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Herman Otioko was a devoted missionary, pastor, and peacebuilder whose life was marked by unwavering commitment to the Quaker faith and the communities he served. His journey in ministry began in 1970 when, during his internship from Kaimosi Bible Institute—now Friends Theological College—he was inspired to join the Turkana Friends Mission. This pivotal experience ignited a lifelong passion for mission work that would leave a lasting impact on the Quaker church in Kenya.
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Back in Boston after eight days with Cuban Quakers, I don’t even know where to begin. G*d was truly as close as our breathing and moved among and through us. I was witness to the deep joy and deep heartbreak that Cuban Friends live with every day. I miss them already and my heart is a little larger now.—Judy Goldberger, New England Yearly Meeting
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Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Genesis clearly says the animals were created and Adam was given the job of naming them all. So, chicken before the egg. In another not dissimilar question in ministry, which comes firs—the project idea or the funding? Oscar Mmbali, FUM in Belize Director, outlined the conundrum this way: some folks believe funding follows good ideas, and others believe good ideas reside where there is funding. Last year, Belize Friends Church, seeing a need in their community, answered that need by offering to help feed fifty families, providing supplemental food once a month. There was a need and an idea—and with communicated awareness, there was funding. There is still need in Belize. Belize Friends Church has set out their fleece again. This year they would like to be able to help seventy-five families with food each month.The Grocery Bag Project is one of the ways in which Belize Friends Church is training up new leaders. Young people, in cooperation with Oscar and Miriam Mmbali and Pastor Chris Luben, are learning about the planning, preparation, and execution of such an endeavor. Belize Friends Church is asking for help, stepping out in faith, seeing a need and asking themselves, “How can we help?” Please be with Friends in Belize as they seek to answer the call of God in their community.
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On Friday night I went to dinner with two classmates from Earlham. Between quick intakes of breath taken to counter our fatally authentic Indian dishes, our discussion turned toward how women should respond to misogyny in the workplace.
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The lessons for this Sunday describe signs of God that appear in the midst of everyday life. Joseph was an example of faithfulness, even when the signs he perceived were unclear, even mysterious. When we have been “fed with the bread of tears,” scorned and ridiculed, we long to be restored by God.
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Several years ago, I was inspired by the one of ten in the Gospel account, so I started the spiritual practice of “returning.” On a sheet of paper, I counted my many blessings, identifying places that were transformative in my life and people who have influenced and encouraged me along the way. My list became quite long. Then, when possible, I returned to those places and people to simply say, “Thank you.” I have had opportunities to return to my childhood church in Burundi, teachers, family members, pastors, colleagues, high school, friends, the youth camp where I answered the call to ministry, and other places of blessings.
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Throughout our history, the people known as Friends (or Quakers) keep rediscovering an essential and enduring truth: There is one who speaks to our most basic needs and most significant hopes—Christ Jesus the Lord. Both individually and communally, we are learning to know and follow the Voice that guides us in the way we should go. Together, we seek to understand and obey that truth which sets us free. As a people, we share in the experience of that powerful life which makes all things new. Maybe you are searching for an authentic and transforming faith and community to call home—if so, come in and join us as we seek to know and follow Christ.
Friends United Meeting commits itself to energize and equip Friends through the power of the Holy Spirit to gather people into fellowships where Jesus Christ is known, loved, and obeyed as Teacher and Lord.
