My favorite year with CLC Kenya is 2017, but I must start my story a couple years prior. While I was aware of CLC Kenya nearly 10 years ago, it wasn’t until 2015 that I started working closely with the team. I had joined Oasis International just a few months before Patrick returned to CLC in his current role. It was a time of opportunity for both of us and I believe we quickly bonded over our common newness to our roles.
So much was new; print-on-demand, Patrick’s leadership, the work of CLC going forward in the future. Patrick was optimistic. It was infectious. Through our conversations and my visits it was clear to me that this man was God’s man for the position. The next two years brought much change in direction and a reset to the CLC-Oasis relationship. Working alongside Patrick and later Mercy became a joy.While we still had difficult circumstances to work through, our conversations were encouraging, uplifting, and full of love and respect. I could sense that great things were on the horizon in Kenya. It was then that we made the decision to fully dedicate our work in Kenya to CLC. That was a big decision for us with the launch of the Africa Study Bible imminent and the impact it could have in Kenya and East Africa.
It’s now early 2017; Patrick, Mercy, and the team at CLC Kenya were up for the task. It was amazing to see. They immediately jumped in and began working with the Africa Study Bible launch committee to help prepare for what became a most spectacular event. But they didn’t stop there. Patrick and Mercy took an ownership of the Bible as their own; sacrificing in order to see it available to to as many in Kenya as possible. There was so much accomplished this year that it would be impossible to list.
Yet, 2017 feels like a new start. A new opportunity because of an amazing couple and a dedicated ministry to Christian publishing. 2017 has been my favorite year with CLC Kenya because of all that God accomplished through the work of their hands. To be a part of their growth and development. To see them become the beacon of light that a world suffering in darkness can be drawn to for hope.
2017 has been my favorite year with CLC because it is now; it is today and 2018 has yet to come. When it does, my answer may change. In fact, if I were asked the same question in 2016, it would have been then. The same for 2015. For every year is my favorite year to work along side Patrick, Mercy, and CLC Kenya.