Sometimes it feels like not much has been happening,
that we are in a kind of holding pattern, mostly waiting. In the meantime,
Gloria is continuing with her nursing job, and Joe is busy with gardening and
keeping up with other, mostly church-related activities. And enjoying the
grandchildren whenever we get the chance.
We have visited several churches to give presentations
about our Africa assignment, and we have a few more scheduled. We are
encouraged with the interest in what is happening in the Mennonite churches in
East Africa. We share much in common as we try to be God’s people in our own world
and we have much to offer each other.
The need often expressed by the African church is for
leaders who are equipped. Three phrases I heard repeated on my recent visit
were building capacity, training trainers, and sustainable with local resources. The churches are growing at a rate of nearly 10% each
year, but they are not able to train enough leaders. We are looking forward to
partnering with the church to “build capacity” for leadership training. That includes
training models that can be maintained with the limited resources available
locally. Up to now, the training has depended heavily on funding from outside
the country. The churches are also looking for ways to improve the economic
base of its members, and that will strengthen church finances.
We have had conversations with Global Disciples and also
with Mennonite Central Committee’s Eastern Africa personnel to address these
two needs – effective leadership and small business development.
Many of you have pledged financial assistance
towards our support, and we are grateful to you. We have not yet reached our
goal, but the pledges are coming in slowly and we hope to be ready to locate in
Africa by August or September this year. We are also grateful for your prayers. Some specific
items for prayer are:
§ Pray for the bishops in
Kenya and Tanzania Mennonite Churches as they consider the needs of the
churches and look for ways to develop leadership.
§ Pray for peace in Kenya. In
March, one of the towns in western Kenya experienced tribal violence, probably
politically motivated, and Mennonite Bishop Clyde Agola and his church were
directly affected. Local authorities are engaging the different parties in
dialogue to maintain peace and seek long-term solutions.
§ Pray for understanding
between Christians and Muslims in Tanzania. Recently, the president of the
country called a conference for dialogue between Christian and Muslim religious
leaders. Tanzania is about 1/3 Christian and 1/3 Muslim and so far have avoided
serious conflict, and the president wants to promote understanding for the sake
of national unity. The Mennonite bishops were involved in planning the conference.
§ Pray that financial
resources will be available for this ministry.
