Other SheepOther Sheep East Africa eNews April 12, 2008

eNews Archive
Market, Niarobi, Kenya
Above Photo:  a popular Nairobi market

East Africa Other Sheep coordinators Rev. Kimindu

and Rev. Makokha part of  Hatua TV Talk Show on homosexuality to be aired in June, in Nairobi, Kenya.
 

"Ignorance, apathy and misunderstanding of the Bible have created a lot of confusion in our religious communities."  Rev. Makokha

 
"We preach the gospel of inclusion and affirmation of homosexuals."  Rev. Kimindu
 
Please Help the Rev. Makokha Family
Because of openly declaring his views, as he does here on this April 3rd TV talk show recording in Kenya, Rev. Makokha's denomination has withheld funds for more than two years now.  Other Sheep has found a donor who will give $170.00 per month towards his $340.00 monthly rent IF matching donors are found.
Update on Makokha Rent Project
The Hatua Talk Show
You can email the Hatua Talk Show and express your appreciation for airing this topic:  [email protected]
 
 
hatua general means 'decision' or 'cross roads' in Swahili
TV Talk Show Participants:
 

Rev. Michael Kimindu (Anglican) and Rev. John Makokha (United Methodist), Coordinators with Other Sheep, a pro-LGBT ecumenical Christian ministry, participated in the April 3rd recording of the HATUA Talk Show on "The Human Rights of Homosexuals," Nairobi, Kenya.  Taking the opposing view were Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology adjunct professor Dr. George Renner of the USA and Pastor David Oginde of Nairobi Pentecostal Church.  Also participating were Kenyan homosexuals and their friends and allies - voices for the voiceless homosexuals in Kenya.  The program was recorded before a live audience of fifty people and will be aired in Nairobi, Kenya, some time in June. The program will also air in other parts of Africa.  See article below:  "Opposing views on homosexuality . . . "

Recording studio, co-sponsor, broadcasting dates
The recording studio is Mohammed Amin Foundation co-sponsored by Open Society Institute of East Africa.  The new Season will be launched with a special two part show on Negative Ethnicity on NTV (National TV) on the 23rd and 30th of April at 7:30pm.  The full Season (Hatua Season III) will start beginning June 8. 
April 9, NY Times:  Unrest in Kenya as Peace Plan Falters 
April 9, Walking with Integrity:  Archbishop of Canterbury condemns recent violence
 
 
 
Rev. John Makokha, TV panelist and Other Sheep Coordinator for Kenya, Reports:
Opposing Views on Homosexuality from Religious Leaders on TV Talk Show to be Aired in June in Nairobi, Kenya, and in other parts of Africa

 

By Rev. John Makokha, April 4, 2008.  Nairobi, Kenya.  Homosexuals remain silent because they face a hostile world which society has created through centuries of homophobic discrimination.  Said one gay person, "homosexuals struggle with stigma, rejection, isolation and self-hatred because of discrimination based on their sexual orientation."  This has caused most gay Kenyans to remain in the closet and invisible.

 

"The isolation and rejection associated with social stigma from family members and religion can be devastating," said another gay Kenyan.  "Our human rights are violated with impunity."

 

The panel observed that homosexuals do not have equal rights with heterosexuals in terms of private relationships.  This inequality is in contradiction to the International UN charter and the Constitution of Kenya on human rights.  Kenya has a double standard when it comes to the application of the law.  It is because of this denial of their basic human rights that many homosexuals suffer depression, and even some commit suicide.

 

Often worse than the recently experienced post-election violence in Kenya, is the spiritual and emotional violence inflicted upon its homosexual victims by the verbal abuses of religion.  "Homosexuals should not be allowed to live in any community because they are evil," said the Imam of Jamia Mosque in Nairobi.   Pastor Oginde, although permitting homosexuals to enter his Christian community would do so under the condition that they change from homosexual to heterosexual, citing Sodom and Gomorrah as the justification for his reasoning and redeeming grace in Jesus as the means of change, which is the purpose of all sinners who come to Jesus.

 

Rev. Kimindu said we preach the gospel of inclusion and affirmation of homosexuals since the model of the expression of Jesus' love is for all of us.  "Homosexuals are our children, brothers, aunties," he said.    "The ways of God transcend human understanding." 

 

It was noted that it is not correct to refer to homosexuality as a "lifestyle."  Instead, homosexuality is a sexual orientation just like heterosexuality is a sexual orientation and not a "lifestyle."  It was also noted that homosexuals have existed throughout history.

 

Dr. Renner, of the USA, apologized on behalf of the Western world for pushing their culture to Africa.  He cautioned members not to borrow everything from the West.  "We have not been doing very well . . . " he said.

 

Makokha said that the issue of homosexuality touches the nerve of many spiritual and theological questions. The religious community should tune-up their theology, spirituality and ministry to homosexuals. The question of moral or judgmental superiority should be avoided since our God is not homophobic. Ignorance, apathy and misunderstanding of the Bible have created a lot of confusion in our religious communities. Homosexuality is a taboo in most religious communities.

 

The members of the panel unanimously agreed that the issue of homophobia and religion has to be addressed holistically. There is need to create awareness in all cadres of society through seminars and workshop, the media and counseling.

 
You can correspond with Rev. John Maklokha, author of this aricle, by emailing him at [email protected]

 

 
UMC John with wife, KenyaUP DATE ON Rev. MAKOKHA RENT PROJECT 
Amount needed per month - $340.00
Matching donor has promised per month - $170.00
Matching individuals have promised per month - $60.00
Additional amount needed BY APRIL 31 per month - $110.00
PLEASE BECOME A MATCHING DONOR @ $5.00 PER MONTH
Photo at left:  Rev. John Makokha and wife Anne
 
In addition to no denominational funds for rent:  Rev. and Mrs. Makokha's four daughters lack funds to pay for fees related to their education.  Their youngest daughter, Lavender is class 4 at St. Hannah's Preparatory school (primary).  Next youngest, Louiza is in class 8 and will be joining Form 1 (high school) in January 2009.  Wilner, the second oldest daughter, is in Form 3 in The Kenya high school.  Their oldest daughter is graduated from high school and plans to attend Daystar University for a course in community development in August 2008.  If you would like to especially help with their educational fees, please contact Other Sheep.
For more information on costs:  see email from Rev. Makokha.

EAST AFRICA OTHER SHEEP LINKS ________________________________________________________

Kimindu with church wide view

Photo at left:  Emmanuel   Kamau, Coordinator for English speaking Africa.  Email:  [email protected]
 
Photo at right:  Rev. Michael  Kimindu, Coordinator for East Africa.  Email:  [email protected]
 
Not pictured:  Jose Ortiz, Coordinator for non-English speaking Africa.  Email:  [email protected]
Please help the Rev. Makokha family by forwarding this eNews to a friend by selecting "Forward email" at extreme bottom.
Sincerely,
 
  (Rev.*) Steve Parelli, MDiv    Steve and Jose Mexico
  Executive Director
  Other Sheep
                 [email protected]
 
*Defrocked by a local Baptist church for entering into a committed gay relationship.
 
Photo at right:  Jose and Steve on speaking tour for Other Sheep, Mexico 2005.
Below:  Steve and Jose to participate in The AMERICAN FAMILY OUTING as a lead family.
 The American Family Outing
 Meet our most recent sponsors:  Cris Elkins (right) with his partner of 34 years, Gene Hannold.  Steve first met Cris and Gene during the Soulforce Action at the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis, June 13-16, 2004.
 
In the photo at left, Cris and Gene are holding a sign that says "Walk a mile in my shoes."
 
Consider joining Chris and Gene as sponsors of the Parelli-Ortiz family.  Read more about The American Family Outing.
 
                                   Steve and Jose
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Other Sheep is an ecumenical Christian ministry working for the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith within their respective faith communities worldwide.
 
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