Gaining Insight. Experiencing God. Growing in Understanding.
Welcome, Laughter, Patience, Friendship, Honesty, Courage, Love of Christ, Bargaining advice in the market, Car rides, Yummy Tea, Delicious plates of goat meat, Music, Sharing your cultures, Beauty, Kiswahili lessons, Prayers for our family, and Love.
Posted on August 26th, 2009 by Shelvis
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Saying “Good-bye” to our friends, colleagues and church family in Nairobi and rafting the Nile River each classify as experiences beyond my imagination. They were both overwhelming and left me wondering, “Is this really happening?”
Rafting is a favorite Mather bonding activity. Because of my previous family rafting excursions, I quickly realized that the Nile River was in a category of its own. In the US, rafting 
seemed to be a technical activity: turning the raft, back-paddling, carefully maneuvering to miss hitting rocks; essentially, trying to keep everyone in the boat. In contrast, on the Nile, most rapids did not require much strategic planning. We simply paddled towards the rapid and then “GET DOWN AND HOLD ON!!!” – falling out of the raft was expected. As rafters we felt a great impulse to “freak out” during the trip, but our guide was extremely laid back. Before going down a big rapid, the guide put us at ease by calmly saying, “The boat may flip over on this 
rapid, or maybe not. If you fall out, hold onto your life jacket, and just enjoy the Nile…”
Saying “Good-bye” to Nairobi also had its share of overwhelming moments. The hospitality we received was unbelievable. Our co-workers organized special farewell gatherings for us (thank you CWSEA and FECCLAHA!) and the coordinator of our program held a warm dinner in our honor (Thank you Rev. Phyllis!). Our Kenya church family, Loresho PCEA, gave us a luncheon after our last Sunday service (Thank you Rev. Agola and Loresho 
family!), and members of the church’s couples’ fellowship surprised us with a cook-out two days before our departure. On the day we left, several people tracked us down to give a hug and gift. One church member found us an hour before we headed to the airport to give us a pancho he made by hand. Each farewell event and each person with a gift or a kind word combined to create an enormous wave of love and compassion. We felt so undeserving, and at the same time so grateful. At times I became anxious about the incredible things people were doing on our behalf, but in those moments I felt God’s calming Spirit settle my heart. A voice seemed to be saying, “Just hold on, and enjoy the ride.”
Posted on July 31st, 2009 by Nancy
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“Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil,” she answered.
Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few… Pour oil into all the jars… sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” (2 Kings 4: 3-7).
In the last month of my work with CWSEA, I helped evaluate Improved Livelihoods (IL) programs in Kenya and Uganda. The stories the participants shared about their experience in the program reminded me of the miracle of the widow and her oil (2 Kings 4:1-7). After her husband’s death, the widow was left with her two sons and her husband’s debt. When the prophet Elisha asked her what resources she had to pay the debt, she responded, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” The woman did not realize that the little that she had (the oil), plus her own abilities, and the involvement of “the man of God,” was enough to meet her needs.
In order to pay her debt, the woman’s own skills were required; she made and sold a product. Her community was also involved; they shared their support through giving empty jars. God blessed their efforts, and the oil multiplied to fill all of the jars.
In a similar way, the people involved in the Improved Livelihoods (IL) program use their own skills, the support of their neighbors, and a small gift from the Church community in the US, to transform their situations. In the IL program, community members form groups within their neighborhoods for support and accountability. The participants then take inventory of their own skills and are trained in starting a small business. Next, a small loan, perhaps only $25-$60, is given as seed money to start a business. Once the initial loan is repaid, a larger loan can be taken (often $100-$125). And the businesses grow, slow and steady, and self-esteem grows, in leaps and bounds. As the small amount of money multiplies, the individual, their household, and the community feel the impact.
When visiting Improved Livelihoods groups, I marveled at the stories of financial, emotional, individual and communal growth. One of the groups, called the Kamuthi Marathon group (pictured above), started an Improved Livelihoods savings and loans program in 2005. CWSEA provided the funds and OAIC (the Organization of African Instituted Churches) trained the group and walked with them through the process of selecting, starting and managing their own businesses. The group included men and women, and they worked together to create a great sense of unity and love within their group.
During our visit, the members explained, “We do not know how we would have survived the effects of the post-election violence in Kenya, if it were not for the support of our group.”
As the group members began making a profit with their entrepreneurial projects, they started a small school for orphans in their community who are unable to pay school fees. The group pays for uniforms and food for the children, and one of the group members serves as a volunteer teacher.
One of the women from the group (pictured below right) is skilled in hair dressing. Before receiving a small loan from the program, she worked casually doing hair when she could find a client. After receiving the loan, 
she was able to rent a room in the market for a salon. She now employs two hairdressers in her salon, and she is training three other girls in hairdressing. The members of the Kamuthi group are incredibly motivated to use what they have received and worked hard to grow, for the benefit of their community.
The miracle captured in 2 Kings 4 depicts God multiplying something small, which, when added with an individual and a community effort, provided sufficiently for a family. The miracle I witnessed with the Kamuthi group shares a similar storyline, yet it has a more communal impact. It was a miracle of a small gift, multiplied by hard work, for the benefit of many. The members’ care for each other and for their surrounding community was beautiful and inspiring.
Miracles continue to take place in our modern context, in many different forms. The lesson I learned from the Kamuthi group, is that our impact can be great if we: 1. use and develop our individual skills 2. combine them with the skills and resources of others 3. share our lives, skills, and the overflow of our work with our community – locally and globally.
And as lives are transformed, as families are able to provide for their own needs and as they reach out to uplift their neighbors, God is glorified. Amen
Posted on June 30th, 2009 by Nancy
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I have spent the majority of the last five months writing, editing and revising a book that will be published this summer. The book is a Contextual Bible Study Manual created to foster discussion about the issues causing conflict in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa. The text offers the perspectives of ten theologians on biblical passages dealing with disputes about ethnicity, politics, land and religion. The aim of this study is to empower the church to further address the complicated issues of reconciliation in local communities. Participants will hopefully experience healing while facing difficult issues in a spiritually focused, group setting.
Our team of male and female contributors represent specific countries and a variety of contexts from Africa and North America. Among the contributors are Archbishop Valentine Mokiwa (The President of the All African Conference of Churches), Dr. Mercy Oduyoye (Former Deputy General Secretary of the World Council of Churches and Founder of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians), Dr. Dale Andrews (Boston University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Chair of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology). In addition, the book highlights the stories of “ordinary people” who lead extraordinary efforts of reconciliation within their communities. I was informed recently, that former Nobel Peace Prize Winner Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu (above, right photo) endorsed the project and will right the Foreword for the book.
The text invites its readers to explore biblical narratives that shape the Christian faith tradition and to relate the biblical characters to one’s personal life. In other words, the readers interpret the text within their own context, cultural background, and life experiences, all with the aim of achieving personal and societal transformation.
Putting the Bible study together makes me feel like I can contribute to change in the world in some small way. The realization is humbling. Most importantly, this project reminds me that God is able to do “exceedingly more than we can ever hope for or imagine.”
Posted on June 29th, 2009 by Shelvis
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Nancy and I decided where to go for “Date Night,” closed our apartment, and began walking along the Kenyan road. Every once in a while we paused to greet those in our community, to share a word and a smile.
The distant sounds of roosters were obscured by the immediate laughter of children swaying to and fro inside a neighbor’s party. The lights and sounds of the celebration seemed to beckon anyone willing to enter. Several Indo-African women pranced into the gathering with toddlers in toe. The fabrics from their silky, colorful Asian wraps seemed to flow effortlessly behind them as they walked.
Across the street stood a beautiful white mosque with ivory minarets reaching into the night sky. Lights from within the towers projected a green tint against the surrounding clouds. The sound of an Imam’s prayers could be heard over loud speakers. His distinct tenor provided a musical descant above our heads. Although unable to understand the Arabic, we appreciated the practice of prayer.
Nancy and I smiled as we considered all the beauty we witnessed walking along the road. We never imagined the diversity and multitude of cultures we would find here. Our evening stroll gave us a glimpse of the different ethnicities, religions and nationalities present in the Nairobi community. Our “Date Night” became a moment for us to pause and appreciate each other and all those who live around us.
Posted on May 31st, 2009 by Shelvis
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Posted on May 31st, 2009 by Nancy
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My colleagues and I swerved into the gates of Panzi Hospital after traversing the rock powdered, red clay roads of Bukavu. Toting notebooks, pens and a mixture of emotions, we approached the iconic facility. Panzi Hospital has been a refuge of nurture and healing for thousands of women and children. The hospital is strategically based in the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo; a country that has witnessed the rape of 500,000 women over the course of the last 10 years. Rape is often overshadowed by the other issues of conflict gripping a nation where over 6,000,000 lives have been lost in 10 years of violent clashes (a death toll that is greater than the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Darfur combined). The harsh reality is that women’s bodies are often used as battlegrounds in these ethnic, political and resource-based disputes. In the DRC, a woman is raped every 25 minutes. Most rapes are never reported, most survivors are never treated and most perpetrators are never brought to justice.
I visited Panzi Hospital with a delegation from FECCLAHA and Nairobi Women’s Hospital. Our goal was simple: to partner with the caregivers of Panzi Hospital to work together in addressing issues of Gender Based Violence in this region. The walls of the hospital building conceal stories of hurt and tragedy, yet the faces of the women in the courtyard spoke to us the words unheard. We marched forward watched by dozens of women squatting in groups eating their evening meals; their bodies illumined by the day’s fading light and the fires brimming under their pots. Most of the women travel from miles away by boat, by bus or by foot. Many use all of their savings to reach the hospital and have no family or home to return to. A large percentage of the women were chased away by their husbands, communities or churches. The women are seen as unclean, impure, promiscuous, shameful, lustful or the cause of God’s ill will. Unfortunately, several cultures marginalize survivors of rape.
Our small ensemble wandered through an open courtyard seeking the office of Dr. Denis Mukwege, the Head Doctor, Director and Founder of the hospital. In 2008, Dr. Mukwege received the UN Human Rights Prize, the Olof Palme Prize, and the title “African of the Year” by the Daily Trust. Dr. Mukwege performs up to 10 surgeries a day in his 18 hour work days.
An assistant informed us that Dr. Mukwege was still meeting with patients, so we entered a small corridor overlooking a flower garden. There we found a collage of images: pictures of women and men expressing words of solidarity. One quote states, “Know that your voice, your pains, and your victories are being heard, shared, and worked for even though we are far apart.” A quote from Hilary of the Bronx boldly asserts, “We can create change; we can end the violence.” Valentina from Austria simply states, “There is hope.” As I walked through the corridor, my eyes were drawn to remarks from a Rwandese woman, a survivor of the genocide that happened in the small neighboring country exactly fifteen years ago. Her words unite her tragedy with that of these brave survivors of rape. She says, “I feel your pain and I cry to God every day…I admire your courage, strength to fight and I am with you always.” I believed that she is with these women. Her genuine concern for their fate links them. Although she was not physically present, her words of encouragement (along with the other quotes and images from around the world) offer the women something that may seem lacking at that point in their lives: love. The small room is an oasis in a dessert of dissonance. I was thankful for a moment to pause and center myself on the hope that exists.
One of Dr. Mukwege’s assistants informed us that he was ready to meet, so I took a deep breath, said a short prayer and walked towards his door.
Posted on April 30th, 2009 by Shelvis
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An amazing interfaith Youth Peace Summit took place in Nairobi in April. The Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church (KELC), in partnership with others, coordinated the week-long event. About 180 youth attended, many live in the areas hardest hit by the post-election violence of January 2008. The conference’s agenda derived from a survey KELC conducted which revealed youth joined the violence for four main reasons: unemployment, idleness, poverty, and political manipulation. Peace and economic empowerment/entrepreneurship were key topics of the week. The Summit’s first day was organized by FECCLAHA (Shelvis’ organization), and included issues like “Negative Ethnicity” and “Trauma Healing.” Shelvis led a workshop on “the response of people of faith to issues of Gender-Based-Violence.” CWSEA, Nancy’s organization, coordinated workshops on goal setting, youth empowerment, and creating a business plan.
During the Summit, a young man from Rwanda, Jean Paul Gatali, gave his testimony of living through the 1994 Genocide, which took place when he was 10 years old. Although 60 members of his family were killed, Jean Paul was eventually able to release the hatred he harbored towards those associated with the crimes. Jean Paul spoke powerfully of the transformation in his own life, and he urged the Kenyan youth to reconcile with one another across lines of ethnicity.
On the last day of the Summit, the youth planted trees as a symbol of peace, and they led a peace march to voice their desire for peace to the public.
Please join with these talented and passionate youth by praying for peace in this region.
Posted on April 30th, 2009 by Nancy
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April was the month of homesickness. Perhaps April, because it was the 8th month of an eleven month journey, but whatever the reason, in April I began to dream of home. I was feeling particularly low the Saturday morning we woke up early to go visit a children’s church program in Dandora. The outing included all 7 YAVs (our US group), some amazing Kenyans who volunteer regularly on Saturdays, and about 80 children who live by the Dandora trash dump. Once we arrived at the church, the children quickly grabbed our hands and included us in their reading time. We read stories in small groups and then had porridge together. My favorite part of the day was a
small-sided soccer match we set up between stones in the church construction area. The children played with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship. I loved it. We ended the day with singing and dancing. The children made certain to shake our hands and wave goodbye as we left the church compound.
That Saturday morning, I woke up longing for the community I left in the States; fortunately, the children were willing to welcome me into their community with great joy and love. Their encouragement was just what I needed to push through a slump and open my eyes to the opportunities remaining in our last few months in Kenya. Sometimes God allows us to comfort one another, at the same time. (to view a video clip click here).
Posted on April 30th, 2009 by Nancy
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This month has provided us with several memories which have enriched our experience in Kenya. Here are a few….
“Kiswahili Lessons Continue” Our first 12 week-term of Kiswahili lessons ended and we can confidently speak Kiswahili at a 4th grade level. So if you would like a Kiswahili tutor for your 8 year old, you are more than welcome to drop them off at our home. (To be impressed by Shelvis’ Kiswahili click here).
“Rainfall” The rainy season finally came after several months of drought and famine throughout most of Kenya. The people breathed a collective sigh of relief when the first showers came. The rain began while I was attending a friend’s outdoor wedding. The showers were a double blessing because rainfall on a wedding day is considered good luck in Kenya. Please continue to pray that the rain continues so that Kenya’s food supply and agricultural economy can receive a much needed boost.
“Good Preaching”
Nancy preached her first sermon in Kenya….and my wife brought the house down! She preached at Loresho Presbyterian Church of East Africa (where I am currently serving) at the request of the Senior Pastor and Presbytery Moderator, Rev. Elias Agola. Her sermon spoke of the need for Christians to live for the benefit of others so that we might fully live as Christ desires. For those of you who do not know, my wife can preeeeaach!
“Birthdays” Many members of my family celebrated birthdays this month. My Grandmother, who is the eldest member of my family, turned 90 and I was told that the entire town of Pelham, Georgia came out for the celebration. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but I think the Kenyan scarf that I sent made an appearance. My mother’s birthday was equally impressive as she continues her remarkable recovery from her recent diagnosis of blood cancer. She is doing VERY WELL and we anticipate her bone marrow transplant this summer will lead to a long period of remission. Please keep her in your prayers.
My birthday was also a bit of a milestone because I turned the BIG 3-0. Nancy and I celebrated by going bowling with several Kenyan and American friends. Most of the people who attended the party were bowling for the very first time since bowling is uncommon in this region. The evening was filled with lots of laughs and gutter balls. Special Thanks for the outpouring of love sent by so many of you on my birthday. Your kind wishes, shared memories, e-mails, e-cards, and phone calls made my birthday unforgettable. I am truly blessed because of your presence in my life. Asante Sana (Thank you).
Posted on March 31st, 2009 by Shelvis
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