In July Carrie Pither flew out to Nairobi to start her assignment with AIM Air. Before starting ministry, Carrie participated inย our African Based Orientation training. Here, she gives us a flavour of what her first weeks have been likeโฆ
After church inย Gatamaiyuย weย were invited to the home of a local family for lunchย whereย we were thoroughly spoilt with an amazing African feast.
The three week orientation course in Nakuru was crammed with a huge range of training.ย This orientation is so essential in helping me establish a firm foundation in these early months, especially once I start the โrealโ mission work at AIM Air and life becomes increasingly busy. This bedrock will be crucial (Matthew 7: 24-27). Every day, hour and minute in fact, I am learning new things and I havenโt even started on my language studies yet!
The course also included looking at transformational development, focussing on community work within a theological framework. This includedย a visit to a small community where we metย a group of women who had formed a fellowship and entrepreneurial cooperativeย called Strong Mothers. Our group of six from AIM met with them in their home. It was a small, bare house but we all had a chair and were made very welcome. They shared with us how they had started the group as just two women meeting together to support each other, and how they had grown to twelve. Their projects included farming crops, keeping chickens, a cow, selling charcoalย and theyย had future ideas for buying plates, cutlery and pots to rent out for weddings, funerals and local events.ย The success of their projects is down to โsimple, small and slowly, slowlyโ. They were achieving so much, but most importantly they were caring for each other. Each week they make a personal donation to the group, which isย used to support a another member or someone in the community who is in need. They are such a resourceful, inspiring group with great dignity and pride.
As he entered, he broke down crying saying he was ready to be ‘savedโ.
I found the afternoon with these wonderful women such an encouragement and a blessing. While at the meeting one of the husbands unexpectedly turned up. At firstย it wasnโt clear why he was there. He lingered in the doorway for some time but finally seemed to pluck up courage to enter. As he entered, he broke down crying saying he was ready to be โsavedโ. The Strong Mothers had been praying for him for some time and their initial surprise soon turned to true African delight โ crying, singing, praising and ululation! We joined them too. It was a powerful, spirit filled experience.
After the service at Gatamaiyu church.
It was hard saying farewell to new friends at the end of the orientation course as we all headed in different directions throughout Africa. There were tears and hugs, but we are all grateful for technology,ย allowing ourย friendships to continue.
The next stop for me after orientation was Navaisha for a five day course on how to learn a language (Language Acquisition Made Practical/LAMP). In the morning we had lessons on the LAMP method of learning, and later our local โlanguage helpersโ (students from Gatamaiyu, a small local village) arrived for one to one training. Each day we spent time in their village practising our Swahili. They were very patient and gracious! On Sunday in Gatamaiyu church we introduced ourselves and gave our โtestimonyโ in Swahili. This time grace was replaced with cheers and clapping. Bwana Asifiwe (Praise the Lord)!
Iโm now in Nairobi and itโs great to be here.ย AIM colleagues and their families have been so kind with visits, a welcome bag of goodies and necessities, and always being on standby for any of my silly newcomer questions (and there have been plenty).ย Iโm feeling settled which is great. However, I know that life at the moment is simple and the pace is slow but this is not the life I will eventually be leading once I start โworkโ at AIM Air. Iโm under no illusion that life will be busier and increasingly difficult as the weeks and months progress and thatโs all part of the learning curve Iโm on. Iโm trying to root myself in the wisdom of Matthew 6: 25-34 especially โdo not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itselfโ. Please pray with me that I will keep the balance right.
