Relief Update

“The food has been like manna from heaven. It came at just the right time,” Richard, my Maasai co-worker told me. Since 2008 Maasai Christians have been seeking God, begging for rain and relief from the drought. With each month and then year passing without rains, they were reaching the point of desperation. Animals were dying of starvation; and with the loss of their herds, hope was lost, too. In December 2009, when the trucks filled with beans, maize and cooking fat pulled into each community; the hundreds of hungry mamas waiting knew their prayers had been heard. Their children would have food tonight.

Thanks to a generous grant from IDES, transportation funding through Madison Park Christian Church and many donations from other supporters, food was distributed to over 20,000 people in 36 communities over the last 3 months.

Beginning in December AfricaHope began sending word through Osupuko Division where the drop sites for each area would be. People walked up to 25 kilometers to gather for the food distributions where 3 to 6 communities met in a central location. When the AH team and the food trucks arrived they would find the people seated on the ground with their gunny sacks in hand, ready for what was coming. There was a short time of introduction and a time for encouraging the people through sharing about Christ, the true Bread of Life. We wanted the glory to be given to God and also to let them know their Christian brothers and sisters from across the world were sacrificing for them and praying for them. Several men and women gave their lives to Christ and many were encouraged in their faith!

During the time of sharing, heads were being counted to determine the ration for each family, based upon the number gathered compared to the food allocated for their area. In most communities, several hundred more people than anticipated showed up, but everyone was ready to share so that no one left empty handed. In what could have been chaos, people divided themselves into communities and waited in lines patiently to receive their portions. It was really beautiful!

In Kenya, a common meal consists of boiled cornmeal (called ugali) and beans, which could be made from the supply of food each household received. The food that was provided allowed families to survive on a basic level for about 3 months. We were able to do three rounds of distributions. It took a week in December to reach all of the communities, then another week in January and another in February. Spreading out the distributions allowed the food to be given in manageable amounts (they carried it all back home—over many kilometers) and they only had to stretch the food over the month until the next distribution.

The rains have now arrived to bring life back to the dry land. Things are green and growing and there is respite from the massive clouds of dust that were everywhere. The pain of the drought still remains, though. There is now grass, but little livestock. Some herds were reduced from hundreds to zero. The remaining cows are still recovering from the effects of the years without consistent food and water. Without cows, Maasai men feel like they aren’t men anymore and have considered taking their own lives. Herders are still feeling the devastation of not being able to provide for their families. Many farmers have taken a leap of faith and planted seeds, praying that God will continue to bring rain and eventually a rich harvest, but we haven’t seen the fruit, yet.

Again, IDES has generously given AfricaHope funding to aid several farmers who lost most, if not all, of their livestock. Over this coming year AfricaHope will be able to assist a few farmers each month by giving the most devastated 3 goats to begin a new herd. After losing everything, we’re excited to be able to help a few have a chance at a new beginning.

We want to say thank you! Not only were people fed because of your prayers and sacrifices, but our faith and the faith of thousands was increased as we experienced God’s generous answer to our prayers. Praise be to God!