THE pastor at the church in Malindi, Kenya, built with funds from Jersey has sent his thanks and love to all those who supported the work, calling it a miracle that the community has been helped by Jersey in this way.

Pastor Fredrick sent his thanks back to the Island with Jerseyman Ian Curwood, who has just returned from visiting the project to see the progress made over the last year.

The church has been named Arise and Shine by the pastor and his team, and according to Mr Curwood there are already three more new churches that have been started in the area as a result of the project.

‘Pastor Fredrick has started three new churches which meet every week in open-air services in the surrounding villages,’ said mMr Curwood. ‘The open-air church has benches for the congregation and attracts many new believers who are making commitments to Christ – more than 200 between the three churches while we were there.’

Mr Curwood, who while there helped with the baptising of 59 new Christians, added that the church was well built and currently has seats and Bibles for 100 people, although it will eventually seat up to 300 people.

‘It is a fine building and is being well used,’ he said. ‘The pastor and his family live in the house as work continues on a water supply and other much-needed aspects. We are also in the early stages of talks with a view to improving the education of the children.
‘Pastor Fredrick has asked me to send his thanks and love to all the people in Jersey who have supported the work that has been done to help them. He said it was a miracle and he gives thanks to God for the support that has come from Jersey.’

• Picture: Ian Curwood