Saturday April 14, 2007 began as an overcast morning, but by the time the group of 12 from St. John's arrived at the village of Rwika in Eastern Kenya, Africa, the sun had peeked through the clouds. The group, led by Susan Njemanze, a social worker from Anaheim, California, who founded the Graceworks Kenya program to help support HIV/AIDS orphans in this impoverished rural community, was there to attend the Third Anniversary Celebration Party and to meet the children. A group of colorfully dressed women, the caregivers for the orphans, broke into a joyful dance welcoming the visitors. The group members, led by Reverend Chris Singer, also included Ryan Hall, Ken and Mary K Schlueter, Dr. Darrell Dudley, Dr. Jay Bauman, Robin Lyall, Jacqueline Orozco, Richard Njemanze, Susan’s adult daughter, Wawi, and her friend, Lane Sandness. The congregation of St. John’s was instrumental in supporting the work of Graceworks Kenya which currently aids over 100 orphans.
The anniversary celebration was an all day affair, consisting of speeches from local government dignitaries, church officials and other community leaders. It also included dances, songs, poems, acobats, the famous Embu Drummers, and a feast.
The visitors from Orange County addressed the crowd. Pastor Chris Singer told the gathering that the people of the United States joined with them in their grief over the many lost lives to HIV/AIDS.
The Mission Team from St. John’s spent 4 days in the village of Rwika, building relationships with the people in that community. They played with the children, taught crafts and Bible stories, helped with an ongoing building project for Graceworks, and learned about medical needs. The team also discussed future missions projects.
For Susan, the trip had a huge impact, as she had just lost her home of 20 years in Anaheim to a fire. “I am glad that I went. My faith was greatly renewed by the joy I saw in the faces of those children who still had hope for the future despite their dire circumstances. Their courage reminded me just how precious life is and that in all things, we must remember to give thanks to God and to rejoice always.”
As for the visitors from California, many of them said that this was an eventful and life-changing experience. “She came back a changed woman”, said the husband of one of the women that went on the trip.
To read Pastor Singer's journal from the trip click here. To find out how you can become involved the Graceworks Kenya program. Contact Shannon Beshara at 714-288-4477 or Susan Njemanze at 714-932-5425.
