News 4-5_07

The Church in Kenya celebrates 30th Year Anniversary

On the 6th of May, 2007, the Church celebrated its 30th year Anniversary of being in Kenya. A large ceremony was hosted by St-Mark’s Church in Nairobi, attended by His Grace Bishop Paul, the congregation, and some guests. The date was chosen on the basis that it was the nearest weekend to the Commemoration of the Martyrdom of St-Mark, the Evangelist and founder of the Coptic Orthodox Church, which was on the 8th of May.

The day started off with a Liturgy prayed by Bishop Paul, and a procession with the icon of St-Mark. Then His Grace presented a speech about us being the sons and daughters of St-Mark, and that we must carry the same mission, in the same spirit of St-Mark, and by God’s grace be as fruitful as he was in his mission. The theme verse of the day was “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). His Grace also spoke about the story of His Grace Bishop Antonios Markos and praised his zeal for coming and starting the Church in Kenya, with his beloved coworkers Fr. Philip, Fr. Abraham, and Fr. Harun, who all devoted their whole lives to the mission.

This was followed by a series of presentations from different groups: The Sunday School group, sang a song and presented a brief theatrical play. Fr. Michael then read the story of St-Mark from the Synexarium. The Youth group presented a song and poem about AIDS, followed by a traditional dance. The Newly Married Group (Holy Family Meeting) sang a song also, and spoke about their meeting and how it is changing and saving marriages. The Secondary class group had an excellent theatrical play prepared about St-Mark. And finally, the family meeting ended this beautiful day with a poem about St-Mark and a song (My Coptic Church), concluded by a closing Prayer.

Thanks be to God, the day was wonderful for everyone, and it has been suggested by many to make this an annual celebration. (Click here to see Photo Album)

New Vocational Training Project

Thanks to God’s providence, the Mission has received a generous donation from our friends in Holland, which has enabled us to start a Vocational Training Project in Western Kenya.

The aim of the project is to help the poor of the community to be self-sufficient and break the poverty cycle, by teaching them a trade they can work with. It is targeted to help mainly the unemployed who are able and willing to work, but are often hindered by the high costs of Technical Colleges in Kenya. The goal of the project can be summarized by the famous proverb which says: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” (Lao Tzu) ... (read the rest)

Beautiful & Blessed Day in Nakuru

On the 14th of April, we (the servants of the Nairobi Church) traveled to Nakuru, which is a city 180 kilometers west of Nairobi. We held a Medical Campaign and a Spiritual Day at the same time, and thanks be to God, it turned out to be a blessed day! Our group consisted of 35 people including Doctors, Pharmacists, and Youth from the Church.

While the medical Staff was attending to the long line-up of sick people (103 patients), there were several other activities going on at the same time: One of the Kenyan servants held a presentation about HIV Awareness for the youth, as part of the Hope Center Program. The youth group gathered and spoke about Forgiveness (Matt 18:21-35), while the Elders spoke about the Resurrection from the Gospel of John 20. The kids were also having a great time playing games throughout the day. It was an awesome day full of God’s presence.

Bishop Paul's Visit to Nigeria in March 2007

The Coptic Church in Nigeria was established in 2005, as the first Church carried the name of St Mark in the city of Lagos. 

In August 2005, a group of missionaries from North America visited Lagos with Bishop Paul and Fr. Moses Makram, who stayed there for 2 weeks. Then the mission work continued through a group of servants till January 2007, when His Holiness Pope Shenouda III in his love and care sent Fr. Isezorus Anba Bishoi (see picture). By God’s grace and their faithful service, a church was established in the name of St Mary in Calabar, which had been a rented church.

When Bishop Paul visited Nigeria from March 22nd till the 27th he could see the great effort done by Fr. Isezorus and his fellow servants and decided that it was necessary to buy a land and build a church, a training center and a hospital in Calabar, and to also start a mission in the rural areas. They met two kings who were willing to offer some land. Bishop Paul in his visit conducted many meetings and Liturgies and the Sunday Liturgy, during which 6 deacons were ordained, was attended by about 200 people. The mission in Nigeria is growing very fast through God’s grace and the efforts of Fr. Isezeorus and other blessed servants, but it needs extra help; it needs full time long-term servants including doctors, pharmacists and other specialties. We are praying to get new lands, to build churches and to get medical equipment, clothes, cars and a bus to help the growing mission there.