Dear Hope Church,
Thank you so much for your incredible generosity to Nuru International through the Christmas Offering. We are truly overwhelmed by the level of support that Hope Church has shown to so many people living in extreme poverty in rural Kenya.
The money will go towards Nuru’s response to the drought and maize blight that remains a serious threat to rural farmers’ livelihoods in Kenya. During last year’s growing season, with additional funding Nuru was able to significantly expand its advisory and support work with the farmers in the Kuria West area, mitigating the effects of the encroaching maize blight. During the current planting season, Nuru is working closely with the farmers to diversify their crops so that they will be less vulnerable to this type of shock in future. So far, Nuru’s response has been largely successful, and we hope and pray that it remains so.
Sitting in Hope Church on Christmas Eve, surrounded by so many people who were giving so generously to Nuru, was a special experience for us both. I was brought to tears as I thought about how much it will mean to our friends in Kenya to know that our church family in Michigan were standing by them in their time of need. I talked to Pastor Jill after the service about how the offering had been an unexpected moment of reconciliation for me.
It seems fitting for me to share this story during the Season of Reconciliation. I am reminded that reconciliation often comes in very unexpected and surprising ways. I am incredibly grateful for this particular moment of reconciliation. Joining Hope Church in this offering has been incredibly meaningful for us, and we thank you ourselves, and on behalf of those Nuru is working to serve in Kenya.
Claire & Scott Rumpsa