Meeting with Esther Mombo: A Witness for our Communion: Day 9: Wednesday, 27/1/2010

Today was the appointed day for us to meet in person. I must believe it was in God’s good timing. We were 40 minutes late for our appointment. We got away a bit late because John had unexpected visitors in his office to meet with and we were delayed by two accidents on the road, one an overturned lorry crossing both lanes that caused traffic to deviate around it on dry ground causing a red cloud of dust in the air.

I was ushered into a waiting room while Dr. Mombo was found. She came out to greet us and then advised us that she had an engagement to speak to the students on the first day back for the new term. She had someone bring me a cup of tea and I read the latest edition of the school’s magazine while John and Susan left to visit John’s grandmother who is nearing 100 years of age.

There was an interesting reprint of a speech (2003) by the first woman to graduate from St. Paul’s, Deaconess Mildred Owani from Uganda. I was still reading the magazine when Dr. Mombo returned to call on me.

Another example of God’s timing. Had we been on time, I would have had 45 minutes with Dr. Mombo max. As it turned out we had to cut things short because I knew John would be outside waiting on me.

It turns out that she was at GC 2006 in Columbus when Katherine Jefferts Shori was elected presiding bishop. She noticed less rancor at the 2009 convention, which she correctly connected to the loss of more conservative members of the church. She was denied approval to attend, but took leave and went on her own resulting in a reprimand upon her return.

I think it best not to mention details of our discussion here in a public forum, but I will say the frank and open conversation was inspiring.

I thanked her for taking the time to see me and for being a true witness of Christ.

Kenya is already beginning to deal with gender issues and where that occurs, LGBT issues are not far behind. I am more convinced than ever of the prophetic role of TEC in these days. I’m proud of that and I must double my efforts to add my voice. I am also more convinced than ever that God is calling me to this ministry of presence, conversation and relationship.