Kenyan pastor tells of Africa's potential

Dennis Odhiambo, a pastor from Nairobi, Kenya, chats with Shelbyville Breakfast Rotary Club president Karen Thrasher. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge]

Dennis Odhiambo, founder and pastor of Great Commission Fellowship and Great Commission Academy in Nairobi, Kenya, told members of Shelbyville Breakfast Rotary Club on Wednesday that if problems such as clean water and the prevalence of AIDS can be addressed, Africa has the potential to develop its economy.

"No nation develops by wishing to develop," said Odhiambo. "A nation develops by working toward development."

Odhiambo noted the progress made by Korea over the past 40 years; the nation has gone from poverty to being an industrial powerhouse. He said that if the creativity, resourcefulness and industriousness of Africans can be put to use, that continent too can develop.

"Africa is not going to stay a 'dark continent' forever," said Odhiambo.

Odhiambo became a friend of club member Wilbert Nelson of Shelbyville when Nelson traveled to Kenya in June. Although Odhiambo is now based in Nairobi, Kenya's capital, he is a native of Homa Bay in the western part of the country. Nelson saw the impact that a well made on Homa Bay and was motivated to begin raising money for similar wells and fresh water projects.

"I think he was really touched and really moved by the situation over there," said Odhiambo.

Nelson and Fair Haven Baptist Church, of which he is a member, have become active in raising money for such projects.

Odhiambo read to the Rotarians from a Kenyan newspaper article describing a town in his native region decimated by AIDS, which has reached epidemic proportions in Africa.

"If it is not for the grace of God, I would be just like one of those," he said. The area has a life expectancy of just 40 years and a high child mortality rate. In his home village, people drank filthy greenish-brown surface water.

Breakfast Rotary president Karen Thrasher noted that Rotary International has an emphasis on clean water projects during this club year.

On a lighter note, Odhiambo recalled his first visit to the U.S. He was amazed at the vast array of food choices. A single item can become many different dishes.

"Chicken can come in a thousand ways," he said.

His hosts on that visit asked him where he liked to eat. He wasn't familiar with American chain restaurants so he told them the name of his favorite restaurant from Kenya, owned and operated by an Indian. India and Kenya share a heritage as former British colonies, and it's not uncommon to find chapati and samosas in Kenya.

The name of the Indian restaurant which Odhiambo remembered was "Hooters."

Odhiambo's startled hosts eventually figured out what had happened and explained to the clergyman that the U.S. restaurant which operates under that name was quite different from his favorite restaurant back home.

"We ended up eating at the house," laughed Odhiambo.