Homepage
Fellowship Day with an African Theme
It was a blessed day for members of St. Mark Coptic Church, Nairobi during the fellowship day held at Raha Kids on Saturday July 15, 2010. The event which was graced by His Grace Bishop Paul saw every group in church put their best foot forward to ensure that the event was a success. The event which carried an African theme was one of the most exciting events ever held by the church. Fellowships tried their best to come up with songs, skits, drama, poems with everything from dressing to costumes to singing songs reflecting the African theme.
It was indeed an event for the glory of God both young and old, from Sunday school to young family… they all had risen and were shining according to the bible theme of the day which was from Isaiah 60: 1 Arise, Shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lords is risen upon you.
Members of St. Mark Coptic Church who had risen and were shining in the light of the Lord praising God with the good that was left of their culture-dressing, dances, songs, language among others.
One by one the groups took to the stage with breath taking presentations that took the crowd into frenzy- St. Demiana, St. Mena, St. Pishoy, St. Ann, St. Hellena, St Anthony cherished two church comedians John Ochieng and Winnie Ojiwa were the curtain raises for the event and as expected they did not disappoint the crowd. It was the time for the mamas to show case what they had been preparing for…the costumes told it all. The dazzling patterned African Kitenge was the preferred choice for many fellowships… and for sure they had something worthwhile for the month long of preparation.
The all-too-familiar African tunes were in the air, faces shining, groups flexing their waists and shoulders, the impressed crowd cheering and the judges smiling; at some point joining the performers but too careful not to miss a thing. The fashion show was the climax of the event. Models took to the runway to show off their African attires that ranged from the Swahili Kanga, the Masaii shuka and the Ugandan Gomes. The fashion show was the most difficult category for the judges to adjudicate upon… but like any other event, there had to be a winner. Ida Achieng’ with her Kenyan flagged red and black dress was the winner in this category.
The overall best performing group was St. Anthony fellowship but as they say, everyone was a winner and thus, all the participants were awarded and treated to a photo session by His Grace Biship Paul to serve as a memory of the unique great day we all shared and enjoyed.
To God is the Glory. We also give thanks to everyone who made the event possible.
A Life-changing Experience...
... Join us this Summer of 2010
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” (Isaiah 6:8)
Jesus said… “Do you love Me…Tend My sheep.” (John 21:15-17)
God has a plan for the life of every one of us. Part of his plan is the success we experience in our daily life, in school, at work, etc and another part is to glorify God. He has truly blessed us in our work and study this past year. Now, shouldn’t we search to thank him and fulfill the other part of his plan for us, the spiritual yearning in our lives? God, in His grace and mercy, is asking you to come. He offers you a great chance in the mission this summer to offer your love and receive a new life; to deepen your spiritual life. Don’t let the chance to serve pass you by.
Use your talents...
Live up to your potential...
Do great things for the Lord!!!
Preach the Gospel by ...
Showing love to many lonely orphans
Serving the street kids (RAHA KIDS)
Encouraging the prisinors
Giving hope to the sick (medical campaign)
Enlightening the children at the community school
Caring for the HIV positive patients
Market preaching, spiritual days, all-night prayer vigils
"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
who bring glad tidings of good things." (Rom 10:15)
(Click here to read more about what your summer can be like)
Bishop Paul and Fr. Tadros Malaty discuss the Cross at Servants Retreat for Zambia and Congo
The servants and deacons of the churches of Zambia and Congo gathered together in Ndola for 3 days of praise, worship and Bible study. “We are here to enrich our spiritual lives” said Father Abraham of St. Marks Church in Northmead, Lusaka.
Featured at this annual retreat was noted Bible scholar and author, Father Tadros Malaty of Alexandria, Egypt. A man of great knowledge and wisdom, he lectured on the “Sweetness of the Cross”. “It was great to hear him speak having read so many of his books”, commented one of the attendees. Father Tadros dedicates himself to study and obedience. He is a quiet, gentle man who is an impeccable example for others to follow. There were many celebrations throughout this 3 day event. Voices sang as the packed Chapel came alive with harmony and praise.
The servants were challenged and encouraged to see service through the lens of the cross. To see those whom we are serving as special children of God and to remember we are working together with God to restore His image in them. Through the cross we were urged to have a deeper relationship with God in prayer, in consecration to the Lord and in dedication to seek Him. It was a message that refreshed the servants and made us eager to serve the Lord with joy, thanksgiving and prayer.
Workshops integrating the servants of the many churches present allowed each person individually to assess and plan the practical applications of the message in their lives of service. The translators worked tirelessly in order to allow the servants to share ideas and thoughts on the messages they had heard. The added talk by Mike White a visiting chemical dependency counsellor was also an amazing chance to talk openly and gain understanding on dealing with the many chemical dependency problems we see in the community. It was a great reminder of the power of God to change lives.
Topping off this incredible gathering was the climactic “Celebration of the Feast of the Cross”. Lead by Bishop Paul and his team of clergy, it was truly a sight to see. Rarely have I been a part of such a memorable and reverent celebration dedicated to enriching the spiritual strength and unity of this group of passionate servants.
Conference in Maseno: The Church, the Body of Christ
We had a beautiful conference with the priests, servants and deacons of Kenya and Tanzania during the first week of March, at the St-Mina Monastery. The theme was “The Church, the body of Christ” and topics discussed were “the meaning of the body of Christ”, “the life of Christ in the Church”, “the presence of Christ in the congregation”, and “a Church without Christ”.
By the end of the conference, we were all praying and asking the Lord to show us which Churches needed to be revived. It was decided that 12 senior deacons will come and be trained at the monastery of St-Mina for 1 month starting March 10th, 2010, and will be sent to assist in the service of Churches that need some revival. The monastery is also willing and ready to offer the same discipleship conference to servants of the other Coptic Churches in Africa.
Please pray for the priests, deacons and servants. This month we are dedicating our prayers for the priest and servants of Tanzania, and are asking you to please pray with us, and put Tanzania on the altar during liturgy.
Visit from our Coptic Family from Sudan
We had the blessing of Fr. Marcorious Samir visiting Kenya with a group of servants from Sudan, sent by Bishop Elia and Bishop Sarapamon. The group enjoyed their time very much with Bishop Paul, and are planning to bring a group of youth from Sudan to serve in the Mission. It’s always refreshing for missionaries in Africa to fellowship with their fellow Christian brothers and sisters. Thank you for coming. God bless you!
In this time where God in His mercy is blessing our mission and while Africa and our children are facing great threats of sickness, poverty and even death; the Coptic Mission is striving with donors to save the lives of thousands of people. We know this mission is in the hands of God and we know by all your prayers the mission can help in these challenges.
Currently we face a specific challenge and crisis of losing the only available land property which can assist in building facilities to fight against the great needs of the African people. This land with a new center can save the lives of many people. (Click here to read full article)
Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of RAHA Kids
Thanks be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for being so gracious with us on January 11th, 2010 at the Grand Opening of RAHA KIDS. Although the day started out with a lot of last-minute running-around, the outcome was wonderful, and it was covered by the newspaper and television media stations. We were fortunate enough to have present with us the Ambassador of Finland, USAID, World Vision, CUAHA, St Benedict’s Children’s Center, Undugu Society, city council and other organizations, which all took time out of their busy schedules to come and support the Inauguration of RAHA KIDS. After the initial speeches to explain what RAHA KIDS presently does, and the future plans, we received wonderful feedback from the guests of Honor about how innovative the vision was, and how ready and willing they were to support such a project.
Most of our children come from Kibera, one of the largest slums in the world, which is just minutes away from the drop-in center, and children are increasing every day. Selim, one of our street children felt compelled to say a word yesterday. Most of the guests thought he might ask for food, or clothing, or even education, however he only asked that when the guests go back to their organizations and/or government, that they try to address the problem of divorce, since as he said, most of the children ended up on the street because of the breakdown of the family. He stole the show and the hearts of many of the listeners. He called not for a bandage to the situation he himself is in, but for a way to prevent future children from entering into his same crisis. The way he spoke made the guests say that if Selim was given a chance in life, maybe he would be a minister himself one day.
Please pray that many hearts will be moved to support this ministry, and ask the Lord to continue to heal the hearts and lives of these traumatized children, so that they may hear His gentle voice telling them “I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11)
To see more photos of RAHA KIDS, go to www.copticmission.org/rahakids
Great Events In Africa!!!
2009 Mission Conference Video Testimonial
Memories of a Summer of Mission
The Excellence of God’s Power in Earthen Vessels
A Dream Inspired Chicken
A great part of the mission service involves door to door Bible sharing. On one such occasion, a deacon, one of the Maryland boys and two London girls were visiting an elderly Catholic mamma. As soon as the group came into the Mamma’s view, she warmly welcomed them into her hut. The mamma excitedly began to share a dream that she had had the previous night. God had showed her that a mazungo (foreign boy) and a local man would come to visit her. God asked her to warmly receive them and thank them with a gift. Finishing abruptly, the mamma jumped up. Slamming the door shut she grabbed her chatenga (shawl/skirt) and began chasing after a hen with a hammer.| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| group shot of guys.jpg | 38.75 KB |
| Resurrection.jpg | 90.82 KB |
