One of the great joys of international mission work is being in on the development of something big. To be able to watch the organization with which one is working reach the heights of their dreams. Such was the case when I snapped this picture in 1994 on a visit to our partners Hotel project in Mombassa, Kenya.
My job as a projects coordinator was to assist the Projects Secretary, Mr. K. with oversight, review, resourcing, and encouragement of the over 200 projects formally sponsored, managed and/or supported by our partner denomination.
Mrs. W. had the office next to mine and kept teasing me that I should see more of her denomination's Women's Project work since the women were the one's who spent "more time working and less time meeting and eating on the church's dime" (an oblique reference to the men in charge). And it was she who encouraged me to come to see the beginnings of this Hotel project. Their aim was to provide a hostel for children of Christians who would be attending university in Mombassa, a strongly Muslim enclave.
And so my office staff made the arrangements and I headed down on the train. Now I love trains, so this was going to be a biggee. The trains used were the old Pullman style with mahogany trim on the inside. The stewards still wore white gloves to serve dinners with china plates and silver plate flatware. It would be an overnight in second class accomodations meaning I would share my cabin with as many as three other persons.
I happily took my seat and laid my luggage down next to me. I was immediately greeted by a friendly gentlemen, a teacher who happened to be affiliated with the denomination with which I worked in country, and who was also headed to Mombassa for a teaching position at a primary school. And then just before we left the station a second man joined us, quite talkative and interested in what this mzungu (white person) was doing in second class rather than first. The teacher and I had some good conversation, with the soldier - over his first, second and third bottles of beer - before going to the dining car.
Following dinner, at which the soldier managed to put another three bottles to rest, we retired to our cabin which had been made ready for sleeping. And then the questions began, questions that stem from the depressed logic of a largely inebriated person trying to justify his own righteousness. You can fill in the blanks. It was interesting, long, and sometimes disjointed but I was eventually rescued by the Teacher's request for silence that he might get some sleep. Having consumed a few more bottles the soldier was ready to fade off.
Morning came and we pulled into the station in Mombassa and we were all off to our respective destinations. As often was the case I was on my own to get to a destination for which I had no address, in a town to which I had never been, in a country in which I had lived for just a few short months. It was a part of the excitement. This was a part of what I loved about my work.
The taxi driver was helpful as I tried to describe a new building project in a growing city and we eventually found our way to the project. Upon arrival I was greeted with an absolutely delightful lunch which had been prepared purposefully based on word from Mrs. W. that I should be there before lunchtime. Although Mrs. W. had planned on being there during my visit she was called away to another project which had reported having some difficulties. Remember, this was in the days before email, and when telephone communication, at least in East Africa could still be quite spotty. We still wrote letters.
But let's get back to the lunch for a minute.
Chapati (Flat Bread)
sukumu wiki (lit. push the week - collard greens)
Kenyan women KNOW how to cook. Whether its Kienyeji, Ugali, Kienyeji Mukimo, Githeri, Njahi, or any of the other "comfort foods" or something simple like a fresh fruit plate, a couple of samosas, or just a cup of chai (tea) with mandazi, Kenyans tend to eat well and to enjoy eating. The fellowship, the conversation, the exuberant joy is just a blessing. Eating with Kenyan believers is always an event!
But I digress...the purpose was reviewing the progress that had been made to date on this hotel. Mostly local funding, from individual Women's Guilds in Kenya, built as money had become available.
The progress they had made was a great source of pride. We toured the rooms and talked of the work yet to be done. Their dreams were well outlined and their excitement was abundantly obvious.
I finished my interview, closed the notebook, we prayed and I returned to my hotel for the night before heading to the train station for my return trip. A trip which paled in comparison to the short but moving time I had spent with the Womens Guild members at the poject site. The years went on. Our family eventually moved back to the states but I followed the project at a distance and was so elated when they finally opened their doors. Today the hotel stands as a witness to perseverance, the women's commitment, and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
p.s...
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