one hour drive had amazing scenery, some of the prettiest we had seen in the country.  It’s an area called the Tea Zone. After leaving the town where our hotel was, and manoeuvering past the congested business area, we couldn’t stop gazing out the window.  The Kenguso Corps was located up in the mountains, so we were climbing higher and higher with each mile. The elevation gave us a spectacular bird’s eye view of so many sloping hills peppered with lush green tea plantations. Tea and coffee are the two main products grown in the area and the fields were so ripe.  Many areas in the country, like this one, have been blessed with rains this year during the hot, dry season. With our windows down, we could feel the freshness that had resulted from recent precipitation.

Most of the journey was on tarmac (paved) road, except for the last 10 km.  The rough gravel road had absolutely no negative impact on our drive though because the landscape and stunning view captured our gaze right to the end. The only thing any better than the gorgeous terrain was the delightful welcome we received at the corps compound.  Usually when we show up for these Councils, the Officers and sometimes local officers greet us but today the yard was filled not just with the adults but with dozens of children!  These beautiful energetic young people were waving, singing, clapping, playing tambourines, and shouting “Karibu Sana” (welcome so much!) as we drove onto the grounds. Our hearts were full.  We exited the car where a pretty little girl named Rose Mary held out her hand with a bouquet of flowers and said “Welcome to Kenguso!”

Following the lovely welcome, we were ushered to one side where both of us planted a tree – something we love doing.  Our newly rooted shrubs were embedded next to some growing trees planted a few years ago by the former Territorial leaders, Commissioners Ken & Jolene Hodder, a rich environmental tradition for leaders. 

We spent the morning teaching and sharing with the local leaders on the idea of ‘Mobilizing Forward’, a continuation of last year’s international focus on what it means to ‘mobilize’.  We based our theory on various Biblical perspectives of advancing into the future, willing to make necessary changes, take godly courage, and never forget our attention to the mission.  Morris led an interactive time of understanding the purposes and membership of Pastoral Care Councils and Corps Councils and the need to work together. The attendees were quite engaging with lots of questions.  The amusing part of the meeting was the children peering through the windows or standing in the open door way, watching the mzungu (white man) teacher.  A few made their way inside and sat at the back – quite acceptable since they are future PCC members after all.  We ended the Councils with a time of prayer and then moved outside for a group photo, including the children.

Assuming we were done what was planned for the day, we stood around chatting. Before long, we were invited to see the Secondary School adjacent to the Corps. Since we always love school visits, we gladly agreed and walked across the field. The principal and Board of Management director met with us to share their concerns for the 142 students who attend the school and the need for upgrading with boarding dormitories.  Boarding is always seen as the better way of giving students optimal learning time and a more progressive environment to focus on their studies. As we emerged from the high school visit, we heard the sound of children’s voices singing again. Delightful!  It was the Primary School students, just a short distance away, eager to have us see their facility too. With the children gleefully leading the way, we trekked up the rocky path.  Here the faculty shared how desperately this school needs support for access to clean water as well as their desire to construct a unit for children with disabilities, much needed in the area. The water issue was definitely an eminent one. Currently the primary students walk 2 ½ km each way to a water source every day.  They longed for some on site water tanks and eventually their own bore hole. As always, we couldn’t make any promises but the staff were encouraged to put their needs in writing and we would see what could be done. Perhaps getting some water tanks could be possible in the near future.

Outside the staff room, the students were eagerly waiting to entertain us with more singing as they waited for us to chat with them.  After some greetings, they followed us to the edge of the compound with more happy tunes, one of which was interpreted to us as: “The visitors have such beautiful hair!” We laughed so hard!  

What a glorious day this had turned out to be.  Perhaps not unlike eating red smarties at the end of the pack, this final District visit was definitely a sweet treat. 

Kenguso Primary School Visit

Leaders and future leaders in the Gusii District