Missions for Christ – Rick, Marinda, Jeremy, & Travis Trull MERU, KENYA EAST AFRICA Missions for Christ – Rick, Marinda, Jeremy, & Travis Trull

CONTINENT OF AFRICA AFRICA Size: 11,608,000 sq. miles; second largest continent % of Earth’s Land: 20.2% Population: 807,419,000 Number of Countries: 53 World’s Longest River: Nile World’s Largest Desert: Sahara

KENYA, EAST AFRICA Republic of Kenya Population: 31,012,000 Capital: Nairobi Official Language: Swahili & English Land Area: 218,907 sq. miles Currency: Kenyan Shilling

MERU DISTRICT Meru: District in Central Province Meru Tribe – 1.5 million Location: NE slope of Mt. Kenya & Nyambene Hills Land Area: 30 mi. x 60 mi. Language: Kimeru Education: 6th grade avg. Annual Income: $800 Exchange Rate: 78/= to $1

MERU DISTRICT

DEPARTURE & KENYA ARRIVAL Departure from Atlanta on Swiss Air Atlanta to Zurich Zurich to Nairobi Stay in Nairobi Pack for trip to Meru area Day trip to Meru

MERU COUNTRYSIDE Mt. Kenya Nyambene Hills Height: 5,199 meters Meru: Along the east side north to the desert Nyambene Hills The Nyambene Hills run from the eastern slope of Mt. Kenya northward about 20 miles The tops of certain hills are the traditional sites of sacred places of worship.

MERU COUNTRYSIDE Looking out north from the Nyambene Hills to the open savannahs and desert

MERU COUNTRYSIDE Meru at sunset and in the fog of the Nyambene Hills.

MERU COUNTRYSIDE Among the Meru, Nyambene Hills where most of the people live on small farms Crops The main food crops are corn, beans, potatoes, cabbage, and some fruits. The main cash crops for export are Tea, Coffee, and Miraa

HISTORY OF MERU CHURCHES OF CHRIST The Church Christ began work in Kenya in 1965 and today there are over 600 churches in Kenya The first contacts of people in Meru occurred in 1979 through World Bible School A couple of missionaries from Nairobi made the first contacts In 1983 to 1984 a mission team consisting of five families enter Meru for a long-term church planting ministry

History of Meru Churches of Christ By 1985 only two families remained on the field Other team members joined over the years bring the team up to six families at one point Today there are 40 churches with seven planted among the Maasai

TOWNS & MARKETS Mutendwa (Meru Town) is the center of the Meru District and the largest town. Its population is around 40,000. The town has three main streets and a large market area. Meru Town Market Today there is now cell phone service and even an Internet Café. Downtown Meru Town

MERU HOMES & VILLAGES Meru Thatch Roof Huts Meru Mud & Dung Homes

MERU CHURCHES OF CHRIST Lord’s Supper at the Abongire Church Worship at the Kithaene church

MERU CHURCHES OF CHRIST Andula Church Kirirwa Church

MERU CHURCHES OF CHRIST Ikuu Church Kithaene Church

MERU CHURCHES OF CHRIST Loirogai Church (Maasai) Sharing a Meal at Loirogai

MERU CHURCHES OF CHRIST Kitherwa Church Leaders Bible Reading in Worship

MERU CHURCHES OF CHRIST Meal Preparation Abongiri Church Preaching at Kithaene Church

MERU CHURCHES OF CHRIST Cooking for Fellowship Meal Baptism at the Nearby River

Church Leaders Attending a Course MERU CHURCH LEADERS Church Leaders Attending a Course

Igembe Area Church Leaders Advanced Church Leader Course MERU CHURCH LEADERS Igembe Area Church Leaders Advanced Church Leader Course

Tigania Area Church Leaders MERU CHURCH LEADERS Tigania Area Church Leaders Mujwa Church Leaders

Gatigati Area Church Leaders Timau Area Church Leaders MERU CHURCH LEADERS Gatigati Area Church Leaders Timau Area Church Leaders

Leaders’ Meeting at Training Center Leaders’ Course at Training Center LEADERSHIP TRAINING Leaders’ Meeting at Training Center Leaders’ Course at Training Center

Leaders’ Meeting at Training Center LEADERSHIP TRAINING Leaders’ Meeting at Training Center Leaders Visiting

MISSION TRIP SERVICE

MISSION TRIP SERVICE

MISSION TRIP SERVICE

MISSION TRIP SERVICE

MISSION TRIP SERVICE

MISSION TRIP SERVICE

MISSION TRIP SERVICE

MISSION TRIP SERVICE

MISSION TRIP SERVICE Getting Water Piped In

Kitchen at Kambakia Training Center MISSION TRIP SERVICE Kitchen at Kambakia Training Center Shower Finally

KAMBAKIA TRAINING CENTER Meru Training Center Facilities Future Principle’s Home Added

KAMBAKIA TRAINING CENTER Chicken House for Chicken Project New Kitchen to be Built

KAMBAKIA TRAINING CENTER Dorms & Meeting Hall Visitors House