Journeying in the Car Boot!

This is a Toyota DX Station Wagon, with a carrying capacity of five passengers and the driver, although three passengers would be most comfortable - one in the front cabin with driver and two at the back. It has a spacious boot capacity, good for family shopping.

I witnessed something different today. Different but normal - in this part of our beloved country Kenya. These type of cars are used for public transport. I boarded this type of vehicle when I visited my uncle's place today. It had rained and we had to go home. The only transport available was only this one car at it was already FULL. The only space available was the boot - which already had one passenger and a child inside. Three adult passengers and a child were sitting in the front, with the driver partially pushed out of his seat. The seat behind the driver had five passengers sqeezed in instead of three.

All the three of us - my brother, a nephew and I - got into the boot! We travelled for about twenty minutes before three passengers alighted and we were able to move to the front.

It was an experience of a lifetime - in the luggage compartment!

Nyabuto Marube

Catching Up

Imagine I am on the top deck of this boat!

I have been out most of the time... with more activities on Facebook and less on my blog page.  Let me begin from east, then I go west and return to the center (Nairobi).

The trip to Mombasa was a wonderful success. Participated in the NGCS ordination and feet-washing ceremony (in the order of the towel) at Mombasa Educational Institute in Changamwe on Friday  June 3rd. This was an ordination ceremony. I witnessed the graduation of the ministers on Saturday the 4th of June. I preached at Changamwe CofC on Sunday and participated in the Miritini church fundraising event that evening.

I also had the opportunity to tour the Jomo Kenyatta public beach in Nyali and braved the high tides to ride on a motor boat 100 metres into the shallows waters of the Indian Ocean. See picture above.

We left Mombasa very early morning, 4:00AM June 6. I enjoyed these pictures of the sun rising. They are a spectacular view to behold!

 I also enjoyed taking pictures of the boabab trees in their different shapes. 

The road from Mombasa to Nairobi also links the port town of Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Congo. We could see heavy container trucks fallen by the roadside. 

This stretch of the road is very dangerous, especially driving at at night. risky. 

We arrived in Nairobi at around 11:30AM and my colleagues proceeded to Kisii.

I had only one day to rest, then I head east, to the countryside, to bury a relative on Thursday and a close family friend on Friday.

Returned to Nairobi on Saturday June 11, was at church on Sunday and had a school (Lampros Educational Center) board meeting in the afternoon. Monday June 13 was Day 1 of a week-long religious leaders' HIV and TB training in Nairobi's Karen estate.

I had a good rest today while writing this post.

Nyabuto Marube

Candlelight Memorial Day

It is Sunday morning May 15, 2011. I announce at church that this is a rare special day, rarely known to many. It is Candlelight Memorial Sunday… a day to stand with and show support for people living with or affected by HIV & AIDS. It is observed world over and was started by the Global Network of People with HIV (GNP+). Google search “Candlelight Memorial” for more details.

Kayole church members know very well that reaching out to people affected by HIV is the calling of the church minister. This has been passed on to members of the congregation. It is the members who designed the candle ribbon on the church floor and it came out so well. Thank you, Sister Ann, for your gift of design and ornamentation. The INERELA+ Kenya banner adds spice to the day’s event. Look at this!

Later that afternoon, I got a phone call from a church member who was present at the candlelight ceremony… asking me to go help a relative who has been unwell and unsure on how to go about the situation. It turned out to be a call of duty, a matter that saw two of my colleagues and I burn both our midnight and midday oils to ensure the patient received the desired treatment. We spent the whole day Monday at the Mbagathi District Hospital in Nairobi, until the patient was admitted. The patient’s spouse called later in the week to appreciate our input and the evident improvement on the patient. I am writing this post five days later – on Saturday and the good news is that the patient is being discharged from the hospital today… stronger, happier and thankful that God shows His love to people through other people.

THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE: The ribbon takes the shape of a fish when laid horizontal. ICHTHUS is the Greek name for fish. In the early Christian churches, ichthus came to be interpreted as a cipher for Jesus. The first letter of each of the Greek words for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour” spell ichthus. Whichever position the ribbon is laid, it will always carry a caring message!

Jesus touched people’s lives. We touch people’s hearts and lives when we respond to their hour of need. The ribbon is a sure sign of showing solidarity with the wider community battling with the epidemic. From the picture on the left, children share in putting off the candles after the service. They are learning form their seniors how to respond to issues of HIV in their homes and community. I always ask myself: What Would Jesus Do?

Do numbers say anything? We bought 3 packets of candles, 8 pieces of candles in each packet. This gives a total of 24 candles. Does this sound symbolic? It goes in line with the theme of the day and P24 markers are part of it! Don’t ask me what these are.

Graphics from the Youth Conference

I am learning how to upload photos and this is my first upload. This one is from the Nationat Youth Conference at Winyo. I was giving final remark on the last day of the conference.

The youths (boys) follow discussions in there separate meeting Friday afternoon. 

Hundreds of youth participate in a record 450 four-day International Youth Conference

The National Youth Conference held on April 14-17 was a big success in ministering to the youth in this country. A record 450 registered for the event that brought together the vibrant youth from all parts of the country. The venue was at the Winyo Community Church of Christ near Rongo town in Migori County.

The teachers facilitated on a variety of topics ranging from Dating & Marriage, Overcoming Temptations, Living An Exemplary Life As A Youth, HIV & AIDS, Financial Management and Youth as Agents of Change in Community.

I talked on HIV and AIDS and how the youth can be involved in the prevention of new infections. HIV is a very broad subject, especially when teaching it in church set-ups. HIV is a reality that the church ought toaccept and find ways of helping her own tackle issues of stigma and discrimination that people living with the virus encounter.
The response from the participants and their willingness to undertake VCT was a good challenge to the organizers of the conference. We had to find a mobile VCT and on Saturday afternoon, 14 female and 35 male participants were tested! This was a step of courage and responsibility. A person who knows his or her HIV status acts more responsibly and has more control of his/her life than one who doesn't know.

I will work more to improve this blog page with pictures once I know how to do it.  Bye for now.

Nyabuto Marube