https://www.ides.org/news/turkana-kenya-irrigation-farms-update

1/25/2018

Drought has oppressed the Turkana people of Northwest Kenya for the past four years. It has left the oldest and youngest most vulnerable to malnutrition and death. The written reports we received in 2017 along with pictures of cracked earth and livestock carcasses have been heart wrenching.

Throughout the last few years, IDES has provided funding for emergency food distributions and clean water wells. The drought has been so severe, that immediate relief for the sake of survival was the necessary route of response.

One of IDES’ mission partners, Christian Missionary Fellowship International (CMFI) , has spent these years developing and mastering a model for irrigation farms that can provide a sustainable source of food and income to multiple families per plot. At the end of 2017, IDES asked for your help to provide funding to establish more of these farms as a long-term solution to the hunger crisis caused by the drought.

IDES was committed to raising funds to create at least 10 irrigation farms, but thanks to your generosity we have already surpassed this goal with enough funds to create at least 14 farms! (*NOTE: At the time of Rick and Nancy’s filming the message below, we had enough to create 13 farms, but now we are up to enough for 14 farms! Praise God.)

Recently, two staff members from CMFI sat down with us to share about this project in more detail.

Part 1 – The Drought

In Part 1 of the interview, CMFI Church Catalyst Ministries Director, David Giles, and CMFI Missionary in Turkana, Kenya, Gene Morden explain the severity of the drought crisis, including specific stories from families who have been suffering from hunger and food insecurity. They also speak about the necessity for Jesus’ followers to care about not only the spiritual needs of those around them, but also the physical needs.

Part 2 – The Solution

In Part 2 of the interview, CMFI Church Catalyst Ministries Director, David Giles, and CMFI Missionary in Turkana, Kenya, Gene Morden inform how the farms are established, list the benefits of sustainable farming in these communities, and share stories of how God has been using your generosity through these farms to share the love of Jesus Christ.