Kenyan missionaries from left, Sammy and Mary Muchuku, Alice and Joseph Kinyua brace for the cold South Canterbury weather while in New Zealand for the 2ooth anniversary of the gospel coming to New Zealand.
Kenyan missionaries are “returning the favour” with their trip to New Zealand.
To celebrate the 200-year anniversary of the gospel being brought to New Zealand, 12 missionaries from Nairobi have spent the last three weeks in the South Island.
Currently, there are four missionaries staying in Timaru and two in Waimate. All of the missionaries come from Mamlaka Hill Chapel in Nairobi and have been working at various churches of all denominations in South Canterbury.
During the 1970s and 1980s the majority of missionaries in Kenya were Kiwis. Missionary Alice Kinyua said it was a privilege to come to New Zealand and return the favour, especially during the significant time of Easter.
The missionaries took part in the Good Friday church walk from St John to the Life Church and also spent time talking about Kenya, Christ and Easter at schools.
The Kenyans said they were noticing many differences between their homeland and New Zealand, the main one being the weather.
“I have never been in 7 degrees [Celsius] temperature before,” said Kinyua.
Also the size of church congregations here was very small compared to the 3000 people at their church back home.
While in New Zealand the missionaries have been staying with families involved in the church. Joseph Kinyua said they had met “very warm and welcoming” people.
“The Kiwi hospitality has redefined hospitality for us.”
Kenyan missionaries ‘returning favour’ with trip to New Zealand.
