Pope Francis visits Kenya; his first stop of three countries, on his first visit to Africa

When Jorge Mario Bergoglio (from Argentina) was elected Pope in March of 2013, he chose the name Francis in honor of Francis of Assisi. Like him, this new head of the Catholic church is concerned for the well-being of the poor.

Throughout his public life, Pope Francis has also been known for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, and commitment to interfaith dialogue. He maintains a humble, less formal approach to the papacy than his predecessors.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his wife, Margaret, welcome Pope Francis to Kenya

Throughout his public life, Pope Francis has been noted for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, and concern for the poor. He also believes the church should be more open and welcoming. As pope his manner is less formal than that of his predecessors: a style that news coverage has referred to as no frills, noting that it is "his common touch and accessibility that is proving the greatest inspiration."

An estimated 600,000 attended the mass at the University of Nairobi or viewed it at Uhuru Park.
Many stood in line as it rained throughout the night in order to get a spot.

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has made a point to meet the most needy on each of his 10 foreign tours. While on the continent of Africa in late November, he visited Kenya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic.

An estimated one third of Kenya’s 45 million people are Catholics. Africa's rapidly-growing Catholic population is expected to reach half a billion by 2050.

Pope Francis celebrates mass at the University of Nairobi

Sampling of Pope Francis' comments while in Nairobi

Families
"Christian families have this special mission: To radiate God's love, and to spread the life-giving waters of his Spirit. This is especially important today, for we are seeing the growth of new deserts created by a culture of materialism and indifference to others."

Concern for the poor
"I ask you in particular to show genuine concern for the needs of the poor, the aspirations of the young, and a just distribution of the natural and human resources with which the Creator has blessed your country."

People stood for hours in the rain, for a chance to see Pope Francis

Corruption
"Corruption takes away our joy and our peace. Each time we put a bribe in our pockets we destroy our hearts, we destroy our personalities, and we destroy our country. Please don't develop a taste for corruption. Each of us must resist practices which foster arrogance in man."

Tribalism
"May you always reject everything that leads to prejudice and discrimination, for these things are not of God. Overcoming tribalism is a daily endeavor that requires Kenyans to listen one another to avoid division. Like Kenya, many African countries are working to build on the solid foundations of mutual respect, dialogue, and cooperation, creating a multi-ethnic society which is truly harmonious, just, and inclusive."

Radicalization and terrorism
"Inter-religious dialogue is not a luxury. It is not something extra or optional, but essential. God’s name must never be used to justify hatred and violence. All too often, young people are being radicalized in the name of religion to sow discord and fear, and to tear at the very fabric of our societies. If a young woman or man has no work or cannot study, what can he or she do? The first thing we have to do to stop a young person from being recruited is education and work."

Climate change
“Many are the faces, the stories and the evident effects on the lives of thousands of people for whom the culture of deterioration and waste has allowed to be sacrificed before the idols of profits and consumption. We cannot remain indifferent in the face of this; we have no right. The international community has to listen to the cry rising up from humanity and the earth itself.”

Folks enduring the cold and rain during the mass

Watch as this man enthusiastically plays a Kayamba during Pope Francis' mass in Nairobi. A Kayamba is an instrument made of reeds and seeds.

Pope Francis also visited one of Nairobi's many slums, Kangemi. The following quotes are excerpts from his speech there:

“I am here because I want you to know that I am not indifferent to your joys and hopes, your troubles and your sorrows. I realize the difficulties which you experience daily. How can I not denounce the injustices which you suffer?"

"Such injustices are the result of wounds inflicted by minorities who cling to power and wealth, who selfishly squander while a growing majority is forced to flee to abandoned, filthy, and rundown peripheries."

"The poor cling to gospel values which an opulent society, anesthetized by unbridled consumption, would seem to have forgotten." 

Residents of Kangemi catch a view of the Pope as he arrives in their neighborhood

Continuing with his speech at Kangemi Pope Francis criticized the lack of “infrastructures and basic services" in slums and informal settlements.

"By this I mean toilets, sewers, drains, refuse collection, electricity, roads, as well as schools, hospitals, recreational and sport centers, studios and workshops for artists and craftsmen. I refer, in particular, to access to drinking water."

"Access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights. Our world has a grave social debt towards the poor who lack access to drinking water, because they are denied the right to a life consistent with their inalienable dignity."

Kangemi residents are thrilled to see Pope Francis

A final excerpt from the speech of Pope Francis at Kangemi:

"Dear neighbors, dear brothers and sisters, let us together pray, work and commit ourselves to ensuring that every family has dignified housing, access to drinking water, a toilet, and reliable sources of energy for lighting, cooking, and improving their homes. That every neighborhood has streets, squares, schools, hospitals, areas for sport, recreation, and art. That basic services are provided to each of you. That your appeals and your pleas for greater opportunity can be heard. That all can enjoy the peace and security which they rightfully deserve on the basis of their infinite human dignity."

As is his habit, the Pope takes time to greet the children (photo from his visit to Kangemi)

Some thoughts on refugees: A sampling of Scripture, some poignant photos, the UNHCR definition, and a song

Words of Jesus 

Just as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me. 

For I was hungry and you gave me food, 

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, 

I was naked and you gave me clothing, 

I was a stranger and you welcomed me. 

Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, 

you did not do it to me. 

Matthew 25:31-46

The fast God chooses 

Share your bread with the hungry, 

and bring the homeless poor into your house. 

When you see the naked, cover them. 

Isaiah 58:6-7

God’s law 

You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien; 

for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. 

You shall not reap to the very edges of your field. 

You shall not strip your vineyards bare. 

Leave them for the poor and the alien.

  

When an alien resides with you in your land, 

you shall not oppress the alien. 

The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; 

you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. 

I am the Lord your God. 

Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:9-10,33-34; 23:22

More from God’s law

For the Lord your God loves the strangers, 

providing them food and clothing. 

You shall also love the stranger, 

for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 

You shall not deprive a resident alien of justice. 

Cursed be anyone who deprives the alien, the orphan, and the widow of justice. 

Deuteronomy 10:18-19; 24:17-18; 27:19

From the books of wisdom

The Lord watches over the strangers; 

he upholds the orphan and the widow. 

Psalm 146:9

Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, 

but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, 

but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, 

and he will repay him for his deed.

Proverbs 14:21, 31; 19:17

Look, the tears of the oppressed, 

with no one to comfort them. 

Ecclesiastes 4:1

The words of a prophet, God's spokesperson

If you truly amend your ways, if you truly act justly with one another, 

if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, and the widow, 

then I will dwell with you in this place. 

Jeremiah 7:5-7

Thus says the Lord 

Act with justice and righteousness. 

And do no wrong or violence to the alien, the orphan, and the widow. 

Jeremiah 22:3-5

Words of John the baptizer

Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none 

and whoever has food must do likewise. 

Luke 3:11

Jesus, quoting Isaiah

Bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, 

sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free. 

Luke 4:16-21

Mark of a true Christian

Extend hospitality to strangers. 

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, 

for by doing that some have entertained angels. 

Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:1-2

Practical and probing questions from James

Has not God chosen the poor in the world? 

What good is it if you say you have faith but do not have works? 

If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food 

and you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 

Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. 

James 2:5, 14-17

From John, the disciple loved by Jesus

Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God. 

We love because God first loved us. 

1 John 3:18; 4:7-21

According to the UNHCR 
(United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
The practice of granting asylum to people fleeing persecution in foreign lands is one of the earliest hallmarks of civilization. References to it have been found in texts written 3,500 years ago, during the blossoming of the great early empires in the Middle East such as the Hittites, Babylonians, Assyrians, and ancient Egyptians.

The 1951 Refugee Convention spells out that a refugee is:
"Someone who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country."

Refugees have to move if they are to save their lives or preserve their freedom. 

They have no protection from their own state - indeed it is often their own government that is threatening to persecute them.

If other countries do not let them in, and do not help them once they are in, then they may be condemning them to death - or to an intolerable life in the shadows, without sustenance and without rights.


Song: 
All the poor and powerless,
all the lost and lonely,
all who feel unworthy,
all who hurt with nothing left

All the poor and powerless
And all the lost and lonely
All the thieves will come confess
And know that You are holy
Will know that You are holy

And all will sing out Hallelujah
And we will cry out Hallelujah

And all the hearts that are content
And all who feel unworthy
And all who hurt with nothing left
Will know that You are holy

Shout it
Go on and scream it from the mountains
Go on and tell it to the masses
That He is God 

A visit from RFH's Africa Field Directors; Bible study with Joanna

Earl (not pictured), Clare, and I attended a Bible study in which Joanna is involved.

The ladies started off with singing to the Lord.

Everyone was attentive during the Bible study.

Rose gave the teaching for the day.

Swahili for "Jesus saves," written on the pulpit at the church

Children playing at a nearby school, excited to see wazungu!

After each Bible study, Joanna, Rose, and Susan do a bit of debriefing and have lunch together

Earl, Clare, and I joined Rose, Susan, and Joanna for lunch
(the young lady in the background was our waitress at the small cafe)

A Visit from RFH's Africa Field Directors; Visiting some of My Ministry Relationships

Lots of laughs with Linet, Derrick, Jeremy, and Masudi

Linet and I

Jeremiah and Carol

Carol leading worship at their church

Clare and Earl clapping along to the music

Lots of action during the praise time

Some of the Sunday School children dancing for the Lord (Joy is in the blue blouse)

As I greeted the congregation and introduced Earl and Clare, Jeremiah interpreted for me.

This video will give you a sense of being there with us. I hope you'll watch it!

Jeremiah interpreted Earl's preaching into Swahili

Earl and Jeremiah prayed for folks after the sermon

Squeezing everyone into one photo wasn't easy!

Jeremiah and Carol, plus Earl and Clare

Several of us got a lift to Jeremiah and Carol's house in this pick-up.
Good thing, as the entire area was very muddy and sloppy from all the recent rain.

Clare got acquainted with 6-month old Jaiden at the house.

A Visit from RFH's Africa Field Directors; Squeezing in some Fun Activities

Earl and Clare Reifel are the Africa Field Directors for Ripe for Harvest, my missions sending agency. They recently paid me a visit, along with other RFH missionaries in Kenya and other parts of Africa. I was privileged to spend several day with these veteran missionaries who serve in Sierra Leone.

Along with the more official activities of their visit we also made time for fun,
including an early morning game drive at Nairobi National Park. 

Joanna, another RFH missionary in Kenya, also joined us for the day.

Joanna and I enjoyed a competitive race on the go-kart track!

We finished our day at Carnivore Restaurant.

On another day we strolled around downtown Nairobi, including Uhuru Park.

Educate a Child

With the help of some of you reading this, I had the privilege of sponsoring seven young people for the academic year of 2015 - Tony, Derrick, Robai, Pope, Adu, Duane, and Zach.

Recently I visited four of the seven at each of their schools. While visiting Derrick (pictured above with one of his teachers), I took enough photos to give you a bit of a 'photographic tour', which I think you will enjoy. The following week, I visited Tony, Adu, and Robai at each of their schools.

Just click here to see all of these recent photos!

Educating a child empowers them for life!

No Graven Image, by Elisabeth Elliot

First published in 1966, No Graven Image is the only novel of the best-selling author Elisabeth Elliot.

Margaret, an intrepid twenty-five-year-old missionary, travels to the Andes Mountains of Ecuador to start her ministry. She sees little progress at first, but eventually things seem to be going well.

She works on translating the Bible into the Indian language and befriends a native and his family.

Then tragedy strikes, shaking Margaret's entire way of thinking.


The following are excerpts that spoke to me. All but the first one were spoken by Margaret, the main character:

The results which can be called good are few. And they cannot be the criteria for whether or not what we do is worthwhile. It is hopeless to try to weigh up the good, the bad, the futile, and the merely harmless, and hope there will be enough of the good to justify all the rest. Jesus told us to do what is true. I think the truth needs no justification, no defense.
   - spoken by Dr. Lynn, one of the characters in the book

. . . . . .
There was a time when "in vain" to me had meant that there was no visible spiritual result. A study of the life of Jesus convinced me that he regarded things differently, since comparatively few of his encounters with individuals or groups resulted in manifestations of true faith.

. . . . . .
Why this need to find meaning at every turn? Why do I struggle to sort out the material and the spiritual, to separate the failures from the successes? Well, if you're going to write honest prayer letters... That was what tormented me.

. . . . . .
If my task was far smaller in terms of the effect it was to produce, it was far larger in terms of my own life involvement. If there were times when I must be willing to pay any price for what was called the "advancement of the Kingdom", there were also times when I must let such a price - climbing a mountain, for example, in rain and mud and darkness - be paid in vain. This, too, was a place to glorify God.

. . . . . .
I do not write prayer letters anymore, for I have nothing to say about my work. It seemed, on the night of Pedro's death, as though FINIS were written below all I had done. Now in the clear light of day, I see that I was in part correct. God, if he was merely my accomplice, had betrayed me. If, on the other hand, he was God, he had freed me. I find that I can no longer arrange my life in an orderly succession of projects with realizable goals and demonstrable effects. I cannot designate this activity as "useful" and that one as "useless", for often the categories are reversed and even more often I am at a loss to apply either label. The work, in the end, as well as the labeling, is God's.

. . . . . .
Who but God knew which were the victories, which the defeats?

. . . . . .
Once I had envisioned Pedro, highland Indian, Christian, translator of the Bible, soldier of the cross - because I, Margaret Sparhawk, had come. He was my project, he was the star in my crown... God had allowed Pedro to die or he had perhaps caused me to destroy him. And does He now, I asked myself there at the graveside, ask me to worship Him?

Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015)

Review by Eternity Magazine:
No gimmicks or artificial situations to over-dramatize the slow, painful job of Christian witness in a primitive and alien culture. A magnificent book.


Review from intothebook.net:
Life is not always full of victories. God’s ways are not our ways, and we should not fit God’s plan inside of ours. We may not understand it, but it’s not meant for us to understand. This book is a great example of many missionaries’ lives, their victories and their failures. And it is a great reminder that we need to be willing to serve God, and know that His plan is perfect, whether we see it at the moment or not.