Here is an online version of the Newsletter for November 2017
Kenya is experiencing an extended election period. With the annulment of the elections in August, the uncertainty related to elections is a continuing background to all activity in Kenya. It is difficult to plan in this atmosphere, but our work in REAP has continued, with definite encouragements. Life continues, and our teaching continues to be relevant to the rural population.
Natural Medicine Training Seminar
We held a week long, intensive training seminar on Natural Medicine from 8th-14th October. Fourteen participants came from Kenya, Uganda and one from Tanzania. The participation was excellent, and we covered the full curriculum for the week, including plenty of practical sessions. Discussion was not just on the technical aspects, but we had good discussion on how to communicate the messages more effectively in the community. All the participants were interested in the Biblical background, and how to communicate well in churches and other Christian contexts. Once again, the seminar reinforced the relevance of our teaching.
Margaret involves REAP in planting trees on her birthday
Margaret Oluoch is one of REAP’s most active ambassadors, helping us spread the message of Caring for God’s wonderful creation. She is also a good example; she has been active in restoring the river bank through planting trees on her own land and has persuaded her neighbours to do the same. On her birthday she involved one of the closest local churches and asked REAP to share in the teaching and planting.
“Eversmart” taking up REAP teaching and promoting it near Lake Victoria
Yunis is the chairlady of a group called Eversmart. We were introduced to her and her group a few years ago by one of our contacts in Uyoma close to Lake Victoria. She has been very responsive to our teaching and has planted a medicinal garden for the group on land close to her home. Group members can get planting material from this garden. There was a farmers’ field day at her home a couple of months ago and Sam attended to share teaching from the Medicinal garden. When we visited in September one of those who had attended the farmers’ field day brought his mother to come and see us. She was suffering from serious joint pain so Rosalia taught her how to make an ointment from Eucalyptus and showed her how to use it.
Roger in Kenya and Jos in UK
Roger Sharland has been in Kenya for the last three and a half months while Josilen has stayed on in Reading, UK, where she has had a successful cataract operation, and has enjoyed time with the grandchildren. She hopes to return to Kenya soon.
Thank You for your support
Training others and visiting those who are active is always very encouraging as we see the way they have incorporated the teaching into their lives for greater sustainability. Also hearing stories of those who are benefitting from Natural Medicines is a great encouragement. We are very appreciative of your support that enables us to do this, but long also to do more. It is challenging when we discuss what can be done as we want to take the teaching to more people but still lack capacity. Your support is very much needed and appreciated.