A few years ago, Lawrence Monthly Meeting in Massachusetts connected with the United Society of Friends Women in Kenya, in order to help fund various food programs there. Friend Ann, a member of Lawrence Meeting (and doctor) had worked in Kenya and had continued to hold a concern for the extensive devastating drought that has created so much hardship for Friends and others there. Lawrence Meeting, with much guidance and assistance on the ground from traveling Friend Marian Baker (Weare NH Meeting), Zelika Galavu, and others, learned much more about the needs of that area, and we were led into a relationship of support and prayer with Friends of the USFW and others in that region. Those efforts are still ongoing! (photo: Kalongolomoe Friends Church, 2021)
As Way opened, Lawrence Meeting became further connected with Friends in Turkana. With additional assistance from Muchuma Niva, of The Evangelical Friends Church of Nashua NH (NEYM), we began to learn about the water needs of Kalongolomoe Friends Church, the "Church-under-the-tree" formed in 2021 in Turkana. We visited here in Massachusetts with Getry Agizah, FUM Africa Program Coordinator, and learned more about what Friends in the Turkana Mission were doing to help others there. We met with Peter Loten'gan, the current Director of the Turkana Friends Mission, and with members of the Kalongolomoe Friends Church over zoom. Last month, Muchuma visited the area on our behalf, learning more about water needs and borehole drilling there. We eventually discerned that the best way to proceed with this project was to partner with FUM - their extensive and long term knowledge of the region, relationship with the Turkana Friends Mission, careful consideration of infrastructure in Turkana, and long term goals of equipping Friends in the region to be able to follow their own discernment of needs aligned very well with our leading. (photo: one of the many ZOOM calls with Kalongolomoe and Lawrence Friends and others!)Lawrence Monthly Meeting is a tiny meeting in cold, snowy Massachusetts on the New Hampshire border.
Our experiences in the world vary greatly from Friends in Kalongolomoe . And yet, we have been encouraged and enlivened in learning about what we as Friends have in common in many parts of the world. Sharing about how climate change is threatening us all, and how peace efforts are so necessary in this time for basic education and safety in both Turkana and Lawrence, have been clear examples of the living and current Testimony of Friends. We look forward to this growing relationship and mutual support!