Surprises!

The Month of Surprise Activities

Unlike other months that have come and disappeared nondescriptly in the era of Covid-19, October can be described as a month full of surprise activities. In this newsletter, please allow me to share with you quite unprecedented activities that have taken place.

Surprise from the Salvation Army:

For the past two years, FTC has had a warm relationship with the Salvation Army (SA) Church, especially the Kenya West Territory. We began with one enrolled student, Captain George Wagaya (now Major) into our Advanced Certificate in Chaplaincy program. To the surprise of many, Captain George emerged as the best student in overall performance with a 4.0 GPA. He was recognized at the October 2019 commencement and subsequently became a motivation to other SA pastors including his wife, Captain Sarah.

Former SA Education Secretary, Major Bernard Shiralo attended the commencement and was impressed with our curriculum. He recommended 24 more SA pastors to enroll in our Chaplaincy program. On Monday, October 12, the new Territorial Education Secretary, Major Haron Wanyonyi (above left) paid us a surprise visit accompanied by Major George Wagaya (now a Bachelor of Theology degree student, above 3rd from left). As we gave him a campus tour, Major Wanyonyi was so appreciative of our acceptance to enroll and train SA pastors. FTC Dean Rodgers Wekesi and Campus Minister Martin Simiyu (red shirt) joined our tour.

A surprise

visit from the Bible Society of Kenya:
In early October, I received a phone call from Tabitha, one of the managers at the Bible Society of Kenya, asking whether we offer biblical languages, Hebrew and Greek, in our curriculum. I said, “Yes we do!” And she again asked if we would accept gifts of literature in that area. Without hesitation, I thanked her even before she could give a description of what they were. I mean, who would turn down such a rare gift? On the morning of October 23, two BSK staff arrived with a box containing 24 assorted Greek and Hebrew Bibles and Bible dictionaries!

A Very Full Board Meeting: October 14 was a day with the longest board meeting ever! On the agenda for approval were: the FY 2019 audit; FY 2020 and 2021 budget. Also featured at length were: the effects of Covid-19 on our general operations and the academic affairs; and FTC’s preparedness for the resumption of traditional face-to-face learning for the November/December 2020 module.

Although we still face a herculean task navigating through the ill cloud of the pandemic, we feel optimistic and look forward to the physical return of modular students to class from November 16 to December 18, 2020. Having been calcified by the e-Learning program, we have received comments and compliments from many students who have already covered some courses online. A good number of them have requested that we retain the e-Learning program. Besides the traditional face-to-face, we also plan to continue the Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) programs from the beginning of our January Semester 2021.

Other areas of preparation for the

resumption of physical classroom learning include putting final touches on the house that is known in Kiswahili as, “chumba cha uzima” literally translated in English as “house of life.” Around this time last year, the students’ 4-door pit latrine building was blown down by a heavy storm. In February 2020 we engaged a mason who, on our lean budget, put up an 8-door central restroom with plumbing that will serve both male and female students. When Covid-19 hit us and we dismissed students on March 20, this project was about 90% done. Early this October we called in a plumber, an electrician, and a mason to finish it up. Save for unpainted walls, this small but very important building on campus will be ready for use by November 16, 2020.

Principal Wafula cuts his birthday cake as his wife Nancy and Rodgers, the Academic Dean cheer at his belated surprise birthday celebration.

A Surprise Birthday Party: I do celebrate my family members’ birthdays whenever they come around but normally I do not pay attention to my birthday, which is October 5. I did resolve many years back to send a gift to my mother, Neddy Nasombi Wafula, each year on my birthday. It may sound weird, but that is how I feel is the right thing to do. Just stop and think. Whose big day is it, yours or your mom’s? If it was not for her to endure all the pangs that come along with childbirth, I could not have been born, survived, and grown up to be who I am today. But I do enjoy reading birthday cards from family and friends, so keep those cards coming!

Thursday October 15 was a typical busy day for me. I had two major meetings, ACTEA affiliate college Principals and the FTC Faculty/staff. Both were inadvertently scheduled to take place at the same time. I requested the Academic Dean, Rodgers Wekesi to preside over the latter as I virtually joined the ACTEA meeting via ZoomCloud, which ended 15 minutes earlier than anticipated. I hurriedly walked across to join the FTC face-to-face faculty/staff meeting in the Dining Hall, which also concluded a few minutes prior to my arrival.

I was surprised at the special meal that was served to staff after the meeting. In the middle of the meal, Nancy called for everyone’s attention, “Please hang around after your meal. There is a special announcement to be made before we disperse.” After a few minutes, the kitchen

crew came out with a crate of sodas followed by a beautifully decorated round vanilla cake. The “First Lady” (as Nancy is often called), took to the stage again and said, “Friends, I want to reveal to you that October 5 is the Principal’s birthday. That day came and passed unnoticed but today we put something together to recognize this day, which also marks the first day of his third tenure as Principal of FTC. I therefore, with joy in my heart welcome all of you to join me to celebrate our principal’s belated birthday today.” I felt flamboyant and humbled as the “First Lady” invited me to cut the cake. This was the greatest honor I have ever received after my arrival celebration on October 15, 2014 as the new Principal. A jovial atmosphere was felt as the “Happy birthday to you” chorus reverberated across the hall. Nancy later confessed that she deliberately kept it a secret because she was not sure how I would react to the idea.

A personal message from Eden Grace,
FUM Director of Global Ministries

Robert Wafula has served as the Principal of FTC for six years, and it’s time to renew his pledges of support for his next three-year term. I can hardly believe the changes that we’ve seen at FTC since Robert began! He started out in 2014 by articulating his "Vision 2020" for where he hoped to lead the College by the year 2020. In nearly all aspects, he has exceeded the goals set out in that vision! I hope you agree with me that the College has never been stronger, even as it faces the totally-unexpected challenge of moving to an online learning platform for the time being. FTC is the centerpiece of any strategy for spiritual renewal and growth among African Friends, and the vitality of its intellectual and spiritual life make me so proud to be associated with this very special learning community.

FUM’s usual policy is to require field staff to secure commitments equal to a full three years of support up front, at the beginning of each three-year contract. With Covid-19, the Executive Board has allowed us a bit more time to raise the full amount. We currently have 42% of his support needs met in the form of donations or pledges. Can we get to 50% by the time of Robert’s next newsletter?

I’m making a personal appeal to you today. Many of you who read this newsletter are already financial supporters of Robert’s ministry, and I’m so grateful for you. If you aren’t already supporting him, could you make a pledge today? And if you are, can you forward this newsletter to a few friends with a personal message inviting them to join in Robert’s support team?

Praise and Prayer

Praise and Prayer Request: we thank God for the far we have come as the FTC family since March 2020. The spirit of the Lord has spread wings on each member of staff and their families.

Staff have been able to put food on the table for their families during these difficult times.
The Lord has given me and Nancy both a stable recovery. Despite the common colds, Nancy is now feeling better, and I can feel a sense of recovery from my back pain.
We thank God that the Kenyan Government has finally allowed students in certain segments to return to school. Please pray for the safe return of our modular students on November 16, 2020.
Please pray for steady recovery from Covid-19 for my colleague and FTC Board member, Katrina McConaughey.
Please pray for the family of alumnus Carolyn Naliaka Manyonge (Bachelors class of 2010). Carolyn went to be with the Lord on October 23. She served as high school chaplain and pastor in Chwele Yearly Meeting. May the Lord give her husband, Abraham Mauka, and children strength as they come to terms with this big loss.
In the same light, please also pray for the family of Elizabeth Makete as she became very sick and died on November 4th. She is the wife of Francis Makete, a member of the FTC Board. We pray for Francis and his family and friends to be comforted as they grieve and celebrate her life.