St. Stephen Presbyterian Church,
Voi, Kenya
St. Barnabas has a very special relationship with the congregation of St.
Stephen Presbyterian Church in Voi, Kenya. In the fall of 1995, the
Reverend George Gitahi of St. Stephen visited St. Barnabas through the
Mission To The USA program, and shared his joys and talents with our
congregation. St. Barnabas has supported St. Stephen through the donation
of goods to those in need in Voi. In the summer of 1997, St. Barnabas sent
a group of congregation members to Kenya.
In early 2001, two members of our congregation each spent 6 months in Voi
performing various activities such as teaching students, computer
instruction, and building contruction.
St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church and the Voi, Kenya Mission History
1995, September-October:
The Reverend George Gitahi arrives at St. Barnabas under the auspices of our
denominational program Mission to the USA. He stays six weeks, during
which conversations begin about a partnership with the small churches that he
serves in the Voi area.
1996, May-June:
Tom Gibbons and Bob Crook travel to Voi, Kenya as the first connection
leading to that partnership. We are loved simply for being there, and we
love the community. We discover that there are many ways that we can learn
from one another in the faith and there are many areas of joint interest.
In particular, the work of the Jilea group, the St. Stephen pre-school,
and Mwambiti school present means for our involvement.
1996, September:
The Reverend George Gitahi is sent to the United States for graduate study
at Columbia Seminary.
1996, December-1997, January:
The Rev. George Gitahi and his family share Christmas and New Year's at St.
Barnabas.
1997, May:
After a year long establishment of letter/photo exchanges, sharing specific
financial resources, and additional planning, a member of the Voi
congregation, Joseph Wititu, spends two weeks in Richardson, sharing in
various aspects of the church's life and in being overwhelmed by the
affluence of the Metroplex.
1997, June-July:
St. Barnabas sends eight people to visit Voi, bringing materials for the
community hospital in the town and working with Jilea projects and the
construction of an additional pre-school building.
1999, April:
After a long struggle in a politically volatile situation, Frederick Kairu,
a member of the Voi community who was scheduled to come to Richardson, is
unable to be granted a visa to the U.S.
1999, August:
St. Barnabas receives a Mission Initiative Grant from Grace Presbytery for
two members of our congregation to work in Voi for six months.
2001, January-June:
Lee Davenport and Elaine Majors live and teach in Voi. Computers are
purchased for the school and students are taught to use them. Funds sent
with Lee and Elaine are also used to build a playground for the primary
school.
2002, January:
Twelve children of the St. Stephen's congregation receive full scholarships
to attend St. Stephen's Academy. Those children could not otherwise afford
to attend their church's school. They will receive the scholarships until
they finish St. Stephen's Academy in 8th grade.
2003, June:
A friend of our congregation returns from a trip to Kenya with a video of
our friends in Voi. The video shows the St. Barnabas Tree growing well and
a new second story addition to one of the school blocks at St. Stephen's
Academy.
2003, August:
George Gitahi, his wife Rahab, and their children Catherine and Michael
visit us at St. Barnabas.
2003, September:
The Voi Endowment Fund is established with the goal of perpetuating the
scholarships at St. Stephen's Academy.
2003, November:
The first 8th grade class of St. Stephen's Academy sits for their primary
school exit exam. All pass successfully.
2003, December:
The Voi Endowment Fund exceeds its first year goal of $20,000 by $1266.82.
2004, August:
Books collected by Logos will be taken to George and Rahab in Atlanta so
that they can deliver them to Voi when they go home. They will hopefully be a
nucleus for the library collection at St. Stephen's Academy.
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