Peace on Earth and Goodwill Toward All

A letter from Marta Bennett serving in Kenya

December 2015

Peace.  The weeks of Christmas and New Year’s are quite peaceful here in Nairobi; most folks have travelled up-country to “eat Christmas” with extended families and communities.  I sit in my rocking chair looking out over the back garden, and as birds are twittering away amid the bougainvillea, a gangly ibis stands poised on top of the stone wall, calculating the risk of descending down into the new green growth prompted by the heavy rains, but wary of the two alert dogs pacing back and forth below, eager for a good chase.  The red finches and yellow weaver birds are unraveling strands from the banana leaves to fortify their nests, and the sun shines warmly on the entire scene.

As we have celebrated the birth of the Prince of Peace into human history once again this December, how much this year we have been reminded yet again of how much we need his peace, the peace of God that transcends all understanding, as well as peace on earth and goodwill to all.  While the birds in the garden are oblivious, enjoying their Creator’s good creation, human news is a constant barrage of reports of wars and tragedies. Yet even there, in the midst, are multiple incidents of hope, and we see God’s love rising above fear and hate.  In Kenya, for instance…

Brown Biliny in my office, discussing the up-coming event

On Monday, December 21, a public bus traveling in northern Kenya was attacked by Al-Shabaab terrorists.  Muslims on board refused to separate themselves from the Christian passengers and instead protected them. The Muslim women quickly shared their clothing with the non-Muslims on board in solidarity, and for the most part tragedy was averted as the attackers became confused and eventually fled.

On Tuesday, December 15, Brown Biliny Bor, one of my master’s students at International Leadership University, organized and led a citywide commemoration event in honor of the thousands massacred two years ago in South Sudan and to protest the ongoing conflict.  Though some of the potential event attendees pulled out, holding their own tribally based gathering elsewhere, those who led the event and those who attended were from several South Sudanese tribes, determined to meet together for the purpose of building bridges and to promote healing, pushing forward the processes of forgiveness, reconciliation and the rebuilding of this very young new nation across the divides.  Brown himself was in Juba, South Sudan, on December 16, 2013, during the massacre and had been shot twice and left to die.  Instead, he got up, eventually came back to Nairobi, and re-enrolled in the master’s program.  During a course last January semester on Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation Processes, as part of an assignment he interviewed staff at the Nairobi Peace Initiative.  Out of that visit the vision was born for a new registered organization, “Africa Recovery and Development Peace Mission,” for the purpose of “Healing South Sudan for lasting peace and development.”  The commemoration event before Christmas was followed two days later by an all-day workshop on our campus on trauma healing and counseling for about 50 South Sudanese leaders.

On December 25, after a wonderful Christmas Eve in our home, sharing food, carol singing, and a birthday cake for Jesus with former and new neighbors, we enjoyed a quiet Christmas Day, just as our family.  Later in the afternoon we ventured out for “Star Wars,” not exactly a “peaceful” movie, but filled with the special effects, excitement, and the hope of good conquering evil once again.  Somehow it was symbolic afterward that we ventured for the first time back into the refurbished Westgate Mall, newly reopened a few months ago after the terrorist attacks of September 2013. As we circled up to the food court, it was poignantly sobering, yet hopeful, to walk through the reclaimed mall, so brightly decorated for Christmas and buzzing with life, a tribute to the resilience that we will not let evil and destruction be the end of the story.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matt. 5:9) and “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).  We are thankful.

Marta with ILU staff and students, members of her discipleship group. From l to r: Zelly, Marta, Yumi, Kennedy, Sebastian, and Pastor Elijah

As an update on my plans, the kids and I continue on here in Nairobi, continuing at International Leadership University and the various other endeavors with which we are involved.  Justin will finish his senior year of high school this May and is in the process of applying to universities for next September, most likely in the U.S.  Imani is in the middle of 10^th grade, and Steven is working in the IT industry here in Nairobi.

For the next six months, January to June 2016, we will be supported on a reduced income through what is being provided as a “re-entry grant” upon the completion of my terms of service with the PC(USA) as of December 31, 2015.  Your support during the following months is crucial to make this possible.  Please continue to send your financial contributions to my PC(USA) mission account E200312  for individuals, or account D506057 for congregations.  Every contribution makes a difference as we partner together.  After June 2016, if you wish to continue to support a Presbyterian World Mission mission co-worker serving in Africa in theological education, I would encourage you to consider supporting Kay Day, serving in Rwanda.  You can find her profile on her Mission Connections page of the PC(USA) website.

Please do pray for us during this transition time, that we can continue to be faithful in the Lord’s service, to hear God’s voice as he leads the way forward, and for provision to make it all possible.  Since we are not planning to re-enter the U.S. at this point, I am in the process of interviewing with another mission organization as a possible way forward to continue on in ministry here in East Africa, beginning July 1, 2016, for the next number of years.  If you would like to be kept informed of my next steps and plans as they unfold, my email is mjiben@yahoo.com, and I would love to keep in touch, and continue to share in ministry together as God leads.  May we be God’s ambassadors of peace and reconciliation day by day.

In peace and hope,
Marta

The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 145