African minister breaks down in tears at Derry event as visit to Tyrone farm recalled

An African minister visiting Derry broke down in tears last night as he recalled his trip a few days earlier to a dairy farm in County Tyrone.

Rev Benjamin Kibara was the guest of honour at an information evening in Glendermott Parish Hall in the Waterside about the growing links between the Diocese of Butere in western Kenya and Derry and Raphoe.

Christianity was first introduced to Butere 100 years ago by the missionary son and daughter of Rt Rev George Chadwick, who was Bishop of Derry and Raphoe. Bishop Chadwick’s son, Walter, established the region’s first Christian church, while Walter’s sister, Elizabeth, built Butere’s first girls’ school.

Representatives from almost 30 parishes discussed how to develop the relationship between the two dioceses into a ‘living link’ and how it might work to their mutual benefit.

The information evening, which was organised by the chairman of Derry and Raphoe’s Board of Mission and Unity, the Rev Paul Hoey, heard in detail how the Diocese’s ‘Buy a Cow for Butere’ initiative was progressing.

The event included a Bible reflection by the Rector of Donagheady, Rev Dr Robin Stockitt, who had visited Butere almost a year ago along with his wife Joan, Bishop Ken Good and Mrs Mary Good.

During an interview with Joan Stockitt, Rev Kibara outlined some of the challenges faced by clergy in Butere.

Asked what he had learned during his five days in Northern Ireland, Rev Ben became very emotional as he recalled his weekend visit with the Stockitts to a dairy farm in Co Tyrone.

Mrs Stockitt explained that Ben had been amazed at the size of the farm, the number of cattle, and the automation used to produce milk. She said it was very different to the farms which support families back in Kenya.