The last several months have been filled with incredible opportunities for ministry and service. Here is a snapshot of a few key projects:
People to People Updates
Over the last few months, we have been visiting partner People to People programs and working with Pastors to get updates on the nearly 200 children that are in our PtoP Child sponsorship program. Sponsorship helps provide families and programs with support for children’s educational and dietary needs. We have many firsthand reports of the incredible impact this program continues to have.
This year, we are extending the program to Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Many of these children are from families that have faced unimaginable circumstances: conflict, war, disease, loss of family, extreme poverty, etc. They have dedicated caretakers and family that love and care for them, many of which are pastors of partner churches, but they face major challenges. If you are interested in sponsoring on of these children thorough People to People, please let us know and we can connect you with the PtoP Office.
Democratic Republic of Congo
As mentioned in our last update, in March Jamie visited DRC and Burundi to meet with leaders and for Humanitarian response to the refugee crisis (read more here: Burundi/ Congo Relief)
On this trip, the leaders in DRC expressed a desire to be in a position to better serve those in their community that have been impacted by the ongoing conflict, especially women and children. Many Congolese in Eastern DRC have fled the conflict into neighboring countries, but many more have remained. So, we have committed to starting an ongoing Relief Program through local churches which provide monthly food and essential items for 50 vulnerable families. These items include rice, beans, oil, salt, soap, hygiene kits, clothing, and sleeping mats. This program will better equip local churches to holistically minister to vulnerable families within their communities. Thank you for your support which makes projects like this possible!
If you feel led, this project can be supported here: Ministry Project Support (scroll down and choose “Dunning Jamie Ministry” in the middle box below our Family description)
St. Joyuna Kitchen and Dining Facility
The new kitchen and dining facility at St. Joyuna is nearly finished. We are so pleased with the building and the quality space that it provides to the students and staff to take and prepare meals. Thank you to all of you that have supported this project!
The final step is to provide new tables and benches for the dining halls, as well as install a proper stove and filtration system, which should be complete within the next few weeks.
Hosanna Children’s Home Dairy Project
One of the first sustainability initiatives we started many years ago was the Dairy Project at Hosanna Children’s Home. This project continues to grow and thrive. Many of the current herd of cows are 3rd and 4th generation, with many being birthed by the original cows we purchased. They are currently receiving around 200 liters of milk each day, which provides all that the children consume, and leaves plenty to sell, which covers the expenses of the cows and other needs.
Rwanda Sustainability Projects
The sustainability projects that support partner communities in Rwanda are thriving. These are coordinated by Bishop Clement Muneza. Unfortunately, due to a decree by the government, our churches are not allowed to meet presently, so they are focusing on house fellowships and community development and support projects. Currently, there is a pig raising income generation project (around 30 families currently in the program), hairdressing classes for women, 2 sewing projects, and a shoe making project. All of these programs are designed to help individuals develop skills and start businesses that allow them to better support their families. We also have a feeding program to support the children of individuals in these programs as they take classes. I was with Clement in May, and this work is thriving.
If you are interested, this project can be supported here: Ministry Project Support (scroll down and choose “Dunning Jamie Ministry” in the middle box below our Family description)
Appointment as Regional Director for Eastern and Sub-Saharan Africa
I recently accepted an appointment as the RD for EASSA. This position has the responsibility of overseeing the work and ministry in 8 nations, working closely with leadership in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, and Egypt. We have approximately 1,800 churches in this region that the RD works to support, encourage, and stand alongside. My initial response was a confident “No, thank you” as this is a role that I have not desired. My fear was that this role would pull me away from my passion of working with People to People and in the area of humanitarian relief, community development, and social assistance programs through local church partnerships. I also couldn’t imagine adding those responsibilities to my current workload, and I did not feel led to release any of my current responsibilities.
After prayer and consideration, and encouragement from our General Director and the former RD, I decided to accept this position on a trial basis for one year to best determine if it is the right fit.
In late May I was able to meet with Tal Gardner (WMM Director), Ron Wooten (Former ESSA Director) and the National Leaders of each of these EA nations for several days to officially accept hand over of the RD responsibilities. I was able to listen and learn from these leaders, gain much needed understanding of the successes and challenges in this region, and to cast vision for the future. Fortunately, I already work with many of these leaders through People to People, projects and relief efforts, so we already have good relationships. I am already beginning to see great potential, and look forward to standing with these leaders and to further the Kingdom work in East Africa.
This role does bring new challenges, in areas I haven’t typically worked, so I have a lot to learn. I am also inheriting projects that I was not formerly managing. One of these is a Church Roof project. The RD has an agreement with local rural church congregations that if they are able to build permanent stone churches, then the mission will try to contribute the funds to finish the building by providing the funds for the roof. These communities have faithfully committed to finding the funds and resources to build these structures, so we currently have dozens of churches throughout East Africa that are in need of roofs. I do not know that we will be able to meet this need in the near future, but I have communicated that we will try to honor this request.
If you are interested in supporting this effort, contributions can be made here: Church Roof Project
Prayer Requests
- For the millions of people in East Africa facing rising costs of basic goods, food insecurity and the uncertainty of what is to come.
- For the ongoing conflict and Ebola outbreak in Eastern DRC.
- For the refugees in Burundi and Kenya that we support and work with through partner ministries.
- For the churches in Rwanda that are unable to meet and fellowship together.
- For the East African nations we work with and the individuals, ministries, communities and churches that we have partnerships with.
- That we would love God and others as He loves us, and that we will be faithful in all the areas that we are being called.
- For good health, safety and protection.
Can we pray for you? Please send us your requests at dunningsinkenya@gmail.com.
As always, thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. We are so grateful for you.
Grace and Peace,
Jamie, Jessica, Sophie and Ethan
THE DUNNINGS IN KENYA 