Water is Life

 Gacharu water project annual trip 14^th Feb. 4^th March 2012

We left from Manchester Airport on 14/02/2012. Vanesa Benson, Foustina Clarke left London Heathrow for Nairobi international airport Kenya on 10.2.12 While Benson, Elizabeth and Eva left for Kenya through Manchester airport on the 14.02.12. Jane Wangai had her holiday slashed by the employer and had to leave Kenya before we could go. Jenny Brown’s holiday was allowed only after most of us had left. We are very grateful to Jackie Peel for providing her big vehicle and Jack dropping us at Manchester international airport.

The Rev.d Mike Gathland was advised not to travel by his consultant due to medical reasons just two weeks before the travel date. We are sorry that he could not make it although he had already paid the airfare. However he gave a personal donation of £250 towards the expenses of “fighting mental illness stigma in Kenya” workshop as well as having attended all the trip preparation committee meetings and carrying his role as adviser very well. He also gave us his two written speeches for both the KAMA conference and “Fighting mental illness stigma in Kenya both of which went on very well.

We arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday 15.02.12 morning at 7am where we were met with the rich warm Kenyan weather. We changed money in the city and after an early lunch we proceeded to Kiangombe mission where Benson was preaching in the crusade at 5pm which went on alright despite the jet lag exhaustion.

 Thursday 16^th Feb 2012, we held the “fighting mental illness stigma in Kenya workshop”. The workshop attracted 150 people, mainly families with a member who is mentally ill. Speakers included, Benson, Elizabeth, Vanesa, Foustina, charity (from Nairobi introduced to us by Jane Wangai who lives in Wakefield) she had a wonderful testimony of how the Lord healed her from mental illness. Her story became the workshop attraction. This continued happening every time she joined in the consecutive meetings particularly at St. Andrew’s College of Theology and Development, Kabare. We cannot thank her enough. The workshop was held at Christ church Kiangwachi in Gacharu. The following was agreed by the participants:-

i)                    That individual congregations can start befriending mentally ill persons

ii)                  That a Day Care Centre for the rehabilitation of mentally ill persons be started as soon as funding is available

iii)                That the idea of befriending the mentally ill people is a good one and that participants will start spreading the message for greater awareness.

iv)                The idea that a Mrs Glynis Stirling will visit Kenya later in the year to train people on befriending service, was highly welcome.

 Thursday 16^th Feb 2012 (afternoon) we did water project preparations.

 Friday 17^th Feb 2012 Benson was main speaker at the (KAMA) Kenya Anglican Men Association one day conference held at St. Thomas Cathedral. KAMA chairman read the speech by Revd Mike Garthland. The men presented me with KAMA tie and badge for Rev. Garthland. Ven. Anthony Mureithi  KAMA coordinator in the diocese  of Kirinyaga moved a warm vote of thanks on behalf of the KAMA.

Saturday  18^th Benson gave a moving talk to the Kiang’ombe Pentecostal church leaders 10am -1pm. At 2pm we visited our in-laws to be where one of my younger step-brothers is betrothed to a girl for the purpose of marriage negotiations.

 Sunday 19^th Elizabeth preached at Emmanuel church Gacharu while Benson preached at St. Mary’s Kibingoti and at Kiine girls secondary school. At 2pm we attended our family come together and the celebration of late Onesmus Kimaru 4^th death anniversary.

 Monday 20^th Feb. 12 attended community meeting chaired by the local chief for the purpose of discussing the bridge to be constructed in phase two of the Gacharu water project. At 2pm we attended a meeting between Kinyakiiru – Kibirigwi water project and Gacharu water project – phase 2 community.
A deal was reached to join the two together. This means after the meeting Gacharu Water Project members in phase two preferred to be assisted to join an irrigation scheme. The former has build an intake bringing water for irrigation, so phase two of the Gacharu Water Project will have irrigation water.

 Tuesday 21^st Feb.12 attended funeral service for Elizabeth’s step-sister.

Wednesday 22/2 (off-day)

Thursday 23^rd Feb. 12 meeting with Bishop Moses Masamba of Mbeere diocese. He invited us to conduct, “fighting mental illness stigma in Kenya”, workshop on 2^nd March 2012.

 Friday 24/2 visit to Nairobi city where we had the opportunity of reading and sending emails etc,.

 Saturday 25/2 visited Elizabeth’s Auntie about 300km away (Timboroa)

Sunday 26/2 Benson preached at St. Philips Mburi  church accompanied by Elizabeth and Eva.  At 5pm invited for supper by Benson’s uncle Duncan.
Monday 27/2 visited Gacharu water project phase 1 for a meeting with the water beneficiaries tour.

 
Tuesday 28/2 visit to relatives and friends

Wednesday 29/2 visit Nairobi city

Thursday 1^st March visit Utugi’s Children’s Home Wanguru to present Kshs 5000 from Micheal and Anita as wel as clothing etc. 4.30pm Benson preached at St. Andrews college of theology and development Kabare Holy Communion service at 5pm. 8pm same place, Benson, Elizabeth, Charity and Dr. Josiah did a presentation of “fighting mental illness stigma in Kenya”, to about 300 college students and faculty followed by a very good time of question and answer discussion.

Friday 2/3 Benson, Elizabeth, Veronica (from Nairobi) and the Revd Dr. Josiah Murage conducted the workshop “fighting the stigma of mental illness”, at St. Andrews Kanothi Anglican church which was attended by over 50 families who have at least a member who is mentally ill. At 5pm hold a meeting with 14 diocesan clergy from Gichugu for the purpose of organising the launching of “Fighting mental illness stigma in Kenya. At 7pm sleep over at Bishop Henry Kathii’s residence. Bishop Kathii and his wife were our best couple during our wedding.

Saturday 3/3 joins in the phase 2 irrigation water supply and connection and distribution of various items including clothing and footwear.

 Sunday 4^th Feb. Benson visited St. Mary Magdalene Maringo where he ministered as vicar 1998-2001 and gave a testimony as well as a short message of encouragement while Elizabeth and Eva rested.

Monday 5^th March, 12 departed from Nairobi international airport to Manchester via Amsterdam. We are grateful to David for arranging to pick us from Manchester international airport. We arrived exhausted and tired but very happy to have realised the accomplishment of the working holiday trip in Kenya.

Video shooting as usual took place and we expect the trip video to be sent to us soon as possible so we can saw it to our donors etc,.

We would like to appreciate all those who prayed for the trip.