A New Call

January 14, 2011 No Comments

Grace, mercy, and peace be to each one of you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lorna and I pray you all had a blessed season celebrating the incarnation of our Lord and His promise of the resurrection to come. It is beyond our understanding that our eternal life was all made possible by a severe punishment and agonizing death rendered to Jesus. He was our personal substitute to suffer God’s wrath for us rather than to allow all of us to end up in hell. We all are washed clean with His blood that He delivers to us today (2011) in word, water, bread, and wine. This gift is the most wonderful miracle: forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. This overflowing love of Christ is what allows us to extend our hands of mercy in love to our neighbor and to share the Gospel with the whole world. “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Many of you have partnered with us to work in Kenya where poverty and disease challenges the poor and needy in ways that only those who are suffering can really know. An outcome seen in many widows and orphans beyond comprehension. Your hands of mercy is that light of Christ; the living hope among those in the worst of conditions. “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world” James 1:27. Orphans and widows deeply need such help, and they were particularly singled out for God’s care and the service of His people. James encourages Christians to return to the Word, take comfort in the Gospel, and live righteous lives focused on service toward others. We also know the kind of lives God calls us to lead. Yet too easily we turn away from that calling, God, who implanted His Word in us and justified us in Christ, now calls us to bless others. He honors us by using us to bring His love to all people, especially those whom the world ignores. (The Lutheran Study Bible; 2001)

I was ordained into the office of the Holy Ministry on July 1, 2007. I was installed at Springs of Life Lutheran Church Kibera, Nairobi Kenya on September 23, 2007. Being my first call, I had no idea what it would be like to be called to a new area and Parish. It is only bearable when you put that cross on Christ and let Him carry it and guide you to a decision. It was comforting to learn that Paul spent nearly three years with the Ephesian congregation, more time than with any other mission congregation he served. As of January 1^st, 2011 Lorna and I will be living in Kisumu and serving the rural church in that area. A specific Parish will not be assigned until I return from Tanzania where I will study Kiswahili for five months as from the first week of February. This rural work will not be new for us since my vicarage assignment was in such a context. Urban slums are mostly made up of people who have run from the rural to the city in search for jobs. In fact the availability of care is much more convenient and cost effective in the slums. Transportation in the rural is primarily walking and if you have a bicycle you are really blessed. Getting to and from health facilities when you are dealing with poverty and disease stricken areas challenges the church very much in the rural.

As we transition to our work around Lake Victoria, we would ask that you continue to pray for us. One area of change is that in Nairobi our housing was furnished, but in Kisumu we will have to cater for that expense and prayer is the first place to start. God has never failed to take care of us and we are confident in His continued grace and mercy to sustain us day by day. We will continue to support the children and women of Kibera as God’s will is done through us. It is not by what we do but by what He has done that we are in this service to his loved ones. We are so grateful for the sponsorship program that assists us so much in this area of our work. Jacob Fraher has worked tirelessly on this program and we thank him very much for this. “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies-in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:8-11)

Yours in the Lord’s Vineyard,

Rev. Dennis Meeker

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