The Fathers Cry

The Father’s Cry has been busy in Africa for the past 5 years with trips to Kenya and Uganda, Malawi and now South Africa.  In late July, Kim and Dave traveled to join the efforts of the I Can Foundation with Dr. David Molapo and the National Centre for Fathering Southern Africa.  This new Centre (not misspelled if you are from Africa) is two years in its growth and is already exploding in their efforts of board organization, training and connecting other fatherhood efforts in Africa.We were fortunate to join them in starting the training of community leaders and pastors as Master Trainers and Instructors.  This will start the connection of training men to train other men and then conducting fatherhood seminars, men’s groups and conferences all over Africa.  You might ask the question why?  The heart of fatherhood is about fathers understanding their job description.  When men figure out what they are “suppose to do” and start to say “yes” then they needs the tools to accomplish those tasks.  It is like a domino effect: When fathers get into their roles and start acting correctly with their children and wives, then things start getting better.  When the family gets well, they get their spirituality in place and then churches can grow and respond to these men and then communities get better and so forth.  It is our philosophy that when fathers get it right, then things start to line up better.  In Africa, there is a hunger like none we have seen – including the United States.  You may ask, why not the U.S.?  While it is a fact that the U.S. leads the world in fatherlessness (those that keep records on census, etc), it is also a fact that American men typically seem to think they have this all down. Imagine that?  So, we do everything we can at any opportunity but we feel like we have seen, felt and been a part of something pretty big in Africa and better yet, there is a desire to try and solve it.  That is where we fit in with training and equipping.

The goal is to train African leaders and let Africa assume this leadership.  Our role is to be supportive.  While that is a massive role, it is one we can accomplish thru emails, Skype technology and trips to Africa.  We have asked God to provide the men who have a heart for their country and for fathers and they have come forth.  We have seen men like Pastor Kudzai Shoko on the board of the National Centre for Fathers in Southern Africa and James Maina of Kenya with Bread of New Life Ministries.  These men and others that surround them are the new leaders in Africa that “really understand” the need to educate men as to fatherhood.  Remember that fatherhood is not about learning to change diapers (even though you should be an expert) but knowing the “7 Secrets of Effective Fathers.”  Don’t you want to be a great Father?  I encourage you to read our articles that are free to download and get a fresh vision for being an effective father.