It was our first time back to sub-Saharan Africa since we returned to the U.S. in 1992. It was a chance to renew old friendships. It was a chance to meet a new generation of leaders who have come after us. It was a chance to reconnect with the people and cultures of Africa. It was awesome.
In 1977, Kay and I were privileged to be a part of the first-ever continent-wide meeting in Swaziland. In 2007, Kay and I were privileged to be a part of the second continent-wide meeting in Kenya. What a fantastic blessing. What a privilege to observe first-hand the growth and development that has happened over these 30 years.
We were part of a team of 40 people helping serve the largest gathering of Africans ever assembled by Campus Crusade for Christ. In addition, we led a smaller team to help train 300 African campus staff in using our Mobile ConneXion toolkit.
Austin Okomohwo was just beginning as a staff member of Campus Crusade in Nigeria 16 years ago when we left Nigeria. He now gives leadership to the campus ministry strategy for the entire continent. At Pamoja, he was the overall Conference Director. 16 years ago, he asked me, “How long have you been on the staff?” When I told him 14 years (at that time in 1992), he said, “Wow. That’s a long time. What have you done for all those years?”
This time it was my turn. I asked Austin, “How long have you been on the staff?” When he answered 16 years, I asked him with a smile, “Wow. That’s a long time. What have you done for all those years?” Austin and I laugh at how both of our plans have been extended by God as he continues to call each of us into fulltime service. Both are captivated by the vision of everyone knowing someone who truly follows Jesus.
Pamoja Africa was dedicated to building a new generation of leaders equally captivated by God’s call to build a new Africa, an Africa that moves from desperately needy to fully participating in God’s plan to redeem the nations.
MOBILE CONNEXION TOOLKIT
“I’ve been looking for a good way to improve communication around our area. The Mobile ConneXion toolkit looks like just what we need.” Kennedy is the campus ministry coordinator for the 17 countries in French-speaking Africa.
Our team trained 300 staff and distributed 300 toolkits.
Our purpose at Pamoja was not to teach computer skills, but to enable staff to communicate effectively with each other. So many staff are isolated in their assignments and unable to benefit from sharing ideas, vision, and strategies. Our mobile connexion project addresses this need.
The toolkit is engineered to enhance communication across Africa. For those without computers who depend on internet cafés, the toolkit allows them to move from their homes to their offices to the internet café and work on their email, send and receive documents or presentations, keep their bookmarked locations, and connect to our Global ConneXion communities to share ideas with others.
But the part of our mobile office toolset that caused the eyes of the African staff to light up is the Skype software and small set of portable headphones. They are now able to talk with one another from computer to computer for no cost. They are so excited.
The overwhelming experience for us here, on the field, watching faces, hearing excited voices, tells me that our current tools are powerful, useful, and helpful. When we show the list of 300 communities that have already sprung up, African staff are excited that they can join other staff from around the world in communities of interest. Some women were signing up today for the ComputingWomen community for women wanting to learn basic computing. It is truly becoming a Global ConneXion for the staff here in Africa.
Our mobile office toolset and Global ConneXion communities are helping build a new generation of leaders for a new Africa. We are taking steps toward our vision of building local movements every so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus.
Note: For more information on the Mobile Office Project, visit our website.
I was at Pamoja Africa.Although I personerlly as a Professional member did not attend the training and meeting you had with ccci staff, but I saw the recorded video from a friend and listen to some of your teachings it was wonderful. As soon as I saw yuor pictures on this website it reminds me of the video clips. What you are doing is really good.May the Lord expand your vision and capabilities for His esrvice.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We enjoyed our time. It was very busy, but very fruitful training 300 people how to use the simple Mobile ConneXion toolkits to improve communication.
hi i was at pamoja africa,and i have not been the same ever since.i was happy it was held in my home country kenya.i attended the movement leader sessions and it was awesome,now am at the implementation part.sharing Jesus at every moment by the power of the Holy spirit and leaving the results to God.am looking foward to campus mission 2007,trusting God to raise about 1500 dollars.thanks
This is exciting news, Denis. I trust that God will provide for you to attend CM 2007.
Hi, Keith.Iam now in the Caribbean, a fertile ground for the gospel. I just wish I could get in touch with you again to see how best we can link up to share the gospel to the caribbean people using that your technology by mobile connection tool kit. For a reminder, I was at pamoja Africa, Kenya.
Thanks,
Dr Yalams, Simon
Simon, our leadership in the Caribbean is distributing many of the mobile connection toolkits to students who attended the CM2007 conference in Korea. The plan is to connect these students together to harness the momentum of the huge conference in Korea.
Pamooooooooooooooooooooooooooooja
Afrca
What a conference to remember.Ijust wish life had a remote control so that such events in our lives are rewinded.Austine your are such a great man. every time i saw you moving up and down trying to see things move on well,ijust asked God for such an opportunity in my life.Mr shanko Bekele’s message was so touching and from that moment on i made a decission to join CCCI as a full time staff.Meeting and talking to staff all over Africa about their experinces in ministry was so amazing but above all encouraging.I remember one staff from Ghana sharing his testimony and God used him to bring transformation to us.May God whoever brought the idea of Pamoja Africa.
We are just looking forward for yet another Pamoja where i will come as a staff and not a student .
As i write this i have already done done the interviews to join CCCI as a staff.
Pamoja Africa did not leave me the same
God bless you all the brains behind such a great event
hi,
My life was changed , to live for Christ and to let others know about him.God bless all who put their brains and hands together to see this happen!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I enjoyed my time. It was wonderful experience for me. It was my first time flying long distance. The interaction was great. I learnt a lot of new things that has impacted my life today. It is my pray to be apart of Pamoja II in Ivory Coast. I greaduated and now working. This time around, I’m going as a professional. Thanks for sharing your experience.
May God rickly bless us all.
Barzai
Thanks for visiting, Barzai. Perhaps we’ll meet at Pamoja 2.