Mid-Month news March 2025
Jimoharries@gmail.com
Dear Friends,
Book Review
I am grateful for the latest reviewer of my book on antiracism, that you can find at this link: https://www.academia.edu/127884177/Comment_on_How_Western_Anti_Racism_Harms_Africa_and_How_We_Can_Do_Better_by_Jim_Harries_Chichester_Faithbuilders_2021_206_pp_12_ISBN_978_1_9131_8164_2 . The reviewer, a South African who I recently met in the Cape Town area, Peter Franks, states the following: “ Dr. Harries’ book has been so difficult to fully come to terms with in my mind as it covers so many of my own experiences as a ‘white’ South African in living and working in the complex South African context with a wide variety of people and peoples. In addition, Harries delves into the implications of his arguments providing a detailed understanding. I have been dealing with many of the same issues that Jim is dealing with, but from a different background, experience and discipline. The issues Jim raises illuminate in all senses the difficulty of authentically communicating and collaborating with other cultures without domination, and he is clearly sincere in this ‘vulnerable mission’.”
Jim Translates
I don’t do very much translation in churches these days, as my brain seems to have slowed down! My attending an ordination event at a friend’s church early in February was an exception. I found myself translating a Black American preacher (Apostle) into the Luo language. Click https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PWxqPcOUdjY to watch Jim in action!. (These days, lots of people have smart phones. Someone sent me this video over whatsapp.)
Cuts in USAID
I recently wrote the following comment in an internet discussion:
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I am one of the millions whose life is at risk, should provision and administration of free ARVs from the USA for Africa cease. This is not because I am an AIDS sufferer, but because of high infection rates, and ancillary diseases like TB that will become prominent in African community, if the supply of ARVs is not renewed soon.
I hope that the US will indeed pull back on this, albeit perhaps at the last minute. Exposing what is going on by acting as Trump has so far, i.e., allowing potential catastrophe to become visible, ought to happen. You cannot separate dependency on USAID from other issues. Such as post-colonialism. Rendering the whole of (?) Africa dependent on the whim of a US presidential decree, is neo-colonialism of-necessity. What is to ignore such while campaigning for anti-colonialism? Why is this happening?
The whole system of globalization is deeply flawed. It is particularly deeply flawed by massive taboos dictating the nature of scholarly production. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say such in this comment, but please google my name to find materials that point towards the dependence of today’s globalization logic on magic. Trump’s actions (will) reveal things that require deep and wide attention, as it exposes the naivety of today’s taboo-bound thinkers in the West.
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I thought I should include this in this news. This is a drum I have been beating for a long time. I can’t ‘know’ how aware Trump is or is not of my drum. Perhaps he has picked up some of the ‘beat’. How come the whole of Africa is dependent on the whim of a US President, while at the same time, scholars are not allowed to point to cultural differences between people of European origin and those of African origin? How come global academia is allowed to, and in fact encouraged to, IGNORE the most important things in people’s lives, often considered under the reductionist catch-all category, of ‘religion’? This folly must end, and if it takes a fiery US President to do so, let’s just hope he allows ARVs to continue, but also that lessons be learned.
(To join a discussion of some related issues on academia.edu click on this link: https://www.academia.edu/s/001d32bcbc?source=link
Watch video here: https://youtu.be/ktxXqXBn6Fs )
Funerals
It has been a time of funerals. This is not unusual for us in Africa. Yet this January / February, my eyes have frequently been whetted by loss of a beloved aunt, and then uncle (both paternal).
I could not help but reflect on the contrast. Images of my aunty’s and uncle’s funeral were forlorn!
Two days ago as I write, we buried a 79 year old Kenyan man. Now, we might think that Africa is a place of poverty. Not so when it comes to funerals. My Kenyan colleague (also of the generation of my aunty and uncle) must have had a thousand, or more. My uncle’s funeral I guess took ½ hour to an hour. This Kenyan funeral took, well, weeks in a sense. The official events, squeezed in one after another (a church service here, travelling hundreds of kilometres there, moving the body, removing the body from the vehicle, going to the home for burial, back 20km to the church for a final service, back home, etc. etc.) were a packed two or three days, planned to a T. (Although, not planned with precision as we might do in the UK.) Where-ever the body went, crowds were in attendance, usually brightly dressed, singing, laughing, sharing food and fellowship, as well as memories and merriment. A video from the Kenyan funeral: https://youtu.be/0uidPYvRAMY
Accelerated Academic Work
I really must thank God, for ways in which I could say, that my academic work has recently become ‘accelerated’. I use that phrase, because of other people who are now involved in the promotion of vulnerable mission. This is a massive encouragement! This is largely to do with the registration in Germany of, and in various ways the raised profile of, the AVM (Alliance for Vulnerable Mission). I am very impressed by the work of the new executive team. I am also grateful for people who are offering me free editorial services. I am very grateful to God for all.
There is still an urgent need for more people to get involved. I appreciate that it can be difficult to understand what we are doing and why. That indeed is the hurdle we’ve long faced. Years ago I raised some of these issues in my teaching at Kima International School of Theology. Some students went on strike in protest at the course I was wanting to teach. Yet, once we were a week or two into the course, students sat amazed at hidden truths in intercultural communication that I was revealing. We have come a long way since then, but the basic problem remains: our (Western) culture has taught us to be blind to vitally important issues! This naivety may help Africa in the short-term. In the long-term however, it portends BIG problems.
Link with Northern Ireland
I recently visited a friend who pastors a small indigenous church. I joined the church service. I was invited to share God’s word. Before and after the service, my friend demonstrated a deep thirst for more knowledge about God. He showed me a correspondence course he was doing. It was in English, from Belfast in Northern Ireland! I helped him by explaining some things to him in the Luo language. It is wonderful, although it can also seem strange, to be a small part of the ministry of someone sitting in Northern Ireland!
Nairobi Trip
Please pray for my Nairobi trip, to begin tomorrow (11th March). The major reason for the visit – I need to be in Nairobi to have my finger prints taken and such like for my work permit for the next three years in Kenya, which I am glad to say has come through!
Also fitting in other medical and ‘relational’ engagements.
Jim
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To donate to Jim’s work over Stewardship services: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/jimharries