Ministers travel to Kenya on listening tour
Reverend James Estes, Reverend Wambugu Gachungi, his wife Faith, and John Harper traveled to Kenya October 3-14, 2019, on a listening trip to learn about the organizations and communities First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa supports with contributions and aid.
Their experience was informative, encouraging and blessed as they met with religious leaders, mission organizations such as International Justice Mission and The Outreach Foundation, as well as the communities being served and supported by the generosity of the church. Faith’s attendance was especially blessed as she was able to reconnect with her mentor, Esther Kabanya, and share with the team about the provision and blessings that have sprung forth from their relationship.
Faith met Esther when Esther was a district elder in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa’s Women’s Guild. Faith was young and newly married when Esther took her under her wing. Despite Esther’s full and busy life, raising three young girls and a full-time insurance professional, she found the time to build and foster relationships. She was never too busy to lead a community of believers, build connections and love on people. Even now, being retired, she is looking to move closer to church in order to spend more of her time in ministry. Her faith and love for others is clearly evident in all she did and continues to do.
When asking Faith about the greatest blessing Esther had given her, her immediate response was “Esther is an encourager.” She went on to talk about the many times Esther offered encouragement, assistance, and a listening ear as Faith navigated new ministries and callings. Faith also characterized Esther as someone who had immense hospitality, kindness and generosity. This generosity was witnessed first-hand by Rev. James Estes and John Harper during their recent trip, as she housed them during their time in Nairobi. A natural peace-maker and active relationship builder, it is no wonder people are drawn to her. Even as her daughters grew, leaving home, Esther remains close to her family. Her daughters travel home to see her, she travels to see her parents, as well as her late husband’s parents.
In addition to bringing the lost to Christ and building close relationships, Esther is also a strong believer in District Fellowship, a weekly occurrence in her community. Much like our K-groups, neighbors congregate in someone’s home for food and fellowship.
Here at First Presbyterian Church and in the greater Tulsa community, the same heart for people, the heart of Esther, can be felt in the community built and fostered every day. For Faith, the spirit of hospitality, home-based fellowship and intentional connection are all things “brought back from home.” As the church continues to reach out to others, building community and spreading the love of Christ, may we remember Esther - a faithful mentor, mother and friend to the body of Christ and beyond.
May we strive to love, connect and encourage others the same way in Tulsa that she does in Nairobi. May the fingerprint of Christ be seen in the work we do, for we never know how far our generosity, kindness, and hospitality might reach and the lives it could touch.
