Post on 30-Apr-2020
transcript
1
For more Info:
Please contact Cindy at
cturner@gcua.org.
Just One Voice
http://www.justonevoice.org
The Giving Festival was
written by Cindi Brown who lived
in Kenya in 2007 and came back
to start a non-profit called:
Just Once Voice.
Cindi has a huge heart for the
people and children in Kenya and
partnered with Kenya Connection
Kids in writing The Giving Festi-
val. The book tells of what can
happen when children in the
United States have a day of fun in
their community to make money
to donate to children in Kenya to
help them care for animals, im-
prove their school and save
money for school fees. We are
thrilled that some of the main
characters in the book are
the children in our home in
Chuka!! We are very excited
to provide you with an oppor-
tunity to purchase the chil-
dren's book :
The Giving Festival
The book sells for $10.95
and you can purchase it on
Amazon.com or, if you live in
the Acworth area, we have
purchased a small number of
books that you can buy
from Cindy Turner.
When the US team came for
a mission trip in 2008 we
made courtesy call to many
dignitaries in Chuka town.
Among the important people
in town was His Worship, the
mayor of Chuka town, John
Mbaabu. He hosted the team
in his office and was so im-
pressed with the sacrifice the
American team made to build
an orphanage for destitute
kids in Chuka and the contain-
ers they brought full of sup-
plies and the visit schools
doing VBS.
The mayor visited the home
to bid farewell to the US
team. In his farewell speech he
said this, “Dickson and your
team, I want to thank you for
coming to help our people in
Chuka. This house (the first
orphanage built by the Ameri-
can team) is a testimony of your
love towards the orphans and
destitute in our community. As
you go home be assured that
your work will not fail. We will
keep supporting this house for
the children you are supporting
are ours. When you came back
next year we will have done
something.” It was then the
mayor requested support from
our Member of Parliament,
Honorable Kareke Mbiuki Minister
for Agriculture and other commu-
nity and national leaders to support
the home. By the initiative of the
mayor the government gave Kshs
350,000. With the money we were
able to buy 7 Lories of building
bricks, 4 Lorries of rocks, 4 Lorries
concrete and 6 Lorries of sand.
The dignitaries, the business peo-
ple , churches and the local people
all got fired up to give little by little
of the needed supplies required to
build the second house. People
pledged to pay for some labor, oth-
ers pledged to buy cement, iron
bars, nails you name it. It really
humbled us the board members
when we saw how the Lord mobi-
lized his people to pioneer the con-
struction of the second home.
-Cont page 3
The Giving Festival, by Cindi Brown
I n s i d e t h i s
i s s u e :
The Giving
Festival
1
Board Mem-
bers
2
Second Home
Cont/
3
Meet Frashiah 4
Meet Julius
Mission Trip
5
Regions we
Serve
6
Spotlight Child 7
Second Home for KCK, Inc.
Kenya Connection Kids, Inc Your Kenya Connec-
tion is a quarterly
newsletter published
to keep you abreast
of the
happenings in the
Children’s Home
in Chuka and with the
sponsored children in
the Kenyan villages.
Most of this informa-
tion is supplied by the
Kenyan team.
We have tried to keep
the text true to the
form in which it was
written. We hope you
will look forward to
each issue and will
enjoy learning more
about Kenya and the
children. Thank you
for your
support of
Kenya Connect ion
Kids.
I s s u e 3 K C K n e w s w i n t e r 2 0 1 1
2
P a g e 2
“Then the King will
reply, „I tell you
the truth,
whatever you did
for one of the
least of these
brothers of mine,
you did for me.‟
-Matthew 25:40
The Kenyan Team and Board of Directors
HUMPHREY KANGA MUTHENGI
The C.E.O
The Chairman of the Ministry
Director of Children Sponsorship
Director of Fund Raising Activities
JULIUS MWEBIA
Vice Chairman of the Ministry
Director of Missions/Trips
Director in Charge-Orphanage and
Grounds
PAUL MURIANKI
General Secretary of the Ministry
Director of Policy & Procedures Formulation and Adherence
BEN JAMIN MUGAMBI
Director of Logistics and
Supplies
ANNE MURIANKI
Director of Health and Media
Issues of the Ministry
HELLEN MUTHENGI
Treasurer of the Ministry
Director of VBS & Prayer Ministry
FRESHIA MWEBIA
Director of Logistics
Director of Prayer Ministry
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Alex Muthengi
Abigail Muthengi
Daniel Murage
Special Delivery!
Douglas receiving a
package from Ed-
ward and Genine
Evans
K e n y a C o n n e c t i o n K i d s , I n c W i n t e r N e w 2 0 1 1
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Please help us save money and receive the newsletter electronically. Feel free to
share your newletters to family and friends this way. If you would like to
receive your newsletter this way please email your address to:
marshillkenyaconnection@yahoo.com.
LOUISE MELL
The Chairman of the Ministry
Sponsored Children
CINDY TURNER
Vice Chairman of the Ministry
Mission Trips
Ann Johson
General Secretary of the Ministry
Prayer Official
MICHAEL PORTER
Policy & Procedures Formulation and
Adherence PAUL MELL & CHUCK KING
Orphanage and Grounds
McGEE SPENCER
Fundraising
DICKSON LESTER
Logistics and Supplies REBA HARRISON
VBS Ministry
Prayer Ministry
JULIE GRAISER
Health and Medical Issues
PAUL JOHNSON- Outreach Liason
Golf Tournament Coordinator
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Andy Thurmond
Susan Baldwin
Scott & Michelle Drew Marshall
Phil Graiser
Eric & Leslie Norden
Alan & Jennifer Gruber
Laura & Chuck King
Cathy and Makalen Dean
Myra Cox
Paul Johnson Jennifer Harris
Abby Thurmond Layla Mell
Jake Mell Grace Norden
Parker and Brady Turner
The American Team and Board of Directors
YOU‟VE GOT MAIL
CHILD’S FULL NAME
C/O HUMPHREY KANGA
PO BOX 417
CHUKA, MERU SOUTH
KENYA AFRICA
The children in Kenya LOVE getting letters
and pictures from their American fami-
lies. We encourage you to write to your child
and encourage them by letting them that you
love them and pray for them. Write to your
child today! How?
SEND TO:
3
Tid bits from Kenya...more news
P a g e 3 I s s u e 3 K C K n e w s w i n t e r 2 0 1 1
Hi All,
I have attached some pictures show-
ing progress of various projects.
Please check them out! Bunny pro-
ject -two new born bunnies, The
chickens which have really grown and
are laying eggs. Thank God also to
Humphrey's Dad-in-law who gave
such a huge tree to get us timber for
the ceiling and the inside furniture of
the new house! quite amazing what
God can do!
Daniel.
Next Kenya Meet ing March 13, 2011 5:00 pm FSH
Next Mission Tr ip 2011 Dat es June 17 - July 2, 2011
KCK Golf Tournam ent Plann ing March 24, 11
Call Paul Johnson f or m ore inf orm at ion
Kenya Connect ion Golf Tournam ent
Mon. Sept em ber 26, 2011
Kenyan board members donated a
huge tree enough to split board
enough for the roof. Another board
member from the American team
donated $2000 enough to buy the
iron sheets for the house. Another
Kenya board member paid ksh.
15,000 to stand for the cost of split-
ting the boards and frames. Hum-
phrey’s father in Law, Mr. Francis
Mbadi, has donated a huge blue gum
tree to split board for the ceiling and
fisher board. From the tree we have
split enough board and have left
over’s. When Humphrey visited the
states in August to November 2010,
he was so excited to share the mira-
cle of the new orphanage home. It
would cost $ 50,000 to complete a
home in Kenya to host 16 more kids.
The finishing of the house is a priority
for the soon we will need to separate
girls and boys as they grow with the
new home we will get room to accom-
modate more destitute children and
provide care for them to the glory of
God. ” I was so overwhelmed during my
visit to see churches, individuals and
families donate over $ 10,000 to to-
wards completion of the new home.”
“The Eastminister Presbyterians Church
donated $4000 to be used in the con-
struction. The money has bought iron
windows, doors and grills for the porch
adjacent to the kitchen, electrical and
plumbing supplies. We are so grateful to
the entire church for the generous dona-
tion. We intend to keep them posted
with pictures so that they can see what
their money is accomplishing. At pre-
sent we are focusing on electrical in-
stallation and plumbing work. Then
inside plastering and keying work out-
side will be finished. Our estimation is
that by June those who come for the
mission trip will help in painting the
home. “ -Humphrey Kanga
By the time the mission team
arrived in July,2010 the masons
were doing the walls the second
orphanage. None of us can re-
ceive credit. It was God’s doing
and we give Him all the glory. It
moved me to tears to witness the
home go up by the hand of God.
The missioners came to help fin-
ish the walling by splashing water
on the walls for proper curing of
the house. On the last week of
the mission trip we ran out of mate-
rial. The structure existed but with no
material for the roof .We joined
hands with the American team and
Prayed to God to give us board
(frames) iron sheets, nails and labor
for the roof. The Lord answered the
prayers within the week for one of the
Second Home ...cont
Mark Your Calenders
“Our intention creates our reality. “
-Wayne Dyer
“I was so
overwhelmed
during my
visit...over
$10,000
donated for
the new
children‟s
home”
-Humphrey
Humphrey and Moses check on the
bunnies! 2 new bunnies born. Doors and windows for the second Home!
4
P a g e 4
“I have realized
a small
contribution of
material things,
financial
resources and
time can go a
long
way in
changing the life
of a child for the
glory of God”
Frashiah
Meet Frashiah Mwedbia -Our Director of logistics and prayers
Frashiah was born in 1963. She
started primary school in 1971 in a
village school called Mt. Margaret.
Her parents Mr. and Mrs. Kiarie
were Christians. “The village I lived
in at Mai Mayui in Kinjabe, on the
slope of the Great Rift Valley, was
like a game reserve. As I went to
school every morning, I could see
many wild animals like, Giraffe,
Zebra, Monkeys, Wild beasts, Ante-
lopes and many others. Our par-
ents taught us how to behave
when you meet these wild animals.
I could tell that a snake or a wild
animal has passed by observing
the marks left on the ground.” Said
Frashiah.
What did you like most about pri-
mary school? “Ahh. I liked nothing
about primary school for their was
a lot of beating (switching) and I
used to walk for a long distance to
and from school. “The teachers
there were not humane.” Said
Frashiah. What was your favorite
subject and who was your favorite
primary school teacher? “I was
okay with all the subjects taught
and but did not have a favorite
teacher. My math teacher used to
beat us a lot.” Frashiah recounts.
Frashiah joined Naivasha Girls
Secondary school in 1979. The
secondary school was a completely
new environment to her. She was
in school netball team, cross
country team and marathon
team. The teachers were more
humane and Frashiah liked
everything in the school.
Frashiah became a Christian in
1972 while in class two.” In a
vision I saw Mt. Margreat, Mt.
Longonot and Mau ranges burn-
ing. I realized the end of the
world was approaching. In the
morning I shared the dream
with my mom and dad who were
Christian. They prayed for me
and I committed my small life to
Christ. From then on I became
aggressive in learning more
about God and the need to
please and do His will in my
life.” Said Frashiah.
In 1982-1983 she joined “A”
levels (post secondary educa-
tion) at Kaaga girls. Later on
she was admitted to Ergerton
College where she graduated in
1987 with a diploma in agricul-
ture.
She got married in 1992 to
Julius Mwebia and they are
blessed with two lovely children.
Jesse Murimi and Evelyn Wanja.
Jesse is in form three at Ikuu
Boys High School and Evelyn is
in form one at Chogoria Girls
High School in Meru south dis-
trict of Kenya. Frashiah works
with the Ministry of Agriculture.
Two years ago she graduated
from Kenya Methodist Univer-
sity with a Bachelor of Science
degree (B sc) in Agriculture.
She is currently perusing her
masters degree in Environ-
mental Science.
Frashiah learned of the minis-
try to the orphans and desti-
tute kids from Helen. “When
Humphrey came back from the
states, he shared with us very
vividly of the dream and the
mission of Evangelizing
through helping the under-
served in the society.” Said
Frashiah. With time and
prayers, the Lord led me to
team with Kenya Connection
Ministry. According to
Frashiah being involved in
Kenya Connection Ministry has
brought reality of the needs of
the people in the community. It
has touched and exposed my
family and children to the
needs of other children. “I
have realized a small contribu-
tion of material things, finan-
cial resources and time can go
a long way in changing the life
of a child for the glory of God.”
Said Frashiah.
K e n y a C o n n e c t i o n K i d s , I n c
The Cherokee Presbytery has
awarded the orphanage a 1
year grant of $8,000 from
the PATH fund to be used for
food for the children. We
thank Gene and Barbara Vas-
sallo for your dedication to
KCK, Inc. The Kenya Connec-
tion has also been awarded a
$4,000 grant from the Peace Fund of
the Presbyterian Church, USA. The
Kenya and Mars Hill team will work
together to use this money to set up
a program to further peace initia-
tives in the local area. Please keep
this group in your prayers as they
proceed with God's plan for the grant
money.
PATH † -ANN JOHNSON
PRESBYTERIAN ANSWER TO HUNGER
5
Meet Julius Mwebia -Vice Chairman of
I s s u e 3 K C K n e w s w i n t e r 2 0 1 1
word of God was being
preached I was convinced
that I needed to get deeper in
my relationship with God.”
Julius was a very active
member of the Christian un-
ion movement in high school
and college. This exposure
gave him opportunity to ma-
ture in faith and learn leader-
ship techniques. He served
as the chairman of the Chris-
tian Union Movement in high
school and college. Upon
graduation from Ergerton Col-
lege with Diploma in Agricul-
ture, Julius got a job with the
ministry of agriculture. In the
last two years he graduated
from Kenya Methodist Univer-
sity with a Bachelor of Sci-
ence degree in Agriculture.
Julius got married to Frashiah
in 1992. The couple is blessed with two children
Jesse Murimi and Evelyn Wanja who are in Ikuu
Boys High School and Chogoria Girls High School
respectively. Julius is so active in church. He has
served as a church elder for a very long time. He is
currently the chairman of men’s fellowship of his
church. He is also a lay preacher. He receives
many invitations to peach in churches, schools,
colleges, universities and conferences in the coun-
try. How did you got to know of K.C.K ministry? “I
was in touch with Humphrey while he was in the
states. He shared with me the direction the Lord is
leading him. Helen kept me posted on the develop-
ments of the ministry. When Humphrey returned
from the states, he shared with me more clearly
and we continued to pray together,” said Julius.
“We instituted a board, shared responsibilities and
labored together in carrying out the registration,
establishing the policies and the constitution and
dreaming together on the way forward about the
ministry.”
fencing the property, visiting
sponsored children outside the
home,
visiting 4-6 local schools, meet-
ing with the peace grant group,
visiting the hospital,
meeting with local dignitaries
spending time with the children
in the orphanage. Please be in
prayer for this years mission
team!
Plans are well underway for this
year's mission trip. There are 15
adults and young people going this
year. The group will leave from At-
lanta Airport on June 17, 2011 –
July 2, 2011. Some will extend their
mission work for another week.
The group has an ambitious
agenda planned that includes:
finishing the landscaping
around the buildings, painting
both facilities
Mission Trip 2011 -
Ann Johnson
Julius Mwebia was born in
Nkubu village of Meru Central
district. Julius’ parents intro-
duced him to Sunday school
very early in his life. As he
grew up he was taken through
Methodist confirmation class to
establish him more in the
Christian truth. “I was born
again in 1975. I attended a
Christian rally in a neighboring
school with other boys. As the
Humphrey with Maize on
our new land!
6
Regions We Serve- Kirubia Area
Kirubia area of Mugwe location in Chuka division of Meru-South
District is about 35 kilometres on the east of Mt. Kenya. The
area has about 40 kids that are under the KCK program, who
are supplied with school levies, uniform, clothing foodstuff and
toys. Most of children that area supported by Kenya Connec-
tion kids have attained the age of going to Secondary school in
year 2011.
A noticeable case is Stella Muthara brilliant girl who is cur-
rently in one of the best High school we have around- Materi
Girls High school.
She is a bright student who never misses A’s.
She also loves poetry and acting and really in-
spires the other children with her own-
composed poems.
She is aspires to be a Neuro-surgeon once
through wit her education and we are proud of
her. With the effort and determination she has
in education she really will make it we are as-
sured.
The children meet at the area Chief’s camp
where women and the children’s guardians of
the region have build traditional houses were
build in the honor of the American team and they are called
“American home”. The traditional houses are made of sticks
and roofed with grass giving the traditional tastes of this area.
People in the area drink water from local rivers, creeks and
wells. The water is most cases muddy and not treated. The area
has few schools, the most famous school among the US team
that have visited in Kiereni which has about 14 of the KCK chil-
dren in the area. The common diseases in the area include
Malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, Amoeba infestation and HIV/
AIDS. The average rainfall of the area range from 500mm -
1000mm. Most people in Kirubia are mixed/arable farmers
who practice banana planting, and daily cattle keeping. The
crops that do well in the area include maize, beans, banana
sorghum, millet (bird seeds) mangoes, avocadoes, arrow roots.
Tea also does well but not so much practiced since
it requires big portions of garden. The area experi-
ences sufficient first rains between May and June
and second rains which are more convenient late in
the year to about early January. Lately, the patterns
of rain has bee unpredictable and there has been a
draught with other areas of the country badly hit.
The main soil types are Andro-humic, Nitosols, Cam-
bisols and Fervaso/luvisols. The low soil fertility
situation is worsened by the cativities that lead to
removal of nutrients rather than build up. This is
attributed to:
Nutrient mining through continuous cropping
with no or limited soil fertility
Low use of mineral fertilizers and organic matter
Agriculture officers who include Helen and Freshia (board mem-
bers of KCK) are working tirelessly to enlighten the farmers and
the area people to conservation and productivity improvement.
We are thankful to our friends in United States for the prayers and
support in tough times of the draught. We are grateful for the con-
tinued support and generosity of the money sent to buy food for
poor children. On behalf of the children we are so thankful from
the deepest part of our hearts for the support we get that facili-
tates the poor children in the area to access education, food sup-
plies, and clothing and health facilities. Thank you for being
part of their lives.
Kirubia District Facts Located in Chuka District South
35 km east of Mount Kenya
3 hour drive from Nairobi
53% live below poverty
Diseases-Malaria, pneumonia, amoeba infesta-
FULL TIME WORKERS
Humphrey Muthengi- The C.E.O/Director
Daniel K. Murage - Social worker/ Over-all Coordinator
Ellyjoy Gatakaa - House mother
Pauline Kaari - Aunt
Ben Munene -Security Officer
COORDINATORS
Eva Muthoni – Cheera
Ephanatus Mutembei– Cheera
Darian Kagwiria Tom – Tharaka
Paul Nkari - Tharaka
Mr. Mugo - Tharaka
Everlyn Gaceri –Ikuu
Bernard Kinyua - Kirubia
Patrick Kaaria - Egoji
Pastor Moffat - Nairobi
Coordinator In charge of Counselling services
Mrs. Lucy Mugambi
In charge of Games and children supplies
Alex Mwenda
Members at Large
Jesee Murimi
Abigail Makena
Gacheri Mugambi
Timothy Mugambi
Eva Wanja
John Mutethia
Who’s Who
of
Kenya
Connection
Kids
7
Spotlight Child– Inside the Home
Joy Karegi is one of the kids living
at the Kenya Connection Chil-
dren’s Home in Chuka Meru south
district of Kenya. Joy is currently in
class four and she is doing very
well in academics. She lost both
parents when she was quite
young. What sweet memories do
you have for you parents? “My
mother walked with me one day
to Redeemed Gospel Church to
look for sponsorship for me. She
realized she was very sick and
may die and if I am left, I would
have nobody to take care of me.
It did not work well for us but we
were given food (maize, beans) to
go and cook. My mom used to
bathe me and bought me clothes.’
Joy said. Do you like this home you
have been for over four years?
Yeees, I am glad I got to be here. I sleep
well, eat good food, and have a bed to
sleep on which is good and comfortable.
My former house was made of board. The
board did not reach the floor. There were
many openings and the house was very
cold at night. The
food was not
enough and I did
not use to be sat-
isfied. Most times I
was hungry.” Said
Joy.
You can tell Joy
really appreciates
being at K.C.K
home. To her life
is very different here in comparison to her
former place ever since her parents died.
She enjoys going to Sunday school and she
conducts choruses for she is blessed
with a melodious voice. What would
you want to become when you grow
old? “I would want to be a pilot; I
would have the opportunity of flying
my plane to America to see my spon-
sors. I would give you dad (Humphrey)
some money so that you can care for
more children and the rest of the
money I will buy a car like yours”.
Said Joy. Her favorite games are
football (soccer) and bicycle riding.
Her favorite food is rice, chapatti,
beef stew and kales. May God bless
you greatly for sponsoring Joy. On her
behalf I say thank you very much and
may God bless you.
Joy is sponsored by Sue and Kyle Curtis
Spotlight Child-Outside the Home
Kelvin Murimi is 13 yeas old. He is in
class four at Ikawa primary school. He
comes from Cheera area of Chuka in
Meru South District. By 2007 this boy
was heavily infested by jiggers. During
2007 mission trip by Mars Hill Church,
they met with him. Many from the
team shed tears when they saw a
young child devastated by jiggers. They
organized a trip to his home washed
his feet with chemical and jigger repel-
lant to keep off more infestation. That
time the boy could not walk straight
with comfort. He looked dirty and
abandoned. Thank God that Kelvin is
now free from jiggers and he is differ-
ent.
I have good news for those who saw
him that time. With the help of the
money sent by his sponsor Chuck King
and family, this young boy’s life has
changed. By the time of writing this note I
had visited that boy’s home. He looked
cheerful and very confident. His feet were
clean with no jiggers. The boy has planted
several banana stems and the plants are
doing great.
We challenged the children
under sponsorship to help us
get them out of poverty by
ceasing any opportunity to im-
prove their lives. Kelvin took
the challenge and planted 7
banana stems. He told me he
is planning to plant some 20
banana stems. Chuck King
and Family of Mars Hill Church
will be happy about their son
the next time they visit. Thank
you so much for coming to the
aid of this boy. Your gifts, fi-
nances and resources are not
wasted. The boy remembers
very vividly when you visited his
home, washed his feet and
treated him of jigger repellants.
May God richly bless you.
I s s u e 3 K C K n e w s w i n t e r 2 0 1 1
8
Bretta is in grade 4
at Karurini primary
school. She is cur-
rently raised by a
single mother. The
mother is very hard-
working but the daily
wage is not able to
provide for her 4
children. It is a real
challenge for the
mother to raise the
family alone after the
death of the father to the children. The
late Mr. Saba was a very hardworking
man. He died on bicycle road accident
near Chuka as he was going for work.
The father used to be security man in
one of the churches (full gospel
church) in Chuka town.
Mars Hill Presbyterian Church
Kenya Connection Kids, INC. 3385 Mars Hill Road Acworth, GA 30101
These children are available for sponsorship
Changing the world One Child at a Time
W E ’R E O N T H E W E B A N D F A C E B O OK
WWW .M H C H U RC H .C O M /K E N YA
AN D
M A R S H I L L CH U R C H KE N Y A CO N N E C TI O N
!!
Allan
was born in
2005, he comes
from Egoji area
near Chuka
town, the boy
lives with his sin-
gle mother after
the father de-
serted them and
left them under
their poor
mother’s care. The mother has no
permanent income and depends
on daily labor that she secures,
catering for the needs and keeping
the children in school has been a
great challenge to the mother.
Allan Koome Nkonge Dennis Murimi
Dennis comes
from Kigumo
village in Kyeni
division. He at-
tends Gatituni
Primary School
and in grade 2.
The parents are
separated and
the children are
now under the care of the mother
after the father deserted them, she
has a bigger responsibility since
she has 3 more children from her
daughter that she takes care of.
Bretta
If you are interested in sponsoring one of these children please contact:
Louise Mell- Louise.Mell@Experian.com or call 404-291-7936