Feb/March Update from Gatundu Kenya - Sarah L.

February/March 2008 Newsletter: Update from Gatundu, Kenya

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live a new life.
-From one of my favorite childhood camp songs from Luther Park Bible Camp in Danbury, WI

I seem to always begin my newsletters by apologizing. This one is no different. But I wish you would try to pry yourself away from political commentators, English marking schemes, My So-Called Life reruns and 10 shilling (20 cent!) chai tea long enough to write a newsletter. =)
As I write this, I am spending my days and nights marking end-of-term examinations for my Form 1 and 2 English students during the what-seems-to-be-endless rainy season. The term will end on April 9th when the students and I will have three weeks of r&r before second term begins in May. I have been entrusted to be the “head teacher” for an enter class of new Form 1s. I think after two months of teaching and preaching, the students have finally stopped smirking at my accent and funny hair color and have started to actually learn something from me. Who else is going to teach them the differences between collective nouns and phrasal quantifiers?
In the beginning of March, I had the great fortune of entertaining my parents in Kenya for two weeks. It was calming to finally show them the desk in which I plan my lessons and wonderful people I have been able to share my life with this year. I am sure that many of you have already seen the pictures and received the memo from the Kenya Tourism Agency (my mother) about the wonders of Kenya and its people.
I know that the season of Lent has come and gone, but since this newsletter is tardy, please bare with me. Recently, I’ve been reading this fabulous handbook that I had picked up at Luther Seminary by Daniel Erlander, Baptized, We Live: Lutheranism as a Way of Life. For anyone who survived off of Cliff’s Notes in high school, this handbook is for you! Among the simplified explanations for Lutheran liturgy and why Lutherans think the way they do, there is a thought-provoking section on Martin Luther’s Theology of the Cross.
Throughout the season of Lent, we are constantly reminded of the extreme sacrifice that Jesus made for us, his death on the cross. In his book, Erlander writes, “We [must] accept [the] reality that we humans would do almost anything to avoid, to ignore, to escape, to evade. That reality is this: We are called to die in order to live.” We are called to die in order to live. Luther’s Theology of the Cross, calls us to do just that.
I don’t know about you, but this is not an easy concept for me. How do I let go of myself, how do I die, so that I may give myself completely to God? A concept I struggled with all throughout seminary, Erlander makes very clear. Luther is calling us to drown our sins and self and be renewed in the Holy Spirit. He calls us to be renewed in our Baptism each and every day. My favorite part of Luther’s theology is that we meet God where he chooses to find us, in our sorrow, our pain, and our weakness.
While serving in Kenya, I’ve been reminded time and time again that I do not call the shots. Whatever happens, whatever I experience, whomever I meet, is not of my own doing. God’s plans are so much bigger (and wiser) than my own. Meet God wherever he chooses to find us… This year, I am constantly aware, and often reminded, of my fears and weaknesses. How refreshing to remember that it is only through these fears and weaknesses, only through my letting go of myself, that I may die in self and be renewed in the Holy Spirit. While living in Gatundu, I have learned to put my absolute trust in God.
As a community and as a country, we have endured numerous hardships and heartaches in the past seven months that I have lived here. But even amidst all of the heartache, I still hear (and am reminded) daily that, God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. He is always watching over us. The faith of the Kenyan people continue to shine brightly each and everyday. It is only through giving ourselves completely to God that we may truly live. I am very fortunate to have been able to witness Luther’s Theology of the Cross lived out daily in my community.


Kiswahili lesson:
Nimechoka: I am tired Nimeshukuru: I am thankful
Nahisi njaa: I am hungry Nimeokoka: I am saved
Nimeshiba: I am full/satisfied

Prayer Requests:
1. For the outbreak of cholera in the camps for Internally Displaced People (IDPs) from the election violence.
2. For the continued effort on the sides of President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga to honor the coalition government agreement mediated by Kofi Annan and his team.
3. For peace, truth and justice in Zimbabwe, in regards to the presidential elections that some fear may be following in Kenya’s footsteps

Thank you all for your continued support.
Peace be with you,
Sarah

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:24-25