The Great I Am

New missionaries of The United Methodist Church.
(Photo by Dan Randall, missionary)

May the Great I AM Hear You Deliver You
Protect You

May the Great I AM
Provide for You
Nourish You
Guide You and Lead You

May the Great I AM
Teach You
Train You
Transform You

May the Great I AM
Redeem You
Restore You
Rejoice over You

May the Great I AM
have all of your lives -
all of your faith, hope, and trust,
all of your doubt, anxieties, failures, and shortcomings
that you may know the Great I AM in ever deeper and fuller ways
because the Great I AM - the triune God - was, is,
and will be for you...forever.

Alleluia.
AMEN

***
Dan Randall, missionary, posted this prayer on his blog. He wrote the prayer for the 26 young adults who are being trained and are about to serve in communities throughout the United States and throughout the world through The United Methodist Church. (Photo by Dan Randall)

In the story of Israel's exodus and exile and relationship with God, "I AM" is the name given to Moses by God in the book of Exodus, and it is a name by which Jews and Christians continue to call on God today, as seen through the stories of the Old Testament.

For more on Dan's reflections, link to: http://randallsreflections.blogspot.com/2011/08/great-i-am-prayer-for-young-adults-in.html

Black Methodists for Church Renewal’s Harambee 2011

 Janee Moses: "The young people were alert and excited during Harambee."
Photo: Marilyn Higgins  

Harambee, a Kiswahili word meaning, "Let's come together," effectively describes my experience as a participant of Black Methodists for Church Renewal's (BMCR) Harambee 2011. I have participated in many Harambee events through the Children's Defense Funds' Freedom School and other youth training programs. 

Although I was familiar with the origin of Harambee as well as the positive impact that the cheers and chants have on the most eager and even the most distant young people, I was not prepared for the inclusion of the spiritual component of BMCR’s Harambee.

We began every morning with cheers and chants. The young people were alert and excited during Harambee. The remnants of their sluggish movements and drooping eyes disappeared when the facilitator shouted "ROCK HARAMBEE." The display of enthusiasm was touching because it truly encompassed the theme of the conference. Day after day, the youth eagerly came together.  

Worship and praise followed Harambee. The first day was a struggle for the young people as well as myself, as we were not familiar with the transition that would occur. 

Young people embark on spiritual
growth at Harambee Conference.
Photo: Marilyn Higgins 

However, by the second day, everyone was ready to enter into the presence of the Lord while continuing to stay together. There was no doubt that God met us in the Kendall Center at Philander Smith College. The evolution that I saw among the young people as they willingly submitted to the spiritual process from Wednesday through Sunday was amazing. In addition, I am especially grateful for the spiritual growth that I was able to experience as a result of being a part of the Harambee Conference.

Spiritual development accompanied by the enjoyment of like-minded acquaintances created an atmosphere of peace and laughter. The joy was extremely high throughout the conference and miraculously masked the sleepiness of the staff who cooperated diligently to ensure that every spiritual, physical, material, and mental need of the youth was met.  Each coach, personal trainer, coordinator, and administrator operated selflessly for a total of 120 hours, over the course of five days. 

"The flow of spiritual and
social knowledge enhanced
the overall experience."
Photo: Marilyn Higgins

Furthermore, the flow of spiritual and social knowledge enhanced the overall experience and stimulated the development of every participant. Our theme, "Running with Passion Towards Leadership and Purpose," remained at the forefront of our minds. I truly believe that each and every young person, as well as the adult leaders and chaperones, all began the process of successfully running toward their unique and important purpose.

For more information on BMCR's Harambee, go to: bmcrumc.org.

This blog was written by Janee Moses who is interning at Better Community Development, Inc., in Little Rock, Arkansas (hosts of the 2k11 National Harambee).

Reflection from Mwilambwe Shabanza Cadet, Global Justice Volunteer

From July 3 to July 11, 2011, young people from across Africa gathered together in Nairobi, Kenya, to prepare for their eight-week term as Global Justice Volunteers (GJV). Through the GJV program, young adults live and learn with communities that are seeking justice in our world today. GJV is a program of the Mission & Evangelism Program Area and Women's Division of Global Ministries.

In the 2011 Global Justice Volunteers Africa Program, young adults are volunteering with three organizations in Kenya seeking justice around issues related to HIV/AIDS. Below is a reflection from Mwilambwe Shabanza Cadet (North Katanga Episcopal Area, DR Congo) following the orientation and training:

Mwilambwe Shabanza Cadet (left)
with 2009 Global Justice Volunteer John Atoyo
Photo: Gabriel G. Mungai

We are grateful to the Rev. Boye-Caulker from the Sierra Leone Annual Conference, Alice Otieno, director of the Comprehensive Rural Health Project in Kenya, and others about what we learned from them, such as fighting the injustice and violence against people who are HIV/AIDS carriers.

After the training, my team of four will be sent to work with the Comprehensive Rural Health Project in Kopanga. And I would like to ask young people from all over the world to pray for us in the upcoming weeks.

Reflection from Florence Kadie Lassayo, Global Justice Volunteer

From July 3 to July 11, 2011, young people from across Africa gathered together in Nairobi, Kenya, to prepare for their eight-week term as Global Justice Volunteers (GJV). Through the GJV program, young adults live and learn with communities that are seeking justice in our world today. GJV is a program of the Mission & Evangelism Program Area and Women's Division of Global Ministries.

In the 2011 Global Justice Volunteers Africa Program, young adults are volunteering with three organizations in Kenya seeking justice around issues related to HIV/AIDS. Below is a reflection from Florence Kadie Lassayo (Sierra Leone) following the orientation and training:

This training has really been a blessing to me in raising awareness and to address the root cause of injustices, as the heart of God is the heart of justice and HIV/AIDS in our communities and beyond.

Florence Kadie Lassayo (left)
with Madira Bwaza and Duhimbarwe Lionel
Photo: Gabriel G. Mungai

The video documentary titled "Coming to Say Goodbye" clearly exposed women's vulnerability in society. This tells me I have a great role in addressing the injustices and HIV/AIDS issues globally because, as a Christian, I must contribute to saving lives.

It is interesting to know that about 1.4 million Kenyans are HIV/AIDS carriers, and that women and children are more infected (out of every five persons with HIV/AIDS, approximately three are women).

Having looked at the root causes of HIV/AIDS and injustice, I hope to make a change. I am strongly convinced that if there are laws against discrimination, even distribution of resources and job opportunities will be created for persons living with HIV/AIDS, then the dream of hope will be realized…. And I am persuaded that with the effort of GJV projects, we will make a positive change.

Reflection from Duhimbarwe Lionel, Global Justice Volunteer

From July 3 to July 11, 2011, young people from across Africa gathered together in Nairobi, Kenya, to prepare for their eight-week term as Global Justice Volunteers (GJV). Through the GJV program, young adults live and learn with communities that are seeking justice in our world today. GJV is a program of the Mission & Evangelism Program Area and Women's Division of Global Ministries.

In the 2011 Global Justice Volunteers Africa Program, young adults are volunteering with three organizations in Kenya seeking justice around issues related to HIV/AIDS. Below is a reflection from Duhimbarwe Lionel (Burundi) following the orientation and training:

Duhimbarwe Lionel (left) with Bishop Daniel Wandabula
of the East Africa Annual Conference
Photo: Gabriel G. Mungai

Before I got to the one week of training at the Methodist Guesthouse and Conference Centre, GJV was somehow strange to me. I didn't know before what exactly we would have to do. But when we started the training, day by day, I began to understand that we, as GJVs, are called to show love and fight against injustice by helping persons affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS.

Because I haven't worked with people living with HIV/AIDS, I was before embarrassed because I was wondering how to work with them, until we went and visited persons affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS in Korogocho, one of Nairobi's slums. I came from there convinced that God has called me to work with persons living with HIV/AIDS, even in these six short weeks. I live about 800 meters from a hospital in my country, Burundi, but I didn't even pay attention to persons living with HIV/AIDS, and I realize now that they are often neglected and stigmatized by their family and the community….

This one week gave me the opportunity to live in harmony with others from different countries and cultures. It has been a big experience. All that has assured me that I didn't come for nothing. I'm here to bring my experience back home and to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, for a generation free from HIV/AIDS.

Reflection from Phenie Achieng Okidi, Global Justice Volunteer

From July 3 to July 11, 2011, young people from across Africa gathered together in Nairobi, Kenya, to prepare for their eight-week term as Global Justice Volunteers (GJV). Through the GJV program, young adults live and learn with communities that are seeking justice in our world today. GJV is a program of the Mission & Evangelism Program Area and Women's Division of Global Ministries.

In the 2011 Global Justice Volunteers Africa Program, young adults are volunteering with three organizations in Kenya seeking justice around issues related to HIV/AIDS. Below is a reflection from Phenie Achieng Okidi (Kenya) following the orientation and training:

During my training, I learned that justice is God's nature, so any injustice done is first done to God, because justice is the core of God's heart. I learned three main things that the Lord requires of us throughout mission: to do justice, show mercy and loving-kindness, and walk in humility with the Lord.

Phenie Achieng Okidi (left) with Regional Missionary Finda Quiwa
and 2009 Global Justice Volunteer John Atoyo
Photo: Gabriel G. Mungai

I also learned that mission calls us to hear Christ and listen to people's stories in the community we belong to. About theology of mission, I came to realize that it looks at the practical issues about God to His people. My mission as a GJV is integrated, both spiritual and physical.

I hope that, through my training, I shall never be the same again but will create a difference in my society because of the knowledge which has been impacted on me and the experience I will have during my volunteer term.

Reflection from Ake Ble Leon Nathan, Global Justice Volunteer

From July 3 to July 11, 2011, young people from across Africa gathered together in Nairobi, Kenya, to prepare for their eight-week term as Global Justice Volunteers (GJV). Through the GJV program, young adults live and learn with communities that are seeking justice in our world today. GJV is a program of the Mission & Evangelism Program Area and Women's Division of Global Ministries.

In the 2011 Global Justice Volunteers Africa Program, young adults are volunteering with three organizations in Kenya seeking justice around issues related to HIV/AIDS. Below is a reflection from Ake Ble Leon Nathan (Côte D'Ivoire) following the orientation and training:

Front Row (left to right): Florence Lassayo (Sierra Leone), Pauline Komo Odinga (DRC - Central Congo Conference), Phenie Achieng Okidi (Kenya), Ndamira Florence (Rwanda), Rev. Kat Sal Nenette (DRC- South Congo Conference). Back Row (left to right): Lionel Duhimbarwe (Burundi), Madira Bwaza (Uganda), Ake Ble Leon Nathan (Cote D’Ivoire), Bishop Daniel Wandabula, Mwilambwe Shabanza Cadet (DRC – North Katanga Conference). Photo: Kim Lehmann

I, Ake Ble Leon Nathan, representative of Côte D'Ivoire in the Global Justice Volunteers Africa Program, participated in the orientation and training at the Methodist Guesthouse and Conference Centre on the theme: "United Methodist Young People Responding to the Challenge exposed by HIV/AIDS."

We were nine representatives from different countries, including Burundi, Côte D'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone. During the week, we had Bible studies, country reports, and different presentations on mission, HIV/AIDS, and conflict resolution. We also had presentations from the three organizations where we will be serving as volunteers: 

• Grassroots Organizations Operating Together in Sisterhood Kenya (GROOTS Kenya)
• Kenya Network of Women with HIV/AIDS (KENWA)
• Comprehensive Rural Health Project

Ake Ble Leon Nathan (standing)
Photo: Gabriel G. Mungai

During the week, we also dealt with our concerns, the societal issues, and our expectations…. I personally learned a lot from this training. I was touched by the HIV/AIDS overview and the specific concerns. I also learned about Christian mission towards the society, such as expressing love and doing justice and righteousness.