CONNECTED CHURCH ADSMKE

10 WAYS CATHERINE’S LIFE WAS CHANGED BY ADSMKE

Catherine’s life was a struggle Catherine’s life was a struggle. Her husband was always frustrated and closed off. They never had enough food. Then her pastor started a process called Church and Community Mobilisation (CCMP) in her village. He was trained by Tearfund’s partner ADSMKE to lead his church through the process.

1. SHE TALKED ABOUT HER DREAMS WITH HER HUSBAND Catherine’s marriage was difficult. Her husband Peterson would never talk about their problems. He spent years in Nairobi trying to find work, but came back empty handed. He was at church with her the day Rev John asked them to think about their hopes and dreams. What life did they dream of for their family? For the first time, Catherine and Peterson went home and talked about what they wanted their family life to be like. This dreaming together was the first step towards changing their reality.

2. SHE DID HER FIRST EVER BIBLE STUDY Catherine had never done a Bible study with her church before CCMP. Through the CCMP Bible studies from Genesis she learnt about God’s plan for mankind. She heard about stewardship - that God wanted her to care for their land.

3. SHE WAS ABLE TO WATER HER LAND It had always been a struggle to grow crops because their nearest water source was 20 km away. They had to carry all the water they needed on their backs. They relied on rain to water the crops, but it was becoming more unreliable. After the Bible studies, Catherine and Peterson realised their land had a big dip in it, where rainwater would collect. ‘We put soil in empty bags and put a barrier at the far end of the land to prevent rain water draining down the dip. Currently we have water for the best part of the year. It’s amazing that we did not recognise this resource before!’

4. SHE WAS TRAINED IN AGRICULTURE FOR THE FIRST TIME Now that they could water their land, their harvest rocketed! They harvested 12 bags of maize, but there was still more to learn. They sought advice from the Government Agricultural Officer. Before CCMP they didn’t know they could ask the government for help with farming. The Officer is teaching them good agricultural practices and this year they harvested 20 bags of maize!

5. SHE MAKES A LOT MORE MONEY! Catherine used to earn 100 Kenyan shilling (Ksh) a day (75p) as a casual labourer. Now she and Peterson are able to run their farm as a business. They sold their 20 bags of maize for 50,000 Ksh (£374), and bought a cow. With the milk the cow produces they can feed their children and make a regular income!

6. SHE IS ABLE TO HELP OTHERS Because they are more financially secure, they are able to help others. Where before they could only think about their family, now they can give. For example Catherine is giving a portion of their income to the church for the first time. They are also encouraging elderly people in the village to use water from their dip in the dry season.

7. HER CHURCH FAMILY HAS GROWN Before CCMP there were only 20 people in their church. After two years of going through the process, the congregation has grown to 60! Catherine is now part of a big church family who encourage each other.

8. SHE HAS JOINED A CHOIR! As the church has grown, new initiatives have sprung up. One was a new choir that Catherine joined. She feels like her spiritual life has changed. Where before she only had time to think about where their next meal was coming from, now she can praise and glorify God with her friends.

9. SHE IS A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY As she grew in confidence, Catherine began to play a bigger role in her community. She is now the leader of a women’s group. Thanks to the change in her family’s situation she can motivate others in her community to work for change too.

10. THERE IS A SMILE ON HER HUSBAND’S FACE! But most of all, Catherine is overjoyed to see the difference in her husband and their family. They can pay their children’s school fees and they are healthy. Whereas before Peterson was always downcast, now they work together in the fields with joy. ‘Above all my heart rejoices when I see my husband smile as we work in the farm. Sincerely, since CCMP came to our Church and home, we have a ‘new life’ and ‘new laughter’ that I had not experienced since I was born. May the name of God be praised.’