Time abroad can give you a whole new perspective. For Salvation Army officers Wanda and Morris Vincent, back in Newfoundland on a two-month vacation after three years working in rural Kenya, there’s even a new appreciation for the things that the rest of us might rather do without.
“Believe it or not, we’ve missed the cold and snow,” says Wanda. “Living in Kenya, we’re in the tropics, so it is hot all year long. We’ve missed a little bit of the seasons, so coming home and even seeing the snow again, we’re hoping for a ski-doo ride and things like that.”
After two-and-half decades serving in The Salvation Army, the Vincents are no strangers to going wherever their skills are needed most. Before Kenya, they had been posted in every Atlantic province and Ontario.
“We were ordained in Newfoundland as Christian ministers, in St. John’s,” says Wanda, who is originally from Clarenville. “I think we were always open to serving wherever The Salvation Army needed us, but we certainly did not envision ourselves in rural Kenya 25 years ago.”
Working in executive leadership positions in Western Kenya, Morris is The Salvation Army’s second in command as Kenya West territorial chief secretary, while Wanda is the Kenya West territorial secretary for women’s ministries. One of the projects Morris works on is improving rural education, with The Salvation Army sponsoring around 500 schools in Kenya, while
Wanda’s work involves helping women achieve independence through programs in leadership, social and business skill.
The Vincents are back in Triton, Morris' hometown, for the first time in 10 years. Their time spent working Kenya has given them a unique view into what really matters.
“It is great to be home again for a visit. We love the Newfoundland traditions — including great Newfoundland food. We’ve already had fish and moose and toutons and bologna. All the good Newfoundland food that comes along with feasting this time of year. And, of course, being with family is most important of all.”
Despite being half a world away, the importance of faith, family and community in Kenya is an aspect of life in which Wanda and Morris have found an echo of home. While Christmas in
Kenya tends to be a smaller affair primarily about Christmas Day, faith, food and family are still at the centre of celebrations with a special meal of goat or chicken as the equivalent of our turkey dinner.
“Morris and I both grew up in rural Newfoundland, and now we’re in rural Kenya,” says Vincent. “When you go into a Newfoundlander’s home, the first thing they want to do is give you a cup of tea and something to eat, and that is so much the tradition in Kenya as well. We’ve often said to the Kenyan people, ‘This is just what they would do in Newfoundland’.”
That spirit of community and hospitality is a way of life in which everyone participates. When material things are not always in abundance, giving of time or talents becomes just as valuable.
“The people of Kenya, though they are economically challenged, they still give. We see people who are affected by poverty; they give of themselves. Even out of their very little, they still give to others. It’s a very community-based society, particularly in the rural villages — everybody helps each other,” says Wanda. “They’re not dependant on material wealth to be happy or have fulfilled life.”
Seeing the intent behind each gift gave the Vincents valuable insight to bring away from Kenya, especially how it contrasts with North American notions.
After one church service in a rural village, the Vincents were surprised by an example of that simple but profound generosity.
“An elderly lady came to us and reached into her purse and handed us one egg each,” says Wanda. “And that was her expression of gratitude that we as the leaders had come to her village. That was a priceless expression of thanksgiving and gratitude and struck us in our hearts.
"In the Western world, we think we have to give big. In Kenya, you learn little is great.”
