This blog site is about connections and how we interweave and intersect in our life of faith. We wrote about Mary Okeyo and the effect that she has had on Project 24, 1001 Orphans etc. Here are some more remarks.
Mary and Unita on a home visit
Deaconess Pamela Boehle-Silva, RN, wrote –
I first met Mary in 2006, my first trip to Kenya, traveling with Dr. Arthur Just, Lorna Meeker and Rachel Thompson (deaconess interns at the time). I, too, was struck by the deaconesses unwavering desire to bring Christ’s mercy to those in need. In fact, their amazing joy, despite the suffering they witnessed on a daily basis, was life changing for me. As a nurse, and a parish nurse, I was humbled by the dedication of these women. Because of women like Mary, I wanted to be like them–and entered the deaconess program at CTSFW and just graduated in May, 2011. I am called to Holy Cross LCMS in Rocklin, CA, and was installed there, but I had the honor of being consecrated in the cathedral in Kisumu with many of my deaconess sisters surrounding me. Mary was one of them.
As you have witnessed, these deaconesses do wonderful works of mercy. Many of them have very little means of support and struggle to make ends meet. My passion has been to help these women. This past June, Dr. Just and I, along with the support of David Chuchu, introduced the start of the micro-loan project for the deaconesses. It is our desire to provide a way for the deaconesses to support themselves. To restore their honor and dignity and give them hope as they themselves bring hope to the hopeless. I consider these women my family–as you know, once you go to Kenya, it is “home”.
President Fondow of the Minnesota North District wrote,
When a humble servant of the Lord faithfully shares the grace of God, their life and death has an impact upon the life and death of those they loved and cared for. Christ in us and through us!
President Baneck of the North Dakota Distircit wrote,
When a humble servant of the Lord faithfully shares the grace of God, their life and death has an impact upon the life and death of those they loved and cared for. Christ in us and through us!
Prof Arthur Just of Concordia Theological SEminary wrote,
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Okeyo family and the saints in the ELCK. We came to love Mary through her deep Christian piety that she expressed through her mercy and love and care for Christ’s saints. What a loss to the ELCK and all who came to know her and love her, and all those she served so faithfully. We will remember her this Sunday at the Lord’s table as we join her with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in singing songs to the Lamb.
I am deeply saddened by Deaconess Mary’s death. She was a true servant of the Church in Kenya and exemplified Galatians 2:20. Christ most certainly served the people of Kenya through Mary. However, I also rejoice in that Mary is now taken from this veil of tears and suffering. God be with all those who mourn, especially those who worked and served most closely to Mary. May the Lord of the Church continue to surround us with His love and grace, His mercy and His peace.