David and Betty Payne - UK |
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Prayer Letter June 2008
GODLY LEADERS
Nine years ago Colin Jackson brought together a small group of Kenyan Christians to start A Rocha Kenya (ARK). Their aim was to show God’s love for all creation by setting up an environmental education and research centre at the Kenya coast, adjacent to five internationally important sites for biodiversity conservation. As they prayed and planned, they had no idea where it would be based or what it would look like. In April this year David visited the ARK team together with David McKay, A Rocha International’s new finance director, to introduce him to the people involved and to resolve several outstanding financial issues. We stayed for a week at Mwamba, the ARK field study centre at Watamu. Mwamba is Swahili for the Rock – equivalent to the Portuguese ‘A Rocha’.
Stanley Baya, ASSETS’ Coordinator, told us about the progress with the Arabuko-Sokoke Schools and Eco-Tourism Scheme, which now enables more than 200 young people to benefit from bursaries for secondary education. One ASSETS graduate wrote, “When I took my Primary leaving exam I never thought I would go to secondary school because of my jobless parents’ financial situation. However, my hopes were raised when I heard about ASSETS. Luckily enough, I was among the 2003 year group of students to be sponsored with school fees. After completing secondary school, the ASSETS coordinator recommended me for training at Turtle Bay Hotel front office department, and now I’m looking forward to joining college. From the rising of the sun to its setting, I shall not stop thanking ASSETS because all I have achieved is due to this programme.” (For more details, see ASSETS blog at http://assets.wildlifedirect.org/ )
A truck full of ASSETS beneficiaries
The ASSETS bursary fund receives grants and donations from local tourists and businesses. As well as managing the fund, the A Rocha team visits every home and school represented and keeps a check on the students’ progress. They involve the students and their parents in activities such as establishing tree-nurseries, planting local tree species and conservation agriculture. In these and other ways, the local community contributes to the protection and restoration of the important sites for biodiversity, which in turn improves people’s environment, living conditions and health. The team witnesses to God as creator, who continually renews his creation through Christ. (cf Colossians 1:20; 3:10)
Carol Muthoni was a young graduate volunteer from Nairobi when I first met her at Mwamba two years ago. The team has benefited greatly from her bright Christian witness and hard work. Carol has a natural understanding of figures, and ARK recently appointed her as their Administrator and Bookkeeper. She told us that her mother was an accountant, but until now she had resisted following in her footsteps! We could see that Carol has transformed the administration of the centre and the morale of the team has improved greatly as a result.
It was a great joy to learn that Stanley and Carol have recently announced their engagement. This was especially significant in view of the recent troubles because they are from different tribes. There are many practical things to be done, including visiting relatives of both families and agreeing details of the dowry. Assuming that these arrangements all go satisfactorily, they expect, God willing, to be married on 11th October.
Carol & Stanley
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Henry & Belinda Kigen
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We were also pleased to meet Henry & Belinda Kigen, who were appointed Centre Managers at the end of last year. Their daughter Ivy Cherop was born since their arrival. They oversee all the arrangements for hospitality at the 17 bed centre, which accommodates researchers, volunteers from many countries including college students who want to gain experience of field work, and holiday visitors. Living in this community may be the first opportunity for many to experience Christ’s love and forgiveness. The troubles after the elections seriously affected visitor numbers and income dropped significantly, but now that things are getting back to normal they are eagerly expecting an increase in bookings.
Kenya’s ecosystems – rivers, lakes, forests and soils - are rapidly degrading due to the pressures of expanding population and industrial development. A Rocha Kenya’s experience and knowledge gained from working with local communities is relevant to other places too. The national committee is keen to share this experience with other communities who long to see their land restored. To achieve this they need to establish ARK as a truly national conservation organisation with professional leadership. The committee has asked David to guide them in this, and – after our retirement from Crosslinks in October – we expect to assist on a consultancy basis. The first step will be to recruit a CEO whose job will be to build the capacity of the organisation for this national task. To mark A Rocha’s 25th year, a Leadership Development Fund has been set up to support this and similar initiatives in other countries.
Thank you for your continuing support and encouragement in prayer
David and Betty Payne
PRAISE & PRAYER
- Thank God for the loyal and experienced staff running Mwamba’s conservation programmes and the many opportunities they have for Christian witness
- Pray for Colin & Roni Jackson on sabbatical in Cape Town, and for Roni’s health as she receives medical treatment for a rare blood condition
- Pray for the financial support needed for A Rocha’s 25th Anniversary Leadership Development Fund, to be able to appoint nationals with management experience to lead A Rocha in Kenya, Ghana and South Africa in their next stage of development