Drought in Kenya – Appeal

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
While we, in the UK, are battling widespread flooding our brothers and sisters in northern Kenya are being impacted by the worst drought for many years. Edward Buria, who oversees the Newfrontiers churches in Kenya and has an amazing track record of bringing much needed help to the tribal groups over recent years as they have battled against changes in the weather patterns, has recently sent the following request: I have just returned back from visiting our churches in Turkana and managed to visit especially our two churches in Kakuma where 1000s of refugees are housed. The current famine has claimed a number of lives in one of our churches. Never witnessed such hopelessness in my life. Even the 2005/6 drought wasn't as severe as the current one. Met people…
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Kenya and Burundi – Part 1

Burundi, Kenya, News, Poor
I have recently returned from a visit to Kenya (3 days) and Burundi (7 days). Kenya The Kenya visit was a ‘stop over' to visit the Newfrontiers church in the Gachie slum on the edge of Nairobi. Arriving in time for their Sunday service I was quickly caught up in the energetic worship of their second morning service. On previous visits I was able to be there only mid-week when I came to know the anointed leader and his wife, Amos and Faith, so it was good to see the church ‘in action' and to meet the people. What a privilege to be able to preach in such a setting. Just over one year ago the church started a school for 4-6 year olds from the community. Now with over…
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Pray for Kenya

Kenya, News, Poor
Elections I have never before used my blog as a vehicle to urge prayer but as I write this I am in Nairobi and am aware of tension in the air. It is in the run up to the Presidential Election and there is a growing sense of apprehension as Election Day approaches on March 3rd (followed by a second day on 17th if there is no majority winner on 3rd). Prayer is urgently needed. Looking back The last election was just after Christmas in 2007. Before results were even declared major conflict arose between the various tribal groups as accusations of rigging were widespread. Thousands of people were killed as neighbour turned on neighbour, and tens of thousands were displaced as they fled from their homes; some have still…
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Urgent: Kenya – the crisis continues

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
I am taking the liberty of passing on the details of an email I have received from Rob Williams who leads the Finance Team in the Fulham Office. He and I travelled to Kenya in January. It seems the crisis brought on by drought continues. The following text messages have been sent by Edward Buria to Rob. 13/08 "Checking with you if there could be some funds in the crisis funds, we still remain in great need of assisting our brothers and sisters in the affected places. Thanks Edward" 18/08 "We have large large payments to make as several dams are completed and rendered for. God bless. Edward" 21/08 "Am deep deep in Samburu leading out team in relief supplies as the situation has become so bad... God is with…
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Kenya drought – January update

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
When did it start? In November 2010 I was contacted by Edward Buria with a plea for help. Drought had once again hit Kenya and the Horn of Africa. In Kenya alone 5 million people were threatened with starvation. Could Newfrontiers churches raise some funds for food and water? Following an appeal, £260,000 has so far been raised to help alleviate the problem. Recent visit Recently I travelled with John Buria, Edward's brother, and his relief team into Turkana and Samburu to see what the situation is currently like and to learn about the intervention the Newfrontiers churches have brought over the last 15 months. After a long hot journey (temperatures around 40 degrees) we reached a remote location west of Lake Turkana, 17 hours by road from the Newfrontiers…
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New Year, New Season, New Opportunity

Books, Good Practice, Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
This is my first posting since before Christmas. I hope you had a good break and were able to celebrate the coming of Jesus to Earth for our sakes. Also, that you have entered the New Year full of hope and expectation! The past month There have been two significant events in my life in the last month. First, the Newfrontiers office in Hove closed just before Christmas. All enquiries should now be referred to David Devenish's office in Bedford (ddoffice@swissmail.org). Second, I have just returned from Kenya. I was there to monitor what is happening through Newfrontiers churches to assist with alleviation of shortages of food and water caused by the long drought they have been experiencing over the last 12 months. They are doing well but I heard…
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