The wonder of the forest

The wonder of the forest

In a world where “the wrong seems oft so strong”, it is sometimes very beneficial to stop and see the beauty and wonder which surrounds us.

As a Newfoundlander is drawn to the ocean, a Kenyan is pulled to the forest. As visitors here, we too find the forest quite fascinating. It never disappoints us. Our excursions never satisfy our knowledge or understanding. There is so much. It’s incessant. In the Kakamega forest alone, there’s 160 different species of trees so varied in color, height, and foliage.  Shading our walk as we trek through its road ways like strangers or possibly intruders, this serene piece of God’s creation mystifies us.  We marvel at our surroundings each time we get to trod this part of the earth.  170 variations of flowering plants – yet we’ve noticed so few.   

On Saturday, our guide, Jona, (now our favorite) is so obliging as he escorts and educates us about his home land. He’s lived in the forest village since birth. His mind and vision enable us to see what we naturally would not and he prods us to vaguely understand how the Creator has formed and sustained life in such a broader expanse than just human beings.  There is a holistic grandeur of our created world spanning oceans, forests, sky and space that often escapes our identification. The sites, sounds, smells, touch and taste are truly wonderful.   If once in a while we would stop and consider it more fully, we would be blessed. Perhaps even in our own backyard there is wonder just waiting to capture our hearts.

On our recent walk with our friend Jessica from Washington DC, Jona, stops at some fig trees that grow ceaselessly as twisted and entwined vegetation until the original host tree is lost and new trees generate. (Death and life so co-dependent).  Birthed from seeds that must first pass through a digestive system before hatching with a root system that is hard enough to crack concrete, the fig tree is more complex than meets the eye.  Besides the complexity of how trees grow and interconnect, there is also the wonder of what they produce.  Numerous forest trees harvest leaves or plants which have traditionally been used for medicinal purposes to treat malaria or other illnesses. One very large tree creates a bark used in the past as therapy for prostate cancer. Even now, researchers come to the forest and take samples of the bark to study the contents which make it so medically suitable. 

We stop again. “Look up” Jona says, pointing to a dark image in the trees about 30 feet above us. What is it? A hive? Yes, but not from bees. It’s an ant hive. Not on the ground as we expect but overhead hanging marginally off the tree trunk, almost camouflaged yet visible.  Ants (so characteristically coordinated and methodical) carry mud high up the trunks to fashion a beehive type nest and then scour the trees and ground for food to take to their home.  Among their food search are eggs which have been hatched from moths or butterflies. To the ant’s eye, these small eggs appear eatable and tasty so they carry the eggs back to the nest eager to have their meal. The eggs disappoint them - the shells are too hard to crack or digest so they are discarded. But nature’s work doesn’t cease. The natural temperature inside this ant nest just so happens to be perfect for these hard shelled eggs and before long they hatch into caterpillars evolving later into one of the forest’s indigenous, exotic butterflies. Oh the wonder of it all!  Nature always needing nature. So much inter-connectedness!

Before long, Jona’s keen eye sites a rare bird perched lightly on a branch by the side of the road. The three of us peer intently struggling to see the uncommon creature. The bird’s name (which Jona knew) escapes me now but it is so rare birdwatchers spend hours or days looking for it but for us - there it is. Carefree on its perch for a few moments until it takes flight again with its dark blue and black body swooping back into its natural habitat.  No camera to snap pictures, we just revel in the scenic pleasure.

The forest could be a welcome shopping spot for craftsmen and wood workers. A unique feature of one tree is the sandpaper leaves. Sustaining their grit for several uses, these leaves are pretty practical for manipulating rough surfaces into smooth ones - amazing to touch.  And walk a little further to a tree that releases sticky sap quite suitable for making glue. I ponder about how much in our world has been considered human discoveries only to realize there is so much around us provided directly by the Creator.

Our walk brings us to the summit of a hill. The panoramic view of the rain forest always stirs our admiration.  An endless carpet of multi-colored green trees seemingly yielding only to the far distant mountains.  We sit under the shade of a small tree to catch our breath and let our eyes gaze with curious marvel.  How beneficial it is to physically or symbolically rise above the chaos of our everyday lives and take the long view. See (or at least imagine) the grandeur of life as God created it - the perfection of systems and seasons, the harmony of a variant nature as it was meant to be (diversity at its best), and the beautiful rhythms of the Creator’s handiwork.  What’s a little startling is that we not only get to enjoy and gape at all of this, but we also have responsibility for it. I’m not an environmental expert or any kind of ecological advocate, but I cannot forget the directive from the One who lovingly gave us this incredible world in all its glory. “Everything I have created has My breath in it and I give it to you. Take care of it.” (Genesis 1:30, my paraphrase). Oh let me (us) ne’er forget.

Descending the hill, as we carefully maneuver the loose gravel and rocky terrain, Morris and Jona suddenly spot a large light-colored bird soaring like an eagle across the wide expanse of the sky above the forest. Its swoop and lunge buoyed by the wind beneath its wings captivate us as we try to surmise the mystery and splendor of this creature and its creator. Transcending what is happening beneath and around him, the bird glides smoothly and carefree ‘til it disappears into the world that perhaps it is either exploring or admiring. I recall the prophet’s words: “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth … his understanding no one can fathom … but those who hope in Him will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” (Isaiah 40)

My prayer today is that our Creator’s wonder will forever be our rock and our guide.

The Children's Home

Morris and I visited our first Children’s Home today. It is not run by TSA. It is run by Government and ‘well-wishers’, people who donate funds to keep the home operating. This Home is located next to one of our corps where we were holding a gathering. The director, a caring young man named Christopher, and some of the children came to our gathering and participated. At the end of the service, we were invited to visit the Home. Our schedule was tight because we had a four hour drive to Kakamega before dark, but we could not forfeit this opportunity.

Our first stop was the nursery – who can resist babies? J  It was a small room with two cribs – one baby in one crib and two babies in another. The babies were between 2-3 months old. We were told their stories included being rescued by the Child Welfare office and another abandoned by a young parent. These three precious infants could steal your heart in a flash.

Morris and I got to hold one baby each. I held a little Joel, and Morris held Joyce. (Morris has a special place in his heart for little girls!). They snuggled into our necks with no hesitation. I remembered how important ‘flesh on flesh’ is to babies. We didn’t want to let them go. When I placed Joel back in his crib, he started to cry, as if he had been really enjoying the snuggle. Oh my heart!

Our attention was then directed to the room adjacent to the nursery.  It was like our hearts expanded as we saw about 8 cribs in a room that was probably 8 X 12 feet. These were the toddlers, two or three in a crib. Two of the children had some disabilities, they had their own crib.  We had to fight back tears as we walked among the cribs to say hi and touch the little ones hands. Some of them were asleep. After a few minutes, one little one woke up and when he saw the ‘white man’, he started to cry loudly and others followed.  So we did a quick exit from the room, not wanting to disturb the children. Back in the nursery we met a lady, Jennifer, who Christopher called the ‘Mom’ of the babies. She was cuddling Joel and we were told she is one of the employees for the baby section. We took time to pray over the little ones and thank the staff for their good work.

Christopher then took us outside to meet the older children. There are 144 children living there right now, ranging from infancy to high school age. Outside the children were playing in the open area. There were some swings in the playground and a small indoor multi-purpose room where we gathered to hear the children sing. What a pleasure to hear these kids raise their voices with great gusto: “Who made the stars that twinkle in the sky, who made the rain that falls so hard, who made the pretty butterfly, and who made me and you – our Father God” and then another tune: “We have chosen a better way, we will serve God for the rest of our life.” Music to our ears!! Morris shared a few words with them and said a prayer. They kept saying “Ah sante sana” (thank you for coming).

The visit to this Children’s Home was short so we didn’t get to ask all the questions we wanted to. From what we could gather, the opportunities for adoption are quite few and many of them stay at the home until they finish school.  Most of the children come there when the Child Welfare Ministry becomes aware of situations where parents are deemed unfit to raise children. Christopher said: “some of the children have witnessed or experienced abuse, some have even witnessed the suicide of their parents. Every once in a while, an infant baby is left at the gate and they take the child in.”

We could see some of the older kids helping the younger ones. I began to think that perhaps it is like a big family or a small community. They support each other.  They probably bicker and tease each other too. They have rules to follow and adults to take care of them.  When the kids are young, they are given some basic pre-school education. When they are of age, they go to the schools nearby – one of the main Primary schools being a Salvation Army school near the corps next door. Some of the high school age youth are doing exams each year and hoping to continue with their education.

It’s easy to ‘feel sorry’ for these children. And yes, it definitely was one of the most heart wrenching visits Morris and I have made, especially to the nursery and toddler room. (If we were a few years younger, we would probably be having another conversation.)  We can certainly appreciate the reward and the challenge the 28 staff have as they continue to run this facility of love.

Perhaps most child psychologists and many of us would say that children flourish best in individual homes, if they are healthy ones, and not as much in institutions. Yet sometimes institutions are necessary. Where would many of these children be without such a place?

I am very grateful that Youth and Child Protection is one of the key pillars of The Salvation Army’s Accountability movement. The Army has always worked hard to protect children – in our churches, camps, and other Salvation Army facilities. Now there is even more emphasis and accountability measures to ensure every child is safe and treated with dignity. Physical punishment is not tolerated and every child must be provided with a high standard of health and nurturing in each area of their development.

I often wondered which part of living and serving in Kenya would affect me the most.  This visit today comes close to the top of that ‘wondering’.  I’ve heard many people who have served in developing countries speak of how they left a piece of their heart there. I think a piece of mine got dropped in a nursery and toddler room today.

God bless every child who lives on this planet.  May we all find some way to contribute to some child’s wellness and growth.

Me and baby Joel

Outside in the yard of the Children's Home.

Christopher is standing to the far left and 

the DDWM (Divisional Director of Women's Ministries) to the far right. 

The kids were a little shy getting their photo taken. 

The Dignity of Love

It’s the week of February 14 - Valentine’s Day.  It’s a good week to write about love. :)

I don’t know about you, but I sure have a lot of love in my life. My faith reminds me I am loved (by God) simply because I was born (not because of what I can or cannot do).  I am loved unconditionally even when I mess up over and over. How good is that! Then of course my husband, my children, my grandchildren, my siblings and a ton of in-laws plus a great group of friends (old and new) give me a pretty terrific life of loving and being loved. Besides that, I love walking, reading, writing, laughing, and connecting with people. Plus I love chocolate, cheese, and a good cup of tea!! And that is not the end of my 'list' of LOVE's. 

I know there are probably lots of people this week who feel unloved and unlovable.  God created the world to be a place of mutual relationships and the human spirit to be caring and helpful, affectionate and kind. Yet, many people are targets of being dishonored, disgraced, and forgotten.  I just finished reading a book called “Leading with Dignity – how to create a culture that brings out the best in people” by Dr. Donna Hicks. It’s an excellent read that defines dignity as ‘our inherent value and worth’ - what we were born with. To simply be human is to have dignity. In a nutshell – love and honor yourself, don’t allow anyone to rob it, and then honor dignity in others.   When we honor dignity, we all thrive so much better in our relationships and in our world as a whole.  

A great illustration in this book is what the author calls the “Mandella conscious”. When Nelson Mandella entered Robben Island prison in South Africa (where he would spend 27 years), he realized from the outset what the guards were trying to do to him and the other prisons – strip them of their dignity. Mandella’s response?  “Prison and the authorities conspire to rob each man of his dignity. In and of itself, that assured me that I would survive, for any man or institution that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose because I will not part with it at any price or under any pressure.” (A Walk to Remember).  

Dr. Hicks worked in the field of international conflict for 25 years. She finishes her book with this comment: “It has taken me a long while to figure out that at its core, conflict is created in the absence of love, and if we want to bring an end to violence and suffering in the world, we need to get better at loving – practicing the art of loving through the honoring of dignity.”

Morris and I were sharing with a group of officers over the past weekend. We used a current phrase being used by the General of The Salvation Army: “Battle Ready”.  As Christians, we believe in the principle of spiritual warfare against evil.  The Bible teaches us to combat evil with love in order for hope to be present in our broken world.  At our Officers Councils, I chose to speak about ‘the weapon of love’ as the foundation for winning this battle over evil. (Morris did a study on the ‘full armor God’ for the battle – talking about truth, faith, holy living, the Scriptures, and prayer.)

As I talked about love to the officers, I declared that love seems so basic. Dr. Hicks in her book says the same thing. At the core, loving others by honoring their dignity "is as simple and straightforward as that”. Yet we don’t always get it. And we don’t always action it. Why else is there so much conflict – in families, in workplaces, and in the world at large.

Evelyn Lindner, a German-Norweigian medical doctor and psychologist, defines love as “the principle around which we live and organize our lives and the world. Love - forceful, fierce, and big - is the only true antidote to humiliation. Love is what heals. Love is a force that can be used or wasted.”

On Sunday at a Divisional worship gathering, with probably 800+ people gathered 'under the trees' for worship, I saw love in action when a couple gentleman who appeared to have some emotional or mental health problems were quite welcomed to participate in what was happening and were not shunned. They danced to their own delight and their dignity was honored.  There may have been some smiles because these folks are not bashful in how they present themselves, but they were embraced and no one was robbing their dignity.

No matter how many times I read about the life of Jesus, I honestly cannot find any better example to follow. There is so much to learn about love from his life. Seriously, even if you are not a believer, you surely can’t refute what Jesus taught.  Jesus embodied love in action and showed us how to do it too - help the person who cannot pay you back, choose forgiveness instead of retaliation, increase someone’s self-esteem in place of shaming, be kind instead of rude, and understand without judging. 

I hope this week we not only celebrate love, but we find new ways to put it into action – how about honoring the dignity of someone who just might not feel dignified.  Whatever you are doing on Thursday, do a little extra LOVING! I’m pretty sure it will be well worth it.

Much LOVE,

Wanda & Morris

January 2019

Hello Family & Friends,

Before the first month of this year gets totally away from us, let me say hello and share my inaugural 2019 blog. Since we last connected, we’ve all had our Christmas excursions or stay at home time and welcomed the blank slate of a new year. Morris and I spent a treasured stint in Ontario with our children and grandchildren in December, reveling in how the little ones have grown and being delighted with their new interests and expanded conversations.  Along with loving our walks to school with Anna-Lynne and Granda cherishing his Tim Horton’s dates with her, we both found her child-like expression of “oh my goodness!” so funny! Oliver surprised us with his constant (and I mean constant) attempts to play Erica’s purple p-bone (real size plastic trombone). Even a hockey stick and a toy mop gets lifted to his lips as he declares emphatically “trombone”! We also loved spending extra time with Stephanie and got to hang out with her and her boyfriend, Jeremy. Jeremy loves to cook so watching them serve up a delicious meal together for the whole family was an added treat.

Following the Christmas festivities, came the ‘welcome’ of a new year. To be honest, the turning of the calendar started off sad as we had to say good-bye again and head back to Kenya. Those who live far from the people they love most know that these ‘farewells’ do not get any easier.

The busy days of ministry set in quickly on our return including for me a trip to the northern and most remote region of our territory, Turkana. I have previously written about visits to this area. It is the place where we have the most extreme weather conditions, usually severe heat causing drought (though last year it was flooding) often causing significant livelihood challenges. It is our largest geographic district, bordering as far as South Sudan.  This time my trip was with the Women’s Ministry department. The first of our “Empowering Women” seminars planned for this year. The preparation meant networking with the local leaders to discover what relevant needs might be addressed and how we might enhance the resolve of these ladies to live healthy and productively, encouraging their confidence to tackle their challenges, and hopefully offer a new insight or two.

We met with about 40-45 women who inspired, enlightened, and humored us in our dialogue together. I was immediately delighted with their quick interaction as we engaged them in the various lessons. Very little hesitation to respond to questions and offer their own stories and answers to ‘what are you doing’? Most of the ladies had come from the far distant areas, travelling more than 200 km over very rugged terrain. In these remote villages, the traditions and culture which shape their lives include polygamy, inconsistency in how families view education, and varied perceptions about self-worth.  (We were informed by the new District leader that two of the young ladies in the group were married to the same man, a young boy who had just finished high school).

Many of the women (both the young and older) were wearing the wide traditional beaded neck jewelry which can look like a fashionable neck brace, yet worn with much pride.  From an earlier visit, I remembered that this jewelry was often indicative that the girl’s father wanted male suitors to see the worth of his daughter. Pre-arranged marriages are most common.  One story about the beads suggests the more beads around her neck, the more dowry the parents required.  Another version indicted the amount of beads reflected the father's wealth, enticing a young man into the family. It likely depended on the community. In some some villages, girls have limited or no opportunity to go to school but are kept at home to care for the family so she would learn how to be a ‘good wife’ and keeper of the home and not be influenced by ‘other teaching’.  Women who were older and married many years still believed that wearing these beads reflected their value and the honor to their traditions.  Visitors, like myself, know that it is not our place to condemn these customs.  In this setting, our role is to respect all participants as we present new opportunities to learn and grow.

The joy and dancing was incredibly energetic, beyond what our women’s group could keep up with – not just the Canadian.  In the midst of the dancing and singing, we talked about family relationships, income generating opportunities, spiritual growth, and the strength of women. We listened to stories of women whose husbands were unfaithful, yet they were responsible to provide for his well-being. On the other hand, we were delighted that many of them had their own markets or were involved in table banking groups. In several places where Commissioner Grace had visited the week before, women were actively contributing to the growth of the church, including taking leadership roles or fund raising for new quarters and halls.  In my closing remarks at the seminar, I told the women I would never forget Turkana. They had touched my heart and I prayed God would bless and protect them and enable them to keep growing and learning.

I am very grateful for this visit north, for the opportunity to serve with and see the Army at work in such ‘far away’ places. I am so thankful to have met these women who keep seeking God and who contribute much to their world. These few days remind me that I am seeing "through a glass darkly" with only a partial glimpse of a much bigger picture. The trip coincided well with a couple books I’ve recently read of how people are deeply shaped by their environment and background.  ‘The Book of Negroes’ and ‘Educated’ are two accounts of real life culture, customs, and ethnicities which both startle and jolt me about how a way of life profoundly influences who you are. As Newfoundlanders, for years we have heard ‘you can take the boy out of the bay but you can’t take the bay out of the boy’ (if you aren’t from Newfoundland, ask a person who is what that means). This lighthearted sentiment carries great truth.  

The place, people, and customs into which you are born help form your values, beliefs, and life learning – whether the elements around you are sweet or harsh. It isn’t always the determined end result, but it has unquestionable impact.  It is quite eye-opening to discover how people respond to their life situation with resilience and courage, how people overcome adversity, and utilize their context for either good or not so good. The ties people have to their families, their home, their land, and their way of life are intrinsic to one’s identity and who we become in the world. It isn’t the only shaping factor but it is one none of us can escape.

As I close my blog, I ask you to join us in praying for Kenya. The attacks in Nairobi have disturbed us greatly this week and we pray for those severely affected and those who will assist with building hope and healing. 

Wishing all of you a good year filled with much love and lots of hugs! 

Wanda & Morris

PS Just remembered, we were all given traditional names in Turkana. Mine was Aman (Awe-man). It means 'ocean'. Pretty appropriate for this native Newfoundlander.

A few Turkana pics

Boarding the plan with our WM team (except Commissioner Grace). 

Love their smiles. Don't love my face. 

An amazing welcome for us!!

Some brought their little ones.

They love group photos!

And fun photos too!!

Teaching time

Part of our team - really appreciate these women leaders!

There is ALWAYS a response to the call to prayer. 

A strong testimony

Wash time!

Final day snaps!

We all received beautiful wraps as a thank you for our visit

Time to say good bye ...

The same, not different

The same – not different

One of the tenets of Christianity is all human kind is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Repeated throughout the Bible, it is particularly underscored in Jesus life and teaching, and throughout the New Testament.  Jesus constantly reverses the cultural tendency to erect walls of disparity between people groups such as men and women, rich and poor, saint and sinner.  The apostle Paul followed his lead and states clearly that God’s intention for the world is a place where “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female for you are all one.” (Galatians 3:28)

Living in a country where the color of your skin is different than the majority of the population is a reminder that being one or ‘all the same’ does not equate to looking alike. The beauty of humanity is our diversity.  Our skin color, abilities, talents, language, preferences, and personalities are delightfully contrasting. The world might be pretty boring without it. Morris often tells the story of visiting a supermarket in Kakamega last year. He was browsing around the store, when a little hand gently touched his arm. It was a young boy about three or four years old. Morris greeted him with “hello little one” and the boy shyly scurried off. Within a few minutes, the boy returned and without any exchange of words, reached out again to feel Morris’s arm. Another smile and off he ran. Morris thought ‘my, the children are very friendly here’.   Then, after a third return ‘touch’, Morris thought 'perhaps this is the first time this boy has seen a mzungu (white man).' There was a good chance the boy wanted to know if this different colored person felt the same as he did! Since then we’ve had several occasions where little children want to feel the touch of our skin or our hair and it always brings laughter and a chance to say “see, we’re just like you”!

Imagine the peace and prosperity our world would have if everyone valued that “What unites us is much greater than what divides us” (Pope John XXIII). I believe the desire of God is to eliminate, as much as we are able, the human tendency to think that our variances detach or dissect us. To focus on the differences between people, rather than the similarities has potential to accelerate superiority and inferiority. Superiority is the inclination to see oneself as better than another and inferiority to see yourself as someone less than. This is where the seeds of power struggles are birthed and likely why we live in a world of enemies and conflict, war and inequality, oppression and poverty.

As much as I love many things about The Salvation Army, I must confess that I also think of this challenge with our denominational quasi-military hierarchical structure. There has been (and perhaps still can be), the danger of considering someone of a higher rank to be superior not only in a supervisory role but in value or accomplishment. In a conversation with an officer some time ago, Morris was asked “What do I need to do to get promoted?” The officer wasn’t referring to the required responsibilities of completing certain courses to move from the rank of Lieutenant to Captain or Captain to Major. It was about what he should do to one day become a Divisional Commander or a Chief Secretary because by attaining those positions you would be ‘arriving’. Morris diverted the dialogue to a focus on the essence of our service having nothing to do with status, position, or rank. We are called to be servant leaders who follow Jesus example. “Whoever wants to be great must be a servant of all” (Matthew 20:28)

There have been occasions through the years when Morris and I have been part of gatherings where separation was evident.  One example is being seated at a head table and served in a contrasting way from the rest of the group.  Or the time we arrived at a youth workers event and were ushered to a room to have lunch with the facilitators instead of lining up with the delegates. We asked if we could queue up to connect with the participants and find out what they had learned at the seminar. It made so much more sense in that situation and we were so glad we did.  

Any opportunity we have to help reduce barriers between us can increase mutual respect and equality. It will never be perfect and I fully acknowledge the occasions when we have supervisory responsibilities.  However,  the goal of inclusiveness can get better if we look for intentional situations where we can reverse the impulse to be separate and nurture what it means to be ‘the same’.  We are all fallen people in need of God’s grace and forgiveness. We stand on level ground in the eyes of our Creator. If we are truly meant to reflect Him, then surely this vision of egalitarianism must also be ours.  Neither our abilities or our inabilities or our disabilities define us so neither should that divide us.

The belief in Jesus Christ as both a personal Saviour and the world’s Saviour is to understand Christ’s role in bringing us together (reconciliation). The Cross was (and is) the way of restoring the brokenness between God and humanity and by extension, the brokenness existing between humanity. No wonder Jesus simplified what it means to be a Christian – to love God and love each other. Jesus death and sacrifice is the causeway that connects us. Christian faith breaks down the barriers between us (Ephesians 2:14) and gives us the responsibility to be reconcilers too (2 Corinthians 5:18).

How do we find ways to intentionally connect and converse with people who are not exactly the same as we are? How do we do better at opening the doors of our home, our churches, our social groups, and our ‘on the street’ encounters and welcome into our lives the person who looks, talks, smells, or thinks differently than we do?

Recently someone told me about a gentleman who biked across Canada from June to September. In his travels, there were 11 different occasions when complete strangers he met along the way (some just in casual conversation in a coffee shop) invited him to spend the night at their house.  Risky? Maybe, but it was a risk that resulted in mutual comradery. In the last city he visited, Halifax, a Christian couple whom he did not know hosted him for three days where he received the warmest hospitality. “I ate some of the best fish in my life” he said with a big smile. He even joined them in a worship service, and this man was not of the same faith. A great example of looking beyond what divides us and embracing what unites us.

As I write this blog, I am conscious of so many heart wrenching examples where the opposite experience from the biker is occurring.  Discrimination, racism, and segregation sabotage the splendor of diversity.  The cruel attack on a Jewish synagogue in Pennsylvania last week, with 11 lives lost, and in Egypt where seven Coptic Christians were killed in an attack on two buses near a monastery are just two of those instances. Immigration and refugee situations also come to mind. We cannot solve every global social issue. Only God will reverse all evil but while we wait for that day, let's consider our best opportunities to respect, include, and embrace one another in every way we can. 

Morris and I have lived in Kenya for almost two years now. It is not always easy, but it has enlarged our understanding and appreciation of what it means to look beyond the divides and embrace the bridges.   

Preparing for the 'big guy'!

Blog #46 - Preparing for the big guy!

October 20 was Mashujaa Day in Kenya - Heroes’ Day!  It is a public national holiday honoring those who contributed to the struggle for Kenya’s independence (1963) and those who have positively shaped the post-independence of the country.  People honor how independence has enabled the country to provide better opportunities and living conditions for its residents. Heroes Day also acknowledges Kenyans who have made significant contributions in sports, education, medicine, and in other areas.

This year, the town where I live, Kakamega, celebrated the occasion in fine style.  The President, Uhuru  Kenyatta and his first lady, Margaret Kenyatta, came to town – along with the Deputy President, the opposition leader, and guest President of Namibia, Mr. Hage Geingob - quite the entourage for this rural place. The weekend festivities included a major celebration gathering at the new local arena where the President gave the keynote address.  In his speech, he declared unity to be the spirit of the Kenyan handshake which must be emulated across all sectors.  Traditional dancers and choirs  entertained the crowd and one of our Salvation Army Territorial leaders, Commissioner Grace Chepkurui, participated with prayer. An air show of fighter jets by the Kenya Air Force wowed the residents while tons of food vendors were a great attraction to those who congregated to see the big guy! The town likely swelled by thousands over the weekend.

Leading up to the event, concerted preparations were quite visible for several months.  Road repairs galore, the installation of literally hundreds of street lights, embedded floral in the round-a-bouts, significant additions of shelter/sun shade space to the stadium, and a new fountain in the centre of town helped beautify Kakamega’s community image.  Presumably all paid for by the national government. The increased military presence, heightened police security, tons of colorful national and municipal flags flying, and lots of rehearsals for community groups and schools were among the final details before the big day. Near the end, you could almost feel the panic of last minute arrangements in town. Ready or not, here he comes!

In many ways, the measures taken were an asset to the area. Better road conditions, bright lights for evening traffic and travelers, extra visitors, first hand exposure to government officials, and a more visually appealing municipal ambiance for any newcomers. The weekend generated additional revenue for local businesses and potentially highlighted Kakamega as a charming place to live in Kenya. Obviously, the upgrades had its limits and did not address lots of other social and community needs. Some wondered if the large number of erected street lights could possibly have an adverse effect if electricity costs to run these lights propel a surge in power costs for the ordinary consumer.  (Perhaps not all the lights will be turned on after the holiday event). In any case, preparing for the country’s President has definitely been a rigorous and resolute labour intensive attempt to impress political dignitaries and will likely be the talk of the town for quite some time.

Observing this hustle and bustle begged a reflection for me about the coming of another prominent figure, a dignitary of a different sort, Jesus.  In the Christian faith, we believe that one day our ‘big guy’ will come (again) to town. (Please don’t mistake this light-hearted description of Jesus as sacrilegious or disrespectful).  The Bible teaches us that the promise of Christ when he ascended to Heaven following his resurrection was his eminent return. In John 14:3, Jesus promised “If I go … (and he did go), I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  Some years later, the apostle Paul wrote in one of his letters “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (I Thess. 5:16-17)

One of the differences between the coming of Jesus and the appearance of a prominent political leader is we will not be fore warned about the actual time & date. As a matter of fact, “in an hour when you least expect it, the Son of God will come back – like a thief in the night.” (Matt. 24:44) Our preparation days won’t be just for two weeks or two months.  More truthfully, it's every day. We do not have a date for Jesus return, though the bible does describe the kind of times we may be living in: “days of wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6). Sound familiar?  Question is, how do we ‘get ready’ for an arrival of such great magnitude that it makes the President coming to town seem mundane and inconsequential? I think it means we need to pay careful attention to how we live - every day.

Following Paul’s prediction of Christ's return, he gives us some pretty good advice while we wait. Various phrases from 1 Thess. 5:6-11 encourage us to  “be alert … be self-controlled, put on faith and love as a shield, and the hope of salvation as a protective headdress ... encourage one another and build each other up.” Preparing to meet Jesus, whether at his official return to earth or the day when we die, is about putting into practice what He told us to do – love God and love others. Believe in and receive the gift of salvation. Then follow His example in how we treat people, including every effort to stand against evil and injustice. In other words, let’s expend our energy beyond what can be seen on the outside. Let’s do more than just embellish our image. Let's find ways to make a real difference.  Don’t be self-centred. Be aware (alert) to the reality of people around you (neighbors) and those across the globe. Put your faith into action.  

Notably, this is NOT about impressing Christ, for none of our ‘good works’ earn us a place at the table being prepared for our eternal feasting. Faith alone in the unmerited grace of God is the only way into His presence. It is not an outward beautifying effort. It is a preparation that begins (and ends) in the heart and translates into a living, active faith.

In many ways, I am grateful that the coming back of Jesus is an unknown day. If I was given a date when I would leave this world or the date when Jesus would show up on my door step, would I potentially be as frantic as the hired workers I’ve seen in Kakamega the past two weeks? Would I be scurrying against the clock to ensure everything in my life was ‘in place’? Would I be panicking about what I had left undone? Maybe - though I'm sure I would not get it just right.  Instead, because his return is an unexpected one, I get a new opportunity, a fresh chance, every day to carefully and prayerfully prepare my heart and live my life in honor of His grace to me.

Ready or not, He’s coming.

Karibu (welcome) to Kakamega! 

Prep work - by hand

Crowds at the stadium - some like the lime light!

Celebrate Kenya!

Artistic flare! 

And the dignitaries ...

Coaching and cultivating

Blog #45

Coaching and cultivating – envisioning a better future

Words are so often contextual. Meanings vary depending on setting or circumstance. The word ‘coaching’ has its most familiar framework in sports.  Individual athletes and sports teams depend highly on effective coaching for success.  (Okay, hockey fans in Canada, perhaps the Toronto Maple Leafs still have that hope!).  About ten years ago, Morris and I welcomed a new context for this word, attaching it to being a leader. We quickly resonated with the principles, values, and theory of coaching and have sought to emulate it in our leadership.  We haven’t perfected it but still pursue it.

The other word for today is ‘cultivating’.  Without much difficulty, common images are growing, gardening, or farming, though it can apply elsewhere - in education, relationships, or even finances. In my current setting, the default for this word is quite natural. Living in rural Africa, cultivating is seen constantly since farming is the inherent livelihood for most.  Recently, I considered the congruency between coaching and cultivating.  Both, I believe, are rooted (no pun intended) in the forward movement of a better future.

When harvest season happens in Kenya, hundreds (maybe thousands) of acres of maize (corn) are cultivated. Maize is the basis for a staple food – ugali.  Maize is planted in March or April and usually harvested in October.  The investment of sowing the grain commences the annual practice of producing what is needed to feed families and generate revenue. Without it, their future may be bleak.

To redeem a quality crop, cultivating is quite a process.  It begins with choosing the right kind of seed, one not easily destroyed by insects. The seeds are planted in straight rows about two feet apart with fertilizer sprinkled to stimulate productivity. Once the plants grow to about knee height, weeding happens, discarding all that hinders maximum gain. Following a second topping of fertilizer, and if weather conditions are favorable, in a few months the green cobs turn brown and are ready to be cut. After grouping the stalks in bundles for quick drying, the kernels are peeled from the cobs and laid out on a flat surface to dry for two weeks, followed by tedious shelling, until only the maize seeds remain for grinding into flour. Finally the flour is bagged into 90 kilo sacks and ready for home and the market. Every year the farmers must care for their crops properly to ensure a fertile harvest. 

Recently Morris and I did some lectures at the Officers Training College on leader coaching. On our drive home, peering past miles of farmland, I contemplated the similarities between coaching and cultivating. Coaching is a style of leadership that involves building trust, creating an honest awareness of your current reality, and making necessary adjustments to redeem a better future.  Carol MacKinnon and Susan Wright define it as “the process of getting to know both yourself and other(s), establishing a relationship of mutual trust and awareness for the purpose of working together to reach a common goal” (Leader Alchemy).  Coaching begins with an investment (a cultivation of sorts) in yourself first and then developing others to accomplish goals (or mission) for something bigger than self-interest. For spiritual leaders, it is an investment for the purpose of seeing God’s Kingdom come (grow) on earth as it is in Heaven – the prayer and passion of Jesus.  Others using this approach can also find personal or organizational applications.

So how are coaching and cultivating similar? When local farmers start tilling soil and planting seeds, a trust commences.  To start with, they believe the ground to be fertile in ‘receiving’ what’s being embedded. A unique relationship emerges between the farmer and the soil, perhaps similar to fisherman and the ocean or miners and the underground.  Farmers also need trust in the atmospheric environment – the right balance of sun and rain.  Yet, truth is, the weather is not dependable. Too much rain washes away the crops prematurely and long periods of drought saps the crops nutrients. To add to that, if they haven’t chosen the right seeds or if they have failed to weed properly, these variables can adversely affect the results and the needed source of life for their families.  Simply put, farmers cannot depend on nature alone.  The process needs their regular attention.  

In leader coaching, if people are being led towards a better future, they should be able to trust the person or the organization they are following.  Realistically, people can find themselves embedded in a culture that has taken for granted the faith others have in them (the natural ground).   However, when rains of doubt or uncertainty fall too heavily or if a drought of dependability occurs, or if regular attention to what is integral has been neglected, trust can be marred or even severed with rebuilding required. Trust must be created. It is not automatically dependable ground. Transparency and accountability, honesty and integrity, as well as being reliable and approachable are foundational values which leaders (and others) want to sow and give regular attention. These seeds of character need cultivating.  And whereas some external conditions in farming like weather patterns are not predictable or controllable, perhaps our behaviors ought to be. Jesus said “Let your light so shine before people that they see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

When my untrained farming eye first started gazing at large fields of maize, I was impressed.  What a great harvest! After some time, however, I discovered there was something even better going on, something else was growing in between the rows of the tall corn stalks that I didn’t see. Beans had been planted in the gaps, enabling farmers to reap not just one crop, but two. While the corn is hovering high, beans are being produced closer to the ground. Optimal use of the field is happening!  (And by the way, I’ve tasted the beans here - they are quite yummy and provide great protein too.)

One of the goals for leading as a coach is to identify and help fill in the gaps of what is missing in the culture being created, for the purpose of an improved future. It’s easy sometimes to see all that’s good and miss some prime opportunities.  The former Salvation Army General, Andre Cox, reminded us that we cannot depend on our past successes, no matter how great they appear to be. There are still gaps missing.  Filling the gaps in churches and also in our individual lives (whether we are leaders or not), means becoming aware of what can be better, admitting what we have possibly overlooked, and exploring the prospects of a forward movement or a better direction. This requires a combined effort with lots of helpful and loving support. Leadership is not a solo sport and we can always accomplish more together than alone. The cultivating process farmers use is not done by one person.  There’s too much to do and too much at stake.

When crops yield a productive harvest, I’ve seen how happy people are. Conversations in the tea room at the office or with the locals on the street are naturally more jovial when the farming year has been a good one. Everyone benefits - families, the economy, the church and the community. The process has been worthwhile when all contributing factors are working in the same direction and goals are accomplished.  If however the conditions have not been favorable and the results are less than what was imagined, I also see that the farmer doesn’t give up.  If a crop has failed or is poor, the farmer must examine the reason why and commit to a change for the following year.  Was something neglected? What changes are required for better results? What can be done differently? And of course, acknowledging what was uncontrollable (like the weather).  Instead of yielding to despair, new commitments (alternative actions) can ensure progress.  Before long, there is a new year ahead! Another opportunity and fresh space to adjust, regroup, learn, and plant again.

In leader coaching, as we build trust through healthy relationships and focus on common goals, we gain traction in moving beyond resistance (our own or what is in others) and discover together new possibilities for more favorable outcomes.  Commitments and helpful support will enable us to set our sights on the fields around us which are “white unto harvest”, knowing that nothing is wasted when we are leaning and growing.

Coaching and cultivating may have an array of meanings for different people. For me, they are opportunities for wise investments, developing something beyond ourselves, and foreseeing greater takeaways!   On this Canadian Thanksgiving Day, among many reasons for gratitude, the ability to learn, improve and grow is definitely on my list.