Our final day in Kisumu was very busy. We toured the construction site of what will one day be St. Stephens cathedral (ACK), visted Impala park, and were given a large going away party at Archbishop Njera’s family compound. Here are some pictures from that day.
Kisumu
Future site of St Stephen's cathedral (ACK)
Impala
Not a picture of me
Simba
Lake Victoria
Tour
Children's choir at the going away party
Me w/ our bishops from the Congo and Madagascar
The Orthodox Anglican Episcopal Conference of Africa convened for the first time today at the Imperial Hotel in Kisumu, Kenya. The meeting was attended by the Primate of the Orthodox Anglican Communion, and five of our communion’s African bishops. One of the first items of business was to elect the officers of the conference. Archbishop Jacob Welbourne of Ghana was unanimously elected to be the first President of the conference. The other officers elected were Archbishop Hezbon Njera of Kenya as the Vice-President, and Bishop Alphonse Mfika as the Secretary General. It is hoped that this unifying conference will further the Kingdom of our Saviour and grow the Orthodox Anglican Communion in Africa.
Bishops meet in closed session to elect first officers
Press Conference
The Most Revd Jacob Welbourne, the first President of the Orthodox Anglican Episcopal Conference of Africa
National mothers Margaret Welbourne and Veronica Mfika were honoured by Archbishop McLaughlin.
Fr Tom Gordon+
Kisumu, Kenya
Today was a historic day in the life of the Orthodox Anglican Communion. Our vehicle picked us up this morning at the hotel and we headed to the athletic field at Otieno Oyoo High School in Kisumu. The service began at 11:30 and by 4:30 this afternoon we had 2 newly consecrated bishops of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. The 2,000+ attendees of this service were also able to witness the enthronement of Hezbon Njera as the Archbishop of our church here in Kenya. Archbishop McLaughlin, the Primate of the communion, preached, celebrated Holy Communion, and served as the chief consecrator. I was privileged to serve as the Archbishop’s Chaplain for this important service. The service was attended by Kenyan and African dignitaries including Members of Parliament, a Supreme Court Justice, and numerous local politicians and religious leaders. I felt truly honoured to have been a small part of such an important day in the life of the church. Enjoy the pictures.
a section of the crowd
The Rt Revd Andriamialison Sabin David
The Rt Revd Andriamialison Sabin David
Presiding Bishop of Fiangonana Episkopaly Ortodoksa eto Madagasikara
The Rt Revd Andriamialison Sabin David
The Rt Revd Japhet Onyango Akongo
The Rt Revd Japhet Onyango Akongo
Diocesan Bishop of the Orthodox Anglican Church in Kenya
The Most Revd Hezbon Omwandho Njera
The Most Revd Hezbon Omwandho Njera
Archbishop of the Orthodox Anglican Church in Kenya
We were able to take our time getting ready this morning which made for a nice change of pace. After some Kenyan coffee we headed out to the craft market to see what was available. Later I enjoyed the conversation at our lunch with Archbishop and Mrs Welbourne. The evening was at the place where the episcopal consecration, Holy Communion, and enthronement service will be held tomorrow. Hopefully everything will be ready to go at 10 AM.
A beautiful Kisumu sunrise and a cool breeze greeted us this morning. When the trip itinerary was released Archbishop McLaughlin was pleased to see that he would get to see the work of Revd Joshua Atieno on this day. Archbishop McLaughlin ordained Joshua 10 years ago in the United States. After completing his education in the United States he followed God’s call and returned to Kenya to begin St. Luke’s Mission which is a part of our church here.
The trip to St. Luke’s mission was a little over an hour in length into a rural agricultural part of Kenya situated at the foot of a mountain. When we finally arrived we were greeted by Dn Joshua, his wife, and scores of school children, orphans, and widows. Everyone gathered in the chapel for the formal introductions, and several songs performed by the children and widows. Dn Joshua and his wife gave praise to God for the ministerial grace given to Joshua at his ordination, and for all the things the Lord has done to use them in His service since that time. I was then asked to bring a message from God’s Word. Using Romans 6:21 as the text for my message I told the children and all of those assembled that they will only find lasting satisfaction in Jesus Christ and not in material goods or sinful behavior.
Following the service we were treated to lunch in Dn Joshua’s home, and were then given a tour of the facility which includes 25 acres of land and roughly a dozen buildings. The Archbishop blessed several of the buildings and then we said our goodbyes. We returned to Kisumu rejoicing to have seen God using one of our brothers in such a mighty way.
St Luke's
Revd Atieno and Archbishop McLaughlin
Pictured below is 3 month old baby Kathleen, she is the adopted daughter of Dn Joshua and his wife. Kathleen’s mother died right after her birth, she was quickly embraced by “Mama” Atieno. Joshua’s Uncle, Bishop Hesbon Njera baptized the little girl just three days after she was born.
Kathleen
Revd Atieno translating for Fr Gordon
classroom with two desks
Pictured above is one of nine classrooms at the school. There were only two desks in this classroom; most of the children sat on the ground and wrote their lessons on old plastic bottles instead of a desk. Thanks to the individuals and parishes that contributed funds to this trip, Archbishop McLaughlin was able to give the school the money needed to buy desks for this classroom and other classrooms. The children lack an adequate number of textbooks, and even enough chalk for the blackboards. It is our hope that we will be able to continue financially to help this school and ministry.
classroom
Today we visited Rabuor parish which is a 30 minute drive from Kisumu for a special service. This parish has been under the direction of Father Japhet Onyango Akongo, who is to be consecrated to the episcopate this coming Sunday. Songs, Bible memory verses, and poetry were presented by a youth choir. I was the guest preacher at the service and preached a message on the need to listen to Jesus, and be faithful to Jesus.
After the church service we went to Migingo village to visit and eat lunch at an orphanage and school. The facility is run by a man by the name of Hezekiah; he is a life long member of the church here. After a delicious lunch which included fried tilapia (Nile perch) from Lake Victoria we toured the rapidly expanding campus.
Rabuor Parish
Typical construction of a rural parish
Rabuor Parish interior
Rabuor Parish children
Archbishop visits orphanage
group picture at orphanage and school
New dining hall and kitchen pictured below were designed by a local architect and built by a local contractor for $50, 000.00. Hezekiah intends to use this room to lead the children in Morning Prayer. He will use the Book of Common Prayer to teach his students English, and as sees it as a tool to attract the many young people interested in learning English.
Dining hall under construction
We have arrived safely in Kisumu. I did not have wi fi access for a day so I was unable to post anything.
Paying our respects to Fr Roland Allen
The Key to Kisumu
Construction Project Visit
Tomorrow we are headed to a service outside Kisumu. We appreciate your prayers and look forward to sharing what the Lord is doing in Kenya in more detail.
I should now be able to update this blog daily.
God bless,
Fr Tom Gordon+
Kisumu, Kenya
We have arrived safely in Nairobi. Thank you for your prayers. Later today we fly to kisumu.
O almighty God who fillest all things with Thy presence, and art a God afar off as well as near at hand; Thou didst send thy angel to bless Jacob in his journey, and didst lead the children of Israel through the Red Sea, making it a wall on the right hand and on the left; be pleased to let Thy angel go out before us and guide us in our journey, preserving us from dangers of robbers, from violence of enemies, and sudden and sad accidents, from falls and errors. And prosper our journey to Thy glory, and to all our innocent purposes; and preserve us from all sin, that we may return in peace and holiness, with Thy favour and Thy blessings, and may serve Thee in thankfulness and obedience all the days of our pilgrimage; and at last bring us to Thy country, to the celestial Jerusalem, there to dwell in Thy house, and to sing praises to Thee for ever. Amen.
-Bishop Jeremy Taylor
A lot of small details for the trip were taken care of today.
Lord willing on Monday the Archbishop will have the opportunity to lay a wreath at the grave of Father Roland Allen (1868-1947). If you are interested in evangelism and Christian missions you need to be familiar with Roland Allen’s works.
Fr Tom Gordon+
Charlotte, NC
Father Tom Gordon+
