Day of Prayer,

24 March 2012

Janet and I had breakfast and were off to Chambiti, a local school, which was close by. We arrived a bit after 9:30 as she had to check on some things at the bank in Majengo. There were four large tents set up and a place was saved for us in the shelter. Women were already in all the seats and sitting in the grass. There were at least 9 buses with many vans and cars on the grounds. Dorothy Selebwa began the program soon after we arrived. Opening prayers were offered by Marian Baker and Norah Musundi.

Dorothy explained the history of these great prayer gatherings. In 1973 East Africa Yearly Meeting began the separations. There was disunity and grumblings. This went on for some time and in 1991, seven women decided to meet for prayer…prayer for unity. They met in homes and the seven became nine, then ten, then thirteen and now thousands.  The assembly today was estimated to be about 3,500. There is no longer any venue large enough to hold the crowd so they have to have open air meetings. The school grounds are a good place and the school children carried out benches and chairs while the USFW arranged for the tents and the PA system. Most sat on the ground. There is no shade on the school ground as it is the soccer/football field. As the day went on, groups of women moved to the edge of the field where there are trees that offer shade.  Many were not able to come today because of funerals. I have heard about these meetings for years and had always wanted to be a part. Today that will be reality.

Only one small section of the women

Dorothy gave thanks for what God has done through the prayers for the Friends Church. The men have joined slowly but are seeing what prayer has accomplished.

The meeting began as ten women came forward to give testimonies. These were a powerful witness to the power of prayer and the providence of a loving God. One woman’s marriage was restored after an 8 year separation. Another had her house broken into and the thugs were there three hours but she and her family were unharmed. Another was cured of diabetes. Another had prayed for employment for her university educated son for eleven years and he got a job yesterday. Another ‘s son survived a terrible road accident where eight others perished. Another had been infertile for seven years but now has a child. The stories were varied but all gave the glory to God and the persistence in prayer.

Prayers were offered for the testimonies. Recognition of the presiding clerks of USFW of the 16 Yearly Meetings was next. The few Quaker Men attending were recognized.  The newest USFW Yearly Meeting of Chebuyusi was recognized.  The officers of USFW-K and the Prayer Group were introduced.

It was now becoming much hotter. The umbrellas were coming out to shade the women who were not under the tents.

Marian Baker was called forward to introduce me. Then I gave a word of encouragement to the assembly. Really, I am more encouraged by their faithfulness and relentless prayers. I told them that they serve as a model to Quakers everywhere and in fact, to Christians everywhere, that they are so dedicated as to travel great distances for a day of prayer.

Prayers were offered for potential leaders. Women who seek positions of leadership in the church and in their employment and in the government came forward and expressed their desires.

Prayers were offered for the young women captive in the slave/sex trafficking in Saudi Arabia. Many women from Kenya have been duped into bogus contracts and are held captive in Saudi Arabia.

Prayers were offered against sickness, poverty, marriage conflicts, and land issues particularly concerning the IDPs (Internally Displaced People….still in camps from the 2007 elections.) Prayers were offered for single parents and for those who are grieving the death of family members.

Between prayers, choruses were sung…one was “Je-ho-vah; Wewe ni Je-ho-vah”.

Baskets were passed for people to put in praises. One woman came forward to pray and thank God for the good things He has done. She prayed a very long prayer…in mother tongue and the assembly joined in whispers of “Yes, yes, yes”. The women often broken onto clapping for Jesus as the woman continued to pray.

The offering for USFW-K was received and prayed for. One woman thanked the pastors who had gathered the night before and prayed all night for the meeting.

Benjamin Simungu, E.A.North, was the pastor of the day. He preached on prayer listing obstacles to prayer and focusing on “Teach Us to Pray” and the prayer life of Jesus. Benjamin is a seasoned pastor and preached in Kiswahili and English. The sun was getting hotter and after a bit, he took off his suit coat. Later, a woman came forward with an umbrella to shield him from the sun.

About midway through the sermon, several men came into the assembly….coming to the area where Dorothy, the presiding clerk, was sitting. A murmur went through the crowd and my translator said they are men who are campaigning for election. It was apparent that the women were not pleased with their appearance. However, this is not unusual in Kenya. Funerals and church gatherings become political campaign stops.

Benjamin finished his sermon and a woman prayed for him and that his message would touch hearts.  Women fell to their knees and hundreds prayed aloud. It was a very humbling time.

Dorothy then called for prayers for church leaders, for the upcoming Triennial and FWCC World Gathering and for rain…so that crops can be planted.

She then allowed the Member of Parliament (MP) a few minutes to speak. She had told him privately that it would not be to campaign but to offer encouragement. Then Jacob Asige, former teacher at FTC and representative of the proposed Friends University, spoke about the new institution. Dorothy asked me to come and pray for the government and for education. I did and prayed specifically for integrity and honesty and that those elected would remember that they are to serve the people. I reminded God (and the politicians) that the world had seen what had happened in the last election and that we beg for an election that allows for peace to prevail. I also prayed for Friends University and that those educated would be able to have good jobs because of a good education and a good government.  The politicians left after the prayer.

Women leaving the Day of Prayer, heading for buses

The next prayers were for the Church….”let the church be the church”.  Prayers were offered for understanding between men, women and the youth.

The next prayer meeting will be held 16 June 2012 in Lugari. We were dismissed and it was nearly 2:30. All of this in the hot sun without breaks. What a powerful day it had been!!

I went to Janet’s driver’s car to await Dorothy. I am changing hosts today. I noticed a bookstall set up by Friends Theological College, the school where I taught 2001-2006. I went over to see if I knew anyone and did not. Students were manning the booth, not the secretary or chaplain or tutors that I know. I went back to the car to wait and then saw a couple more people at the booth.  Philip, the driver for FTC, had been my yardman in those years! I was glad to see him and then I saw Daniel Esevwe. He was in my first class as a diploma student. He finished that program and returned to FTC to complete a degree program. I was delighted to see Daniel! Another of my former students in the certificate program was there; he had come back also for the degree. It was great to see those I know. They all asked when I am coming to Kaimosi.

Wonderful fruit punch!! Lots of fruit!!

Dorothy, her daughter-in-law Mary, and I got in the vehicle with the driver to go to Dorothy’s home near Kakamega. They stopped at the Golf Hotel and I thought it was for lunch…it was after 3 pm. After I ordered, I was embarrassed to see that I was the only one who ordered food. We all had a nice fruit punch and I had Maryland Chicken. We got to Dorothy’s….and she lives far interior on less than adequate roads! She showed me to my room and suggested I take a rest. I was happy to do that…it was still very hot and it had been a tiring day. After a short nap, supper was served but I ate very lightly!

After supper, we had a time of worship and prayers. Benjamin, the pastor, and his wife are also guests. Dorothy and her husband Evan, together with Mary, made up our group. Others were in the kitchen preparing and cleaning up.  It was then off to sleep by 9 pm as we have a busy day tomorrow.