WE ARE SWIFT TO JUDGE AND CONDEMN

We as human beings are in most cases swift to judge and condemn without giving any serious thoughtfulness of issues eliciting our judgment or condemnation. It is true, that the Sudanese President Mr Bashir is an indicted man who is under a warrant of arrest; it is true that he attended our National fete at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on the 27th August 2010.

It is true that he wasn’t arrested though Kenya is a signatory of the International Criminal Court.

It is also true above all else that Mr Bashir is our neighbour and that Kenya has for along time worked so hard to help mediate between the warring parties in Sudan which led to a peace pact signed between the Northern and the Southern.
If Kenya was to isolate and bar him from attending the historic fete by virtue of his indictment, what would we as a country and the world at large have achieved? Would Kenya or the world have been able to arrest him if he stayed in Sudan?

If Kenya would have accepted to arrest Mr Bashir, would it have helped solve the problems in Sudan? If the Kenyan Government went a heard and arrested him, would it not have helped escalate the situation in the fragile Nation? In short, what would have been the outcome of his arrest in Kenya?

It is undeniable; the repercussions of his arrest might have been so severe - Kenya would have lived to regret its action…should that have happened, what would those condemning Kenya do to salvage the situation?

I believe that Mr Bashir has learnt some valuable lessons by attending our historical fete…Psychologically, the man must have been moved and challenged.

By virtue of his attendance, witnessing the peaceful, colourful, festive and democratic promulgation of our new constitution…may have set the ball rolling in his mind considering that there is an upcoming referendum next year in Sudan.

The man may want to make history despite his loathed image by making sure that he works hard to ensure that the upcoming referendum in the South early next year succeeds . Should that happen, then the people of Sudan would be the ultimate beneficiaries. That is the course with which all Human Rights Groups and other Organisations are advocating for.

Thus, though we condemn Mr Bashir’s visit to Kenya…we should work hard to help salvage the Sudanese Nation rather than being the same people who would lead to its destruction.

Mistakes are made by us but we also learn from them and once that is done, we improve our present which in-turn influences our tomorrow.


M. Opany

Letter Sent to several Leading Church Leaders Who Were Opposed to the New Constitution before the Referendum.

I write this with all humility to the Church in Kenya; I have followed closely the campaigns on the proposed constitution…I am aware that the church is indeed opposed to the same on the basis of a few contentious clauses which it has voiced all along. It is however disheartening to note that the church is becoming divided each day on the position it has taken so far – a house divided cannot stand. More so, I am afraid that the church’s credibility on its position seems to be in question; especially for its association with those perceived to have denied the country a new constitution over the years and have been opposed to it for their political and selfish reasons. Consequently, I ask myself, ‘has the church lost its cunningness, fallen into the shrewd ways of our politicians and now are being led to the gibbet as the referendum draws near?’
I pray and wish that the church can come back to its senses and reconsider the position it is holding regarding the proposed constitution…. I wish they change tact now before the referendum date, I wish they accept the presidents invite to support the proposed constitution with a strong view that their concerns will be addressed after the 4th August 2010. I believe this would lead to a change of perception…it may seem risky but it may be the best way to salvage its image! The church lost its credibility during last elections which is well known to a greater extent by most Kenyans…today the same is happening; the credibility of the church is in question!
In Matthew 10:16 Jesus was clear in his mind, he was aware of where he was sending his disciples, that is: As sheep in the midst of wolves – what he simply meant was, ‘I send you, inoffensive and harmless, into a cold, unfriendly, and cruel world. Your innocence will not be a protection.’ However, ‘be wise as serpents…’ Serpents have always been an emblem of wisdom and cunning, Genesis 3:1….

The Egyptians used the serpent in their hieroglyphics as a symbol of wisdom. Probably the thing in which Christ directed his followers to imitate the serpent was in its caution in avoiding danger. No animal equals them in the rapidity and skill which they evince in escaping danger. So said Christ to his disciples, you need caution and wisdom in the midst of a world that will seek your lives. He directs them, also, to be harmless, not to provoke danger, not to do injury, and thus make their fellow-men justly enraged against them. Doves are, and always have been, a striking emblem of innocence. Most people would foolishly destroy a serpent, be it ever so harmless, yet few are so hard-hearted as to kill a dove.

In conclusion, I pray that the church acquires the shrewdness of a Serpent and the innocence of a Dove in dealing with all its concerns regarding the proposed constitution….I pray that the Spirit of Wisdom guide the church leaders so that they outdo the most cunning and skilled politicians in Kenya….as it stands, it seems that the political atmosphere and its shrewdness supersedes that of the church.


By Martin O. Opany (UK)

THE LIVING WORD CHURCH BUILDING

Its been a journey; a memorable journey that has been long; thanks be to God the creator of all creation and the Lord Jesus Christ for his unfailing love.
The building on the left side, built using corrugated iron sheets is a place of worship, it is indeed a humble building however, to have got it has been mountainous. When God called us to go start the work in this small town, we did not know anyone but as we obeyed the calling of God we have constantly seen his goodness.
We remain hopeful that as he has carried us through this far, he will continue to do so as we walk with him each day.