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The Difference a Meal Can Make

This past February I had the opportunity to visit our partners in Meru, Kenya accompanied by Peter and Josephine Mburugu.  Due to travel restrictions during the pandemic, this was the first opportunity I had to visit the ministry since I became Outreach Minister seven years ago, and it was truly a blessed experience.   Lisa with Florence K. Kimaita, Headteacher at Nyweri Primary School From the time I landed to the time I departed I was greeted with overwhelming Kenyan hospitality. I shared meals with volunteers from Hope International Ministry Trust, school administrators, and extended family members connected to Cherish. I met students and teachers and had a group of kindergarteners follow my every step as I toured their school.  But the most memorable part of my trip was the stories I heard about the transformation occurring because of a simple lunch provided to students every day while they are in school.   Two years ago, UPPC began sending funds designated for the Watoto ministry
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Celebrate With Cherish

 October 8, 2023 at UPPC....  12:20 - 2 pm.          Come and celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the CHERISH Ministry !  There will be a presentation about our sponsorship ministry, where we have been and where we hope to go.  We will share stories, food, fellowship and provide opportunities as we pray for our students as they begin their final term of the school year.  Come and spend time with others who have been blessed to be part of this ministry.
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Praise God....A Very Special Meeting !

 On a very special March day,  Bernard G. was able to meet Clare and some of her family.  Clare had sponsored Bernard and he has come far !!!!  What a blessing this time was for all involved.   Here is description of that special day from Sharon Moffitt:      It was such a privilege to witness the first meeting of Bernard Gitonga and Clare Devine when he visited recently. It will be 20 years ago this coming September that Josephine Mburugu and I made our first trip to Meru to find out how our church might be able to join folks there in providing aid and assistance to the children and families of Meru.       Bernard made a supreme effort to be here, traveling from Florida to Tacoma for just 48 hours before heading to his new job in Virginia.  As we left to visit Clare, he asked that we stop so he could buy flowers and a card which he chose with great care. Imagine, this young man and Richard and Clare having a relationship for all these years but never meeting in person!  I wish I could
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Greetings from HOPE International Ministry

  Greetings CHERISH Sponsors and Supporters  Thank you for sponsorship funds. Our shilling (Kenyan currency) is very weak now due to our poor economy.  I wish to tell you that the cost of living in Kenya today is very high, and many families are finding it hard even to put enough food on the table for their families. Cost of fuel and food has gone up. School fees are a real challenge and many of the schools are finding it hard to manage the institutions. So, the income and expenditures are incomparable. It is our hope that the situation will normalize one day.Thankyou for all who donate their funds and more so their love to help our children. Wish you God's blessings in all your undertakings. With love  Elijah HOPE International Ministry
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February 2023 Update

February 2023 Dear CHERISH Sponsors and Supporters,  This year marks the 20th year in our relationship with Hope ministry in Meru! What a tremendous blessing this has been for everyone involved. Our goal is to help educate the youth of Meru and offer additional support as needed. Thank you all so much for your part in this effort.  Since 2022, a severe drought has affected large parts of Kenya. In Meru, three-fourths of the country was affected by the drought. For many families, one meal a day was the norm. Students were unable to concentrate in class or participate in school. In response to the crisis, we have used non-sponsorship funds that many of you have generously given to CHERISH to partner with Kenyan groups who initiated feeding programs supporting the Meru community. As a result, since April, the students included in these feeding programs have all been able to have regular lunches.  Despite the fact that rain did come, it was not enough to overcome all the effects of the dro
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