Easter in Africa

April 16, 2017

Easter in Africa

When moving to a new country, special occasions naturally transpose your thoughts to what these occasions are like at home.   What has the family planned for this weekend? What’s happening at church? What’s been the focus in the community?  The first thing I noticed about Easter in Kenya is there were absolutely no signs of Easter bunnies and chocolate anywhere.  Nothing in the supermarket indicated any strategies to generate extra seasonal revenue - quite a difference from Canada.  I hadn’t even noticed the absence of the chocolate bunnies until I started to compare what Easter would have been like at home.  Despite our best intentions to stay focused on the Christian meaning of Easter and our participation in Easter worship services, we would still be shopping for some chocolate.

Don’t misunderstand my thoughts about this though. It does not mean that this culture has captured the perfect Easter focus.  We were a little disappointed actually over the past few weeks with almost no mention of the season of Lent, outside our own opportunities to draw attention to it.  Remembering the various rhythms and traditions associated with the Christian calendar doesn’t always seem to surface here.  Last Tuesday during THQ chapel, the officer who led the service relayed the account of Jesus washing the disciples feet in John 13 and challenged us to remember the servant attitude of Christ as he made his way to the Cross. This was a meaningful thought and we appreciated being drawn to this important piece of Jesus journey.

Both the Territorial leaders and ourselves decided some weeks ago that we would not conduct any Divisional events during the Easter weekend. We felt it was important for all corps officers to be leading their own congregations during this sacred Christian weekend.  (If either of us were specialling, it would mean a whole Division or District would gather together). So we agreed we would support our local corps.

Early in the week, Morris was asked to preach at one of the small corps in Kakamega on Good Friday. It’s a corps that his Admin Assistant, Judith, and her husband, Eric, now lead - along with their appointment at THQ. Eric is the Territorial cashier.  We gladly accepted this invitation to the Ikonyero corps.  Morris has always found preaching on Good Friday to be the most challenging but meaningful sermon he can prepare. With the translation, he would limit his usual speaking time.

When we arrived at the corps on Friday morning, many of the soldiers were making their way to the local market place with their two drums and the flag waving. They marched around the market proclaiming the message of the Cross in their singing and the witness of their uniforms before returning for the morning worship. About 40-45 people gathered in the humble building that has a dirt floor and walls of brick that desperately need finishing. Half the congregation were young people – children, teenagers, and young adults which was exciting!  The corps is just 16 months old but it was an outpost for 15 years prior. The sincerity of their worship was quite clear. They were very happy that the Chief and his wife (Mama) had come to be with them and we were glad to be there. 

Ikonyero Corps - Good Friday morning worship 

A glimpse of the SA Flag leading soldiers to the market. 

On Sunday morning, we returned to the corps, not as speaking guests this time, but with the intention that we would simply be one of the worshippers. We arrived a little before the service and once again the soldiers were out for their Open Air meeting, this time stopping to preach a short gospel message of the resurrection.  While the Open Air went on, we noticed several ladies bringing large containers of water (on their head of course) to the back of the corps building and soon an aroma reaches us. A ‘lunch’ was being prepared today because this was one of the Sundays that the members of the outpost joined the main corps for worship. These folks would travel about seven kilometers (many walking), so the corps made sure there was food for them before they returned home.

As the service was about to start, we knew it was hard for us to just ‘slip in’ to the congregation.  As tradition toward leadership dictates, we were ‘marched in’ with the corps officers and given the center seat on the platform. Our only participation though was greeting the people and a closing prayer.   We had wondered how the morning worship would begin, remembering many Easter Sunday mornings at home with the band playing "Crown Him with many Crowns" or “Up from the grave He arose.”  We were delighted that the first song was “He lives!”  No band but the harmonious African singing accompanied by the drums did justice to this Easter anthem of praise, especially since this morning there were over 100 in the meeting. We were very blessed!

At the end of the service everyone stayed for lunch, including us. Unfortunately, we were ushered into a separate room from the rest of the folk and had a private lunch with the corps officers, a small buffet of African food.  (We discovered later that everyone else’s lunch was rice and fried cabbage). 

I say 'unfortunately' not because I resent anything about the meal that was prepared for us or the opportunity to converse with the CO’s, but the unfortunate piece is this was another experience of being treated as if we, as leaders, needed something more than anyone else. For them, they would say this is a traditional sign of respect for leadership. For us, we have to walk the fine line of respecting such traditions but also sharing with them our perspective that we would prefer to be embraced as “one with them.”  Maybe next time we go to the corps we can see if they would welcome that.

We told the officers that we have decided to make Ikonyero our home corps. We won’t get to share many Sundays because our responsibilities take us around the Territory but we will attend when possible and support regularly with our tithes. The CO’s were very happy. They are working on fund raising now to complete the corps building – a concrete floor, a finished plaster for the rough brick work on the walls, and hopefully install electricity.  They are so thankful to have two more soldiers contributing. Every shilling counts. 

Easter is the most significant event in the Christian calendar.  It changed the course of history for all humankind.  It is the good news that brings hope where hope is lost. It really doesn’t matter where in the world you are, or whether you’ve added a few chocolate treats to your celebrations or if you’ve had turkey or rice for lunch, what’s important is faith in the Son of God who died that we might live and the knowledge that He is with us today.

Happy Easter everyone!

Family Value

April 08.17

Many circumstance remind us of the unequaled value of family. This week was no exception with the very happy arrival of baby Oliver - our first grandson! When Erica texted us to ask if we were at home together, our hearts began to throb as we waited for the video call. Sure enough, the phone screen revealed a big baby boy snuggling his mama! The glow on Erica’s face and the sound of Jeff’s voice reflected again the amazing love of life’s greatest gift – the miracle of welcoming a child. We quickly remembered the same joy that came on Nov. 12, 2014 when Anna-Lynne was born. We immediately gave thanks to God that a healthy baby was here (Oliver Morris Harry) and everyone was doing well. We cried tears of joy and admitted our deep longing to be a few miles closer to hold this precious life in our arms.  Morris’s heart grew a few more inches when Erica and Jeff announced that Oliver’s name was including his. J There is no question - we value our family as our greatest earthly treasure - our children, our son-in-law, our grandchildren as well as siblings and their families, aunts & uncles & cousins, and extended relatives. They are number one in our hearts and in our prayers.

Since coming to Kenya, we see family value here too.   God designed this physical unit to be the means of love, support, encouragement, and spiritual growth, regardless of color, culture, or creed.  On our early morning drive to work, we pass mothers carrying fire wood on their heads to provide a way to cook for their family. We see others setting up their markets - hard work every day to assemble, manage, tear down and carry their goods back home, much of which we know is for their family survival. 

Every week when we witness the Sunday morning march, there are always young children being carried on a mother’s hip.  Even long walks over dusty roads do not deter parents from ensuring the children are brought to church.  We are aware too that many families are raising extra children – grandchildren, nieces, nephews – due to various circumstances that require relatives’ support. In our compound there are nine other officer families and about five of them have extra children sharing their home. One of the single officers at THQ currently has two relative’s children living with her to help the family provide education for the children. And then there is the support provided to parents who retire. With no government pension income, many older parents rely on the financial help of their adult children. Our driver, Arnold, is a prime example. Arnold’s salary would likely be quite small (minimum wage) and his wife operates a tiny vegetable market. They have two children, yet Arnold also supports his parents who are retired officers.  Countless stories like these are the norm for families in this country. Family value.

In my devotions this month I am following a book I often use for the season of Lent – Contemplating the Cross, a pilgrimage of prayer by Tricia McCary Rhodes (highly recommend it). The book reflects the scope of Jesus suffering during passion week and the agony of the Cross. Today, the reading focused on Jesus response to his mother, Mary, and the disciple John as they stood at the foot of the Cross.  Rhodes tries to imagine how Jesus felt when he sees his mother lingering with him and how his mother felt as she gazes on her beloved son.  Perhaps time stood still as their eyes met. Did she long to caress Jesus face and ease his pain? How could she control her emotions? Only the support of John (an adopted family member) could help her bear this powerless maternal moment.  And then she hears Jesus speak. Directly to her. He has not forgotten.  John will be the one now to care for her. The woman who carried Jesus in her womb has his heart’s warmest affection - even in his dying moment. The deep human love shared between mother and son transcends all. Family value.

Whether you have a son or a daughter, or whether you are a sister or an uncle, whether you are living close or far apart, whether your family is experiencing joy or sorrow – remember today the value of family and relish the gift.  We sure do. 

Reflections from Turkana

Turkana Reflections: March 01-04.17

(Sorry friends, this one is a bit long). 

Turkana is the northern most region of Kenya. It borders Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia.  It is extremely hot and dry. Life is very difficult because of the long seasons of drought. The topography is dessert like.  Only 10% of the people are known to be Christian. The other 90% adhere to traditional tribal beliefs.  The people here are known as nomadic pastoralists – people who herd cattle from one area to another in order to find fresh pasture. They raise camels, donkeys, goats, and sheep. The animals are their main source of food and livelihood.  

Morris and I had the privilege of travelling to Turkana with The Salvation Army Canadian World Missions Team, under the leadership of Major Brenda Murray. The purpose of their trip was to capture the stories of people living in this area and how The Salvation Army is helping.  These stories will be used to create video clips for next year’s Partners in Mission (Self Denial) campaign.  You won’t want to miss it. 

We flew into Lodwar and the heat (nearly 40 degrees) struck us immediately as we quickly saw the effects of an arid climate.   Our short overnight stop gave us a glimpse of the Army’s work. The corps building has been under construction for quite some time and the Army is working on several projects for future sustainability.   Of course, we were warmly greeted by a 'casual' brass band ensemble.

Lodwar Corps building under construction

Early the next morning we began our six hour journey to Lokichoggio. We quickly knew why a Land Cruiser had been hired for the team’s transportation. It was like a wilderness ride. We travelled for two hours over a rough road that had been paved in the early 70’s but had drastically deteriorated and is now a tar mac of pot holes. The shoulders of the road or adjacent off roads were the preferred driving lanes. It made for some fun, though, among the group and everyone was in good spirits.  After two hours, we hit the better road and made a stop in Kakuma. Here there is a small corps. The corps officer is a single man who warmly invited us into his quarters. It was a two room building with a dirt floor and a few chairs. It was dark and sparse but his smile would make you feel like he had invited you into a palace.  We shared cold drinks and prayed together for the officer and his ministry. We spent about an hour in Kakuma and had an impromptu visit with a non-Army family that the corps officer had connected with. They were living in a grass hut, struggling to survive and care for each other.  One of the family members was blind.  The children were quite excited though to see the Mazunga – the white man. 

Kakuma Corps Building

The Mazunga has a nice phone camera! 

And Major Brenda's camera is popular too!

The Team draws a crowd

 Family life is very important.

A blind lady sits inside her hut.

As we left Kakuma, we drove by a refugee camp. We were not permitted inside but could see from the outside how congested it was. This camp was established in 1992 with refugees from South Sudan and Ethiopia. It now has a population of 155,000 refugees and asylum seekers.

We reached Lokichoggio just before dinner and spent a restful night at Track Mark Camp. In the morning we made our way to the village of Nanum.  This is a very remote area where The Salvation Army began a project two years ago to try to assist the villagers with income generating activities in order for them to survive. Here we met about 60-70 people who were barely coping because of the severity of this year’s drought. The funds they had received were used to buy goats but now the goats have all died. We saw so many animal remains strewn along the road as we entered the village.  The hardship here was quite evident yet when we gathered in a church hall (another building of iron / metal walls and a dirt floor), they were quite happy to share their singing with us. It stirred our hearts for sure.  Following introductions and welcome, they divided into their groups and shared their stories with us. They spoke of how The Salvation Army’s resources had helped them so much over the past two years. Many of them used the project money to buy goats or make hand crafts both of which turned into businesses allowing them to provide for their families. They also began a micro financing system of taking out loans and repaying it with interest. But with this year’s extreme drought, they no longer have any goats to reproduce which translates into no other business. This means no money to buy food or water. Many of them are getting sick, sometimes because they have no choice but to eat the meat of the animals that have died and of course these animals were sick also. The one glimmer of hope in the village this year was a bore hole (well and water reservoir) for water which the government had constructed.

The Mission Team and us had opportunity to visit a few homes and markets. Homes were all grass huts called 'mandasse' and their little shops are either made of mud or small iron sheets. 

The conversations we had with them were tough and sad because they were obviously looking to “us” for more help. While THQ is making efforts to avail of some rapid response funds for this area, we know that the funds will not provide all that they need here.  Some of them do not even have proper latrines. The village is about 20 km from the Sudan border and they have also suffered from cattle thieves that come at night to rob them of any cattle or livestock they may have. Everyone has a weapon in their home for protection.

You will notice in some of the pictures that most of the young women wear wide bead work around their necks. This is part of a tradition in this area.  The girls start to receive beads from their parents when they are young and they keep adding to the neck piece to show how ‘wealthy’ the girls are. The wider the beaded ornament, the better chance a girl would have to find a mate to marry.

This was a visit that we will not soon forget. The life style is so different from anything familiar for us - a struggle to simply survive. It was hard to look and listen and not have all the answers for them. Yet, they seemed glad that we had come.

Meeting inside the church

Meeting outside in groups to hear their stories.

Trying to find water.

The family home.

Some of the sad evidence of the severe drought - loss of animals.

For those of you who pray for us and the Kenya Territory, please pray especially for the region of Turkana.

School Visits

Feb. 24, 2017

This week gave us another opportunity to spend a day in one of the Districts, this one not far from Kakamega. As part of our visit, the District Officers (DO's) accompanied us to two schools. One was a large Girls School for grades 8-12 (known here as Form 1 - Form 4). This school has an excellent reputation. The students are performing well in their exams, thus the enrollment is increasing. Of the nearly 500 girls attending the school, 450 are boarding. We've come to understand the benefit of boarding schools. School administrators explain that for many students, this environment is better than what they have at home. "The simple meals we provide (mostly maize and beans and some vegetables) is better than no meals at home" the principal says. There may be other family struggles as well so boarding can actually provide a safer and healthier life.

The classrooms in this school are pretty bare and there are not enough of them. Some classes happen outside, which will be a challenge during the rainy season. The Form 3 class uses the Corps Hall next door. Like many schools, the classes are very large.  One of the challenges in this school is that on the same grounds as the High School is a Primary and Nursery School of about 450 young children. We were watching many of the girls write exams outside while trying not to be distracted by the younger children playing in the school yard or inside singing and making their child like noises. The administration has been eager for a long time to have more classrooms constructed but, as goes the common problem, there is no money and no government funding available. They rely mostly on support from parents through school fees and whether the school sponsor can help. This is a huge challenge for The Salvation Army with over 900 schools in the Territory.  We were taken to a site to see that a skeleton of a structure for more classes has commenced. There was a construction crew on hand making small strides to put up brick walls, all manual labor of course - no machines in site. Safety standards are a little different. The crew were all wearing sandals with bare feet. We smiled!

We saw the dormitory where the girls sleep. There are 40-50 bunks in each room with barely enough space to walk between the bunks. A small box locker holding their belongings sits at the foot of most of the bunks. (Very different from what I've seen teen age girls bring to camp in Canada). Everything is kept very clean and tidy here, that was impressive. Water is a challenge too on these grounds, so the girls have a common area to bathe in.

 Form 3 Class using the corps building

From the Girls boarding school, we visited a smaller Special School for children who are deaf and hearing impaired. There are 91 children ranging from 3 - 20 years. The principal explains that getting children to come to this school only happens when the staff go out into the community and look for children who need this facility. There is a stigma for children with any kind of disability (including hearing impairment) that they can't learn so why send them to school. The staff have been diligent in trying to reach and educate families on the value of having their children enrolled here. Some of the children have other disabilities as well, yet the environment is a very happy one. One of the classes communicated their names to us through sign language. It was heart warming to hear names like Purity, Handsome, and Defender. They also signed our names which was fun! Their sign language curriculum is one adapted from American Sign Language and designed specifically for Kenya.

The classes are structured from Pre-primary to Class 8. They also provide some vocational training. There is a tailoring class where the students learn to sew and even make their own school uniforms. Unfortunately there are only four sewing machines operational right now so only three of the students can enroll in this class, one machine is for the instructor. They are hoping for some donations to purchase more sewing machines.

This is another residential school and one of their challenges is sufficient space to house a wing for boys and a separate one for girls. They are also struggling with water issues and need a new water tank.

The end of the day brings Morris and I both joy and heart ache.  Education is so important. The next generation needs opportunity to grow and develop so they can contribute to their world. The obstacles facing the schools are great but they put one foot in front of the other, smile and sing, and live with hope that tomorrow may be a better day.

Mingling with the children in the Special School while they have their lunch.

Some of the Grade 8 students who were signing for us. 

Survivors

February 16.17

When I arrived here in January and began looking at what was on my calendar, I was intrigued to see a monthly event called "Survivors Meetings".  I initially thought this must be a program for widows who have survived the loss of a loved one or maybe for people who have survived serious illnesses (cancer, malaria, HIV, etc.).  But not so. To my surprise, Survivors is a group of young to middle aged women who meet each week because they share one thing in common - they have all 'survived' a life of working in the sex trade.  With the help of this Salvation Army program, they have been freed from the difficulties of prostitution and have found an alternative life style that is healthier and more productive.  To date, I have attended one of their monthly meetings and plan to keep attending as much as my schedule allows me.

The program began three years ago and currently more than 50 women are enrolled (with an average monthly attendance of about 40). The program provides social, psychological, and spiritual support for the women. They are all single mothers who have now built friendships with each other as well as a meaningful relationship with the leader of the group, currently Captain Leah Kitaa, a member of the Territorial Women's Ministry Department.  They share their stories with one another, they pray for each other, they sing and worship as well as learn life skills together. The group meetings provide guidance and education for the women on how to start and sustain their own small businesses which many of them are doing.  There is also an opportunity for financial support through their own table banking. Each week they are invited to contribute shares (small amounts of money) and they can actually borrow money to help them with their business ventures. They are now discovering new ways of caring for themselves and their children.

I find this program to be an excellent example of the value of ministry to women and look forward to being more familiar with its impact. Here is a story from one of the women involved. This article is about to be published in their War Cry.

 SUCCESS STORY OF MISS. HELLEN MAKOKHA – SURVIVOR.

I am Hellen Makokha and I am twenty three years old.  I come from a family of seven and I being the only daughter. I was  brought up by a single mother who used to wash peoples clothes, sometimes do work in peoples gardens and also do some small business in order to get something on the table and raise our school fees.

Life was very tough and it led me to academic failure though I finished my form four (high school) but the results were not admirable. However because of confidentiality and trust, I looked for something to believe in and pin my hopes on. I came to realize being a commercial sex worker can help me more.

I started practicing this behavior for some years and at first I thought this to be one way of gaining some source of comfort, wealth and protection from danger. It was a low preference and all was in vain, life became more miserable, police harassment, mosquitoes bites etc. When things started going horrible wrong, people urged me to seek the Survivors’ Women Group at the Salvation Army Church whereby I accepted to join the group.

My life started changing slowly by slowly and at the moment I sell fruits in the market. I spend most of the time in my business and I have no time to interact with failures that can make me feel like going back to the streets.

During our monthly meetings at the Salvation Army, we get Biblical teachings and this makes me feel like I am wonderfully made and my body is the Temple of God. I respect myself, protect myself because I am worthy of it. Because of my total change, many women, girls and neighbors’ come to seek some advice on how they can maintain themselves and start running small businesses as I do.

Some of the sex workers have infection of different diseases but thank God through the Salvation Army, I am safe and healthy.

Through the help and care of the Salvation Army, during our monthly meeting, we do table banking whereby all survivors contribute monthly shares and  small loaning is encouraged to all members to enable everybody to boost her business for better living.  This has helped me expand my small business of selling fruits like Mangoes as seen in the photograph above, Director of Specialized programs Captain Leah Kitaa who is the leader of the Survivor women group encourages all the women to start small business that will sustain themselves and their children.  Captain Leah paid a visit to Miss. Hellene Makokha in her business work place.  Blessings to the Salvation Army at large.

Report Compiled by:

Director of Specialized Programs- THQ

Captain Leah Kitaa.

What's New?

February 01, 2017

I have often been casually asked, "What's new with you?"  Many times I respond, "not much", indicating no or minimal changes in my life. This is not my response now. As a matter of fact, someone asked me that question last week and my response was "Everything!" Okay, so that is a little exaggeration.  Maybe I should say "Oh, there's lots new".

In reflecting on this recently, I decided to make a quick list of what has been new for Morris and I in the last four weeks. Here is my list - which is not exhaustive.

Boiling water to brush our teeth and buying all our drinking water. 

Being greeted by guards at the super market for a quick scan before shopping.  

Hanging all my clothes to dry - I am very fortunate to be among the very few here who have a machine for washing. 

Wearing my hat with my uniform. 

Wearing skirt and panti-hose every day. 

Seeing lots of cows and goats along the road wherever we drive. And seeing baboons occasionally.
Waking to the sound of crowing roosters.

Seeing motor cycles and bicycles lining the streets as taxis. And watching them carry all kinds of cargo - including mattresses, coffins, and live stock. 

Women carrying huge loads on their heads - including piles of wood. 

Learning Swahili words and phrases.
Preaching through a translator.

Having someone carry our bags (brief case and purse) - they insist. 

Me being called 'mama' by everyone. It is a term of endearment and respect.

Watching children go to school at 6:00 am. And seeing them go to school on Saturdays and Sundays.

Using Kenyan shillings and getting used to the large denominations. 

30+ degrees temperatures in January.

Sleeping under a mosquito net.
Smiling up at small lizards that come in and out of our house but only presence themselves at the very top of our walls - well, one did get in the bathtub one day! :) They are completely harmless and mind their own business. 

So... what's new with you?

Serious water concerns

Jan. 24.17

I am realizing more and more just how serious are the affects of this hot dry season. The local people are telling us that it is exceptionally hot this year and they have not had any rain since November. Everywhere we go now, we are reminded that the drought is causing deep concern. We visited the Training College today. A beautiful facility constructed mostly through the generous support of The Salvation Army in the US.  A great blessing for this Territory.   Despite its state of the art buildings, however, they are currently struggling with a serious lack of water.  The kitchen has been challenged to get the food it needs from the local area because crops are scarce and are selling at high prices.  All the Cadets eat together in the dining room.  We noticed that the dishes were all washed in small tubs and at the end of the day there was no water in the washrooms.

In the local papers we are reading of some areas in the country where there is a concern of starvation due to the drought. The animals are also adversely affected and people here depend so much on live stock.  We noticed cows 'grazing' on the side of the hill on our drive home, but there was literally no grass so I am not sure what they were consuming.

So today, instead of writing about our visit to the College, I write to ask you to join us in prayer that rain will come soon. It isn't expected til March but the people (and the animals) really need it before then.

Thank you for sharing this burden.