The Sakala Communiqué

24^th November, 2008  

Greetings from Benson and Mutende in Kenya.

I will search for the lost and bring them back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak. Ezekiel 34:16a

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9 

In the coming weeks, we ask you to pray for the marginalized people in S. society. In every developing country there is this group that suffers most. In S. the numbers of marginalized people is very high. The country is affected by war, famine and flooding. This has affected almost every person in S. Children have lost their parents, women have been widowed and men have been left to take care of their children when their wives past away. Many people have been killed through landmines but many also survived the blasts and become disabled. The war has caused many to suffer psychologically and it is said that one in every ten people in S. has mental problems. 

S. is the only country in the world that has been without a government for the last 16 years so there has not been a body to protect the rights of those at the edge of the society. Medical care has not developed in the past 16 years and even in the past few years of the late dictator Siad Barre medical care was not very high on the priority list. 

As Christians we are specially called to look after the poor, the oppressed, the widows and the orphans. In the letter of James it is said that religion that God our Father accepts is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. From this we can say that marginalized people are very close to God’s heart. If we pray for them in the coming weeks be challenged and search for ways to become the answer to your own prayers. 

MOBILIZING PROIMATE CHURCHES. 

In both Ethiopia and Kenya, nations near S. with large native S. populations, there are many vibrant, faithful Christians and Churches. These brothers and sisters share a similar world–view with S. people. There is great potential for them to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ with the kind of understanding and love that glorifies God. Many of these Christians and churches are already actively involved in missions amongst S. people. They have much to teach and to learn. Undoubtedly, more faithful Christians and more effort could be mobilized in missions among the S. people. 

Because of the history of the horn of Africa and how it was divided up by the colonial powers, there are large numbers of S. people who are today native to the Eastern part of Ethiopia [about 3-4 million] and to the North-Eastern province of Kenya [about 1 million]. Ss. See themselves as S. and M. first and secondarily as part of whatever political entity they are resident in.

 Although there are active and thriving churches in Ethiopia and Kenya it is not easy to reach the S. population. There are language and cultural differences. S.’s strict allegiance to Islam and aggressive history has placed a wedge between them and their neighboring people groups. Some indigenous Christian neighbors have tried to reach out to them, but did not have enough information, became discouraged and gave up. However, God is bringing the Ss. Close to both Kenyan and Ethiopian Christians who have gained an increasing vision and the zeal to reach out with the Gospel to their near neighbors.

NB: God is beginning to break down the long history of animosity between Christians and their S. M. neighbors in both Kenya and Ethiopia.    

PRAY 

¨     Pray that even more Kenyan and Ethiopian Christians might reach out in love, humility, and understanding to their S. neighbors.

¨     Local Christian workers are encountering problems similar to those of foreign workers: culture shock, difficulty learning the language and a degree of culture arrogance. Pray that they might overcome these difficulties with the Lord’s help.

¨     Pray that finances, an ever present problem in East Africa, might be found to support local missions.

¨     Pray that Western workers and Kenyan/Ethiopian brothers and sisters might have humility to learn from each other about reaching out to the S. people.  

¨     Pray that the barriers keeping the Christians in Ethiopia and Kenya from sharing the Gospel with Ss. Will be broken down.

¨     Pray that Christians living in S. areas will be salt and light in their community and the Lord will open up many opportunities to share the Gospel. 

¨     Pray for the Christians workers both from outside the Horn and local brothers and sisters, who have the heart for reaching the S. people in Kenya and Ethiopia that they would be culturally sensitive, prepared to serve and guided by the Holy Spirit. 

 Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year, 2009.

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. 

The Lord Almighty blesses you and keeps you safe.

 

Benson & Mutende