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Friends United Meeting |
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October 2002
News from Friends United Meeting
NEW! A Very Good Marriage Study Guide
Friends United Press has just published A Very Good Marriage: A Study Guide by Tom Mullen. This 20-page guide begins with Tom's reflections on his experience writing the book, A Very Good Marriage, the response to its publication and what he has learned since.
All these elements are reflected in the Study Guide's questions for discussion which focus on Chapters 2-9 of A Very Good Marriage. The Guide is useful for groups as well as couples.
"Grapple with my questions and raise your own" Tom Mullen says of the Study Guide. "Argue with the book's ideas; you may be right. Focus on the issues closest to your own experience and, if you like, save parts for later. Let the dialogue begin!"
Minute Approved by FUM Triennial Session from Interest Group on the
Middle East
Members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) representing 29 Yearly Meetings from eight countries meeting in Triennial Sessions of Friends United Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, are conscious of the absence of our Palestinian Quaker brothers and sisters. Owing to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, they have not been able to join us in our rich fellowship in the Spirit.
As we have experienced the loss of their presence we are reminded of the devastating impact of the conflict on all people in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and wish to extend our deepest concern and desire for peace.
We are tempted to feel helpless in the face of the complexities of the situation but know that we can reach out in Christian love to all people in the region.
The belief among some Christians that unquestioning support for current Israeli policies might hasten Christ's Second Coming is doing grievous harm to possibilities for peace, justice and the application of international law, and has especially impacted the Palestinian Christian community remaining in the area. Christ's purpose is that all might have life and live it more abundantly. We reject as contrary to the Good News a focus on the Second Coming which denies this life to others.
We call on member meetings and churches in FUM to demonstrate in a tangible way their love, accompaniment and concern. One way to do this is to pray for individual Christian congregations and write to them in expression of our solidarity and support.
We recommend that FUM, in consultation with Christian communions in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, provide contact information for Friends. We ask FUM to implement a plan to send teams and continue to work with other Christian bodies, the Christian Peacemaker Teams and the World Council of Churches, to find ways together to work for peace, justice and reconciliation.
Approved by FUM Representative Body at Triennial Sessions, July 14, 2002.
Reflections from a Young Friend
By Kelsey Henning
Chestnut Ridge, New York
I feel I've lived my life in a play, with fairy-tale backdrops and lavish scenery. The characters go through their dialogue, yet all the while the curtain is never raised. I'd never seen beyond the curtain before, but all of a sudden I've taken a step off the edge of the stage and found myself flat in the middle of the real world.
I was originally interested in visiting Kenya and participating in the work camp and Triennial because of my interest in pursuing a medical career. I always wanted to do some type of human-service work and was planning on becoming a doctor who specialized in third world countries.
While I knew I would be dealing with cultural diversity, I was not fully prepared for the extent of differences among Quaker beliefs and practices I encountered. My meeting practices by way of a silent, meditative service, in which anyone led by the Spirit may speak. I was anticipating experiencing a more Christ-centered service in Kenya, but was surprised to find no silence, a pastor, an atmosphere not conducive to an individual's chance to speak, and some support of water baptism. All these things were upsetting to me, as I felt they went against what I had been brought up to believe were some of the most important aspects of the Society of Friends! Even within the work group were different ways of practicing, for which I had not been prepared.
I struggled throughout the work camp and Triennial session with thoughts of what "real" Quakerism is. I didn't think my meeting was completely right and I didn't think the Kenyan ones were either! At a point in my trip where pessimism had taken over, I was questioning God, Christ, the world and my life. I wrote in my journal that I felt "as though my inner gears are all shifting out of their previous positions. Unfortunately, they seem to be having trouble re-interlocking and beginning to turn again."
While writing many of my questions in my journal, I suddenly had an opening. It was as though a veil had been lifted from my eyes, and I could see what I had been blind to before. My relationship to God, and therefore all people, should be the primary focal point of my life. It was suddenly clear that the core principle upon which each person bases his or her life is important, not the specific practice. There are so many people in the world that no one way of life can fit us all. It is necessary to be "Christ-like" not just Christian. As long as others and I live in the experience and truth of the Holy Spirit, it doesn't matter what specific practice we follow.
At the same time, I realized the emphasis on materialism and surplus that is given to us in the United States blinds us from the reality of the rest of the world. It suddenly occurred to me that by participating in this particular obsession of our culture, I was blocked from seeing beyond to the true Godliness of each person. It took this trip to finally force me to truly see, understand and accept the Quaker principles I've been brought up with. I decided I want to "let my life speak," as Fox said. My concept of Fox's principles suddenly moved from intellectual to experiential, and I vowed to work on creating stronger and closer relationships with others, as well as to simplify my life. I vowed to finally do what my parents have been begging me to do for as long as I can remember—clean my room!
On the airplane ride to Kenya, I was planning a future as a doctor. On the airplane ride home, I was planning one as a peace worker. I want to help with more than just the immediate health issues I would face as a doctor. In Kenya, they have health problems, yet here in the United States we have a surplus that can blind us.Ê In both places, we can be victims of that reality, or we can be strong and move beyond it.Ê I always thought the Kenyans had it worse than we do here, but spending time there helped me realize their problems are only different.Ê That insight has helped me realize I would like to pursue peace work. At this point, I believe I will still become a doctor and work in third world countries. However, I would like to focus on peace work and concentrate not only in other countries, but in my own.
May I say "Malembe" to all of you—which means "Peace" in KiSwahili.
Reflections on FUM Triennial Sessions
By James Wood
New York Yearly Meeting
In 1902, three young Friends, members of Iowa Yearly Meeting (Willis Hotchkiss, Arthur Chilson and Edgar Hole) went to Kenya as missionaries. Today as a result of their holistic ministry, there are more members of the Religious Society of Friends in Kenya than in any other country in the world. During the Triennial Sessions of Friends United Meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya in July 2002, six additional Yearly Meetings from Kenya were welcomed into the FUM fellowship, bringing the total Kenyan Yearly Meetings to 14. A few Friends can, and indeed have, made a great difference in the lives of others.
In 2002, it took us about 24 hours to reach Kenya, where we expected and certainly received a wonderfully warm welcome. In 1902, however, it took eight weeks to reach Kenya and they must have wondered what type of a reception awaited. What a leap of faith!
When we climbed the Hill of Vision at Kaimosi in 2002, we found a forest much the same as was reported in 1902. However, there are now girls and boys primary and secondary schools nearby, plus academic and vocational colleges, a theological college, a hospital at Kaimosi plus an active clinic and hospital but with less extensive academic programs at Lugulu. Additional outreach is carried on elsewhere in Kenya and its near neighbors. While much has been accomplished during the first 100 years, so much more needs to be done that the theme of the Triennial Sessions, "So Now Finish the Work" was indeed most appropriate.
Managing any enterprise is difficult and requires skill, but managing service enterprises in an environment where poverty is widespread, supplies limited and unmet needs limitless, requires special talents. Surveying health problems, finds one in four persons with HIV/AIDS. Malaria continues as a major problem, as does malnutrition. We cried as we observed the unmet needs on one hand and the results of mismanagement that left the hospital at Kaimosi burdened by debt and punished by vandalism.
There is so much that needs to be done. However, careful thought must be given to how assistance is provided because the Kenyans themselves need to learn how to manage more effectively. Our own resources are also limited and must be used carefully.
Sharing is a two-way street and the Kenyans have much to offer and minister to us. Their warm and open welcome, together with their willingness to share their limited material possessions was indeed humbling and moving.
I shall be eternally grateful for the opportunity I had to participate in the FUM Triennial which enabled me to meet, visit, work and worship with wonderful human beings from a different culture, eat rice, beans and goat with them, listen as they sang together, discuss some of their problems, hear and share dreams and stories. One story will remain with me hopefully forever—"When is the best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago. When is the next best time to plant a tree? Today."
As we appreciate the effect those three Friends from Iowa had on the lives of so many in Kenya during the past 100 years, I cannot help but wonder what effect the decisions and actions we make and take today will have on (F)friends 100 years from now.
Friends today can and still do make a difference.
Herman Otioko Jaika Retires
By Maxine Nash
He walks with the slow-moving dignity and grace of a man at peace. You can almost see Jesus walking beside him, quietly imparting wisdom. You know instinctively that this man has been listening to Jesus for many years and has faithfully followed His leadings, even when the requests seemed a lot to ask of one very human man. You know without a doubt that there have been hard times in this man's life, and yet you also know he has trusted in God through it all.
This man is Herman Otioko Jaika, who has been the face of Friends to the Turkana people in northern Kenya for nearly 30 years.
Herman, a native Kenyan, was entering his last term at Friends Bible College (now Friends Theological College) in 1971. Ersal Kindel, a missionary from Iowa Yearly Meeting, was already living and working in Turkana directing a Friends technical center and continuing work in the orphanage in Kalokol. Ersal expressed a desire to have an African work with him in Turkana and spoke with Marvin Hoeksema, the principal at the Friends Bible College (FBC). From that discussion, a secret plan was put into place to discern God's choice for a co-worker.
At that time, it was customary for students at FBC to go out for field work (manual labor combined with preaching and teaching) for two weeks each term. During Herman's last term, Marvin sent Herman and another FBC student for field work at Kalokol in Turkana. Ersal gave a good report on Herman's work and during FBC graduation in 1972 Herman was given a letter from Ersal. In it, Ersal noted that when Herman was in Turkana he had gone through the interview successfully, much to Herman's surprise at hearing that it had indeed been an interview. They asked Herman to pray about doing this work in Turkana. As Herman prayed, a hymn came to his mind with the words, "Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go." And so, Herman followed God's leading to Turkana.
Turkana is one of the most inhospitable places on earth. The ground is parched and dry, temperature averages are greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit year round and a hot wind blows nearly constantly. The Turkana people lead a nomadic life herding their cattle and goats in search of grass for grazing. They have their own language and culture that was very foreign to Herman even though both are Kenyans. Just to reach Turkana was and is a complicated affair. In the early 1970s, the trip involved three days on supply trucks and public transport using very unimproved roads.
The Turkana people are a fighting people, brought up learning that raiding cattle and goats from each other is the way to gain wealth. For that reason they are suspicious of outsiders and consider them to be potential spies. In the Turkana language, the word they use for an outsider or foreigner is "emoit" or enemy. Although Herman was an outsider, he was not an "emoit" to the Turkana people because he came with the word of God. They considered him a friend and accepted him and Jesus into their hearts. In fact, when I asked Herman what the most outstanding feature of his time with the Turkana people has been, he says their friendship to him.
Herman came to Turkana as a newlywed with his wife, Ruth. He laughingly tells the story of how during their courtship he asked Ruth, "If I lived on a rock, would you live with me?" Herman says that Ruth has sometimes referred to that rock during their time in Turkana asking, "Is this the rock you were telling me about?" Herman and Ruth were blessed with a daughter, June, born in 1974 at the hospital in Kaimosi. June attended Catholic primary school in Lodewar (no Quaker primary school existed at the time although there are now two primary schools in Kalokol and one in Lodewar) and continued her secondary education in Nairobi. She currently lives and works in Nairobi.
The work in Turkana, and Herman's part in that work, has been an amazing example of bringing the Good News of Jesus to a society without radically disturbing the culture. Herman notes that when the Turkana people are alone, they are prone to misunderstand each other easily and they respect the presence of someone outside their society as an intermediary. Although Herman's work in Turkana has brought change, the culture and way of life of the Turkana people remains largely the same as it was nearly 30 years ago. There is some difference in thought regarding the accumulation of wealth through raiding parties, with the younger generation foregoing this activity more and more. Also, the schools have led to some shift of the younger people away from the area as they go to larger cities and towns to further their education. Permanent schools also require some change in the way in which families function as the students are required to be present on an ongoing basis, necessitating boarding facilities for children whose parents may be moving far and wide with their cattle and goats. Herman's latest efforts on the mission field have included trying to raise up young leaders within the community.
Perhaps because he is Kenyan, or perhaps just because he is a wise and faithful man, Herman has spread the news of the Gospel in a culturally sensitive way to a people that have come to love and respect him for his many efforts. Over and over I heard, "Pastor, pastor," as we drove through Lodewar or as Herman made his way among the people gathered beneath a shady tree or congregating near the well. Trying to take an individual photograph of him is nearly impossible as people are drawn to him, much as I suspect people were drawn to Jesus. There is a feeling of unconditional love from Herman that resonates of the love of God.
After 30 years among the Turkana people, Herman is retiring from the mission field. May God go with you now into retirement, Herman, and may you be blessed with peace and prosperity in this new phase of your life.
Turkana Friends Mission Needs Your Support
Herman Otioko will be traveling in the United States during October and November to help raise funds for the next two years of ministry work in Turkana. The annual budget for the Turkana Friends Mission is $26,000. Your gift will help fund:
- six pastors salaries—pastors teach in schools and plant churches;
- four nursery schools and three primary schools that provide meals for children;
- an orphanage in Kalokol for children;
- community based projects such as wells and water boreholes;
- women's groups who organize self-help projects.
Just 25 meetings or individuals giving $100/month would completely fund the Turkana Friends Mission program, providing spiritual, educational and physical help to many children and adults.
Copyright (c) 2002 Friends United Meeting
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