Published on: 03/09/2026
A team from the Diocese of Sheffield have taken part in a fruitful visit to the Diocese of Bondo in Kenya, with a packed programme helping to make the trip a memorable one.
The delegation consisted of Bishop Pete and his wife Cathy, Dean Abi, the Revd Canon Adam Priestley and Mrs Jo-Ann Leavesley (President of the Diocesan Mother’s Union). Taking place from the 14-23 August, the itinerary for the visit was as follows:
- Friday 14, Departed Heathrow at 6.25pm, arriving Nairobi on Saturday 15th at 5.15am, for onward flight to Kisumu at 7.00am
- Saturday 15, Arrived at Kisumu at 7.50am and attend youth rally at St Paul’s, Majiwa
- Sunday 16, Bishop Pete preached and preside at a Confirmation Service at St Paul’s, Lela, while Dean Abi preached at St Mark’s, Mahaya and Adam preached at St Mark’s Barkanyango
- Monday 17, Civic visit to Kisumu City
- Tuesday 18, Courtesy call to the Bishop’s Office and attended an Archdeaconry Day in the Usigu Region
- Wednesday 19, Courtesy call to the Governor of Siaya County and meet with departmental heads at Church House.
- Thursday 20, Attended an Archdeaconry Day in the Chianda Region and then a BBQ at the Bishop’s Residence in the evening.
- Friday 21, Attended the 10th ordinary session of the Diocesan Synod, at which Bishop Pete offered a presentation on the mission of God in the Diocese of Sheffield
- Saturday 22, Bishop Pete consecrated a new church building for St Luke’s Ndara, before the team departed. They went from Kisumu at 7.20pm, arriving in Nairobi at 8.20pm and then departed Nairobi for Heathrow at 11.30pm
- Sunday 23rd, Arrived at Gatwick at 6.50am.
Hosted by Bishop David Kodia and ‘Mama Bishop’ Janepher, Bishop Pete prayed ahead of the trip for a “genuine mutuality in Christ”, for which St Paul longed as he anticipated a visit to the church in Rome, adding that he hoped it may promote “the proclamation of the Gospel in Bondo, but also here in this Diocese.”
The Diocese of Bondo celebrated its 25th birthday in May 2025, and its town is found in the Siaya County of Kenya. It has traditionally been a fishing town and its entire economy rotates around the fish from Lake Victoria. It the largest and most populous town of the county. The Diocese of Bondo is one of the Dioceses in the Anglican province of Kenya and forms part of the world wide fellowship of Anglicans in the Anglican Communion.
At creation in 1999 Bondo Diocese had 19 parishes. Currently the Diocese has over 50 parishes. A number of these are one congregation parishes while others range from two to seven congregations within a parish.
The Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield, said:
“It was, thank God, a highly productive week. We enjoyed God’s ‘travelling mercies’ in the air, on land and even (briefly) on the waters of Lake Victoria. A packed programme was arranged for us and we were welcomed like royalty everywhere we went. The hospitality we received, especially but not only from Bishop David and Mama Bishop Janepher, was extraordinary and we ate more than was good for us.
“We were given precious opportunities to worship with our brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus and to speak to them about our Diocese and about God’s work among us here. We hope we were a blessing to the people we met: they were certainly a great blessing to us.”
The Very Revd Abi Thompson, Dean of Sheffield Cathedral, said:
“Visiting our partner Diocese of Bondo in Kenya was a really life-changing experience for me. I had never travelled anywhere in Africa before, and I was blown away by the vibrancy of every act of worship we attended, the warmth of welcome and the generosity of hospitality. There were challenges to grapple with and things that deeply inspired me. I loved to be amongst people whose faith made them dance and sing so joyfully. I will take away with me some of the wonderful people I met, not least Dean Ruth Odongo, the Dean of Bondo Cathedral and Archdeacon Dorothy Ochieng. In the coming months I will be praying especially for the new Cathedral in Bondo – the congregation has long outgrown their current worship space, and so a splendid new Cathedral is being built. We were able to watch as skilled craftsmen shaped stones that will create the walls of, what will be, a most beautiful place built to the glory of God.
“Fundraising is well underway, but they are still short of the target needed to finish it off, and so I will be praying that the money needed will be raised soon. While we were there, Bishop Pete consecrated a new church, St Luke’s Ndara, where Archdeacon Dorothy is the Vicar. It was another first for me and felt so full of hope. A highlight was seeing the children of the parish dance the Gospel book up the aisle with such glorious confidence!”
Jo-Anne Leavesley, President of the Diocesan Mother’s Union in Sheffield, said:
“I am so deeply touched by the experience of going to Bondo Diocese – sharing time with the visiting Sheffield Team telling our story, but moreover listening, praying, seeing, sharing, feeling and tasting life in all its abundance. I am grateful for all we did, places we visited, people we met and witnessed growth of faith. The homes who entertained us, and life filled with the warmth, love and welcome, which was shared in abundance. This is etched in my heart, and shaping our MU journey going forward.
“What a beautiful witness to the great Mothers’ Union. What a great time we had with Bishop David, Mama Bishop Janepher and Captain Revd Dorothy and the team, who hosted us with such generosity, and with such a varied itinerary. Our shared time in conversations and understanding, as we look to the future links and connectedness – ‘stronger together’
“The Mighty MU hard in its work at home and overseas, in action, prayer, support, witness, shining as a light for future Generations. All wrapped together in this is the 150th Year of our Founder Member, Mary Sumners’ vision, in 1876.
“Kenya is deep in my heart, as is developing and maintaining links with Bondo and Sheffield Diocese!”
Revd Canon Adam Priestley, Mission Priest at Saint Vincent’s Mission Doncaster, said:
“Our link trip to ACK Bondo Diocese very fruitful with many opportunities created for future mission. We visited so many places and formed some amazing relationships (the Kenyans are an amazingly joyful people!). My absolute favourite thing though was having the privilege of leading services in a place that loves Jesus deeply even in the midst of great challenges.”
With thanks to Adam and Dean Abi for the photos.
