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.

ACC&S Guardians of Hope Leadership

ACC&S Guardians of Hope Leadership Conference

Kanamai -- Jumuia Conference Centre, Kenya

For the past three days, we have been facilitating a series of meetings with the African Christian Church & Schools (ACC&S) Guardians of Hope (GOH) leadership in the beautiful Kanamai Conference Centre, north of Mombasa.

We had some fierce storms blow through the coastal retreat (I think it poured rain on each of our three nights there), but the sun did peak out from time to time. We held the gathering on the coast as a way to honour and appreciate this team of dedicated volunteers who have served the GOH groups within the ACC&S for nearly six years. It was such a joy to see our friends from the mountainous highlands of Kenya's Central Province, walk in the sand and test the ocean waters. Most had never seen the changing of the tides before. "This is a wonder!" gasped a fellow pastor, "A wonder of God's creation!"

GOH leader Mary in front of the

Uhuru Kamili Conference Hall

Among the participants were Mary and Eunice, two women who have been dedicated leaders within the GOH since its beginnings. Throughout the conference, we met together in a thatched mukuti roofed hall (made from banana leaf). The purpose of our gather was to create a policy manual to articulate the agreed standards, models and best practices of the Guardians of Hope projects within the ACC&S. Our goal was to create the manual together by gathering the input and perspectives of the denominational, regional and local leadership who have guided the projects over the past six years.

The results far surpassed our expectations as the leadership participated enthusiastically in analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of overall program as well as each of the main components of the projects. By reflecting on their years of experience, the leaders had many important lessons to teach and wisdom to impart to future GOH leaders and to each other. Although Erica and I facilitated the conference, we benefited as learners ourselves.

We are deeply thankful for the support of Canadian Baptist Ministries for sponsoring this conference and for the ACC&S moderator, general secretary, development team, pastors and leaders who participated so generously in the conference.

Rev. Mbau, regional minister from ACC&S Embu,

excited to be on the coast of the Indian Ocean

"On behalf of the ACC&S Guardians of Hope, we thank you for the gift of this conference and the support of these ministries to people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS"

Erica with the ACC&S GOH Leadership Representatives

Aaron with ACC&S moderator, Dr. Julius Karanja,

and general secretary, Rev. Joseph Miana

This was the first time that the Guardians of Hope leaders from all ten regions of the ACC&S have met with both their moderator and general secretary. Both Karanja and Miana actively participated in the conference leading worship each morning and encouraging the GOH in its important ministry among their churches and communities.

Local beach boys selling their ocean treasurers

to the Guardians of Hope leaders.

Thank you all so much for keeping the Guardians of Hope in your prayers!

April Podcast

April 2011 Podcast

This past week was busy, with Erica working in the city and Aaron attending a course in Mitaboni with Carey Theological College. We are back to our regular routines this week and, as promised, we have a new podcast this month taken from some of the audio content we recorded earlier in the year.

Conversation at Safari Park Hotel

This month's podcast takes us back to January during our time with Patricia Card, Henry Mwangi and Patrick Miana. Early one Tuesday morning, we met together to visit Guardians of Hope beneficiaries living in slums and informal settlements around Nairobi. Before we set out, we stopped for coffee and shared a brief conversation about how the Guardians of Hope started in Kenya and the impact it has had upon the African Christian Church and Schools.

In Prayer

It was very interesting to hear their perspective on what led to the formation of the Guardians and of the successes and ongoing challenges that the ministry encounters. Please be keeping the ACC&S in your prayers as it works to proclaim and embody the good news of faith in Christ throughout Kenya. We will be meeting with the ACC&S Guardians of Hope leadership early next month as we work through forming a strategic plan for the next chapter of the GOH program. Please remember us during this time of assessment and planning.

Erica and Patty this past January in Nairobi

To listen to this or any of our podcasts, please visit our audio site at www.fivekennys.podbean.com or subscribe for free and automatic audio downloads at iTunes, just search for "fivekennys"

Urban Guardians

The Urban Side of the Guardians of Hope

Walking the labyrinth of narrow streets that make up the sprawling Zimmerman Estate in Northeastern Nairobi, we are on our way to visit three groups of women who are accessing micro credit through their Guardians of Hope groups. These loans make it possible for them to support their families through small business.

While we often think of the Guardians of Hope as a rural program, that helps groups caring for AIDS orphans and supporting people living positively with HIV and AIDS, urban ministry is an extremely important side of the GOH.

AIDS is a dire issue in urban centres throughout Africa, where millions of people come to find work and a better future for their families. But in reality, unemployment and poverty lead to high rates of prostitution, addiction, and violence. Without a little land to grow a basic kitchen garden, families desperately need cash to feed themselves. The steadily rising food prices in cities like Nairobi make this even more difficult.

Earlier this week, it was encouraging to meet with Guardians in places like Eastleigh, Haruma, and Zimmerman. Impoverished corners of Nairobi, where Guardians of Hope are determined to make a better life for themselves and their community. From a couple of women selling beans and maize on the street to day labours, to a patient mother knitting school uniform sweaters and hats to sell to her neighbours, Guardians are accessing small low interest loans to build sustainable incomes that provide for their families.

Beautiful Creations

Patty and Erica meeting with Joyce & Agnus in their two room apartment that they share together with another woman and eight children. Together they have taken loans to build a stock of socks and underwear that they buy at wholesale and sell throughout Zimmerman walking along the streets. Over the past few years, they have expanded their business to also sell sandals and homemade necklaces that they make together in their home.

Patrick Miana (ACC&S Guardians of Hope project officer) and Henry Mwangi (ACC&S director of developement), with Erica, Patty and Guardians of Hope beneficiaries in Zimmerman, Nairobi.

Rites of Passage

Rite of Passage -- Irua

Every year at the beginning of December, at the end of the Kenyan School year, Kikuyu boys "enter manhood" through "Irua" -- a traditional rite of passage through male circumcision.

Just over a generation ago, both adolescent boys and girls within the Kikuyu tribe underwent circumcision (genital cutting) as a transition from childhood to adulthood. Our friend Henry shared how boys at 13 to 15 years of age would be taken in the middle of the night to the icy rivers of Kenya's central highlands to numb their bodies for the ritual, by submerging themselves in the cold waters. At sunrise, the village would gather as the boys entered manhood under the sharp knife of an elder.

"You showed your neighbours that you were ready to become a man by not screaming," laughs Henry, "that is how it use to be done. No injection or drugs to help with the pain, only the numbing water and courage." Then he gripped Aaron tightly by the shoulder, "...but usually others would need to hold you down like this."

After the cuttings were over, the entire community would dance and sing by the river. Sadly, over time these customs began to include weeks of drug and alcohol abuse. The Kikuyu community became quite concerned over the reckless and rowdy behaviour of youth during the time of Irua.

Today Irua is still practiced by the Kikuyu people, but it looks a lot different from the days of dipping boys into the river at puberty: This very evening hundreds of Kikuyu boys are entering into Rite of Passage Camps within the African Christian Church & Schools. After dark, a medical doctor will come and with pastors, counsellors and other respected men present, the boys will be circumcised in a clean and safe environment with local anaesthesia.

As the wound heals, the young men will remain in the church for ten days where they will receive counselling and training on subjects important for becoming a man, such as: Sexuality, abstinence, HIV and AIDS, marriage, education, finances, choosing a career... etc.

Although the Kikuyu people no longer circumcise women, adolescent girls do join in the last four days of Irua. The girls also receive special counselling and training from pastors and respected women from the community. At the end of the ten days, the young men and women are presented to their community in a special ceremony, much like a graduation. Typically, these are students who have completed standard 8 (eighth grade) and will be entering form 4 (the beginning of high school) in January.

Guardians of Hope, Nairobi

We have a new podcast available as we share a brief conversation between Patrick Maina and Aaron about the role of hope and spiritual transformation within the GOH.

To listen or download this or any of our podcasts please visit

www.fivekennys.podbean.com

Kigumo Upper

Guardians of Hope Kigumo Upper chairman,

Joseph Mwangi Njagu,

addressing today's meeting in Kangari

Today Aaron and our friend Sammy Miana travelled into Kenya's Central Province to encourage and evaluate the work of the Africa Christian Church & Schools Guardians of Hope program in the Kigumo Upper Region.

Aaron interviewing Ruth and Lucia Wanjiku

for an upcoming fivekennys podcast

Guardians of Hope

Our friend Sammy interviewing

Guardian of Hope Grace Njeri in Kikuyu

Grace Njeri is a Guardian of Hope caring for five children

She was diagnosed with HIV

and has been on ARV treatment since 2003

Cows grazing in Kigumo Upper

It was very encouraging to hear how the 37 dairy cows distributed within the Guardians of Hope in Kigumo Upper have impacted lives of Guardians and orphans. Already, ten of these recipients have given back the first born calf to become a gift to another family affected by HIV and AIDS within their community.

Richard Kiharg a beneficary of the Guardians of Hope

AIDS orphans, like Richard, who have lost both parents from HIV and AIDS, are being cared for by grandmothers and widows within communities like Kangari. Richard was born HIV positive and by age six had lost both his mother and father from AIDS. At nine years of age, he takes antiretroviral medications each day. With the help of the GOH, Richard travels to the district hospital to receive his free medications and regular check ups from his doctor. The local guardians help his family with food stuffs that ensure he receives three meals a day to accompany his medications.

Richard has completed the third grade and as he works hard in school, he dreams of one day becoming a pilot. "I want to move through the clouds!" he shared with us in Kikuyu. Richard struggles with his health, but with the aid of a good diet and medication he can live a full and long life. He asked us to pray for him, his grandmother and his older brother. Perhaps one day, by God's grace, Richard will live out his dream.

The majority of the ACC&S churches also support primary and secondary schools attached to their churches. The church has an education board that works hand in hand with the Kenyan government to provide Christian education to thousands of children throughout Kenya.

Aaron with Reverend James Karanu,

Regional Minister of Kigumo Upper Region

Rev. James oversees twelve pastors who minister within the 24 churches that form the four parishes of the Kigumo Upper Region. Within this region, the Guardians of Hope are serving over a hundred beneficaries.

Patrick, Henry and Aaron

Henry and Aaron taking a look around

the new ACC&S Kangari sanctuary

The new ACC&S church in Kangari will seat 400 parishioners. The present structure will be used for a community hall to serve the youth and various children's programs in the community. Kangari is the largest congregation within the Mwarano parish, one of four parishes in the Kigumo Upper Region.

Please pray for the ministry of the ACC&S as they care for the most vulnerable families within their church and community.

Week's End

Patrick, Pauline and Erica walking on the grounds of the African Christian Church & School headquarters this past Friday.

As this past week drew to an end, we had the great pleasure of travelling back to Thika with our CBM Africa team leader, Colin Godwin, and our development colleague, Pauline, for Guardians of Hope management meetings with the ACC&S.

Colin, Pauline, Joseph Kariuki, Pastor John Mbau Mburu

and Mary Njihia of the Embu GOH with Erica

As part of the management meetings, we are benefiting from time with the mangers from each of the nine ACC&S regions, who are overseeing the ministry of the Guardians of Hope in their communities. They are helping us gain a much fuller picture of GOH as we walk together in planning the direction for this coming year.

We have been so impressed with how the ACC&S churches are doing so much with the minimal resources available to them and for the great impact they are having for the Kingdom of God among the sick and orphaned within their communities.

Please continue to pray for groups like the Embu Guardians of Hope as they seek to empower people living with HIV and AIDS within their community.

Discussing the ministry of Guardians of Hope over beans and rice at the African Christian Church & Schools' headquarters in Thika, Kenya

Amy, Ava and Sammy

After a busy week, it was great to enjoy a leisurely Saturday with friends.

Ava was ready for a swim!

Madeline and Emma enjoying the local swimming pool

on a hot Saturday afternoon

GOH Kangema

Kangema, Kenya

Earlier this week, we travelled into the Aberdare Mountains to visit one of the more remote Guardians of Hope projects with the Africa Christian Church & Schools. It was a beautiful drive up the steep tea hills and through dramatic valleys.

Small hold tea farms are the main source of income in this region of Kenya. Most farms have one or two acres of tea bush that the family will pick and maintain. Tea cooperatives purchase the tea directly from the growers and will prepare it for auction where major tea buyers will purchase Kenyan black tea for some of the world's most popular blends.

Our colleague Henry Mwangi told us that as a child his mother would take him tea picking, but as the slopes were steep it was too dangerous to let a small child wander. So, Henry's mom would simply dig a hole and leave the baby and toddlers in it while she picked. According to Henry, it was the best way she had to keep him safe.

Jacinta Kuria

The purpose of our trip was to visit with the committee members of the ACC&S Guardians of Hope in Ichichi and to interview Jacinta Kuria, a Guardians beneficiary. After sharing part of Jacinta's story, in our September update letter, Canadian Baptist Ministries asked us if we would return to Kangema to film a video interview with Jacinta for World AIDS Day. Jacinta was very gracious with hosting us at her home and sharing how God has used the Guardians of Hope to help her and her children after the death of her husband from an AIDS related illness and the her subsequent diagnosis. Jacinta is now living positively and with the help of the GOH, she is staying faithful to her medications and providing for her family. Jacinta has also become a spokesperson for other people within her community and church. She believes that God has blessed her so that she can help others affected by this disease.

Erica interviewing Jacinta with Patrick Miana,

our GOH colleague working with ACC&S

Jacinta showing us her two acres of tea bush

Aaron with our ACC&S colleagues, Patrick and Henry, and members of the ACC&S Guardians of Hope committee in Kangema at Jacinta's home.

Looking across the neighbouring tea field with Jacinta's tea picking basket on the ground

Beth, Erica, D and Jacinta in her kitchen garden

Our friends daughter, D, joined us on this trip as she was interested in learning more about the Guardians of Hope for an HIV and AIDS project that she is doing for her eleventh grade English class. It was a pleasure to have D with us and for her to have a chance to interview other GOH participants.

While we are sending the footage from our video interview to CBM, we will be posting an audio podcast of Erica's interview with Jacinta next week. It will be available on our podcast website and on iTunes.

African Christian Church and Schools

Erica with Patrick Miana and Henry Mwangi

of the African Christian Church & Schools' development department

African Christian Church & Schools' headquarters, Thika, Kenya

On Monday, we travelled along beautifully green coffee fields and pineapple plantations on our way to Thika to visit with our colleagues serving with the African Christian Church & Schools. Since 2004, the ACC&S has founded nine Guardians of Hope projects throughout Kenya. Please pray for the leadership in each of these projects as they meet this week in Thika to help one another in planning for next year's ministry.

Aaron in conversation with Henry and Patrick during the recording for our latest podcast. Together we discussed the impact of the Guardians of Hope within the ACC&S. We hope to have this audio interview posted by the end of the week.

The Thika Community Library

We were also delighted to visit the newly opened Thika Community Library that has been built by the ACC&S in partnership with Canadian Baptist Ministries and American Friends of Kenya. The library will provide access to a growing collection of fiction and nonfiction for the community, as well as students studying within the Bible classes at ACC&S headquarters.

Erica speaking with Eunice Muthoni,

librarian of the Thika Community Library

Eunice is very busy as she sorts through thousands of volumes that have been donated to the library. "It will take us another six months to catalogue everything," shared Eunice. "I am so happy to have so many books for people to read!"

Patrick looking through the wonderful

Children's Reading Section of the library