Serving the forgotten in Northern Kenya

Thinking about this mission trip (within a mission trip) with doctors, nurses, medications, food and compassion, I once again had my eyes opened.  Leaving the U.S. for Kijabe, with our family, was taking a huge step down in creature comforts, foods, conveniences and other things that we take for granted back home.  But, after listening to the local Kenyans discuss their experience and the need that they saw, and seeing for my own eyes what true desperation is, I have come to know that Northern Kenya is at a whole different level of poverty, and need.  Kinna, Kenya, just outside of Meru national Park, has not seen rain for over 3 years.  The ground is completely absent of moisture such that you take a step and you send up a dust cloud 3 feet in diameter. 

Kinna Kenya Map

Setting up to distribute food and provide medical help in a village outside of Kinna

 It is out here that we have been hearing, now for several months, of the disaster with tribal communities losing entire herds of cows, goats and sheep (all they own) to starvation and lack of water.  While the world has learned of the Somali Refugee Camp known as DaDaab in North East Kenya and has sent hundreds of NGOs (Non Government Organizations) providing food relief for that area, the region of Kinna has gone mostly unnoticed by the rest of the world.  As a result, the families which have lost their sole possession of animals are now surrounded by a vast wasteland of dust and almost dead vegetation with what appears to be no way out.  Women walk for 4Km or more to find what little water they can (which is really thin mud or so it seems).  Food is scarce and the people seek medical help only in extreme circumstances and this is usually too late. 

Assisting several families in a drought stricken area

Typical familial dwelling in this area.  This family still has a few goats.

Goats that were not as fortunate.  With no water and nothing green to eat, life is extreme.

One of our local pastors befriended a chief (new Christian) in the Kinna area and heard of the plight of this man's people as well as other families, outside his tribe, that he was reaching out to.  I am not naming names or tribal affiliations due to security reasons for the chief and the few Christians living there in a predominately (>95%)  Muslim area.  We Assembled a team of about 30 people from Kijabe Hospital and Convoy of Hope to go to this area to provide food relief and medical treatment. http://www.convoyofhope.org/go/headlines/entry/waiting_for_rain_in_africa/

Distributing Food

Drinking water used by the local families.  They typically travel 4km daily to obtain this.

Treating Gordon's (Barana Tribe Local) leg burn.  I was the first American he has ever seen.
In their culture, they learn how Americans are evil and he was afraid of them.
Let's hope this olive branch blooms to something pleasing to GOD.

Our mission was to help those families who have slipped through the cracks of relief support and provide food and medical assistance and to show the love of Christ however we could.  And, above all, we were moved to help the local Chief in his ministry of reaching out in a way that is totally foreign to the people of this region.  Normally, people reach out to their own and within their own tribes but this man has broken from tradition and is doing what he can to help others across tribal lines.

School House where we based our operations in Kinna and also provided food and medical
relief locally for those who could travel to Kinna for help.

Somali family that is trying to find a better place to live.  What you see
is their entire house packed up to move.

We are hoping to continue what we have started in helping this man and are praying that through the seed he planted, and what we watered, that GOD will give the increase  (I Cor 3:5-8) to HIS Glory. Please pray for these people not only for their many physical needs, but also for their spiritual needs.  We came away from this mission trip with complex and contrary emotions.  We were not able to openly teach about the Gospel of Christ since we did not want to tear down the good works that this man had started.  But, we did sense GOD moving among these people.  In fact 3 of us stepped into a run down Africa Inland Church building that had not been in use since 2004 (due to the nature of the community).  We were only in this church for about 5 minutes and in that time we said a short prayer.  But…in that short time, about 20-30 people ran to the church and watched while we prayed.  There did not appear to be animosity among the people (of which we are very thankful) so it certainly had us wondering of how the Holy Spirit is moving in this area.

Africa Inland Church, Kinna

It has been since 2004 that this church has been used.

Our Kijabe Hospital Team.  Over the course of 4 days we treated 800 people medically and 200 people dentally.
I served as a "Pharmacist" working with the official pharmacists.  That goes to show
that GOD can use you in ways you would have never thought of.

This is an area where your prayers are coveted.  These people need rain, food, medication, and above all, Jesus Christ.
In HIS Hands
Jim