A Letter from Cindy Alexander

Posted on Oct 19, 2009

Dear Friends of Burning Bush,

I am writing let you know about the continuing urgent need for food in Kenya as the severe drought conditions persist, and to let you know how we can help.

The situation has not improved since I left the country in mid-September; indeed it worsens day by day. I learned this week that even those who have some access to water for irrigation (which is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain) are finding that their crops are being spoiled by pests as a result of the prolonged heat and drought. Even under the best of circumstances – that is, if the October rains arrive and are plentiful but not ruinous – the earliest that crops will begin to produce food for consumption is January 2010. It is my fervent prayer that January 2010 will be the beginning of a bountiful period for our Kenyan friends and I hope you will join me in that prayer.

In the meantime, it is my intention to continue the effort of providing food for those with little ability to obtain it themselves, such as the villagers at Solio Ranch. Now that we have gone through the purchase and distribution process once, we know what is required: funds for food and transportation and lots of people to facilitate the distribution. Our Kenyan friends, led by Pastors Joseph and Sarah Waweru, are ready and able to recruit and coordinate the people to facilitate the distribution (indeed many of those who still have food are extremely eager to help those who have little or nothing); it is only the funds that they lack. Accordingly, starting today and continuing as long as there is an urgent need, I am going to collect funds to buy food to distribute to those who have none.

Burning Bush, Inc. has agreed to participate by accepting funds (which will be tax-deductible) earmarked for this project. Based on my experience in September, we know that about $3,000 is enough to purchase and transport a truckload of food that will feed about 300 families for several weeks. Thus, as soon as we reach the $3,000 mark, we will send the funds to Pastors Joseph and Sarah, who will use the money only for the purpose of purchasing and distributing food to those in the most need. After that, and continuing until the crisis has passed, each time the funds earmarked for this effort reach the $3,000 mark, we will send the funds on to our Kenyan friends to purchase and distribute another truckload of food. Please know that even small amounts make a difference: for example, just $10 will buy enough food to feed a family for several weeks.

Please consider joining me in this effort to alleviate some of the hunger. If you are reading this somewhere other than the Burning Bush website, instructions for making tax-deductible contributions can be found at www.burningbushkenya.org. Please designate your contribution as “Food for Kenya” if you would like it to be used for this effort. And please feel free to contact me at calexdc@gmail.com if you have questions, want more information, or just want to talk about what is happening.

Blessings,
Cindy Alexander