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Working Together in Kenya
Hope that Helps
Last month Christian Standard featured an interview with Dr. Tom Alley, director of medical services for Fellowship of Associates of Medical Evangelism (FAME), about the “Your Church and AIDS” conference co-sponsored by FAME and Christian Missionary Fellowship, both of Indianapolis, Indiana.
The conference, held yesterday at East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, discussed both local and international aspects of the AIDS crisis.
“I looked forward to the session titled ‘AIDS—an Indiana Problem’ because it’s a reminder to show compassion at home,” says Doug Priest, CMF’s executive director. “But we also wanted to give attendees a concrete opportunity to personally help with the African crisis, so we highlighted our ministry to the urban poor in Nairobi.”
CMF has been involved in Kenya for 30 years and has worked with missionaries Keith and Kathy Ham since 1991. In 2004 the Hams connected with two Kenyans, Wallace and Mary Kamau, to begin Hope Partnership.
“Through this initiative, groups can adopt specific communities in the Nairobi slums,” Priest says. “Churches can sponsor children, help with training leaders in preventative health, work to alleviate poverty through micro-finance programs, and enlist in many other projects.”
Although millions in Nairobi live in filth, have little to eat, and suffer from AIDS, Hope is already making a difference.
“We have built small schools and community toilets and helped with malaria prevention and clean water,” Priest says. “Many have become believers, and we’ve planted churches. Widows and orphans are being cared for. Mothers have established small businesses so they can provide for their families. Hope Partnership is all about community transformation in Jesus’ name.”
Priest admits the current political situation makes offering this help more difficult—but not impossible.
“In February we held a Peace March followed by a competition for 46 intertribal soccer teams,” he shares. “Through the generosity of American churches we were able to give food to the slum dwellers who had been prevented from leaving the area. It was a moving testament to the Prince of Peace.”
www.cmfhopepartnership.org
www.yourchurchandaids.org
On a Roll
The Corporation for National and Community Service recently named Cincinnati Christian University to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts.
This honor roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. Only five other schools received this award.
In addition to serving in the local church, CCU students volunteer as tutors and mentors, serve meals to the homeless, and participate in many other activities. The school requires each student to complete 15 hours of community service each semester, and many complete more.
CCU also models this emphasis by canceling classes for “SERVE” days and encouraging faculty and staff to work alongside the students.
www.ccuniversity.edu
Sore Losers
In addition to hosting basketball tournaments and indoor soccer, Cicero (Indiana) Christian Church’s recreation ministry recently organized a “Biggest Loser” competition to help members lose weight and become more active. Six teams—more than 50 people in all—participated in “weigh-ins,” optional group exercise sessions, and nutrition lessons. The owner of a local dance studio even offered reduced-price salsa lessons on Monday evenings.
Cicero began its recreation ministry at the beginning of the year and launched the competition in February. The contest ends May 3 with a final weigh-in and prizes—each individual on the winning team will receive a gift card, and the individual “biggest loser” will receive a flat-screen TV!
www.cicerochristianchurch.org
Jennifer Taylor, one of CHRISTIAN STANDARD's contributing editors, lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
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