Published: Thursday, 22nd May, 2008 08:00
It’s the church that Mary built
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KENYAN church official Sammy Karanja has made an emotional visit to Haddington to say thank you to the woman responsible for raising the cash to fund a much-needed place of worship.
In just two years, big-hearted Mary Wallace has raised an incredible £16,258 towards the £17,000 cost of building a stone church at remote Ihindu village, 50 miles north of Nairobi.
Mrs Wallace’s fund-raising events have included running coffee mornings, opening her garden at Yestermains, Gifford, to the public and selling jars of home-made jam.
She has been supported by members of St Mary’s Parish Church – which is forming an official link with St Peter’s Presbyterian Church of East Africa at Ihindu through the Church of Scotland – and her own Holy Trinity Church.
It all started following a conversation with her tour guide and driver, Mr Karanja, during a holiday safari in 2005.
Mrs Wallace sprung into action when Mr Karanja, who happened to be a development officer for St Peter’s in his spare time, revealed how services were being held in a small corrugated shack.
Last week, as the project neared completion, Mr Karanja and his wife Terry travelled to meet Mrs Wallace and her supporters to express their appreciation.
“The contribution made by people in the Haddington churches has been outstanding.
“We have been overwhelmed by their generosity,” said a grateful Mr Karanja, whose trip was funded by the Church of Scotland World Mission and additional local donations totalling £257.
“Mary is a remarkable woman. It is thanks to her that we are able to make our dream of a new church a reality.
“The building in Ihindu is going well and work on fitting the roof sheets should start soon.”
The Karanjas, who flew back to Kenya on Monday, had been staying with Mrs Wallace and her husband, Henry. They attended services at St Mary’s and visited the Scottish Parliament, where they were given a conducted tour by county MSP Ian Gray.
Mr Karanja, who was making his second trip to the UK, but first to Scotland, said: “We are so glad we came. It’s a beautiful country. Our cultures and climates may be worlds apart, but our Christian values are the same.”
Once the new church is opened the original corrugated metal building will be used as a preschool facility.
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Honoured by Her Majesty