Naomi Bell spent a year (from 2011 to 2012) working as part of a small team with BMS in Lebanon.

She wrote a blog which is on the BMS website. Her final blog post is available here.

Matt Barber visited the Democratic Republic of Congo with CMS, during Summer 2011. There are three presentations available about his trip:

• Overview presentation slides and accompanying notes
• Presentation originally delivered to Ladies' Fellowship with accompanying notes
• Presentation and speakers notes concentrating on the sustainability project

Matt wrote a blog which is available at now4somethingcompletelydifferent.wordpress.com 

Finally, you can view a video of the development site at Lubumbashi, filmed during Matt's visit:

A team from St John's Hartford, Christ Church Greenbank and Christ Church Wharton travelled to Kenya in August 2009. This is the archive of the Kenya09 webpage, which explains some of the background to this project. Please also visit the travel blog for the story of what actually happened and some more photos.

A group of 22 men from St John's Hartford, Christ Church Greenbank and Christ Church Wharton are travelling to Kenya in August 2009 to take part in several development projects in the Butere district which we hope will benefit both the local church and community.

Kenya 08 or Kenya 09?

The normally peaceful country of Kenya erupted into political violence following elections in December 2007. 1500 were killed, and hundreds of thousands made homeless. Some of the worst violence was in the area we plan to visit – it included the shooting (and injuring) of a teacher at Shiatsala Secondary.

We had originally planned our trip for summer 2008, but the violence made insurance impossible to obtain and building supplies uncertain and expensive. We had no choice but to postpone until 2009 – God willing, we plan to be there between 16-29 August 2009.

To see a map of Kenya showing where Butere is, please click here (external link to Google Maps).

The team is being led by Rev Mike Smith and Rev. Tim Hanson. Tim and Mike have had the privilege of travelling to Kenya with AICMAR each year since 2002 to help train local preachers.

During that time, they have established links between English and Kenyan schools and seen something of the material as well as spiritual needs of this very poor, rural part of sub-Saharan Africa. This time, we are aiming to serve the local people in a practical way.

What is AICMAR?

AICMAR is the African Institute for Contemporary Mission and Research. It is based in Butere Town, in the compound of the Anglican Bishop of Butere. However, AICMAR exists to promote biblical preaching in all

churches and to advance African evangelical leadership and scholarship throughout the region.

AICMAR provides opportunities for advanced biblical and theological research, encouraging the study and debate of contemporary African issues, and offering training in biblical expository preaching and other ministry skills. Rev. Dr. John Stott has spoken of ‘the strategic importance of AICMAR in Western Kenya. … it has my wholehearted support.’

The Projects

1. Eshimuli Guest House

The first project is at Eshimuli Guest House (EGH) which is on the same site of the African Institute for Contemporary Mission and Research (AICMAR) and the headquarters of the Anglican Diocese of Butere. EGH is the only guest house in Butere, and is a significant employer in the area. Its profits are fed back into the local Anglican churches and used to pay the very small income for pastors, who would otherwise often be unpaid.

We plan to fit out the (currently unused) 3rd floor of the guest house and do some painting in the common areas.

2. Shiatsala Secondary School

Since 2003, there have been links between Shiatsala Secondary School and Hartford High School. There are also links between Shiatsala Primary and Wharton Junior.

Pupils have written letters and exchanged gifts, and those at Hartford High have raised money towards the construction of a library block at Shiatsala. Within the building, one room has been designated as a “computer room”, but as yet it is completely empty (pictured on the right).

We plan to wire up the room with mains electricity and a computer network, take and install secondhand laptop computers and a server, and do some basic training for the staff. Like all teenagers, the pupils at Shiatsala want to make the most of their lives, and for those who go on to tertiary education or to work in the towns, this will be a huge advantage.

3. Chadwick Library

AICMAR is run from the Chadwick Library. A unique project in such a deprived area, it has been visited and lauded by the President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki.

It is set up principally as a theological library, but also has sections devoted to local culture and history. Many locals come each day just to read the papers! It is a significant asset in the town.

Our third project is to equip the library with computers and computer networking which will enable its resources to be more widely and effectively used.

How can I help Kenya09?

We need your financial support. If you are able to give tax efficiently, that can be arranged through either St John’s or Christ Church since AICMAR is a mission partner of both churches. Please let us know before you donate.

If you work for, or run, a local business or organisation that can donate computers, networking hardware or building tools, please let us know, so that we can discuss exact requirements in more detail.

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