McMurray, Karen-Rift Valley Ministries

Our Story

Stan and Karen have a heart for the people of Kenya and want to see the work of Flow of Hope, a community-based organization (CBO) be able to continue.  We met John Njane, the director in 2011 and have had a continuing relationship with him and his work there as he ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of widows and orphans and young people. 

Karen’s Testimony

Growing up in a Christian home, I cannot remember a time I did not know of God’s Love.  I realized I was a sinner, in need of a Savior, when I was 7, and accepted Christ. I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church that emphasized missions.  As a wife, mother and grandmother, I worked in our local churches with various ministries and currently work with Child Evangelism, sharing the Gospel of Christ.  In 2011, Stan and I had an opportunity to go to Kenya on a mission trip with two of our adult sons.  One of the things I learned there was the importance of investing time with others.  Even though we are not there all the time, we can communicate with friends we have made there, pray for them and see God’s hand at work and help support that work. 

Ministry Experience

Our youngest son is a Baptist preacher and led the first team we were on in Kijabe, Kenya. We have been back an additional four times over the years and have gone with additional family members.  We also made a mission trip to Honduras, working with orphanages, with several family members. Stan has made a mission trip to Costa Rica. Each time we have been to Kenya, we have made new friends and have become aware of other ministries that we try to assist as God leads. My heart is to see that God is glorified and that His Gospel is shared. 

Ministry Focus-Flow of Hope

John Njane has been working in ministry for 20 years with widows and orphans.  There has been a not-for-profit, Flow of Hope (and the ministries under that umbrella), in the United States for the last 15 years that has recently closed and we would like to see the work that John has been doing continue. Donors have helped John fund projects in Kenya that support education, promote sustainability, and provide food and shelter to those in need. Our focus will be to continue to work with the widows, children and young people. Many widows and grandmothers are the sole providers for their families. John sees that these widows receive periodic (usually monthly) food distributions and have a worship service together. Funds for medical needs have been provided from time to time and solar lights were installed in many of the widows’ homes. There is also a preschool, Roots of Hope, which serves three-five year olds in early childhood development. Funds for the school are used for educational materials, school equipment and a breakfast and lunch each day. The Kenya Initiative is also a part of Flow of Hope and seeks funds to help young people pay for school fees. Threads of Hope works to teach women sewing skills.  Currently, new machines are needed for this ministry. 

Our goal is to see that these programs continue and grow with emphasis on sharing God’s Word with each of the individuals in these programs. There are many other needs that we would also like to see Flow of Hope be able to address. We would like to obtain solar Bibles for the Kikuyu widows in their own language.  Most of these ladies do not speak English and do not have electricity. There is also a need to teach trades to the young people who do not choose to go on to college. John currently rents space to teach young men to do vehicle repairs.  He would like to be able to purchase a place that could be used for this. This is a constant need in Kenya. 

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