LIFE TO IMITATE by Joseph C. Ogbu (JoeNwaOgbu)

Again we remember what The Master said

Who joyfully brought our debt to the cross and paid,

   With love and gentle smile He said!

Love one another! with minds away from raid.

He's a Master like no other

Bruised, Wounded and insulted, all together

But offered no curse to all who did gather

As focus kept on saving heads from quaking pother.

Here stands The Agonizing Savior

Granted forgiveness to all as a favor

Not minding injuries of heavy and harsh razor

But  still forgives and leads heads to live a life of a true flavor.

Oh Lord, please grant thy children spirit of forgiveness

That love may be faithfully practiced with gentleness

So that the world may continue to witness thy Goodness

Not only to see a part, but all to its great  wholeness.

UJIO WA ASKOFU MKUU by Joseph C. Ogbu (JoeNwaOgbu)

Ujio wa Askofu Mkuu ni wasifu mfupi wa Askofu Mkuu Gervas John Mwasikwabhila Nyaisonga wa Jimbo Kuu Katoliki la Mbeya-Tanzania. 
Ni kitabu kilichoandikwa kwa mistari na vina (kisarambe) ikionesha wasifu wa Askofu Mkuu.

*********

Nawashukuru Mafrateri Victor Basilius na Charles Mtuka walioshirikiana nami katika kutafisiri kitabu hiki kwa Kiswahili.

I

Kwa midomo ya shukrani kwako Mungu twafika,

Kwa upendo wako kichwa chaneemeka,

Mwili wako dhidi ya ugonjwa na kifo akufunika,

Siku zaja pamoja na paji ili kukua na kuzeeka,

Usiku na mchana vyakufanya mwenye fadhili hakika,

Kutangazia uimara mioyo iliyopondeka,

Kupitia moyo uliowekwa mamlaka,

Ustadi wa Mungu umeoteshwa na kudhihirika. 

II

Hapa ni wimbo uelezao ukuu na ukweli wa Mtumishi,

Afanyaye kazi kwa umakini asiye mshabiki bali Mtumishi,

Alizaliwa Novemba, mwezi mbarikiwa wa kuishi,

Tarehe tatu, mwaka moja tisa sita sita, wa mema matashi,

Kuvutia dunia siku ya kwanza kwa kilio pako pa kuishi,

Si tu furaha kwa familia hata wapita njia hawakanushi,

Mbozi-Mbeya kulisikika bila wa binadamu ushawishi,

Yote chini ya ulinzi wa Mungu Tarishi. 

III

Safari ya maisha kuwa ya kimungu ilijidhihirisha,

Ni katika mwaka huu tunajikumbusha,

Moja tisa nane mbili na moja tisa nane tisa kisha,

Elimu ya msingi na sekondari kakamilisha,

Kafanya mpango wa kimungu, tulivu, ajabu wa kutafakarisha,

Seminari kuu kuwasili kuwa na moyo na wito haikutosha,

Ni upendo wa Mungu na ufadhili wa Askofu ulimwezesha,

Waliongoza hatua zake mpango kukamilisha,

Ili maisha yasiachane na utakatifu wake wa maisha.

IV

Ndoto zadhirisha ukweli, na sauti za pekee zasikika,

Na midomo vyaimba kwa sauti isiyo linganishika,

Kumkaribisha katika Altare takatifu mtu aliyetukuka,

Bila ya gharama yoyote paji lake ni chapa isiyofutika,

Kurejea tukio la moja tisa tisa sita lile lililosifika,

Ilikuwa Julai kumi na moja tarehe iliyotukuka,

Ni siku ile ya upadirisho kwa Imani alisifika,

Akiwa na nguvu thabiti kutangaza neno na Imani iliyoimarika,

Ikikuza ukweli wa mbingu nakukata kama upanga wa shujaa hakika.

V

Hakika, amesimama siku zote katika utume,

Kihalali alifikia upadre kuonesha wake utume,

Kutoa neema za kibaba kama wakili paroko kiutume,

Atoa furaha na Sakramenti kwa kanisa la kitume,

Huduma yake ya upendo yadhihirisha uzuri wa utume,

Afanya kazi kwa neema na shime,

Kwake ujasiri, haki na amani sehemu ya utume,

Kuwapigania waliokataliwa na kuwapa shime.

VI

Utume umeimarika kwa neema itokayo juu kwa baba,

Si tu kuwa mlezi Seminari bali kuwa Mwalimu na baba,

Na kufanywa Mkufunzi na kuwa kichwa haya si haba,

Mwenye ufahamu na kuwapa ufahamu kama baba,

Kuwafanya wote mwanga wa kweli kubeba.

VII

Aha! Kwa upadre wake waweza kuona ukamilifu,

Wa kibaba ukifunua majukumu yake tukufu

Kisha sikia zumari, filimbi kwa furaha kamilifu,

Bila kuchoka vikiimba, vikicheza na kusifu,

Kwa baraka ya tisa machi kwa Mungu toa utukufu,

Mnamo mbili sifuri moja moja katika Kanisa Katoliki Takatifu,

Huko Dodoma kusimamishwa Mchungaji mtukufu,

Kelele za furaha yuaja Mhashamu mpya Askofu. 

VIII

Kwanini basi ulimi wangu hauachi kuimba,

Jitihada za Bwana wangu zaruhusu kila moyo kuimba,

Hapana, ila kwa kushirikisha upendo na furaha juu ya ono la Muumba,

Mnamo mbili sifuri moja nne mwaka wa Muumba,

Atangazwa kwenda kuanza misioni jimboni Mpanda,

Kuunganisha mioyo pamoja kwa Muumba,

Kutia moyo wote waamini vikwazo kuvishinda,

Vile ambavyo vyaweka mbali ufalme wa Muumba,

Hasa pale maisha yanapodai wa damu ushuda. 

IX

Kama manyoya ya Tai mikono hewani hujongesha,

Bila ya jaribu wala kwa tamaa kukatisha,

Mnamo ishirini na moja Disemba, baraka na furaha kukaribisha!

Mnamo ishirini kumi na nane kwa hamasa mapendo yalinyesha,

Kisha si watoto si wazee walicheza bila kujali kiti, wakifurahisha!

Filimbi, ngoma na mdundo vilivuma juu chini vikidumisha,

Vyote vikifunua mioyo inayofurahisha,

Kupitia mikono iliyokuja na ustadi bashasha. 

X

Oo tazama makunyanzi yakiharibu nyuso za tabasamu,

Kadiri utume ulivyobariki mapito ya ajabu,

Yakisindikizwa bila ya majidai bali nguvu za Mungu ajabu,

Ikifunguka mikono ya kibaba iliyo wazi, pana na ya adabu,

Mkono utoao baraka wala si karaha kwa wajibu,

Mikono ya kibaba isemayo watoto karibu,

Ikiipa miguu ujasiri wa kuanza utume wa kuhudumu,

Kwa busara na kupitia ruhusa halali na adhimu. 

XI

Kisha tazama pande zote ikasikika sauti ikiita,

Neema si bidhaa za kupigia mnada hata,

Mapema kutangaza jina ni Jimbo kupata,

Kufumba na kufumbua neema ya Jimbo Kuu tukapata,

Jina Jimbo kuu matunda yake Mungu neema,

Iliyoambatana na upendo na furaha ya baba mwema,

Kuinjilisha wenye hali ngumu ya maisha, utume si lelemama,

Bila kujali kikwazo au changamoto hakika atenda hima,

Kwa uwepo wa upendo wa Mungu, mara kwake kulinda daima. 

XII

Taratibu zinaita ngoma, ndani na nje kwa ajili ya nani?

Si mwingine ni Mwandamizi mkuu wa Skauti jamani,

Aliipa Skauti weledi usiokoma na matumaini,

Na kuisimamisha kama tanuru iwakayo kwa Imani,

Akiipa maana, matamanio na kazi za vijana maishani,

Kuwapa hamasa vijana na wazee kwa umakini,

Ambamo nidhamu na maadili hushuhudiwa akilini,

Kufikia mafanikio azizi na kutupa mwelekeo maishani.

XIII

Japo kitambo kidogo enyi masikio sikiliza,

Subiri si kwa chuki ujumbe una nini sikiliza,

Wimbo unasogea karibu na Motto wa Jimbo Kuu kukujuza,

Ujumbe wenye nguvu, azizi huwezi pata dukani uliza,

Msingi wake umejengwa katika Neno linalotakatifuza,

Kwa nguvu za kimbingu umejishikiliza,

Kwa ukweli katika kazi aliyopewa na Mungu ukijieleza,

Hakika ndiyo utume, kwa utendaji wa juu akitimiza.

XIV

Upendo wa Kristo unatusukuma,

Ukinong’oneza Kauli mbiu kwa wema,

Nzuri kabisa kama Grotto ya Maria Mama,

Isiyona waa kama asubuhi ya nyota njema,

Umejaliwa baba vipaji vya ajabu na mema,

Vishangazavyo dunia daima,

U mwonekano wa kiongozi mwema,

Ukipokea msururu wa watoto katika lango la wema,

Kwa tabasamu la upendo na furaha ya daima,

Ili wote washiriki chakula pamoja nawe daima,

 Waje kuonja furaha ya sahani moja ya wako wema. 

XV

Hapa yupo mwenye mawazo chanya na mwalimu wa heri,

Mpole, mtumishi, na mhubiri mashuhuri,

Akisimama kikakamavu kupambana na wenye shari,

Shari iwezayo haribu kazi takatifu za watu shwari,

Au kuleta uadui katika umoja wa Kanisa mahiri,

Au uovu unaopambana kudhuru maadili ya wanachama kwa shari,

Hasa dunia itikisikapo kwa macho ya tafiri,

Ikitafuta kutenga watu na kuwapa uchungu kwa shari, 

XVI

Kuwa makini uone tabia ya kushangaza ya kiongozi,

Ambaye kila siku husimama imara kama tulivu ngazi,

Kwa moyo unaoalika na akili ya mtazamo chaya na wazi,

Kusaidiwa na moyo wa msamaha kama upepo azizi,

Usioruhusu mipaka yoyote ya kibaguzi,

Moyo uwapao wote umoja kwa neema na ujuzi,

Kuwabakiza kwenye neema na kufunua maisha ya uwazi.

XVII

Kumbuka walau mara moja puliza filimbi ya kiafrika,

Ikifunua yako heshima, diplomasia na kwako kuaminika,

Bila uwazi wako mashauri yako chanya kusahaulika,

Lakini siyo kwa vilema bali kwa fadhili umesifika,

Ewe mpendwa Askofu wetu Mkuu baba mtukuka,

Miongoni mwa mengi uliyotenda, machache akili yakumbuka,

Kuyafahamu hayo makubwa, ambayo kwayo yamefanyika,

Na neema ya Mungu uliyopokea kiaminifu uwe nayo ushirika.

XVIII

Kifua mbele, Mama Kanisa abaki nawe,

Hakuna gharama yoyote, ya pongezi kwako wewe,

Picha pekee ya mtu ambaye hakuwahi pima wala hesabu wewe,

Kwa kuthaminiwa upendo pekee umetolewa kwako wewe,

Endeleza shirikisha baraka ulizojaliwa wewe,

Na mwendelezo huu usichukuliwe na askari yeyote kamwe,

Yamkini nguvu na nyimbo za vitisho viwe,

Kubwa kiasi gani usiwe na hofu nawe,

Ambaye tayari kasahau kuwa awe,

Hakuna awezaye choma hema ya Munguwe. 

XIX

Ndani na nje ya nchi baba jina lako lasafiri,

Laandikwa kwa mkazo ukutani na kwa ustadi mahiri,

Na liwe kama Mkufunzi wa Skauti, Askofu au Padiri,

Au liwe la Raisi wa TEC au Askofu Mkuu jasiri,

Ila kubwa kuliko yote upatikanapo uaminifu wa mtu mahiri,

Kwa Mungu, watu, na kazi iletayo hazina iliyo nzuri,

Kwa ajili hiyo zasikika sauti za furaha na nzuri,

Aa! Kwa moyo mmoja, jina lako na maisha yako tutayaiga vizuri.

XX

Kwa sauti, midomo ya shukrani yaja kwako ee Mungu,

Kwa upendo wako ambao daima unatoa neema ya kimungu,

Kisha watoto waomba baraka kwa ajili ya baba yao ndugu,

Ambaye mikono yake ya kibaba huunganisha mataifa kidugu,

Hekima yake huvunja katika kila lango usingizi na tepe la wingu,

Hali akiwakaribisha wote maskini na tajiri lango la Mbingu,

Kisha bariki na angaza utume wa baba yangu,

Na vyote vifanyike kwa matakwa yako Mungu,

Na ulivyoviweka katika bakuli lako wewe Mwenyezi Mungu. 

XXI

Sasa! Sikiliza sauti ya kipenga yaja taratibu kuweka koma,

Kwa juhudi kubwa twamkabidhi Baba yetu kwa Bikira Mama

Na pia, kifuani kwa Mbarikiwa sana Mama,

Ili daima mtoto wako awe mwema Ee Mama,

Na kwa moyo mkunjufu tunasali kwa sauti tukisema,

Ee Malkia Mzuri Sana, simamia njia ya Baba Yetu daima,

Na kamwe Usimruhusu aende tofauti nawe Mama,

Abaki katika ulinzi wako daima,

Kwa maana hakuna pa utulivu daima

Zaidi ya kubaki katika usimamizi wako, Ee Mama Mwema,

Na kwa moyo mmoja tunaomba hima,

Umfunike kwa pendo lako pekee Mama,

Kwa kuwa jina lako ulimwenguni Mama,

 Daima utabaki kubarikiwa na kupewa heshima.

ADVENT OF THE ARCHBISHOP by Joseph C. Ogbu (JoeNwaOgbu)

Advent of the Archbishop is a short biography of Archbishop Gervas John Mwasikwabhila Nyaisonga, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mbeya-Tanzania. It is a book written in lines and verses, showing some great deeds of the Archbishop.

I

Gratitude lips ever bring to thee oh God

For thy love ever gives head grace to afford

As thou save body, from feeling sick and colder

Seeing days coming with gift, to grow higher and older,

As day and night offer blessings to head to be virtuous

So to declare to all despairing hearts; oh be courageous!

Through the power bestowed in a heart

That planted and designed only by the Divine art.

II

Here unfolds a song on a great and true Servant

Who works in divine yard not as a spectator but as an active Participant

Born on a brighter and a blessed November

Dated third, one nine six six as the year did offer number

Attracting the world on the first earthly cry

That gave joy not only to a family, but to the passers-by

Sounded at Mbozi-Mbeya with no human intervention

For all deeply settled in Divine protection 

III

The journey to life, directly unfolded all, God made to be fine

Recalling an era of; one nine eight two, and one nine eight nine

When completion offered to primary and secondary school

Making a heavenly plan brighter and marvelously cool

As heart and vocation met an angelic fulfillment in a major Seminary

Through the love of God, and support of the Local Ordinary

Who directed steps to truly fit the rhythm of a dance

So that life may not withdraw from its sacred stance. 

IV

Unique ever it sounds; seeing dream embracing reality

And lips singing with a matchless ability

To welcome a total portrait of a Man before a holy Altar

Whose gift was an indelible and priceless Character

Accounting on an event of, one nine nine six, July eleventh

That was, but a valid Ordination, nourished with a true faith

Ever granting feet strength, to spread true and Divine Word

Which unfurls heavenly truth, and pierces like a warrior’s sword.

V

Yes, legs totally remain ever on the mission

Officially arrived on an ordination, to gather its vision

Granting a father graces to minister as a faithful Curate

To give joy and Sacraments to souls, God did create

Showing the beauty of mission planted in love

As he daily works with marvelous graces from above

Maintaining boldly, justice and peace

And fighting for those of whom the world failed to give a smiling face.

VI

Yet! Through the living grace of Supreme Father,

Mission as well found a path to move farther

For a Man, not only as a Seminary Formator

But also an exemplary and genuine tutor

Who gladly promoted to be a true Lecturer

Confirming a head, as an intellectual bearer

Created to give every head an insight

So to assist people, guided with a true light.

VII

Oh! Can you see the fullness of priesthood

Unfurling precious duties resting on fatherhood?

Then, heard a joyous lute and flute

Singing and dancing, with an indefatigable salute

Offering praises to God, for the blessing of ninth March

Manifested on, two zero one one in the Catholic Church

Mounted in Dodoma; as a Shepherd sitting on a throne, placed on top

Amazingly, shouted in chorus; lips, oh! Here comes a new Bishop!

VIII

But what may tongue drop not to sing?

As efforts of His Grace gently passed every heart to ring

Nothing but sharing love and joy, jubilating on a true vision

Which later gave birth to a transfer on, two zero one four, to Mpanda Mission

So to bring hearts together, under a single circle

And to insert all with faith to battle every obstacle

That may descend to keep souls away, from divinely kingdom

Especially when life is calling, to witness martyrdom.

IX

Like eagle’s feathers hands move in the air

With no attempt to despair

But welcoming blessings of twenty first December, with gladness

Together with the great love rained, on twenty-eighteen with eagerness,

Then, young and old danced, minding not to find seat

Harps and Drums climbed up and down maintaining their beautiful beat,

All unfurling, but the flowing joy in the hearts

Through which hands came to offer different arts.

X

O! See wrinkles, like offering scar on smiling faces

As mission came to bless with marvelous phases  

Accompanied with divine strength with no pride

Stretching paternal hands untangle and wide,

Welcoming children to come and hold a paternal arm

Which often gives blessings with no harm,

Giving legs courage to embark on a true mission

With love and prudence, generating from an authentic permission.

XI

Now, look around, and hear how it sounds again

For divine grace is never a cargo to bargain,

For it arrived and dwelt earlier, and gave a name as a Diocese

But on a blink, graces came and presented a higher name; Archdiocese!

Accompanied with a loving and charming Father

With a mission to evangelize those living in a toughest weather

Without minding any obstacle or challenge that may suddenly occur

For here, rests a divine love on a head, ever on a stance to secure.

XII

To whom does drum gently call in and out?

May it be other figures, if not the great Pioneer of Scout?

Whose motivational spirit gave Scout an unbeaten sight

And mounted it as an unfading limelight,

Giving meaning to a youthful desire and hobby

Offering youths and elders a perfect lobby

Where discipline and integrity may witness discernment

Hence, granting every life a way, to grasp precious achievement.

XIII

Listen, but a moment, oh hanging ears

Wait not on haste, and hear what a message bears

As song brings closer, to reveal the Moto of Archbishop

Too mighty, too precious, find not in any shop

But built foundation on the Sacred Word

And securely clasp with a heavenly cord

Showing authenticity on divinely given assignment

Yes! That but a mission, ever fulfils with an upbeat commitment.

XIV

“The Charity of Christ urges us on”; whispers a Moto

Wholly beautiful like Mary’s Grotto

Spotless like early morning stars

Endowed Baba with marvelous characters,

Marvelling it gives the world on every glance

While seeing a Leader, gladly welcoming queued children at the entrance

With a hearty smiling face and charming manner

That all may come, to share from Baba’s endless dish and dinner.

XV

Oh, here lives a positive thinker and a humble teacher

Humble servant and outstanding preacher

Who ever stands bravely to battle evils and immoralities

That may embark to hinder people’s holy activities

Or may bring enmity in church’s unity

Or may struggle to offer ruin to members’ integrity

Especially when earth quakes, with her sorrowful eyes

Looking for heads to split and give a bitter ice.

XVI

Pay attention, and see an amazing quality of a Leader

Who daily stands firmly like a comfortable ladder

With an approachable heart and optimistic mind

Supported with a forgiving spirit; penetrating like a gentle wind,

Permitting no boundary to tribes or race

But encouraging all to be one and never depart from divine grace

No matter what life may daily unfold

As it may at times, arrivals with some experiences untold.

XVII

Remembrance again, blows our African flute

Defining thy diplomatic and reliable nature with a salute

Without forgetting thy openness to positive advices

Which settle to be testified as virtues, but never vices,

Oh our Dearest Archbishop and loving Baba

But little, mind arrived to remember

Knowing that great, thou have wonderfully done and achieved

As thou always cooperate with God’s grace, faithfully received.

XVIII

Proud, Mother Church remains on thee

For thy worth can never be rewarded by any fee,

Here, showing great image of a Man, who has never counted or measured

Love given to others, which always appear to be treasured

As continuation he ever makes to share blessings resting on his shoulders

Which can never be snatched away by strongest troop of soldiers

No matter forces and songs of threats that may quake from an opponent

Who has not or forgotten, that no one can set ablaze God’s tent.

XIX

Baba, thy name positively travels within and abroad

Written delightfully on a divinely wall, artistically broad,

But can it be a result of your identity as a Scout trainer, Priest or Bishop

Or may it, as a TEC President or an Archbishop?

Yes, but greater than all, lies on Man’s fidelity

To God, to people, and to duties seen to give a true facility,

For that, joyfully cry voices, with one accord

O! Thy name, thy life, we stand to imitate and record.

XX

Again sounds; Gratitude lips bring to thee oh God

For thy love ever gives head grace to afford,

Then, Children ask for more blessings on their Beloved Father

Whose paternal love persevere to keep nations together

And his wisdom breaks indifferences that may be slumbering at any door

As he lovely and equally welcomes both rich and poor,

Then, bless and illumine Baba’s apostolate

And may his works be done, as thou have planed and kept in thy divinely plate.

XXI

Listen! For sounding flute is drawing gently to have a rest

With a great zeal to take our Baba to Virgin Mother’s chest

As thy chidren, O Mother, with a humble heart, loudly pray and say

O Most Beautiful Queen! Ever stand on our Baba’s way

And never permit him depart from thy patronage

For no place is comfortable than staying in thy Maternal refuge,

 And with one heart, we ask to cover him with thy Veil

For thy name, Mother! The world ever remains to honour and hail.