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| Cheetah in the Nairobi Game Park (Photo by Frank Hildreth) |
At that time Gordon Bloodworth had been recently assigned by Bill Alton (our African Superintendent) as missionary overseer of the Congo. (Both the Belgian Congo and Zaire, now called Democratic Republic of Congo,) Since he could not get legal permission to establish residence in either country, he had moved to Kenya and was supervising his work from there. When it looked as if he would not ever be able to set up residence there, I was asked by the administration to consider having Gordon as the Education Director of Kenya. When Gordon accepted to work with me, I felt that this was in God's plan. I was delighted! While we looked for property of our own, Gordon and I conducted the DTC in our Dandora Church, then in the National Youth Hostel on Langata Road, then in a public school at Ngong Town.
In between these major 10 day intensives, we faithfully took the teachings of the Church to local areas where we often faced some difficult situations. Gordon and I slept in the back of my station wagon (KZZ-944) made coffee on a camp stove, ate food prepared by the nationals such as "ugali" a type of bread made with corn-meal) and "sukuma wiki" (collard greens) with chicken or goat meat. Occasionally we would be blessed with a local bread called "chapatis" (this looked and tasted somewhat like a pancake). Mmmmm Good!
Finally, we found a 23 acre farm for sale in a place called Ainabkoi. It was 52 kilometres from Eldoret, one of Kenya's major towns. The last 5 miles of the road was really just a dirt trail. There was one bridge out which would have to be rebuilt before the place would be accessible to us year around, but we still felt that we should proceed with this purchase. Frances and I had established a small fund designed for purchasing property for either an Overseer's Home, an Office, or Bible School - whichever one became available first. We had discussed the establishing of this fund with then Assistant Director, Lovell Carey and had his whole-hearted approval before we ever left the United States for the field. By the time we found this property we had close to $20,000 dollars in it, supported mostly by small donations from Frances' mother's Sunday School class in the 6th Avenue Church of God in Lenoir City, TN. This is the church Frances grew up in. Knowing that we were limited to that amount, Frances and I paid a visit to the owner of this farm property and asked if he would take the amount which we had in cash for his property. He asked to be allowed to consult with his wife. When he returned to the room after about thirty minutes, he said, "Since the property is for a Bible School, my wife and I have agreed that we will sell you this property for what you have offered!"
Roland Vaughan, in his role as Field Director of Africa asked to visit us and to personal see the purchased property. We were so proud of our accomplishment! We were excited that he wanted to come and see it personally because we felt that he might be willing to help us with some funds for building something on the property suitable for housing a few students and suitable for classrooms. We were so naive. I can remember the day we arrived on the grounds with Brother Vaughan in the vehicle and how pleased we were to show him this beautiful, gently rolling hill. We had visions of what we could do with the property with just a small amount of help from headquarters. However, when he got out of the vehicle, he walked onto the property and saw the identical property we had seen and loved, but he was shaking his head in a negative way and clucking, "Tsk, tsk, tsk." Finally he said, "Fred, you know we can't allow you to build anything here!" I couldn't believe my ears.
I was flabbergasted! All the wind was taken out of my sail. I stared in disbelief because of what I was hearing. Gordon was with us and I know from discussions we have had since then that he was equally dis-appointed but at that moment I was inwardly focused, not hearing, seeing, nor caring what Gordon thought. I can't remember at what moment I asked the question, but I remember finally blurting out, "Then where do you want us to build?" His answer: "Somewhere in the city of Nairobi." "Then...", said I, "How much money are you willing to spend?" Said he, "Why...I'm sure that we can get you at least $50,000 dollars...and maybe more if necessary." Both Gordon and I chimed in together to say, "Then forget it! Because you cannot buy even a lot in the city of Nairobi for that price."
We then actually hired a man to take Brother Vaughan up in a small plane to see some property on the outskirts of the capitol city. But after seeing the difficulties associated with property in general and with the higher prices of property near the major city, Brother Vaughan decided that we could look for property in the city of Eldoret! Gordon and Glenda determined that Eldoret would be the place where we should locate so they moved to that city even before we found property. For a few months they rented a home to live in while they searched for, found and the perfect place was bought.
To make a long story much shorter, the leadership of the church (mainly Gene D. Rice, who was by that time Assistant Director of Missions) saw what we were trying to do and came to our rescue by convincing the Ladies Ministries department of our General Church to join our effort. As a result - the Ladies presented us a check large enough that we were able to purchase 17 beautiful acres of land with four major buildings already constructed in the thriving town of Eldoret. A new International Airport had just been constructed on the outskirts of the city.
Gordon Bloodworth was the instrument God used to help us with details of purchasing the present property and bringing the level of studies to the quality that Discipleship College offers today. Through this school, with the aid of Lee University, BA degrees in Religious studies have been issued carrying the signature of Dr. Paul Conn. Today this school is well on it's way to becoming a University - recognized by the government of Kenya.
A part of this success story began even before we went to Kenya. I'll tell you about that in the next blog.
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| Beginning To Construct Student Housing on the Eldoret Campus of Discipleship Training College |
1 comment:
I enjoyed reading your reminiscences of early ministry in Kenya. It is always hard to "teach" a foreigner about the cost and ways of doing business in a country far away. I'm glad it all came together for you as God intended.
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