Quench yo thirst!

Psalms 63:1
O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.

I remember during those high skul days (back in the late 90's) there used to be an Ad on TV showing an NBA player slam dunking and later relieving himself with a bottle of Sprite. The Ad was usually accompanied with the slogan, "Quench your thirst, drink Sprite!" And truly, most of us who were obsessed with the basketball game at that time would find ourselves in serious mode to use the beverage during every occasion that presented itself. Logically, it is healthier to drink water to quench one's thirst but it appeared to me that for most of us Sprite had overridden all rules and logic, being presented as the drink for all times so long as you're thirsty!

But better than Sprite, David tells of a different story. Very early one morning, the king wakes up and immediately takes a nature walk before he engages into his daily activities. It is the dry season at that time in the Palestine. As he crosses the streets of Bethlehem, through the large city gates and into the outer fields, David sees the shrinking shrubs, scattered trees with yellowish leaves and the barely grassy country. The thirsty king feels an emptiness within, an emptiness that transcends his immediate physical need and drives speedily into the spiritual realm. David realizes that even if someone were to offer him a cup of water, nothing more would satisfy him than being reassured that God is still with him. David learns that the lack of water could only lead him into dehydration, and possibly death if not refreshed. And his life would mean nothing when he goes into his grave. But with God, death (even resulting from dehydration) means nothing considering the promises of eternal life in His Holy presence, in the sweet by and by.

Like the thirsty king, we are called to re-connect to God. A deep personal assurance that "God, my God" hears my voice should be our daily prayer - for it satisfies better than Sprite or water in a dry and thirsty land. "Quench your thirst, seek the Lord your God!"

Makwerekwere (2)

Man, from the very beginning, showed one great weakness and that is, he cannot take responsibility. For his sin, Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the snake. There’s always a “scapegoat”. So, who is to blame for the violence taking place in the streets of Soweto? Who is the scapegoat? I am afraid this time the scapegoat is the “Zimbabwean, Somali, and Tanzanian” who are taking our jobs. “Why can’t they return to their own countries?” It is shameful for anyone to even begin to think that way. During the South African liberation struggle, the ANC camped at Mazimbu in Morogoro, Tanzania. We hosted them with love. They felt at home and even married some of our women and have left their children and families here with us. No one ever asked them to return to their own country and fight. If we ever did, it was after we had trained and equipped them – something Mbeki’s government has clearly failed to do for Zimbabweans over the past 7 years.

Such hostility and violence against “foreigners” or other “foreign social groups” dates back as far as 4000 years ago when the Egyptian pharaoh ordered the midwives to kill all Israelite male newborns as a means of controlling their mightily growing population (Exodus 1). Again, we have seen the holocaust against the Jews by Hitler during World War II, the genocide in Rwanda in ’94, and last year, the post-election violence in Kenya. These events are not new. And time and again, we repeat the same mistakes that others have made in the past. I appeal to my South African friends, at the individual level, to cease from the violence and embrace one another. Those who have committed such acts, please stop. And those who never did I beseech you to speak the truth to your brethren with love.

Makwerekwere

Xenophobia, chauvinism, racial intolerance, the dislike of foreigners or whatever you call it - is the last thing you want to experience especially if you’re not “the son of the soil”. I lived long enough in both Namibia and South Africa to witness, and at times become a victim of, xenophobia. In not less than three occasions was I confronted by some of my university colleagues who wanted to know exactly “if and when” I would return to my home country. It was evident to me, at least, that the motives behind their inquiries were not well-intended but rather served as a reminder to me that “you’re a foreigner and this is our country so kindly, go home!”

From the very first time I witnessed xenophobia, I could see dark days ahead. However, I always believed that the dark days of violence towards immigrants would first be seen in other countries apart from South Africa, such as Botswana, where foreigners are even openly and vocally tagged “makwerekwere”. I thought Botswana was far ahead on this extreme and would most likely react first. Clearly, I was wrong. Perhaps, another reason for my poor judgment is the fact that I have so many generous, hospitable and welcoming South African friends.

I stand to be corrected, but I believe that the natives who are fully enjoying the economic benefits of the present government have little to do with the ongoing violence we are witnessing. So the question arises: who exactly is responsible? It is the young and elderly people from the townships and all others who are financially constrained and struggling to survive on a daily basis. But wait a minute! Don’t we have the “low class” in other peaceful nations? Why haven’t they reacted? The answer is “expectations”. Before South Africa received her independence in 1994, many who took part in the liberation struggle were looking forward to a “better life” with great financial gains. The perpetrators we see today on TV either took part in the liberation struggle or saw their family and friends take part in it. Now, 18 years later, their hopes have turned futile.

Choir Day: Saturday, 17 May

Zion singing group

Aaron & Sipora

Dr. Phil

Mikocheni SDA choir

Choir Day: Saturday, 17 May

The Mikocheni SDA church choir is hosting a choir day on Saturday, 17 May 2008 in order to raise funds for its ministry and service. The event will take place at the Mikocheni SDA church (located behind the Herbert Kairuki Medical University) from 9.00am till 5.00pm in the afternoon. Cheerful and uplifting spiritual songs will be presented by the choir itself and many other singing groups throughout the day. Please, make an effort to attend and be blessed!