16Jan 2012 by Nigel Ring

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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04Dec 2011 by Nigel Ring

Kenya Crisis Update and Appeal

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
The most severe crisis of drought and famine that has been faced by the Horn of Africa for over half a century has now been impacting several nations for over one year. Our involvement with churches in Kenya has enabled a crisis fund, currently standing at £230,000, to be channelled direct to places of the most severe need through this network of churches in the tribal semi-arid desert regions of Samburu and Turkana.  Particularly it has been possible to meet people's needs in their communities thus removing the added trauma of having to relocate to Relief Camps with all the attendant challenges and risks. Recently Edward Buria, who brings oversight to the Newfrontiers churches in Kenya, spoke to us on video. Through this you will see that rain has now…
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05Oct 2011 by Nigel Ring

Kenyan drought/famine – update

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
Help still urgently needed In the last 9 months Newfrontiers churches have been able to contribute nearly £200,000 to help Edward Buria and his team, who are based in Meru, in their endeavours to provide relief through his churches into the communities in Kenya during this time of severe famine. I am breaking into my series on Building Effective Teams as Edward has recently sent me this update. There is still a tremendous need for funds as the earliest that there will be food harvested locally will be March 2012. Until then the population will rely on outside help. Is your church able to help with a special offering? First, have a look at the average rainfall in the affected areas and picture how 'on the edge' these people are…
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05Oct 2011 by Nigel Ring

Kenyan drought/famine – update

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
Help still urgently needed In the last 9 months Newfrontiers churches have been able to contribute nearly £200,000 to help Edward Buria and his team, who are based in Meru, in their endeavours to provide relief through his churches into the communities in Kenya during this time of severe famine. I am breaking into my series on Building Effective Teams as Edward has recently sent me this update. There is still a tremendous need for funds as the earliest that there will be food harvested locally will be March 2012. Until then the population will rely on outside help. Is your church able to help with a special offering? First, have a look at the average rainfall in the affected areas and picture how 'on the edge' these people are…
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17Aug 2011 by Nigel Ring

Starving baby – a letter from Edward Buria

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
The famine situation in Kenya worsens daily. There is no likelihood of rain before October/November. Assuming there is then sufficient rain for planting seed food will not be available before March. This heartfelt cry comes from Edward. My Dear Friends, I am sure you are receipt of my latest report on the ongoing Drought/Famine Crisis being experienced in Kenya and number of Countries in Horn of Africa (see Newfrontiers website). Further to that report, I have had more serious encounters with so many people who are battling the effects of the drought/famine. This is why I have decided to share with you the very latest reports on the same. When I saw this child I concluded that the situation can not get any worse! A child like this represents millions of the…
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20Jun 2011 by Nigel Ring

Development from a Christian perspective – Pt 5 Church characteristics pt 1

Development, Equipping, Good Practice, Poor, Relief and Development
Having looked at some of the characteristics that relate to the secular agencies we will now look at some of the distinctives of the church in its development work. However, I must stress that this is inevitably a somewhat simplistic overview and there is often significant overlap between the practice of the church and the world. Gospel impact In the recently published book ‘In His image’ p137 (2010 Authentic Media) Andy Matheson says ‘Because all people are made in the image of God, all people need to be reconnected with Him if they are truly going to experience transformation in their lives. Transformation cannot come simply through helping people with employment, health, or any other area of physical or emotional wellbeing’. The most significant difference between the secular agency and…
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