10th Jan. Exactly!
It is just the shit that I experience everyday in my work in the slums and when I meet my 'struggling' middle class 'friends' in downtown Nai....they talk like these things do not exist....they, you and me havethe info ...the truth but we are busy struggling to catch up with thieves in climbing corporate ladder....to look nice, modern, civilized and accepted by the global citizenry....we are the problem...us theeducated....we are spending all our energies in competing with thieves to get there...we have forgotten the masses...majority of Kenyans who are still captives of these thieves. Dun
11th Jan.
It is too heavy, give me time to reflect. Certainly, there is need to address some of these stark realities. The methodology remains a big issue. Richi
11th Jan. Hallo,
We are at war. And you and me knew that it was coming at one point or another. Did we not? Let me tell you that I have always been told this crap of belonging to a nation since I was a kid. Kenya's Nationhood does not bring ugali on nobody's table... Preachers and politicians regardless of where they come provided that they are enjoying national cake preach that ‘middle class bullshit’ of lets work hard as a nation and build Kenya. The majority of Kenyanssuffer in ignorance. You and me know the history of resource control and where it has been leaning since independence. This is the cause of this...it has nothing to do with ODM or PNU. Kenyans want Change andwe voted for change and we are being short Changed...I am ready to fight...ready to be called beast(in any case I have always been very naive! Here in Kenya...what is wrong if I start behaving like my fellow Africans? In Congo, Burundi, Somalia...I have been civil for over 40 years... What is the difference between me and a Ugandan?) Pole Richi ...that is my opinion but you know preaching peace and PR will not reverse what has started now. We need Change and not vote tallying arithmetic...Kibaki used my taxes and yours to campaign to get the votes he got....he did not win and everybody knows that. We cant reach him. We can reach him through his supporters! Your opinion please...me and you must talk to get Kenya out of this mess. Dun
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Time to Heal Kenya
I have read so many messages from friends, blogs and the newspapers. Some of these messages are asking Kenyans not to care or to ignore whatever is going on in our country at the moment. They are asking Kenyans to forget that they have seen murder and plunder in the past few days. They are asking Kenyans to leave as if they have no emotional wounds and hence do not experience any hurt. We all however have a task to mourn with the mourning families and to burry our dead with dignity. We need to pray for the killers and we need to start teaching our children the true meaning of love. All Kenyans must take leadership at the moment so as to help in healing the wounds that are many amongst:
1. The shame that has accompanied the post elections violence and acrimony. Killing of innocent women and children taking refuge in a church and the plunder and loot and the heavy force used by the police. Kenya's love for the neighbour has turned to deep seated hatred.
2. The division and the hatred that is raising its head high in the name of tribalism. This poison is affecting the young generation Kenyans and we feel that it is for leaders like you and me to start educating those whom we lead (starting from the family to the church and any other public arena) and getting them out of this poison. You have seen how easy it is for leaders to exploit this poison at the expense of the masses in Kenya. Now is the time to ask the young not to be taken in by tribal overtones and steroetypes such as "Luhyas are this or that", Maasais, Lous, Kikuyus, Kambas etc. People should stop calling each other names such as "Huyu Mkamba" or use phrases like "wacha kubehave kama Mmasai" etc. Or even using tribal tags when communicating to each other like "We Mkamba" etc. We need to promote a culture that ensures that whatever we do is motivated by the fact that we are A NATION first.
3. The fact that our civilization is very young and that by people destroying what we have achieved until now is tantamount to bring us back a million steps. The problem has turned now against neighbours who lived together for many peaceful years. Yet the real culprits are those trying to kill democracy in our country. The fact that they encourage uncivility is dangerous.. countries like Ukraine had the same problem of electoral riging and yet they were solved very peacefully.
4. Lastly, encouraging that our leaders solve the present problems amicably.
Kenyans, I do not expect you not to take sides at the moment. You must always defend truth however awkward a position this will place you in but peacefully. And I do not expect you to advice people to shut up their eyes to the post electoral violence, murders, plunders and above all the killing of democracy. IT IS A SHAME!!! Kindly take a leading role in reconciliation and education starting from the small group of people you have been entrusted to lead at the moment.
1. The shame that has accompanied the post elections violence and acrimony. Killing of innocent women and children taking refuge in a church and the plunder and loot and the heavy force used by the police. Kenya's love for the neighbour has turned to deep seated hatred.
2. The division and the hatred that is raising its head high in the name of tribalism. This poison is affecting the young generation Kenyans and we feel that it is for leaders like you and me to start educating those whom we lead (starting from the family to the church and any other public arena) and getting them out of this poison. You have seen how easy it is for leaders to exploit this poison at the expense of the masses in Kenya. Now is the time to ask the young not to be taken in by tribal overtones and steroetypes such as "Luhyas are this or that", Maasais, Lous, Kikuyus, Kambas etc. People should stop calling each other names such as "Huyu Mkamba" or use phrases like "wacha kubehave kama Mmasai" etc. Or even using tribal tags when communicating to each other like "We Mkamba" etc. We need to promote a culture that ensures that whatever we do is motivated by the fact that we are A NATION first.
3. The fact that our civilization is very young and that by people destroying what we have achieved until now is tantamount to bring us back a million steps. The problem has turned now against neighbours who lived together for many peaceful years. Yet the real culprits are those trying to kill democracy in our country. The fact that they encourage uncivility is dangerous.. countries like Ukraine had the same problem of electoral riging and yet they were solved very peacefully.
4. Lastly, encouraging that our leaders solve the present problems amicably.
Kenyans, I do not expect you not to take sides at the moment. You must always defend truth however awkward a position this will place you in but peacefully. And I do not expect you to advice people to shut up their eyes to the post electoral violence, murders, plunders and above all the killing of democracy. IT IS A SHAME!!! Kindly take a leading role in reconciliation and education starting from the small group of people you have been entrusted to lead at the moment.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Emails from Kenyans and Friends of kenya
And these are emails from Kenyans and friends of Kenya. Say a prayer for kenya. The lessons we learnt in these few days have left us in shock and horror. The question we now ask: where did we fail in the past!
6th Jan. Greetings
"hey,richi i never died during post election crisis, the reason behind God still loves me very much and He want me to continue solving digital crisis and distributing right information using digital format, anyway get back
Anthony
6th Jan. Hey Richi,
Sorry for delay in replying your emails because i think you are aware of what is happening in the country. I will start by telling you that not only is it madness but also total devilish activities that had hit the country the last 1 week, this shows a high level of misunderstanding between our leaders and also putting there personal interest much higher priority than the nation.On the other hand those our beloved Kenyans who are burning properties and killing lives of other Kenyans lack the information on building the nation, to me it could have been more wiser to burn Kibaki's house, Raila's house, Kivuitu's house e.t.c. rather than burning houses of the neighbours, furthermore is has nothing to do with presidential verdictMay be in future when you jet in into our Kenya, will start a new project aimed at delivering right and peaceful information to the people at the ground using any format or media whether manual, digital or whatever you will call. Please God bless our beloved country Kenya We surely beyond this madness AMEN Anthony
6th Jan. Dear Rich,
l really appreciate your most touching mail, we here feel as if we are in another world and surely l came to realize that we Kenyan have not come to appreciate the MOST PRECIOUS THING THAT IS 'PEACE' really we have along way to go. we have been hearing war in other parts of world but we take it for granted. for us we r lucky but just to know that our brothers and sisters are dying and becoming refugees in our own country. God is on our side that we strongly believe that eventually that peace will prevail. May God bless Kenya. Sam
5th Jan.
It has been hell out here as I continued reading and watching the news of the collapse of Kenya. Kindly let one person in Kards send us a message of hope that all is now ok. Thanks to Fr. Kizito, your blog provided some hope. Let us not be ever swayed by the media to think bad about other people or tribes in Kenya. Let KARDS be a place that we shall continue to preach that we are allchildren of Kenya by example. Lastly, whatever happens in the country at the moment: Kibaki asking Raila to form a coalition and Raila asking for fresh elections. Kindly let this not devide us. Our purpose is to spread love despite pandemonium. I pray for all of you and may 2008 be a year of grace for all of us. Richard
5th Jan. Hi everyone,
we got home safe and have been safe. Unlike what the media is portraying not every part of Kenya is chaotic but it is sad to see what is happening in some areas. Many killed and many more displaced, and threats of more fracas but continue to pray for peace for Kenya. I hope all your families are well and for those who don't have connection with their families hold on to hope and remember some people have no airtime or charge on their phones hence cannot be reached. Hang in there all. Bless you all and love you all. Carol
5th Jan. Bro
Don't worry about the situation in Kenya we are here and God is here with us God suffers with his people and at the end things will eventually get better I trust in God that Kenya will regain its beauty soon after all the mayhem am happy to see some things running as usual here in Nairobi but all in all we are hoping and praying for the best that is what The lord has promised to give us. Larry
4th Jan. Hey,
I have been in Kenya all this time. The Kenyan people voted a new president however the sitting president was fraudulently declared the president. Peopleprotested, leading to the horrors you have seen. Kenyan populace know their rights and understand democracy but they have been let down by the current illegitimately sitting government. There is still a standoff and this has led to other communities in Kenya fighting the Kikuyu tribe that is associated with the purpoted president. Its so sad to see the right of the people being stolen away from them. At the moment, hundreds have died, thousands displaced, cost of living has gone up, tension still high , it’s a feeling of uncertainty. I have been here for the last days and the majority of Kenyans still support the call by the opposition to stick to their fight relentlessly. I hope that things calm down. Otherwise happy new year! George
4th Jan. Hey brother habari zako!!
us we are ok just worried for our friends and families in kenya. it's kind of hard kidogo to believe that a thing like could happen but it just happened so now only we can do is just pray for the situation to get better soon. Ahhh we hope your family is at peace and so do we.ok let's keep praying brother. thanks for keeping us hoping. Davi
4th Jan Vipi Richie,
I trust that your new year is definitely better than ours and you are safe whenever you are. I have just reported back to work although there are few colleagues with me. You know the office is where I will come to browse and write email. Apart from the chaos in the country the rest of life is ok and our people are safe all over the country including. Sammy
3rd Jan Hallo,
Commonwealth requires 1m signatures from kenyans to petition kibaki to step down.Sign intohttp://www.gopetition.com/. There are already 5000 signatures please make a difference in the current situation Happy new year!!!!!!!!. Api
3rd Jan. Hi ,
peace and greeings for the new year. I resumed work mid Dec and now trying to catch up with a few things here and there coupled with the ups and downs of political riots. It has not been easy for my team (MSF-B) since we have been working for the survivors of displaced people right in the face and heart of the clashes in Kibera. However, I hope Kenyans will overgrow the political difrences and maintain peace in the brotherhood we have enjoyed all along as ONE NATION. bye for now. God Bless You All. Dennis
2nd Jan. Hi
hope you are doing fine am well in Burundi, Things are great, am always praying for Kenya to have peace, and thanking My Mother Mary for protecting me and giving an early sign of war, am safe because she loves me so much, i will be coming back home this weekend, wishing you all a happy new year, Morakoze chane NICHOLAS
2nd Jan Carissimi,
innazitutto scusatemi perche' non riesco a rispondere alla centinaio di email e sms che mi chiedono informazioni sulla situazione in Kenya e in particolare a Kibera. Per quanto ci riguarda direttamente state tranquilli: nessuno dei nostri bambini, collaboratori e membri di Koinonia e' rimasto vittima di violenze, e anche nessuna delle nostre cose e case ha subito danni. *Nel mio blog appena avviato http://kizito.blogsite.org/ (att.: no www) ho messo un commento alla situazione in Kenya, sia in italiano che in inglese. Per piacere leggetelo e indicate ai vostri amici di andare a leggerlo se sono interessati ad approfondire. O mettete un link dal vostro sito, o copiatelo e mettetelo sul vostro sito.* Oggi i ragazzi giornalisti di Ndugu Mdogo Video e di The Big Issue Kenya sono a Kibera a cercare di documentare la situazione, con foto, video e interviste. Da domani cominciamo ad aggiornare il sito http://www.africacapeacepoint.org/ con il materiale che raccoglieranno Siete liberi di tradurlo a farlo circolare come volete. Grazie. Kizito
2nd Jan. Dear Richard,
Happy New Year. Sorry for the delay to write back to you but the situation out here has not been very good with people killing each other property destroyed and businesses closing down like this cyber cafe am writing to you from here in Rongai has just opened. Communication almost impossible no scratch cards, no buses no no etc. It is bad. Worst hit places the cosmopolitan towns like Nbi, Msa n EldoretWe are hoping the situation will be different soon. Let us keep praying that sanity shall prevail as we reach out to our brother, sisters and friends to avoid further lose of life. Ciao Gitau
1st Jan
Dear Richi,
The situation is really horrible. We need bigger miracles. Just refer to this link
Mob burns Kenyans cowering in church - CNN.com* Sam
31 Dec. Dear Richard,
sad news are coming from Kenya and Nairobi!!!! terrible things are happening in these moments and I do pray very much for common sense to all the people of Kenya in order to spare it from bloodshed and misery. May God bless Kenya and its people. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008.
With a big prayer for you and your countrymen of friendship and love. Emilio.
31 Dec
Unfortunately people, Kenyan Politics have not changed and they stole!!!!!!!, I'm a daughter of the soil I supported neither but expected fairness, if this is what elections are we have a loooooong!!!!! Way to go. Cheers. Teresia
31st Dec. Friends,
Just look at this statement. It leaves alot unsaid about the elections. However, calm must be restored so as we may save as many lives as possible. There is now mayhem in Kenya. Many LIVES lost (more than 10)!!! And pandemonium is spreading. We do not know what will happen today with the swearing in of a second president in the country. Guys, let us all write petitions to the two presidential candidates to help in quelling the situation as it is now in Kenya. The situation is so fragile.. Lives will be lost, property looted and other ugly scenarios. We have fears for our children, women, brothers etc etc. SO We appeal to the human hearts in the politicians and for prayers from all of us. We ask all that all people may play a big role in restoring civility in the country beginning from me and you. Elections will always come and go but human life does not come and go like elections!!! UK's 'concerns' over Kenya poll ** The government urges Kenya's political leaders to work together to avoid more post-election violence. http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7165258.stm
30th Dec Hi Richie,
Long time, I am suprised to hear from you under these circumstances I am sooo divastated and disappointed at the robbery with violence that I have witnessed today in broad daylight. For three days I have been indoors following the proceedings and have been overwhelmed by the drama that has been unfolding before my eyes.Yes let us pray for Kenya and for a miracle to happen. I wish you well. Carol here
30th Dec. Ho,
It is so shaming to walk around and talk in confidence about democracy in my country. The level of open rigging that characterised the last elections in order to favour the incumbent shows how power hungry our leaders are. AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PEOPLE!!! There are facts that show in reality that the incumbent is not the legitimate president of Kenya! 1. Open inflation of votes by the electoral commission contrary to figure in forms 16 and 16A carrying signatures of all the agents at poll stations. 2. What can explain the overwhelming rejection of the 20 cabinet ministers. This is infact a rejection of an entire government! 3. ODM has more than 100 seats countrywide as opposed with those of PNU being slightly over 35 so far. 4. The rush and the secrecy to which the swearing in ceremony was done. Imagine even the national anthem was not played. As a result, we are to witness another swearing in ceremony tomorrow at Uhuru Park where Raila is to declare his parallel government. Wow! Too scary a situation our country has been placed in. And the people are already being killed! To all the friends of Kenya to pray for this wonderful country. The situation is very scary at the moment. O God bring a miracle!
29th Dec. Eeeeh,
Richard, am not Kenyan myself but have been monitoring things closely online and T.V. This message though sounds reconciliatory to me...Looks like there have been lots of broken bridges with this election that you are trying to mend. Give me the details please...But it's good to see that you emphasize the paramount vitue of civilisation where people get to respect differences of opinions irrespective of whether they agree or not. this is what we need most in the midst of hot stuff like Kenyan elections.. Pass my congratulations to all my Kenyan brothers and sisters including both the winners and the losers. In all this, let them know that nobody loses bse the only winner here is Kenyan democracy. Let them know we envy them so much bse they are able to chose their president unlike some of us who always have one winner Nice time,
Dickson
28th Dec Challo,
Hi. I am with friends here and have started celebrating too early. Still in Italy. Give my greetings to our friends and ask them to pray for Kenya.
28th Dec. You Kenyan boys and girls,
Hip Hip Hip HOOOOOORAYYY!! CONGRATULATIONS KENYA!! The elections have now taken place. Certainly I did not join in any insensible ACTS OF violence or silly bets etc because someone is going to be a president. All I knew was the fact that I possess the ability to choose whoever the was going to be the next prezy. I am a King maker!! And I will forever possess this ability in the foreseeable future God willing! I also respected the freedom and opinions of all my friends! That is how civilised I am! Guys I am not celebrating too early. But I cannot sleep, not because the new president has the characteristics I like! NO!!! But because of the new hope for Kenya and the pride of being a Kenyan!! To say the truth I was supporting change. And it is my expectation that this change will come in a few days. It is good enuf to just have a change from Kibaki to someone else. Which would mean that this guy will really have to tread carefully as Kenyans will punish him thoroughly come the next elections! And this just shows Kenya belongs to all the children of Kenya despite their color, region or any other tag you may give them. And it is these children of Kenya who will decide who the next mama or baba is GOOONA BEEE!! What a victory for Kenya! Haa ha ha ha! Once the children of Kenya have chosen, there is no going back! Kenya progresses to the future with pride and we are sure that we have made the right Choice!! GUYZ, now comes the time to forget our political differences and join Mr. President for the upbuilding of the country!!! GOD BLESS AND PROTECT THE PRESIDENT!! GOD BLESS RAILA http://www.raila07.com/!!! AND ABOVE ALL BLEEESSS KENYA AND ALL ITS CHILDREN!! Mutoto ya Kenya
6th Jan. Greetings
"hey,richi i never died during post election crisis, the reason behind God still loves me very much and He want me to continue solving digital crisis and distributing right information using digital format, anyway get back
Anthony
6th Jan. Hey Richi,
Sorry for delay in replying your emails because i think you are aware of what is happening in the country. I will start by telling you that not only is it madness but also total devilish activities that had hit the country the last 1 week, this shows a high level of misunderstanding between our leaders and also putting there personal interest much higher priority than the nation.On the other hand those our beloved Kenyans who are burning properties and killing lives of other Kenyans lack the information on building the nation, to me it could have been more wiser to burn Kibaki's house, Raila's house, Kivuitu's house e.t.c. rather than burning houses of the neighbours, furthermore is has nothing to do with presidential verdictMay be in future when you jet in into our Kenya, will start a new project aimed at delivering right and peaceful information to the people at the ground using any format or media whether manual, digital or whatever you will call. Please God bless our beloved country Kenya We surely beyond this madness AMEN Anthony
6th Jan. Dear Rich,
l really appreciate your most touching mail, we here feel as if we are in another world and surely l came to realize that we Kenyan have not come to appreciate the MOST PRECIOUS THING THAT IS 'PEACE' really we have along way to go. we have been hearing war in other parts of world but we take it for granted. for us we r lucky but just to know that our brothers and sisters are dying and becoming refugees in our own country. God is on our side that we strongly believe that eventually that peace will prevail. May God bless Kenya. Sam
5th Jan.
It has been hell out here as I continued reading and watching the news of the collapse of Kenya. Kindly let one person in Kards send us a message of hope that all is now ok. Thanks to Fr. Kizito, your blog provided some hope. Let us not be ever swayed by the media to think bad about other people or tribes in Kenya. Let KARDS be a place that we shall continue to preach that we are allchildren of Kenya by example. Lastly, whatever happens in the country at the moment: Kibaki asking Raila to form a coalition and Raila asking for fresh elections. Kindly let this not devide us. Our purpose is to spread love despite pandemonium. I pray for all of you and may 2008 be a year of grace for all of us. Richard
5th Jan. Hi everyone,
we got home safe and have been safe. Unlike what the media is portraying not every part of Kenya is chaotic but it is sad to see what is happening in some areas. Many killed and many more displaced, and threats of more fracas but continue to pray for peace for Kenya. I hope all your families are well and for those who don't have connection with their families hold on to hope and remember some people have no airtime or charge on their phones hence cannot be reached. Hang in there all. Bless you all and love you all. Carol
5th Jan. Bro
Don't worry about the situation in Kenya we are here and God is here with us God suffers with his people and at the end things will eventually get better I trust in God that Kenya will regain its beauty soon after all the mayhem am happy to see some things running as usual here in Nairobi but all in all we are hoping and praying for the best that is what The lord has promised to give us. Larry
4th Jan. Hey,
I have been in Kenya all this time. The Kenyan people voted a new president however the sitting president was fraudulently declared the president. Peopleprotested, leading to the horrors you have seen. Kenyan populace know their rights and understand democracy but they have been let down by the current illegitimately sitting government. There is still a standoff and this has led to other communities in Kenya fighting the Kikuyu tribe that is associated with the purpoted president. Its so sad to see the right of the people being stolen away from them. At the moment, hundreds have died, thousands displaced, cost of living has gone up, tension still high , it’s a feeling of uncertainty. I have been here for the last days and the majority of Kenyans still support the call by the opposition to stick to their fight relentlessly. I hope that things calm down. Otherwise happy new year! George
4th Jan. Hey brother habari zako!!
us we are ok just worried for our friends and families in kenya. it's kind of hard kidogo to believe that a thing like could happen but it just happened so now only we can do is just pray for the situation to get better soon. Ahhh we hope your family is at peace and so do we.ok let's keep praying brother. thanks for keeping us hoping. Davi
4th Jan Vipi Richie,
I trust that your new year is definitely better than ours and you are safe whenever you are. I have just reported back to work although there are few colleagues with me. You know the office is where I will come to browse and write email. Apart from the chaos in the country the rest of life is ok and our people are safe all over the country including. Sammy
3rd Jan Hallo,
Commonwealth requires 1m signatures from kenyans to petition kibaki to step down.Sign intohttp://www.gopetition.com/. There are already 5000 signatures please make a difference in the current situation Happy new year!!!!!!!!. Api
3rd Jan. Hi ,
peace and greeings for the new year. I resumed work mid Dec and now trying to catch up with a few things here and there coupled with the ups and downs of political riots. It has not been easy for my team (MSF-B) since we have been working for the survivors of displaced people right in the face and heart of the clashes in Kibera. However, I hope Kenyans will overgrow the political difrences and maintain peace in the brotherhood we have enjoyed all along as ONE NATION. bye for now. God Bless You All. Dennis
2nd Jan. Hi
hope you are doing fine am well in Burundi, Things are great, am always praying for Kenya to have peace, and thanking My Mother Mary for protecting me and giving an early sign of war, am safe because she loves me so much, i will be coming back home this weekend, wishing you all a happy new year, Morakoze chane NICHOLAS
2nd Jan Carissimi,
innazitutto scusatemi perche' non riesco a rispondere alla centinaio di email e sms che mi chiedono informazioni sulla situazione in Kenya e in particolare a Kibera. Per quanto ci riguarda direttamente state tranquilli: nessuno dei nostri bambini, collaboratori e membri di Koinonia e' rimasto vittima di violenze, e anche nessuna delle nostre cose e case ha subito danni. *Nel mio blog appena avviato http://kizito.blogsite.org/ (att.: no www) ho messo un commento alla situazione in Kenya, sia in italiano che in inglese. Per piacere leggetelo e indicate ai vostri amici di andare a leggerlo se sono interessati ad approfondire. O mettete un link dal vostro sito, o copiatelo e mettetelo sul vostro sito.* Oggi i ragazzi giornalisti di Ndugu Mdogo Video e di The Big Issue Kenya sono a Kibera a cercare di documentare la situazione, con foto, video e interviste. Da domani cominciamo ad aggiornare il sito http://www.africacapeacepoint.org/ con il materiale che raccoglieranno Siete liberi di tradurlo a farlo circolare come volete. Grazie. Kizito
2nd Jan. Dear Richard,
Happy New Year. Sorry for the delay to write back to you but the situation out here has not been very good with people killing each other property destroyed and businesses closing down like this cyber cafe am writing to you from here in Rongai has just opened. Communication almost impossible no scratch cards, no buses no no etc. It is bad. Worst hit places the cosmopolitan towns like Nbi, Msa n EldoretWe are hoping the situation will be different soon. Let us keep praying that sanity shall prevail as we reach out to our brother, sisters and friends to avoid further lose of life. Ciao Gitau
1st Jan
Dear Richi,
The situation is really horrible. We need bigger miracles. Just refer to this link
Mob burns Kenyans cowering in church - CNN.com* Sam
31 Dec. Dear Richard,
sad news are coming from Kenya and Nairobi!!!! terrible things are happening in these moments and I do pray very much for common sense to all the people of Kenya in order to spare it from bloodshed and misery. May God bless Kenya and its people. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008.
With a big prayer for you and your countrymen of friendship and love. Emilio.
31 Dec
Unfortunately people, Kenyan Politics have not changed and they stole!!!!!!!, I'm a daughter of the soil I supported neither but expected fairness, if this is what elections are we have a loooooong!!!!! Way to go. Cheers. Teresia
31st Dec. Friends,
Just look at this statement. It leaves alot unsaid about the elections. However, calm must be restored so as we may save as many lives as possible. There is now mayhem in Kenya. Many LIVES lost (more than 10)!!! And pandemonium is spreading. We do not know what will happen today with the swearing in of a second president in the country. Guys, let us all write petitions to the two presidential candidates to help in quelling the situation as it is now in Kenya. The situation is so fragile.. Lives will be lost, property looted and other ugly scenarios. We have fears for our children, women, brothers etc etc. SO We appeal to the human hearts in the politicians and for prayers from all of us. We ask all that all people may play a big role in restoring civility in the country beginning from me and you. Elections will always come and go but human life does not come and go like elections!!! UK's 'concerns' over Kenya poll ** The government urges Kenya's political leaders to work together to avoid more post-election violence. http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7165258.stm
30th Dec Hi Richie,
Long time, I am suprised to hear from you under these circumstances I am sooo divastated and disappointed at the robbery with violence that I have witnessed today in broad daylight. For three days I have been indoors following the proceedings and have been overwhelmed by the drama that has been unfolding before my eyes.Yes let us pray for Kenya and for a miracle to happen. I wish you well. Carol here
30th Dec. Ho,
It is so shaming to walk around and talk in confidence about democracy in my country. The level of open rigging that characterised the last elections in order to favour the incumbent shows how power hungry our leaders are. AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PEOPLE!!! There are facts that show in reality that the incumbent is not the legitimate president of Kenya! 1. Open inflation of votes by the electoral commission contrary to figure in forms 16 and 16A carrying signatures of all the agents at poll stations. 2. What can explain the overwhelming rejection of the 20 cabinet ministers. This is infact a rejection of an entire government! 3. ODM has more than 100 seats countrywide as opposed with those of PNU being slightly over 35 so far. 4. The rush and the secrecy to which the swearing in ceremony was done. Imagine even the national anthem was not played. As a result, we are to witness another swearing in ceremony tomorrow at Uhuru Park where Raila is to declare his parallel government. Wow! Too scary a situation our country has been placed in. And the people are already being killed! To all the friends of Kenya to pray for this wonderful country. The situation is very scary at the moment. O God bring a miracle!
29th Dec. Eeeeh,
Richard, am not Kenyan myself but have been monitoring things closely online and T.V. This message though sounds reconciliatory to me...Looks like there have been lots of broken bridges with this election that you are trying to mend. Give me the details please...But it's good to see that you emphasize the paramount vitue of civilisation where people get to respect differences of opinions irrespective of whether they agree or not. this is what we need most in the midst of hot stuff like Kenyan elections.. Pass my congratulations to all my Kenyan brothers and sisters including both the winners and the losers. In all this, let them know that nobody loses bse the only winner here is Kenyan democracy. Let them know we envy them so much bse they are able to chose their president unlike some of us who always have one winner Nice time,
Dickson
28th Dec Challo,
Hi. I am with friends here and have started celebrating too early. Still in Italy. Give my greetings to our friends and ask them to pray for Kenya.
28th Dec. You Kenyan boys and girls,
Hip Hip Hip HOOOOOORAYYY!! CONGRATULATIONS KENYA!! The elections have now taken place. Certainly I did not join in any insensible ACTS OF violence or silly bets etc because someone is going to be a president. All I knew was the fact that I possess the ability to choose whoever the was going to be the next prezy. I am a King maker!! And I will forever possess this ability in the foreseeable future God willing! I also respected the freedom and opinions of all my friends! That is how civilised I am! Guys I am not celebrating too early. But I cannot sleep, not because the new president has the characteristics I like! NO!!! But because of the new hope for Kenya and the pride of being a Kenyan!! To say the truth I was supporting change. And it is my expectation that this change will come in a few days. It is good enuf to just have a change from Kibaki to someone else. Which would mean that this guy will really have to tread carefully as Kenyans will punish him thoroughly come the next elections! And this just shows Kenya belongs to all the children of Kenya despite their color, region or any other tag you may give them. And it is these children of Kenya who will decide who the next mama or baba is GOOONA BEEE!! What a victory for Kenya! Haa ha ha ha! Once the children of Kenya have chosen, there is no going back! Kenya progresses to the future with pride and we are sure that we have made the right Choice!! GUYZ, now comes the time to forget our political differences and join Mr. President for the upbuilding of the country!!! GOD BLESS AND PROTECT THE PRESIDENT!! GOD BLESS RAILA http://www.raila07.com/!!! AND ABOVE ALL BLEEESSS KENYA AND ALL ITS CHILDREN!! Mutoto ya Kenya
Friday, January 4, 2008
Kenyans: We are Bigger and Greater than This Current Madness!!!
For me whatever has been happening in Kenya is really madness. We have reached a level where human life is not at all important because of power, supporting a presidential candidate etc. While I support that there be truth and honesty, I do not condone violence and pillaging in any way. I know that the media is condemning Kivuitu for telling his truth. But I do commend him. He could not live comfortably with a great lie in his heart and so he at one time had to tell the truth despite its cost.
The ugly pictures I see on international papers and the TVs just make us look like beasts who are "lesser than beasts". Just confirming to the world that we are still evolving and are many steps to reach the humanity status. We have no hearts or emotions!! Guys wielding pangas and rungus. The burning of a church and the killing of women and children etc. The BBC has a big story entitled "killed like dogs." I see pictures of shooting, (now the western media is calling asking the two big fish to come together and stop a civil war that is looming in Kenya at the moment), looting (when in Kenya did we lose our humanity and our hardworking identity so much to start plundering in the way we have done),Burning of property (all that we built in the last 40 or so years have gone up in smoke).
I am here in diaspora but I cant anymore walk with my head up high because of a crime that involves the ECK and the govenment. ODM would have asked its members long a go to pursue non violent means and it did not and their supporters have been killed in great numbers and also wrecked havoc etc. Woe unto you selfish mongers for your day of reckoning will come. When we shall charge you with crimes against Humanity!!! And to all the looters stop looting and start working to build our nation. To all the murderers, Kenya is a country of human beings and not of panga wielding brigands and rungu beasts. You are worse for accepting the poison of hatred to be implanted in you to the extent that you can kill, destroy and plunder. After the elections these crimes will haunt your heart forever. You will remember the cries of your victims crying for mercy, while you continued torturing them and eventually murdered them etc. We may never ever get to know that you did it but your heart will always know that you are a murderer.
The peacemakers e.g. church have responded too late. When on 30th there was a serious clash at the KICC they did not raise their voice. Only to come to raise it late when the president has been sworn in. And the president is playing hard to find. One time Prof. Saitoti said "there comes a time when the nation is greater than an individual." Kenya is a nation and Kibaki is only an individual. To the ODM kindly desist from the rallies at the moment till later. Make the appeals to your supporters using the media as more rallies will see more people dead.
And now at last this tribal animousity. This is something that is so silly. All of a sudden I come to realise that I am a tribe before being a Kenyan. And since I am a tribe I deserve to live and make sure that I kill people from the other tribes.
Lastly, I stand up in silence for one minute saying a prayer for the souls of all the departed brothers and sisters during these elections. They have paid for democracy at a price of their blood. I wish I could stand up for more that a day in their honour. May their blood leave a great impact to us in Kenya that will always remind us of these past senseless days. May from their blood grow peace and stability for our country. And may their blood contribute to the building of a Kenya that is above TRIBALISM, corruption, and selfishness.
GOD BLESS KENYA AND GIVE US A GREAT YEAR 2008.
The ugly pictures I see on international papers and the TVs just make us look like beasts who are "lesser than beasts". Just confirming to the world that we are still evolving and are many steps to reach the humanity status. We have no hearts or emotions!! Guys wielding pangas and rungus. The burning of a church and the killing of women and children etc. The BBC has a big story entitled "killed like dogs." I see pictures of shooting, (now the western media is calling asking the two big fish to come together and stop a civil war that is looming in Kenya at the moment), looting (when in Kenya did we lose our humanity and our hardworking identity so much to start plundering in the way we have done),Burning of property (all that we built in the last 40 or so years have gone up in smoke).
I am here in diaspora but I cant anymore walk with my head up high because of a crime that involves the ECK and the govenment. ODM would have asked its members long a go to pursue non violent means and it did not and their supporters have been killed in great numbers and also wrecked havoc etc. Woe unto you selfish mongers for your day of reckoning will come. When we shall charge you with crimes against Humanity!!! And to all the looters stop looting and start working to build our nation. To all the murderers, Kenya is a country of human beings and not of panga wielding brigands and rungu beasts. You are worse for accepting the poison of hatred to be implanted in you to the extent that you can kill, destroy and plunder. After the elections these crimes will haunt your heart forever. You will remember the cries of your victims crying for mercy, while you continued torturing them and eventually murdered them etc. We may never ever get to know that you did it but your heart will always know that you are a murderer.
The peacemakers e.g. church have responded too late. When on 30th there was a serious clash at the KICC they did not raise their voice. Only to come to raise it late when the president has been sworn in. And the president is playing hard to find. One time Prof. Saitoti said "there comes a time when the nation is greater than an individual." Kenya is a nation and Kibaki is only an individual. To the ODM kindly desist from the rallies at the moment till later. Make the appeals to your supporters using the media as more rallies will see more people dead.
And now at last this tribal animousity. This is something that is so silly. All of a sudden I come to realise that I am a tribe before being a Kenyan. And since I am a tribe I deserve to live and make sure that I kill people from the other tribes.
Lastly, I stand up in silence for one minute saying a prayer for the souls of all the departed brothers and sisters during these elections. They have paid for democracy at a price of their blood. I wish I could stand up for more that a day in their honour. May their blood leave a great impact to us in Kenya that will always remind us of these past senseless days. May from their blood grow peace and stability for our country. And may their blood contribute to the building of a Kenya that is above TRIBALISM, corruption, and selfishness.
GOD BLESS KENYA AND GIVE US A GREAT YEAR 2008.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Cry O Kenya Beloved Country
This sms messages are from Kenyans and people who love Kenya. Hey say a prayer for peace for Kenya and Africa as you read these SMS's
Tafadhali mtusaidie kuombea amani Kenya. Richard 3rd Jan
Son, we are ok. Except for what is going on. We are in a state of emergency. We are just required to stay in the house. Pray for Kenya. Mum 3rd Jan
Mum, ni mimi mwanao Richard ninapiga. Usiogope kuchukua simu. Richard 3rd Jan
Ciao Richi, Sto pensando al Kenia, non e molto ma e un cuore in piu! To cosa sai? A Riruta come la situazione? Ti abbracio e continuo a pensare al Kenia. Pizzi 3rd Jan
Did you get any news? I am fearful of tommorrow. Nadia 2nd Jan
Will go on praying for Kenya Giulia 2nd Jan
Ciao Richard. APP wants to organize a conference in Milan to get updates on the Kenyan situation. Are you free on Saturday? Mino 2nd Jan
Hakuna usafiri. Barabara zimefungwa. Wizi wa kura umeleta balaa na wazimu. Richi 2nd Jan
Hatima ya mametu ninini? Kwa nini wasivuke Tz kwanza hadi hali itakapotulia Kenya! Watajifungia Kenya hadi lini? Hali ya Kenya ni mbaya sana. Lumumba 2nd Jan
Hi dear. Hope you had a wonderful day today. Sleep well and lets pray for peace in our dear country. Ida 1st Jan
Hi Richi, we are in real chaos here. We pray that things may get better. Happy 2008. Felix 1st Jan
Hi Dear, all shops are closed. Nakumat just opened for a few minutes and I managed to buy credo. Ida 1st Jan
Hi, I believe a bad and illegitimate government is better than war. Kenyatta and Moi eras ended and so will Kibaki’s. Be blessed and happy new year. Philo 1st Jan
Happy new year bro. There is no harmony here because of selfishness. Bless u. 1st Jan
I am only asking God to protect all my friends and fellow Kenyans from harm. Join us to pray for peace. Happy new year. Rchard 1st Jan
Painfilly Kenya is a divided country. Because of watu selfish we are hurt, disappointed and sad for our Kenya. However we are still sane to hope. Happy 2008. Friend 31 Dec
Il Kenya e tutti gli amici di Koinonia in questi giorni sono sempre nei miei pensieri. Auguri di un 2008 di pace. Roberta 31st Dec
Happy new year to you Bro. I do hope the police are keeping this year safe and not violent. Sam 31st Dec
Hi Richard. The political situation is not fine countrywide. Nairobi was chaotic all night. Am in Kitale; no public transport. Lots of demos and police teargas through out the morning. Jeff 31st Dec
It is crazy what happens in our country this moment. Innocent voters are shot at because of demanding for justice. Sam 31st Dec
Kibaki has been sworn in and after that hell broke loose. Cos a majority of the electorate wanted Raila. Just praying for peace. Ida 30th December
Raila has rejected the results and has threatened to form a parallel government. There are shoot outs in Kitale, Eldoret and Kisumu. We are so worried. Ida 30th Dec
It is sad that the police are being used to shoot people in Kenya. I do not know what will happen today. I just hope that everybody is ok! How is you? Sam 30th Dec
This place has become hell. There is panic everywhere. People are burning shops, cars and there is no means of transport. No shops are open. Even Nakumat. No president up to now. Ida 30th Dec
Raila is now leading by 310 thousand votes from his closest challenger Mwai Kibaki with 7.5 million votes having been counted. Are you getting what is going on from where you are? Ernest 29th Dec
Hi Rich. Nairobi imejaa vurugu kwani matokeo ya uchaguzi bado yana utata. Asubuhi Raila alikuwa akiongoza kwa kura laki 7. Sasa ni 300. Kura bado hazijahesabiwa zote. Ernest 29th Dec
Imagine, I cant go to uthiru because there is a big fight between the Lou and Kikuyu. The Lou are being asked to go back to their rural homes. Please pray for peace. Ida 29th Dec
Greetings from Bukoba. I hear Raila is leading. I am praying for Kenyans. Beda 28th Dec
Hi Dear. Imagine they are still counting the votes and from the look of things Kibaki has no chance. All the old MPs are out. Ida 28th Dec
Hi Rich. Hope You are fine. I am watching the hotly contested elections as I plan to resume work on 3rd of January. Wodippo 28th Dec
Raila is on the lead. Ida 27th Dec
Tafadhali mtusaidie kuombea amani Kenya. Richard 3rd Jan
Son, we are ok. Except for what is going on. We are in a state of emergency. We are just required to stay in the house. Pray for Kenya. Mum 3rd Jan
Mum, ni mimi mwanao Richard ninapiga. Usiogope kuchukua simu. Richard 3rd Jan
Ciao Richi, Sto pensando al Kenia, non e molto ma e un cuore in piu! To cosa sai? A Riruta come la situazione? Ti abbracio e continuo a pensare al Kenia. Pizzi 3rd Jan
Did you get any news? I am fearful of tommorrow. Nadia 2nd Jan
Will go on praying for Kenya Giulia 2nd Jan
Ciao Richard. APP wants to organize a conference in Milan to get updates on the Kenyan situation. Are you free on Saturday? Mino 2nd Jan
Hakuna usafiri. Barabara zimefungwa. Wizi wa kura umeleta balaa na wazimu. Richi 2nd Jan
Hatima ya mametu ninini? Kwa nini wasivuke Tz kwanza hadi hali itakapotulia Kenya! Watajifungia Kenya hadi lini? Hali ya Kenya ni mbaya sana. Lumumba 2nd Jan
Hi dear. Hope you had a wonderful day today. Sleep well and lets pray for peace in our dear country. Ida 1st Jan
Hi Richi, we are in real chaos here. We pray that things may get better. Happy 2008. Felix 1st Jan
Hi Dear, all shops are closed. Nakumat just opened for a few minutes and I managed to buy credo. Ida 1st Jan
Hi, I believe a bad and illegitimate government is better than war. Kenyatta and Moi eras ended and so will Kibaki’s. Be blessed and happy new year. Philo 1st Jan
Happy new year bro. There is no harmony here because of selfishness. Bless u. 1st Jan
I am only asking God to protect all my friends and fellow Kenyans from harm. Join us to pray for peace. Happy new year. Rchard 1st Jan
Painfilly Kenya is a divided country. Because of watu selfish we are hurt, disappointed and sad for our Kenya. However we are still sane to hope. Happy 2008. Friend 31 Dec
Il Kenya e tutti gli amici di Koinonia in questi giorni sono sempre nei miei pensieri. Auguri di un 2008 di pace. Roberta 31st Dec
Happy new year to you Bro. I do hope the police are keeping this year safe and not violent. Sam 31st Dec
Hi Richard. The political situation is not fine countrywide. Nairobi was chaotic all night. Am in Kitale; no public transport. Lots of demos and police teargas through out the morning. Jeff 31st Dec
It is crazy what happens in our country this moment. Innocent voters are shot at because of demanding for justice. Sam 31st Dec
Kibaki has been sworn in and after that hell broke loose. Cos a majority of the electorate wanted Raila. Just praying for peace. Ida 30th December
Raila has rejected the results and has threatened to form a parallel government. There are shoot outs in Kitale, Eldoret and Kisumu. We are so worried. Ida 30th Dec
It is sad that the police are being used to shoot people in Kenya. I do not know what will happen today. I just hope that everybody is ok! How is you? Sam 30th Dec
This place has become hell. There is panic everywhere. People are burning shops, cars and there is no means of transport. No shops are open. Even Nakumat. No president up to now. Ida 30th Dec
Raila is now leading by 310 thousand votes from his closest challenger Mwai Kibaki with 7.5 million votes having been counted. Are you getting what is going on from where you are? Ernest 29th Dec
Hi Rich. Nairobi imejaa vurugu kwani matokeo ya uchaguzi bado yana utata. Asubuhi Raila alikuwa akiongoza kwa kura laki 7. Sasa ni 300. Kura bado hazijahesabiwa zote. Ernest 29th Dec
Imagine, I cant go to uthiru because there is a big fight between the Lou and Kikuyu. The Lou are being asked to go back to their rural homes. Please pray for peace. Ida 29th Dec
Greetings from Bukoba. I hear Raila is leading. I am praying for Kenyans. Beda 28th Dec
Hi Dear. Imagine they are still counting the votes and from the look of things Kibaki has no chance. All the old MPs are out. Ida 28th Dec
Hi Rich. Hope You are fine. I am watching the hotly contested elections as I plan to resume work on 3rd of January. Wodippo 28th Dec
Raila is on the lead. Ida 27th Dec
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Some Inspirations From Real Life
We thought that this is a really good story on life traning and so relevant to our topic
Here is how my late precious father, shaped my life. He did this in reference to the scripture saying “you shall know them by the fruits of their work!” That man really respected any little moment that offered him an opportunity to learn something new and to discover. And I sincerely thank him, he was my best teacher! Not pointing the way but accompanying me by doing what he was teaching!
He once told me bless the people who bless you or curse you as you move on in life. Bless too the people who move on from your life and those you move away from, despite the way they live you! Concentrate on the lessons they leave behind for you and not so much the betrayals, pains or momentary happy moments. What is too powerful to me are his words “the greater the gratitude, the greater the rewards. Gratitude is a tenet only found in those who have transcended the ordinary levels of wisdom and maturity.” Hence if you appreciate a little moment of learning, you will become better than your teachers and you will be able to apply the lessons in very extra ordinary ways. That is when you will realize that it is NOT ABOUT YOU OR WHO YOU ARE BUT WHAT YOU CARRY WITH YOU AND WHAT YOU ARE MADE OF (is it hatred and pride or love and humility that makes you)! The people referred to as geniuses are ordinary people, doing the ordinary things extra ordinarily. They have a great focus on what they do and hence derive much learning from it more than all of us doing that same thing. Focus and prioritization are the key.
He loved these words from Martin Luther King Jnr “If you happen to be a street sweeper, you should sweep the streets so clean that if people saw it they would say that here is a great street sweeper. And if one time after you are long gone the host of heaven reviewed your work they would exclaim, WOW! Here lived a great street sweeper.” One time he rebuked me so hard (I was fencing a cowshed) for not doing my work well as I was looking for a short cut. He then made me repeat my work. He always told me that I should always learn from my own weaknesses and always be happy when people know them and point them to me or speak about them, and he was the first person to tell me that I should never wrap my own weaknesses or the weaknesses of people I care about in a Golden Handkerchief!!! I got one day a job of emptying some toilets in my neighborhood and ferrying them by Mkokoteni to the government sewerage around Kitale. When he heard about this job, he told me “you are on the right path son, every work is valuable and an opportunity to learn.” Afterwards I came to Nairobi where I got a job as a cook and he was so happy and told me “son I am sure one time you will grow up and cook for more people but never forget the latreens, streets, the cowshed and the kitchen.” He became much happier when he heard that I was working with Street Children first in Eldoret and later on in Nairobi.
When I joined the university, whenever I would go back home he would teach me carpentry, the work he retired to after he stopped practicing psychiatry as a police officer with a duty of finding “man’s rea” in crimes. And I really enjoyed to be in his simple but beautiful and precious workshop. Despite his age he was doing so many experiments with wood! By the time he died, he was making really good looms! Unfortunately, he was too powerful for me in that I was sometimes running from him and I never ever got to know how to make the loom! If he was there today, I would go to spend sometime with him just to learn the technology of how to make a loom. I remember one time he was showing me one of the looms he had made some modifications on, and according to him there was no need to use the manual filler anymore but just passing the thread and pushing a handle downwards. I nodded my head strongly and smiled broadly but did not understand a thing because I was bored and had my own business. Now that as I come to think of it, I really wish that I had just listened carefully and inquired step by step how the new technology was working.
He continued with his simple but meaningful lessons for all my life. I later on became a builder during my holidays or would go to harvest or weed at other farms and he always smiled at me and told me “son intelligence is contained on the hands-on skills and not how many books you have read.” Then I became a garbage collector in RES and he encouraged me on. And when I lost RES, he told me “son, never curse because what has just happened is the door to your becoming a more precious garbage collector. As you grow up in life, RES will always be a mirror of organizational weaknesses which your new endeavors will always draw from.” In December 2003 he died while I was in Sudan but his words still echo “the wounds of today make us much greater in what we do tomorrow. You can only heal others when you really understand the true meaning of a wound. That is why the healers of the world are referred to as wounded healers. If you are therefore afraid of being wounded, you will never ever become a healer or an agent of transformation.”
My dad taught me humility and taught me the value of hard work and always being open and I thank God that I had a father who was a true teacher. However I remember one last phrase that I heard from him “son the fruits of your hard labor may not be of any value to those benefiting from them. Even if this happens, move on and concentrate on your work. Do not wait for applause, cheer yourself on and always move to finish everything you have started despite the burden, loneliness and the pain entailed in doing so.” He warned me to guard against becoming over defensive “In any case if you realize that you are always desperate or on the defensive or becoming too sensitive and vulnerable then know that your value is diminishing and you are losing your true worth.” And in showing me that all is vanity he always said “Be bigger than what you have, be bigger than your successes or accomplishments of life, be bigger than what you hear be they praises or curses or complaints! Let them not hold you back! Do not concentrate on them!! Concentrate on your work and your concentration will bear fruits that people will in the long run focus on!!! Ask yourself what God really wants you to have!! God will always fill you up depending on the limits of your imagination. If your imagination is already limited with what you possess, that is the measure that God will also use for you! Never take short cuts by either creating lies or making empty promises or leaving behind unfinished work etc! Never be a busy body!! Be a man of your words!”
Something more, one time when ploughing with the oxen, a big snake was unearthed in one of the furrows and I was very scared. He continued on with ploughing and told me to make sure that I had killed the snake. I killed the snake though with a lot of problems because it was really big and was charging on me after every strike. But he kept on telling me that I must kill the snake as he continued urging on the oxen. I was amazed at his calm. Later I picked some stones I threw them at the snake with a relentless consistency until it died. We then sat and he was satisfied with me and said “what was it you were afraid of” and I told him that the snake was big and was charging at me with every strike. He said “You see son even when on an important mission, you will encounter problems (they could be real or imagined) that seem bigger, and they will charge at you when you try to solve them, you will first have to deal with them and then continue with your work. If we had not killed that snake, it would have waited for us as we made the next furrow. If you do not take care of those minor concerns they will always pull you down. Perfection entails taking care of the minutest details of your work. The details we do not take care of today may be a big cause of deviations, worry, doom and concern tomorrow. What goes around comes around!”
From then on, I never concentrated on applauses or jeers but on the latrines, streets, the kitchen, the buildings, the farms, the animals and the garbage. As a result of this work, many people live a better life. As time passed on I am recognizing that beneath that garbage lies a big treasure, from that kitchen people are fed, in that garden many lives are sustained and in the building people do many things such as learning, resting etc. My dearest, what is it that you are. I am made of the toilet, farm, the building material, the kitchen, the streets and the garbage; what are you made of!!!
I am aware of my own personal weaknesses! I know them from my work places, social places, close friends and a myriad of communications! What I try to do is to live an honest life and sharing to empower. This is the small thing I can be able to do! I started this work since I was 16 years old, and my dad used to encourage me on. On my weaknesses, I usually ask people to do the appraisal and when they are done, I encourage that they are shared openly. And my dad told me “let people know openly and allow that they communicate your problems and weaknesses to you so as they may not use them as a manipulation tool!!!! Openness is what will strengthen you!” He added, “son live a clean life, be honest! Never allow yourself be lazy or to take short cuts! Empower others, and never use manipulation, usury or avarice!!! Never be a saint fool but strive to reach intelligent sainthood!!!” Severally he sat with me and asked me to make an honest assessment of him. In most cases, I never utilized those moments meaningfully but complained about so many things I needed from him. And he told me, that dependence is a bad disease! When I sincerely evaluated him the last time we met, he shed tears, hugged and told me that he thinks now I have become the mature son made out of the Ochanda blood! That is the time I became interested in the loom but unfortunately, I became too busy in KARDS and Koinonia! The loom he was to make for me, was never made as he went to heaven after collecting the wood. This wood was used for the funeral fire! I will eventually have to make this loom on my own. And I think that this is the most important lesson and inheritance he left for me, “son you have seen it so you can do it.”
It is a fact that weaknesses are universal. The way we look at them could either contribute towards strengthening us or weakening us. If you met my dad today he would tell you “Thank God that you have a weakness.” But the Ochanda in him would also add, “However blessed is he or she who after realizing that he or she has a weakness, tries as much as possible to learn from it or even seeks for help; this type of person is made out of a true spirit of humility and he or she is wise and shall prosper. In humility you will find all the Godly reserves of wisdom. And doomed is he or she who pretends that he or she has no weaknesses as they will never learn from their weaknesses; this person is foolish and too proud and pride comes before a BIG fall! In pride you will find all the satanic reserves of wisdom.” Infact where weaknesses are hidden a fertile ground for vulnerability emerges when they are discovered. Kindly never forget humility, it will be your great armour. And this was what my Old Man passed to me; his simple practical wisdom of life!! He was a genius! I miss him so much. MAY GOD RECEIVE MY DAD AND ALL OUR DEAR AND LOVED ONES IN PARADISE!!
I do hope most answers to my life’s questions can be found from this powerful and wonderfully lived experience with the Heavenly Ochanda! There are infinite number of lessons captured in these pages! Unfortunately it will take me a whole life time to unearth them! I pray for wisdom! I also choose wisdom.
Small things are the ones taking people up. They are the same things that bring great people down!
Here is how my late precious father, shaped my life. He did this in reference to the scripture saying “you shall know them by the fruits of their work!” That man really respected any little moment that offered him an opportunity to learn something new and to discover. And I sincerely thank him, he was my best teacher! Not pointing the way but accompanying me by doing what he was teaching!
He once told me bless the people who bless you or curse you as you move on in life. Bless too the people who move on from your life and those you move away from, despite the way they live you! Concentrate on the lessons they leave behind for you and not so much the betrayals, pains or momentary happy moments. What is too powerful to me are his words “the greater the gratitude, the greater the rewards. Gratitude is a tenet only found in those who have transcended the ordinary levels of wisdom and maturity.” Hence if you appreciate a little moment of learning, you will become better than your teachers and you will be able to apply the lessons in very extra ordinary ways. That is when you will realize that it is NOT ABOUT YOU OR WHO YOU ARE BUT WHAT YOU CARRY WITH YOU AND WHAT YOU ARE MADE OF (is it hatred and pride or love and humility that makes you)! The people referred to as geniuses are ordinary people, doing the ordinary things extra ordinarily. They have a great focus on what they do and hence derive much learning from it more than all of us doing that same thing. Focus and prioritization are the key.
He loved these words from Martin Luther King Jnr “If you happen to be a street sweeper, you should sweep the streets so clean that if people saw it they would say that here is a great street sweeper. And if one time after you are long gone the host of heaven reviewed your work they would exclaim, WOW! Here lived a great street sweeper.” One time he rebuked me so hard (I was fencing a cowshed) for not doing my work well as I was looking for a short cut. He then made me repeat my work. He always told me that I should always learn from my own weaknesses and always be happy when people know them and point them to me or speak about them, and he was the first person to tell me that I should never wrap my own weaknesses or the weaknesses of people I care about in a Golden Handkerchief!!! I got one day a job of emptying some toilets in my neighborhood and ferrying them by Mkokoteni to the government sewerage around Kitale. When he heard about this job, he told me “you are on the right path son, every work is valuable and an opportunity to learn.” Afterwards I came to Nairobi where I got a job as a cook and he was so happy and told me “son I am sure one time you will grow up and cook for more people but never forget the latreens, streets, the cowshed and the kitchen.” He became much happier when he heard that I was working with Street Children first in Eldoret and later on in Nairobi.
When I joined the university, whenever I would go back home he would teach me carpentry, the work he retired to after he stopped practicing psychiatry as a police officer with a duty of finding “man’s rea” in crimes. And I really enjoyed to be in his simple but beautiful and precious workshop. Despite his age he was doing so many experiments with wood! By the time he died, he was making really good looms! Unfortunately, he was too powerful for me in that I was sometimes running from him and I never ever got to know how to make the loom! If he was there today, I would go to spend sometime with him just to learn the technology of how to make a loom. I remember one time he was showing me one of the looms he had made some modifications on, and according to him there was no need to use the manual filler anymore but just passing the thread and pushing a handle downwards. I nodded my head strongly and smiled broadly but did not understand a thing because I was bored and had my own business. Now that as I come to think of it, I really wish that I had just listened carefully and inquired step by step how the new technology was working.
He continued with his simple but meaningful lessons for all my life. I later on became a builder during my holidays or would go to harvest or weed at other farms and he always smiled at me and told me “son intelligence is contained on the hands-on skills and not how many books you have read.” Then I became a garbage collector in RES and he encouraged me on. And when I lost RES, he told me “son, never curse because what has just happened is the door to your becoming a more precious garbage collector. As you grow up in life, RES will always be a mirror of organizational weaknesses which your new endeavors will always draw from.” In December 2003 he died while I was in Sudan but his words still echo “the wounds of today make us much greater in what we do tomorrow. You can only heal others when you really understand the true meaning of a wound. That is why the healers of the world are referred to as wounded healers. If you are therefore afraid of being wounded, you will never ever become a healer or an agent of transformation.”
My dad taught me humility and taught me the value of hard work and always being open and I thank God that I had a father who was a true teacher. However I remember one last phrase that I heard from him “son the fruits of your hard labor may not be of any value to those benefiting from them. Even if this happens, move on and concentrate on your work. Do not wait for applause, cheer yourself on and always move to finish everything you have started despite the burden, loneliness and the pain entailed in doing so.” He warned me to guard against becoming over defensive “In any case if you realize that you are always desperate or on the defensive or becoming too sensitive and vulnerable then know that your value is diminishing and you are losing your true worth.” And in showing me that all is vanity he always said “Be bigger than what you have, be bigger than your successes or accomplishments of life, be bigger than what you hear be they praises or curses or complaints! Let them not hold you back! Do not concentrate on them!! Concentrate on your work and your concentration will bear fruits that people will in the long run focus on!!! Ask yourself what God really wants you to have!! God will always fill you up depending on the limits of your imagination. If your imagination is already limited with what you possess, that is the measure that God will also use for you! Never take short cuts by either creating lies or making empty promises or leaving behind unfinished work etc! Never be a busy body!! Be a man of your words!”
Something more, one time when ploughing with the oxen, a big snake was unearthed in one of the furrows and I was very scared. He continued on with ploughing and told me to make sure that I had killed the snake. I killed the snake though with a lot of problems because it was really big and was charging on me after every strike. But he kept on telling me that I must kill the snake as he continued urging on the oxen. I was amazed at his calm. Later I picked some stones I threw them at the snake with a relentless consistency until it died. We then sat and he was satisfied with me and said “what was it you were afraid of” and I told him that the snake was big and was charging at me with every strike. He said “You see son even when on an important mission, you will encounter problems (they could be real or imagined) that seem bigger, and they will charge at you when you try to solve them, you will first have to deal with them and then continue with your work. If we had not killed that snake, it would have waited for us as we made the next furrow. If you do not take care of those minor concerns they will always pull you down. Perfection entails taking care of the minutest details of your work. The details we do not take care of today may be a big cause of deviations, worry, doom and concern tomorrow. What goes around comes around!”
From then on, I never concentrated on applauses or jeers but on the latrines, streets, the kitchen, the buildings, the farms, the animals and the garbage. As a result of this work, many people live a better life. As time passed on I am recognizing that beneath that garbage lies a big treasure, from that kitchen people are fed, in that garden many lives are sustained and in the building people do many things such as learning, resting etc. My dearest, what is it that you are. I am made of the toilet, farm, the building material, the kitchen, the streets and the garbage; what are you made of!!!
I am aware of my own personal weaknesses! I know them from my work places, social places, close friends and a myriad of communications! What I try to do is to live an honest life and sharing to empower. This is the small thing I can be able to do! I started this work since I was 16 years old, and my dad used to encourage me on. On my weaknesses, I usually ask people to do the appraisal and when they are done, I encourage that they are shared openly. And my dad told me “let people know openly and allow that they communicate your problems and weaknesses to you so as they may not use them as a manipulation tool!!!! Openness is what will strengthen you!” He added, “son live a clean life, be honest! Never allow yourself be lazy or to take short cuts! Empower others, and never use manipulation, usury or avarice!!! Never be a saint fool but strive to reach intelligent sainthood!!!” Severally he sat with me and asked me to make an honest assessment of him. In most cases, I never utilized those moments meaningfully but complained about so many things I needed from him. And he told me, that dependence is a bad disease! When I sincerely evaluated him the last time we met, he shed tears, hugged and told me that he thinks now I have become the mature son made out of the Ochanda blood! That is the time I became interested in the loom but unfortunately, I became too busy in KARDS and Koinonia! The loom he was to make for me, was never made as he went to heaven after collecting the wood. This wood was used for the funeral fire! I will eventually have to make this loom on my own. And I think that this is the most important lesson and inheritance he left for me, “son you have seen it so you can do it.”
It is a fact that weaknesses are universal. The way we look at them could either contribute towards strengthening us or weakening us. If you met my dad today he would tell you “Thank God that you have a weakness.” But the Ochanda in him would also add, “However blessed is he or she who after realizing that he or she has a weakness, tries as much as possible to learn from it or even seeks for help; this type of person is made out of a true spirit of humility and he or she is wise and shall prosper. In humility you will find all the Godly reserves of wisdom. And doomed is he or she who pretends that he or she has no weaknesses as they will never learn from their weaknesses; this person is foolish and too proud and pride comes before a BIG fall! In pride you will find all the satanic reserves of wisdom.” Infact where weaknesses are hidden a fertile ground for vulnerability emerges when they are discovered. Kindly never forget humility, it will be your great armour. And this was what my Old Man passed to me; his simple practical wisdom of life!! He was a genius! I miss him so much. MAY GOD RECEIVE MY DAD AND ALL OUR DEAR AND LOVED ONES IN PARADISE!!
I do hope most answers to my life’s questions can be found from this powerful and wonderfully lived experience with the Heavenly Ochanda! There are infinite number of lessons captured in these pages! Unfortunately it will take me a whole life time to unearth them! I pray for wisdom! I also choose wisdom.
Small things are the ones taking people up. They are the same things that bring great people down!
Friday, November 30, 2007
World AIDS Day 2007
Found this message too good
World AIDS Day
December 1, 2007
“I have set before you life and death…; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.” – Deuteronomy 30: 19
By the end of 2005, 25 million people had died due to AIDS, 40 million were living with HIV, and an estimated 15 million were orphaned. This presents an immense challenge to the international community. But we are not without choices. We can “choose life”, mobilizing the necessary resources and political will to address the issues that contribute to the spread of AIDS.
The AIDS pandemic is an affront to the dignity of humanity made in God’s image. Silence is not an option. In our words and actions, may we “choose life” that all God’s people may live.
2007 is the 26th anniversary of the identification of “AIDS”-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
Although 25 million people have died since AIDS was first recognized in 1981, it is not necessarily a death sentence for those living in the industrialized world.
Most of them have access to antiretroviral drugs that prolong life, as well as clean water, proper nutrition and a functioning health care system. People in the Global South do not have such access. In 2005, 1.5 % of HIV-positive North Americans died due to AIDS. In Africa 10% did.
AIDS is on the increase in most areas of the world. Women and children are the most vulnerable groups being infected. Poverty and profit prevents us from making much progress to stop this disease. Where there are high HIV rates there are high debts to the World Bank, causing severe obstacles to the provision of 2
life-saving health care and educational services needed to roll back the AIDS epidemic. Surely African countries qualify for debt relief.
Antiretroviral medicines prolong life for persons with AIDS. While they are not a cure, ARVs have ensured longer lives for people who have access to them. ARV treatment is expensive but it doesn’t have to be. Competition from generic manufacturers in India has caused the prices to be lowered. Now non-profit foundations are able to buy ARVs at a lower price. The bottom line is: profits get in the way of saving lives. There are drug patents and exclusive marketing rights that get in the way of drug distribution. Cheaper drugs do little for the poor in developing countries when they have no money. Even a few euros a day is often impossible.
You are probably wondering what this has to do with you. What can you do about the drugs being inaccessible to millions of people dying of AIDS?
You can lobby your government. Write a letter to the Prime Minister or President. Ask your MP,Councillors and those in Government why drugs are not available to all people
Leaders must be accountable for the commitments made for funding and support.
More than five out of six people who need antiretrovirals do not have access to them – that is 5.5 million people.
I repeat, silence is not an option. We need to speak out!
1,700 children are infected with HIV every day. 90% of newly infected children are babies born to HIV-positive women. The virus may be passed to the child during delivery, and may occur through breastfeeding. If drugs were provided to the mothers before delivery, this could be prevented. In North America these drugs are administered. Are African babies not as precious?
The HIV and AIDS crisis has a disproportionate impact on women and girls. They may be aware of the factors that put them at risk of infection, but have very little power to reduce their vulnerability. Their lack of economic power puts them at 3
risk for sexual exploitation and violence, and forces them into prostitution. Once infected, women face discrimination in public as well as within their families.
AIDS has completely changed family life.
By 2010, an estimated 25 million children worldwide will have lost one or both parents due to HIV and AIDS. Children living with sick and dying parents will be forced to drop out of school to work or to care for younger siblings. What is their future? They have no education and no money.
I have a story of Mary Nyhosa, aged 14. She now heads her household because her parents died of AIDS. Every day, Mary sees her younger sister and brother cry from hunger but there’s no money to buy food. When they are sick she cannot go to the hospital because they cannot pay the user fees. So Mary has decided to sell her body on the streets as a prostitute. This is how she makes money to feed her family. How soon will it be before she contracts AIDS?
There are children bringing up children. There are grandparents caring for numerous children, some of whom have AIDS. There are fields not being cultivated because there is no one to do the planting. There is no one with the skills of cultivating, planting and harvesting. They have died before they could teach these skills to their children.
God’s children are dying of AIDS. If you listen, you can hear the voice of a young African girl – a young girl with the AIDS virus. She is calling out, asking us to notice her, to hear her. She speaks for millions of others. Can you see one orphan after another trying to find food, to provide for younger siblings? Children are crying and there is no one to dry their tears.
Who will help them?
Who will provide grief counseling?
Who will organize the funerals?
Who will nurse the sick and dying?
Who will teach the children to brush their hair?
Who will make their clothes?
Who will tuck them in at night?
Who will be trained as teachers, preachers, bakers, farmers, nurses?
We can no longer deny the reality, the truth, the Body of Christ has AIDS, and the global village has AIDS. The churches are living with HIV and AIDS. God’s children are dying of AIDS. As people of faith, we have done much, and yet there is much we have avoided.
I believe that the work we have started with St Sebastians over the past two years globally and the work that I as a priest in Gran Canaria that is openly working to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS, and has experienced the heartbreak of a partner who has died from AIDS just 4 years ago, have broken the silence and worked on making this our problem, rather than their problem.”
Silence is not an option. May we “choose life” that all God’s people may live.
In the face of this, it is hard to believe we can make a difference. However, It is possible. Don’t let AIDS fatigue set in.
We tire of reading articles about the devastation. What do we do?
In the face of this disaster we feel small, powerless and hopeless. How does one person make a difference?
Remember, God’s love can transform human life into fullness. God is calling us to see more fully than ever before that we are one world family, one creation, brothers and sisters. Our lives are interwoven. We must see a vision of hope, and a God who longs for us to open our eyes and work together.
We must work to change laws so medicine can be made affordable and available worldwide. We must speak for justice as we educate others about AIDS. We must be a window through which God’s love can be seen.
It is time to accept that even one AIDS related death is one too many.
Inclusive churches have responded by acting out of compassion and for justice. This includes education, fundraising, and advocacy. We must act, we must pray, and we must give.
I believe that as a growing international Christian Communuity we should be creating a specialist fund aimed specifically at supporting programmes that will make a difference. The objective is for a generation without AIDS.
There are programs and partners in Mozambique , South Africa , Kenya and Tanzania ,
They include HIV and AIDS centers, educating young people on trains, training centers for home-based care workers, teaching about nutrition, and the organization of a Credit Union.
As I read another chapter in “Race Against Time”, written by my hero, Stephen Lewis, he showed me a glimpse of what might be.
“I believe to the depths of my being that Africa will one day rejoice in a time when families are whole and funerals are rare. It’s just so bitter that such multitudes of lives are being lost along the way. It’s hard not to be in a near stupor of anger. And yet I’m sustained, as so many Africans are, by the memories of what the continent used to be, and the conviction that the present will one day reunite with the best of the past.”
On this World AIDS Day, in this season of Advent, God grant us and our world the courage to open our eyes, reach out our hands, and speak of God’s mighty works.
Amen
World AIDS Day
December 1, 2007
“I have set before you life and death…; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.” – Deuteronomy 30: 19
By the end of 2005, 25 million people had died due to AIDS, 40 million were living with HIV, and an estimated 15 million were orphaned. This presents an immense challenge to the international community. But we are not without choices. We can “choose life”, mobilizing the necessary resources and political will to address the issues that contribute to the spread of AIDS.
The AIDS pandemic is an affront to the dignity of humanity made in God’s image. Silence is not an option. In our words and actions, may we “choose life” that all God’s people may live.
2007 is the 26th anniversary of the identification of “AIDS”-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
Although 25 million people have died since AIDS was first recognized in 1981, it is not necessarily a death sentence for those living in the industrialized world.
Most of them have access to antiretroviral drugs that prolong life, as well as clean water, proper nutrition and a functioning health care system. People in the Global South do not have such access. In 2005, 1.5 % of HIV-positive North Americans died due to AIDS. In Africa 10% did.
AIDS is on the increase in most areas of the world. Women and children are the most vulnerable groups being infected. Poverty and profit prevents us from making much progress to stop this disease. Where there are high HIV rates there are high debts to the World Bank, causing severe obstacles to the provision of 2
life-saving health care and educational services needed to roll back the AIDS epidemic. Surely African countries qualify for debt relief.
Antiretroviral medicines prolong life for persons with AIDS. While they are not a cure, ARVs have ensured longer lives for people who have access to them. ARV treatment is expensive but it doesn’t have to be. Competition from generic manufacturers in India has caused the prices to be lowered. Now non-profit foundations are able to buy ARVs at a lower price. The bottom line is: profits get in the way of saving lives. There are drug patents and exclusive marketing rights that get in the way of drug distribution. Cheaper drugs do little for the poor in developing countries when they have no money. Even a few euros a day is often impossible.
You are probably wondering what this has to do with you. What can you do about the drugs being inaccessible to millions of people dying of AIDS?
You can lobby your government. Write a letter to the Prime Minister or President. Ask your MP,Councillors and those in Government why drugs are not available to all people
Leaders must be accountable for the commitments made for funding and support.
More than five out of six people who need antiretrovirals do not have access to them – that is 5.5 million people.
I repeat, silence is not an option. We need to speak out!
1,700 children are infected with HIV every day. 90% of newly infected children are babies born to HIV-positive women. The virus may be passed to the child during delivery, and may occur through breastfeeding. If drugs were provided to the mothers before delivery, this could be prevented. In North America these drugs are administered. Are African babies not as precious?
The HIV and AIDS crisis has a disproportionate impact on women and girls. They may be aware of the factors that put them at risk of infection, but have very little power to reduce their vulnerability. Their lack of economic power puts them at 3
risk for sexual exploitation and violence, and forces them into prostitution. Once infected, women face discrimination in public as well as within their families.
AIDS has completely changed family life.
By 2010, an estimated 25 million children worldwide will have lost one or both parents due to HIV and AIDS. Children living with sick and dying parents will be forced to drop out of school to work or to care for younger siblings. What is their future? They have no education and no money.
I have a story of Mary Nyhosa, aged 14. She now heads her household because her parents died of AIDS. Every day, Mary sees her younger sister and brother cry from hunger but there’s no money to buy food. When they are sick she cannot go to the hospital because they cannot pay the user fees. So Mary has decided to sell her body on the streets as a prostitute. This is how she makes money to feed her family. How soon will it be before she contracts AIDS?
There are children bringing up children. There are grandparents caring for numerous children, some of whom have AIDS. There are fields not being cultivated because there is no one to do the planting. There is no one with the skills of cultivating, planting and harvesting. They have died before they could teach these skills to their children.
God’s children are dying of AIDS. If you listen, you can hear the voice of a young African girl – a young girl with the AIDS virus. She is calling out, asking us to notice her, to hear her. She speaks for millions of others. Can you see one orphan after another trying to find food, to provide for younger siblings? Children are crying and there is no one to dry their tears.
Who will help them?
Who will provide grief counseling?
Who will organize the funerals?
Who will nurse the sick and dying?
Who will teach the children to brush their hair?
Who will make their clothes?
Who will tuck them in at night?
Who will be trained as teachers, preachers, bakers, farmers, nurses?
We can no longer deny the reality, the truth, the Body of Christ has AIDS, and the global village has AIDS. The churches are living with HIV and AIDS. God’s children are dying of AIDS. As people of faith, we have done much, and yet there is much we have avoided.
I believe that the work we have started with St Sebastians over the past two years globally and the work that I as a priest in Gran Canaria that is openly working to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS, and has experienced the heartbreak of a partner who has died from AIDS just 4 years ago, have broken the silence and worked on making this our problem, rather than their problem.”
Silence is not an option. May we “choose life” that all God’s people may live.
In the face of this, it is hard to believe we can make a difference. However, It is possible. Don’t let AIDS fatigue set in.
We tire of reading articles about the devastation. What do we do?
In the face of this disaster we feel small, powerless and hopeless. How does one person make a difference?
Remember, God’s love can transform human life into fullness. God is calling us to see more fully than ever before that we are one world family, one creation, brothers and sisters. Our lives are interwoven. We must see a vision of hope, and a God who longs for us to open our eyes and work together.
We must work to change laws so medicine can be made affordable and available worldwide. We must speak for justice as we educate others about AIDS. We must be a window through which God’s love can be seen.
It is time to accept that even one AIDS related death is one too many.
Inclusive churches have responded by acting out of compassion and for justice. This includes education, fundraising, and advocacy. We must act, we must pray, and we must give.
I believe that as a growing international Christian Communuity we should be creating a specialist fund aimed specifically at supporting programmes that will make a difference. The objective is for a generation without AIDS.
There are programs and partners in Mozambique , South Africa , Kenya and Tanzania ,
They include HIV and AIDS centers, educating young people on trains, training centers for home-based care workers, teaching about nutrition, and the organization of a Credit Union.
As I read another chapter in “Race Against Time”, written by my hero, Stephen Lewis, he showed me a glimpse of what might be.
“I believe to the depths of my being that Africa will one day rejoice in a time when families are whole and funerals are rare. It’s just so bitter that such multitudes of lives are being lost along the way. It’s hard not to be in a near stupor of anger. And yet I’m sustained, as so many Africans are, by the memories of what the continent used to be, and the conviction that the present will one day reunite with the best of the past.”
On this World AIDS Day, in this season of Advent, God grant us and our world the courage to open our eyes, reach out our hands, and speak of God’s mighty works.
Amen
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