I am raising money for CMS in memory of my dad, who served as a Mission Partner in Kenya from 1966 to 1973 and remained a devoted supporter throughout his life. He passed away in March 2025, and this journey is a way of honouring his legacy.

In early 2027, I plan to cycle through Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Along the way, I hope to visit CMS projects, schools, and communities, as well as reconnect with family and friends. The trip is not only about fundraising, but also about learning more about the incredible work CMS continues to do alongside communities on the margins of society. I know it will be filled with adventure, meaningful encounters, and many new friendships.

The journey will begin in Nairobi, heading north towards Mount Kenya. From there, I’ll visit David Waraki and his family in Nyeri, in the foothills of the Aberdare Mountains. David’s father worked as a parish evangelist alongside my dad during the years my family lived there in the late 1960s and early 1970s, so this will be a particularly special stop.

From Nyeri, I will cycle west through the striking landscapes of Laikipia, a wild and semi-arid region, stopping along the way in Nanyuki—another place where I spent part of my childhood. I’ll then continue towards the beautiful lakes of Baringo and Bogoria, famous for their flamingos and hot springs. A detour to Turi, on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, will give me the chance to reconnect with friends from St Andrew’s School, where we worked for over seven years.

Continuing west, I will eventually reach Busia County on the shores of Lake Victoria, where I’ll visit my son-in-law Emmanuel’s family. From there, I’ll cross into Uganda and head north to spend time with CMS projects in refugee camps near the South Sudan border.

The route then turns south through the heart of Uganda, likely passing through Kampala, before crossing into Tanzania. I’ll make my way to Iringa to stay at Neema Crafts, a former CMS project, before cycling east to Morogoro—home to the school community of MIS, where I served as headteacher from 2018 to 2023.

From Morogoro, I’ll continue to the coast, stopping in Dar es Salaam to catch up with former MIS colleagues now working at HOPAC School. Ideally, Rachel will be able to join me here so we can reconnect with friends together. We’re also hoping to take some time in Zanzibar—both for rest and to meet CMS mission partners based there.

The final stretch will take me north to the Usambara Mountains via Lushoto, followed by visits to friends from my MIS days in Moshi, on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. I’ll then pass through Arusha, a gateway to the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro, and hope to visit the CMS SAFI project at Usa River nearby.

From there, I will complete the journey by returning to Nairobi for the flight home—bringing the trip full circle.