A Timeframe To Purpose
Born Reuben Kariuki Mugweru, I made my grand entrance into this planet on August 1962 in Eldoret Hospital. My parents lived in Kaptagat Arms Hotel, where my father had worked for a considerable duration. We eventually moved to a farm that my parents bought not far from the hotel.
In 1970 we moved to Plateau Mission which belonged to the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA). I was seven years old at the time, and I joined Plateau Primary School.
Most members of my family attended RCEA. However, my parents had a longstanding with AIC (Africa Inland Church), and they often went to AIC Kaptagat. We could not all fit in my father's car, so most of us kids attended RCEA, which was not far from our house. Also, the minister's children were our good friends. For that reason, we spent a lot of time in church. As a result, we learnt how to play many musical instruments: the guitar, organ, the accordion, the drums, the trumpet, just to mention a few.
My brothers and I learnt how to play an instrument or two. I have vivid memories of us producing a single when I was 13 years. We had the distinct privilege of working with Kenneth Owuor (A big shot music producer back then). I remember the profound feeling of accomplishment.
As we were growing up, we spent our leisure time either playing football, swimming in the river, hunting small game in the jungle that surrounded the mission, but by far the most significant investment of our spare time was spent making music in church. The church minister was a Tanzanian gentleman by the name of Hubert Tibanga. He was a great man who played a significant role in grounding us and exposing us to church, ministry and what it meant to live life as devoted Christians.
In 1978 I joined Wareng Secondary School, where I happened to be schoolmates with a gentleman who would one day become the deputy president of my native country (Hon. William Ruto). It is true what they say, humble beginnings do not have to limit what one can achieve.
While in secondary school, I got involved with the African Inland Church, where my parents had been devoted members for many years. I sang in the choir and helped out in any way I could. In school, I doubled up on the Christian Union and YCS – Young Christian Students. I rather enjoyed my involvement with these forums. We had holiday workshops that were great fun.
In 1981, immediately after secondary school, I transitioned to my first job with the Kenya Farmers Association. The truth is, I never thought my education would end at the o-levels. I intended to become a lawyer, but that path was cut short by a series of unfortunate events, top among them; an error on my high school biology teacher's part (long story for another day). The error caused our final biology results to be disqualified, which tanked my overall score and inadvertently my ability to qualify for A-levels.
My A-levels' failed pursuit disoriented me despite having a good job that should have given me a great foundation and opened up many opportunities later. My frustrations led to some bad financial decisions. The only thing I did with my riches back then was thanks to someone who convinced me to buy a piece of land. He managed to do so just before I wasted the last of my money.
I used to pay farmers in exchange for their produce. I paid out as much as 2 million Kenya shillings ($20,000) in a day. Remember, I was completely green from high school, never having handled big money. You can imagine the pressure I was under, not to mention the attention of the entire community. Luckily, I was under the care and escort of two administrative police officers who kept me and the money safe.
That job gave me good earnings. It also brought me a lot of influence within my community. You become well respected when it is known that you are the person distributing farmer's payments. I wasn't prepared for it; I was too young and inexperienced.
Being a 19-year-old without any training or mentorship on how to treat money, I got involved in a lifestyle of extravagance and rivalry. The older, more experienced people who hang out with me (because of my position) took advantage of my ignorance and capitalized on my job to enrich themselves. I ended up in a financial mess that took many years to mitigate.
In 1985 (while still employed at the NCPB), I got transferred to Nairobi under a different role. Remember that I was now working and living in the capital city where the living cost was much higher than I was used to. Admittedly the adjustment was not an easy one.
Nevertheless, this period gave me a chance to reflect. I pondered on how I had been living my life and where I had gone wrong and made the realization that had I been married; I might have made better choices.
Before my work transfer to Nairobi, I was based in Nakuru, where I had the great fortune of meeting the enchanting lady I would one day make my wife. When I moved to the city, Ann remained in Nakuru, where she lived. Shortly after my move, we decided to get married. I must say that continues to be one of my life's most significant decisions because from that point on, I was focused on life, my family and work. I was 23 at the time.
I came across two books in and around this period: How to Be A Good Husband and How to Be A Good Wife. I brought the books home with me, and we both read them intently. Those books played a pivotal role in establishing a foundation for what has been and continues to be a deeply rewarding union.
In my marriage enrichment course, I teach young married couples how to study and find information on what it takes to build a successful marriage.
Beyond the romantic and magical moment when two people say I do, marriage is a lifetime journey. Unfortunately, not too many people take time to study and learn how to make this lifelong commitment a rewarding and successful experience, explaining the challenges that many new couples go through in this fast-paced world we now occupy.
People study for many years to become doctors, engineers and professionals in different fields but seldom do we give the same devotion and importance to marriage. One of my greatest desires is to see young marriages flourishing. I have purposed to help young couples develop unions that give them joy, meaning and contentment. If this is an area you are keen on, I welcome you to engage me. I have something to offer.
Back to the story, marriage re-focused me, and brought into my life an exceptional life partner. Shortly after marriage, we began the journey into parenthood, which has also been very defining. It has made me a stronger person and a better man over the years. Ann and I are blessed with three children, two girls and a boy. They are all grown up now and have begun to bless our lives with grandkids! We have 4 so far! I am proud and grateful for the people our children have grown up to become. Respectful, responsible and very independent.
Our approach to parenting hasn't been different from our approach to marriage. We started with the idea that we needed to study and gather information on how to bring up children. Like all parents, we have had our challenges, but I can humbly say that we have done well if the people our children are today is anything to go by.
By 1992, my desire to be my own man and have more control over where I lived and how I spent my time had become a full-blown need. I decided to go into business for myself, thus ending my decade long employment. My debut venture was a business I named Tropic Edibles Distributor (TED for short). The company was involved with the distribution of foodstuffs to institutions of learning (colleges and universities). I started small with the support of a few friends. The company quickly grew into a big distributorship.
Not long after its initial success, however, tribal clashes broke out in Kenya, which turned Eldoret, where I lived and operated my business, into a challenging environment. So we migrated to Nairobi.
Come1996 I got an opportunity to come to the United Kingdom. Growing up in church and having been involved with ministry throughout my life, stewardship and service became second nature to me. In 2000 we moved to Peterborough's city after first having settled in London. 4 years later, I planted a church in Peterborough.
In 2006 we left Peterborough and left the church under the care and stewardship of our associate pastor and moved to Boston's nearby town (the original Boston) in Lincolnshire. Shortly after our move, we planted another church. I was also ordained into ministry in 2007 by TAPAC which is a member of Churches together in England. After seven years I took a sabbatical and joined Roehampton University and did my undergraduate (Bachelor of Theology). I graduated in 2016 after which I joined Kings College London, where I took a Master of Science in Security and Leadership and Society.
In 2014 we founded Jiji La Maombi (City Of Prayer). Jiji La Maombi is an evolving vision that will eventually comprise of an orphanage with 21 houses. It also has a retreat and conference center for Ministers and church leaders, a primary and secondary school and a bible institute. Jiji La Maombi continues to take shape and offer life-changing value to many, including myself. I am grateful for the precious people involved and those who make it possible for us to do what we do.
So why did I feel the need to have a website?
We are living in, perhaps the most unprecedented of times. I have felt the need to build a digital ecosystem that reaches out to those who need encouragement and those seeking some of the things that I have gathered experience around over the years.
I am presently the senior pastor of Faith in Christ Church in Peterborough, a marriage enrichment teacher and leadership coach. I also serve as the chaplain at the Peterborough City Hospital.
I am also ministering through motivational Speaking, marriage enrichment mentorship, and leadership training through my digital infrastructure. I am so grateful for the gift of your time. I look forward to hearing from you and building value with you.
