Guardians of Hope - Kigumu Upper

The members of the New Minas Baptist STM presenting gifts

to Henry, Patrick and representatives of the

African Christian Church & Schools (ACC&S)

Today we had the joy of travelling with our friends from New Minas Baptist Church into the dramatic highlands of Kenya's Central Province to visit with beneficiaries of the Guardians of Hope HIV and AIDS ministry. We climbed some steep and dusty trails on our journey to the homes and businesses of members of the Guardians of Hope project in Kigumu Upper. This is a peaceful rural region bordering the jagged Aberdare Mountains. Each family lives on small land holding rich in lush tea bush and kitchen gardens.

Joann visiting with a committee member

from the Kigumu Upper GOH

Please continue to pray for Henry and Patrick as they give leadership to the ACC&S GOH. Under their direction, the GOH is making a deep impact upon their community.

We were very encouraged to meet GOH members today who have benefitted from the project and are now "paying forward" the help they were once given to assist other families affected by HIV and AIDS. Paul and Jane are two Guardians living positively with HIV with their three children. Through ongoing ARV treatment, they are both strong and building a good life for their family. They recently shared their first calf from the heifer they had received from the GOH project several years prior. The calf was given to a neighbour, Charity, who is also HIV positive.

Aaron, Erica and Yattani

at the ACC&S Headquarters in Thika

We also had a chance today to visit with our colleague Yattani, who is living in the beautiful town of Thika with his family. While Yattani works on his Masters degree, he is also dedicating a week each month to connect with our CBM NEP program in Garissa supporting CBM's efforts in building cooperation with local pastors in Garissa. In Thika, Yattani will be serving under Henry Mwangi as part of the ACC&S Development team and lecturing in their Bible school.