Reflecting on the Past Year (from my 2004 Diary)

Eldoret, January 1, 2004

Starting the Year with Uncertainty 

Last year was a big year for me. It started with some uncertainty because I had just returned from studying in Zambia and wasn't sure what my plans were. But when I started working at the National Council of Kenya (NCCK) office in Eldoret, I had a lot of energy and enthusiasm. I wanted to use the skills and knowledge I had gained in Zambia to improve the work of NCCK.

One of the first things I did was suggest setting up a Resource Center to improve NCCK's information management system. I learned about this from organizations I visited in Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia during my internship. I also wanted to help develop training materials for community conflict transformation workshops that NCCK conducted.

My supervisor agreed to let me set up a resource center, but not to the extent that I wanted. Unfortunately, my second idea was interrupted when NCCK reorganized its programs.

At a personal level, I had an idea to establish a peace institute that would offer peacebuilding courses at the Reformed Institute for Theological Training (RITT), Plateau. This project was to be implemented in partnership with the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation (MEF). I had previously written a project proposal when I was at MEF suggesting this to the MEF administration as well as RITT. Meanwhile, I discussed with RITT about this possibility and also held meetings with the top RCEA leadership including the General Secretary, Rev. Akoru, Moderator Songok, and four parish moderators who were supportive of the idea.

In June, Babu Ayindo, my former lecturer at MEF, and the Director of Dag Hammarskjold peace center at MEF visited RITT to discuss and to assess this possibility. He had combined his visit with supervising MEF interns in Eldoret (at NCCK). He was pleased with this idea and we agreed that RITT would use the MEF curriculum to begin the course.

Accomplishments and Reflections

Looking back at what I have been able to accomplish for the past year, and looking ahead to 2004, I marvel at what God has done in my life. I was able to implement most of what I had planned to do, apart from completing the house project which I have begun.

At a personal level, I was able to spend more time with my family and even welcomed a new baby girl. We were also able to pay for school fees for my brother and brother-in-law.

At work, I was transferred to Mombasa as part of a restructuring process and was able to work on a peace and development project. I also attended a course on conflict transformation in South Africa.

Looking Ahead

As I reflect on the past year, I wonder what is in store for us this year. One thing I am sure of is that I am reporting to work in Nairobi tomorrow. The rest I don’t know. It is my desire that this year, God giving us good health, we will be able to get our daughter a good school, complete our house construction project, increase our savings, do better investments, grow spiritually, and participate more in church activities. One thing I always ask God for is to preserve us, as a family, so that we may live to glorify his name always.

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