1

For more Info:

Please contact Cindy at

cturner@gcua.org.

Just One Voice

http://www.justonevoice.org

The Giving Festival was

written by Cindi Brown who lived

in Kenya in 2007 and came back

to start a non-profit called:

Just Once Voice.

Cindi has a huge heart for the

people and children in Kenya and

partnered with Kenya Connection

Kids in writing The Giving Festi-

val. The book tells of what can

happen when children in the

United States have a day of fun in

their community to make money

to donate to children in Kenya to

help them care for animals, im-

prove their school and save

money for school fees. We are

thrilled that some of the main

characters in the book are

the children in our home in

Chuka!! We are very excited

to provide you with an oppor-

tunity to purchase the chil-

dren's book :

The Giving Festival

The book sells for $10.95

and you can purchase it on

Amazon.com or, if you live in

the Acworth area, we have

purchased a small number of

books that you can buy

from Cindy Turner.

When the US team came for

a mission trip in 2008 we

made courtesy call to many

dignitaries in Chuka town.

Among the important people

in town was His Worship, the

mayor of Chuka town, John

Mbaabu. He hosted the team

in his office and was so im-

pressed with the sacrifice the

American team made to build

an orphanage for destitute

kids in Chuka and the contain-

ers they brought full of sup-

plies and the visit schools

doing VBS.

The mayor visited the home

to bid farewell to the US

team. In his farewell speech he

said this, “Dickson and your

team, I want to thank you for

coming to help our people in

Chuka. This house (the first

orphanage built by the Ameri-

can team) is a testimony of your

love towards the orphans and

destitute in our community. As

you go home be assured that

your work will not fail. We will

keep supporting this house for

the children you are supporting

are ours. When you came back

next year we will have done

something.” It was then the

mayor requested support from

our Member of Parliament,

Honorable Kareke Mbiuki Minister

for Agriculture and other commu-

nity and national leaders to support

the home. By the initiative of the

mayor the government gave Kshs

350,000. With the money we were

able to buy 7 Lories of building

bricks, 4 Lorries of rocks, 4 Lorries

concrete and 6 Lorries of sand.

The dignitaries, the business peo-

ple , churches and the local people

all got fired up to give little by little

of the needed supplies required to

build the second house. People

pledged to pay for some labor, oth-

ers pledged to buy cement, iron

bars, nails you name it. It really

humbled us the board members

when we saw how the Lord mobi-

lized his people to pioneer the con-

struction of the second home.

-Cont page 3

The Giving Festival, by Cindi Brown

I n s i d e t h i s

i s s u e :

The Giving

Festival

1

Board Mem-

bers

2

Second Home

Cont/

3

Meet Frashiah 4

Meet Julius

Mission Trip

5

Regions we

Serve

6

Spotlight Child 7

Second Home for KCK, Inc.

Kenya Connection Kids, Inc Your Kenya Connec-

tion is a quarterly

newsletter published

to keep you abreast

of the

happenings in the

Children’s Home

in Chuka and with the

sponsored children in

the Kenyan villages.

Most of this informa-

tion is supplied by the

Kenyan team.

We have tried to keep

the text true to the

form in which it was

written. We hope you

will look forward to

each issue and will

enjoy learning more

about Kenya and the

children. Thank you

for your

support of

Kenya Connect ion

Kids.

I s s u e 3 K C K n e w s w i n t e r 2 0 1 1

2

P a g e 2

“Then the King will

reply, „I tell you

the truth,

whatever you did

for one of the

least of these

brothers of mine,

you did for me.‟

-Matthew 25:40

The Kenyan Team and Board of Directors

HUMPHREY KANGA MUTHENGI

The C.E.O

The Chairman of the Ministry

Director of Children Sponsorship

Director of Fund Raising Activities

JULIUS MWEBIA

Vice Chairman of the Ministry

Director of Missions/Trips

Director in Charge-Orphanage and

Grounds

PAUL MURIANKI

General Secretary of the Ministry

Director of Policy & Procedures Formulation and Adherence

BEN JAMIN MUGAMBI

Director of Logistics and

Supplies

ANNE MURIANKI

Director of Health and Media

Issues of the Ministry

HELLEN MUTHENGI

Treasurer of the Ministry

Director of VBS & Prayer Ministry

FRESHIA MWEBIA

Director of Logistics

Director of Prayer Ministry

MEMBERS AT LARGE

Alex Muthengi

Abigail Muthengi

Daniel Murage

Special Delivery!

Douglas receiving a

package from Ed-

ward and Genine

Evans

K e n y a C o n n e c t i o n K i d s , I n c W i n t e r N e w 2 0 1 1

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Please help us save money and receive the newsletter electronically. Feel free to

share your newletters to family and friends this way. If you would like to

receive your newsletter this way please email your address to:

marshillkenyaconnection@yahoo.com.

LOUISE MELL

The Chairman of the Ministry

Sponsored Children

CINDY TURNER

Vice Chairman of the Ministry

Mission Trips

Ann Johson

General Secretary of the Ministry

Prayer Official

MICHAEL PORTER

Policy & Procedures Formulation and

Adherence PAUL MELL & CHUCK KING

Orphanage and Grounds

McGEE SPENCER

Fundraising

DICKSON LESTER

Logistics and Supplies REBA HARRISON

VBS Ministry

Prayer Ministry

JULIE GRAISER

Health and Medical Issues

PAUL JOHNSON- Outreach Liason

Golf Tournament Coordinator

MEMBERS AT LARGE

Andy Thurmond

Susan Baldwin

Scott & Michelle Drew Marshall

Phil Graiser

Eric & Leslie Norden

Alan & Jennifer Gruber

Laura & Chuck King

Cathy and Makalen Dean

Myra Cox

Paul Johnson Jennifer Harris

Abby Thurmond Layla Mell

Jake Mell Grace Norden

Parker and Brady Turner

The American Team and Board of Directors

YOU‟VE GOT MAIL

CHILD’S FULL NAME

C/O HUMPHREY KANGA

PO BOX 417

CHUKA, MERU SOUTH

KENYA AFRICA

The children in Kenya LOVE getting letters

and pictures from their American fami-

lies. We encourage you to write to your child

and encourage them by letting them that you

love them and pray for them. Write to your

child today! How?

SEND TO:

3

Tid bits from Kenya...more news

P a g e 3 I s s u e 3 K C K n e w s w i n t e r 2 0 1 1

Hi All,

I have attached some pictures show-

ing progress of various projects.

Please check them out! Bunny pro-

ject -two new born bunnies, The

chickens which have really grown and

are laying eggs. Thank God also to

Humphrey's Dad-in-law who gave

such a huge tree to get us timber for

the ceiling and the inside furniture of

the new house! quite amazing what

God can do!

Daniel.

Next Kenya Meet ing March 13, 2011 5:00 pm FSH

Next Mission Tr ip 2011 Dat es June 17 - July 2, 2011

KCK Golf Tournam ent Plann ing March 24, 11

Call Paul Johnson f or m ore inf orm at ion

Kenya Connect ion Golf Tournam ent

Mon. Sept em ber 26, 2011

Kenyan board members donated a

huge tree enough to split board

enough for the roof. Another board

member from the American team

donated $2000 enough to buy the

iron sheets for the house. Another

Kenya board member paid ksh.

15,000 to stand for the cost of split-

ting the boards and frames. Hum-

phrey’s father in Law, Mr. Francis

Mbadi, has donated a huge blue gum

tree to split board for the ceiling and

fisher board. From the tree we have

split enough board and have left

over’s. When Humphrey visited the

states in August to November 2010,

he was so excited to share the mira-

cle of the new orphanage home. It

would cost $ 50,000 to complete a

home in Kenya to host 16 more kids.

The finishing of the house is a priority

for the soon we will need to separate

girls and boys as they grow with the

new home we will get room to accom-

modate more destitute children and

provide care for them to the glory of

God. ” I was so overwhelmed during my

visit to see churches, individuals and

families donate over $ 10,000 to to-

wards completion of the new home.”

“The Eastminister Presbyterians Church

donated $4000 to be used in the con-

struction. The money has bought iron

windows, doors and grills for the porch

adjacent to the kitchen, electrical and

plumbing supplies. We are so grateful to

the entire church for the generous dona-

tion. We intend to keep them posted

with pictures so that they can see what

their money is accomplishing. At pre-

sent we are focusing on electrical in-

stallation and plumbing work. Then

inside plastering and keying work out-

side will be finished. Our estimation is

that by June those who come for the

mission trip will help in painting the

home. “ -Humphrey Kanga

By the time the mission team

arrived in July,2010 the masons

were doing the walls the second

orphanage. None of us can re-

ceive credit. It was God’s doing

and we give Him all the glory. It

moved me to tears to witness the

home go up by the hand of God.

The missioners came to help fin-

ish the walling by splashing water

on the walls for proper curing of

the house. On the last week of

the mission trip we ran out of mate-

rial. The structure existed but with no

material for the roof .We joined

hands with the American team and

Prayed to God to give us board

(frames) iron sheets, nails and labor

for the roof. The Lord answered the

prayers within the week for one of the

Second Home ...cont

Mark Your Calenders

“Our intention creates our reality. “

-Wayne Dyer

“I was so

overwhelmed

during my

visit...over

$10,000

donated for

the new

children‟s

home”

-Humphrey

Humphrey and Moses check on the

bunnies! 2 new bunnies born. Doors and windows for the second Home!

4

P a g e 4

“I have realized

a small

contribution of

material things,

financial

resources and

time can go a

long

way in

changing the life

of a child for the

glory of God”

Frashiah

Meet Frashiah Mwedbia -Our Director of logistics and prayers

Frashiah was born in 1963. She

started primary school in 1971 in a

village school called Mt. Margaret.

Her parents Mr. and Mrs. Kiarie

were Christians. “The village I lived

in at Mai Mayui in Kinjabe, on the

slope of the Great Rift Valley, was

like a game reserve. As I went to

school every morning, I could see

many wild animals like, Giraffe,

Zebra, Monkeys, Wild beasts, Ante-

lopes and many others. Our par-

ents taught us how to behave

when you meet these wild animals.

I could tell that a snake or a wild

animal has passed by observing

the marks left on the ground.” Said

Frashiah.

What did you like most about pri-

mary school? “Ahh. I liked nothing

about primary school for their was

a lot of beating (switching) and I

used to walk for a long distance to

and from school. “The teachers

there were not humane.” Said

Frashiah. What was your favorite

subject and who was your favorite

primary school teacher? “I was

okay with all the subjects taught

and but did not have a favorite

teacher. My math teacher used to

beat us a lot.” Frashiah recounts.

Frashiah joined Naivasha Girls

Secondary school in 1979. The

secondary school was a completely

new environment to her. She was

in school netball team, cross

country team and marathon

team. The teachers were more

humane and Frashiah liked

everything in the school.

Frashiah became a Christian in

1972 while in class two.” In a

vision I saw Mt. Margreat, Mt.

Longonot and Mau ranges burn-

ing. I realized the end of the

world was approaching. In the

morning I shared the dream

with my mom and dad who were

Christian. They prayed for me

and I committed my small life to

Christ. From then on I became

aggressive in learning more

about God and the need to

please and do His will in my

life.” Said Frashiah.

In 1982-1983 she joined “A”

levels (post secondary educa-

tion) at Kaaga girls. Later on

she was admitted to Ergerton

College where she graduated in

1987 with a diploma in agricul-

ture.

She got married in 1992 to

Julius Mwebia and they are

blessed with two lovely children.

Jesse Murimi and Evelyn Wanja.

Jesse is in form three at Ikuu

Boys High School and Evelyn is

in form one at Chogoria Girls

High School in Meru south dis-

trict of Kenya. Frashiah works

with the Ministry of Agriculture.

Two years ago she graduated

from Kenya Methodist Univer-

sity with a Bachelor of Science

degree (B sc) in Agriculture.

She is currently perusing her

masters degree in Environ-

mental Science.

Frashiah learned of the minis-

try to the orphans and desti-

tute kids from Helen. “When

Humphrey came back from the

states, he shared with us very

vividly of the dream and the

mission of Evangelizing

through helping the under-

served in the society.” Said

Frashiah. With time and

prayers, the Lord led me to

team with Kenya Connection

Ministry. According to

Frashiah being involved in

Kenya Connection Ministry has

brought reality of the needs of

the people in the community. It

has touched and exposed my

family and children to the

needs of other children. “I

have realized a small contribu-

tion of material things, finan-

cial resources and time can go

a long way in changing the life

of a child for the glory of God.”

Said Frashiah.

K e n y a C o n n e c t i o n K i d s , I n c

The Cherokee Presbytery has

awarded the orphanage a 1

year grant of $8,000 from

the PATH fund to be used for

food for the children. We

thank Gene and Barbara Vas-

sallo for your dedication to

KCK, Inc. The Kenya Connec-

tion has also been awarded a

$4,000 grant from the Peace Fund of

the Presbyterian Church, USA. The

Kenya and Mars Hill team will work

together to use this money to set up

a program to further peace initia-

tives in the local area. Please keep

this group in your prayers as they

proceed with God's plan for the grant

money.

PATH † -ANN JOHNSON

PRESBYTERIAN ANSWER TO HUNGER

5

Meet Julius Mwebia -Vice Chairman of

I s s u e 3 K C K n e w s w i n t e r 2 0 1 1

word of God was being

preached I was convinced

that I needed to get deeper in

my relationship with God.”

Julius was a very active

member of the Christian un-

ion movement in high school

and college. This exposure

gave him opportunity to ma-

ture in faith and learn leader-

ship techniques. He served

as the chairman of the Chris-

tian Union Movement in high

school and college. Upon

graduation from Ergerton Col-

lege with Diploma in Agricul-

ture, Julius got a job with the

ministry of agriculture. In the

last two years he graduated

from Kenya Methodist Univer-

sity with a Bachelor of Sci-

ence degree in Agriculture.

Julius got married to Frashiah

in 1992. The couple is blessed with two children

Jesse Murimi and Evelyn Wanja who are in Ikuu

Boys High School and Chogoria Girls High School

respectively. Julius is so active in church. He has

served as a church elder for a very long time. He is

currently the chairman of men’s fellowship of his

church. He is also a lay preacher. He receives

many invitations to peach in churches, schools,

colleges, universities and conferences in the coun-

try. How did you got to know of K.C.K ministry? “I

was in touch with Humphrey while he was in the

states. He shared with me the direction the Lord is

leading him. Helen kept me posted on the develop-

ments of the ministry. When Humphrey returned

from the states, he shared with me more clearly

and we continued to pray together,” said Julius.

“We instituted a board, shared responsibilities and

labored together in carrying out the registration,

establishing the policies and the constitution and

dreaming together on the way forward about the

ministry.”

fencing the property, visiting

sponsored children outside the

home,

visiting 4-6 local schools, meet-

ing with the peace grant group,

visiting the hospital,

meeting with local dignitaries

spending time with the children

in the orphanage. Please be in

prayer for this years mission

team!

Plans are well underway for this

year's mission trip. There are 15

adults and young people going this

year. The group will leave from At-

lanta Airport on June 17, 2011 –

July 2, 2011. Some will extend their

mission work for another week.

The group has an ambitious

agenda planned that includes:

finishing the landscaping

around the buildings, painting

both facilities

Mission Trip 2011 -

Ann Johnson

Julius Mwebia was born in

Nkubu village of Meru Central

district. Julius’ parents intro-

duced him to Sunday school

very early in his life. As he

grew up he was taken through

Methodist confirmation class to

establish him more in the

Christian truth. “I was born

again in 1975. I attended a

Christian rally in a neighboring

school with other boys. As the

Humphrey with Maize on

our new land!

6

Regions We Serve- Kirubia Area

Kirubia area of Mugwe location in Chuka division of Meru-South

District is about 35 kilometres on the east of Mt. Kenya. The

area has about 40 kids that are under the KCK program, who

are supplied with school levies, uniform, clothing foodstuff and

toys. Most of children that area supported by Kenya Connec-

tion kids have attained the age of going to Secondary school in

year 2011.

A noticeable case is Stella Muthara brilliant girl who is cur-

rently in one of the best High school we have around- Materi

Girls High school.

She is a bright student who never misses A’s.

She also loves poetry and acting and really in-

spires the other children with her own-

composed poems.

She is aspires to be a Neuro-surgeon once

through wit her education and we are proud of

her. With the effort and determination she has

in education she really will make it we are as-

sured.

The children meet at the area Chief’s camp

where women and the children’s guardians of

the region have build traditional houses were

build in the honor of the American team and they are called

“American home”. The traditional houses are made of sticks

and roofed with grass giving the traditional tastes of this area.

People in the area drink water from local rivers, creeks and

wells. The water is most cases muddy and not treated. The area

has few schools, the most famous school among the US team

that have visited in Kiereni which has about 14 of the KCK chil-

dren in the area. The common diseases in the area include

Malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, Amoeba infestation and HIV/

AIDS. The average rainfall of the area range from 500mm -

1000mm. Most people in Kirubia are mixed/arable farmers

who practice banana planting, and daily cattle keeping. The

crops that do well in the area include maize, beans, banana

sorghum, millet (bird seeds) mangoes, avocadoes, arrow roots.

Tea also does well but not so much practiced since

it requires big portions of garden. The area experi-

ences sufficient first rains between May and June

and second rains which are more convenient late in

the year to about early January. Lately, the patterns

of rain has bee unpredictable and there has been a

draught with other areas of the country badly hit.

The main soil types are Andro-humic, Nitosols, Cam-

bisols and Fervaso/luvisols. The low soil fertility

situation is worsened by the cativities that lead to

removal of nutrients rather than build up. This is

attributed to:

Nutrient mining through continuous cropping

with no or limited soil fertility

Low use of mineral fertilizers and organic matter

Agriculture officers who include Helen and Freshia (board mem-

bers of KCK) are working tirelessly to enlighten the farmers and

the area people to conservation and productivity improvement.

We are thankful to our friends in United States for the prayers and

support in tough times of the draught. We are grateful for the con-

tinued support and generosity of the money sent to buy food for

poor children. On behalf of the children we are so thankful from

the deepest part of our hearts for the support we get that facili-

tates the poor children in the area to access education, food sup-

plies, and clothing and health facilities. Thank you for being

part of their lives.

Kirubia District Facts Located in Chuka District South

35 km east of Mount Kenya

3 hour drive from Nairobi

53% live below poverty

Diseases-Malaria, pneumonia, amoeba infesta-

FULL TIME WORKERS

Humphrey Muthengi- The C.E.O/Director

Daniel K. Murage - Social worker/ Over-all Coordinator

Ellyjoy Gatakaa - House mother

Pauline Kaari - Aunt

Ben Munene -Security Officer

COORDINATORS

Eva Muthoni – Cheera

Ephanatus Mutembei– Cheera

Darian Kagwiria Tom – Tharaka

Paul Nkari - Tharaka

Mr. Mugo - Tharaka

Everlyn Gaceri –Ikuu

Bernard Kinyua - Kirubia

Patrick Kaaria - Egoji

Pastor Moffat - Nairobi

Coordinator In charge of Counselling services

Mrs. Lucy Mugambi

In charge of Games and children supplies

Alex Mwenda

Members at Large

Jesee Murimi

Abigail Makena

Gacheri Mugambi

Timothy Mugambi

Eva Wanja

John Mutethia

Who’s Who

of

Kenya

Connection

Kids

7

Spotlight Child– Inside the Home

Joy Karegi is one of the kids living

at the Kenya Connection Chil-

dren’s Home in Chuka Meru south

district of Kenya. Joy is currently in

class four and she is doing very

well in academics. She lost both

parents when she was quite

young. What sweet memories do

you have for you parents? “My

mother walked with me one day

to Redeemed Gospel Church to

look for sponsorship for me. She

realized she was very sick and

may die and if I am left, I would

have nobody to take care of me.

It did not work well for us but we

were given food (maize, beans) to

go and cook. My mom used to

bathe me and bought me clothes.’

Joy said. Do you like this home you

have been for over four years?

Yeees, I am glad I got to be here. I sleep

well, eat good food, and have a bed to

sleep on which is good and comfortable.

My former house was made of board. The

board did not reach the floor. There were

many openings and the house was very

cold at night. The

food was not

enough and I did

not use to be sat-

isfied. Most times I

was hungry.” Said

Joy.

You can tell Joy

really appreciates

being at K.C.K

home. To her life

is very different here in comparison to her

former place ever since her parents died.

She enjoys going to Sunday school and she

conducts choruses for she is blessed

with a melodious voice. What would

you want to become when you grow

old? “I would want to be a pilot; I

would have the opportunity of flying

my plane to America to see my spon-

sors. I would give you dad (Humphrey)

some money so that you can care for

more children and the rest of the

money I will buy a car like yours”.

Said Joy. Her favorite games are

football (soccer) and bicycle riding.

Her favorite food is rice, chapatti,

beef stew and kales. May God bless

you greatly for sponsoring Joy. On her

behalf I say thank you very much and

may God bless you.

Joy is sponsored by Sue and Kyle Curtis

Spotlight Child-Outside the Home

Kelvin Murimi is 13 yeas old. He is in

class four at Ikawa primary school. He

comes from Cheera area of Chuka in

Meru South District. By 2007 this boy

was heavily infested by jiggers. During

2007 mission trip by Mars Hill Church,

they met with him. Many from the

team shed tears when they saw a

young child devastated by jiggers. They

organized a trip to his home washed

his feet with chemical and jigger repel-

lant to keep off more infestation. That

time the boy could not walk straight

with comfort. He looked dirty and

abandoned. Thank God that Kelvin is

now free from jiggers and he is differ-

ent.

I have good news for those who saw

him that time. With the help of the

money sent by his sponsor Chuck King

and family, this young boy’s life has

changed. By the time of writing this note I

had visited that boy’s home. He looked

cheerful and very confident. His feet were

clean with no jiggers. The boy has planted

several banana stems and the plants are

doing great.

We challenged the children

under sponsorship to help us

get them out of poverty by

ceasing any opportunity to im-

prove their lives. Kelvin took

the challenge and planted 7

banana stems. He told me he

is planning to plant some 20

banana stems. Chuck King

and Family of Mars Hill Church

will be happy about their son

the next time they visit. Thank

you so much for coming to the

aid of this boy. Your gifts, fi-

nances and resources are not

wasted. The boy remembers

very vividly when you visited his

home, washed his feet and

treated him of jigger repellants.

May God richly bless you.

I s s u e 3 K C K n e w s w i n t e r 2 0 1 1

8

Bretta is in grade 4

at Karurini primary

school. She is cur-

rently raised by a

single mother. The

mother is very hard-

working but the daily

wage is not able to

provide for her 4

children. It is a real

challenge for the

mother to raise the

family alone after the

death of the father to the children. The

late Mr. Saba was a very hardworking

man. He died on bicycle road accident

near Chuka as he was going for work.

The father used to be security man in

one of the churches (full gospel

church) in Chuka town.

Mars Hill Presbyterian Church

Kenya Connection Kids, INC. 3385 Mars Hill Road Acworth, GA 30101

These children are available for sponsorship

Changing the world One Child at a Time

W E ’R E O N T H E W E B A N D F A C E B O OK

WWW .M H C H U RC H .C O M /K E N YA

AN D

M A R S H I L L CH U R C H KE N Y A CO N N E C TI O N

!!

Allan

was born in

2005, he comes

from Egoji area

near Chuka

town, the boy

lives with his sin-

gle mother after

the father de-

serted them and

left them under

their poor

mother’s care. The mother has no

permanent income and depends

on daily labor that she secures,

catering for the needs and keeping

the children in school has been a

great challenge to the mother.

Allan Koome Nkonge Dennis Murimi

Dennis comes

from Kigumo

village in Kyeni

division. He at-

tends Gatituni

Primary School

and in grade 2.

The parents are

separated and

the children are

now under the care of the mother

after the father deserted them, she

has a bigger responsibility since

she has 3 more children from her

daughter that she takes care of.

Bretta

If you are interested in sponsoring one of these children please contact:

Louise Mell- Louise.Mell@Experian.com or call 404-291-7936