We were grateful for the opportunity to speak with Cherry Brierley and ask her a few questions.
• Could you tell us how you first heard about Kisumu and the children who need help, and what you thought at the time?
Peter received a letter from a pastor in Kisumu who was caring for several orphaned children and asking for help. He involved me as well. At first, I thought it would just be a one-off situation, but it gradually grew and grew.
• What inspired you to get involved in helping the children?
Through ongoing correspondence with Pastor Stephen, we became increasingly aware of the enormous needs of orphaned and poverty-stricken children in Kisumu. From there, we simply took things one step at a time.
• How have you seen God at work through the charity over the years?
I would say in probably five ways.
First, bringing His purposes to pass despite human weakness and very limited resources.
Second, through regular and often miraculous answers to financial needs as they arose.
Third, by enabling hundreds of children to be fed and educated.
Fourth, through the dedication of the care staff in Kisumu.
And fifth, by seeing children come to faith through the ministry of the staff and the Bible camps in Kisumu.
• What role does prayer play in your support for the children and the team?
We originally compiled a roll call, although it is a little out of date now, and we have continued adding to it. I try to use it to pray for one child each day, although I do not always succeed.
I also pray for specific needs as they arise—for example, when one of our children needed surgery in the hospital. We also pray for our staff and for particular financial needs. I compile the monthly prayer news that we distribute to our supporters.
• When you think about the children we support, what hopes or prayers come to your mind for them?
We want to continue providing for them and to see them grow physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially. We also pray that they would discover God’s purpose for their lives and fulfil their potential.
• What do you hope supporters and volunteers feel or take away from their connection with the charity?
We hope they will find joy in serving others and in seeing God at work. We also hope they will grow in compassion for those in need and become more thankful for the blessings they themselves have received.
• Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the next chapter of Kisumu Children?
We hope to continue alleviating poverty as far as we can and to see more children come under our care as resources allow.
We also hope to support major projects such as providing water supplies and toilets for schools in the area that currently lack these facilities.
• Is there a Bible verse, prayer, or Christian thought that has encouraged you on this journey?
A couple of Bible verses have especially encouraged me:
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
And secondly:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Thank you 🙂
