By David Farlow

News media reporting out of Kenya indicates the violence is diminishing, but many of the Church of God congregations are still feeling the effects of the turmoil. To address the immediate needs and help alleviate the suffering, Church of God Ministries (CGM) announced today a disbursement from the Disaster Relief Fund to be sent to church leaders in Kenya.

“Church of God Ministries staff has been monitoring the situation through daily correspondence with our missionaries and Church of God leadership in Kenya,” said Bob Edwards, Global Missions coordinator for CGM. According to Edwards, CGM recently received an e-mail from Rev. Byrum Makokha, the leader of the Church of God in Kenya, who reported that the congregations in Nairobi (Kibera) and Eldoret were facing a serious problem with displaced families in dire need of food and shelter. Rev. Makokha said that four of the churches in those locations each had more than 150 displaced people temporarily residing at the church compounds.

Other reports received by CGM indicate that the Kima International School of Theology (KIST) has distributed food to workers, faculty and staff. People are only allowed 1 large of can (about two kilos) of maize flour (unga), and one and a half kilos of rice, all in an effort to alleviate the hunger caused by the recent violence.

Rev. Makokha expressed appreciation for the supporting prayers and requested that we continue to pray for the restoration of normalcy and peace for Kenya.

Individuals and congregations can help the church leaders in Kenya respond to the need there by making a donation through the Disaster Relief Fund. To contribute online, click here to give with your credit card. You can also send checks made payable to “Church of God Ministries” to Church of God Ministries, PO Box 2420, Anderson, IN 46018-2420. Please write “Kenya Disaster Relief, Project 45.04502” on the memo line.