Mission Outreaches

Kenya

Overview:  Catskill Mountain Christian Center has been operating in Kenya for over 16 years, spiritually and physically supporting Bishop Julius Macheusi Wafula and our brothers and sisters at Bethesda Ministries International. CMCC has hosted Bishop Wafula and his wife Christine numerous times over the years, and is firmly committed to seeing the power of God change lives in Kenya, through Kenyans, with support from their friends in America.

Bethesda Ministries International began in 1982 under the leadership of Bishop Julius Wafula Macheusi. Today BMI has over 100 churches in its network throughout Kenya and eastern Uganda, and is a well-respected and reputable agency in both countries. BMI is dedicated to supporting their churches and equipping communities with economic empowerment, education and practical life skills. In 1995 BMI dug its first well at its main facility in Bungoma. The Rehoboth Water Projects now number 3 wells in western Kenya and 2 in eastern Uganda, and have been enormously beneficial to the communities. Each well pumps at least 600,000 liters of water monthly and employs local workers.

BMI provides ongoing education in nutrition, HIV/AIDS de-stigmatization and women’s issues. Their vocational training school educates 80-120 full time students in a 12-18 month program providing tailoring, dressmaking, secretarial, accounting and computer skills.

In early 2007 Pastor Bob Engelhardt returned to Bungoma, spending a month serving the church network - training pastors, preaching and teaching - in Kenya and Uganda. CMCC has a proposal pending with USAID to bring in enough food to feed 25,000 people a nutritious lunch for five months if awarded.

Current Status:  In early January 2008 the democratic nation of Kenya erupted in violence after accusations of rigged polling during their Presidential elections. Protests and rallies turned bloody; rioting, looting and mayhem has killed over 500 people and displaced over 500,000.

By the end of February, the violence ended with a peace pact between disputing parties. Bishop Wafula reported that church leaders in Kenya gathered their congregations and repented openly for taking sides, promoting hate and leading the country into the fire. They give all glory to God for changing the hearts of leaders and kings, and allowing the church to bring peace to the nation.

How to Help:  If you would like to assist the saints in Kenya, donations can be made directly to CMCC, earmarked for Kenya and mailed to PO Box 26, Margaretville NY 12455. Please also feel free to drop your check by the church office or hand to an usher during Sunday Services. Please keep Bishop Wafula and our brothers & sisters in Kenya in your prayers. Continue to pray for peace in the nation of Kenya, and that God's will would be accomplished for His glory.

 

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Dominican Republic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMAGES FROM KENYA

 

 

 

RELATED RESOURCES & LINKS

 

Bethesda Ministries International