Singing and praying

(guest post by Marielke)

At the Quaker Service (Programmed Worship) in Nairobi on our first Sunday here in Kenya, I felt moved by the songs of praise. Singing, clapping and dancing to praise can be something really beautiful!
At the YQCA Triennial gathering, we were called into every session by two local Quaker Youth choirs: from Chwele and from Lugulu Yearly Meeting.
As our time here increased, along the way some songs of praise have become part of our Kenyan experience. I will write down a few, and hopefully Sarah will be able to post some video recordings later:

Haleluya tumwambie Bwana asante
(we say thanks to the Lord)

Mambo sawa sawa (x2)
Yesu akiwa enzini
Mambo sawa sawa (x3)
(things already better (x2)
when the Lord (Jesus) is in the throne (or: in control)
things already better (x3)

Ejoko Yesu [solo] Ejoko Yesu [congregation]
Ejoko noi akuj[u] kanga - Ejoko Yesu (x2)
(thanks Jesus, we thank you very much Jesus)

In her introduction of the theme of the gathering, our first speaker at the conference, Deborah Saunders, gave us the valuable advice to "write down the things that God speaks to your soul. Write down what God did for you, every morning after your prayers, write down your thanks. These words can comfort your soul in moments of need when there is no one else around. It will also strengthen your trust in God, as it can testify that he will make you walk through the valley, through the storms, but God will always pull you through."

For me, this linked nicely to the message of our second speaker, Oliver Kisaka, who taught us about the elements of prayer:
"- Adoration (it is human nature to worship - so if not God, then it will be something else [idolatry])
- Petition (put forward your case)
- Repentance (realisation that as human beings we fail and make mistakes many times)
- Thanksgiving (a very powerful element of prayer: a thankful attitude for what is followed by a sincere request will be more effective than complaining about what is not)"

I will try to take these teachings flowing from the experiences of our speakers in and remind myself of them as life goes on.

365-09 #352