Working with the Outreach Foundation and Stu Ross in Kenya
Who is Stu Ross? Stu first went to Kenya as a volunteer project manager to supervise the construction of the PCEA Kikuyu Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Center in in 1989. After its completion he stayed in Kenya working with the Outreach Foundation and the Presbyterian Church in East Africa. He developed an organization that builds churches, schools and water projects. The organization now has over 100 Kenyan employees. Stu and wife Annie have created a hostel just for volunteer groups who come from the US to work on their projects.
A new church in rural Kenya typically will have started in a shack or hut. When the congregation decides to build a more permanent place to worship, they will raise some monies to contribute and contact Stu’s group for help. Upon approval of the PCEA, Stu’s crews will prepare the site (concrete floor), then fabricate and erect a steel frame. Volunteer US church groups come to Kenya, stay in the hostel that Stu and his Kenyan wife, Annie, operate and then complete the exterior of the new sanctuary.
The visitors’ work is not complicated or dangerous and does not require prior skills training, just work gloves and a willingness to pitch in. They work alongside the congregation until completion and then participate in the dedication celebration.
All nights are spent at the Ross’s hostel and all meals are prepared there. There are 10 bedrooms, each with a private bath. The power supply is 110 volts, just like at home. Even though they are near the equator, the climate is very mild at that altitude.
Cost: estimate at $3,000 US, including airfare Vaccinations are required. See www.cdc.gov Time involved: probably 2.5 weeks including travel Benefits:
• • • •
Life changed New friends in Kenya Seeing the Holy Spirit in action Wildlife as you never imagined
Travel dates: Two under consideration. These DO NOT include air travel time to Nairobi. Wednesday, 3 August 202 to Sunday, 14 August 2022 and Wednesday, 10 August 2022 to Sunday, 21 August 2022
Sample Schedule • Day 1 – Arrive NBO on June 29 • Day 2 – Karen Church on June 30 • Day 3 – Start building Church on July 1 • Day 4 – Complete Church on July 2 • Day 5 – Karen Tour on July 3 • Day 6 – Start building school July 4 • Day 7 – Complete the school July 5
Sample Schedule continued • Day 8 – Visit Girls Rescue Center Jul 6 • Day 9 – Mara Fig Tree 7 Jul • Day 10 – Mara Fig Tree 8 Jul • Day 11 – Mara Safari Fig Tree 9 Jul • Day 11 – Return to the USA 9 July
Church Stuff to Bring • Two wall hangings 4 x 8 • Communion set for 100, $100 in Kenya • Offertory get in Kenya $15 • Bibles buy in Kenya at $8 • Two battery operated clocks
9/14/2021
Review 2002
10
Questions….. • The Outreach Foundation’s website: www.theoutreachfoundation.org • My email address: stuross42@gmail.com
As you can see from the sample schedule, there are some very fun things included. You should not visit Kenya and fail to see the animals. August is an ideal time to be there and catch the vast migrations of wildebeest, antelope, zebra and giraffe. It is spectacular. The safari will take place at the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The Fig Tree camp in the Masa Mara. Is a very comfortable tented camp and puts you right there in the middle of the Serengeti.
Stu has been very involved in the creation of several orphanages and schools that you can visit. This is not a ‘tourist’ event; you will get deep views into the life of Kenyan citizens.
The cook and “kitchen” for the girl’s rescue center.
Area where the church building took place.
“Facilities” at build site.