new church life: september/october 2014
rules set forth in the General Church Child Protection Policy.
The property in Etora is in the name of the Church and supervised by a
lay board that handles all the money. The orphanage is being supported by
the Helping Children in Crisis committee, which has an extensive Supervision
and Accountability policy. They also have outside auditors who provide
supervision, both of the treatment of the children and the church’s finances.
Granted, none of these measures can stop a determined sexual predator. But
they will make it more difficult and discourages them from targeting this and
other congregations.
Now, several years later, the Church in Kenya is recovering from this
disaster, although damage to individuals will not be fully healed until the Lord
can more directly care for them in the spiritual world. We have made what
amends we can and trust that the Lord will care for all who were hurt. The bad
publicity is subsiding.
People no longer wonder about attending the Etora Church, or sending
their children to school there, as witnessed by the adult baptisms and numbers
in the school. Local chiefs and residents are supportive, which is essential where
family and tribal connections form the background of human interactions.
It was a blessing to return to this part of the world and see the Church
flourishing in ways we did not think it could, given what had occurred. What
stands out is the dedication of the people now in charge, the growing group of
students and adults who are actively engaging in the life of the Church there,
and the hope they have for the future.
We saw orphans who are happy, well clothed and fed. We saw teachers and
administrators working above and beyond to provide New Church education.
We saw hundreds of adults participating in worship, and many who have
responded, requesting instruction and baptism. We marked the inauguration
into the priesthood of well-trained and dedicated clergy to expand the work
of the Church there.
The Lord appears to be smiling on the Church in Kenya, and we pray that
He will continue to bless their efforts.
The Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith is Executive Bishop and General Pastor of
the General Church, Chancellor of the Academy of the New Church,
and President of the General Church in Canada and in South Africa,
and President of the General Church International. He and his wife,
Gretchen (Umberger), live in Bryn Athyn.
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