Return to Kenya – at last!

Between 10th and 23rd March Machakha and Miti Mingi were revisited to review, strengthen and encourage the Recoverers and their families in the groups previously formed, which were last visited in 2020; added to which new friends were made in Lodwar in North-West Kenya, with teaching of the program to sufferers and their spouses and the formation of new Recovery groups. 

Machakha

Pastor Johnstone and his wife Elizabeth once more kindly provided hospitality in their beautiful home, which acted as a base in which to stay throughout this trip, and gave opportunities to reach out to the other communities to the north and east.

During lockdown the primary school on Johnstone’s land was unable to function, and following the lifting of restrictions it was difficult to operate as a school due to poverty and the lack of teachers.

The building has been rebranded as “Truth Bible School” which has the primary purpose of holding residential recovery programs, using two rooms to segregate males and females, and the third centre room for teaching; this will allow people in remote communities to receive help.

Pastor Johnstone has printed off the manual and given copies to group leaders; those involved in teaching have to pass an exam he has developed before they can assume a leadership role.

A meeting was held with Ruby, who is a Country Local government Officer; she is very interested in the program and is writing a thesis on it. Books that had been brought to share with Johnstone held great interest for her and she hopes to obtain copies.

We visited her office where we met with the Deputy County Commissioner to discuss the program and development of the groups. She pledged support for the groups and as a result of some advice given by Johnstone has fostered an annual meeting of different community groups, so that each group may become aware of what others are doing; this is considered to require refashioning however, as initially it is being used as a political platform rather than an informative one.

Reunion with former pupil

A Recoverer made the long journey from Nairobi to say thank you.

Edward had received the teaching during our visit in 2015. He had had a colourful history, known on occasions to dance naked in the streets while he was a drinker! He struggled in following the program at first, which is a normal part of recovery for many, but has now been sober for five years, and is a church pastor in Nairobi; he has started 15 Recovery groups there, numbering a core membership of 140 Recoverers!

It works!

Miti Mingi Revisited

Contact had been re-established with Pastor Paul Titus, who we had last visited in 2011 as part of a Links International team.

On a previous visit in 2010 recovery groups had been formed in both Miti Mingi and in the nearby town of Nakuru, the leader being a Recoverer called George, who had very quickly grasped the program and transformed his life, recovering completely with a passion to help others.

Paul had contacted me in 2022 to say that sadly George had died; the groups had dwindled, partly as a result of the lockdown, and now required to be fanned back into flame.

How wonderful it was to meet Paul again! Also his brother Jonah who is also a pastor of a church in Miti Mingi, also involved in community work strengthening marriages.

Introduction was made to Michael, an elder in the Anglican Church. He rotates around 8churches, teaching and preaching as there is only one ordained clergyman in the district. He reported that in addition to alcohol, cannabis is the main problem locally, rather than Class A drugs. The problem is increasing particularly among children; and especially those whose parents drink or use.

Teaching was given over the space of two days to a mixed group of Sufferers and Spouses at

Paul’s church. Special emphasis was given to Step 4 and the human spirit. Two groups were formed: “Deep Cover” and “Hope”.

Back to Machakha

Having returned to base teaching and discussion was held with a group of 8 instructors at Johnstone’s Recovery Centre; also as part of the vision a successful poultry business was visited.

Johnstone reported that previously there had been 18 brewers in the village, but now there is only one. It is to be hoped that they have found more wholesome and profitable business!

A visit was made to further communities Ushindi and Manyaha Boda Boda; in the latter village teaching was to a group of motor cycle taxi operators, all addicts, in a taxi-shelter at the side of the road; a crowd of interested people soon joined.

Lodwar

Visiting this town in North West Kenya, which is largely desert, involved a very long drive; this was performed as fast as possible on a relatively empty road, because of the very real possibility of attack by heavily armed bandits. In fact an attack was mounted the day following our return journey, when 4 people were killed and cattle were stolen.

Michael who is Johnstone’s son, is gifted as an evangelist, and he has established four churches in different parts of the town.

There was initial teaching to a mixed group of 30 or so; followed the next day by a service held under an acacia tree which provided shade, for want of a church building. The worship was lovely and we shared eucharist.

After the service and refreshment there was teaching to a group of 20.

An afternoon visit to Kawasane brought together a further 50, who gave an enthusiastic welcome; and the following day two locations with groups of about 30 each.

Once more there was interest in the program by community health workers, who hopefully will continue to lend support.

It was humbling to meet Peter, a church worker who acted as translator; he walks 20 km a day from where he lives to serve the church!

Radio Broadcast

Pastor Michael acts as a DJ for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, on a local Christian radio station in Lodwar and the neighbouring region for a range of 60 km. He had arranged with the radio head for a one hour evening slot to present the program, which occurred followed by questions.

It sparked a good deal of interest with people telephoning in over the days which followed; it is hoped that many will join Michael’s church as a result.

Truth Bible School

Pastor Johnstone hopes to hold meetings in these rooms every month; to strengthen and to teach, using the Bible and the manual as the basis for recovery.

A great deal fell apart during Covid and the resulting lockdown. Many Recoverers relapsed as the groups were not meeting; however, some remained sober, and Johstone proposes to train these as leaders.

Projects did not hold together as people were not meeting. One group had developed a hand detergent, which was successful during Covid; however, the salesmen did not return the money; it is hoped that monthly meetings will lead to accountability.