Update October 2024
We recently received a News Letter from the Friends of Marsabit.
Update October 2024
We recently received a Marsabit publication Voice of Hope produced by the diocese of Marsabit.
It can be accessed here.
Update July 2024
This is the most recent prayer diary from Friends of Marsabit.
It can be accessed here.
Update June 2024
We recently received a News Letter from the Friends of Marsabit.
Bishop Rob writes, "They tell of masses of training and empowering of children and youngsters, new churches being started and visits by overseas visitors. I pray the letter helps you in your prayers - I will be redoing the prayer cycle next week.
Your prayers really help to keep the mission in Northern Kenya protected and flourishing, but we know there are always dangers and challenges lurking amidst the joys. As we know in our own lives!
Update December 2023
We recently received a News Letter from the Friends of Marsabit.
Bishop Rob writes, "Here is our final newsletter from Marsabit for 2023.
It follows on from the Diocesan Voice of Hope, which we sent out in November, and is full of exciting developments:
There has just been an amazing MU Conference with over 350 ladies!
The August missions in the Northern parts of the Diocese have been followed by confirmations in 6 parishes of 342 candidates.
The inspirational CMS Mission Director, Norm (and Janelle) Gorrie, has now retired and the Bishop is praying for a new mission partner to come and help harness all the mission energy and desire that is there.
Schools are increasing, especially in the secondary sector.
There is so much for which to thank the Lord!
I'm flying to Kenya in January and will report back with the latest news in our next letter, probably in February.
Thanks so much for your prayers and support - it has been invaluable.
The newsletter can be accessed here.
Update July 2023
We recently received a News Letter from the Friends of Marsabit following Bishop Qampicha's visit to the UK.
Bishop Rob writes, "Lots to give thanks for (great visit to the UK by Bishop Qampicha and Safia, rains, better security, missional energy, Girls High School finally starting to be built, hopefully ready for the first pupils next January).
But also matters for prayer - the struggle for so many to survive because of the past drought and current high inflation;
for patience for the peacemakers, as they work out how to bring about lasting reconciliation and look for places to resettle the IDPs;
for fruit from all the mission activities in August and beyond,
for Norm and Janelle as they prepare to return home;
and for the school children in the schools of N. Kenya, surrounded by both traditional and other faith cultures.
Thanks so much for your prayers.
The newsletter can be accessed here.
Update July 2023
This is the most recent prayer diary from Friends of Marsabit.
It can be accessed here.
Update May 2023
We recently received a Marsabit publication Voice of Hope produced by the diocese of Marsabit.
It can be accessed here.
Update April 2023
We recently received a News Letter from the Friends of Marsabit following Bishop Rob's visit to the Marsabit diocese.
Bishop Rob writes, "The drought has caused terrible famine for 3 years.
Now, at last, the rains seem to have come; Hallelujah! But in such abundance there have been serious floods and much damage to people's homes and surviving livestock. It does bring hope but, for now, their suffering continues.
In June, Bishop Qampicha and his wife, Safia, will be visiting us in England, all being well. That will be very exciting: they'll be based in Frome June 2-8, in Chelmsford Diocese June 9-18 and around London June 19-22. I hope many of you can meet or hear them.
And the Diocese continues to move forwards, with three more churches consecrated, 4 Junior High schools being started.
The newsletter can be accessed here.
Update December 2022
We recently received a News Letter from the Friends of Marsabit following Bishop Rob's visit to the Marsabit diocese.
Bishop Rob writes, "Sue and I have just visited Marsabit, and
In response to Bishop Qampicha's plea, we are making an appeal for famine relief. The situation in N. Kenya and the Horn of Africa is really desperate, with rains failing for 3 years.
But security is better, and, despite the challenges, the Diocese is moving forward in so many ways."
The newsletter can be accessed here.
Update July 2022
We recently received a News Letter from the diocese which can be accessed here.
Update March 2022
We received this email from Bishop Rob the former Bishop of Marsabit
I know we are all much in prayer about the horrific events in Ukraine, but this is a heartfelt plea for your brothers and sisters in Marsabit.
Bishop Qampicha rang me a few days ago to say that the security situation in Marsabit is extremely bad at the moment. 3 land cruisers were ambushed a few miles northwest of Marsabit on the Maikona road, with 8 people badly injured and 2 killed. Then the bus down from Moyale was attacked on the road from the northern desert up into the town and more people were injured, including our evangelist, Philip. He had a bullet passing through his neck, yet miraculously without hitting any major arteries. He is now in hospital down south.
This is a struggle between the Gabra and Borana peoples, almost certainly fuelled by politicians mobilising their people before the August elections. It means that travel north of Marsabit is now highly dangerous. Bishop's home and wider family are from Sololo in the North, but he believes it is too dangerous to go there at the moment.
Down south, there are also tensions and violent incidents between the Turkana and Samburu, though that hasn't flared up quite so badly as in Marsabit.
There is also an outbreak of Yellow Fever in Isiolo, in the southern area.
Add the famine which continues, because the rains have still not come (due in March), and I would plead for your prayers.
Thank you so much,
Rob
Update February 2022
We recently received a Prayer Diary from the diocese which can be accessed here.
Update November 2021
We recently received a Prayer Diary from the diocese which can be accessed here.
Update September 2021
We recently received a Prayer Diary from the diocese which can be accessed here.
Update July 2021
We recently received a Prayer Diary from the diocese which can be accessed here.
Update May 2021
Thank you for your amazing support of the Bishop's Annual Appeal - Empower Marsabit - which has so far raised more than £21,000 for Five Talents UK, the Anglican Communion's microfinance charity and their work in our link diocese of Marsabit in Kenya. The funds raised will help train twelve groups of predominately women, across Marsabit in literacy, numeracy and basic business skills.
Revd Elema is leading this project in Marsabit and has a real passion for helping women with literacy. She has seen first-hand in her own parish how the power of education has transformed lives.
As things have tentatively begun to open again in North Kenya after coronavirus lockdown restrictions, the Five Talents project has been able to progress. Elema and project coordinator, Joseph Gubo, have been able to attend a training session for local community leaders in Gambela with the Mother's Union.
New local leaders have been chosen and will be responsible for running the training groups. Elema and Joseph are training the facilitators, so they are equipped to set up and run the new groups.
They shared: "We had a very good two days explaining what we want to do, why we want to do it and how important the role of a group facilitator will be. We also spent time explaining how facilitators can mobilise support for the programme locally."
It is hoped the first groups will be established in the near feature. Join us in praying for our dedicated sisters and brothers in Christ pioneering change in Marsabit.
Look out for updates on the project and details about how you can continue to support this year's Bishop's Appeal on the Chelmsford Diocese website: chelmsford.anglican.org/bishops-appeal.
Update March 2020
We recently received a Prayer Diary from the diocese which can be accessed here.
Update January 2020
We recently received a Prayer Diary from the diocese which can be accessed here.
Update December 2019
We recently received a newsletter from the diocese which can be accessed here.
Update July 2019
January 2019 PCC agreed to support 6 charities during the year to 31st December, The Friends of Marsabit being one of them. Each charity will receive £800, one sixth of our commitment to give 10% of our income for 2018, £4800.
We recently received a newsletter from the diocese which can be accessed here.
Update April 2017
The PCC decided to cease our church giving to the link diocese of Marsabit at the end of our 5 year commitment…
Individuals continue to support them in prayer and financially.
Update April 2016
We report to the Annual Church meeting.
In 2012 the PCC decided to promise an annual sum of £1920 to the diocese of Marsabit in North Kenya to support a Minister and an Evangelist. We have continued to raise money for this and we also remember them in our prayers. The Revd Joshua ministers in Kargi and the evangelist, James, is in an even more inhospitable region of the country but with our support continues his work. Rob Martin, the Bishop of Marsabit, has now retired and his successor, Daniel Qampicha, whose wife is Sefia, has been appointed. In October Terry along with 5 other clergy went to Marsabit and he has been able to tell us something of life there from first hand experience. Lee Batson, who was also on the October trip, did the same for the men at the Men's breakfast in January.
Update December 2015
We receive Christmas Greetings from Rob and Sue Martin. You can read it at this link.
Update Autumn 2015
Revd Terry Brown is a part of a party which visits Marsabit. These are some of the photos he returned with.
Update August 2014
At a later PCC meeting we agreed to raise funds and Bishop Rob was able to go ahead and buy the motorbike for Rev Joshua Umuro knowing his costs would be covered.
Update November 2014
The PCC have sent £1000, finding the funds from part of the Southend Children's Choir concert proceeds held in September and other events.
Update August 2014
At a later PCC meeting we agreed to raise funds and Bishop Rob was able to go ahead and buy the motorbike for Rev Joshua Umuro knowing his costs would be covered.
Update June 2014
Bishop Rob and his wife Sue came to visit St Andrews on 22nd June.
We celebrated a Kenyan setting of the Eucharist and enjoyed a Kenyan welcome when Bishop Rob brought blessings to us from Marsabit and we gave our blessings to him to take back for our Kenyan friends. We tucked into a bring and share lunch and heard news of the Diocese of Marsabit.
Sue had brought some Kenyan articles for sale to raise funds for the diocese. These were bead mats and Christmas decorations, as well as patterned cushion covers and string of beads in every colour imaginable. Some of us now have lovely reminders of Marsabit around our houses.
We heard that travelling around can be made easier with a motorbike because they suit the terrain and are relatively cheap to run. This enables clergy to reach their congregations much more quickly than walking or by bicycle.
We agreed to look into raising funds - £1000 - to help to buy a second hand motorbike for one of the ministers.
On 20th March 2013 Bishop Rob Martin, Bishop of Marsabit, writes,
"Greetings from Marsabit.
"We had a lovely surprise last week, when an envelope arrived from Sandon Church, Sunday school!
"Lots of pictures and prayers from the children, great!
"I have passed them on to Rev. Joshua, and he will get a response from the children, when he can - he saw a few yesterday.
"He has had great trouble getting back to Kargi, after a meeting in Marsabit, because there is no public transport there and no vehicles are going at the moment! But yesterday he got a lift there and back, so has alerted the people and the children!
"He is in my office at the moment and passes his greetings to all of you. The children he saw yesterday were very happy, and they will draw some things in return. "Please continue praying for us, and we will pray for you, as we interact together, because it encourages us. We are very touched by the child who wrote that we love the children of Marsabit!
"He will write later - he is not on email.
"Blessings to you all and thanks for your support,
"+Rob"
The PCC Minutes of 14th May 2012
state:"Clive (Ashley) proposed that we could promise an annual salary for a Priest and an Evangelist in Kenya (£1920 pa) for at least 5 years as well as give (£480) to a local charity in Essex. Seconded by David (Farrar). It was agreed unanimously."
Subsequently the Standing Committee decided that this would be effected by sending £480 to the Marsabit ACK account quarterly at the start of March, June, September and December. We are on course with this since the start of June 2012.
The Bishop Rob Martin, Bishop of Marsabit, has identified Rev Joshua Umuro, who is of the Rendille tribe and is beginning work as a Priest in the parish of Kargi about 50km North West of Marsabit itself.
Kargi is a hot, tough place, which rarely has water and depends on
boreholes and shallow wells to survive. It is about two hours drive
from Marsabit out
in the Chalbi desert. People are pastoralists, depending on camels and
goats.We are currently building Joshua a vicarage but do not have enough funds - he sleeps in the two rooms at the back of the nursery class, with wife and 5 children.
The Kargi church has planted another church about 20km further away where there is an evangelist James Keifule, whom we are also supporting.
Do keep Rev Joshua, James and the people of Kargi in your prayers.
For further information or suggestions please contact Richard Cecil.