Mid-month news November 2023

Myself with Dr. Yuri Stoyanov (L) and Dr. Lars Laaman (R) of SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) University of London, after the lecture I gave on 18th October 2023.

Dear Friends,

I received news of a tragedy on reaching the Coptic hospital here in Western Kenya. Three members of the hospital staff were killed in a road accident on route returning from a seminar, a few weeks ago. All three were good friends, and frequent members of my congregation here at the weekly hospital fellowship. Pray for the families.

Give thanks for opportunity to minister to a new missionary. An Egyptian man working here as a pharmacist when I left in early September, has switched roles to becoming a missionary – engaged in the work of the Church of bringing people to faith in Christ. Pray for him as he explores a new kind of ministry, and for sessions we have together that I can contribute to facilitating his new ministry.

Reflecting on my UK experience

On reflecting on my UK experience, I realised one thing that was happening: English people like to portray their own history and global events in such a way as to keep their consciences clear. Thus they refuse accounts that portray them either as inadequate or as guilty, culpable, or in error. They much prefer to see others’ faults and their own righteous actions.

My personal investment in this makes it difficult to handle. That is: I am largely in that position myself. It is nice to consider others responsible for the difficulties in the world today, and England portrayed as making predominantly positive contributions. Unfortunately this can result in a kind of self-imposed blindness.

I would like to point my readers again to my book How Western anti-racism harms Africa and how we can do Better. I think the message in it is very important. Anti-racism must not become the ‘new God’ of the West.

What do I advocate for? I advocate that antiracism continue in the West. I advocate that Christians, and others, should be careful not to make antiracism their God. Antiracism in the West is particularly troublesome for us in Africa. It is yet another way in which the West sets the agenda – and tells African people who they are. This, in Africa, becomes a straitjacket. Particularly disappointing to me, is ways in which I see antiracism as acting as a disincentive to mission. Antiracism can be an antichrist. What should we do instead? In fact – the Bible tells us all about that. Love people of other races. Tell them about the Grace of God. Reach out to them in friendship. All this and more – things that are much more demanding than being ‘against racism’. (For a review of the book, see here.)

Back into the Fray

10 days back into Kenya, I am very grateful to the Lord for the many open doors for ministry I have already found here. I shared a Bible study with Coptic people yesterday (9^th). Today (10^th) I plan to visit and share with (if wanted) an indigenous church. Tomorrow (11^th) the same to another church, then to share with youth in a large mission (Anglican) church a few miles from home. Sunday (12^th), I am to speak at a church of the Kenya Assemblies of God denomination, and so on. Give thanks to God for these opportunities.

Webinar!

Date and time: 25th January 2024, 14:00 GMT (London Time)         

Speaker: Andy McCullough

Title:    Demons come back: Why we’re sometimes not as humble as we think we are, and how God can help us to do better

To sign up for free: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/avm-webinar-with-andy-mccullough-tickets-736593780827?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Health Issues

Please pray for a gammy arm I have had for a few months now, due to a torn muscle arising from my working too hard in my garden back in August. Please pray also for my gammy eye. My left eye is not working correctly, over which I am consulting doctors here in Kenya.

Gratefully,                                                                 

Jim