People I Met at the Conference

The pastors in Kenya are an impressive group of men. Not having enough pastors for all their congregations, each pastor takes care of between 5-9 churches each. Most do not have cars and so walk to their churches - up to 5 miles each day. Some of the older pastors I talked to have had their homes broken into, their books burned, and face all kinds of hardships - and receive very little pay for their efforts. The ELCK recommends a monthly salary of somewhere around $450 for their pastors, but most probably receive somewhere around $15-20 per month. Their congregations are just too poor to pay them. Another problem is the cost of communion wine. Usually, the pastor will celebrate the Lord's Supper at whatever church he is at on a Sunday, but sometimes the churches cannot afford the wine and so sadly do not have the Sacrament. Seeing them and hearing their stories make me realize how good I have it!

(Pastors sitting and talking under a guava tree during a conference break.)

One of the pastors we spent a lot of time with was Rev. Joseph Momposhi. He is from the Maasai people of southern Kenya and is a very knowledgeable and eloquent man. He was one of our tour guides when we went on a safari to the Maasai Mara on Saturday (more on that later). In the picture, he is wearing traditional Maasai garb. He is also a "Maasai warrior," meaning that he killed a lion and thus earned the exalted title. He is planning on coming to the United States later this year - perhaps I will have a chance to meet him again.


I was also privileged to meet and get to know the Bishop of the ELCK, Rev. Walter Obare. He is a kind and generous man, and has very much a pastor's heart. Listening to him speak to his pastors you could hear his concern for both them and for their people. You also never leave wondering what he believes and where he stands on an issue! He speaks very straightforwardly, because he knows that the best care for his pastors and people is good and true theology. I wish more people in the United States were as unafraid to speak as he!


Finally (for today, at least!) I am also honored to know the Rev. Dr. Joseph Ochola Omolo, the Principal (or President) of the Matongo seminary. He recently received his doctorate from our Ft. Wayne seminary and was just installed as the seminary's principal. He is a kind and quiet man, yet commands the respect and attention of all when he speaks. He knows the great challenges that lie before them at the seminary, but is determined to address them and move his church forward. He took very good care of us while we were there, and sacrifices much for himself so that others can have what they need.

Tomorrow: A Saturday Safari at the Maasai Mara.