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Newsletter for July 2018

Sr Francisca shows plants in her garden to other participants during the seminar in May 2018

Here is an online version of the Newsletter for July 2018

July in the northern hemisphere is one of the hotter months. Here in Nairobi it is the cold season and this year we are feeling the cold! Although due to limited resources, we have not been able to reach out as much as we would have liked, we have enjoyed very positive response to our teaching from those who have come to us. We have in particular had very encouraging response from those who want to use Vetiver Grass to care for God’s wonderful creation, starting from home. Also we have had positive interest in natural medicines, and particular Artemisia and Moringa, with very positive training opportunities.

Sr Francisca shows plants in her garden to other participants during the seminar in May 2018
Sr Francisca shows plants in her garden to other participants during the Natural Medicine Seminar in May 2018

REAP Displays at local events

We have recently been able to have displays of REAP’s work at various local events, publicising what we do and getting the message to a much wider audience. On World Environment Day on June 5th REAP participated in a local event organised by Kisumu County. We had been asked in particular to share on the Biblical perspective on Creation Care and on the use of Vetiver Grass as a practical measure. Two weeks later we had a display on Natural Medicines in partnership with a local organisation we have been assisting in Ekatsombero village. We had earlier helped them to plant a medicinal garden at the local school and this was a very positive focus of interest. Others we have trained have also displayed in their home areas at various events.

Visitors at the REAP display on World Environment Day hear about the use of Vetiver Grass
Visitors at the REAP display on World Environment Day hear about the use of Vetiver Grass
Rosalia at the REAP table at Ekatsomero School open day, with the Medicinal garden in the background
Rosalia at the REAP table at Ekatsomero School open day, with the Medicinal garden in the background.

Responding to invitations for teaching

The team in Kisumu are now known to have interesting and relevant teaching, so are often asked to come and share at seminars and church gatherings organised by others. This gives us good opportunities for challenging from the Bible and sharing some particular aspects of teaching relevant to the situation. Women’s groups are particularly hungry for teaching and recently we have been able to share on a number of occasions on some aspects of Natural Medicines, Creation Care and reusable sanitary towels. Our experience is that nearly always there is interest in many aspects of the teaching and often something not planned also comes up.
Women listen during a one day seminar that REAP staff facilitated at Evangelical Christ Church in Africa (ECCA)
Women listen during a one day seminar that REAP staff facilitated at Evangelical Christ Church in Africa (ECCA)

Natural Medicine Training Seminar

In May we had another successful intensive week of training in Natural Medicines. We had 21 participants representing 7-8 countries. The participation was excellent and we were able to cover all the planned curriculum with plenty of practicals. The centre we used is run by Benedictine Sisters, and one of the sisters who came to our training two years ago has established an excellent medicinal garden, which was an invaluable resource and inspiration for the participants.

George teaching on harvesting Artemisia and taking cuttings during seminar May 2018
George teaching on harvesting Artemisia and taking cuttings during seminar May 2018
 
Preparing leaves for making ointments and oils
Preparing leaves for making ointments and oils
 

What About Retirement?

Roger reaches his 65th birthday this year, so people have been asking about whether we are going to retire. We still have plenty of energy and momentum, and believe that we still have plenty of opportunities for extending our teaching and getting the ideas established in more areas. So retirement is not on our immediate agenda at the moment, though we are looking seriously at strategies for the teaching to continue with less of our input.

Thank you for your support

We continue to appreciate the support that we receive, as do those who benefit from the teaching and other work. Although as noted above we are not talking about retiring yet, one of our main supporting churches does cease their support at retirement age, so we are now looking for new people and churches to commit themselves to supporting our work. Please consider if you or your church can make a commitment to enable us to continue with what we have started, and take it forward.