Shauen recently received a special invitation to visit a congregation, preach, and be the guest of honor for the harambee (fundraiser) at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya's Ateemo Congregation with Rev. Jared Magero. Their annual harambee helps the parish (a collection of 5 to 15 congregations overseen by one or two pastors) continue to operate through the seasons of the year when money is tight for the congregants. All the congregations in the parish were represented at the special all-parish Sunday service and fundraiser.
After the service, the Master of Ceremonies read down a list of names of special guests, representatives of the parish congregations, and local officials. As each name was read, the individual came forward to present their gift which was joyfully held in the air and announced before being handed to the tabulators at the counting table. Each congregation in the parish had conducted special offerings in the weeks ahead of the fundraiser so they could send in what they had gathered.
Finally, near the end were the big names, local chiefs, government representatives (most of whom weren't there), and finally, the guests of honor. The job of the guest of honor is usually to make a substantial personal gift (preferably the largest gift yet) while enjoining those assembled to reach deeper into their pockets and give again. It's all done in good humor and with joy and since the guests at the harambee expect it, they usually have withheld something for the additional requests – just like in the service when there are multiple offerings collected. Praise the Lord for a successful harambee!
Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 8:58PM 
