This ‘haven of peace’ rapidly developed into a meeting place for fellowship for missionaries from many other agencies, who also discovered ‘one of the best kept secrets’ in Nairobi. The lovely yard and many flowering trees and bushes, surrounded by a well-manicured hedge, have left indelible memories in the minds of hundreds of guests over the years.

Today, the EMM missionary staff in East Africa has dwindled to 6 families. The ministry of the Guest House however, continues to bless missionaries, NGO staff, nationals, and short-term mission groups enroute to their assignment. MGH does not advertise or even have a website. Management has taken the position that “word of mouth” is one of the best ways to advertise services, and that has proven to be a very effective means to “tell our story.”

In recent months, MGH has provided lodging for church-related people from the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, China, USA, Canada, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Congo, Rwanda, Sudan, Ethiopia, France and more. Listening to how God is at work in the different locations where these people are working is indeed encouraging, inspiring and humbling. We have been awestruck many times when listening to “what some people put up with” in their obedience to God’s call on their lives. Many have given testimony how the “joy of the Lord is their strength”!

The current political climate in Kenya is extremely tenuous.  During this time of unrest, MGH has provided a safe, secure haven for scores of people who had to flee their work places. At the same time, we became a ‘holding ground” for numerous overseas personnel who became stranded due to the uncertainties in the country. Some waited a few weeks and then moved on, while others decided to return to their homeland.

We have hosted numerous church leadership groups for meetings in which they were identifying the ways the church can best respond during this time of crisis. The Kenyan Church has had a real wake-up call to respond to the social needs forced on communities as a result of the political crisis.

Pastor Oscar, a Kenyan pastor from one of the local congregations, wrote, “Working through the evangelical alliance of churches, Christians are responding to the current crisis.  The main priorities are to mobilize the church to spiritually cleanse [or heal] the nation, mobilize communities for peace building, use the media to speak a message of hope to the nation, and take a convoy of Christians from Mombasa on the coast to Kisumu, on the shores of Lake Victoria. They will stop in each ‘hot spot’ where so much killing took place. 

“The convoy, Wheels of Hope, plans to have 100 local pastors and 200 volunteers to join with ministers in the communities enroute in ministry and spiritual events.  The convoy will visit hot spots, conduct cleansing services, counsel the traumatized, bring food, supplies and hope to the displaced, comfort the bereaved, and heal the sick.  They are also mobilizing more churches to take in the displaced.  This is dealing with a whole different realm than most Christians would naturally think of in restoring the nation to wholeness.”

In connection to the Wheels of Hope convoy, March 1-7 has been identified as a national week of fasting in Kenya.

In both peaceful and troubled times, the ministry of MGH goes on, by the grace of God.  We are privileged to provide a haven for those with troubled spirits, those needing refreshment, those needing rest from illness, those having babies – the list goes on. We give tribute to the EMM leaders who had the vision to birth a place like MGH and to sustain it through good times and bad.

- Nevin & Barbara Kraybill, managers of the Mennonite Guest House

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