Church prepares for Luo Day, Sunday, Sept. 27, MP to attend

Bishop Jonah Obonyo of Cathederal of Praise Ministries from nairobi, kenya, leads members of the Luo community n Boston in a Luo worship song titled "Wanwadhi ka Yesu " ( We wre going to Jesus regardless of obstacles) during an intertribal church service at rapture harvest Mission International in Wakefield, Mass. recently.

By Harrison Maina , Ajabu Africa News

BOSTON, Mass_ SEPTEMBER 26_The out-spoken, widely traveled and multi-lingual Kenyan Luo pastor who dazzled Kenyans in Boston last year with his eloquence at preaching in Kikuyu language was at it again recently and warned fellow countrymen and women of continued distress if they don’t position themselves in the house of God.

This was during the recent celebrations to open the new home for the Rapture Harvest Mission International church that has moved from Cambridge to 33 West Water Street in Wakefield.

At the same event, Kenyans were informed that there will be a Luo day in the New England region tomorrow, Sunday, September 27th to  encourage members of the Luo community to come out and join other Kenyans participate in community affairs.

A Luo member of Parliament for Gwasi constituency, Hon. John Mbadi, who is in the US on a tour, will be the guest of honor.

During the sermon recently , Bishop Obonyo told Kenyans that depression can kill every dream a person has and that is the reason that many people go into drinking and others loose behaviors in life.

The cleric noted that many Kenyans in the USA are stuck with so many stressful situations in their lives even as they make a lot of money.

“Long ago, women used to run away. These days, even men take off from homes when problems pile, especially in America,” said Bishop Obonyo to the amusement of those present. “This is pathetic,” he added.

Obonyo said that God positions every person on earth for some purpose and so it was important for each person to position oneself in the house of God on a regular basis to give God a chance to work in their lives.

“Those that position themselves in the house of God shall flourish like the palm tree,” preached the man of God.

 President Obama is positioned at this time to show the world that the people of color can also achieve anything,” he added.

Bishop Obonyo said that those who hold onto their dreams and resist the urge to give the devil a foothold by getting trapped in alcohol and other sinful behaviors are the ones that will reach their destiny in this land.

Luo Day

Close to 20 members of the Luo community in Boston attended the new church celebration   prompting an instant multilingual praise and worship that thrilled worshippers.

Worshippers burst onto the sanctuary with Luo praise and worship songs interchanged with Kikuyu Kigoco (Worship), Kamba as well as Swahili praise, to accommodate the mary cultures and East and central Africa nationalities present that included Kenyans, Ugandans, a Tanzanian and Congolese.

Meanwhile, a new community outreach has been started by the Rapture Harvest mission International church based in Wakefield, Massachusetts with the objective of recognizing and honoring members of the Kenyan communities in New England.

The move, started a couple of weeks ago, aims at encouraging other tribes to come out of their 'hiding holes' and contribute to community and social work instead of leaving everything to the majority Kikuyu.

Announcing the venture, Bishop Joshua Wambua of Rapture Harvest Mission International said that an inaugural meeting took place one month ago where Kambas were invited to share dishes with other tribes and socialize.

"We had at least six Kamba's showing up, and that was great,” said Bishop Wambua at a recent Sunday service attended by Bishop Jonah Obonyo of the Cathedral of Praise Ministries of Nairobi Kenya.

This Sunday, it will be a Luo day. Luos in New England have been requested to come out and socialize.

We invite them to enjoy food from other different tribes such as Githeri, Njahi, Mataha, Muthokoi and others. No fish on this day, said Bishop Wambua.

Wambua said that it was very important for everyone to socialize with other members of other tribes because we have now seen that it is too important.

“The Kikuyu can make money from anywhere but they cannot fish!” They have to depend on the Luo for fish and vice versa,” said Wambua.

Similarly, if the Kikuyu do not engage the Luo in their matters, they will keep burying them when they die," the Bishop added referring to two deaths of little known members of the Luo tribe that occurred here in Boston early this year, which forced the majority of the Kiyuyu to fundraise to repatriate the bodies of the fellow Kenyans to their families back in Kenya.

Tomorrow’s event will take place at Bishop Wambua's house on 40 Lynn fells Parkway, Stoneham, Mass starting 2 pm.

Prior to the Luo day celebrations, there will be a church service at the Rapture Harvest Mission International church at 10 .30 am where the Kenyan Mp will also worship.

Jackson Were, a member of Rapture Harvest Mission Church who resides in Lynn, Mass. appealed to members of the Luo community wherever they may be to come out and have fun.

“This is going to be great. You are all welcome on September 27 to have fun,” Were announced in church.

For more information, call: 957-204-0989/ 617-899-9130