Field notes, stories, perspectives and updates related to our ministry in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya
April 26, 2023
The three day conference for pastors from the refugee camp and local community ended this evening. Over 200 pastors participated. Kenyans, Ethiopians, Sudanese, South Sudanese, Congolese, Burundian, and Yemenese were in the mix. Some come from tribal communities that are at war with one another int heir homelands. But here, they were together. Their faith in Jesus makes it possible for them to transcend their many differences.
Today's meetings included speakers from the local government. This was mutually beneficial as the churches felt seen and heard, and the officials had opportunity to meet with the pastors.
Of course, with a group of 200 pastors, there was plenty of preaching and teaching too this week. As they left the KISOM campus that IAFR helped them build, I could see that the brothers and sisters had been refreshed and that new connections were made with one another. May God add God's blessing. These women and men do the heavy lifting of keeping hope alive in the camp.
IAFR sponsored this conference thanks to a generous donation from a partner church in the USA. We are so grateful to be a conduit through which the Church at Large can partner with our brothers and sisters here.
The network of churches in Kakuma celebrated 27 years since its founding during the conference with a special cake. There was so much joy.
I come away encouraged to see the KISOM buildings used in this way. IAFR financial partners funded the buildings over several years. It is so much more than a training school for pastors here.
I spoke with the local World Vision leader here before leaving. She shared how they too are thankful for the KISOM campus as they oftennuse it for their training conferences.
- Tom Albinson
Return to the Kakuma BlogIAFR has been serving people in Kakuma refugee camp since 2010. 250,000 people (mostly women and children) have found temporary refuge here from war, persecution and gross violations of human rights.
We visit Kakuma 2 times annually, during which time this blog is most active.
Visit the Kakuma page on the IAFR.org website to learn more!
We partner with United Refugee and Host Churches (URHC) - a refugee initiated association of over 160 churches from within the camp and surrounding host community.
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Copyright © 2023 International Association for Refugees. All rights reserved.