‘The Lord is Smiling on the
Church in Kenya’
The Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith
I
had the pleasure of returning to Kenya in July to see how the Church has
developed in the four years since my last trip. It was wonderful to see how
the Rev. Samson Mogusu Abuga has led the Church and is creating a solid basis
for the future. His church in Etora, located in the Kisii region of southwestern
Kenya, now has a church building, an award-winning elementary school (the
Good News Preparatory School, K-8, which he notes is “tomorrow’s church”),
the beginnings of a manse, and an orphanage for more than 60 children (whom
he terms “unfortunate angels”).
Traveling there was interesting as usual. Lost luggage in the London,
England, Heathrow Airport; an interminable drive from Nairobi to Kisii,
featuring hours stuck in traffic; automotive breakdowns; and baboons looking
none too friendly along the side of the road. Fortunately, there is now a
reasonably priced hotel within walking distance of the church property, which
was very convenient and a welcome sight after the trip.
There was quite a group traveling to Kenya. Gretchen accompanied me,
taking photos as usual and helping out with resources from General Church
Education for the school and society. (If you would like to see pictures of the
Church around the world, go to her Facebook page. For photos from this trip,
see page 466.)
Kay Alden and Kathy Schrock were privately funded to make the trip,
giving support to the teachers in the school and providing oversight for the
orphanage. They led a teacher training seminar and brought many New
Church resources for the school. Kay’s husband, Mark, and Kathy’s husband,
Roger, joined them later, providing medical and construction expertise. The
Helping Children in Crisis committee supported much of their trip. A more
complete report on the orphanage and the HCIC committee will be in a future
issue of the Life.
While there I preached in the Etora and Kiagware congregations. As usual,
their singing was exuberant, joyous and extensive. During the first Sunday at
Etora I inaugurated Fred Onsiro Ang’asa, Emanuel Wanjala Juma and George
438