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 Philip
Price, 1953
"...impressed by the way in which the Christians were always 'Praising Jesus'."
Pokot warrior photographed on Philip's
first day (click
to enlarge)
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Initial problems were overcome and soon we began building. In 1958, Grace and
I married, and we remained there as a family until December 1964; our two small children spent their early years there.* Most days we engaged in extensive primary evangelism, gaining confidence as we slowly mastered the Pokot language. With the help of Daudi, a fine Pokot evangelist we regularly climbed to different areas in the hills to talk to people in their homes. Before the Mission gave us our own Landrover, we employed local porters to carry our goods. We tried
to "preach Jesus" to all those we met. Eventually, a number of more settled centres for regular visits were established. At
Tamkal itself, besides the building programme, we ran a dispensary. Grace, and Margaret Tooze, who spent a year with us for language learning, concentrated on reaching the women and girls encouraging them to learn more
about Jesus.
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Six
Pokot priests with Philip and Grace during their return
visit this year. (click
to enlarge) |
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BAPTISED
By 1964, when 'the powers that be' decided to move us (rather against our will) to a less remote area, 11 people had been
baptised and we praised God for His goodness in answering prayer for the Pokot in the Valley. It was a tough and isolated assignment but He who had called us was faithful. No more white mission-partners followed us but the good seed of God's Word was well watered by faithful African evangelists and pastors.
After many years, Grace and I , with our son Andrew visited the Mwino Valley again in August 2002 at the invitation of the Bishop who himself was born and bred in the Valley.
Tamkal had just been inaugurated as a Parish with its own Vicar and eight established congregations and a number of smaller fellowship groups. We spent 10 days journeying by
Landrover through Pokot country, including one day and a night at
Tamkal. Three spectacular developments gripped us:
Firstly, the strong, well trained Pokot Ministry Team numbering 14 under their godly young Bishop, serving a lively and
growing Church in every major location.
Secondly, we could not but be impressed by the way in which the Christians were always 'Praising Jesus'. He had saved them, particularly from the fear of spirits, and
their joyous worship in true African style and conviction blessed our hearts (if not always our ears!).
Thirdly, the phenomenal growth of Christian Education. In our day we struggled to recruit even boys for the primary schools, there were seldom any girls. Now, all is different. Clean, bright, joyous enthusiastic scholars of both sexes greeted us - even though officially they were all on holiday - outside good buildings. The young are forming the basis of the Church in Kenya today.
We constantly rejoiced at the incredible growth and development of the Pokot Church. We shall never forget the moment we arrived at
Tamkal on that Friday morning after a gap of so many
years, our limbs aching (they still do!) after travelling along the bumpy tracks. What a joy it was to hear the songs of Jesus to greet us, we who had been but names to most of them, as they sang together:
"I want to shine for Jesus, I want to shine!
I want to shine for Jesus, I want to shine!
When the world looks at me, they will see you, Jesus!
I want to shine for Jesus, I want to shine!"
'God in the Valley' is still wonderfully
alive and active today!
 full
report
*The full story of the birth and initial growth of the Church in the Mwino Valley up to 1964 was told in my little book entitled 'God in the Valley' published by
BCMS in 1970.
Philip was made a Canon of the Diocese of Kitale in recognition of their ministry there.
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January 2003 index
