In 1998, the first time congregants from Westminster Presbyterian Church visited the Synod of Livingstonia in Malawi, a chapter of the Church of Central Africa Presbytery, the mission was to lend support to kindred spirits across the globe, board the plane and go home.
But former Centralia College president Hank Kirk, 87, and wife Jenny Kirk, 75, wound up with something else in their suitcases: a new calling.
For years, the synod’s leaders had dreamed of establishing a university. Between Reverend Doctor Howard Matiya Nkhoma, 78, wife Mariya Nkhoma, 75, of Malawi, the Kirks’ experience in education and their ability to rally support from organizations and communities throughout Southwest Washington, the dream would be realized in the next five years.
When the Kirks first came home to present the plan, they were often asked about their budget.
Hank Kirk recalled responding with: “Budget? We don’t have a budget. But we have faith.”
With support in dollars, prayers and labor, organizations such as Rotary clubs, churches and families helped the Nkhomas build the university, run a volunteer-only orphanage and even cover payments for individual students.
Twenty-five years later, the University of Livingstonia has doled out 4,617 bachelor degrees to Malawians. Those students, Matiya Nkhoma said, have mostly stayed in the country, taking positions in government and overall benefitting the nation.
Now, the two couples are ensuring the future leaders of both communities will remember what was built through this international friendship.
“When we go away, we need to pass on to our successors what this church did so they can appreciate (it),” Matiya Nkhoma said.
United this month in the Twin Cities, the Kirks and Nkhomas, reaching their late 70s and 80s, know this gathering could be their last. A celebration of the international friendship was warranted.
On April 23, “Malawi Sunday” at Westminster Presbyterian, Matiya Nkhoma delivered the sermon after he, Mariya Nkhoma and their travel companion, Owen Singini, delivered a song and dance in front of the church. Appropriately, the reverend’s message was on the value of two people or entities complementing one another. The Westminster Presbyterian Bell Choir also performed on Sunday in the sanctuary, which was adorned by linens in the bright colors and patterns traditional to Malawian clothing.
Because the journey is Singhini’s first visit to America, it took three tries and intervention by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell’s office to get his visa approved. As a driver for decades, Singini has worked for and become friends with the Nkhomas. He’s also a chief in his village of about 80 people, where he serves as a mediator for civil issues such as divorces or boundary disputes. With his help, many people avoid going to court.
On Monday at Centralia College, an intercultural event celebrated the Malawian-Washingtonian relationship with a representative from Cantwell’s office.
“I think it's important to let others who live in nations like ours have an appreciation for what others go through,” Jenny Kirk said.
Hank Kirk added, “The idea of the two communities is, really, you have it correct. Because, it’s not just us, but it’s been the whole community saying ‘Let’s help these people out.’ And there they are.”
