Absalom Birai Nov 4 (1 day ago)
date Nov 4, 2009 8:35 AM
subject I miss Mama’s cooking!
Mama was and still is, even in her old age,a wonderful cook. Anything she cooked was delicious! She knew how to roast ground nuts and made the best Christ mas rice! She trained my sisters very well, who in Mama’s absence, cooked just like Mama.
Soon will be 29 years since my sweet heart came into my life and took over from where Mama left. Like Mama and my sisters, she has done a wonderful job in feeding the children and myself.I do not recall a day when I have gone to buy food in a restaurant because I did not like what my wife cooked. Have always enjoying her cooking.
Do I help in cooking? Yes, indeed,but apart from making soup and Mandazi, which I am good at,no one else likes anything that I cook! Surprisingly, not even me!
What am I driving at? I am of the opinion that women should always cook, not so much because men are superior, but rather because they do an excellent job in cooking. If women understood this fact,it will help ease too much fighting in many homes as to who should cook! There are certain things that are best done by women. Don’t you think so?
Cheers!
Pr Birai
www.pastorbirai.com
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catherine njiiri Nov 4 (1 day ago)
date Nov 4, 2009 8:48 AM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
hi uuuuuui! a pastor! what kind of pastors do we have in Kenya. Do u know who Kenyan men are to give such advise esp Agikuyu a Kabete na Muranga? Please withdraw the statement pasi. Uko juu !
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Kiptenengen arap Matiangigen Nov 4 (1 day ago)
date Nov 4, 2009 8:54 AM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
Dear Pastor,
If your wife cooks as good as your Mama, why in the heavens would you miss Mama’s broth.
On the other hand, you argue well that women cook better than men. I’ve never disputed that fact. It’s African division of labor.
But let’s face the facts, the Bible, which you preach, is the greatest tool for the enslavement of humanity, particularly the female race. Ever heard that the place of the woman is in te kitchen, the Church and the bedroom?
Again, pastor, I ask you to start thinking before you post topics on non-Church fora.
Kipteenengen araap Matiaangigen.
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Kuria-Mwangi Nov 4 (22 hours ago)
date Nov 4, 2009 11:50 AM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
Gichaba and Pastor Birai,
If women are better cooks, how come the best and top chefs are mostly males? This porojo of women being better cooks should not be used to force women spend more time in the kitchen under the pretext of being better cooks. It worked in those days because women mostly house wives and it was demanding too much to expect the bread winner (husband) to come home in the evening and cook for mama watoto who spent most of the time in the house.
My experience in USA and may be other western countries where Kenyans have migrated to is that in most two parent families, the woman is the main bread winner. She is putting in more hours than the man, working over nights while lazy heads (husbands) are contented with only one job. It is the women working heavier work, in health fields while most men work in jobs where they sit down (like in parking lots or group homes) while women spend time in nursing homes lifting over weight americans and pulling doubles and many times bringing home three times what males brings. It is women who are even investing more back home and sending more dollars and pounds compared to the lazy heads. And you want the woman working for 16 hours a day come home to cook for a lazy head who has been sitting and sleeping in a group home for 8 hours or even worse for lazy heads opting to be house boys? Get serious.
Kuria
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Kuria-Mwangi Nov 4 (21 hours ago)
date Nov 4, 2009 12:42 PM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
Gichaba and Pastor Birai,
Now you can see what I was talking about. Women have started to
complain esp. because of the possibility of Kenyan men taking Pastor’s advise and demanding that only women can cook “good” food.
Catherine deliberately left out Nyeri men because she knows Nyeri women dont have problems with men from anywhere. You bring porojo about women being the best and only cooks to Nyeri women at your own risk.
I know a Murang’a man who married a Nyeri lady and before long he became a very good cook. Returning home earlier than mama watoto and waiting for her to come to cook. After she knocked off 7 of his teeth in three battles where she won with unanimous point decision and TKO, he knew better than assume that only mama watoto cook. That is why Cathrine didnt mention Nyeri or Kirinyaga men because they know better. In that Nyeri woman case, she one day came home and on being asked by husband what they will eat she replied, “tukuria nyukwa” (we will eat your mother). Nobody expect his mother to be on menu for dinner and so he quietly went to kitchen and cooked something else.
I agree with Cathrine that we need to avoid sending messages which can be misinterpreted. As Gichaba eloquently said, the Bible has been used by males to subjugate women, selectively employing verses which relegates women to servants for their male husbands and limiting their work to the kitchen and other places where men could be served without question. Instead of the woman becoming a partner with equal rights, she becomes a serf. You have heard of cases where the Biblical verse talking of husband being the head of the family being misused even in cases where women demand that they are necks, without which the head would be useless. It is at the pulpit where this subjugation has been perpetuated most, in most cases, arising out of poor and ill advised misinterpretation of the good book.
Kuria
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Ernest OYUGI Nov 4 (1 day ago)
date Nov 4, 2009 9:45 AM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
That is a peculiar believe you got in your head…..any woman can cook well…….it is natural in them
those who eat in restaurants under such pretex have their own issues….
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Absalom Birai Nov 4 (18 hours ago)
date Nov 4, 2009 3:40 PM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
@ Kuria,
Every single day,I spend time reading almost all the write ups in Bidii-Africa and YPS. Long time ago, I learned and accepted the fact that we are all different. What that means is that no two people will see,,view,or like the same things. There are things that you write that I don’t agree with,but there are people out there including yourself who like it and I have no problem with that.
As a pastor,my calling is different. I am here to encourage many by approaching what I write from different angles. I just don’t write for the sake of writing. I think, rethink, reflect,and consider all the consequences before I post anything. I tend to be careful lest I offend any one. Whenever I close the line, I always regret and try a different approach.
In all my write ups, I hardly insult anybody,question what people write,take myself as a standard or even act as a police telling people what do write and what not. I am good at using a delete key. Unlike many,I hardly call any one names.
Every single day,I come through so many complicated cases dealing with family issues. And so whenever I write, I do so with hopes that it will bring comfort to someone.And I thank the good Lord that it never goes in vain. Humility is all that I cry for daily. Don’t want to look down upon any of God’s children.
I wish to appeal to all of us to learn to respect one another. Let us stop calling others names and respect people for who they are.
Blessings and best of luck in all that you do.
Pr Birai
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“s.p.mwangi@ . . . ” Nov 4 (21 hours ago)
date Nov 4, 2009 12:42 PM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
Some men are very good cooks. Should we lock them out of the kitchen because they are men.
The jams on our roads also keep many women from the kitchen. We get home so late that by the time you are home you are not even hungry and despite having someone to cook you just drop off to sleep.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from Zain Kenya
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maurice oduor Nov 4 (21 hours ago)
date Nov 4, 2009 1:00 PM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
I hate to brag but I am a very good cook. I can cook Luo food, Digo and Duruma food, Chinese food, Indian food and of course Canadian food (if there is such a thing as Canadian food)
In fact none of my exes could match my cooking. The Chinese one came close though.
I started cokking at a very tender age of 8. I remember I would be looking after the cooking while my mom was busy conducting the refreshment business i.e. biashara machozi ya simba. There was this Kisii neighbour named Richard ( my mom referred to him as Lichat) whose wife worked terrible hours as a nurse so he would do most of the cooking for his family. Lichat would give me pointers every now and then and even introduced me to hot peppers. If I didn’t want my old man to eat, I would use liberal ampont of pepper in the food.
I miss those simpler times.
Courage,
Maurice
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Anthony Chege Nov 4 (12 hours ago)
date Nov 4, 2009 10:34 PM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
This is a open forum with members of different religions and the good Pastor was just expressing his opinion. He is entitled to that without being bashed from left right and center for being a Pastor and having an opinion.
You either agree or disagree but dont bring the issue of the bible here because he did not quote from it either. Also by saying that the bible is the greatest tool for human enslavement..you error but thats your own opinion!!!
I believe that the word of God sets you free not enslaving you so please take time to read it and then you can make an informed comment or statement in regards. The good Pastor had a point. Let him be heard.
Regards,
Anthony
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David Kilonzi 11:46 pm (10 hours ago)
date Nov 4, 2009 11:46 PM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
Most chefs are men because men tend to be cleaner than women – biologically!
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Terry Shiundu 1:27 am (9 hours ago)
date Nov 5, 2009 1:27 AM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
I love cooking, and though my husband would be willing to help, i would rather do it myself. He tried when we just got married but i found it difficult. I don’t consider it slavery or inferiority when i do it. I love it and i enjoy the days i have opportunity to do so and try different recipes too. Why should anybody fight over who should cook or not cook. If your wife has a problem cooking because she’s not good at it, try taking her to a cookery (not sure if this is the right word) class, especially if she’s willing, otherwise, employ a cook,. It should not be a big deal!….though it is……
And if one’s husband enjoys cooking (as some do, because its there profession or they grew up loving it as a hobby) , let it be, there’s no problem in a man cooking for the wife and/or the children. It is a blessing to serve.
Terry
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DAVID mburu 1:58 am (8 hours ago)
date Nov 5, 2009 1:58 AM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
Pastor,
I personally like your articles because they are balanced and yes I have not read any insults. May the Lord encourage you to continue.
David
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jimmie kamau 12:26 am (10 hours ago)
date Nov 5, 2009 12:26 AM
subject [YP_Ke] Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
True in deed BUT for NYAMA its me who cooks in my house
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Aggrey Mmbaya 2:21 am (8 hours ago)
date Nov 5, 2009 2:21 AM
subject RE: I miss Mama’s cooking!
Pastor we should all be treated like equal colleagues. Name calling is part
of life and we must accept it.
Peris Kabiru 2:41 am (8 hours ago)
date Nov 5, 2009 2:41 AM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
Well said Chege.
Pst. Birai just expresses his opinions for us to reflect on & doesn’t impose them on anyone.
Guys we need to be more tolerant of one another. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion & If for sure you don’t agree with an opinion put acrosss & you feel you must point it out, please do it in a respectable way. Bashing and name calling doesn’t augur well at all.
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Faith Nkatha 2:51 am (8 hours ago)
date Nov 5, 2009 2:51 AM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
Amen Pastor.
We’ve been given different abilities by God and I believe He had good intentions for us all when He did this. Unfortunately we’ve allowed the devil to lie to us to the extent that society has no idea of what the roles in a family mean… so much that we’ve allowed for wo/men to even get married to each other…. it’s a sad thing.
Nkatha Makeba
There is no poverty that can overcome diligence
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Peris Kabiru 3:22 am (7 hours ago)
date Nov 5, 2009 3:22 AM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
Pst. Birai,
Please do not feel discouraged & continue posting your articles for those of us who read them & get to reflect on ourselves & other matters.
Peris
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Judy Miriga 3:34 am (6 hours ago)
date Nov 5, 2009 3:34 AM
subject Reality Check
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
—–Original Message—–
From: mrbob_k []
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 1:48 PM
Subject: Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
WIFE
A married woman. In Hebrew, ‘ish·shah? means “woman” (literally, a female man) or “wife”; the wife was referred to as one “owned by a husband.” (Isa 62:4, ftn) In Greek, gy·ne? can mean “wife,” or it can mean “woman,” whether married or not. Jehovah God provided the first man Adam with a wife by taking a rib from him and building it into the woman. She thereby became bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh. She was the counterpart of Adam and was created as a helper for him. (Ge 2:18, 20-23) God dealt directly with Adam, and in turn, Adam passed on God’s commandments to his wife. By reason of his prior creation and his being created in God’s image, he had the priority as head and was the spokesman for God to her. His headship was to be exercised in love, and the woman as a helper was to cooperate in the procreative mandate issued to the pair.-Ge 1:28; see WOMAN.
After the sin, first of Eve, who instead of being a helper to her husband proved to be a temptress, and then of her husband Adam, who followed her in transgression, God pronounced judgment on the woman, saying: “I shall greatly increase the pain of your pregnancy; in birth pangs you will bring forth children, and your craving will be for your husband, and he will dominate you.” (Ge 3:16) Since that time, among many peoples of the earth the woman has indeed been dominated, often in a very harsh way, by her husband, and instead of being a companion and helper, she has in many cases been treated more like a servant.
Among the Ancient Hebrews. Among the ancient Hebrews the man was the head of the house and was his wife’s owner (Hebrew, ba?? al), and the woman was the one owned (be?u·lah& #8242;). Among servants of God the wife occupied a dignified and honorable place. Godly women of spirit and ability, while subject to their husbandly head, had much latitude and freedom of action and were happy in their place; they were blessed in being used by Jehovah God to perform special services for him. Examples among the many faithful wives of the Bible are Sarah, Rebekah, Deborah, Ruth, Esther, and Mary the mother of Jesus.
Wife protected under the Law. While the husband occupied the superior position in the marriage arrangement, God’s requirements were that he was to provide for and care for the family in a material and spiritual way. Also, any wrongdoings of the family reflected on him; consequently he had a heavy responsibility. And while he had greater privileges than the wife, God’s law protected the wife and gave her certain unique privileges, so that she was able to live a happy, productive life.
A few examples of the Law’s provisions involving the wife were: Either husband or wife could be put to death for adultery. If the husband was suspicious of secret infidelity on the part of his wife, he could bring her to the priest, for Jehovah God to judge the matter, and if the woman was guilty, her reproductive organs would atrophy; on the other hand, if she was not guilty, the husband was required to make her pregnant, thereby publicly acknowledging her innocence. (Nu 5:12-31) A husband could divorce his wife if he found something indecent on her part. This would likely include such things as showing him gross disrespect or bringing reproach upon the household or that of his father. But the wife was protected by the requirement that he must write out for her a certificate of divorce. She was then free to marry another man. (De 24:1, 2) If the wife made a vow that her husband thought unwise or detrimental to the family’s welfare, he could nullify it. (Nu 30:10-15) This, however, was a safeguard for the wife, keeping her from any hasty action that might bring her into difficulty.
Polygamy was allowed under the Mosaic Law but was regulated so that the wife was protected. The husband could not transfer the right of the firstborn from the son of a less-loved wife to the son of his favorite wife. (De 21:15-17) If an Israelite daughter was sold by her father as a servant and the master took her as a concubine, her owner could allow her to be redeemed if she did not please him, but he could not sell her to a foreign people. (Ex 21:7, 8) If either he or his son had taken her as a concubine and then married another wife, she was to be provided with food, clothing, and shelter, as well as the marriage due.-Ex 21:9-11.
If a husband maliciously charged his wife with having falsely claimed to be a virgin at the time of marriage and his charge was proved false, he was punished and had to pay her father twice the marriage rate for virgins and could never divorce her all his days. (De 22:13-19) If a man seduced an unengaged virgin, he was required to pay the marriage price to her father and, if the father permitted, to marry her, after which he could never divorce her all his days.-De 22:28, 29; Ex 22:16, 17.
While the position of the wife in Hebrew society was somewhat different from a wife’s status in Western society today, the faithful Hebrew wife enjoyed her position and her work. She helped her husband, raised the family, managed the household, and found many things of satisfaction and delight, being able to express her womanly nature and talents to the full.
Description of a Good Wife. The happy state and activities of the faithful wife are described at Proverbs 31. She is said to be of more value to her husband than corals. He is able to put trust in her. She is industrious-weaving, making clothing for her family, attending to the buying of household needs, working in the vineyard, managing a household with the servants, aiding others who need help, clothing her family attractively, even bringing in some income by her handiwork, equipping her family against future emergencies, expressing herself in wisdom and loving-kindness, and, through fear of Jehovah and good works, receiving praise from her husband and from her sons, thereby honoring her husband and her family in the land. Truly he who has found a good wife has found a good thing and gets goodwill from Jehovah.-Pr 18:22.
In the Christian Congregation. The standard in the Christian congregation is that a husband should have only one living wife. (1Co 7:2; 1Ti 3:2) Wives are commanded to be in subjection to their husbands, whether these husbands are Christian believers or not. (Eph 5:22-24) Wives are not to withhold the marital due, for as with the husband, so with the wife, she does not “exercise authority over her own body.” (1Co 7:3, 4) Wives are instructed to let their primary adornment be that of the secret person of the heart, producing the fruitage of the spirit, that perhaps through their conduct alone the unbelieving husband may be won over to Christianity.- 1Pe 3:1-6.
Figurative Use. In a figurative sense Jehovah spoke of Israel as his wife by reason of his covenant with the nation. (Isa 54:6) The apostle Paul speaks of Jehovah as the Father of spirit-begotten Christians, and he speaks of “the Jerusalem above” as their mother, as though Jehovah were married to her for the purpose of bringing forth spirit-begotten Christians. (Ga 4:6, 7, 26) The Christian congregation is spoken of as the bride, or wife, of Jesus Christ.-Eph 5:23, 25; Re 19:7; 21:2, 9.
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Aggrey Mmbaya 6:05 am (4 hours ago)
date Nov 5, 2009 6:05 AM
subject RE: I miss Mama’s cooking!
Yes David well played, However they all come from one region in Kenya
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Kuria-Mwangi 8:54 am (2 hours ago)
date Nov 5, 2009 8:54 AM
subject Re: I miss Mama’s cooking!
Pastor Birai,
I have read each and every piece you have written, even before Bidii was conceived when you posted in Jambo. And yes, I cant remember any time you attacked or insulted anybody. Yours have been thought provoking pieces and this one was no exception. I guess your intention was/is to teach as well as provoke thoughts and discussions but of course devoid insults. I can only wish that I can be as tolerant as you are but with time I have also learned to ignore postings which may make me reply in anger. Your style was encouraged by my Prof. in KU called Ted Gronwegen. He wanted us to employ the devil advocate method in order to elicit varied and exciting responses in teaching. This implies that some people will give opinions which are “off-side” or going against your position. It is a learning process and I have learned alot in these fora even in postings which some people may dismiss as worthless.
If we can avoid attacks, the forum would be better. However, this may be better said than done and so the use of delete key is sometimes the best approach. But I am sure you also get discouraged if nobody responds to your postings as I do sometimes. I can only add that there are hundreds of silent readers and listeners out there who look forward to reading your pieces and responses even though they say nothing and i am one. I will probably respond in “controversial” ones in good faith and out of excitement.
Keep on writing Pastor and hope that one day we will meet. Have beeen to your neck of the woods but the place is too cold for me:)
Kuria