Thanksgiving Speech
The Gospel Celebration Church
8th December 2024
Praise the Lord Church!
Allow me to take you back to a little girl in primary school, full of curiosity and dreams. One particular day remains vivid in my mind. I desperately needed to use the bathroom, but I couldn’t excuse myself in English. Well you see, I was born and partly raised in a small village called Llmasin, off Magadi Road in Kajiado County. So the only languages I knew I was some Kiswahili, Kikuyu and a few Maasai words. We had just moved from our village and joined a new school where English was the language of communication, and my grasp of the language was shaky at best. Before I knew it-ssshhhh-I had wet my uniform.
Good thing I was, and still am, a creative child-just that now, I am an adult. During our lunch break, I basked in the hot sun, and voila! My dress dried like magic. However, the stench was fetid, and I had to sit alone for the rest of the afternoon.
Later that day, just as the bell was about to ring, I heard the familiar sound of a plane. I’ve always loved planes and dreamt of becoming a pilot. My little feet carried me outside the classroom as I shouted excitedly, “Ndio ile ndege! Ndio ile ndege! Ndio ile ndege!” (There goes the plane). Ladies and gentlemen, that is how, after a whole day of trying to stay out of trouble, I ended up wearing the infamous gunny bag labeled, “I am a fool, and I cannot speak English.” But that’s not the end of the story. In the following weeks, I observed and listened to other children, and I learned to say, “Mayai go to ze toile.” (May I go to the toilet.) Looking back, I learned three valuable lessons:
- Learning involves making mistakes; embrace them but strive not to repeat them.
- Speak up, even if your words aren’t perfect.
- Unpleasant “stenches” often isolate us, but they also teach us valuable lessons.
Life has been a journey of challenges and triumphs. I walked miles from Matopeni to Njiru, fueled by my thirst for education and a better life. School fees were a constant struggle, and I was often sent home. Yet, I excelled academically and in extracurricular activities. Just like our fathers of faith, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, I had my own name for God: The “God of last-minute miracles” because He always showed up-often just in time.
These lessons have stayed with me and shaped how I approach life. My journey from childhood to adulthood has been one of resilience and grace. God is always at work, turning my wounds into wisdom, my pain into purpose, and my challenges into opportunities for growth.
I am a first generation graduate. During my postgraduate studies, as an adult, I experienced big wins: starting my own business, SimpleJoys Creatives, taking my first international flight, networking with high-profile individuals, and starting a journey of finding Wambui. This year, God re-edited my story. When I graduated with my first degree, I didn’t even have a photo to mark the day because every shilling I had went toward my mother’s medical bills. But this time, He provided abundantly. On the day of my graduation, my sister and I stood in the rain on a Friday night in Nairobi, drenched but filled with gratitude for how far God had brought me.
Today, I am here because of His goodness and the love and support of many people. The Gospel Celebration Center (GCC Kayole) family has stood by me ever since my undergraduate studies:
Allow me to say a special thank you :
- To God, my everything, who has carried me through every season.
- Apostle Patrick Muriithi. You have been a great pillar in my life. Atleast at some point when the fear of God was not so deeply engraved in me, I knew I could never in any way disappoint this man. Do you remember the purity pledge we had as young youths in 2014. I still keep it. I honor you sir.
- The Women of Intelligence for your prayers and financial support. I have always felt your love.
- Pst. Grace for being my pastor, a friend, a mentor and a mother. People say we look alike. I guess that is what happens when God orders your steps.
- Deacon Kirimi for reaching out when I was in school.
- To Blessings and Josh-this family fed me during my internship at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital
- Cynthia, Kendi, Koome, you have been an awesome friends.
- I may not mention all of you be names. I am however grateful. Thank you, Gospel Celebration Church, for being a part of my journey, for walking this path of faith together, and for reminding me that we are stronger when we stand as one in Christ. May God bless you abundantly.
In absentia hearty regards to:
- To my family and friends, for their endless love and encouragement.
- To CIAT and CESAAM, for sponsoring my education.
- To the DAFTECH community at Egerton University and all laboratories for their technical support.
- To my furry and feathered friends—my cats and chickens—for adding joy to my days.
- To Lola Designs, my tailor, for always making me look my best.
- To my supervisors-Dr. Waswa, Dr. Robert, and Prof. Mahungu-for their guidance and encouragement.
- And to myself, for striving to the very end.
Through this journey, I didn’t just master food science and technology:
- I learnt to seek and find God.
- I learnt to name and navigate my emotions.
- I learnt to heal, forgive, and let go.
- I learnt that taking time to recharge is not selfish-it’s essential to service.
- I learnt to love deeply, network widely, and serve boldly.
- I learnt shared values are key to our everyday life.
- I learnt to keep the little dreamer alive
- Most importantly, I learned to live- not just survive, but to truly live intentionally and to live well.
As I close, I want to encourage each of you to reflect on your own journey. Celebrate how far you’ve come, no matter how small the steps may seem.
To the young ones here: dream big and stay curious. Challenges are stepping stones to greater things.
To the adults: Let us continue to be the shoulders on which the next generation stands.
And always remember:
- You are not alone-God walks with you every step of the way.
- Love boldly, like Christ does.
- Live boldly. Push yourself. Don’t settle. Live well.
I leave you with the words of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
My name is Mary Wambui Muroki.
I go by “Marie the Food Doctor "a certified clinical nutritionist, food scientist, and an aspiring key note speaker. I did not become a pilot although I still love planes and travelling. However looking back, by the help of God, I believe I have been flying to greater heights and in charge of my life and so many destinies that God has entrusted me with. At my core, I believe that God never wastes experiences and that every day is an opportunity to grow, make a difference, and live a healthier, more meaningful life than the day before. Seeing others discover and live out their purpose brings me immense joy, and I am grateful for the chance to inspire and be inspired by those I encounter...and when every other title is stripped off, I still have my identity:
I am a daughter of the most high God.
I am loved.
I am redeemed.
I am enough and I live boldly.
Thank you.
Acknowledgement
I am profoundly grateful for the love, encouragement, and unwavering support I have received from this church. It is a bond I deeply cherish, and one that has shaped me in countless ways.
You can access the recording of this speech through this link on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/live/USETIT3IgTU?si=ovoN2AK2CImIptnq. Feel free to listen to the entire sermon (great wisdom) or scroll toward the end of the video to find my speech. Additionally, you can stay connected with the church by following Gospel Celebration Church Kayole on all social media platforms.
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