May 18, 2009 at 8:03 am (Africa, African Renaissance, Beliefs, History, Missions, Orphan, Politics, Practices, Religion, Tanzania, fr. francis wardega, orphans)
Tags: africa missions, Anglican Church, Kenya, missions prayer, Tanzania
In the turbulent times of the Anglican Church, mission ministry in Africa has suffered. African churches are most often Scripturally faithful. Their faithfulness puts the Africans at odds with those parts of the Anglican Church which are not Scripturally faithful, but revisionist in their application of the Gospel message. Without financial support from revisionist Anglican churches, African churches suffer. Bible colleges close. Ministry to the poor, to those orphaned, and to victims of HIV/Aids, suffers. In many cases, financial aid from revisionist churches comes with conditions that African churches find unfaithful as they see it.
So, times are hard, again. OFM cannot replace those lost dollars. OFM tries to help Africans themselves to do what needs to be done, through education of church leaders. We ask you to pray for the work of OFM, which suffers in these times of economic hardship.
Prayer:
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light, look favorably on that wonderful and sacred mystery of your Church, especially your mission ministry of OFM. By the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility your plan for salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are now being raised up , and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by Him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
AMEN.
Leave a Comment
August 23, 2008 at 12:30 pm (Africa, Bishop Chidawali, Bishop Kwangu, Missions, Practices, Tanzania, priest, priests)
Tags: Bishop, Buigiri, Chidawali, fire ants, Sacramental Theology, St. John
Proud members of Class #1, Nyakato School of Theology
Dispatch 3 From Station Mwanza in Tanzania
Pastor Erasto puzzles about the deeper meaning of Ezekiel chapter 37. Notice the copious notes that he has taken in his notebook.
Summer 2008 Fr Francis Wardega
For many, mission ministry has a sort of exotic glamour to it. Such work includes large crowds, healing services, hospitals built, schools visited, and similar events. Such work is very good and very blessed. This ministry is different. We teach. We teach the teachers. We teach the preachers. We teach the leaders. We teach the ones who had no real prior opportunity to learn. There are many such people in Africa.
The bulk of the work is done daily. The schedule: teach 9 am to 7 pm. Teach ministry subjects to the depth that they are useful to the leaders of the parish. Do this every day, less an occasional rest day. The students quickly adapt to the schedule. They write down more notes than is needed. They listen and ask insightful questions. This is a two-week investment in a life that bears fruit in a parish for the next twenty to thirty years. Not glamorous – just effective.
This week, we finished up the class on Ordained Ministry and moved into Fundamentals of Sacred Scripture. Then we ended with Sacramental Theology. These eleven students are different. They have absorbed so much. They talk about different things. They have a whole new and deeper appreciation of the Bible and their personal Bible. Everyone preached once and was affirmed and critiqued. They want more. “Can you stay for three months?” Sorry. They were very proud to pose for their class picture.
As available, I go to local churches to meet the people there and celebrate the liturgy. Last Sunday, I visited St John in Nyamanoro. I preached in both Sunday liturgies. Each service had a 25 person choir, a different choir for each service. They worship with contemporary African worship music, choreographed. It is Motown gone Jesus! Such music keeps the young people in the Anglican Church instead of being attracted to other, more seeker friendly churches.
The work this trip will soon be finished in this diocese, until next year. Next on the schedule is a ten hour bus journey to Dodoma, the national capital in the center of the country where I will be working with Bishop Daudi Chidawali again. I will be teaching at his Bible College in Buigiri where I taught last year.
One unusual experience. I was invited to dine with Bishop Kwangu and a visiting bishop. As we sat and
Fr Francis preaches at St John Parish in Nyemanoro, Sunday Aug 17
talked, I realized that somehow, many red fire ants crawling on me. I tried to be a good guest as long as I could but the others noticed my discomfort. I ended up trying to stand still while two Anglican bishops and one bishop’s wife killed so many ants that were feasting on me! That was my lesson in humility that day.
Thank you for your support. God and you make this possible. Please keep on supporting this mission. Please sustain this good ministry. It works!
Fr Francis Wardega Office of Foreign Missions
Missionary Priest in Africa 18401 Canal Rd
www.connectionkenya.wordpress.com Clinton Twp MI 48038
Africa e-mail: jambofrfrancis@yahoo.com
Leave a Comment
August 14, 2008 at 12:14 pm (Africa, Missions, Practices, Religion, Tanzania, priest)
St. Nicholas Cathedral
Dispatch 2 From Station Mwanza in Tanzania
Your mission support is beginning to bear fruit again in East Africa on the southern shores of Lake Victoria. People here in Mwanza, a part of the Anglican Diocese of Victoria Nyanza, were excited to start this mission.
The mission started with liturgy on Sunday Aug 10, at St Nicholas Cathedral, one block away from the lake. The lake breeze made the temperature most comfortable. I preached and assisted the bishop, Rt Rev Boniface Kwangu, at the service. The bishop asked me to distribute the Holy Eucharist to his people. One young woman was confirmed at the service. This liturgy, one of three liturgies every Sunday, was the English service – the other two services are in Swahili.. It was very powerful to hear the Words of Institution, prayed by the bishop in his British accented, East African English. “Thees ees my boudy, brrroken for you.” Different and the same. Holy.
Our ministry is primarily a ministry of teaching. The need here fits precisely what we do. Here, there are
many priests ordained over recent years with little or no ministry or priestly education. Here, education is hard to get. Bishop Boniface brought eleven priests together to receive the teaching that God has called us to give.
Who are these men. All but two are in their fifties. The other two are in their sixties. All are ordained priests and are pastors of parishes in the diocese. Two came from the island of Ukerewe in Lake Victoria. Here in East Africa, they are addressed as “pastor.” Their names sing an African song, grounded in Scripture, colored by British history. Their names: Japheth, Erasto, Stafford, Zephania, Julius, Boniface, Jesse, Solomon, Iohanna, Abednego, and Josiah. Josiah has a bible school diploma and an M.Div from Cambridge in England. Solomon will be beginning studies at a bible school in Uganda. The rest have a 7th grade education at best, some less.
They bring to the class many good qualities. A daily prayer life, ministry experience (some have been ordained for over ten years), a desire to learn, and an ability to work. Good investment for your prayers and for your donated dollars. These men will be here for two weeks. These classes are a major step in their lives, and an answer to their prayer.
This week, they learned the basics of the faith – they learned new things. Things like Jesus is both God and man. Things like Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins. Things like the liturgy that they do is a 20th century version of what the apostles did.. They are like sponges continually soaking up the waters of new life. They also learned the meaning of what it is to be a priest – a calling from God, not a weekend job. They learned that God calls them to higher standards – the highest possible by grace. Their priesthood is being transformed. Their bishop, who sits in on many of the classes, is excited. More is happening much quicker than he expected.
Thank you for your support. God and you make this possible. Please keep on supporting this mission. Please sustain this good ministry. It works!
Fr Francis Wardega
Missionary Priest in Africa
www.connectionkenya.wordpress.com
Africa e-mail: jambofrfrancis@yahoo.com
Leave a Comment
December 10, 2007 at 3:57 pm (Africa, Practices, Religion, Tanzania, priest, priests)
Tags: Anglican, Bahi, Bishop Weeks, confirmation, Dodoma, Hiace, Tanzania
Another Week on the Road.
We had returned to Dodoma on Sunday evening and were out again Monday late morning for the next week. In the interim, clothes were washed and semi dried, a few hours sleep was achieved, and a bath was taken. As usual, we do not travel alone. The usual two mechanic/drivers were along. Two other priests came. A fresh new choir of only a half dozen came. The vehicle was not as crowded as on the first trip.
Our first destination was Mpwapwa. I was prepared for about the same as last week. No electricity. Dirt floors in mud huts. Difficult roads. But there were some pleasant surprises this time. There was electricity. The homes had walls of cement block with corrugated steel roofs. However, the roads were still difficult.
Mpwapwa was a regional capital under the German leadership before World War One. Prior to that, it had been a distribution center for the African slave traffic going to the Arab nations of the Middle East. Now, it has primary schools, secondary schools, and even a college.
Three parishes combined there to welcome us. It was delightful. There was a formal Tanzanian dinner with all the favorite dishes. I was a gracious guest, eating and enjoying some of everything. When you dine as a Tanzanian, there is a need to wash before you eat and to wash after you eat. Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment
December 1, 2007 at 11:04 am (Africa, History, Missions, Practices, Religion, Tanzania, priest)
Tags: Barnabas Ministries, Chigogo, Itiso, Masaii, Moses the Black, Serengeti, ugale, wedding
This is mission ministry in its basic form – circuit riding in an old Hiace van, beat up and rattling, breaking down frequently, moving slowly through African bush country and through the mountains. We are five days on the road and have never exceeded 25 MPH. The mountain roads are twisty, rutted, and washed away from the rains. All in all, a very bumpy ride. The views are beautiful but we find few people in between villages. We travel very slowly with a bishop, an American priest, two driver-mechanics, and a contingent of sixteen other choir members, priests and assorted children. They sing constantly in Chigogo, the local language. I am beginning to dream in some semblance of the Chigogo language! We see few animals – baboons, a leopard, some lizards.
The first destination was DeBarro Parish with Fr. Samual and his wife Maria. They were all gathered to receive us. It was so joyful. The visit started with an hour of praising God, singing and dancing and worshiping in beautiful Chigogo fashion.
Then we ate. God must be protecting my digestive system because I have not gotten sick on the road (I see where they get the water, old wells with hand pumps. And they cook with this water). I eat ugale, which is a pasty bread, rice, some potatoes, very tasty greens, some chicken (coocoo in Swahili) and an occasional banana (ndizi) and mango (embe). They were very proud to serve me tambi – I looked at it and recognized African spaghetti. There are a lot of starch and carbs, hard on my system but that is what they have so I eat it gracefully. Courtesy requires me to eat the plate clean.
We worshipped in the little dug out church. Digging our the church allows them not to have to construct high walls. I preached from Acts about how the believers live as one and got along. I talked about who we are, who we were, and how we are now together and what that means. This is kind of like an introductory tour – they get to know us and we get to know them. It is a very good visit with many questions.
I stayed in a little room in a little hut. They had worked hard to give me a space of my own and I was grateful. It is good I prepared for such things and I am told that they were very pleased to hear me snoring. Breakfast was hard boiled eggs and chai tea. We exchanged greetings and were sent off rejoicing in the Lord. There is something about a personal visit that gives meaning to brotherhood.
Read the rest of this entry »
1 Comment
November 23, 2007 at 11:12 am (Africa, Missions, Orphan, Practices, Tanzania, orphans, priest, priests)
Tags: Anglican Province of America, Buigiri, Chidawali, good shepherd, holy chrism, Julius Nyerere, Missionary Society of St. John, Tanzania
November in Tanzania
The organizational details of church have been worked through and decided. The Gospel Catholic Church has joined the Missionary Society of St. John/Anglican Province of America. That is a big step for them. We have new brothers and sisters, 78 parishes, over eighty clergy, a women’s group, three orphanages, and a school of theology.
The people here had talked for several weeks at the parish and deanery level. Then the discussions continued at a diocesan gathering in Buigiri. Many questions were asked and much discussion happened. Finally, the Bishop and Fr. Francis left the meeting room for several hours and the people there, which included the majority of the clergy and representatives of most of the parishes talked and prayed and decided. The people of the church decided to accept Bishop Fick’s invitation to join the Missionary Society of St. John/Anglican Province of America. Bishop Chidawali also joined personally.
That being done, the focus switched to instruction.
On this blog there are statements of our plan of how we like to work and teach in Africa. Those plans are out the window already. It is good that the Holy Spirit remains.
No more small classes of eight to ten. Here we started with 104! Attendance never lessened over four days. Students include clergy, wives, parish leaders, children and infants. It was like teaching a village. The women were fully participative – asking questions and seeking to respond.
The students spoke two languages, Swahili and a tribal language. Very few of the people spoke or understood English so interpretation was required. The process was slow.
Who are these people? These people are Africa. They are multi-generational – at least four generations were present. They are multi-tribal – at least six tribes. The task of Africa is to combine different tribes into the amalgam of one nation – not always easy. Near by Rwanda is a testimony to its failure. Tanzania is a testimony to its success. Their first president, Julius Nyerere set an example that was accepted by the people.
Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment
September 25, 2007 at 7:47 pm (Africa, African Renaissance, Nelson Mandela, Practices)
As the nations of Africa move into the 21st century, a new desire among the people there is rising. For centuries Africa has become, willingly or unwillingly, dependent on Europe and America. Now however, colonialism and the old missionary style must end. There is a new movement to rediscover the strength and conviction that gave rise to some of the first civilizations of the world. The following are some of the quotes that have been the most helpful as the Office of Foreign Missions has developed its ethos.
Three Self-Policy: Henry Venn, Church Mission Society, 1850. Venn thought that 19th century European missionary style represented only a temporary historical phase. The transition would come through “Three Self” policy, in which the African Christian church should be built on principles of self-government, self-support, and self-propagation. The result would be a “native church under native pastors and a native episcopate.” (From The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity by Philip Jenkins)
Independence: Bishop Joshua Ayoo Koyo of Kenya realized long ago that “those outside of Africa who would teach [his] people to depend on them for finances would bring about the death of initiative and hard work in [his] diocese.”
Continental Renewal: Nelson Mandela,
the first African President of South Africa wrote:”Africa is beyond bemoaning the past for its problems. The task of undoing that past is ours, with the support of those willing to join us in a continental renewal. We have a new generation of leaders who know that we must take responsibility for our own destiny, that we will uplift ourselves only by our own efforts in partnership with those who wish us well.
African Renaissance: Current South African President Thebo Mbeki originally coined the term “African Renaissance:. He called upon African people and African nations themselves to solve the many problems troubling Africa. It continues to be a key part of the post-apartheid intellectual agenda.
In his “I am an African” speech in May 1996, following the adoption of a new constitution, Mbeki proclaimed, “I am born of a people who are heroes and heroines.”
“They are patient because history is on their side; the masses do not despair because today the weather is bad. Nor do they turn triumphalist when, tomorrow, the sun shines. Whatever the circumstances they have lived through and because of that experience, they are determined to define for themselves who they are and who they should be.”
In April 1997, Mbeki listed the elements that would eventually be seen to comprise the African Renaissance: social cohesion, democracy, economic rebuilding and growth, and the establishing of Africa as a significant player in geo-political affairs.
Leave a Comment
April 18, 2007 at 9:37 pm (Africa, History, Missions, Practices)
What is the Office of Foreign Missions?
An inter-denominational ministry with an innovative vision for the African church giving special attention to the development of healthy relationships, mutual partnerships and effective instruction for the advancement of a new generation of responsible Christian leaders in Africa!
Principles and Practices of the Office of Foreign Missions:
Please note that these have been the ministry practices so far. As the ministry expands into other lands, appropriate adjustments will be made.
- Raise funds to get the teacher to Africa and provide training materials. Small teams (mostly one person so far). This lessens airfare costs, which is the largest individual expenditure of the ministry. Use economy flights – purchase tickets months ahead of time – fly different airlines depending on cost.
- No hotels. Live with African families in their homes. The Africans must know that we are walking with them and are not interlopers. No restaurants – eat African food in African homes.
- Teach in small groups around a common table – develop personal relationship. Teach limited subjects at one time so material may be absorbed. Teach many subjects by coming many times for longer stays. Stay a long time in one location (minimum one month) to teach many small groups the same material. Provide word for word lesson plans to all students. This will help them build a reference library in a place where education is hard to get.
- Africans pay room and board for themselves (personal investment). Africans pay for the room and board of the teacher (personal investment).
- Regularly do communal Morning Prayer and Compline. Teach Africans to lead (emphasizes communion).
- Respect African ecclesiastical rank. These are the men who have been chosen by God to lead the local church. Help the church leaders to take on responsibility for their own welfare, instead of needing funds from America and western Europe.
- Do not complain when roads are poor. Do not complain if services start late. Do Not Complain, Period! In the rural areas, few people have watches, some roads are terrible, and unreliable public transportation must be used (emphasizes respect).
- Recognize that the faith which was passed on to the Africans was sometimes a watered down version and that it will take time to teach them more mature things of the faith.
And perhaps most importantly . . .
- Do not scream if your speeding vehicle kills a sheep in the road!
NOTE: Building schools, churches, and clinics is not a major part of this ministry. There are other ministries that have the resources to do such good work. We do not have such resources. However, this ministry has contributed partial support to such projects when appropriate.
Leave a Comment
April 18, 2007 at 9:37 pm (Missions, Orphan, Practices, orphans)
Jamaa. In Swahilii, Jamaa means companion or friend or family. For the Office of Foreign Missions, it signifies the partnership that you can have with our ministry. There are many ways that you can support or become involved in the outreach of Connection Kenya/Office of Foreign Ministries.
- Get your parish involved. Your parish can become a sponsor of our missionary teacher, Fr. Francis Wardega. Often this partnership begins by inviting Fr. Francis to come and speak at your parish. He brings a wealth of information and a wonderful presentation that will introduce your people to the ministry of Connection Kenya.
- Become a Missionary “Jamaa”. You can get involved personally with the mission by committing to financial or other assistance. Your support is desperately needed. It is only through missionary partners like you that this ministry can go forward. The support you offer may come in financial contributions or in helping to provide African dioceses with needed clerical and parish items.
- You can pray. God works great things through the prayers of His faithful. We especially welcome prayers offered not only through the intercession of individuals but in the parish during Sunday worship.
Won’t you join us in this new ministry? Won’t you consider becoming our Jamaa?
You can contact Fr. Francis with financial contributions or to schedual a visit with your parish at: Connection Kenya/Office of Foreign Missions – 18401 Canal Rd. – Clinton Township, MI 48038
Phone: USA-248-345-2651 EMail: jambofrfrancis@yahoo.com
Donations of new or used clergy shirts, collars, vestments, BCPs (1979), or Bibles may be sent to: Fr. Francis Wardega/Connection Kenya/OFM – 8665 Hickory Rd. #E – Sterling Heights, MI 48312
All gifts are tax deductible and contributors will be issued receipts.
Leave a Comment
March 28, 2007 at 9:43 am (History, Practices)
Connection Kenya: Trip Two (July-August 2005)
In preparation for the second missionary trip, many parishes and people from around the Midwest donated forty-five Books of Common Prayer. More vestments and things of the altar were also donated.
It was with great anticipation that “the Teacher”, Fr. Francis Wardega, headed to Kenya in July of 2005. How much of the previous trip and instructions would be remembered? Would those who had worked so hard during that first month together have persevered? Would they be back?
Upon arrival in Africa, Fr. Francis discovered that the vast majority of the men had continued and would be returning. Two postulants had been dismissed and two had died from Malaria but the overwhelming majority were back and eager to learn new things. Four new men were taught the subjects from the first trip and then moved into the 
classes on Prayerbook Use and Liturgy. Forty-two men, clergy and postulants, were taught how to use the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) for personal and parish use. Although the teacher was the initial leader at the first Morning Prayer and Compline, by the end of the time, the local men were leading the services. These men treasured their prayer books. Their interest was so great that of the forty-two men trained, – forty passed the test on how to use the BCP.
The prayer books were like gold in the diocese. Bishop Koyo set up a system where the prayer book belonged to the Diocese and were used by individuals. Upon death or separation from the Diocese, the prayer book would be returned to the Bishop so that this treasure could be passed on.
Another diocese sent two priests to observe the training. They asked for prayer books but all had been distributed. These two priests shared how their diocese had little opportunity to know even the readings for Sundays. Fr. Francis had a calendar with him that showed the Sunday readings. The two priests from the Diocese of the River Nzoia South gratefully accepted the calendar and duplicated it for all their fellow clergy.
The classes on the prayer book that Fr. Francis taught brought a new revelation into the lives of the Kenyan clergy and postulants. Daily prayer had not been a part of their life and they had little knowledge of the liturgical seasons, their meanings, and how such information was to be communicated to the congregants. Holy days and solemn feasts were basically unknown. They had never heard of Epiphany or Maundy Thursday. All Saints day and Ash Wednesday passed each year without any observation. Previously the sermons of the African clergy had been based on whatever they wanted to talk about that Sunday. No one had ever told them that you should base the sermon on the readings of the day and the liturgical season. This was all to change. The excitement of the students at these new and holy concepts filled the room with an almost electric charge.
When it came to teaching the classes on liturgy, the subjects covered included the
importance of reverence and preparation and the proper use of the gifts of the Spirit in liturgy. One of the interesting items that was discovered during this time had to do with a miscommunication of liturgical instructions. For a long time the Kenyans had been using a translation of the liturgy in the Luo language (Luo is the common language in Bishop Koyo’s diocese). This liturgy offered two options for the Eucharistic Prayer. However no one told the Africans that they could choose just one, so each Sunday Mass involved a reading of both!
The use of acolytes was also a welcome instruction. Several men were given detailed lessons on how and what to teach acolytes. As acolytes were instructed in the cathedral parish, what started with five young students became a class of almost fifty students, all clamoring for the chance to serve at the altar!
Personal Classes were held for Bishop Koyo and for his wife, Nelly, so that they could learn the things being taught to their men. The personal and parish life of the Diocese was profoundly changed during this trip. Bishop Koyo was very pleased with the improvements in his Diocese. The request of the observers from a neighboring Diocese to receive similar instruction was received and considered. It was decided to try and assist that Diocese on the next trip.
Leave a Comment
« Older entries
