Prayer Life
Rachel Bugutsa was a powerful prayer warrior, praying for her family needs and the needs of others, during the split of East African Yearly Meeting of Friends church, she set a group of women in her house for prayer, it is out of this group that USFWK prayer meeting was born. It was a painful occasion but Racheal said, and I quote, “keve ku ho kitama Nyasaye dave”, end of quote. We thank God for her determination.
Administration
Rachel was a treasurer for East African Yearly Meeting USFW from 1952-1979. It was during her tenure under the leadership of Mama Lenah Mwenesi, the Amalemba Friends Church Plot was bought and the meeting house built in 1978. It was dedicated in 1980, she was USFW clerk for EAYM south, now Vihiga yearly meeting.
She was the first 1st clerk for USFWK. During her leadership she said to us, and I quote, “vakana munyi kuhenze ku havundu kuumbake ho kindu kali niva icho, kulange , USFWK” end of quote. It was during this time we looked for Handidi plot , She came and prayed for ground breaking in Nov 2015, and the three storey-building called, Quaker Resort center came to being through her initiative.
Guiding and Counselling
Rachel committed herself to counselling and resolving of disputes in and out of our church. Her house became a baraza where many people came for any type of help they needed.
She mentored so many, church leaders depended on her for advice even when things went wrong: she helped to resolve conflicts and guided many who were close to divorce. She intervened in difficult situations and helped to find solutions. We thank God for Rachel.
Generosity
Mama Rachel and her husband Simeon Sabwa were generous, welcomed many with open arms, raised many children who were not their own, fed, clothed and educated them. We came for prayers and committees and prayers in their house, ate and left without giving a single penny to them. In all my life I had not seen anyone as generous as the Sabwas.
Rachel was a person of extra ordinary integrity and personal strength, very humble, soft spoken yet very strict. She was a strong leader among Quakers and was respected by many. As the National chairlady for United Society of Friends women –Kenya (USFWK) she has set an example for all the women in our church, she has united all the women regardless of our region balances.
On 25th of June 2022, we gathered at Handidi Quaker Resort Centre, all sitting clerks and retired clerks of all our Y.M.S, all our pastors, then we invited Rachel to come and pray with us, She sad to us, I quote, “vakana munyi, muhambane ,muyanzane , ma mulindi livugana vulahi.” End of quote, then she prayed. That was our last time with her. We thank God for the many blessings we received in our midst.
Summary
Mama Rachel Sabwa was:
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A great leader
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A person of extra ordinary power and integrity
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A faithful servant of the God
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A role model
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A mentor
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A visionary Leader
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A spiritual adviser
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A Quaker icon
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A woman of valor
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Umukali wi Kivuni