Solid Rock Christian Church along with other donors support the work of the Solid Rock Christian Church and Children's Home in Western Kenya. At present the Children's Home has 32 orphans they are caring for. Of course, they need food, clothing, education, medical assistance, and have other needs.
In 2015 Craig Rippy, Rick Huizinga, and Ken and Coral Henderson visited the Church and Children's Home for several days. We had a full house at the church building. The people were generous, kind and very hospitable. The preaching and teaching is Biblical and follows the John 3:16, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38 plan for salvation.
The Children's Home has grown since the first time we visited. The second trip in 2017 Craig Rippy, Jeff Brown and Ken Henderson flew to Nairobi and made the rest of the 7-hour trip by car. The Children's Home had added new Dorms for the children, a dining hall and a small kitchen. Now remember, we are in a third world country. The kitchen had a dirt floor with an open fire in one corner.
As of September 2022, they have purchased about 4 acres of land adjacent to the original property. The hope is to build a new church building and school on that property. At present the church building is being leased and is about a mile and a half from the Children's Home by road and half a mile by foot. Of course, they walk.
The two men we ordained were the two who were already preaching and teaching as Evangelists. One is the Director of the Children's Home. He and his wife live on the Children's Home property. Both men travel to do evangelistic work.
In February of 2024 Rick Huizinga and Craig Rippy returned. The property has been updated with paint, a water well, and nice landscaping. The children are well cared for.
Rick and I went with the two Evangelists to several congregations they have started. There are nine (9) congregations now. The work of winning to Jesus is going very well. The two Evangelists meet with leaders of the congregations at least once a month for Bible Study and further training.
NEEDS:
*They always need more food (It takes $1000 a week).
*Clothing, diapers, and shoes.
*Bibles are always needed. The work has spread to various tribes with their own tribal languages. Plus, the churches are growing and are always in need of Bibles. Children's Bibles are needed as well.
*School is expensive: Each child must be registered for school. The average registration fees for all the school age children is about $4600 three times a year. Schooling is expensive in Kenya. Due to the expense the Children's Home has taken the children out of private schools to attend public schools. These aren't the preference but is necessary at present. Whether private or public the children must pay registration fees and purchase supplies.
*Then we have the occasional Medical/Hospital expenditures. The issue with hospitalization is that the hospital will not release the patient until the bill is paid. And they continue to add a daily fee for keeping the patient. The most we've paid is about $7,000 for a intestinal surgery and recovery. Generally, the cost is around $1500 per stay for a child with Malaria and Pneumonia.
*Transportation. In 2022 we purchased a nice four-door 4X4 Toyota pickup for the Home. It is diesel. They need to keep up with regular maintenance and purchase tires periodically.
*Salaries. The Children's Home has a two Security Guards, Cook and others working that are paid. The Evangelists do not get paid. Although we would love to do that. Each month the salaries are paid and the electric bill on the same day. These cost about $1300.
Please pray for the Solid Rock Christian Children's Home and the work of evangelism by the two Evangelists. They continue to go to new villages and start congregations. They travel to have Bible studies, do house to house evangelism, and to preach on Sundays.
As you can tell the ministry of helping orphaned children and evangelism can be costly. If you can support the work in Kenya please send a check or use our PayPal link (donation icon) on our Welcome Page. Please indicate on check or PayPal that it is for the work in Kenya or it will be directed to the SRCC (USA) General Fund.
You can send checks to: Solid Rock Christian Church
P.O. Box 1
St. James, MO 65559
MEMO: Kenya
