A letter from the Founder and a staff member of Comfort the Children International to St. James:

We often hear about putting feet to our faith or being the hands and feet of Christ. This is so important as members of Christ's body that we serve in this way. However, what about living the heart of Christ? We rarely hear this message and yet it is the lifeblood of who we are as Christians. Living the heart of Christ is the beginning of becoming the hands and feet of Christ.

I want to thank all of you at St James for living the heart of Christ and reaching out to those in Kenya. As you know *Comfort the Children International has been serving in Kenya for nine years, and we could never be where we are if it were not for the hearts of faithful communities like St James.

Thanks to the generosity of St. James, the diocesan efforts for outreach of mission to Kenya have brought comfort and hope to those who suffer from HIV, malnutrition, poverty, and lack of shelter. The diocesan outreach and mission efforts to Kenya have been coordinated through a task force known as “K2K.” This stands for “Kansas to Kenya"...and as much it also stands for “Kenya to Kansas”. Mission team members from this diocese, which includes several members of St. James, make up this task force. It is this task force which coordinates mission projects each year with us here at Comfort the Children International that make so much possible for those in Kenya.

In 2008 gifts of money and time from St. James and the Diocese of Kansas brought medical care to a thousand people with approximately 1500 prescriptions filled...all at no cost to the patients. Nearly 200 people were screened for HIV and those who were found to be HIV positive were counseled and referred to the nearby hospital for ongoing care.

HIV education and community support of people living with AIDS continues through the support of St James. Widespread general support from people all over the *diocese have provided support with improvements at Good Shepherd Orphanage including gardening and farming techniques, a cook stove and providing nutrition for these children. Several projects also identified in 2008 such as the grading of the road between Kijabe Hospital and Maai Mahiu and creation of a refuse center in association with a recycling center are currently on hold as further planning with the Kenyan government and local leaders is needed.

In 2009, the K2K task force has identified several projects to partner with CTC International. These five projects are the following:

1. Continue to combat HIV/AIDS through medical treatment, education and addressing poverty in Maai Mahiu.


2. Support mothers of children with mental and physical disabilities through the marketing of grocery tote bags made by hand in Maai Mahiu.


3. Expand CTC's community gardens and develop a demonstration garden on the community center property.


4. Continue to provide support to Good Shepherd Orphanage.


5. Provide financial support for training and education of CTC community development paraprofessionals who are needed for HIV/AIDS counseling and testing, educational projects, economic development, and other areas which allows the community of Maai Mahiu to become self-sustaining.

Recently a tremendous show of support has come from St. James. Several members of St. James have laid the foundation for St. James to become a funding partner of CTC International and the efforts of K2K. This is a pledge to give $10,000 a year for the next three years, of which $5,000 has already been given by several St. James members!

The efforts of K2K has been funded by grants but does give rise to a basic problem of sustained funding. Other projects funded through new grants will continue to expand the efforts and development of CTC International in Maai Mahiu. Unfortunately in-between grants, that period where funding of one grant ends and waiting for a new grant, there is a lack of funding to keep these vibrant programs going. St. James together with several other funding partners from K2K will provide the necessary funds to keep these programs operational between grants. These programs addressing needs in health, education, economic development, community based care and environmental concerns will be sustained over the next three years through five funding partners. This will ensure that what has been started by K2K in partnership with CTC International will continue operating in between grant awards.

A deep thanks to the members of St. James for your willingness to support outreach mission in Kenya and for living the heart of Christ in such a profound way!

Big love,

Steve and Zane

*Comfort the Children International, founded by Father Zane Wilemon (ordained by Bishop Wolf), has the staff and connections in Kenya which allow the diocese of Kansas to participate in outreach and mission work in Kenya in a very direct and hands on manner.

*Other parish support within the diocese comes from St. Michael’s and All Angels (Shawnee Mission), Trinity Church (Lawrence), St. Paul’s (Manhattan), St. Matthew’s (Newton), St. Margaret’s (Lawrence), Grace Cathedral (Topeka), Epiphany Church (Sedan) and others that we may not be aware.

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