::I.C.O.C EASTERN AFRICAN CHURCHES::

PROFESSIONAL EAST AFRICA CAMP 2009
East Africa

POSTED ON 28 December 2009
Reported by Austin Oduor

Over 90 single professional disciples descended on Fish Eagles Inn Naivasha,Kenya with gusto for their three day retreat held from December 11 to 13.

The participants, 57 sisters and 35 brothers were taken through classes on love, relationships and communication.

At the Rift valley enroute Naivasha

Evangelist Steve Mukenya a co-lead evangelist with the Nairobi Christian church – Central region set the ball rolling on the theme “Love: The Most Excellent Way – (1 Corinthians 12:31b”) by saying that Love has the power to transform people but only if we start by healing ourselves and opening our hearts wide.

Steve added that disciples should have effective prayers and learn to forgive for it is God who guides disciples to be able to love in the most excellent way. He challenged the professionals to build relationships that will work to build God’s love in the most excellent way.

Mr. Julius Nguku, Technical Advisor for Hope WorldWide Kenya, facilitated two classes on Healthy Relationships and Communication Skills before the brothers and sisters had an opportunity to have separate spiritual nourishment classes courtesy of William and Victoria Auki.

Class at the campsite grounds

The participants were divided into 5 groups each led by a brother and a sister and this marked the beginning of a great moment as the retreat offered a rich menu not only of food but performances.

The disciples electrified the Fish Eagles Inn main hall as they showcased an array of talents and abilities through skits, songs, catwalk and the popular zilizopendwa tunes. The standard of the performances was so high and exhilarating which left many not only spiritually inspired by Christ’s love but also in stitches. The harmonious presentations and accompaniments brought out the diversity of the whole East African region cultures and beyond loving in the most excellent way and demonstrating faith, hope, love that encourages the disciples to continue with the great journey.

Talent show

The disciples were accommodated in cottages with TV, wash rooms (with both cold and hot showers) and it was fun to see disciples playing games, doing aerobics, swimming, boat riding, bike riding and participating in team building activities.

George Irungu a co-lead evangelist from the Nairobi Christian Church -East Super region delivered the Sunday sermon “enjoy the moment” where he urged the disciples to enjoy life in full as God has provided us with a potential to be everything for life and godliness. He said that a relationship that has not been tested cannot be trusted and cautioned the professionals that the biggest mistake they should never make is to leave God and get married in the world. Marriage is not a guarantee for life enjoyment if it is not God’s will. As single professionals we should not look at the Professionals ministry as a transition to marriage as it is widely perceived but we need to embrace it as a whole because it is life in itself.

The single professional retreat spiritual fire had been lit and it would take a miracle for it to be extinguished. Evangelist Steve Mukenya and George Irungu the originators of the single professional retreat idea appeared overwhelmed that their idea had taken a full life in itself. Their joy could not be hidden as they promised that they will use this retreat as a justification that the East African Region of ICOC can hold international conferences including leaders’ conferences and they intimated that they would wish for the retreat to be an annual event in the calendar of single professionals, “this is the beginning of a great journey that all professionals should strive to be part of”, they stressed.

The exuberant faces of the disciples made it clear that a journey of a thousand miles had just began with three major memorable events taking place. Serge Gahungu from Bujumbura International Church of Christ went steady with Winnie Kisua from the East super region, Beatrice Damba from the Nairobi Christian Church - Central region celebrated her 50th anniversary and Davies Mwashighadi got baptized to become the youngest member of the Nairobi Christian Church and the baptism marked the turning point of the three day spiritually filled retreat.

Davies Mwashighadi Baptism

Arrivals at the camp

The organizing committee and sector leaders who had played a key role to make the retreat a success and the presence of the soft spoken Brother Johnson Namei throughout the whole retreat connected the disciples to the church leadership.

Johnson could not hide his joy as he stated that a great relationship has been developed between the leaders and the professionals for the leaders came and delivered spiritually inspiring classes within the short notice that they were given. This shows the humility that the leaders have to be able to do much to the people.

Brother Johnson Namei has been in Kenya for the last nine months with his wife Norah and baby Hannah and they would be leaving the Nairobi Church to go and lead the Kigali International Church of Christ.

The disciples sacrificed time and money to be part and parcel of the retreat as they came from Bujumbura, Kampala, Nyeri, Eldoret, Kisumu, Kigali, Chicago and London which is refreshing and encouraging to the brothers and sisters in Nairobi. The disciples exchanged gifts and shared their diverse experiences and spiritual convictions.

Arthur Nantamu from the Kampala International church of Christ said the retreat gave him an opportunity to meet disciples who were fun loving within the perimeters of God’s standards.

“I felt challenged and I now have to work on my relationship by ensuring that it is pure and based on pure love that comes from God. I will let God take charge by helping me to build relationships for the good of all of us making it to heaven and not my selfish desires,” he said.

Maria Wandera from the United Kingdom (UK) said: “ I am happy to have gotten in touch with my roots. It is unbelievable how we are similar in our like mindedness regardless of where we are from. I am inspired by the new scenery and this unique opportunity to meet people with similar spiritual convictions. I have deepened my walk with God by learning the importance of allowing words to come out my heart.”

Rose Gathitu Wangu from the Eldoret Christian Church quipped: “ I have become a new creation as the old has gone. I now see myself as God sees me. I have enjoyed the love that has flowed amongst the disciples during the entire retreat. I now have every reason to love God and the awesome brothers and sisters in the kingdom because love is the fruit of the spirit.”

Hope WorldWide Kenya gave a generous sponsorship and facilitated the event.

Francis Oloo who was the secretary and the acting Chairman of the organizing Committee says that albeit the minor challenges that the committee had in the organization, the committee had taken six months in organizing the retreat and it is the committee members’ resilience, hard work, long hours spent in meetings, financial sacrifices, and prayers and fasting which made the event a success.

Interestingly, the disciples took ownership of the retreat from the moment we arrived in Naivasha to the last day.

The retreat was a noble event and I am happy that it achieved the purpose for which it was meant. God ultimately allowed the retreat to be a success and his name to be glorified.