Kenya 2008 (Part 3)

(left: Josephine and Samson)

One of the joys this trip was to once again be found in the fellowship of friends I'd made during my previous two visits. There was Samuel and Samson at Kavingoni; I was glad to still see familiar faces amongst the youth there. The youth were predominantly those I'd interacted with on my previous trips.

(left: Samuel & James)

And what a joy to see Patrick at Ngoleni. He'd travelled up just to meet the team although he works in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa.

What a joy also to see Benjamin there. Just a day before departing Kavingoni for Ngoleni, his mother and sister had told me that Ben won't be meeting us this time around.

(top: Samuel, Myriam and Patrick)
(top right: Ben)

I guess he wanted to surprise us by turning up unannounced. I won't forget the sacrifice he made just to spend half a day with us after travelling a few hours from Nairobi where he's pursuing his undergrad studies in Commerce. That brother even had an exam paper to sit for the following morning yet made the effort to visit us at the highland village. Thank God He's been keeping all these friends well for the time we've been apart.

Another encouragement was Peter, who's in his final months of completing his theological studies. Thereafter, he'll go where the Lord leads Him to serve. With two new churches now at Mwisa and Ngoleni, Pastor Richard could do with more help in the vast fields to sow seeds for the Kingdom.

This trip, I also got a chance to meet newer members of the church in Kavingoni like James. I also got to know another Peter better too; he'd been a new member to the church on my previous trip.

(left: Shadrach & Bernard)


Then there was Josephine, Mutuko, Shadrach, Bernard and another Patrick, and brothers Paul and Able. Then there were Michael who was helping to build the boarding school's kitchen block and heading the project was Justus from Kitui.

Among the boarders at Aunty Jenny's school (Chosen Christian School) who were just such bright kids were Naomi and younger sister, Mercy. Then there was Lydia and Derrck - the quieter two of the four. By the way, we double-checked if Derrck had an 'i' in his name but he was sure of the spelling of his name, so we didn't push it.

(left: Naomi, Derrck, Lydia & Mercy)


The kids have also grown up and what a joy to see those same bright smiling faces gleam in the sun. Mbovi was in the place of younger brother Charlo on my last visit (i.e. on the back of big sister Esther) and now, he's making up his own games to play! A boy of little words but ingenious! Then there were the two bright girls, Naomi and Rachel, who two years ago, were helping to intepret English to Ki Kamba for the younger ones at Sunday School. It was great to see them doing well too.

We also got to meet one-month-old baby, Alvinson. (Al)ex,Ke(vin),Nel(son) must be so honoured and thrilled to have a baby named after them when they visited the village last month. God also added to their number during our visit this month.

I also won't forget the ladies, including Beatrice's (Samuel, Patrick and Myriam's mother) invitation to her house the next time I visit. The older women folk were also such a joy and although we couldn't quite converse, just the greeting and gesticulation was enough to send us in a roar of laughter. But each time they greeted us younger members with "Wacha", all we needed to utter was 'Ah'. It's similar to how we ask, "How are you?" and the reply you'd typically get would be "I'm fine". In their culture, the younger person waits for the senior to acknowledge his presence before he greets them.