Why We Went...

Brian McLaren's book, "Everything Must Change" is about to be released in paperback, possibly with a new subtitle: "Where Jesus' Good News and the World's Biggest Problems Collide." I've read this book, and the new subtitle does a great job of explaining why our group traveled to Kenya.

First, it is important to understand the value of water in this region of Kenya. T

he average annual rainfall for the region is about 15 inches a year, (Wyoming averages about 12) and most of that comes between March and May of each year. The rest of the year the climate is hot and dry and the Ukarimu House, as well as the rest of the campus, relies on water from a reservoir at the University, and a very unreliable pipeline that brings water from Nairobi. In very dry times they pay a great deal to have water trucked into the college. During the school year the campus houses approximately 1000 students who all observe strict water conservation practices. 

The second piece of this picture is the ministry center that is under construction, called The Ukarimu House. (pictured above) Ukarimu is a Swahili word meaning hospitality. Chip and Chari Kingsbury have

 been at Daystar for more than 8 years. Chip serves as the director for faculty development, and teaches classes in the area of leadership and community development. They also coordinate a program called "The Praxis Team" which trains and equips students for ministry. Currently they live in a small home adjacent to The Ukarimu House. Once completed the roof of these buildings will collect rainfall

and fill the newly constructed water tank, providing water for most of the year. They are currently recruiting team members to travel to Kenya in August of this year to be a part of a crew that will help fund and install the roof/rainwater collection sys

tem. Total cost for the metal and tile roof, $40,000 USD. I am told that they have a little over half of this team committed. If you are interested in participating

 in this project contact Chip at:  ckingsbury@daystar.ac.ke 

So... how does a team of 10 college folk from the states fit into this equation? Jewell has had a longtime commitment to building student leaders that are engaged in their local and global communities. This project, with Jewell alumni, Chip Kingsbury, had all the righ

t pieces to mobilize and engage students at a number of different levels. First we sought the support of the campus by raising funds to help pay for the construction materials. Through the generosity of student organizations, faculty and staff we were able to donate $2,000.00 toward the water tank project prior to 

our arrival. When we arrived the hole had already been started, (pictured above) and for the next 10 days we used pick axes (the ground is very hard and dry) shovels, ropes and buckets to complete the foundational shape of the tank. 

Nothing builds community faster than working together, sweating and carving something out of the dense Kenyan soil. Our team partnered with 15 of 

the Praxis students from Daystar to dig this hole and the channels that will support the pipes carrying the rainwater to the tank. While building this ecologically friendly tank, what we were really building, was relationships with peers from a very different culture. We constructed bonds and understanding on levels much deeper than the 13 feet of earth we removed together.  

By the end of our second week our team began to dig the trenches that will be used to hold the pipes that will carry water to the tank during the rainy seasons. Chip employed some men that were skilled at lining the tank walls with concrete. As our time in Kenya drew to a close it was interesting to watch as the combined groups of students would walk over to the tank and stare with pride at our "hole in the ground," and reminisce at the amount of blood sweat and tears it took to make this huge tank. A sustainable rainwater collection structure, that will very soon make the Ukarimu House a self supporting ministry center at the base of the Lukenya Hills of southern Kenya. 

For two weeks in Kenya Jesus Good News, collided with the global issue of water conservation as Jewell, Carroll, and Daystar students shared labor and lives for the growth of God's Kingdom. Thanks again to all of you that helped make this happen.  Deo Fisus Labora - Jeff