16Feb 2011 by Nigel Ring

Kenya Drought – Update from Edward Buria

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
No sooner had I posted the last blog (or so it seemed) than I received an update from Edward himself. Please read this to help your praying for the situation. Another drought..........Another crisis My big question The last one month and two weeks of February 2011 have been a very difficult and trying time as we find ourselves in the midst of another severe drought / famine. I have found myself asking God why another drought that has led to another crisis in our Nation as millions find themselves with no food, water and vegetation for their animals? God speaks In the midst of my questions that seemed to have no immediate answers, God clearly and powerfully spoke to me through dear friends from far lands and my own teams.…
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14Feb 2011 by Nigel Ring

Famine in Kenya – further update

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
Since my last blog I have received a further text message (which I have edited for clarity) and some photos: Here is a report on my trip to Samburu and some of the very sad encounters over the weekend which will be with me 4 a very long time to come. On Sunday after dedicating and opening our Maralel Town Church (in Samburu), we encounterd very emotional cases on our back to Wamba..met families and children along the way all at the verge of collapsing 4 lack of food and water. There were young girls. We gave a lift with small containers in search of water. After 25 minutes drive stopped at a Laga and the girls went strait to this shalow hole which had some contaminated water. The girls…
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07Feb 2011 by Nigel Ring

Serious Crisis in Kenya

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
Starvation and Dehydration I am breaking into my series on Planning for Ministry since the situation in Kenya is dire and I want to share with you the text messages I have been receiving from Edward Buria, who leads the Newfrontiers churches in Kenya, during this very severe drought. Water is in very short supply and it has become necessary for Edward and his team to transport it from Meru (4 hours from their centre in Samburu). Obviously this has severe limitations. They are now seeing people die of dehydration and starvation. What you can do Please pray for: 1. Rain 2. Wisdom for Edward, his team and the pastors who are seeing their people suffer and die Please consider giving finance by cheque or online Edited sms messages are:…
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24Nov 2010 by Nigel Ring

When Helping Hurts – Part 3 – Practical Strategies for helping without hurting

Christian ministry, Cross-culture, Equipping, Good Practice, International, News, Poor, Relief and Development, To the Nations
Concluding the review of this excellent book we shall now look at one very practical application. Short term mission teams. Like the story of the elephant and the mouse dancing together at a celebration - both benefit and enjoy it until the mouse is squashed - such can also be the effect of a short-term mission team. Who is really benefitting? Perhaps neither. The team have a ‘life changing experience' - but may learn the wrong things. The hosts can feel crushed. At the root of the problem is lack of sensitivity to others' cultures eg "Mine is the plumbline so any deviation is ‘wrong'". Consider time. In the ‘west' time = productivity; the emphasis is on good stewardship and using every minute productively. In the majority world there is…
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19Nov 2010 by Nigel Ring

Ministry Report – Feeding Programme in Mumbai

Christian ministry, Good Practice, India, Ministry Report, News, Poor, Relief and Development
Recently I was visiting India and was very impressed by what I heard of a beautiful ministry of compassion. I asked Lynn Fernandes to write it up for my blog: Around December 2007, a few of us from Living Word Church, Mumbai, India, felt sovereignly lead by God from a verse in Is 58:7 " ...is it not to share your food with the hungry, to provide the wonderer with shelter, to cloth the naked, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood." In short, to do something for the poor. There were so many poor people around us. Where were we to start and how were we to go about doing what we felt lead to? Feeding of the Poor We started off one Wednesday in…
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10Nov 2010 by Nigel Ring

When Helping Hurts – Part 2 – General Principles for helping without hurting.

Christian ministry, Cross-culture, Equipping, Good Practice, News, Poor, Relief and Development, To the Nations, Training
Continuing this somewhat protracted commentary on the strongly recommended book, When Helping Hurts, we will now see what the authors say about Principles that need to be followed to avoid causing damage to those who are in need. Relief, Rehabilitation and Development First, it is important to distinguish between Relief, Rehabilitation and Development. In true crisis (e.g. tsunami) people cannot help themselves and need Relief. After the crisis there is Rehabilitation when people can start to help themselves but need others alongside Development is about empowering, the point at which great discretion is needed - ‘handouts' can be very damaging, especially if the reason for needing help is of a person's own making e.g. through irresponsible living such as alcohol abuse. Cultural sensitivity At all times we must be careful…
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