More than 800 years of combined missionary service: a SIM Kenya legacy rooted in faith

By Tohru Inoue | Kenya in East Africa

Four Kenyan adults smiling, two men and two women. They are outside and there is a backdrop of trees.Valuable members of the office staff. Photo by Tohru Inoue

The first night of the SIM Kenya team retreat wasn't filled with the usual icebreaker questions.  There was a team trivia night. One of the questions asked, “If you add up all the years of service on our entire SIM Kenya team, how many years would that be?”


Could anyone guess the total? There  was surprise from around the room as the answer  was announced: 831 years! 


That's right, if our humble Kenya team started serving their years back-to-back, we would have an unbroken stream of missionary service stretching all the way back to the 12th century.


This year,  we recognised those who had been serving for over 20 years at SIM. A flower was given for every year of service. A bouquet of 27 flowers here, another of 38.   It was meaningful and moving for us who were watching. It made us want to aspire to that.


It also made me picture a garden. One where he keeps adding flowers every year.


One day, some of these flowers will retire, some of the flowers will pass away, and we will hand out new flowers to a new generation. A growing bouquet of God’s garden, here in Kenya.


Today, there are 831 flowers. He has  planted them across the country. In the humid areas on the coast, in the dry places in the North, in the forest grown areas of the West, in the bustling cities and in the lush villages. And he is adding to them, every year.


When taken as a whole, it is quite beautiful.


Claire and Martha who between them have 50 years of service with SIM.

Pray for:

  • For God to keep sending people to places within Kenya where He is least known. 
  • That God would strengthen each of the people where He has planted them.
  • Thanks to God for sustaining the many who have served no matter how many years of service they count. 

SIM Asset Publisher Portlet

Asset Publisher

SIM Asset Publisher Portlet

Asset Publisher

Related stories

Today for Tomorrow is rooting the next generation in Christ across Southern Africa

Today for Tomorrow began with just five children when SIM mission worker Graham, Jessie and Chris Maphosa saw a gap in how children were being discipled. While serving in Zimbabwe, Chris and colleagues developed the T4T training programme to help pastors and teachers share Christ-centered lessons in ways children could understand. Today, the ministry has grown significantly and continues to shine across the region.

Our call to care for the planet goes beyond recycling: lessons on creation stewardship

As a child growing up in Canada, I thought recycling was the best way to help the planet. The world’s problems were much too big for us as children, but finally, there was something we could do as well, right from our home. But my understanding of all my efforts were turned on its head when I chatted with Ian Ratcliff, SIM's Ministry Point Person for Creation Stewardship and Care. 

From Bible college student to Bible college Director

Joseph now trains pastors of the future, with help from one of his old teachers in West Africa. The joy and lasting value of Christian leadership training is epitomised by the long-term relationship between an SIM mission couple and a West African Bible college director.

Young women from rural Peru find discipleship and belonging in the city

As rural young women move to Peru’s cities for study or work, they face a world full of pressure, distraction, and isolation. Mission worker Lizzie is walking alongside them; offering friendship, discipleship, and a reminder of their worth in Jesus.