Our last day in Meru was spent at a local church service. Some of us went to different Methodist churches, some to a Catholic church, and some to a Baptist church. I attended the Mulathankari Methodist Church which was the mission site for most of our projects. I had the pleasure of listening to the retired Reverend Francis Mwenda, who is the first woman minister in Africa. She became a minister in 1949. The service lasted three hours, but the sermon was only about 30 minutes. Charles Mwiti was gracious enough to translate the sermon for the English only speaking. The church was packed, with the men sitting on one side and the woman and children sitting on the other side. At the end of the service, an auction was held for those who brought farm produce to use as their offering.
Afterwards, each mission team member spent the afternoon in the home of one of the church members. I had two home visits, one with the Reverend Mwenda and her husband and then we drove to Stanley and Dorcas Kinoti's farm. Stanley is a progressive farmer in the area. He has received four Outstanding Farming awards. We toured his 3-acre farm which consisted of banana and macademia nut trees. He is so proud of his farm and his accomplishments.
Afterwards, each mission team member spent the afternoon in the home of one of the church members. I had two home visits, one with the Reverend Mwenda and her husband and then we drove to Stanley and Dorcas Kinoti's farm. Stanley is a progressive farmer in the area. He has received four Outstanding Farming awards. We toured his 3-acre farm which consisted of banana and macademia nut trees. He is so proud of his farm and his accomplishments.
