Part I: The Journey: Who am I

Who am I?  This fundamental question is humankind’s foremost inquiry.  It is a question that is notoriously difficult to answer, at least for me.  While reflecting on this academic journey, I have been given the opportunity to understand myself and to respond to this very question—who am I? At the beginning of this journey, I thought to myself that unless I really understand who I am, I may miss the meaning and purpose of my life, and my pursuit of higher education would be a complete waste.

In attempt to explore this question, I considered the overall story of my life and the revelation of my purpose, concentrating on how education has been part of the process of discovering my purpose.  The account of this personal discovery of who I am  is narrated in terms of frame of reference. In other words, certain values which can explain who I am and is becoming.  I have identified these as Frame of Reference 1, 2, 3, etc.    

Frame of Reference 1: Faith & God in my life.  The search of knowing who I am begins with my vulnerable state, a poor worthless sinner saved by the blood of the lamb.  In reflecting about my purpose and the meaning of my life, I discovered that that there would be a presence of turbulent emptiness, and eternal loss without a relationship with God.  The Bible states "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).  Jesus also said "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly"-- a complete life full of purpose (John 10:10).  Therefore, who I am is anchored in this wonderful gift of salvation.  I am a beneficiary of this gift, a Christian committed to the commission of Jesus Christ.  It is this frame of reference, that has given me meaning and purpose in life, and continue to guide me to understand who I am .  I can confidently stay that life without God is meaningless, and life without a purpose is chaotic. As a result, my faith is deeply rooted in my relationship with my maker God, has also helped me to embrace my background and family. 

Frame of Reference 2: Background.  Part of understanding who I am is also rooted in my background.  I am originally from Kenya.   I was born into a family of three girls and six boys to John Wilberforce and Elizabeth Ongo.  My father was a school principal, while my mother was a stay-at-home mom. I am the third born but the first son in the family.  Growing up in a large African family made me appreciate family all the more.  I love family, and part of who I am is defined by family.  The daily interactions, collaborative activities, assigned chores, and worship contributed to the making of who I am.

Frame of Reference 3: Family.  Emphasis was always placed on faith, education, and family.  Family also meant being a part of the community.  Apart from being a member of a household, family meant being a member of the clan.  At the clan level, members often wished and emphasized that when the community finally secures a school building, and a church building, it would have set a light for growth.  My father started a one room classroom, and the community also built the first Seventh - day Adventist church.  Both structures had dirt wall, and grass thatched roof.  We were very happy.  We praised God for these developments.  But, we faced several challenges, poverty, lack of healthcare, poor classroom, and church building.  Nevertheless, life continued.

Even though I faced many challenges growing up, my parents were very supportive, especially in terms of meeting our needs and encouraging our education, faith, and instilling in us values necessary for communal living.  They truly cared for us and loved us.  They instilled in us a sense of purpose through their example of living with dignity, love, and dependence on and fear of God. 

Frame of Reference 4: Education.  Education has been a great part of who I am.  The journey and growth of who I am originated from birth and continued through my schooling years in Kenya. My educational pursuits began at a public primary school in a rural village in the countryside of the republic of Kenya and thereafter took me across the country to Mombasa, the second largest city in Kenya, where I attended Khamis Secondary School, also a public school.  Khamis Secondary School is located in a predominantly Muslim community, and most of the students are Muslim.  Later, I attended the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton (UEAB), an Adventist institution of higher learning located in the Rift Valley.  UEAB was the first private university to be chartered by the government of Kenya.

Piecing together my frames of reference is something I did not always pay attention to.  However, in reflection, one particular experience in my adult life brought unity to all that I had experienced thus far—my faith, my family, and my education. In 1988, I read the book The Adventist Home.  I would read this book a second time in 1990.  In 1991, I read the book again, together with my now wife.  One of the areas that stood out for us was education.  In this book, Ellen G. White talks about God’s original plan for education and explains that the system of education established in Eden centered in the family. Adam was “the son of God” (Luke 3:38 NIV), and it was from their Father that the children of the Highest received instruction.  In the plan of education after the fall, Christ stands as the representative of the Father, the connecting link between God and man; He is the great teacher of mankind. And He ordained that men and women should be His representatives. In this structure, the family was the school, and the parents were the teachers. This responsibility, is an assessment on my involvement in the education of my children right from home. 

Paul Performing

The education element of who I am is, essentially a profound one.  This is why my education is useless if my four children do not receive the education and instructions given at home and are subsequently unprepared for education in formal settings away from home.  A tremendous amount of education takes place within the family.  A repeat experience from my childhood to adulthood. 

Frame of Reference 5: Career.  Besides, faith, education, and family, work (career) has been a contributor to who I am.   Prior to pursuing higher education in the United States, I worked as a teacher and later as a banker.  After working in Nairobi for several years as a banker, I moved to the United States to pursue graduate school.  The journey brought me to Andrews University (AU), where I eventually opted to pursue a PhD program.  I had three roles. I was the head of a family, a self-sponsored student with limited work permission, and later an employee.  Going through the PhD program as a self-sponsored student has also enabled me to understand who I am.  

                                                                                                    John Performing 

 















Education at Andrews University has been an experience.  At this institution of higher learning, three things have been significantly important in defining who I am—namely, the university’s Christian mission, seal, and mission statement.  It is here where my worldview, Christian authenticity, scholarly skills, and growth would happen.  The university promised to offer me unparalleled prospects to learn in ways that would expand my intellect through rigorous academic courses, assignments, projects, self-development, interpersonal development, leadership development, and preparation for a life after this world.  All these opportunities were   dear to me. 

The AU promise was evident in the university seal.  The flame logo (also called the “flogo”) is centered between the words Mens, Corpus, Spiritus.  The flame represents truth and wisdom.  In the context of a Christian institution, it represents God’s Holy Spirit, which facilitates true learning. I decided that my pursuit of higher education must bring me to some truth and wisdom, and this would only be possible if my body, mind, and spirit were in harmony with God.  

Ivy Performing

In the end, I can confidently posit that Andrews University has molded me into understanding at least a little bit of who I am.  

Who I am was thus shaped and is being shaped by my faith, family, education, and career, my role as a son, student, husband, and father.  My family is the greatest gift I have received and enjoy every day.  The photos and videos shared herein give you a glimpse into my family.  God has blessed me with a beautiful wife and four children.  They have contributed greatly toward shaping me into who I am today. All praise, honor, and glory be to God.  

 

You can also watch Ivy perform Rhapsody in C Major, at position time 6:23 during the Interlochen Arts Camp Collage:2014 http://camp.interlochen.org/media/video-arts-camp-collage-2014  

                                                                              Ian Performing

References.

Dewey, J. (1916).  Democracy and Education.  New York: NY, Macmillan.

White, E. G. (1903).  Education. Oakland: CA, Pacific Press Publishing Association