The year was 2015
Following a challenge (or was it a dare?) from someone I greatly respect to do something about my passion for leadership development that year or stop talking about it (and a few other events that conspired)…
I came to Hillcity looking for a one Pst. Linda Ochola to ask questions about Discovery Africa, the leadership Development program she was leading at Mavuno Church.
I had read about it, heard about it from some people but I wanted my questions answered by someone who could give me real facts and that I could hold responsible in case of anything because if I was going to quit my job, leave my country and put my life “on hold” for 12 MONTHS I wanted to know these people were serious…🙇🏽♀️🙇🏽♀️🙇🏽♀️
Eh the fleece I had put before God that year!!! I must say I totally felt Gideon on that one. I wasn’t one of those who could confidently say God told me so I stated the signs I wanted(I tried to find those things I thought for sure would not happen) to see to know that this was indeed something I should do.
Final day of the Fearless Summit 2015, Pst Kevin Nderitu walks by and says something along the lines of “You know you need to submit that application before you leave here, what are you waiting for?”
Please note, I had no idea who he was; we had not spoken and he didn’t know me. I felt like the fleece had turned again and this was it…I did not do my application then (he must have mistaken me for someone else, right?🤷🏾♀️)
I did eventually get to submit my application (a few months later, but hey, I did it!). That application was a bit too serious for “church”… it felt like I was applying for a Masters program and then some.
I remember deciding then that obedience was me submitting the application but I didn’t have to try get myself admitted into the program. So I filled it a bit too honestly (trust me they asked some stuff weeeeeehh). I did not try to give answers that would make me look good as a candidate.
Then came the interview and I remember thinking if it required me travelling to Kenya, that would be a deal breaker… Joke on me! They decided instead that for that particular cohort, Rachael Tuhimbise would travel and interview candidates in their own countries… there went my excuse…
I go for the interview. Again, I answer too honestly. I walked out of it so sure that there was no way any one looking for people to join a leadership development program run by a church would pick me as a suitable candidate for it. Some of the questions included my opinion about church, leadership…and future ministry plans(I had none). If you have ever asked for my opinion about anything, you probably know I will give it to you exactly as is and more often than not, it will not be to your liking…(I am still learning diplomacy and tact🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️)
We were to wait 2 weeks for feedback. I didn’t need that time. I walked out of that interview so proud of myself for obeying without having to go through with it…I went back to work, started making plans for other things I wanted to do, including looking for other programs.
Have I mentioned that God has a sense of humor? No? Well, he does!
3 days later, I get the email. I read it so carelessly because I thought I already knew what it would say “thank you…however, we regret…” In fact, I had already typed an equally polite response and had it in my email drafts…
Let’s just say, the email I got instead had me wondering what games God was playing. Yes, I wanted to be taught and mentored. Yes, I wanted to be in a space with other young Africans discussing leadership… But in a church? In Kenya?
So I put out my fleece again. I would go ahead with it if my parents(yes, both of them) gave their approval/blessing. This was September 2015, the intake I was supposed to be part of was expected in Nairobi in January 2016…
There was no way my parents would allow this. A one year volunteer program, no actual recognised academic credits,working in a church, in Kenya… No way! Yes, we are believers but this is not how we do it.
This one even God would find his match😁😁😁.
Belinda K 