Rite Of Passage

A rite of passage, which marks a time when a person reaches a new and significant change in his/her life, is something that nearly all societies recognize and often hold ceremonies for. These ceremonies are held to observe a person's entry into a new stage of life and can be anything from a high school graduation ceremony or a birthday party, to a funeral.

Most rites help people to understand their new roles in society. They can also help others learn to treat people in new ways after they experience certain rites of passage. Most rites of passage fall into three main phases: separation, transition, and incorporation. In the separation phase, the participant is taken away from his/her familiar environment and former role and enters a very different and sometimes foreign routine that they are forced to adjust to and become familiar with. A rite that would fall into this category would be birth. The infant leaves a very safe and secure environment in their mother's womb to an extremely different one in the real world. Death can also be a separation rite, depending on a person's belief about what happens after someone dies. Societies have devised ways to mark these separations and aid in the transitions that will take place. For instance, the naming of babies marks the significant event of birth. Funerals and the many different funeral customs mark the separation that takes place when a death occurs. Funerals can also help those left behind to make the necessary changes needed to adjust to being separated from loved ones.

The transition phase is the time that the participant learns the appropriate behavior for the new stage they are entering. This phase can include the time when a person becomes engaged to be married. At this time, they are learning about the new stage of life they will soon enter -- marriage. They are also adjusting and preparing for it, or making a transition. The transition phase may also include the time that children enter adolescence and leave their childhood behind. This is the time when people learn and grow and prepare to be an independent adult in the real world.

The last phase, incorporation, takes place when the participant is formally admitted into the new role. Marriage is a good example of a rite that would take place in the incorporation phase. After people are married, they have taken on a very new and different role, having prepared for it in earlier transition and separation rites.

There are many, many rites of passage in our lives. Some are considered to be more significant than others, but almost every day we live can bring about transitions. However, there are five times in one's life that are often considered to be the most significant times of change. They are: Birth, Leaving childhood and becoming an adolescent, Leaving home, Weddings, and Death/Funerals. To recognize these significant times in our lives, societies typically hold elaborate ceremonies. Each different culture or society may choose to mark these rites in very different ways. Each ceremony is unique and meaningful to one's own culture.

So why the whole lesson above, you may ask. Well, my son Malcolm has just gone through an important phase in his life... the time that he enters adolescence and leaves his 'childhood' behind. It is an interesting moment for us as a family and we join in offering our thanks to God as Malcolm moves on.

Feel free to join us to celebrate this great transition on December 22nd 2007 from 2pm to 4:30pm at Blue Springs Hotel, Thika Road.

VOTE:: its not just a right - you have a duty

There are at least five good reasons why Christians should vote:

1:: God has granted us authority. All authority belongs to God, but He has put human beings on the earth as caretakers. What is our task? According to Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20, we are to go out and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey God in every area of life. This includes politics. We must disciple people to make godly decisions about government, and promote the efforts of those who are already doing so.

2:: We need to stand against evil. St. Augustine said those who are citizens of God's kingdom are best equipped to be citizens of the kingdom of man. The alternative is unthinkable. In the 20th Century, atheistic and secular humanistic leaders gained control of nations all across Europe, Asia and Africa. What was the result? According to historian R. J. Rummel, almost 170 million men, women and children have been brutally murdered by these governments, all in the name of human progress. These facts led historian John Hallowell to note, "Only through a return to faith in God, as God revealed Himself to man in Jesus Christ, can modern man and his society find redemption from the tyranny of evil."

3:: Christian values contribute positively to society. The Bibles solutions make sense. It is Christian involvement in government through the ages that gave us hospitals, civil liberties, abolition of slavery, modern science, the elevation of women, regard for human life, great works of art and literature, a workable system of justice, education for common people, the free-enterprise system, and much, much more.
When we see the good that results from applying God's principles, and the horror that results from rejecting them, doesn't it seem cruel and irresponsible to keep Jesus teachings about truth, love and compassion to ourselves? At very least, we should vote to keep OUT of office those who attempt to oppose God's authority.

4:: Obedience to authority demands good citizenship. The Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 13 clearly states that we must obey governmental leaders because all authority comes from God. Here's the catch: in America, the people are the leaders! Here, at least, we express our obedience to God by exercising our rights and privileges as citizens. That means voting.

5:: Good citizenship sets an example for generations to come. Those who apply God's principles to government pave the way for generations of blessing. In 1768 a Christian minister named John Witherspoon became president of the College of New Jersey, now Princeton. While there he taught biblical principles of government to his students. Of the 478 young men who were graduated during his tenure, writes author John Eidsmoe, "114 became ministers; 13 were state governors; 3 were U. S. Supreme Court judges; 20 were U.S. Senators; 33 were U. S. Congressmen; Aaron Burr, Jr. became Vice-President; and James Madison became President." As a Christian, Witherspoon exerted an enormous influence on the direction of American government.

You and I may not have the gifts of John Witherspoon, but we can still make a big difference if we put our minds to it. Pass this on to friends and family, and encourage them to vote in the every election!

Author: Jeffrey L. Myers, Ph.D. From his book Vital Truth: Christian Citizenship (February 2003). Copyright 2002, LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

It's December

Here we are again!!! It's December... Many things come to mind... what have been my achievements this year, what have been my failures, what opportunites did I exploit and which ones did I loose. In what ways have I grown, as an individual, as a husband, as a father, as a son, as a friend, as a mentor, as an employee and most importantly, as a child of God!!!

December tends to be a month of excitement, abandon, carefree living... it does not help that this years December has an election date as well!!!

However I will not dwell on that and look forward to a good month... my son undergoes his rite of passage this month reminding me that I am growing old and that my responsibilities are shaping up differently now, my daugther is now all set to join primary school proper, StAY Alive has its Dinner & Liberty Awards Nite on 12th, I have my first year-end with my current employer, I make a decision on how Kenya will be governed for the next five years and I celebrate the birth of Christ.

Its my prayer that He will be born in my and your heart everyday... make room for Him!!!

My guiding verses this month...

Isaiah 9: 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

... peace on earth and goodwill to all men ...

Anti-Drugs Crusader

Where do I start?? My passion for campaigning against drugs and their abuse needs no emphasising... I therefore have a deep sense of gratification when I realise what I was able to achieve through the group that I Patron the StAY Alive Fellowship... Yes, the barons swim in money, yes, people are still drinking and smoking pot, yes, yes, yes... but the achievements we managed on November 24th go a long way in the campaign against drugs.

Personally encountering a man who confided in me and stated that he has a real alcohol problem and has been wondering what to do, dishing stickers to little boys and girls and stating not to experiment with drugs calls for a praise report... I could go on and on... Let me stop there for now. You can however read the praise report by the StAY Alive Fellowship together with some pics here.

Say Yes To Life - Say No To Drugs

StAY Klean & StAY Alive Anti-Drugs Roadshow 2007

The big one is here. StAY Alive's biggest event - in terms of reach and societal impact, happens on Nov 24th 2007.

Under the K.A.T.A.A Initiative, the roadshow is the major event in StAY Alives anti-drugs program. As it has come to be known, the roadshow is an engaging and heated run through Zimmerman and Githurai.

However this year sees heightened political activity and it may be difficult to distinguish us from the mostly frustrating political campaigners. In order not to loose the groups intended impact and to separate ourselves from the seekers of political office, this years roadshow will take the form of silent marches, door to door outreaches and centralised information centres. Within the centres we shall be screening short movies on drugs and on HIV/AIDS. Other activities in the information centres will include counseling and training among others. To keep the mood alive we shall a three piece Jazz Band at hand. You will not see the puppeteers, the live music, or the brass bands that you have been accustomed to... you can however be assured that all the happenings that take place behind these activities including information distribution, man to man exchanges, counseling sessions etc will be there.

What should make this years show interesting is the fact that we shall actually be physically knocking on doors, distributing info on a personal level and generally get to campaign for LIFE... thus this years slogan... Say Yes To Life - Say No To Drugs KATAA.

The slogan is actually a vote... you say YES to life by saying NO to drugs!!!

Operation 25 - Now Closing

Hey good people...

My Operation 25 is fast heading to a close. May I brief you on how I 'performed'... With a target to collect 2,000/- per kilometer my total collections were targetted to hit 50,000/-.

I can gladly state that I did receive pledges totalling 56,161/-. To date, I have managed to convert 46,411/- of the pledges into cash and these will go a long way in assisting StAY Alive Fellowship and the K.A.T.A.A Initiative achieve their targets for this year.

Have I given up on hitting my target? Definitely not, infact I am sure that by Sunday, through God’s grace, I will have surpassed the target.

On another issue, the main activity takes place on Nov 24th... I will be updating you on the going on's but one things for sure!!! With the current political campaigns going a notch higher, you can trust us to come up with a differently packaged roadshow this time round ... watch this space ...

Africas Text Generation

There is a new generation of Kenyans who believe that they can define their own destiny rather than conform to the status quo. This is a networked generation that is connected more by text messaging than by traditional cultural bonds. ...read on...

Octobers Gone

Hey Good People:

I think I had underestimated the whole October issue!!! It seems to have spilt over into November and I am telling you... life is on the fast lane on all accounts!!!

Thankfully I thank God for November... my daughter Wema gets promoted to primary school, my wifes returns home from her scandinavian sojuorn, its my birthday later in the month...

I trust to be guided by Paul and Silas example of praising God for whom He is ... so my guiding lines are:

Acts 16:

22The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose....

Baraka

Operation 25 (Update III) Fundraising Update

The real issue about the walk is not the fun while working, neither is it the level of fitness one attains... all these matter though! The issue is how much cheddar we manage to amass in our quest to campaign against drugs... that's what.

As intimated earlier pledge-wise we have hit the target... I am currently standing at Kes 54,661 in pledges. 26% of this (Kes 14,000) is already in as cash. The challenge now is converting the pledges to cash. The joy I have however is that with the kind of support I am having and with me actually conquering the course this Saturday, the conversion ratio should be heading towards 100% by the end of this month.

Remember, there are several ways of honoring your pledge (and making new ones :-)):

• I can make arrangement to have it collected at your convenience
• You can deposit the same into the bank
• You can MPesa it

Which ever your choice just drop me a line (krease@myrealbox.com) and I will respond accordingly.

Operation 25 (Final Week Daily Posts)

As the d-day draws nearer I will provide daily updates throughout this week on where I am and how I am doing.
---
Thursday 11th Oct: never thought that aerobics was sooooo good. I am getting a hang of things. You should have seen me keepin in step with the instructor... I thoroughly sweat it out.

Wednesday 10th Oct: the best so far in terms of prepartions. 1.5 hours of near none-stop aerobics... I am getting fit by the day!!!

Tuesday 9th Oct: limited morning stretches... my intention to join the group aerobics are thwarted by a traffic jam !!! However I do 3km walk later in the evening

Monday 8th Oct: 25 minute mini-workout including the skipping rope, some aerobics and stretches. My intended 3km walk was cut down to 1.5km by a slight drizzle in the evening!!

Sunday 7th Oct: Absolutely no exercise save for the vibrant praise and worship session in church :-)

Saturday 6th Oct: Woke up early (for a Saturday) and hit the road by 6:20. Covered six kilometres and did another four in the evening.

Pink Ribbon Month

Good people, I trully hope that you have had your breasts checked!! Remember chances are always much better if cancer is detected early. While at it, have the cervix checked and brothers do not forget to have the prostrates checked as well.

Octobers Here

October, October, October!!! For me this promises to be a whirlwind of a month... figure this:

• a true icon and a persoanl hero Pastor Pete Odera launches another album
• I walk 25kms to raise funds for the StAY Alive anti-drugs campaign on 13th
• I see off my friend, sister, wife, queen, lover and mother of my children for a months training trip to Sweden on 13th night
• international gospel great, Kirk Franklin hits Nairobi big time, my kids and I hope to attend the Sunday concert
• all going well I am scheduled to graduate on 19th in Eldoret, finally the MBA is real
• job-wise, the rubber hits the road... LITERALLY. Got to close off three sets of financial years numbers within the month!!!
• energy allowing, with God's grace the first traces of foundations for our future home also will be laid within the month
• prayer retreat on Oct 20th
• October 28th is the StAY Alive & St Andrews Praise Team collaboration - phd Prais-Athon 2007

and still counting...

With stuff like that, I can only praise God and seek His strength, draw from His well spring of mercy and continually testify of His goodness.

My wife has this energy to her that makes the world much easier and with her being away, more will be demanded of me by the kids... and I am not just talking about assisting with the homework (that too), but emotionally, physically et al...

My guiding scripture for the month: 1 Thes 5: 16-24 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Operation 25 (All Systems Go !!)

The post-graduate research project is now behind my back (thank the Lord with me for clearly its defense is something I'd not like to go through again in a while !!!)

What that means though (besides the fact that I may be graduating soon) is that all the systems are geared towards nailing the 25kms. Tizi will be up a notch from this evening, pledge collection will also be up a notch, and do not forget registration of supporting walkers is ongoing (see previous posts on how to).

To make it worth looking forward to see the route map (not to scale) and get down to the business of exercising and psyching yourself up... CAN'T STOP - WON'T STOP ...

Operation 25 Route Map (not to scale)

AFLEWO 2007

Africa Let's Worship! The call to lift our hands and voices as one, in adoration of the King of Kings, is back again. Yet another nightful of powerful praise and worship is coming our way this September. It's the 2007 edition of AFLEWO, set to be held on Friday, 28th September 2007. New choir, new passion, and even a new venue describe this year's AFLEWO, which moves to the expansive Nyayo Stadium from the traditional NPC Karen.

Event organisers explain that the move is in anticipation of the large numbers expected at this year's AFLEWO (Their estimate is 40,000 plus people). They are quick to allay fears about security, with confirmation that the Stadium's police post will have the event more than covered. As usual, entry is free and food will be available (for sale) in plenty. Moreover, designated transport will be available from Kencom bus terminus both to and from Nyayo Stadium at a fee.

The 150-strong Aflewo choir, drawn from various churches in the city, has been hard at practice in preparation for the night. One has no excuse whatsoever for missing this exciting night of prayer, praise and worship.

:: A Little Background
AFLEWO, acronym for Africa Let's Worship, was started by Sing Africa in 2004 with a vision to stir up hope across Africa through annual events of worship in music and prayer. For three years running, the event has been held at Nairobi Pentecostal Church – Karen in the month of September. On these nights, multitudes sung praises to God and interceded for Africa. The 2006 chapter featured guests from Nigeria, South Africa and the USA.

The Aflewo event has attracted an increasing audience since its inception. About 6,000 attended the inaugural edition; the number doubled in 2005; and in 2006 approximately 20,000 people attended including guests from Nigeria, South Africa and the USA. The Aflewo Vision is to have the event take place in every capital city in Africa by 2017.

:: At A Glance
Event: AFLEWO 2007
Date: 28th September 2007
Venue: Nyayo Stadium
Time: 8.30 pm
Cost: Free
Misc: Designated transport available from Kencom Bus Terminus at a fee.

[extracted from www.mwafrika.com]

:: Links: http://www.aflewo.com/

Breaking News (Operation 25 New Date)

It has nothing to do with my slow exercise regime (but I have to admit that my body is yet to attain aerobic levels)... but the walk date has been pushed from Sep 29th to Oct 13th 2007. Nothing else changes... good thing is that we get to attend AFLEWO (did someone tell me its happening on the night of Sep 28th??) and we have more company for the walk itself...

Question is:

• have you registered as a walker
• have you joined the campaign against drugs by sponsoring yours truly

Drop me a line (krease@myrealbox.com) we take this agenda forward !!

Operation 25 (Update II)

Its now less than two weeks to the day... went slow on the workouts but resumed in earnest today (18th Sep 2007). I should be in shape for the event but completion of my post-graduate project (which is overdue by the way) is getting in the way!!! With God's help, I will nail both...

On the fundraising front, with the pledges I have to date I should hit my target before walk day!!! As usual the challenge is turning the pledges to cash :) ... going by previous experience I have had a pledge convertion ratio of 94% which I am also targetting to surpass.

Supporting walkers registration is now open... all you need is to register as a walker with 1,000/- and you will obtain a free tshirt (carrying the bold message - I AM AN ANTI-DRUGS CRUSADER, on the back and the guiding slogan this year CAN'T STOP WON'T STOP phil 3:12-14). Drop me a line (krease@myrealbox.com) and will give you the finer details.

TShirt Front Print:









TShirt Back Print:










Sampled:









Lets say No to drugs - KATAA

PHD prais-athon 2007 in the works

Each year... (this will be the third year)... StAY Alive Fellowship in conjunction with the St Andrews Praise Team and a host of accomplished instrumentalists and vocalists hold a marathon of praise every October. phd [Pullin' Heaven Down] Prais-Athon is a live, inclusive praise and worship experience encouraging a personal encounter with God.

Preps for the day have began... an interesting turn is that the Nairobi Diocese youth arm has joined in and thus this years marathon happens TWICE... the annual afternoon affair takes place on Oct 28th starting at 2:30pm (EAT) and an overnight marathon happening on the night of November 2nd 2007 at 9:30pm to dawn.

Mark the dates, put on your praise armor and get ready to worship!!

Promotional Flyer

Images From Previous prais-athons:

Operation 25 (Update)

My exercise program continues in earnest... started off with a few jumps on the skipping rope but have now graduated to some aerobics and stretches.
Without wanting to burn myself out before the d-day (Sep 29th) I am turning it up. Remember my walking rythm is never interupted from start to finish keepin the beat without stopping for close to four hours.
You still have a chance of joining me... the route: St Marks Church in Westlands through Spring Valley, Nyari, Gigiri, Runda, Ridgeways, Garden Estate, Thika Road on to ACK St. Andrews Church Zimmerman. My colleagues and I start off at 07:00hrs (GMT+3)
Register with 1,000/- and obtain a free t-shirt... and exercise, excercise, exercise!!

Revert to me on (krease@myrealbox.com) for further details.

Beracah 2007

A background of the Down to Beracah concert:

This event started some years back as a talent show. The idea is to allow StAY Alive members and the peeps around share a stage with established names in the industry and have a closeup with them for their encouragement.

The event has now become an annual concert and has in the previous 6years been graced by the presense of among others Voices United Choir, C-FU, Wangeci Mbogoh, Mercy Masika, Linda Orocha, Chizi, Webi, Kamau Karongo etc.

The event is held to each year in August to coincede with the Youth Sunday.

For details of the background to the name Beracah see: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20chr%2020:15-26;&version=31;

Its generally a call to descend the valley of praise (Beracah means praise).

Operation 25

I patron this youth group from Zimmerman (yeah… mtaani) named the StAY Alive Fellowship. StAY Alive’s mission cannot be attained without reaching out to the young people around them. Many social ills continue to affect the country’s young people and the group agree that they need to be an instrument of change to society. They have identified the areas which our young are being affected most and have taken up the challenge to change this by impacting on the society around them and have zeroed in on what has affected them the most; sexual immorality and the related HIV/AIDS pandemic and drug abuse.

StAY Alive runs several programs including:
1. StAY Alive PEVU – A mentorship program
2. P2H (Penzi Halisi Husubiri) Program – A true love waits program (Sexual purity).
3. K-A-T-A-A Initiative - Anti Drugs and Substance Abuse program. K-A-T-A-A is an acronym for Keepin’ Away Threatening Abuse & Addiction

Their anti-drugs campaign climaxes each year in December with a day long-roadshow in and around Zimmerman Est. This years event will be the 6th with great achievements having been met.

As part of my commitment to raise funds each year I walk 25kms in an event dubbed Operation 25. This year I have committed myself to raise 2,000/- per km making a total target of 50,000/-. This years budget for the event stands at 300,000/- and I therefore hope, with your support, to fund 16% of it. The walk is slated for September 29th 2007.

I am now sending an appeal for sponsorship towards the same. I invite you to give me your pledge by reply email (krease@myrealbox.com) and a date when I can arrange to collect the same collected. Further if your organisation would be willing to offer support to this program please advise and I will pass info to the group to make an approach.

As usual you need not pay-up everything at one go… I have until end-November to submit my returns, but remember pledging now gives your commitment to sponsor me… up to the challenge?


Pappa

PS: I will cover the walk from St Marks Church in Westlands through Spring Valley, Nyari, Gigiri, Runda, Ridgeways, Garden Estate, Thika Road on to ACK St. Andrews Church Zimmerman… feel free to join me. If interested reply and I will give you details on how to.