A solar pump and irrigation system were installed at the farm plot of the People Living With AIDS (PLWA) in Lodwar, Turkana, on April 2, reports CMF missionaries Gene and Melba Morden. The Mordens have spearheaded many water projects in Turkana, but this is the first system that has been installed specifically for people with HIV/AIDS.

The farm-plot project was instigated at the request of a local ministry in Turkana that asked CMF for help in purchasing food for AIDS patients. People who take the strong ARV medications for AIDS are often weak and unable to work unless they eat a very nutritious diet. (In Turkana, AIDS is called “the thin man’s disease.”) When given a good diet, many patients will gain back weight and strength and be able to return to work or to farming. The CMF team researched the local group’s proposal and decided that the best way to help was to provide a means of producing food. Farming requires water, of course, and since it has not rained in Turkana and Kenya since August 2008, irrigation is a necessity. The solar pump and irrigation system will enable the PLWA to grow the healthy food they need to strengthen their bodies.

Many more farm plots are planned for areas where CMF has planted churches in Turkana. The Community Christian Church clusters decide where the next wells and farm plots should be installed. International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES) is the primary source of funds for this important project. The plots are set up in four to six identical sections and the plantings staggered so that food is always available. In addition, daily Bible studies are held at all farm systems.

Gene Morden says that the solar-powered pumps have proven to be very cost effective. His “Clean Water Team” of Turkana nationals has installed 46 wells since 2001, and four solar pumps in the past two years. At least 200 people can eat from a farm plot each day. The pump, solar panels and irrigation pipes cost $23 per person and should remain effective for at least 10, and possibly as much as 20 years.

The need for clean water in Turkana is unending; this ministry provides multifaceted empowerment for Turkana communities. Clean water prevents the many illnesses caused by water-borne diseases. Garden plots provide much-needed vegetables not available otherwise, and selling food from the farm plots provides income for the Turkana farmers.

Eddie Lowen, senior pastor of West Side Christian Church in Springfield, Illinois, traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, in 2007 with CMF Executive Director Doug Priest. His experiences there meeting the missionaries and children at Missions of Hope changed his life and his church. Click here to read about his experiences and how you can take part in God’s “divine drama” in this article from the April 12, 2009, edition of The Christian Standard.

Steve and Kay Carpenter (Mexico City) recently shared the welcome news that the CMF Mexico team’s offer to purchase the Eagles school facility in Mexico City has been accepted. “We have prayed together for some time regarding this opportunity and now the Lord has shown us His favor,” wrote Steve.

The school building, built in the 1990′s and located in the same neighborhood where the team is planting a church, is owned by Medical Teams International and is currently also the site of the Mexico City Christian Academy. The CMF team has been renting the school for meetings of the Eagles Christian Church and other special activities, and made an offer to purchase it in November.

The building will continue to serve the Academy, but it will now also be the home of ALAS, a Mexican non-profit foundation formed as an outreach arm of the Eagles Christian Church. It will also serve as a community center, as a site for adult education classes, children’s programs, and many other activities. The spacious facility has 10 classrooms, a cafeteria, library, shop, office complex, and an apartment for the maintenance/security man and his family.

“We want to express our thankfulness to everyone who made a commitment pray for us and this opportunity and to everyone who made a financial commitment,” said Steve. “Our faithfulness has been rewarded.”

Contributions are still being requested to complete the purchase of this valuable ministry tool. For more information please visit the Carpenter’s website at www.sknbc.com, or email StevePalich@cmfi.org.

Lynn Cazier (Maasai, Kenya) shared a very encouraging report following a recent meeting of the Maasai church leaders. All of the Maasai churches are organized into 15 regional clusters for fellowship and oversight, and each cluster sent its representatives to the meeting. Many of the clusters reported church growth, new church plants of less than a year old, and baptisms of new converts into Christ. At last count there are a total of 92 churches in the 15 clusters, up from 75 churches just two years ago.

Nineteen students and staff from Lincoln Christian College, Lincoln, IL, arrived in Nottingham, England, this week for a week-long mission experience with David and Teresa Fittro and CMF team. The group will work primarily in a local school, engaging with the students. This is an annual event and, according to David Fittro, always spiritually challenging. “We have always seen individuals who excel and others who struggle,” said David. “They will daily face students who want to argue and debate about things that are very precious to the LCC team. The team is walking onto the battlefield in our local school.”

After their long days in the classrooms discussing faith with “students who largely have none,” the LCC team will work with the missionaries in prayer walks, youth outreach through clubs and activities, and in encouraging the local churches.

“When teams have been here in the past, we have always seen a new milestone in our work,” said David. “Please pray that God uses this team to make Christ known to the youth, parents and teachers in our community.”