Did I ever tell you about the time I introduced myself as my name when asked by my British boss how I was doing? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that happened. Sit back, grab a cup of coffee (or tea if you’re feeling particularly British today), and let me take you down memory lane—a place filled with awkward moments, fancy accents, and a young lady who hadn’t quite figured out how to decode “nose-English.”

I call this one: Days of Little Beginnings

Zechariah 4:10 reads:

“Who [with reason] despises the day of small things (beginnings)? For these [seven eyes] shall rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—they are the eyes of the Lord which roam throughout the earth.”

So, it was 2009. I had just joined CLC Kenya, bright-eyed, hopeful, and straight out of ushago (upcountry). Our National Director at the time was Lloyd Hodkinson, a proper Briton with an accent so thick you could cut it with a knife (or so I felt at the time).

His immediate ‘down-link,’ the General Manager, my immediate boss, Edith Wamalwa, called me into her office to introduce me to Lloyd. I walked in, nerves jangling, palms sweating, trying to look confident but probably coming off more like a baby giraffe on its first stroll.

Lloyd gave me a friendly smile and said, “Hi, how have you been?”

Common sense says the appropriate response to that question is, “I’m fine, thank you. And you?” But common sense was clearly on leave that day. What did I say instead?

“I am Mercy Munene.”

Now, a little context here: this was long before Patrick Omukhango joined my life and upgraded my last name. Back then, I was just plain old Mercy Munene not the fancy Dr. Muthoni Omukhango name that you know and I clearly love.

But even plain old Mercy Munene knew that blurting out her full name wasn’t exactly the right answer to ‘how have you been.’

The moment those words left my mouth, Edith shot me a look—one of those ‘you’re-in-trouble-now’ looks that only a seasoned boss can master. Then she gently said, “He’s asking how you’re doing, Mercy.”

Oh, the embarrassment! If there was ever a moment I wished the ground would split open and swallow me whole, it was that one. I must have turned several shades of red—an impressive feat for someone blessed with so much melanin that my pastor Vincent Odhiambo says I am no longer black but navy blue.

Gathering what was left of my dignity, I mumbled something resembling an actual answer and vowed to pay closer attention next time someone with an accent spoke to me. From that day forward, I began listening to Lloyd as though I were a contestant on ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,’ hanging on to every syllable, ready to buzz in with the correct answer.

Fast forward 16 years in CLC Kenya, and oh, how things have changed! Today, I can sit in a room full of Britons, Americans, and people from all over the world without breaking a sweat. I don’t even notice the accents anymore—it’s all just English, and we get along just fine. (Okay, fine, maybe I still occasionally miss a word or two, but hey, progress!)

Reflecting on my early days at CLC Kenya, I can draw out several valuable lessons from the humorous challenges I faced:

1. Embrace Humility in New Beginnings
   Starting a new role was daunting, especially when I had to navigate cultural and linguistic differences. My initial miscommunication with my British director was both funny and humbling. I quickly learned the importance of recognizing my limitations and being open to learning. As Proverbs 22:4 reminds us, “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” That lesson in humility became a cornerstone for my growth.
2. Adaptability is Key
   Moving from ushago (upcountry) to a multicultural environment was a significant adjustment. I had to learn to adapt quickly to thrive in this new space. Looking back, I realize how important it is to remain flexible and open-minded in unfamiliar situations. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This mindset allowed me to embrace change and grow in ways I never anticipated.
3. The Power of Perseverance
   Despite the awkwardness and early mistakes, I kept pushing forward. It wasn’t always easy, but perseverance paid off as I gained confidence and competence. James 1:4 encourages, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” I’ve seen firsthand how perseverance can turn even the most uncomfortable situations into moments of growth.
4. Finding Joy in Growth
   Now, I can laugh at those early missteps and see them for what they were—integral parts of my journey. This perspective has taught me to find joy in the process of growing, knowing that every mistake was a stepping stone to something greater. Psalm 126:2 beautifully captures this sentiment: “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.” These moments remind me to embrace God’s faithfulness and celebrate how far I’ve come.

In the end, my story is evidence of God’s grace and the truth that with humility, adaptability, perseverance, and a joyful heart, we can navigate the “days of little beginnings” and emerge stronger in both faith and purpose.

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Over the years, God has blessed me with countless opportunities to work with amazing organisations and people from different parts of the globe. It’s been an incredible journey of growth, learning, and, of course, collecting funny and not-so-funny stories like this one.

Today, my desk was graced by a spectacular delivery—eight captivating books from Forge, a ministry founded by none other than the delightfully named Dwight Delight. Yes, that’s his real name. If that doesn’t scream “we’re here to make faith fun and fruitful”, I don’t know what does!

Now, how did I get my hands on these gems? Enter Charlie Marq, Forge’s Main Mischief Maker… oh wait, Chief Operations Officer. (Same thing, right?).

Charlie is a guy who gets stuff done at Forge, and I am thankful for a timely introduction from my big brother James Pitman over at CLC Ministries USA, an organisation that’s been rocking the Christian publishing scene in the USA since 1947 (our big brother USA are 68 years old). Jim is our blessing in Kenya. Honestly, what would we do without Jim? Probably stare blankly at empty desks and wonder why no books are turning up.

Shout-out to the entire CLC USA crew—including Tim Hurd—who’ve been keeping an eye on their teenage sister, CLC Kenya. FYI, we just turned 17 in October last year. We’re in that glorious, awkward phase of spiritual publishing adolescence!

I am digressing. This is about Forge.

Forge is on a mission to raise Ordinary Kingdom Labourers—people who quietly go about transforming lives, without fancy degrees, big titles, or a personal Instagram following of 10k. These unsung heroes are God’s secret agents. They see people others overlook, stop to care, and spread the love of Jesus in places where the light barely flickers. And the best part? This isn’t just happening stateside—it’s global! Forge is advancing the Kingdom across continents—above ground, underground, overground, wherever the Good News needs to go.

Now, back to my delight—yes, delight with an intentional emphasis. When these eight incredible resources landed on my desk for distribution across Eastern Africa, it felt like a divine assignment! After all, preaching the Gospel through books is what we do best here at CLC Kenya.

So, as I sit here with these eight incredible books from Forge on my desk, reflecting on the privilege of being part of global movements like CLC and Forge, I can’t help but smile. It’s funny how God uses even our most awkward moments for our growth towards His purposes. If this story reminds you of your own “facepalm” moment, remember—you’re in good company! At least you didn’t respond to ‘how are you’ by introducing yourself by name!

Now, enough about me and this embarrassing moment—here’s the deal: Check out these eight books below. Tell me which one speaks to your soul the loudest and why. Bring your A-game, because one lucky (and convincing) reader is going to walk away with a free book!

Who’s ready for a little holy mischief?

https://kenyaclc.org/category/forge-speakers/?v=a2e1f137298d

Happy browsing, and may the best bookworm win!

PS: The illustrated lady standing in black skirt, that’s me. I was indeed that thin in 2009 before Patrick fattened me over the years. It’s all his fault! True-true story kabisa (completely).

With Christian Literature Communications – CLC Kenya

African Christian Authors Book Award – ACABA

CLC Kids & Teens

Jackline Ingasian

Christian Kitabu