The yearly East African Pastoral Conference began today in Nairobi. We were to begin at 9:30am at a hotel just a few blocks from the Southern Blue where we are staying again. We had to get a few copies made at the “Kinkos” near our hotel, and then we walked to the Wagon Hotel where the conference was being held. When we arrived, most of the men were already assembled. We are meeting in a small room that is long and narrow, with two tables set up end to end for everyone to sit around. There were two recessed areas in the ceiling where light fixtures used to be, but where only one bulb existed now.
Pastor Fred opened our session with some opening comments and then we joined in prayer and the singing of a hymn. After introductions were made all around, Pastor Gondwe was given the floor for his paper on Church Unity. It was very well done and was a very fitting beginning for our conference. We have had troubles in the past at our conferences due to the different tribes and cultures that make up our churches in East Africa. It is a good reminder for all of us to “keep the unity of the spirt and the bond of peace” as Paul says in Ephesians.
The conference attendees enjoying thier lunch around the table.
After finishing the paper we took a 20 minute break. We enjoyed some visiting over tea and simple buttered bread. We returned to the conference, and after some discussion on Pastor Gondwe’s paper continued with the next paper. Pastor Fred gave the floor to Pastor Ohlmann to present his paper from our convention on “Hope for the future.” At around 1:00pm we took a break for lunch. Although all our papers are presented in English, they take longer to present here because everything has to be translated into Swahili. This doubles the time of presentation.
For lunch we were served a vegetable mix of spinach and cabbage, potatoes, ugali, and either chicken or beef. There was also a spicy tomato and pepper “salad” that was really good.
Following lunch we finished Todd’s paper. I’m really glad that he presented this because it brought out the early struggles of the CLC and had some great parallels to the struggles that have been faced here in East Africa. Yet, our hope does not depend on the things of this world, but on Christ and what He has done for us. While our work may look hopeless to the world, we have confidence in the future because of God’s promises! It was a very important reminder and assurance for our men here.
Lunch - 350 Shillings. Seeing Stephen use his fingers to eat - PRICELESS!
We continued with Pastor Nyribo’s paper titled “On Being a Christian.” This paper was on the topic of Sanctification and we had some good discussion when he finished his paper. We closed our session for the day at 5:30pm and then spent an hour and a half visiting with some of the men. It was a good day and the majority of the twenty two men in attendance commented on their appreciation of the papers and discussion. We give thanks to the Lord for His grace and for the work He is accomplishing here.
Tomorrow I will be presenting a plan of organization for our churches in East Africa, so I have quite a bit of work to get finished up tonight. More tomorrow...
In His service,
Nathanael
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:1-3
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