Africa christian theology class

Best class Ever 

I had the most amazing two weeks of class this semester as I was privileged to be part of the Africa Christian theology class. the first difference was when we were required to travel to different places to have a class that is unheard of. secondly, our class was international in a good way because we were used to having local and African students but this time around we were joined in by students of Regent Colledge from Canada and our class had people from all over the world talk of diversity. the food and hangouts were just amazing as we connected and made new friends in the time we had how I wish I could mention all of them but. I can't forget to mention the two lecturers that were in charge Prof Diane and Dr. Martin who did make my days full of owing and deep reflection as they launched complex analogies for us to digest.

anyway, the reason for my writing is to share the experience I had especially with the different conversations we had with prominent African theologians around Nairobi as well as the practical application of the theology at work. our first interaction was with father Orabator (i may have missed the name) who is a catholic priest still was propagating the aspect of Africans not neglecting or forgetting their origin as Africans to the extent he chose to use his African name instead of the baptism Christian name. we may not have agreed with everything he said but what an eye-opener it was especially on the need of us taking charge of our continent especially in terms of education systems, governance and leadership.

our next visit was to Pauline's publisher premisses and had a nice time to see what the sisters were working so hard to bring out and ooh my what a challenge it was to see how most of the knowledge we have especially in Africa is lost simply because someone didn't have an avenue to write and record their experiences and knowledge gained. this may be due to lack of writing skill or pride or expensive costs for production but the sisters have indeed done a good job in making it possible. I should strongly consider writing some of my own work as well.

we visited the "Amani ya Juu"  if translated means peace from above and found this group of women who were being given help from the hard life they face through learning of sowing skills as they made mats and cloths and many other gifts and artifacts for sale as a way of supporting their homes.this for me was Gods way of touching lives without necessarily being the richest or biggest personality in the community. 

the visit to the A.I.C.S Africa independent churches society was a nice experience as a voice of those who are hoping to find a balance between culture and faith come together. some of the members are seen to be cultic but the members support their beliefs as to be Christian and what a joy to see that God still works from all aspects to ensure that we indeed search for the truth regardless of the cultural limitations that we may struggle with things like polygamy and the rest.

we even visited several churches who have taken part in the urban ministries like visit to the prisons , market place ministry, community based initiatives like the one we went to Kibera one of the largest slams in Kenya and took part in visiting some of the beneficiaries of the programs where they provide them with education for the children and sharing of the gospel with them, some was an initiative to empower Christians to take up positions of leadership or influence in order to change systems and communities. 

I saved best for last as we were part of two Sunday services in Nairobi chapel and Mavuno church and oooh boy! having an opportunity to witness the radical pentecostal ministry at work. the sermons may not have been the best or biblically and doctrinally sound but still, the energy and passion were felt. the strategies and tools that are being implemented for the sake of growth were also noted as their visions and mission statements was not just limited to Africa but the rest of the world. even though there was a lot of western influence in most of the things that they were doing I was glad that they are willing to take the step of working in Gods vineyard.

all this in two weeks and I have left out the class sessions we had in school with other prominent African theologians like prof Mugambi from Nairobi University, among others and this was my biggest eye opened reality that God is working from all areas of life to ensure that His kingdom come and that Africa is in a place of influence and that time has come for us to rise and give back to the world that which God has freely give us.