PRAY

The Meadows-Kenya Partnership. In 2007, Meadows Presbyterian Church began a ministry partnership with the Riamukurwe Parish, a group of eight churches in the Nyeri Presbytery of Central Kenya.   The purpose of the Partnership is to glorify God by joining together our two church bodies, which span a vast cultural divide but are bound by our shared belief in Jesus Christ.

The Tumaini Children’s Center and Huruma Children’s Home provide housing, food, school uniforms and fees, medical care, adult supervision and spiritual nurture for about 250 destitute and orphaned children ages 4 through 19.  In addition to the 250 residents of these homes, another 50-70 children and needy families in the area receive regular assistance with food, school fees and medical care. 

The story of Tumaini Children’s Center.
In the late 1990s, the Riamukurwe Parish began caring for a growing number of destitute children in its community.  Many were orphans, left behind by parents who died of AIDS, who had to beg for food from neighbors or in the streets.  Some were in nearby schools, but were so critically poor that the only meal they ate was the lunch the church provided.  Feeling called to fully care for these vulnerable kids, the Parish leaders took a step of faith:  They began the Tumaini Children’s Center, knowing they didn’t have the funds to finish it.  With the equivalent of just $1500, they started construction on the dormitory.  Soon, through prayer, “harambee” (self-help fundraising), and donors overseas, the dormitory project was completed.  The first children moved in just six years ago.   It now houses about 200 children, where they are cared for, supported in their education, and loved in Christ’s name.  Since then, a dining hall, health clinic, a sister orphanage (called Huruma), computer classes and sewing skills programs have been added.   But there is much work left to be done. 

About Kenya.  Despite being one of the most developed countries in Africa, Kenya still has staggering problems.  It’s among the 30 most food insecure countries in the world because of drought and political unrest.  An estimated 650,000 children are orphaned due to AIDS deaths, with more than half the population under age 15.  Most Kenyans live below the poverty level of $1 a day. 

   The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) is one of the largest and most important institutions in the country.   Some of the best health facilities and educational institutions were founded and are run by the PCEA.  The denomination is experiencing phenomenal growth, with roughly 500 clergy for 4 million church members.  The PCEA offers Christ’s help and hope in a country with staggering challenges.