Nairobi Archive Pages: 2002 - 2005

Memoirs of Kenya 2005

PARTNERSHIP MISSION TRIP TO KENYA

TOWER TIDINGS, SEPTEMBER, 2005

Before Linda Gaden, Pat Nordman and I went on the Partnership Mission Trip to Kenya this past July, I feared the responsibility of reporting to groups upon my return home. Was I ever mistaken about how I would feel! I practically talk to strangers now about this most amazing experience.

The Partnership between Newton Presbytery and Nairobi Presbyteries and specifically the Eastleigh Presbyterian Church of East Africa and our church has been going on for ten years and an agreement to continue for another five years was just signed. Representatives from Newton and Nairobi Presbyteries have traveled back and forth in an attempt to build relationships and understanding between peoples on two continents thousands of miles apart. In three weeks we were given the opportunity to visit churches, schools, clinics, and projects such as pottery-making, wood-working, sewing, and soap-making---all of which our dollars and prayers are helping to support. Perhaps more importantly, we spent each day in conversation and fellowship with fellow Christian sisters and brothers who opened their arms and hearts to us in such a way that we can never forget them. The faith and joy that the Kenyans exude is contagious. Their gratitude to God for so very little and their commitment to helping those who are less fortunate is humbling.

How can one assess the value of being greeted after an 18 hour flight with hugs and warm words of welcome, of hugging a child in the slums, of greeting children in a school room, of singing a hymn in Swahili, of holding a newborn child in Kikuyu Hospital, of praying before tea time (“Any time is tea time in Kenya!”), of meeting in small groups in homes, and finally saying tearful “good-byes” at the airport? Truly, all of this has been an experience for which I will always thank God and for which I will forever be blessed. My gratitude also extends to the Presbyterian Women of our church and Newton Presbytery who so generously supported me with financial assistance and words of encouragement.

My hope and prayer is that more persons from our church will feel called to make this journey. It is not an easy trip. It is not always comfortable. It is exhausting and at times frustrating. But all of that is FAR outweighed by the blessings one receives in forming bonds that will never be broken. May this partnership continue to grow in Christ’s name.

Bwana Asifiwe! (Praise God!)
Amen
Marnie Kaller

Memoirs of Kenya 2004

When a Trip Becomes a Journey
By Pat Nordman, UPC Flanders

When we landed at the airport in Nairobi, I was expecting new sights and sounds, a new culture, new faces (hopefully friendly ones), and somewhat primitive sanitary facilities. I’m basically a friendly puppy who can find common ground and mutual interests to discuss with anyone. I’ve been a happy camper for about 40 years and expected to be able to handle any surprises I might encounter in Kenya and I did. I was told the Kenyans were friendly people but the scene at the airport still surprised me. A bit of an organized mob scene, we were met with greetings, and greetings, and blessings, and blessings, and hugs and kisses from total strangers who would not be strangers very long. A woman almost a head shorter than myself happily grabbed my heavy backpack and began pushing my cart with probably close to 200 lbs. of stuff on it. Somehow, she managed to hang onto me, too, which was a good thing. My knees were wobbly from all the hours of sitting on the planes and I felt like I was about to fall on my face from lack of sleep. At that point, anyone was more than welcome to hold me up. We were greeted with juice boxes, chocolate bars, and roses. I couldn’t help but wonder, if I’d been gone a year, whether my kids would be that thoughtful. We were prayed over and loaded into the vans and cars that were there to pick us up. Then we were off to the Methodist Guest House and devotions before bed. At that point, a blanket on the floor would have been acceptable, but the beds were real and comfortable.

A trip is something a tourist takes. We weren’t tourists. We were on a mission trip. But missionaries are people who bring the message of salvation and Christ’s love to those who are uninformed and/or unsaved. The last thing we could do among our brothers and sisters in the Kenyan Christian Community would be to try to teach them our western Christian values and methods of worship. They already know all that. And as far as expressing their faith and worshipping our Lord joyfully, they are miles and miles ahead of us.

At the welcome dinner at Bahati the next day, I was fortunate to be the last to introduce myself which gave me the chance to get an idea of what to say after listening to everyone else. I am a born again Christian and have been since I was 10 years old (more than 50 years ago--scary thought). If we prefaced our social conversations with a statement of our faith here at home, most folks would declare us certifiable or run the other way. I had to travel thousands of miles to Kenya to find the freedom to say openly, and with all the joy those words give me, “Jesus Christ is my personal Savior. I am a born again Christian.” My friends and family know that. I’ve certainly never hidden that fact and have lived my life accordingly. Still, to be able to make that declaration openly, publicly, with no hesitation or self-consciousness was a joy I will not forget—and will experience again when I return to Kenya. I wish I could feel that comfortable here at home. I told them at the farewell luncheon that I was leaving my heart in Kenya and would be back. And I meant every word. My sermon for next year is already half written. And I’m planning my packing very carefully so I don’t need a carry-on. My carry-on will be my classical guitar. I have a need to hear what my music sounds like in some of those cathedrals the Kenyans call churches.

I have spoken before groups of a hundred or 2 or 3 before. I’m a confident speaker. After all, I’ve been talking for 60 plus years. My problem is usually how and when to stop talking. The first Sunday, I spoke at Machakos, my sister church, before a group of about 300 people. The joke has been that our group has to stretch to fill 15 minutes when speaking. According to my hostess for the day (and night), Priscilla Mburu, I spoke for 30 minutes. I told you my problem is how to stop. I worked on shortening it for the next Sunday when I would be at Kayole. With great effort, I actually got it down to about 20 minutes.

Kayole had more than 2000 people at each of the services, in the seats and overflowing out the doors to the courtyards. As I sat next to the pastor, Rev. Edward Githinje, I wondered where my nerves were hiding. I should have been a basket case! I wasn’t! I felt a calm that absolutely amazed me. I knew I was exactly where God wanted me to be, doing exactly what He wanted me to be doing. It was with amazing confidence, enthusiasm, and joy that I spoke before those congregations, sharing with them the awesome ways that God has used me as He has planned and guided my life. The day quickly became a marathon. The two services (second one with a translator) were from 9 a.m. to almost 2 p.m. and flew by so quickly I couldn’t believe it. Then came dinner in the pastor’s office with all the elders. After came pictures in the courtyard. Next was an hour with the Woman’s Guild answering questions. After that, the Sunday School Choir sang for me and I took pictures of the kids, all 50 of them. After that, we were off to a home in the slum to visit a family with a new baby. I was asked to pray and bless the child, and Mom and Dad, and the rest of the family, and the home. Following that, we were at the Githinjes’ home where another district meeting was taking place, which meant more prayers, more questions, more visiting. Supper was about 8:30 that evening and at 9 p.m. I was sent to bed. They probably thought I was going to collapse. Half an hour after going to bed, I heard the door open and Edward’s wife, Irene, tiptoed into the room. She thought I was asleep and carefully tucked me in and rearranged the mosquito netting. As you can realize, that gave me a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling of being loved. God bless her for her care and kindness.

When we arrived in Nairobi, I was sick – very sick. Not from the flights or where I was. It had to be hatching at home, and by midnight, on the plane out of Newark, somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, I knew I had a problem. If I’d been home, I’d have gone to bed for a few days, slept it off, and gotten over it. There was no way I was going to do that in Kenya. I put on my happy face (or a reasonable facsimile under the circumstances) and kept up. On the 3rd or 4th day, we visited a place called Paradise Lost. We hiked down a very steep hill, hiked around the lake, climbed over the rocks at the end of it, and climbed behind a waterfall to explore the hidden caves where the Mau Mau hid during the uprisings many years ago. When it was time to reverse the procedure and head back, I stood at the bottom of that hill, my heavy backpack on my shoulder, and looked up. I was thinking it might be a good time to just die and fall into the lake. As I stood there, I felt a hand lift the weight off my shoulder. Another hand was against my back and a voice said, “Climb, now.” I did. When we reached the top, the owner of that voice handed me an ice-cold bottle of coke. Actually, he had the knack of producing those ice-cold cokes wherever we went, even in the middle of nowhere. We were in the middle of nowhere a lot. The voice and the cokes belonged to our guardian angel and shepherd, George Njunge. George had taken 3 weeks leave from his regular job to be our guide and escort. Over the next two weeks, George made sure I didn’t lag behind, didn’t get lost, teased me into eating when I didn’t really want to, made sure I had plenty of food to feed the giraffes, and continued to produce a seemingly endless supply of cokes. Thanks to George, my happy camper attitude quickly resurfaced. I was usually tired but happy. Tired was O.K. After all, we were on a marathon of visiting; churches, primary schools, secondary schools, clinics, hospitals, orphanages, and the infamous water pipeline. I climbed the water tower – and prayed I’d have the nerve to climb back down. Obviously, I did.

I feel as though all I brought to Kenya was my friendship, my curiosity, my willingness to learn, and a suitcase filled with 70 lbs. of supplies for the clinics and schools. What I brought away with me when I left Kenya is a deep love and respect for the people I met there, an amazing reaffirmation of my own faith, and a heightened awareness of the need to waken our own “sleeping” Christian community. If I had to choose the one thing that impressed me the most out of all the impressions I accumulated during our stay, it would have to be the prayers of the people during the church services. They all pray their own private personal prayers aloud at the same time. Imagine more than 2000 voices raised in prayer. You can’t imagine it! You have to experience it. The strength and power of those prayers is awesome and inspiring and I need to return to Kenya – to learn more, to experience these things again, to play my prayers in the churches with my guitar, and to see again the people who have made such an impression in my mind and so completely won my heart.

“I Dream of Africa”
by Doris Haring

As I rode the very long plane ride back to the country and people I had loved, many thoughts ran through my mind. All anxieties about the meeting were soon dispersed as we arrived at the Nairobi airport, to be so warmly greeted with Christian love by all the familiar faces awaiting our arrival.

Arriving at our Methodist Guest House destination for the evening, we gladly settled in to a shower and a good nights sleep. Tomorrow would begin our new journey—we would sort and ready our T-shirts, medical supplies, hats, pens, etc. that we would deliver in the next 2 ½ weeks to all the schools and clinics and places of need we would be seeing. Those of us with Sister Churches were anxious for the connection.

The Sunday (July 11th) that I went to Kahawa Station was so joyous -- the reception was fit for a queen. They were so surprised to receive mail and presents from their “prayer partners” -- they loved the Pilgrim Heritage church blanket presented to them from us, and upon my last evening in Nairobi (July 22nd) I was presented with gifts for existing prayer partners and a list of 36 more people requesting prayer partners. I gave greetings also to the Sunday School Superintendent of Kahawa Station along with pens and pencils engraved with Pilgrim Presbyterian Church. The whole afternoon was uplifting, and the feeling of God’s presence was felt. And all this took place in the almost completely new church, where they have been working.

The rest of the days were filled with so many opportunities to share the Christain love that expands the continents, as we visited the Imani orphanage, and saw the expanse that has taken place. We saw the new opening of the clinic that was two years ago put to a halt by the then-government, plus many, many other human need causes. The roads remained something to be dealt with, and sometimes we were tired from the extremely bumpy and very dusty, dry roads. This was caused by no rain – it was like driving through a dust storm.

But no words can adequately describe the feeling of being there – of the love these people have for “you” and for “us” that can be felt as we continue this wonderful now almost 10-year relationship with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa.

I will close by thanking all of you who believe and continue to pray for our partnership with Kahawa Station, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me again be the ambassador of all this good will and love.

“When the eyes of the Soul looking out, meet the eyes of God looking in, Heaven has begun right here on this earth” Bwana Asifiwe.

Moderator Musings….
Linda Gaden, Moderator, Presbyterian Women Newton Presbytery
[ * Woman’s Guild is the equivalent of Presbyterian Women]
Summer 2004

I hope that all of you are enjoying your summer. If your summer is anything like mine it is flying by very quickly. However, the month of July was absolutely wonderful for me as I spent 3 weeks of it in Kenya, Africa. Myself, along with 9 other women from Newton Presbytery, went on a mission trip on behalf of the Nairobi -Newton Partnership. It was an amazing time for me. I have been involved in the Partnership for about 8 years now and, this having been my second trip to Nairobi, I felt like I was going home. I spent time with “family”, with old friends and made new friends in the process. It had been 7 years since my last visit and yet it felt like only yesterday. Never once did I feel like a stranger in a country so very different from ours. Nobody is a stranger amongst our brothers and sisters in the Nairobi Presbyteries, we are all just one big family. And as such are extended a family hospitality that is unsurpassed in love and caring.

I would like to share a few thoughts about my trip… let me begin by sharing greetings with you from your sisters in Christ in Nairobi Presbyteries. My sisters in the Woman’s Guild* welcomed me with open arms and much love. They shared their meals with me, their families and homes with me. They also shared thoughts about the struggles they face to help those who are without food and shelter. In each church which I visited, Woman’s Guild members were caring for families at or below the poverty level. In some instances these families lived in such despair that we, in our most vivid imaginations, would find it difficult to even begin to understand such gross poverty. And yet, Woman’s Guild members care for these families with love and grace and a deep commitment to the service of Jesus Christ. While visiting in these slum areas the women are able to share their faith and pray with the families and on rare occasions provide a contact for employment. More often than not, however, they bring food and a small amount of used clothing to share with those who have so little. I observed that those who were sharing often did not have much more than those with whom things were being shared.

I was honored to have been given the opportunity to participate in a Woman’s Guild commissioning service where new Guild members received their head scarves and those who had already been serving received their “badge”. Although I was unable to participate in the head scarfing ceremony, I was given the honor of bestowing a badge upon one of the Guild members and then shared in a time of joyous celebration as the woman sang and danced with one another; truly rejoicing in the service of the Lord! All the while, however, questioning my own service and commitment to the Lord.

I have come home with a renewed commitment to my faith. It is my sincere hope that this will lead me to serve in ways I have never dreamed of serving in before or at the very least continuing to serve in ways already familiar to me with a deeper commitment to the Lord. I know that no matter what I am called to do I will do it with the quiet support of my sister in Nairobi; for they have shown me the true meaning of service and discipleship.

I hope that you enjoy the rest of your summer. As for me, I will spend the remainder of the summer sorting through my thoughts and emotions that have bound me forever to my Kenyan brothers and sister. In doing so, I will collect myself together to share stories of my adventures in Kenya with anyone who wants to listen.

Mungu Akubariki!

Memoirs of Kenya 2003

A Glimpse of Kenya
Bob Donaldson
First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway

During a lull in our otherwise busy schedule, I saw a group of young men talking in a play yard outside the small kitchen at the Makadara Church in Nairobi. Walking into their space quieted their active conversation. When I said, "Bwena Asifiwe," they relaxed their curious looks and responded "Amen" in the traditional way.
*
Introducing self as I shook each one's hand, I learned that they were members of the Youth Group (from 20 to 35 year's old) of the church. Most were orphans, some unemployed. They appeared to be like any similarly aged group in the US. I don't know what I had expected but any misconception I had was destroyed - like many others during my three weeks in Kenya.

They talked about what they were doing and asked a lot of questions about the US. They said that the group was called the "Mirror Line" to remind them that they always had to be examining themselves as Christians. There are about 50 members out of congregation of 500. The group conducts AIDS awareness and evangelistic rallies as community services as well as being active in the worship services of the church. Matt Winnans from the Birkshire Valley Presbyterian Church, a member of our group was scheduled to preach at Makadora the next day. Since he is closer to their age and I suggested that they speak to him after the service to get his point of view.

As we learned many times, the itinerary in Kenya is very fluid. Soon after talking with the men, the schedule was revised to put me at Makadora instead of Matt. I let the group know of the change and that I looked forward to being with them some more. They invited me to join them for Bible Study the next day.

On Sunday, I spoke at the 9AM English service and gave greetings from the Newton Presbytery at the 10:30 Swahili service. After the Sunday School children performed an original 10-minute drama that they had performed at a student competition held by the Presbytery the week before, I left the service to join the Mirror Line.

Seven members of the Mirror Line were deep into studying the seventh chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans. They were using a study outline that they prepared themselves. Their knowledge of the subject and of the Bible really impressed me. I thought that I had stumbled into a seminary class.

At the end of the study time and after a prayer, we resumed talking about their activities and aspirations. Two of the group are entrepreneurs, one with a used clothing business and the other a photographer. We talked a lot about educational opportunities and what it takes to get accepted by a US university. They asked me to keep in touch and gave me twelve names - seven with e-mail addresses.

The group was impressive - intelligent, well mannered, clean and well dressed, full of enthusiasm and devoted to their faith. They are optimistic about the outlook for Kenya under the new government and with young people like them as an example, I am sure that their hopes will be fulfilled.

If you would like to learn more, you can e-mail them (mirror_line@yahoo.com).

From C.J. Stickney:

This was my second trip to Kenya having also gone in 200l. The new government has been in place less than a year and the people have great hope that Kenya will see many improvements under it. I already saw some changes
since 200l.

The traffic lights in Nairobi were operating. In 2001 they were not and we were told they had not been for about two years. The roads were being repaired in places, although many are still terrible. Much of the garbage had been cleaned up, Education in the elementary schools is now available to all children at no cost, although the classes are large. The street children are now in schools and rehabilitation centers. The National Youth Service Training College has taken street people aged 18-26 and are training them with skills they can use to become productive members of society.

It was encouraging to see what has been accomplished in a short period of time. With the elimination of some of the corruption in the
government and more stability in Kenya, the World Bank is returning. Hopefully, other businesses and industries will relocate in Kenya and improve the economy.

Although all these changes were impressive, it is always the Kenyan people I remember most. The Kenyan people are a very patient and friendly people. They are gracious hosts and share whatever they have. They have a deep faith and a love of Jesus about which they are very open. They pray frequently and anywhere...the airport parking lot, in restaurants, on the street...whenever and wherever they are so moved. Even young children can pray freely and beautifully when asked.

Many in Kenya have little but are thankful for everything they do have. We, in America, have so much and often do not appreciate it. We have much to learn from the Kenyans and visiting Kenya was an enriching, life changing experience.

From MJ Finken:

I had a wonderful time in Kenya. I met many people; I was most impressed by the stories of what one person can do.

The power of one is about how much can get done by one person. How they get started and in the end they accomplish so much more than anyone could have imagined. One such person is Faith. She sold everything she had, then bought a plot of land and started the Imani Rehabilitation Agency. Imani means faith. She takes in children, feeds, clothes and educates them, but mostly she loves them. She has gotten donations from many and has expanded the center to two compounds that house around 600 children. The children were all clean, friendly and well behaved. They all have jobs to do – just like any family. Make your bed, clean the floor, wash clothes etc.

In the nursery there are pictures of the new arrivals, where they came from and their conditions. Most children are very thin and sickly when they come in but within a short time, with medicine, food, care and love, they gain weight and get healthy.

Why was I so impressed? Maybe it was because of the one little girl curled up on my lap, or was it the 9 month old that couldn’t hold her head up yet. Different things touch us all. I see this as a great work and all because one person wanted to help and followed her dream. One can make a difference.

From Larissa Kwong:

Ecclesiastes 4: 8-12

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work…”

Having just graduated from Rutgers University, I found my entrance into the “real world” both exciting and dreadful. The four years I spent in courses had given me the tools to serve my community through knowledge, but a part of me also looked into the future with doubts that the world could truly be a better place. I constantly watched television or read the newspaper only to discover that the world before me was full of fear, danger, terrorism, scare-tactics, half-truths, biterness, famine, power and death. Did I really have a chance in this kind of world?

The trip to Kenya opened my eyes to new opportunities that could all be made possible by working with one another. During our stay in Kibwezi, our group saw every step of the water project: its source, the pipelines and the tank. Our partnership made such a big idea a reality which several areas can now benefit from. It only took a bit of trust and love with one another to make the water project an ongoing success. Most importantly, we worked (and continue to work) together to enhance the fresh water pipeline to the rural area. It’s not about what we did for one another; it’s what we accomplished with one another and that is what enhanced the partnership between Nairobi and Newton from its birth.

My short time in Kenya gave me great faith and hope in the future of the international community. One man can made a difference, we are always learning stories about the capabilities of the individual, but together we can increase the outcomes all the more. My firsthand experience of the relationship between Nairobi Presbytery and Newton Presbytery illustrates the results of working together for a common goal: to serve God by serving one another!

Larissa Kwong

A Reflection Of Kenya by Lilly Kwong

Kenya! What an eye opening life experience. This is a land of extreme contrasts. The poor are without shoes, electricity, running water in their homes and in some cases, adequate food. Compare this to some who have not only the basic amenities, but hardwood or carpeted floors, full flushing toilets and hot and cold running water for showers and baths. However, the people are industrious here and anybody who can work will try to earn a living even if it’s only trying to sell a few ears of roasted corn on the side of the road.

Amidst all of this, the country is beautiful. It’s awesome to see huge, colorful flowers all over the land and different kinds of African animals along the countryside. Of course, there are also farmers herding goats, cows grazing on the land and chickens running loose.

To me, the most amazing thing about the visit, is the people’s faith in God. The Kenyans are passionate and spontaneous about their love for God and they outwardly praise him. Sunday is the Lord’s day and even in the most remote rural areas the churches are packed.

It is comforting to know that they appreciate the things the Partnership has done for them. They need to understand that we can’t provide everything they need all the time. On the other hand we need to learn how to express our faith better. Even the smallest Kenyan child is able to say a prayer spontaneously aloud. May the strength of their faith be a beacon to lead us in the continued relationship in the Partnership of the 2 Presbyteries.

Memoirs of Kenya 2002

Summer Visit to Nairobi Presbytery—Doris Haring Remembers
Africa? Nairobi, Kenya? Mission trip? For one who never left the country, these were words to take to heart. And I certainly did. What is it about Africa and its people that holds such mysterious power over its visitors?

We soon found out when we arrived at Nairobi airport on July 7th and were greeted as if we were old time friends. The rest of the days to follow were the same - no better! I felt as if I never left home. Wherever we went, our hearts were warmed. Sometimes I laughed, many times I cried. The children, the loving, charming children. They stole your heart - with so little, and yet smiles and enthusiasm abounding. I wanted to take them home, to heal their wounds as I saw them, to love and cherish them.

Our PC USA has contributed a lot, both physically and monetarily, as we witnessed in our travels to the Thange water project, saw the ambulance purchase, met with the children sponsored for their schooling, and the list went on. It was rewarding to see the wonderful works that, in God's name, are being done for the people. And more than that, the faith and the Living Spirit alive in the African people. God and family are first for them - they believe God does and will provide. They make you revisit your own faith. They believe and practice prayer all the time, everywhere, anywhere - no fear or apprehension in their praise for the Lord.

But one of the most poignant and heartfelt things happened to me the day of Saturday, July 13th at Kahawa West, where we sat in on a special session meeting, followed by introductions and then, of course, we were fed a feast. Everywhere we went that day, a photographer was there to greet and take our pictures. As we filed out of the church that day for the "shoot", I noticed an elderly woman ahead of me whom I hadn't greeted before, and stopped her to introduce myself and say hello. Her name was Lillian, and she immediately grabbed me, hugging each cheek, and them planting a kiss on one. She then looked up at me, extending her hand which held a toothpick, to my mouth. Not knowing what she was about to do and not wanting to offend her by pulling away, I stood still. She proceeded to pick my teeth - it seems there was a piece of green lettuce caught in between them. She then said, "there", patting me on the shoulder and leading me in the direction of the picture shoot. It seems she was concerned that I look my best for this occasion. I couldn't hold back the tears that swelled in my eyes. This gracious woman, whom I had just met, was concerned about how I would look - the face of Christ on my sister.

There's a saying that describes the people of Nairobi Presbytery and myself very well - it goes likes this……."Some people enter your life for a short time and then disappear like the dust that the winds blow away; other people enter our lives for a short time and stay in our hearts forever." These Kenyans will always be my "forever people."

Doris Haring

Kibwezi, Kenya—Marshall and Laurie McKnight remember. . .
"I stood on the flatbed of the Nissan Sahara 4x2 and held onto the rollbar as the truck bounced down a dusty, rutted road through African bush country. Behind me stood the Chyulu Hills, a jagged ridge that stretched across the horizon toward Tanzania as it caught the setting sun. Below me, on either side of the lurching truck, barefoot schoolchildren in faded green and yellow uniforms made their way home. Many of them smiled brightly and waved shouting, 'How are you?' As I took all this in while gazing over the endless miles of stunted vegetation in this semi-arid land, the concept finally sank in. I was in Kenya.

" I owed it all to generous Christians who care very deeply about a grand seven-year experiment called the Newton-Nairobi Presbytery Partnership. The decision to join seven fellow Presbyterians in a delegation representing Newton Presbytery in a visit to East Africa came only after every reason not to go was thoroughly and enthusiastically dismissed. This is because I don't like to travel. Especially after September 11, I thought the liklihood of going to a place as exotic as East Africa was about as strong as holding the winning Big Lotto ticket. My big trip each year is to a cabin in the woods of Northwestern New Jersey.

" But, there I was out in the bush near a place called Kasasule. I was surrounded by several familiar faces including Laurie, my wife, and many new ones. They were people who were warm and generous, constantly saying 'karibu,' the kiswahili word for 'welcome' in a soothing, gentle tone that is the Kenyan culture's voice.

" Next to me on that Nissan flatbed stood a doctor from Nairobi, Kenya's capital. His name was Job Muiriri, a Christian brother who quickly became a dear friend. Job volunteers his time at a clinic near Kasasule where HIV/AIDs, malaria and malnutrition threaten 25,000 people daily.

" During my 17 days in Kenya, as part of the delegation from Newton Presbytery, I visited dozens of churches, schools, colleges, clinics and hospitals. Watching orphans perform acrobatics, holding an abandoned newborn infant in my arms, listening to beautiful hymns sung in kikuyu, riding a grouchy groaning camel and seeing thousands of wild animals including giraffes, elephants, lions and cheetahs, were all part of the most unique trip I believe I will ever take in my life.

" One of the greatest highlights of this sojourn for Laurie and me was meeting our prayer partners. We visited their homes, exchanged gifts, petted their livestock and shared many laughs and a few tears.

"Come to think of it, that pretty much describes a typical day during our visit in Kenya. The last thing my prayer partner, Arthur Kamau Ngeru, said to me was, 'I'm very happy'."

So am I, Arthur. So am I.
Bwana Asifiwe
Marshall McKnight

"Take only the good back with you." We heard this time and time again from the Kenyans we met, in social settings, in tourist settings, in religious settings. Pastors and vendors and Kikuyu and Kamba and Maasai tribe members all said this.

"Certainly, so much in Kenya is good, and worth bringing back as a memory and/or a souvenir—the endless sky, the distinctive silhouettes of the sisal and acacia trees, the impressive wildlife, the red clay and fertile soil, the favorable climate and weather, the delicate jewelry and wood and stone carvings and fabric and other crafts, the history, the beautiful faces of smiling children, the hospitality and generosity of every Kenyan everywhere we went... There is much that is good and positive to say about Kenya and Kenyans.

"To present a balanced picture, however, there are other aspects to Kenya that are less positive: the worn roads, the pervasive dust, the AIDS/HIV rate, the unemployment rate, the poverty and slums.…

"These do not detract from Kenya's charm. I'm sure the Kenyans we met hoped we would ignore these negatives, and encourage other Americans to visit Kenya. I do encourage others to go, and I will continue to do so, despite these problem issues. Without the valleys of Kenya's problems, we cannot so well appreciate the peaks of Kenya's successes. Meeting the Kenyan people alone is worth the trip. They are generous and hospitable and we felt like more than family; we felt like honored guests, like royalty. However, seeing how the Kenyans live and how they manage and how they have triumphed despite the obstacles they face was the most inspiring aspect of the trip, for me. It is all a matter of perspective, and this was a life-changing experience. I learned a new dimension of faith.

" Will I go back? Absolutely. "

Laurie McKnight

A Kenya Memoir, from Nancy Steiner

What is it about this Kenya trip that excites me and made me go back for a fourth time? I'll try and explain ---- Because going to Kenya changes you! Because I am not the same person I was before ever visiting Kenya. Because it makes me grow deeper in my faith, more rounded as a human being and a stronger Christian. Because I've met and become friends with people who inspire me…..who reach out to me with their hands and touch my heart. And because it gives me a chance to live my faith….not just believe in it. It's another stop along the path of my personal spiritual journey that provides me with a sense of warmth and community that the world could use more of right now.

God has blessed Newton Presbytery with this partnership and they have far more to offer us than we have to offer them. Recently I saw these words:

"A rich person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least."
---Interview with God website http:/168.143.173.209/IWGnet.swf

How true those words are. Our brothers and sisters in Nairobi Presbytery are unbelievably rich. They are, for the most part, full of hope for the future. Their faith runs deep and they have a variety of gifts to offer us as well as an amazing faith to share. They are rich in their compassionate love of Christ and commitment to share the Good News. I feel enriched each time I visit them.

One of the highlights of my trip this year was attending worship at PCEA Dandora Church on July 14, 2002. The service started at 10 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m. (I was glad I had a good breakfast!). This was a special Sunday because it was the ordination of Rev. John Karanja Kamau…… a happy and uplifting celebration for a new minister! The church was packed with more than 500 well wishers including John's family, members of congregations in the Presbytery, all of the pastors of Nairobi Presbytery along with a few pastors from visiting Presbytery's. Our delegation was happy to help celebrate this special occasion and bring good wishes from Newton Presbytery. As many of you have heard, a pastor in Kenya may have up to 10 churches under his wing. There's a shortage of ministers and so when someone new has been called into ministry, it is a time of joy and festivities. Choirs sang, hymns were sung (in Kiswahili) the reading of II Timothy 4 ….." preach the message…. convince, reproach, and encourage, as you teach with all patience…", wise words for all of us. And then of course was the laying on of hands, first the ministers (our own Rev. Sally Taylor amongst them) and then the elders. My prayers are with Rev. Karanja and his family as he embarks on this new mission in his life.

I've been very fortunate for the opportunities to visit Kenya and I invite members of congregations in Newton Presbytery to experience this trip next June/July. In life, there are numerous opportunities that present themselves along the way that give us a chance to grow…..and you'd be amazed at what can happen when you let the spirit move you to visit Nairobi Presbytery in Kenya.

May your days be filled with riches-----some which occur as a result of the gifts you share with others and some that are the result of what others can give you.

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