Ang Obra na nagbigay pagkapanalo at dangal sa Tarlac Montessori School sa larangan ng "Editorial Writing" sa Wikang Filipino TCPEIA-Press Conference 2011
na ginanap noong ika-2 at 3 ng Setyembre, 2011 sa Don Bosco Technical Institue, Tarlac City, Tarlac.


"MALAYANG KAMALAYAN SA WIKANG FILIPINO"


(May Akda: Chenoa-Eve Lumba Mendoza)


Nakasalalay sa mga hanay ng Pilipino, ayon kay Carlos P. Romulo, ang pagpapanatiling buhay ang wikang kinapanganakan ng sangkatauhan.


Naitatala sa artikulong akda ni James Soriano sa pamagat na "Language, Learning, Identity, Privilege" na ang wikang Filipino ay wika ng mga natututo ngunit hindi wika ng mga mayroong pinag-aralan. Ngunit sa kabilang dako'y may isang katanungang namamayagpag sa puso ng bawat isa - kung may dugong Pilipinong nananalaytay sa atin, saan nagtungo ang pagmamahal sa sariling wika? 


"Wika'y ipaglalaban at ipagmamalaki sa mga sandaling ito'y ipagkait at yurakan sukdang kit'lin ay taglay na pagmamalaki", pakli ni Amado V. Hernandez.


'Ika nga'y diyalekto lamang ang Filipino ng mga "informal settlers", tindera, o maging katulong, ngunit sa isang lugar ay nalilikmo ang isang daing na hindi nabibigyang halaga - ang Wikang Filipino ay wikang nakapagbibigay-daan sa atin na maihayag ang sariling saloobin na kahit sa anumang paraan ay hindi maisasaling wika.


Hindi basta isang naturang diyalekto lamang ang Filipino. Ito'y isang wikang nagkakaroon ng sariling sistema sa sariling ayos, tunog at maging simbolo. Hindi kadalasang nabibigyang pansin at tuon ang wikang Filipino sapagkat naturingan nang wika sa kalye at kusina; gayundin hindi ito wika sa silid aralan, laboratoryo, korte at maging sa mga pagamutan.


WIKA - ugat ng lahat, ugat ng kaunlaran ng edukasyon na tila isang "dial tone" ng teleponong alam nating simula ng isang mahabang linyang walang patid. Tiyak na daan ang wika sa kabatirang pangkalahatan at tila isang martilyong tanging makawawasak sa kamangmangang sumusupil sa bawat isa.

AMBITION FULFILLMENT FORMULA

Ambitions are never an item to be fearful of...my formula for fullfilment is F=A (p2(f3)+P+a3) meaning Fulfillment equals ambition multiply by perseverance square multiply by faith cube (God and self) plus Prayers plus action cube. Now to use the solution, INTENTION IS A BIG FACTOR. Anything that happens to ones life depends on how one INTENDS it
October 8 at 9:53am · Comment · Like

DHQ-Timergara, Lower Dir, Pakistan: End of Mission Report

DHQ-Timergara is my second mission with MSF, but this was my 6th international mission, en toto, outside my country.

I can clearly see now the differences in perspective, implementation of principles, delivery of services, context and view of the different mission organizations.

I can also observe that different MSF OPERATIONAL CENTERS have their different S.O.P.s and perspectives that make MSF a “unique” NGO

I arrived in Timergara on the 21st of July, 2010 after a period of about a month where the DHQ-Timergara was without a surgeon.

As it was always been, it’s a challenging and exhausting experience to be working and doing volunteer work in the context of Lower Dir. It is an endeavor that every practicing surgeon should and must experience. First and foremost, being able to serve a people of different color, language, culture & traditions and creed. People with a different outlook and perspective in life and with strict cultural and religious adherence.

HIV-AIDS is not really a worry in this mission but Hepatitis B & C is very prevalent so patient usually (but not always) who comes into the theater is screened for Hepatitis B & C. Nevertheless, protection and extreme precaution is strictly practiced in MSF section of the MoH.

For this particular End of Mission report, I will forgo of the historical and contextual aspect of the project as it is all printed out in all the briefing documents available in MSF HR department. The surgical statistical data will be presented to show the people concern the bird’s eye view of what had transpired in the operating theater in the duration of my stay in the project.

Team life in Timergara is never perfect but we, the expats who are living together in one house were harmonious and mature enough to be able to deal with all our the differences. We all tend to adopt to each other and in the long run, complement each other.

Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to my
predecessor, Drs. Martial and Martin for doing a great job in Timergara and to MSF-OCB for trusting me and giving me an opportunity to serve in Lower Dir, MSF mission project. If ever I would go for my next mission next year, I will chose to return to Timergara, Lower Dir


Surgical Statistics:

Total No. days in the field ………………………..83 days
Total No. of surgical cases performed (mixed)…...158

Distribution:
Trauma--------------------- 115 (72.8%)
FAI --------------- 47
Stabs-------------- 9
Mine blast ------- 3
RTA-------------- 8
Burn ------------- 30
Others ---------- 18

The rest of the surgical cases were under Pathology due to non traumatic causes. Six perforated peptic ulcers, one perforated typhoid Ilietis and 5 under obstetrical & Gynecologic causes.

During my tour of duty as the surgeon in DHQ-Timergara (MSF section), I had 3 mortalities (1-95% TBSA Full Thickness Flame burn; 1- massive mesenteric thrombosis, blunt abdominal trauma and 1- suspected FB embolism, FAI). We transferred 3 post-surgical patient for critical care to Peshawar.

Abigail

Read: I Samuel 25-27

I Samuel 25 is likened to a love story. How God allowed making David and Abigail’s paths crossed.

Abigail, smart, intelligent and beautiful and married to a fool husband named NABAL. The name itself means “fool” is an ingrate in spite of the protection (unsolicited service) that David and his men had voluntarily offered to Nabal’s herdsmen and herds. Instead of being grateful, he insulted David and in the flesh, David responded accordingly (he reacted).

Abigail, who went between Nabal and David had prevented the slaughter of their household and kin. Abigail acted in good spirit. The circumstances in these passages, probably was permitted by God to pull Abigail out from a lousy marriage and David eyed this as an opportunity to take Abigail as his wife.
At this point, David, still not a king has started taking women for his own. His first wife (as reward from his father-in-law) is Michal (barren), then Ahinoam, and as of this chapter in I Samuel, the 3rd is Abigail.

For the second time in Chapter 26, David displayed his humility (for the greater Glory of Yahweh) over Saul by sparing his life the second time and after this incident, Saul stopped chasing David.

God delivered Saul into the hands of David, twice and David displayed his humility. Is this stupidity on the side of David or a test of David’s integrity as leader and an anointed man of God?

I believe God is testing David’s integrity and David passed the test with flying colours. David displayed his respect and adoration not on Saul but to God. God placed His indelible anointing on Saul that no man can defy nor is override, even David who was also God’s anointed. David gave to God the authority to take the throne from Saul which caused him his life (with his three sons and armour bearer) – this is the classic Biblical example of the very words of God which says : ”VENGENCE IS MINE”.

Prayers:

Abba Father:

May Nabal’s life be a lesson to me. Teach me also to give credit where credit is due, even if it is not due, especially to people you held up as our leaders, be it in the church or in the government. Just like David, he humbled himself before God by respecting His anointed. Give me wisdom Lord to understand and obey fully Your will.

In Jesus Name....Amen

Feb 12, 2009
Bro Eddie for President? (A reply to Kuya Genis' post)
Posted by D. Decolongon
* Gender: Male
* Industry: Student
* Location: Vancouver : BC : Canada

So as said in the title, this is a reply to Kuya Genis' post regarding the speculations of Brother Eddie Villanueva running for the Filipino presidency. The Philippines is with no doubt a corrupt country, one full of problems on many different levels. I personally have not grown up in the Philippines or adapted to its culture, but I cannot deny that the blood of a Filipino courses through my veins. I still feel chained to the Philippines, even though this country seems like a parent who bailed out on me at the age of 2. My insight on the situation is therefore limited, but here it is anyways.

I think that this situation is quite the complicated debacle that needs to be fixed in a way more complicated than just simply electing a Righteous government. I think that yes, there does need to be a holy leader, but I don't think that Bro Eddie should be the one. Yes he does have the passion for change, but he already is creating a social upheaval through the hearts of the people. I think if a functioning Righteous government were to arise it would be from a person that was influenced or raised by the Christian leadership in the Philippines.

By that same token simply electing a Holy leadership will not solve the problem. Keep in mind that whoever is given the daunting task of reforming the Philippines will be a pariah within the Filipino political circle. Corruption seeping in will be inevitable. Actual political reform will not be the solution, but the first fruits of a true solution. A solution that makes political reform look like the cheap and easy, but only temporary bandage solution that it is.

My solution is to change the hearts of the people, individual reform, which then leads to political reform. The Philippines is a democracy, a corrupt one, but nonetheless a democracy. The past administrations have made the Philippines the ugly maiden of the Pacific. Stop pointing your fingers at these politicians, they are only the reflections of the intentions within the populous. Some may say, "Corrupt? Filipinos are supposed to be nice and compassionate!" Well if you look at it that way, we're so compassionate that we give discounts to people, and that simply doesn't work in politics. We kill ourselves with our own hospitality! That's just our "good" flaw. Might I remind you about all the stories I hear of adultery and drunkenness in the Philippines!

I think the JIL church is on a roll, changing the hearts of people. Brother Eddie in politics will only lead to this being undone. If you want a Holy leader, raise a Holy politician, a political leader with the grit to show that he's not afraid to be God's lawyer in the midst of Godlessness! Don't promote the pastor to being a pastor/president/spiritual/physical/fiscal leader of the Philippines. Let the people be changed and given a functioning government when deserved!

My Comment:
Mel Mendoza said...

The Biblical way, based on the many accounts in the Holy Bible is that God uses the least to shame the great or the famous. In choosing a successor to the disobedient King Saul, God chose the least and the youngest in the house of Jesse, and that is David. But in the context of Bishop Eddie Villuanueva, it's far, far different from how God appoints leader. We all know that E.V. is an anointed pastor and church leader...he has a PRIESTLY ANOINTING, but that doesn't mean that he was chosen to be a "king". My comment to E.V. is he is going beyond the limits of his anointing. Spiritually, E.V. was anointed by God to be one of the great church leaders of this country, but I believe in my heart, he is not called to be "king" or leader of a state. He must "be still and know that God is Lord and King" and must listen only to Him and not just to anyone. I concur with David...a righteous leader is not the cure for graft and corruption in the Philippines. The heart of the people must be changed. Transformation of a nation does not come from the leader, it comes from each individual who allows his/her mind to be renewed and it is only possible if we allow the SPIRIT OF GOD to renew our minds (Letter of Paul to the Romans, Chapter 12: verse 2)
August 12, 2009 11:19 PM

Crisis in Sudan

Crisis in Sudan
The promise and peril of independence

Jun 11th 2009 | NASIR
From The Economist print edition
In 2011 Africa is set to get a new country. But South Sudan could well start life as a prefailed state


MAJOR JOHNSON GUCH of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) sits outside a grass hut at the edge of Nasir, a missionary post in Nuerland that in time became a dismal town (see map). Dressed in a tracksuit, he gives the air of a local warlord. A Nuer himself, Mr Guch is commander of a joint integrated unit (JIU) of southern and northern Sudanese soldiers mandated to keep the peace in Nasir. He says he has 150 southern soldiers, each with a small tin of bullets. But he is dismissive of the northern soldiers. He does not know how many there are. He says he does not care. It is not, in any sense of the word, a joint command.

The commander of the northern troops, Captain Osman Mustafa, is more gracious, but also more disingenuous. His tent is a walk across a black wasteland pocked by the twisted wreckage of vehicles blown up in the war and little piles of human faeces left by the locals, who eschew latrines. A Muslim from the Nuba mountains, Mr Mustafa says he has 300 soldiers, enough guns and, of course, very good relations with the southerners.

Together with a hopelessly inactive UN peacekeeping force dug in on the other side of Nasir, the JIU stood by and did nothing when one group of Nuer attacked another last month, slaughtering 71 people in the nearby village of Torkej. The Lou-Nuer targeted a cattle camp tended by women and children from the Jikany. Those sleeping outside under mosquito nets were shot point blank. The Lou sprayed the huts with bullets. They drove older children into the river, where they drowned. The Lou took the cattle and Torkej’s other meagre possessions. Fifty seven wounded were taken to a Médecins Sans Frontières hospital.

The Jikany insist it is unheard of for cattle raiders to target women and children. They are furious that they had no guns to defend themselves. Under South Sudan’s patchy disarmament programme, the Jikany gave up their guns, the Lou kept theirs. Jikany elders say the Lou are working for the northern government of President Omar al-Bashir in Khartoum. They believe the north supplied at least 1,000 machineguns to the Lou in recent months. They say the Lou have been attacking their neighbours on all sides, including the Murle to the south, at the behest of Mr Bashir’s government. For their part, the Lou say it is the Murle who are proxies of the northern regime.

Whatever the truth, the episode is a sign of a wider breakdown of peace across southern Sudan. In the past month or so hundreds of people have been killed in violent clashes similar to the one in Torkej, as nomadic groups compete for the best cattle and grazing land. Conflict is normal, but it is not normal for so many to be killed in this way—at least in recent years. The UN says that more people are now being killed in the south than in Darfur, Sudan’s troubled western region.

Under the terms of a peace agreement with the northern government of Mr Bashir signed in 2005, the south is expected to vote for secession in a referendum in 2011. The prospect of gaining a new country, South Sudan, raised hopes of an end to Sudan’s civil war between the predominantly Muslim north and the Christian and animist south, which lasted on and off for the best part of 50 years. At last, the flattened south would rebuild itself.

Now, however, even many southerners, let alone their fiercely partisan foreign backers, worry that the region’s progress towards independence is going awry. Not only is there the increasing rate of intertribal violence and the hostility of the north to contend with. But the south’s woes have been added to by the incompetence and corruption of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), mainly composed of former guerrilla fighters in the SPLM, the political movement of the SPLA. They have managed to spend about $5 billion in oil revenues over the past four years with very little to show for it, apart from weapons. At the present rate, South Sudan will fail before it has even been born.

There is no doubt that Mr Bashir’s northern government has played its part in the violence and turmoil in the south. The north has been slow to honour many of its pledges under the 2005 peace agreement with the south. In delineating the border line between the two territories, which directly effects its ownership of the country’s oil reserves, the north has refused to co-operate. This has bred deep distrust between the two sides. JIUs, therefore, like the soldiers at Nasir, are “joint” in name only, and unable to keep order in the disputed border regions.

Yet it is wrong to blame the north alone. The World Food Programme says the malnutrition rate in South Sudan is 16%, which signals a permanent humanitarian emergency. Over the past four years, despite billions of dollars in revenues, the GOSS has failed to build a single paved road outside Juba, the capital. In many towns, let alone the remoter areas, the putative government of the state of South Sudan has made barely any impression at all; most new clinics or schools have been built by churches or foreign charities. Increasingly, the mess is being blamed on the south’s own politicians.

The widespread perception is that the GOSS is corrupt, especially at the lower levels. The army chief was removed in a recent reshuffle after he failed to account for missing salaries. Foreign governments are reluctant to pump much-needed cash into the southern government’s coffers for fear that it will be squandered.
Guns not butter (or anything else)

After the sharp fall in the price of oil last year, the GOSS suffered a collapse in its oil revenues, which make up 98% of its income. Although the government cannot be blamed for the fall in oil prices, many question why it remains so beholden to the vagaries of one commodity. Oil output is not forecast to increase in 2010 and prices, though far off their lows, may now rise only slightly.

The government needs money. The GOSS has spent over half of its income on paying its old soldiers and buying new weapons. The SPLA argues that this is an insurance against the north in case it tries to prevent secession in 2011, but the policy leaves little cash for anything else. The government has been unable to pay salaries for months at a time and teachers recently threatened to go on strike. Some argue that the south is now bankrupt, although one person familiar with the budget process says that is an exaggeration: “It’s bad, but not a disaster.”

This week saw the first sign of an internal rebellion against the perceived misrule in Juba. The influential former foreign minister, Lam Akol, is founding his own party to challenge the SPLM. “Why did the SPLM fail to govern South Sudan even though it had all the money and 70% of the power?” he asked. Mr Akol will probably fight the SPLM in the national elections due next year. Given the SPLM’s poor record in office so far, he may do rather well.

Description of the Mission Context:-Sudan/Kenya

Description of the Mission Context:

Southern Sudan:

Is a region of Sudan, comprising ten of that country’s states. The Sudanese government agreed to give autonomy to the region in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed on January 9, 2005. in Naivasha, Kenya with the SPLA/M, tentatively bringing an end to the second Sudanese Civil War 1983-2005. A referendum is scheduled for 2011 on whether to remain in the greater Sudan or to become an independent nation. Southern Sudan borders Ethiopia to the East, Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the South and the Central African Republic to the West. To the North lies the predominantly Arab and Muslim region directly under the control of the central government, with its capital at Khartoum.

Southern Sudan, also known as the NEW SUDAN, has nearly all of its administrative offices in Juba, the capital, and the city with the largest population.

Southern Sudanese predominantly practice traditional indigenous beliefs and Christianity, particularly the Episcopal Church of the Sudan and the Roman Catholic Church. In the South one can also see numerous ethnic groups and languages than are found in the North. It is widely agreed that the largest ethnic groups in the South is Dinka, followed by Nuer. Other Nilotic peoples include the Bari and Shilluk.

In addition to what has been mentioned above, Sudan has been a country at war for 39 years. The last southern conflict dates from 1983 with a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) being signed on January 9, 2005. After 3 years of negotiation between the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) and the Government of Sudan (GoS). The Former SPLA Leader John Garang was sworn in as Vice-President on 9 July 2005 (died in 2006) and the new interim constitution was approved. An on going war in Darfur and rising tensions across the rest of the country threaten to derail the success of any overall peace process and peace dividend to the Sudanese people. Many issues remain unresolved within the peace agreement and despite the development of the UN Peacekeepers and international donor funds there is ongoing insecurity, little progress in regards to improving the living conditions of the population and the possibility of a return to conflict.

The conflict in the Sudan has been typified by the inter-tribe/clan conflicts fueled by the aggressors who often arm and equipped proxy fighters in an effort to avoid direct responsibility. This strategy has repeatedly led to destruction of homes, livelihoods, means of production and infrastructure. Millions have been displaced. More than two million unnecessary deaths have been attributed to the last 21 years of war. The existence of militia groups outside the currently negotiated SPLA/GoS brokered agreement and the potential splits within the SPLA remain the greatest threat to the success of the six-year implementation period of the CPA. Currently the implementation of the CPA is very slow and there is increased insecurity in many areas of Upper Nile and Equitoria.

The conflict has destroyed virtually all infrastructures in this vast region. Access is possible by air to most locations. Social and civil activity has been severely affected by the war, lack of government, and loss of authority of traditional leaders to those with guns. Health facilities remain few and often inaccessible for most people. The availability of trained personnel remains inadequate. Food security has been constantly been threatened by large population displacements and raiding due to fighting and adverse weather conditions. It is a setting where large-scale epidemics and famine can (and have) easily claimed thousands of victims before any news reaches the rest of the world. A list of major health concerns include kalaazar, malaria, respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal diseases, malnutrition, tuberculosis, meningococcal meningitis, cholera, measles, whooping cough (pertussis), sleeping sickness, STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections), etc. Outbreaks of disease are common, epidemics are a regular occurrence.

The aforementioned accounts are just a tip of the iceberg of the real picture of Southern Sudan. Spiritually, this region of Sudan or of Africa has been reached by the Gospel and according to one informant from a local Presbyterian church in Nasir, Christianity has been in Southern Sudan for almost 107 years now.

Paul mentioned in his Letter to the Romans in Chapter 15 (vv. 19,20) that he made it a rule NOT TO PREACH where Christ has been known, and for most part of the developed or developing world, Africa has been a target of Christian mission.

Spiritual Survey of Southern Sudan:

Southern Sudan, specifically the Upper Nile State has been Christianize for more than a century ago. In Nasir (Naseer) were there are five existing Christian denominations: Presbyterian, Lutheran, Church of God, Adventist and some small independent churches. There is also a mosque here for the Islamic faith.

In Lankien (in one of MSF mission project), there are a lot of different denominations such as the Church of God, Presbyterian church, 7th day Adventist, Jerusalem Church of God (where Christians worship on a Sabbath day and celebrates the Passover Feast). There is a church named Woondeng Church which is one of the Roman Catholic churches in the area. Pieri and Leer have the presence of the same denominations/churches.

Despite of a more than a hundred years existence of Christianity in Southern Sudan, most of it remained desolate and depressing. In spite that the Gospel have reached this place, cultural and traditional bondage is still very strong. Church life is just a mere religious obligation and rituals but the spirituality is down and low. In one of my conversation with a Sudanese Christian, who is an Elder of a church – I shared with him and his group my deep faith to my God and King, Jesus Christ and they just laughed at me because in this life, according to these “Christians”, it must not be “just faith” there must be a human factor involved (sacrificing spirituality with practicality). I also observed that the Christians here in Southern Sudan are mostly nominal Christians…as I have mentioned earlier, merely religious, and not totally and deeply related to the God of Christianity who is Jesus Christ.

Churches here, likewise, lack the Great Commission Mandate, everyone are professing and are proud to be called Christians but not a trace of Christian lifestyle can be observed among professing Christians. Never have I observed them (among my religious Christian staff) shared the goodness, love and healing power of Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Needs of the Region:

The churches and church leaders in Southern Sudan must revisit and review the mandate of God and the preaching and teaching of Jesus Christ, but even if the Christians here will review and re-read God’s revelations in the Bible, they will remain to be blind because of the “veil” that has been covering their spiritual eyes due to cultural and traditional bondage (not to mention the famine brought about fighting and natural causes). Repentance is essential in order for the people of Southern Sudan to be healed from their spiritual as well as physical ailments. Repentance is elemental for the curse in the land to be lifted up (see 2 Chronicles 7:14).

In a book that I have read about Southern Sudan (Emma’s War), Sudan was mentioned in the Scriptures, specifically in the Book of Isaiah 18:7. A curse was mentioned in this verse in the Bible, but a curse will only remain a curse only if the people with remain stiffed neck and stubborn…repentance is the key to deliverance…in God’s wrath He will always remember His mercy.

If anyone is planning to embark on a mission in Sudan, please do not ever, ever bring Christianity there for “it” has been there even before you’ve thought of it. Never, ever bring your denominations there; people are confused enough (one of my Christian staff asked me, “if there is only one God, one Jesus Christ and one Holy Spirit, why are there so many Churches with different teachings?”). What is needed here is not revival but transformation (See Romans 12:2) and how will these come about? Sudan needs missionaries who are not "denominationally" (church denomination) oriented, who really knows God’s mandate, who does not carries the doctrines of man (denominational doctrines, which St. Paul hates so much, see Romans 15).

Leadership training on the Gospel of the Kingdom and not of whatever gospel that we’ve learned in the church where we belong is what Sudan needs…The Gospel has been preached in Sudan, what was missing is the “teaching” of Jesus (See Matthew 28:19). One of the teaching of Jesus Christ is Faith and Power…and these are missing in the churches, church leaders and people…powerless, faithless Christians – these does not pleases God.

Training on the Great Commission. Every Sudanese Christians must settle in their hearts that he/she was not saved to be mere church members and goers, he/she must realized that he/she was redeemed to be GREAT COMMISSIONERS, AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST. A white man (khawaja) or a Filipino Christian is not the best apostle for the Sudanese – it’s the Sudanese themselves, because they all share the same culture, language, expressions and color.

A Glimpse of Kenya:

In all the mission fellowships that I attended, there were many “who were called” who were dreaming to serve the Lord in Africa. Many were aspiring to be in Kenya. An African country with a land area of 580,400 km2 and a population of 32,849,169. The capital city of which is Nairobi. The languages spoken in Kenya are Swahili, English and Kikuyu.
Religions :
Christian: 80.00%
African traditional: 12.00%
Muslim: 7.00%
Baha'i: 1.00%

Statistics for Christianity:
Protestants: 10,717,500 (includes African Inland Church, Presbyterian
Church of East Africa, Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Full
Gospel churches)
Catholics: 8,000,000
Anglicans: 3,500,000
Orthodox: 621,200
Independent: 6,555,820
Lately however, Kenya has witnessed the mushrooming of what are referred to as Pentecostal churches (see Independent congregations above). In Nairobi, the most popular ones include
* Nairobi Pentecostal Church
* Nairobi Lighthouse Church
* Redeemed Gospel Church
* Deliverance Church
* Jesus is Alive Ministries
* Jubilee Christian Centre

During my break from my field work in Southern Sudan, I had a chance to move around the suburbs of Nairobi and rural and remote areas of Kenya. Like in Kawangware, Mucatha, Komarock, Kahuho, Kiserian, Maususwa (all were outskirts nearby towns around Nairobi).Narok is another place about 2 ½ hour drive by land (rough roads) from Nairobi. (information courtesy of Engr Benny Melegrito of Eriksson Company)

The areas by the foot of Mt. Kenya (second highest peak, next to Mt. Kilimanjaro), the town called Kerinyaga one can observe almost one Christian church every 10 to 15 kms. radius

In the Eastern part of the country, in the towns; Embu, Kathiani, Kabati and Tulia where I was also privileged to visit, many African Inland Churches are scattered almost in remote, inland places. To make a long story short…Christianity in Kenya has been there for more a hundred years now (in one of the African Inland
Church of Kenya where I attended one Sunday worship, I read a banner indicating church anniversary 1895-1995).

Furthermore, ecclesiastical knowledge and scriptural exegesis or hermeneutics is not important neither in Sudan nor in Kenya (and true in many parts of the continent of Africa). One needs to be INCARNATIONAL…no word, no scriptures, but the LOVE of Christ expressed in serving and helping the people. If one is embarking for a “Christian Incarnational Mission” in Sudan and Kenya (or in Africa as a whole), first of all one must consult God first if he/she is one of the chosen to serve in Africa. If one is definitely sure (100%) that he/she is chosen, the following are the felt needs of the people:
1. Food & Nutrition
2. Water & Sanitation
3. Livelihood
4. Shelter
5. Health Care & Hygiene Programs
6. Psychological & Emotional Support
7. Sustainable agriculture
8. Improvement in cattle raising
9. Poultry raising

Funds to be raised are not mere thousands, one must think of MILLIONS OF DOLLARS in order for the mission to be long term and sustainable. Careful planning and logistics is vital in embarking a Christian Mission in Africa (wisdom from the Lord of the Mission is very vital for many have faith, many likewise falters).


Undercover07.cfam