October 29, 2008

I just perked myself an extra mug of coffee, a much needed boost this morning! Yesterday was Diwali, the Hindu New Year. With temples on three sides of us and a wealthy Hindu family on the fourth side, we heard the popping and sizzling of fireworks in surround-sound-stereo through midnight. Our view of the sparkling sky is limited by trees and high buildings, but after reading yesterday why fireworks are a part of Diwali celebrations, my enjoyment was dampened.

An advertisement in yesterday’s Daily Nation sponsored by the Hindu Council of Kenya explained that the many clay lamps, plain and ornate ones, burned during Diwali and the colourful decorations in homes are to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, Lakshmi, and the fireworks are used as “effigies of Narakasura who was killed on this day.” Narakasura is credited with being the demon responsible for oppression and fear in the world and for torturing people and kidnapping women. I found much of the information in the eight-page Diwali insert confusing and startling as the names of multiple Hindu deities are mentioned, such as “the mother of the slain Naraka (three spellings are used in this article for this demon), “declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice” – thus the fireworks. Our assignment is to share our Saviour’s Good News with those of African descent, but all the reminders in Kenya of those who worship the Hindu gods – temples and shrines, as well as images of gods which one can purchase are all around us – and as we hear the call to worship from a nearby mosque numerous times each day, we are constantly prompted to pray for these people who also need to know of our Father’s love and salvation.

Now for a related praise – Prayers were answered for the Gujarat Gospel Music Concerts held by the United Church of Gujarat, a Parklands Baptist Church mission, this past weekend. Mainly Kenyan youth of Parklands and the Indian members of the United Church of Gujarat attended on Sunday night, but many Hindu guests attended on Saturday night and all the seats in Parklands’ youth tent, which holds over 1000 chairs, were filled with people standing outside. Sharing with those of other faiths is slow and difficult, but we praise God for the seeds that were sewn as many heard our Father’s message of love and salvation through music and as Kenyans opened their hearts to their Hindu friends. For more pictures and information on Diwali and the concert, go to: http://parklandsgujarati.blogspot.com/

Jack and I have lots of work in the coming week and we need prayers for strength and wisdom. Pray for Jack as he prepares materials to give new staff and others which will help them understand and be involved in the Legacy Work, the older, established Baptist work in Kenya. Pray for me as I prepare prayer items related to the adoption of the Baptist Nairobi Street Kid Ministry by one of our legacy churches, Ridgeways Baptist Church, and as I prepare other materials to help Southern Baptists recognize the good investments that they have made in the past as they supported our work through prayers, finances through the Lottie Moon and the Cooperative Program, and through volunteering – investments that are still providing incredible returns even in these days of economic turmoil!
Bert Yates