God uses EMI to Help Kenya "Pull Together"

  Rev. Obed Ochwanyi

Brother Martin Odindo    

It's amazing how God works!

A divine appointment at a Christmas party in Cincinnati 8 years ago became an answer to prayer for Rev. Obed Ochwanyi.  As a Church of God bishop responsible for 200 congregations throughout Kenya, Obed immediately made plans to bring an EMI trainer to Nairobi for 31 of his English speaking pastors and leaders.  Four years later, he has sent 3 of his key trainers to Cincinnati for School of Service training.  [John Achar and Walter Liatema: March 2006]

Rev. Obed Ochwanyi shares. . .

"The main need for all Kenyans is to come together to love and understand one another.  To help one another.  When people learn how to listen and to appreciate each other, they can "harambee" ["pull together" in Kiswahili].  Then they can share the same destiny.

The LISTENING course is very helpful to us, not only in Kenya but also in Tanzania, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia--because it teaches us how to listen to and understand each other -- and then to work together as men and women of God.

My vision is to have almost everybody in the 200 churches I oversee, not just the privileged few, learn these skills for life.  We are working to translate the material into Kiswahili, and also to have enough teachers and facilitators to be able to bring the training for over 300 people, both in English and Kiswahili.   I can see the promise of John 10:10 for the people of Kenya:  'He came that they might have life and have it more abundantly." 

Brother Martin Odindo says. . .

"I came to EMI training at a time when I really needed it.  This one week has changed my way of thinking and planning.  It has helped me to accept my gift as a teacher as it is very clear to me now.  I have learned to be more of a listener than a speaker.  I was speaking the truth in anger not love.  And I have renewed my mind to be free of past influences and have a fresh direction for my ministry, my family and my social life.

My dream is to support Bishop Ochwanyi's vision for training every person.  We want to intensify training in rural communities.  I want to apply the system I saw at EMI of lead teachers and coteachers, facilitators and apprentice facilitators--to multiply training.

Prayer requests:  

><>  Pray that the suspicion people have for a new things will be overcome by God's grace and truth for them.  We are claiming the interest of the people for this training and the changes it will bring to their lives.   

><>  Pray for provision of volunteers and for Martin's work to translate materials into Kiswahili.  

><>  We are also praying for ability to duplicate course materials, as we are limited in the villages to using blackboards or poster paper in remote villages.

The scripture Brother Martin felt God gave him this week is from Jeremiah 3:14-15...

"Return faithless people declares the Lord. For I am your husband. I will choose you one from a town and two from a clan and bring you to Zion. Then I'll give you a shepherd after my own heart who will lead you with knowledge and understanding."