Kenyans donate money to meet the final expenses of a community leader who passed away recently after a long illness. A total of $ 22,000 was raised during the event that took place at the Presbetyrian Ushindi Church in Lowell, MA

By Harrison Maina
AjabuAfrica.com

LOWELL, MA, September 17-The Kenyan Community in USA has been asked to realize the rapid growth of a new Kenyan- American community and with it the urgent need to invest in things that will enable them to deal with this new phenomena for a brighter future.

he remarks weresaid two weeks ago by Bishop Joshua wambua of Rapture Harvest Mission International during a fund raising ceremony in aid of a departed community leader.

Family and friends of the late Francis Ndungu Gitei, a Kenyan Community elder in Massachusetts, had gathered on Sunday, Sep 17 and raised over $22,000 to send the body of the long time community elder who passed away recently after a long battle with illness.

The late Francis Ndungu Gitei, popularly known as Ithe Wa Nganga ( Nganga's Dad)  had been battling with illness for over 14 years  before he finally succumbed at the Massachusetts General Hospital on August 28, 2008. He had been in the USA for 12 years and is survived by a son in the USA and a daughter in Kenya.

Francis was a well known and active elder in the Kenyan Community in Boston and has been a Church elder for as long as the Kenyans Churches started in Boston. He   never ceased to go to church even as his health deteriorated and made him too weak to drive or walk.

It was therefore with a fitting respect that Kenyans from all walks of life congregated at the Ushindi Presbyterian Church in Lowell to fund raise for their beloved elder's final expenses and final respects before the body was to be airlifted back to Kenya.

Bishop Joshua Wambua of the Rapture Harvests Mission in Cambridge, MA  led the sermon. He praised the  late Francis Nganga  for setting a good example to all the Kenyans in the USA  as he was a humble and courageous man who was always ready to help.

Mr. Nganga was one of the original nine Kenyans who in the year 1995 set up probably the first Kenyan Community Church in USA in Malden City, MA.

"Baba Nganga set a good example, he ran his race successfully and completed it", said Bishop wambua. "Now, run your race well", he advised those present.

Bishop Wambua noted that over a very short period of time, there has emerged a whole new Kenyan American Community. "We need to figure out what to do with this new community, we need to prepare", the Bishop urged. "Education is the key for this new community and we must invest in it" he added.

Bishop Wambua also urged people who do not attend any church to come out of their cocoons and participate in the community. "Let us make a home away from home: if you have that mentality that you are going home soon, you are going nowhere!"  , he said amid loud applause from the congregants.

The pastor of the Ushindi Church, Rev. Dr. Mumbui Karimi thanked all the people who came in for the solemn event. "Please feel welcome here at Ushindi and feel free to give whatever the Lord blesses you with," he beseeched those in attendance.

There was little hesitation to donate as soon as the master of ceremonies, Mr. Thuo Karugu prompted the friends and family who had gathered to donate, and within half an hour, $ 22,000 had been raised, enough to send the body of the late Mzee Ndungu back to Kenya.

After the fundraising event, those who attended had time to socialize and enjoy the delicacies that had been prepared. They then left for their homes and    workplaces feeling proud of their accomplishment for the day.

AjabuMedia.com sends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the late Mzee Ndungu. May the good Lord console your hearts at this time of grief.

Other Top Stories
Kibaki Meets U.S. Kenyans, Promises Dual Citizenship
The 1904 Maasai Agreement
Luos To Embrace Male Circumsicion
The Marriage of Anasewa and Our  Courtship toCredit  Cards