Kenya, Africa

LIFE FOR RURAL PASTORS AND LEADERS IN KENYA

South Kinangop is one of those lush green areas at the foot of the Abedere Mountains that reminds one of the beauties of Kenya. Though potholes are plenteous and things like hospitals, mortuaries and internet cafes non-existent, the leaders of South Kinangop consider themselves blessed

.
They have very little in terms of what we would consider life’s necessities and yet they are grateful to be living in one of the most beautiful regions in Kenya were the high elevation keeps deadly African diseases at bay, except for the scourge of HIV Aids that is no respecter of communities.

Their immediate needs are more than abundantly met through their enterprising businesses such as agriculture, zero grazing units, bee keeping etc.

These are educated leaders who like all of us want to be recognized as part of the global leadership community. They, like all of us have challenges – immense challenges and yet their greatest strength is their limitless ability to accept what they cannot change and work hard to change what they can.

In the last number of years I have seen tremendous change in the lives of these leaders.

Sammy Ngumba is a man who recently gave up a well paying job at Standard Charter Bank in Nairobi; while still at Standard Charter Sammy started a local NGO called Merciful International Guild. Sammy is one of those leaders who never says die. He is innovative, influential and most of all committed to serving his community. He is also the pastor of Happy Spiritual Church and the father of six wonderful children. His wife Margaret is one of those smart entrepreneurial women who runs three businesses and knows how to look for new opportunities to do better and do more. It is people like Sammy and Margaret who make communities thrive - not western dollars, or the Mzungo’s who drop in and out of their lives – but their spirit of commitment, perseverance and dedication.

These leaders are avid learners and teachers. I have learnt as much from them if not more, than they have learned from me. We are friends, building a relationship of trust. They know that I am not the Mzungo who comes to tell them what they should change but rather an African born and bred just like them who has a heart of passion and love for leaders all over the world – and most especially Africa – my own true heartland.

Our efforts in Kenya this year focused on developing character and integrity, the importance of not losing credibility, vision and good stewardship as well as practical and business skills, including first aid, CPR, disaster preparedness and the ability to keep a cash flow statement and understand the reasons why many small businesses fail.

We look forward to our ongoing partnership with the leaders of Kinangop and know that our future sessions together covering the important topic of domestic violence and introducing them to the ministry of the chaplaincy will deepen the ties that bind us together as Christians whose only goal is to better serve our communities.

Gabriella Van Breda

• Kenya 2007 Training Trip Exceeds All Expectations
• March 2004 - Forty Foot Humanitarian Container Sent
• Read More about Kenya, a Nation on the Brink...
• The Glory of Kenya
• Read a special series in The Seattle Times about one rural Kenyan woman.