Praise God....A Very Special Meeting !

 On a very special March day,  Bernard G. was able to meet Clare and some of her family.  Clare had sponsored Bernard and he has come far !!!!  What a blessing this time was for all involved.  

Here is description of that special day from Sharon Moffitt:

It was such a privilege to witness the first meeting of Bernard Gitonga and Clare Devine when he visited recently. It will be 20 years ago this coming September that Josephine Mburugu and I made our first trip to Meru to find out how our church might be able to join folks there in providing aid and assistance to the children and families of Meru. 

Bernard made a supreme effort to be here, traveling from Florida to Tacoma for just 48 hours before heading to his new job in Virginia.  As we left to visit Clare, he asked that we stop so he could buy flowers and a card which he chose with great care. Imagine, this young man and Richard and Clare having a relationship for all these years but never meeting in person!  I wish I could describe the joy on Clare’s face when she entered the room! It was wonderful to witness this experience. I am filled with gratitude to the people of UPPC who have joined in this ministry with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Meru, Kenya!

Read about the difference Clare's sponsorship made in Bernard's life, written in his own words after he completed his nursing degree: 

"I was hopeless but now I’m hopeful, was downcast but now I’m lifted."

Several children in Meru are waiting for sponsors. Click on "Waiting on a Sponsor" to learn how you can sponsor a child like Clare did with Bernard. 

 Greetings CHERISH Sponsors and Supporters 

Thank you for sponsorship funds. Our shilling (Kenyan currency) is very weak now due to our poor economy.

 I wish to tell you that the cost of living in Kenya today is very high, and many families are finding it hard even to put enough food on the table for their families. Cost of fuel and food has gone up. School fees are a real challenge and many of the schools are finding it hard to manage the institutions. So, the income and expenditures are incomparable.

It is our hope that the situation will normalize one day.Thankyou for all who donate their funds and more so their love to help our children. Wish you God's blessings in all your undertakings.

With love 

Elijah

HOPE International Ministry

February 2023

Dear CHERISH Sponsors and Supporters, 

This year marks the 20th year in our relationship with Hope ministry in Meru! What a tremendous blessing this has been for everyone involved. Our goal is to help educate the youth of Meru and offer additional support as needed. Thank you all so much for your part in this effort. 

Since 2022, a severe drought has affected large parts of Kenya. In Meru, three-fourths of the country was affected by the drought. For many families, one meal a day was the norm. Students were unable to concentrate in class or participate in school. In response to the crisis, we have used non-sponsorship funds that many of you have generously given to CHERISH to partner with Kenyan groups who initiated feeding programs supporting the Meru community. As a result, since April, the students included in these feeding programs have all been able to have regular lunches. 

Despite the fact that rain did come, it was not enough to overcome all the effects of the drought. Hope now lies in the rainy season from March to May. Please pray with us for recovery from this dreadful situation. 

As we begin the 2023 school year, we are sponsoring 177 students. Because of Covid, Kenyan schools had altered their usual three-term school year to four terms in 2021 and 2022. Students are looking forward now to returning to their normal schedule.  Guardians send their gratitude for sponsors continuing to support the students throughout the Covid crisis and send their best wishes for a “HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023 full of GOD’s blessings” 

If you are currently sponsoring a student, please make note that you can check how much you have given toward your 2022-23 Sponsorship Pledge by clicking on “How to Check Your Cherish Donation History” at above. Sponsorship rates and giving instructions can also be found on the site. 

Thank you for being a part of this important ministry.

Sharon Moffitt, Cherish Team Member and Cherish Sponsor
Emily Bosh, UPPC Elder of Outreach and Mission
Rev. Lisa Woicik, UPPC Minister of Outreach