Walk the Way

Eric Kigoni said »

Greetings,

My name is Eric Wanjogu Kigoni! I listen to your comments on Radio 316 here in Mombasa, Kenya. Praise the Lord! You are doing a good work for the body of Christ.

In response to your question:

First I would like to introduce myself. I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. I try to live each day considering my impact on both my community and the world through the Word. Here in Kenya, I have been working with my wife to serve the people each day in a variety of ways. One way is through our non-governmental organization, Voices of Africa for Sustainable Development. We work to spread the love of Christ through information technology and practical action. While we are not a religious organization we follow the principles of Christ in all of our decisions. We also make sure that we are impacting the community around us on a daily basis.

We live in suburb of Mombasa named Likoni where there is high population density and extreme abject poverty. There is also extreme poverty of the Spirit. Tribalism and gentrification are rampant. Yes we face daily challenges but the Lord did not promise us that it would be an easy path. As a matter of fact, He told us how difficult it would be. But His Word has prepared us for this task.

Pursuing justice will not make you popular. In fact, it will ensure that you are persecuted. Pursuing the Lord is not for the faint of heart! For us it requires constant vigilance to ensure that we are following His way rather than the way of the world. It is for His glory, that we are willing to suffer among the people and indeed suffer for them. It was for us that Christ gave his life. We owe Him no less. All that is required is that we have faith in Him. In the pursuit of justice, people must act in His righteous, not in their own or in the eyes of men. Once you are righteous in His eyes then you can pursue justice for His sake. Remember His Word declares, "The just shall live by faith."

Many blessings,

Eric Kigoni

January 09, 2009

Amanda said »

I have been a believer in the Lord for a brief time, only five years. And one thing I have noticed about pursuing justice is that often, all that stops people from trying to do right is fear- what will others think of them? What if they do not succeed? The thing is, if we all sit and wallow in fear then that will ensure that nothing gets done. So the first step is to rid yourself of fear. I believe that in trying to do right, God will be on your side. The next step is to care. I was a victim of horrendous abuse as a child, and no one came to my aid because we lived in a conservative community where "those things didn't happen." SO it was ignored, out of fear. All through the Scriptures, I have found that God has been on the side of the righteous. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we have to look out for each other, for the weaker ones in society. If we don't take care of each other, then who will? Peace out, and God bless!!

January 10, 2009

Mark said »

At my church, we recently went through a series on social justice and struggled with the same question of how we can make a difference. I thought I would share some of the things we brainstormed.

1. Informing others: Many people are simply unaware that slavery, forced prostitution, and unfair labor practices take place. One suggestion is share with people the recently released documentary "Call + Response." It does an excellent job of explaining the problem.

2. Buying fair trade items: As consumers, one of the best things we can do is seek out and buy fair trade products in replace of items that have questionable origins. The idea is that if we reduce (better yet, eliminate) demand for unethical products, it would help to reduce the profitability of slavery. A great place to start finding fair-trade products is at the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations (FLO) website http://www.fairtrade.net.

3. Supporting organizations that are in a position to have a direct impact: Supporting organizations such as the International Justice Mission can go a long way. Although it might not feel like much, simply being involved and getting others to be involved can lead to change.

4. Most importantly, prayer: Not only praying for those who are enslaved but also praying for those that enslave them. Praying that God will bring people into their lives that will change their hearts. Praying that these people will open themselves to Jesus Christ and become a force for good instead of evil.

I hope this information is useful.
God bless.

January 12, 2009

Philos said »

I have a close friend that was a missionary to Kenya for 4 years. He tells me stories of the unimaginable poverty that break my heart. we cannot comprehend the depth of poverty millions live in. I asked him a question....Why don't we try to train these people to become self sufficient? why can't they plant food? Can't we teach them to farm? his answer was profound. He told me of a family who had come into some wealth in relative standards to that economy. They built a house and they planted a garden. They garden woud get robbed every time the fruit or vegetables would begin to rippen. They family built a chain link fence. the robbers woud climb the fence. They posted armed guards once when the family went on some type of trip. Upon their return they found the guards had been killed and the vegetables stripped from the garden. My friend told me that until the Gospel affects their culture in a way that they collective whole of that society will no longer tolerate that type of behavior, they will always live that way. The west has been evangelizing Africe for 1000 years. When those people, who are called by His name, will humble themselves, pray and seek His face, He then will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal theeir land. Social injustice is a heart problem to the "collective soul" of a nation. Go Ye.

January 17, 2009