Warmest greetings from Nairobi. I know it’s been a while since communicating. Several things have been going on in our lives, and we’ve not stepped up to communicate.
We returned to Kenya in early September from time in the US. We certainly didn’t get around to seeing everyone this time, but we were reinvigorated and able to visit with many of you.
In the letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to a young disciple of his, Timothy, he wrote these words:
“First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” I Timothy 2:1-2
After returning to Kenya, within a week, I attended our annual Men’s Gathering in the Rift Valley. This was number 19. It never ceases to amaze me how each successive Gathering has proven to be a rich and rewarding experience.
Traditionally, there is no formal agenda with the goal being to combine opportunities for recreation with a series of meetings for fellowship and to touch on several issues pertinent to the country. And, as usual, we always invite at least one person to help us understand the role that Jesus has played in their lives. The people we invite into this annual gathering are invited by others who have attended before and represent all sorts of people in this country. Politicians, private sector entrepreneurs, young leaders just out of university, Christians, Muslims, and even non-believers. Our prayer is that God will always show up and that he will touch lives. This year our special guest was Alojz Peterle, who was the first Prime Minister of Slovenia – once that country claimed back sovereignty when it became independent from Yugoslavia in 1991. He, together with our long-time friend, the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Tamrat Layne, were quite a team. (Tamrat has been a part of the Gathering for so many years now, we’ve added him to our host team)! Both are followers of Jesus and for them to be able to be together in this annual event was an amazing opportunity. Both men were very different, but both had Jesus in common and, of course, they had the shared experience of each helping to lead a country. There are always lessons to be learned.
These times are always special, because when you have such people in your midst, especially in a more casual setting, you see completely different people than you’d see in a political meeting or in the media. They are relaxed, share anecdotes from their lives, and in former Prime Minister Peterle’s case, he plays a mean harmonica!!
That in mind, a couple of weeks later after a brief trip to Uganda for their National Prayer Breakfast, as I returned home, I was able to link up with a friend who was visiting Kenya from London. I first met him when he was a law professor here in Nairobi several years ago. At the time he was curious about what we were attempting to do with leaders and wanted to know more. He also was a follower of Christ, so we began a journey together. He now lives in London serving as the Assistant Secretary General of the British Commonwealth. As we talked over a light supper, he shared with me that there were a surprising number of leaders who are part of the 56 member British Commonwealth who are people of faith and, therefore, are motivated by a Higher Power, than only that of politics. These stories are always encouraging, especially as we in Kenya are always on the hunt for secular leaders who are seeking to follow Jesus in the practice of their craft, and who would be interested in sharing their journey with others.
So whether it’s in Kenya, in Uganda, or throughout the Commonwealth, leaders make a difference in our world and if they have a faith component, their leadership journey is often deeper, richer and more compassionate.
So, when the Apostle Paul reminded Timothy to pray for leaders, he was making a serious point.
Recently, we lost the former Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga. He has been lionized for his active public role in espousing democratic norms in Africa and has been significantly celebrated throughout the continent. Over the years I’ve had the privilege of interacting with him in several different settings. He shall be missed as a role model and a champion for justice and democracy.
I remember the first experience of any significance I had with Raila Odinga was at an East African Prayer Breakfast Retreat that was hosted here in Kenya in 1991. We had participants from many different African countries and one of the delegations was from South Africa. The retreat was held one year after Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years and South Africa was beginning to move in a new direction. The program for that retreat mainly consisted in people sharing their stories more than anything else. Mr. Odinga and his wife had been invited to join our retreat by a mutual friend and they came. He too had just been released from serving his last stint in prison (all together he served 9 years at different times) for his constant campaigning for multi-party democracy. It was midnight and it was his turn to share. No one moved and for the next hour and half we sat spellbound. The price some people pay for their principles is absolutely mind blowing. Raila Odinga was that sort of leader.
Also, incidentally, he was involved in helping to establish the first Prayer Breakfast group in the Kenya Parliament in the early 1990’s.
As we approach the end of the year I am engaged with my fellow team members in a strategic planning exercise. As I have mentioned in past letters, we are in the process of dialing down the role I’ve played here since 1986 and am transitioning to a different role that will allow me to encourage leaders to follow Jesus throughout the continent of Africa. Part of that change process will be a long leave (sabbatical) outside of Kenya. This will give Georgia and I chance to refresh and reflect and for the team I leave behind to fully own the work and the processes involved. When I return, we’ll be able to evaluate lessons learned during the period away, make appropriate adjustments, and continue with the transition process.
At this point we are due to depart Kenya in mid-January, but many details are left to be worked out. One of the things I’ll be working on will be to raise funding for the Kenya team. There is a slow growing fund being raised in Kenya, but nothing like what is really needed. I do not know what that will look like, but it will probably entail some US travel.
American friends have offered places for us to lodge during the year, and, of course, Georgia will want to be in Colorado to be near family and in her home for a good bit of time, so we’ll be working on some sort of plan going forward. We’d appreciate your prayers as we prepare for this time.
We’ve been so grateful for your care for this work over many, many years, and especially for the financial investment of many that has sustained our work in Kenya. However, beginning a year after Covid, we began to see a tail off in support and that shortfall has never been made up. In years past I have been reluctant to speak about the level of our financial support, but, at this time, I feel led to bring this shortfall to you for your prayerful consideration. In doing so, I am reminded of the words that God’s arm is never so short that he doesn’t take care of our needs, and so I trust He will supply our needs “according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.
As we enter November and look ahead to Thanksgiving, we have much for which to be thankful. Family. Our health. Blessings. Friends, especially the many friends in the US and elsewhere that have encouraged us, prayed for us and supported us. Yet, looking toward that holiday, I’m also cognizant that there is so much violence, suffering and fear in the world that sometimes makes “giving thanks” difficult. So, our prayer is two-fold. First, that those who love and follow Jesus will radiate that love to others bringing encouragement and hope to those who are in distress. Second, that the leaders in Kenya, the US and around the world will be guided by the still small voice of the Prince of Peace in the decisions they make that affect the lives of so many people.
With thanksgiving for your partnership and support.
Sam