April 2007

Dear Family and Friends around the world,

Easter joy to you! May your hearts be filled with awe and gratitude for the life God has given, and the resurrection hope that we celebrate this season.

Here in Kenya, I am continually struck by how people are mindful to give God thanks for both large and small favors throughout the year. They don’t wait for a certain day to give thanks, but do so as the events occur. I was at a seminar presented by a secular NGO recently. As people were introducing themselves around the room, several concluded with “And I thank God for allowing me to be here today.” A week ago, many of the women of my local church secretly and successfully organized a surprise thanksgiving party for our children’s ministry pastor in her home after church—for no particular reason except gratitude. Over 50 women gathered, bringing food and gifts, just to appreciate her dedicated ministry and love for our children. We all met her at her car as she was brought home, and all the ladies and children escorted her into the house with singing and dancing, even laying down the traditional cloths on the ground for her to walk on as she entered. There was more singing and ululating (a loud, trilling shout), food, laughter, and prayers, all expressions of gratitude for God’s wonderful gifts through Pastor Bea Muriu.

Some months ago, a Daystar University student won the coveted Kora Music Award in South Africa for best East African vocalist. Back in Nairobi, her family organized a thanksgiving gathering to thank God for his good gifts and all his provision over the years, making it all possible. Young and old, family, friends, neighbors and pastors all gathered to give thanks and to commission her now to use this gift and accomplishment as an opportunity to serve God further. The afternoon was filled with feasting, singing, testimonies and prayers. When a standard eight (eighth grade) daughter of our neighbor successfully passed the national exams, her family put up a canopy over their parking area and held a worship service of thanksgiving, inviting relatives, friends, and the pastor from their church.

Last year, when a colleague’s daughter graduated from high school, her graduation party consisted of inviting friends, church members, and neighbors to gather in her family’s front yard to give God thanks. It was a time of celebrating the graduate and her life so far, and thanking God for his faithfulness in her life, grateful that God had been consistent in providing what was needed all along the way. It was also a time of prayers of blessing and commissioning as she stood on the brink of the next new chapter in her life, preparing to move on to university. Meanwhile, on the news, politicians are shown dancing exuberantly, despite coats and ties, in celebration of a recent victory, and business corporations host thanksgiving evenings for their employees after a notable company accomplishment.

The African church is exploding, in numbers, in vitality, in holistic ministry, and in mission to the world beyond its own borders. It is a singing, dancing, praying and praising church, living very close to the challenges and rawness of life, not blind to the context, bur claiming God’s healing and hope in the face of great odds. As we approach Easter, may we all grow in expressing gratitude, both to God for all the good gifts we have received, and to those around us, who make a positive difference in our lives and beyond.

A brief overview

I continue to enjoy and be challenged by my new assignment at NIST (Nairobi International School of Theology). Recently I had the privilege of presenting an overview of the curriculum of NIST to a gathering of university leaders from around East Africa, and was very proud to be able to talk about the academic programs, which are integrally tied with practical field ministry throughout, plus involvement by each student in a discipleship group with a faculty member, and a commitment to integrate HIV and AIDS training in every course, in one form or another. As of last month, in addition to teaching and chairing the Leadership Studies Department, I have become acting dean for postgraduate (master’s level) studies.

In May, I have the opportunity to represent NIST at an international workshop in Thailand organized by Compassion International and Fuller Theological Seminary. Representatives from eight different theological institutions in Africa will join about 40 others from around the world to discuss and design curriculum for training leaders for child development, with special focus on the Two Thirds World. We are considering the opportunity of expanding the concentrations at NIST to include this.

Thank you for your ongoing support in many ways—I am grateful for each and every one of you!

Marta Bennett
Nairobi

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 332