Kenya Update

We thank our faithful and gracious God that our work in Kenya has continued to go on even in these tough times. St. John’s church has continued to be one of the primary supporters of the Graceworks Kenya orphan program which currently helps 88 children with food, school fees and supplies, medical care and counseling. In August 2008, a team of 16 people from the USA (some from St. John’s) visited Kenya to volunteer at a week long Vacation Bible School Camp at the Graceworks Kenya program which is located at Rwika Village near Embu town in the eastern Province of Kenya. St. John’s Children’s Ministry donated many of the craft materials and supplies that were taken and used by these volunteers for the camp. Over 150 children attended the camp. On a sad note, Grace Amasa, the mother of Susan Njemanze (St. John’s member and founder of the Graceworks Kenya program) passed away suddenly in November 2008 in Kenya. Cucu (grandma) Grace was a devout Christian woman whose care and concern for the poor, especially the widows and orphans in her community, was the inspiration behind the founding of the Graceworks project. May her legacy continue to bring hope through the Graceworks project.

This year, Graceworks hopes to launch its Child Sponsorship Program. Through this program, individuals or families will be able to sponsor a child (children) in Kenya, thereby building more personal relationships with the children and with the community served by Graceworks Kenya. To learn more about Graceworks, please contact Shannon Beshara at the church office.