After countless PR efforts and a quick decision after having had a successful ministry to Limuru girls on a prior date, the SDA group invited In-Tune back to their premises for another Divine Service. Now,apparently the school administration tightened their noose on the group, such that they no longer have the liberty to enjoy worship on Sabbath mornings but instead have to attend classes and preps i the morning, after which their Divine Service takes place in the afternoon. Whateve the circumstance, we still thank God that they are able to fellowship whatever little time they have.
The In-Tuners were packed into Elder Ochola's Prado, with Benard and Ted being bundled into the rear boot of the vehicle. There were however, no complaints there. All the way we wee listening to a couple of hymnal instrumental, until Ted started humming away and soon the rest of us were caught up in the heat of th moment and it turned into a practice session as usual. This ministry was conducted without Jamo, Tichy or George who happened to be everywhere else but there...
The trip to Limuru, usually deemed long and tedious, happened to be a short 45min session and we prayed having entered the school compound, around 3.30pm (Late I know, but better late than never at all right?)The girls treated us to a hearty welcome, and henceforth the pogram was literally hijacked by Chris and Jose, who I have to admit make a sterling team. The unusual Divine Service program they led us through was definitely out of the ordinary but definitely exciting and interesting to watch and participate in.
27th March 2009 will go down in Nairobi Central Church history for a number of reasons, positive and negative, but the good thing is, this was the day the Youth of the Church were to go on a ministry mission to MUSDA…no not Maseno University SDA Group, and no neither Masinde Muliro University SDA Group as well, but to the Kesses area main campus of Moi University. The primary invitees were the Choir and Drama but as things would have it, countless other youths were on hand for the sojourn which would prove to be both unique and unforgettable.
The morning was crisp and dry and traffic, as was usual in the Kenyan capital on a weekday, was quite heavy in the morning. The initial plan had been to gather at the church grounds bright and early by nine, but as I have stressed time and again, punctuality is not a strongpoint in the Adventist circles. I on the other hand, thinking I was late by five minutes, managed to book myself the strategic seat I was accustomed to towards the rear end of the bus we were to travel in. Having secured it, socializing seemed to be the next best thing. With Zebby, Diana, Paul and Mongina to my left and Ebby, Tichy and James in front, this would prove to be a fantastic road trip!
Then the first blow came. Amidst the excitement and anticipation that was building up among the youth came news of Celine’s ordeal the previous night as she headed home. Celine is one of the Choir members and that Thursday night she had left choir practice late as she headed on home. Boarding a shuttle on her way home, it ended up being hijacked in the sprawling Umoja neighborhood by a gang of thugs who ordered everyone to surrender their cellphones. As she grappled for hers, it sprawled to the floor by accident and she swiftly bent to pick it up, not realizing that the passenger she was seated next to was indeed one of the thugs. He proceeded to bat her on the head with his gun, causing her to scream incomprehensibly, resulting in the thug shooting her through her left ribcage, the bullet shattering her liver and intestines.
Celine was rushed to the national referral hospital promptly and was admitted, even as the Evangelism bus snaked its way out of the Church grounds the following afternoon at a little after midday, packed with the ejubilant yet shocked youth. The Youth Leaders left on ground would handle the situation and brief us of Celine’s condition as the weekend crept I as we planned to visit her when we got back. The concrete and steel of Nairobi soon gave way to the gentle slopes and harsh terrain of Limuru and Gilgil on the outskirts of the capital. It was the dry season in the country, with the scorching sun burning down mercilessly on the landscape, and with it the preparation season for farmers in anticipation for the long rains in April and May. Thus we could witness countless fires around, as thicket and bush were cleared and some were wildfires wrecking havoc on farmland.
It was an awesome sight to witness how man, beast and land co-related intermittently all in a common balance held in the palm of our Creator…and that such beauty and splendor could be so fragile and plentiful and yet a curse if misappropriated and destroyed unabashedly. Smoke billowed from left to right as the bus moved on to the drier plains of the bed of the Rift Valley. We arrived at Nakuru town, our midway point, for a luncheon stop-over of around 45 minutes. This was mainly a soda, chips, sukuma wiki, nyama and ugali affair, after which we headed on our way yet again having completed only half the journey. At the city center we picked up a surprise package, songstress Esther Mokaya and made on our way, as the driver diverted towards the Kabarak motorway as the other stretch, Nakuru to Kericho, was still under rehabilitation. We bypassed Kabarak Universtiy as well as a junction 55km away from the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton. All the while guys in the bus were singing ecclesiastic renditions and hymns all in harmonization, Greg of Final Appeal being the spear header of it all.
It was six thirty in the evening as we maneuvered into the Main campus of Moi University, with its majestic administration block’s white facade gleaming in the fading rays of the sunset. Jared, a MUSDA member was our receptor as we ad a prayer and were welcomed to our destination and place we’d call home for the next two days of our lives…
*to be continued
It seems like over a decade since the last time I wrote, though I guess everything in this lifetime has a balance and moderation. The end of 2008 happened to be a break period of sorts for the blog…although it was more of a forced break because of the few technical difficulties we experienced with blogger and updating the site, I figure it was a time reserved for reflection and appreciation. That’s not to mean that there was nothing going on with the In-Tuners during that time…on the contrary. In-Tune, in conjunction with our brother group, Final Appeal (formerly AMO Junior) were up and about and here’s just a summary of all the activity…
Teacher Lynda Onimbo, the Nairobi Central SDA Church Ambassadors’ Club patron, decided to throw the two groups an appreciation and thanksgiving party at her house! It was the second Sunday of the month of December and the guys had psyched themselves up for a great time. It was to triple up as a practice session and ministry to the kids who lived around and her immediate neighbours. Getting there a little late proved to be a wise decision as we gave her an opportunity to finish up her preparations as she treated us to some snacks and appetizers. We got introduced to her daughter and the lady who helped her cook as we listened to some acappella music.
The meal was nothing short of legendary…with a conglomeration of delicious dishes of chapatti, stew, chicken and pilau and an assortment of juices and soda. Teacher Lynda left us to our grub for a while as she went to attend a meeting in Church, but we were in good hands…or should I say our hands were full of good things! The guys got to bond and stuff themselves crazy as Joseph got an opportunity to bond with the host’s daughter. It was a matter of time before the gathering turned macho display as the room became a gym class but ironically Joseph won the endurance contest. Jamo defied all odds as Davie and Ted struggled to prove their point that appearance translated to capability. The gym became a studio as the In-Tuners began singing songs and practicing. The height of which proved to be the time Teacher Lynda popped back in from her meeting to find the us in a frenzy of sorts as we went on singing. She recorded our antics and even called the neighbours over just to see who were singing the acappella. All in all it was fun and we deeply appreciated what Ms. Onimbo had done for us.
A week later we were at Juja Senior School for the Form Four Farewell Service which the administration had invited us over for through Ruby and her family. The preacher for the day talked about Daniel and how we should all dare to be like him. He encouraged the students to keep true to God’s word and strive for excellence and success in all that they did, be it responsibility or academics. Their school teacher urged them to stay away from negative influences and uphold their integrity and virtues even as they broke for the December holidays. One could only sense the anticipation the students had to leave school for the festive season, though come to think of it, so did every other Kenyan high-schooler. The December holidays mean gifts, a long break and fun for all…well at least that’s what everyone likes to think.
Before the service was over, there was a presentations session where we took to the stage and sang a few songs with Final Appeal. The icing on the cake was being given an opportunity to witness to non-Seventh day Adventists and have a few boys come up to us and say that we inspired them to sing for the Lord. I was touched when I heard Kemi, Ruby’s sister, narrate to us how that had happened.
The SOJ (Soldiers of Jesus) Club of Pangani Girls High School, through the Church Elder had invited us to their school the following Sunday for their end of year concert that would also be a farewell bid to their candidates as well. The Concert was primarily a play about the choices we make in life and I have to admit it was quite impressive, though a little difficult to follow at the start. I can remember George tapping me over the shoulder half way through and asking me what the play was all about…but at the end of it all, it was great. The leader of the Adventist group at the school, on behalf of the rest, thanked the Elders’ for the wonderful work they had done for them through out the year and also making it possible for groups such as ourselves to go to the school to minister to them.
The next stop happened to be Nairobi Pentecostal Church Valley Road where we had the chance to minister through music unto the Teens Church community. It was amazing to be there again and do our part in witnessing . I guess in the new year, we would like to go a step further by having a preacher accompany us where it would be possible to. A series of concerts followed to sum up 2008. There was the Drama Band Concert which came first, then the Youth Choir Concert and also the Youth Reunion Concert that brought together the original members and founders of the Youth Choir in Nairobi Central Church. I almost forgot to mention the Shower Power Concert that took place right in our Church. Shower Power are this really great acappella group from Zimbabwe who flew in all the way from Harare to minister to us about peace and love, especially after what happened in Kenya during the post election violence of the 2007 General Elections.
The year ended with the Revival Week which found In-Tune split up geographically. Though Chris, Ronnie and Craig were reunited with us, James, George and Anderson were upcountry while the rest of us were either just in Nairobi or its environs. All in all, the holiday season and New Years’ were a truly festive season and as we go into 2009, we pray that the Lord will continue to be with us and see us through all our activities…God bless you all.
Located just opposite Daystar University’s main campus, Lukenya Girls’ High School (formerly Kilimanjaro Girls’) is a lovely little school set on the lush savannah plains to the East of Kenya’s capital. The Director is as an equally pleasant lady who’s benevolence has seen the establishment of the school which prides itself of a student population of over 300 girls, clad in their school colours of purple, grey and white. The School Principal is called Alex.
Leaving Nairobi Central on time proved to be a futile attempt with everyone in all sorts of places, and when I tell you the Youth can really drag their feet, I mean it! For a group that was to have left the church at exactly 8.00am, it wasn’t surprising to see that we actually meandered out, bus full to capacity, at 9.20am, with the intent of reaching Athi River, one and a half hours away in order to conduct a service that was to have started at 10.00am prompt.
With the likes of Jamo and Esther Mokaya of the Youth, it was all poised to be a melodious foray all the one-and-a-half hour way. They sat near the rear of the vehicle with Joseph and a pretty lady called Moraa right behind them. On that day, Tichy was a backbencher and so were a hoard of Drama members, who usually spell fun, mischief and most of all…. non-stop heckling! Bernard was wallowing in a miasma of emotions, I guess because this was his first trip with the rest of the crew this year having missed the previous two engagements at Masinde Muliro and Kathiani. Ted was at the mid-section of the bus, as he always was, and AMO’s Paul, Greg and Zebi at the front with the driver, I say with the driver, because that is where the front is!
Joseph was in his usual knowledge-giving aura when he enlightened me, for the umpteenth time, that it takes Kshs.55, 000 to fill up the gas tank of the bus. So that’s what it costs the Church for evangelism per long distance trip, huh? When Christ said spread the word to every tongue, people and tribe, He never said it would be easy and trust me, its not! But from all the ventures In-Tune has gone through in its ministry, one thing I can say with confidence is that the delighted and warm expressions you see on the visages of those you have gone to witness to is enough reward for all the troubles you’ve gone through.
We passed great Kenyan landmarks, both physical and artificial such as the magnificent Panari Sky Centre on Mombasa Road, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Bamburi Cement Athi River Plant and the first Fly-Over highway to be constructed in East and Central Africa, though still under construction. The road from past the Airport was also undergoing a major facelift and so I can’t even begin to describe the mild chaos it was over the bumpy stretch we endured for half the journey. We barely noticed time fly by as Esther, In-Tune and AMO Junior led a chorus singing session in tandem with all the lovers of a cappella music in the Evangelism bus.
Enough about the ‘how we got there’, now to the ‘what happened when we got there’. First of all, the gate was too small for the bus to fit in and through so we had to alight at the entrance and walk past the well-manicured lawn at the administration block, the chemistry and sciences lab and the school dining hall to the field just next to it, where there were cream white tents slap dashed into a square with space in the middle. Two sides fully occupied with the students of the school, one side with the special ministers, and the other end for the visitors who were us. The Principal was quick to tell us he had been expecting us at 8.30am! Nonetheless, he was, as was everyone else, delighted that we made it there safely and well.
The ministers, inclusive of four elders and Church Pastor Jacob Akali, quickly took us into the Sabbath school period, and what an animated session it was! The charming Elders Adams and Okoth, as well as Willis Ocholla took us through the week’s lesson in a lively and interactive session where Paul of AMO proved his prowess at Bible reading. Davie had a field day making the girls laugh with his witty one-liners as In-Tune was afterwards called to close the session with an item, ‘Higher Perspective’. It so happened that this ministry was primarily meant as the Form Four Dedication Service for the school’s candidates who would, as well as 270, 000 others across the country, sit for the K.C.S.E. examinations set to start on October 21st.
In the interlude in between, AMO Junior and the Youth Choir sang items each which were well applauded, glory be to God, as Pastor Akali, the speaker for the day and the Pulpit team made their way to the front to usher us into the sermon that would last for about 40minutes. George and Joseph took the ending moments of this time to take shots of those who were dozing during the sermon, which I am not sure, whether or not to display…hahaha. If you want me to display them, vote on the poll adjacent to these posts and the outcome will determine the course of action.
Pastor Akali proceeded to form a ‘circle of prayer’ around the candidates who were called to the front, and prayed for them, along with the Elders and teachers in the school’s staff.
Lunch was a deeply awaited, as well as deliciously scrumptious affair! Rice, beans, githeri (a delightful native mixture of beans and maize), veggies, salad, soup and soda were the constituents of the menu and all I can say is, congratulations to the chef. The meal was utterly delicious. At 2.15pm, the service kicked off again, with opening prayers and a period of musical presentations where all the groups sang, as well as the students of Lukenya Girl’s School. A couple of girls also dedicated their item to the Form Fours who would be clearing.
The Drama Band performed their great piece, ‘The Redeemed and the Reformed’, as we wound up our ministry for the day. The Elder in charge gave his vote of thanks speech, sincerely thanking the entire school administration for hosting us there and being such wonderful hosts to us. He gave the Director a set of inspirational books by Ellen G. White and also handed the Principal, Alex, some books of his own. The school administration in turn, represented by their Principal, thanked us for the program and the ministry, and wished it would still go on, but as it were, all things must at one point, come to an end.
Just before leaving, we partook of the Holy Communion, which was earlier held in Church on that day and vacated the premises at exactly 5.50pm; All’s well that ends well. May God bless the entire community of Lukenya Girl’s School.
The Masinde Muliro Concert, hosted by the Drama Band in conjunction with the Nairobi Central Youth Choir kicked off spectacularly, albeit late, with an opening prayer from Becky Nguru and then a wonderful praise and worhip session led by Esther Mokaya and her. This really got the congregation in the mood of the concert, which ended with some Kiswahili worship songs, and then another prayer of blessing and posterity.
You guessed it, once again In-Tune kicked off the concert with the song ‘Can You See His Blood’, which little did we know, would be our only item for the entire duration of the night. The Youth Choir sang, the MMUSDA Choir marched and the Drama band acted all insync as they made the evening one to remember, including for its shortness and abrupt end, because time had caught up with us. It was around 10.30 pm by the time people were vacating the mess, rather unbelievable because it was all over and done with before we knew what had hit us.
I guess guys felt short changed of more blessings because we had prepared a lot more to share but time constraints had not permitted it to be so. So I can honestly say not everyone was happy at the end of the long day. Retiring to the hostels, I was too exhausted to stay awake, but from what I garnered the following day, Jamo isn’t too happy with my ‘sleeping as a baby’ antics and there are a number of nocturnal creatures form Central Church who accompanied us. It was too bad the likes of Joseph, Bernard and Edwin had not accompanied us; then it would have been a consummation.
Surprisingly, on the day we were to head back, one would have expected guys to sleep in till late considering the fact that they had slept very late previously, but by 7.30am, the whole hostel was abuzz with activity as we prepared for the soccer match between the Central Youth and the MMUSDA Youth to be held at the adjacent Kakamega Rehabilitation School grounds. I’ll be sure to source for the photos, which were taken throughout the trip.
The game was pulsating with the visitors being two up by half time, but managing a strong come back afterwards, the hosts managed to secure a 3-3 draw that left all and sundry content. By that time it was ten and the players rushed back to the hostels for a shower and to gather belongings. This time was social time to get to interact with the MMUSDA members after which we said our goodbyes, bidding especially Chris goodbye as we made our long journey back to Nairobi at exactly 11.20am.
Our stopover was at Kericho for a breather, where hawkers struggled to sell to us tea and then at Nakuru where Zach and CJ, the trip organizers, had bought for everyone some fries and soda. Nairobi beckoned only an hour and a half away, as the streetlights and highways of the capital embraced us back to what we call home. God bless the Masinde Muliro University SDA Community for the hospitality and good will they showed us.
-End of Part Three of Three-
