Simeo Ondeto taught
many things. Today, I will sample his teachings on the unity of humanity.
“My
children, I want you all to know that all humans are one. Let there be no
divisions among you because of race, tribe, creed, or denominations. But as
your God is one so must all of you be one. When you pray, therefore, pray for
all humanity without discriminating those who do not belong to your
denomination. I was not sent to witness to Africans alone, but to be a witness
of the highest God to all humanity. And my witness is this: love fellow humans
regardless of their tribes.” Simeo Ondeto,
Sagegi, December 1959.
“God sent me
to you because he loves you. He loves Africans as he loves other races. He does
not want you to be lost. So, as I looked down from heaven and saw Africans
being despised because of their black skin color, I felt it was good to come
again as an African. The coming of God to Africa as an African helps to elevate
the black skin. But it was not my intention to elevate Africans above other
races. I came to preach equality and unity of humanity. You are all one.” Simeo Ondeto, Raha, January 12, 1962.
“I know many
of you are now asking why Simeo Ondeto had to come on earth. Yes, that is a
good question. I am the firstborn son of God and you are all my brothers and
sisters. I came to teach you the right things and save you from sin and evil. I
came to ask you to love one another and live in harmony regardless of your skin
color, race or tribe. Up in heaven, there are no tribes. There is only a single
family of God. Therefore, preach peace and unity and shun tribalism.” Simeo Ondeto, Got Kwer, August 17, 1964.
“They have
done terrible things to you and me because of religion. We have been arrested,
ostracized, and insulted because of our beliefs. The Roman Catholics
think they know God better than others. They also think they are on the right
track than we are. I choose to forgive them because they are only blind.
Religion is love and good works, not creeds and intolerance. There are so many
people who are not Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Legio Maria in
heaven. In heaven, you are not asked about your tribe or religion, but you face
the test of your holiness. You are judged as a human being, not a religious
person.” Simeo Ondeto, Ephesus Nzoia, December 23, 1969.
“Mama Maria
is my true mother. Not because of her tribe or religion, but because of her
holiness and humility. There is no one among humans who has exceeded her in
humility. I listen to her a lot because I know how much love she has for fellow
humans. She embodies that which is good in the Kingdom of God. She is the
mother of all races and the epitome of genuine worship. If there is anybody
among you who follows her example in humility, that person must rise above
tribe and denomination. God knows no tribes.” Simeo Ondeto, Makindani Mombasa, 1972.
“When you
pray to God, avoid using foreign languages. God will hear you in your own
tongue. Our Father is the God of the deaf and the mute also. He does not
discriminate against anyone and responds to prayers from all humans regardless
of the way they pray or the place where they pray. God judges by motives and
knows the stirrings of every heart that makes prayers to HIM.” Simeo Ondeto, Jerusalem Amoyo, May 23, 1974.
“Religion is
a spiritual search not the practicing of customs. As a search, humans can do it
differently. God has allowed for that freedom. But when humans practice
religion as a series of static customs, it becomes irrelevant and useless for
the advancement of the highest spiritual goal of eternal life. Therefore,
religion should never be a competition. It should never cause wars and strife.
Instead, it should bring unity of ends.”
Simeo Ondeto, Jerusalem Amoyo, June 14, 1978.
“I am black
not because I hate white or red. Black is as good a color as white and blue and
red. When black, I have a purpose just as I had a purpose when I was white or
brown.” Simeo Ondeto, Manyatta, July 4, 1979.
“The foolish
says in his heart: I am better than them. But the wise says in his heart: we
are all the same.” Simeo Ondeto, Kodero,
April 19, 1980.
“Do not
despise SDAs; they are searching for God in scriptures. Sometimes they find
God, sometimes they do not. Searching is a manual job with no guaranteed wages.
In their search for me, some will not find me but I will not take that against
them. I will keep inspiring their search so that humanity can learn its
religious unity and shun its religious differences.” Simeo Ondeto, Obunga, 1985.
“When I came
down to earth, I found Africa under the yoke of colonialism. Whites despised
blacks, and blacks hated whites. Bloodshed was rife and humanity suffered every
day. Today, whites have left Africa and ethnic hatred still soars. The duty of
religious people in all this should be preaching the inevitable unity of
humanity, not the pettiness of doctrines.”
Simeo Ondeto, Jerusalem Amoyo, May 20, 1988.
“My time as
a human being is up. I see not many years ahead. From now on, my mantle will be
born by you. You will be my witnesses to the world when I am gone. But I
caution all of you: let none of you preach or practice religious hatred in my
name.” Simeo Ondeto, Ephesus Nzoia, December 24, 1989.
“God is the
father of all humans of all races. He has no chosen races or people. All who
claim that they are special because God has preferred them over others are
liars. Let not anyone claim that I chose a race, a tribe, or a people. I came
to the world and interacted with you, but that gives you no special place in
the Kingdom of God. Only your good works will earn you a place in my Kingdom.” Simeo Ondeto, Barding Mission, Alego, September 2,
1991.