Hunger in Kenya…this is a real problem

Matthew 6:31-32
Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

The hunger situation in Kenya has been seriously exacerbated during the past years. The persistent lack of rain has led to increasingly severe drought around the country. Reasons for the lack of rainfall are commonly associated with global climate change caused by emissions of greenhouse gases – a process within which Kenya bears little culpability yet is feeling the most severe effects.

Prices of food items especially Unga(Maize Flour) has also hiked so much that the majority of people cannot afford this.

5 Weeks ago, the Coptic Orthodox Medical mission took a Free Medical Campaign to  Eastern Province of Kenya to our members and community  in  Tala.  The turn out was very poor compared to other times in the past  where we have  had to  say No to many  patients because of time and Resources! This time we finished very early.  When we enquired from Father Joseph (Presiding Priest) what had happened he said “.. People wake up early in the morning to look for   Weddings and Village parties where food is assured..” since the draught had really affected the area.

As a result, Father Mena called upon our Nairobi Church members (Missionaries Included) reminding them Of  1 Corintianus 12:26 which says

”And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it."

and indeed the response was humbling. Lots of food stuff (Maize Flour, Cooking oil, Maize, Beans e.tc) worth USD 2,000 were collected within a matter of weeks.

On the 23rd of July Fr . Joseph Ngumbi  began the day with the Holy  Liturgy to remind us to have true life we must partake of His Body and Blood,  there after  we distributed  the foodstuff  shortly after we were fed once again  with the Holy Word of God and reminded with Matthew 4:4   Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. 

There were  over 300 families in Tala and a lot of hungry passersby  who could  afford the transport to pass by and pick up the food themselves.

The smiles on the faces of the mamas from Nairobi who were distributing the food were a clear sign that Christ had really filled them.  Most of them had no idea what they themselves were going to cook for their children that  very evening yet they were still  happy to give to their brothers and sisters in Christ!

The church will be going to Tala again End of August and we need your prayers and support.