Unexpected Blessings

Last month David Dach and John Odhong, my two research assistants, came to our home and we enjoyed warm fellowship over “franzowi,” coffee with heaping spoonfuls of milk power and sugar. We took time to catch up, each of us sharing the ‘one thing’ that most energized us and blessed us over the Christmas and New Year holiday. For David, it was the birth of his daughter. For John, it was the reconciliation that happened at church on Christmas Day. For me, it was the unexpected blessings I experienced through the persons I met and friendships I made during our time in Kenya.

Kyama Mugambi is a church leader, a scholar of world Christianity, a PhD holder, a teacher, and a graduate of Africa International University (AIU) in Nairobi, Kenya. We met for lunch at Java House, a popular eatery with multiple locations in Nairobi. We shared on a wide swath of issues, ranging from friends and family, to racism and systemic issues related to poverty and injustice, and finally to our respective research concerns. Kyama is earnest, thoughtful, articulate, and wise. He demonstrated an interest in me, sharing important contacts who could assist me in my doctoral research. Kyama also invited me as his “personal guest” to a PhD Seminar in early January whereby I could meet his mentor and friend, Professor Mark Shaw. Our two hours together went by quickly, and I was sad to break company.

Dr. Kyama Mugambi
Photo from ANVIL, a CMS online periodical

 

Being at AIU I was able to meet many wonderful people, from Káren who worked security at the library, checking my bag in each day, to Elvis who prepared tasty meals with creative flair, to Yolandè who is a visiting scholar from Central Africa Republic. When Abyot and I met in the PhD Carrels in the library, I felt an instant connection. Abyot is from Ethiopia and he is doing his PhD at AIU. Abyot and I sat together under the teaching of Professor Shaw for the PhD Seminar; we would encourage each other early each morning as we went running together. The day after our course finished, Abyot cooked a traditional Ethiopian meal for us as we celebrated Christmas together (January 6th for Ethiopians) and discussed his upcoming wedding in June; Abyot asked me for any advice concerning marriage. I was able to share some thoughts on the blessings and the challenges of marriage.

Abyot and I 

True to his word, Kyama put me in touch with Professor Mark Shaw and I was able to attend the PhD Seminar he taught. While the content of the course was wonderful, and some of it will undoubtedly find its way into my dissertation, the greatest blessing was meeting with Professor Shaw at Art Cáffe, a fun restaurant down from AIU which has the best “Dawa” (lemon/ginger tea) in Kenya. Prof Shaw took an interest in me, inquiring about our service in various countries in Africa to our current ministry and life in South Sudan. He responded to one of my vexing research questions with a thoughtful, sensitive, pastoral attitude. Being with him made me feel like I was in the presence of a caring father with whom I could pour out my heart and share my mind. From his gentle wave as he stood up, watching for me upon arrival, to his final goodbye, I felt the presence of a man dedicated to servants of the Gospel like myself.

AIU PhD Seminar with Professor Mark Shaw

(though I am a student at Stellenbosch University in South Africa,
I was graciously welcomed into this learning community)
  

Life is interesting. You never know who you will meet and where those interactions/conversations will take you. I am grateful for the “unexpected blessings” of new acquaintances and friends from our time in Kenya. Thank you, Lord.