I didn't get to write anything in my blog during the summer because I was on the road so much.
Time was very scarce and it wasn't possible to get to the internet.
In August I went to Africa. I went to Kenya and spoke at a conference in Meru. About 4000 leaders and pastors attended.
I was with Edward and Fridah Buria, who lead about 200 churches across East Africa. These are quality people and the churches they oversee are quality churches. Being with them and observing how they deal with people and situations was an eyeopener for me. I was greatly blessed by being with them.
I also met a leader from Ethiopia and one from Tanzania.
From there I took the long and uncomfortable bus ride to Kisumu where both Nehemia and Forum Leben has projects.
Nehemia has a farm and a programme for caring for needy children. Forum Leben has a Bible School there.
The journey to Kampala, Uganda was much less difficult. From there we travelled on to Rwanda. I will write about my time in Rwanda in a later post.
During my stay in Africa, I read a book by Martin Meridith, The State of Africa. This touched me. It is a history book of the last fifty or so years in Africa. It begins with the end of the colonial system and the struggle for self-determination. (By the way, nothing like I learned at school in England. Many of the nations were gaining their independence, while I was sitting behind a school desk).
Meridith goes on to modern times and shows the difficulties the continent is going through. Its difficult to suggest a solution! Corruption and band governance seem to be the main causes of poverty and hardship for the vast majority of people. However it seems that the West is supporting people who seem to be favourable to them, no matter what record they have of corruption or violation of human rights.
The West is still using Africa for eploitation as in the days of the empire.
That doesn't excuse Africans for not keeping their house in order though.
As I ponder what I have written, my thoughts go back to Meru and the confernce... Now there is a group of people who are making a real difference and are working to change the face of Africa (and the church in Africa).
