Three Posts at Once

The internet speed is tough in comparison to U.S. capability. Our unit has been down since the seconday of my trip. I saved the following running summaries. Pics come when I have greater speed.
Saturday, May 17th, 2008
Nairobi Kenya
The trip from Georgia, USA, to Kenya was the usual uneventful experience, long and introducing the time change. Seated on the plane in Atlanta, turning the watch 6 hours ahead (4 U.S./10 Europe) and getting asleep around 2 a.m. European time somewhere over the Atlantic. On to Nairobi and adding an hour so that one is off by 7 hours and arriving at 7:30 p.m. Nairobi time (12:30 p.m. U.S.)
Wednesday starts slowly. The days and nights are almost equal, sunrise at 6:30 p.m. and sunset at 6:30 p.m. The first meeting was Wednesday afternoon at St Andrews Presbyterian Church in central Nairobi, seen as the largest Presbyterian church in Kenya. The Presbyterian University of East Africa Finance Committee met to plan the celebration of the first term for the University; the first 35 completed the this first term. Saturday, May 24th is to be a big celebration. Plans are exciting for that whole Friday, Saturday, and Sunday weekend.
Thursday was a great day as I was able to meet with Habitat for Humanity Kenya(HFHK) staff at the new national offices. I had been tasked by the Cobb Coalition to carry 25 of its 2008 tee-shirts. Mark Wooding and Ann Njuguna were glad to receive these and will give them to Habitat Affiliates and Chapters. I am returning with 20 of 2008 HFHK tees for the Cobb Coalition. In June 2008, HFHK will build its 3000th house; Cobb Coalition sponsored at least 1% of them!! HFHK is expanding its impact with three models: the traditional rural home construction, the home renewal/rehab, and, new, the urban village in Nairobi. There are many wonderful opportunities for the good partnership to continue and expand.
Friday was another great day taking me to the Bible Translation and Literacy Centre (BTL). BTL was where our missionaries, Steve and Kathy Womack, served from 2006 until 2008. The National Director, Mundura Muturi, and the Program Developer, Carol Kamau, led me through some exciting possibilities for FPC partnerships; Carol is developing specific proposals for our consideration. We celebrated the publication of the first Digo language New Testament, a work that took 20 years; prayers of thanks and prayers for the Holy Spirit to use the Word in this people’s language sealed our visit. Later Friday, I had a chance to visit several congregations around Nairobi.
On to worship this Sunday in the shadow of Mount Kenya.

MondayBlog519
Saturday was spent finishing the sermon on Romans 8 for the Kabutet congregation in Gatundu township. The town is located in the Central Providence about an hour north of Nairobi and is the lower tea-growing region. The congregation is composed of all Kikuyu tribal people.
Most (90%) speak English but, on Sunday, a teacher translated the sermon into Kikuyu; I tried to keep my language in short, declarative sentences. In the congregation were 16 senior high-aged youth who sat together and led the congregation in two songs and liturgical dances. There were about 30 children who sang, “I have decided to follow Jesus” (in English) for the congregation. The Women’s Guild sat separately from the men of the church. In the Kenyan tradition, the Vestry (of Elders and Deacons) sat in the chancel with me; at the proper time, the Vestry Chairman escorted me to the pulpit. Even in this simple, farming community church, the pulpit is a high pulpit at the right of the chancel; the Lord’s Table is the central chancel furniture. In the Kenyan fashion, a Vestry member summarized the sermon immediately after the preacher sits down; humbling, to say the least.
I had a chance to be with the children and youth following the service. The young children sang the service song again for the video. The youth allowed this “two left feet” Muzungu (white man) to dance the “Remember Zion” (in English) song with them; no smashed feet were encountered but the whole thing is on video. The children and youth posed for photographs and were interested to seeing the digital screen with their images.
The Vestry showed me the property surrounding the church buildings, now a worship building and a fellowship hall. The pastor for the church has 10 congregations and only preaches at Kabutet once every two months; the Vestry members preach on the other 7 or 8 Sundays. If the congregation can assure the long-term costs, the parish will be cut to 5 churches and a Manse will be built here to house the pastor. The Vestry has other plans for what is the largest tract of land in the current, and proposed, parish.
Following the survey of the property and bidding farewell to the after-church meeting of the Women’s Guild, we all met for lunch on a tea farm. I had the opportunity to pick tea the proper way. Imagine a plant about 30-36” high that looks like a medium leaf shrub in the U.S. The tea is picked from the tender new growth on the top of the shrub, the bud leave and the next two down the stem; I was told that the inspectors are most particular to look for old stems or old leaves. The tea packers pick up the tea daily to preserve the maximum flavor.
Sunday’s day ended with preliminary planning for Sunday’s service (5/24) back in Nairobi. The congregation’s theme of the month is on Christ and this Sunday is on the eternity of Christ, focusing on his existence before creation (Col. 1, Genesis 1, John 1). Pastor Elias and I will meet to decide on the prayers, Communion at the first service, and confirmation at the second service.
On Monday, I met with the Board of Social Responsibility (BSR) (PCEA) about the vast crisis that disrupted Kenya and all East Africa this year. Political appeasement has come to Nairobi but the tribal issues have not begun to be put to rest in the north and west regions. The geographical work areas negotiated for the BSR includes some of the most conflicted areas. Food is in short supply and it appears that the fall crops, usually maize/corn, will not be planted in time for a good harvest. If planted within the next month, peas can be a substitute crop able to be grown by traditional harvest time; the BSR has obtained seed peas for farmers who feel secure enough to return and work the crop. We will meet again on Wednesday to define ways congregations can help secure food supplies.
To end the day, another University meeting was held that lasted right into the evening, meaning that dinner was at 9:30 p.m. Nairobi time. There will be several more meetings in order to make the May 24th celebration honor the first completed term at the University.

Tuesday evening.
G.G. Gitahi arrived tonight. These will be active four days (Wed-Sat)
Will do a Thursday Blog to update everyone.