Valentines Day attracts many, celebrated in style

Kenyans in Nashua NH, celebrate during a 2009 Valentines day dinner at the Crowne Plaza in Nashua

Story and pics by Harrison Maina , Ajabu Africa News                            Watch Video - AjabuTV

NASHUA, NH , FEBRUARY 20_ The much revered Valentines Day was celebrated by Africans here in different styles and tastes.

Known more these days as a lovers’ day, Valentines holiday is the day to express love and to celebrate the spirit of love. The annual event is celebrated on the 14th of February with lovers all over the world falling over heels to get the special day marked in their lives.

For those who have not yet safely secured a lover, have already jettisoned or been jettisoned by one, valentines day is a great opportunity to find a new lover, with hopes of keeping them forever.

Enterprising African church ministries and individuals are quickly catching up to make a quick buck off this wildly popular holiday that often see sales of flowers, candy, wine  and other niceties skyrocket.

Africans are increasingly organizing dinner parties where lovers, friends and prospective lovers come to hear intimate advice of how to deal with relationships, or simply to enjoy them.

Many guests do not mind the pricey cover charge, which can range anywhere from 45$ to 60$ per couple, and more per individual.

However, lover or no lover, most living souls always want to express the love in their hearts, one way or the other.

In New England, a group of about 60 Kenyans hit a rendezvous at the Crowne Plaza in Nashua, New Hampshire, on the Valentines eve, Saturday February 13th for an elaborate Valentines Day dinner.

On the Valentines Day, about 70 Kenyans celebrated a Sunday evening valentines’ dinner organized by Bishop Joshua Wambua and Eddy Idehen of Rapture Harvest Mission International. The event took place at the Spinellis club in Peabody.

Meanwhile, an estimated group of 60 youths rocked the party at a Valentines Day Jam at the Grace Episcopal Church in Medford in an event jointly organized by KCFA New England, the Oasis of Love ministries and DJ Fresh.

Kenyan youth celebrate Valentines day in Medford, Mass.

In Nashua, Kenyans determined to escape the stress of chores at home and work, left their children with baby sitters to make way for the irresistible Valentines Day dinner.

The $100 per couple event attracted Kenyans from Nashua, Lowell, and Boston and from as far as Worcester.

The increasingly popular live band from the Saint Stephens church in Lowell provided entertainment with nostalgic kikuyu lovers’ songs like my dear Nduku,Muiritu wa Kabete ( Lady from Kabete) among others bringing the revelers together like glue.

“It is very refreshing to come out here and have some fun in a safe environment, near our homes,” said  Hellen Kamau, a mother of two who attended the event with her husband, Peter Njoroge aka Omondi.

“Totally cool being here tonight. We at least escape the stressful day to day lives for once in a year,” said Rachel Wainaina, also of Nashua.I wish people would appreciate thise singers who entertain us this way", she added.

The event was organized by Joseph Njenga, a resident of Nashua, and his wife, Elizabeth Wambui .

“We just decided to organize this event so that people can come and socialize on such an important holiday as the Valentines,” Njenga told AjabuAfrica.com, while flanked by his wife, Wambui.  “We will continue with this in the future,” he added.

A man poses with his wife during the 2009 Valentines day dinner party at the Crowne Plaza in Nashua, NH

During the event in Wakefield, Bishop Joshua Wambua told guests that it is important sometimes to go out with your wife or your prospective wife and have fun while putting a spiritual angle to it.
 
However, Wambua cautioned Africans who have their spouses back in Africa against engaging in love relationships with others in the USA, saying this is totally ungodly.
  
Several guests gave tips on how to remain faithful to spouses who are far away, and for the singles on how to maintain purity until one gets the right person to marry.
 
“When I feel lonely and I know my wife is all the way back in Kenya, I quickly remind myself that I am saved and I need to focus on what God is doing for me,” said Michael Kamau from Lynn. “That way, I keep myself faithful,” he added.
 
Similar advice was given for the singles by Christopher Kanyua, also from Lynn. Kanyua said that it is normal for young people to feel quite lonely like they need someone of the opposite sex.

However, when such feelings come, “I remind myself I am a committed Christian and I have to wait for the right time to get married,” Kanyua told guests.

Guests enjoy a valentines dinner at the Spinellis Restaurant in Peabody, Mass.

Addressing youths during the Valentines Day Jam in Medford, the Youth Pastor at the International Family Church, North Reading, Pastor Mo Christmas, said that engaging in premature love and sexual relationships leads to a whole lot of problems and complications in a young person’s life that often derail them from achieving their goals in life.
 
Many young people attending the event seemed to have fun as they soaked in the much needed advice from older people other than their parents. Many parents present hoped that the youths will remember and practice the wisdom dished out to them during the Valentines Day.

The youths enjoyed a variety of great dishes, games and music provided by Disc Jockey Fresh.

“We hope they will enjoy this and remember the advice given,” said James Njuguna of Oasis of Love ministries, one of the event organizers.
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