Hi, my name is Scott Madeira and I have the awesome privilege of returning to Kenya to serve the people of Kandaria and Katito in June 2015. This will be my third trip and much has changed since I went for the first time in 2012.
As you may have seen from the rest of the Grace in Kenya website, we have partnered with the House of Hope to serve the people of Kandaria and Katito in the Nyanza province of western Kenya. They are about 40 minutes southeast of Kisumu.
People often ask “What do you do over there?” The really short answer is whatever they need, we help them do. The longer answer is develop long-term relationships to the point that they are family as much as our families are here in the US. We come alongside them to help them, not give them a hand-out. We come alongside them to grow in our relationship with Christ together as we share the struggles of our daily lives. And, we share in the joy and the hope of our salvation.
So, what does that look like in real practical and everyday terms? Glad you asked. Since we began this partnership seven years ago we have done the following:
1. Brought clean water to Kandaria and eliminated a lengthy walk up the mountain to the springs to collect water on a daily basis.
2. Built a medical clinic in Kandaria – previous to this clinic, medical care was a 40 minute hike up a steep mountain. Imagine a lady in labor climbing a mountain to get to a clinic to deliver a baby or a man with a broken bone making that same journey.
3. Built an orphanage in Katito that consists of a female dormitory and a kitchen/school with another dormitory under construction for the boys.
4. Built the House of Hope chapel in Katito that has grown in attendance to over 400 people weekly in just three years.
5. Preached at their crusades where we saw hundreds come to Christ and then get involved in the life of the church.
6. Distributed over 1,000 Bibles to families in Kandaria and Katito in either English or their native Luo language. It is a joy to watch them dig into the scriptures that we take for granted.
7. Provided medical care in the form of eye exams and glasses, basic physical therapy, general medical care with medications to both communities.
8. Led children’s programs and church services followed up with a community lunch with hundreds of people.
9. Created a child sponsorship program where over 120 children are sponsored by somebody from Grace. Their monthly sponsorship provides school fees, uniforms, food and a good education for children that otherwise would not be able to attend. You can learn more about that at graceinkenya.com
What’s next? Whatever they need.
So, how can you help? Again, glad you asked. I’ll get right to the point. I have been called to serve in Kenya. I can’t explain it other than it’s a God thing. Honestly, Africa was my last choice of places to go when I was a teen and young adult but that changed dramatically three years ago. I need two things:
Prayer – there is a lot that goes into these trips and if God isn’t with you, you will fail. We need prayers for safety, good travels, the people being open to our message, our families at home that are holding down the fort in our absence and that God uses us in a big way.
Financial Support – The cost of the trip is $3,500 and we have to raise our own funds to get there. After the garage sales, organ donations and other fundraising activity there is still a need for support. I’m looking for partners that were given the resources to support people like me that are called to go. If that’s you, I’d appreciate your help.
Here is a great video re-cap of our 2013 trip:
As you may have seen from the rest of the Grace in Kenya website, we have partnered with the House of Hope to serve the people of Kandaria and Katito in the Nyanza province of western Kenya. They are about 40 minutes southeast of Kisumu.
People often ask “What do you do over there?” The really short answer is whatever they need, we help them do. The longer answer is develop long-term relationships to the point that they are family as much as our families are here in the US. We come alongside them to help them, not give them a hand-out. We come alongside them to grow in our relationship with Christ together as we share the struggles of our daily lives. And, we share in the joy and the hope of our salvation.
So, what does that look like in real practical and everyday terms? Glad you asked. Since we began this partnership seven years ago we have done the following:
1. Brought clean water to Kandaria and eliminated a lengthy walk up the mountain to the springs to collect water on a daily basis.
2. Built a medical clinic in Kandaria – previous to this clinic, medical care was a 40 minute hike up a steep mountain. Imagine a lady in labor climbing a mountain to get to a clinic to deliver a baby or a man with a broken bone making that same journey.
3. Built an orphanage in Katito that consists of a female dormitory and a kitchen/school with another dormitory under construction for the boys.
4. Built the House of Hope chapel in Katito that has grown in attendance to over 400 people weekly in just three years.
5. Preached at their crusades where we saw hundreds come to Christ and then get involved in the life of the church.
6. Distributed over 1,000 Bibles to families in Kandaria and Katito in either English or their native Luo language. It is a joy to watch them dig into the scriptures that we take for granted.
7. Provided medical care in the form of eye exams and glasses, basic physical therapy, general medical care with medications to both communities.
8. Led children’s programs and church services followed up with a community lunch with hundreds of people.
9. Created a child sponsorship program where over 120 children are sponsored by somebody from Grace. Their monthly sponsorship provides school fees, uniforms, food and a good education for children that otherwise would not be able to attend. You can learn more about that at graceinkenya.com
What’s next? Whatever they need.
So, how can you help? Again, glad you asked. I’ll get right to the point. I have been called to serve in Kenya. I can’t explain it other than it’s a God thing. Honestly, Africa was my last choice of places to go when I was a teen and young adult but that changed dramatically three years ago. I need two things:
Prayer – there is a lot that goes into these trips and if God isn’t with you, you will fail. We need prayers for safety, good travels, the people being open to our message, our families at home that are holding down the fort in our absence and that God uses us in a big way.
Financial Support – The cost of the trip is $3,500 and we have to raise our own funds to get there. After the garage sales, organ donations and other fundraising activity there is still a need for support. I’m looking for partners that were given the resources to support people like me that are called to go. If that’s you, I’d appreciate your help.
Here is a great video re-cap of our 2013 trip: