Barwessa is a place with a very small population in the state/region of Rift Valley, Kenya. In this village of men, women and children, water and food was scarce. Well, okay, scarce understates the situation. The nearest water source was at least fifteen miles away. And instead of providing refreshment, it provides typhoid.
Can you imagine? No water. No food. No rain. No water? I have a faucet I can turn on anytime. No food? I live within a 10 mile radius of at least four grocery stores, and two miles from a Food Lion. Not to mention I have a refrigerator filled with food and a pantry full of non-perishables. No rain? As I write it is sprinkling. I don’t know about you, but I cannot imagine. No water. No food. No rain. Just sickness. Hunger. Thirst. Hopelessness. Until love and grace overflowed from the hearts of workers and volunteers through a compassion relief organization called CRF (Christian Relief Fund).
This is how love and grace works. They plant a mango farm. They build bee hives. They start new schools for orphans. They bring in tons of food. And they drilled a water well for the community almost fifteen miles closer than the water that was giving them typhoid.
This is how people who are gripped by the love and grace found in Jesus Christ respond. This is how CRF works.
And this is what I am reminded of: when God’s love and grace flood a place, nothing and no one remains the same.
I thank God for CRF and the work they do in the world. But most of all I thank God for His love and grace that in His name, has the power to change the world.
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You can get involved in the work CRF is doing and play a significant role in dealing out grace, hope and change: www.christianrelieffund.org
Also check out the blog of my dear friend, mentor and President
of CRF, Milton Jones for great stories of love and grace seen “through orange colored glasses”: www.miltonjonesblog.com
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About Fred
Fred came to serve greater Williamsburg and WCC as lead pastor in October of 2010 and is grateful to be a part of the family. He is a husband, father, certified trauma professional, S.T.A.R. (strategies for trauma awareness & resilience) practitioner, community organizer, TEDx alum, founder of 3e Restoration, Inc. and co-owner of Philoxenia Culture LLC. He received his B.S. in Ministry/Bible at Amridge University and his Master’s of Religious Education in Missional Leadership from Rochester University. Currently he is a candidate for a Doctorate of Ministry in Contextual Theology in at Northern Seminary in Chicago. Fred has also served as an adjunct professor for Rochester University and Regent University where taught courses in philosophy, ethics, leadership, pastoral care, intro to Christianity, and ethnography. He has also served as a guest lecturer on the subjects of racialized cultural systems, poverty, and missiology at various universities, such as William & Mary and Oklahoma Christian University. Fred has authored on book (Racialized Cultural Systems, Social Displacement and Christian Hospitality) and several curriculum offerings, including The FloorPlan: Living Toward Restoration & Resilience.
Fred enjoys hanging out with his family anytime, anywhere. He is deeply grateful for how God graciously works through the Church in all her various forms, despite our brokenness. He is passionate about seeing the last, least, and lonely of every neighborhood, city and nation experience God’s in-breaking kingdom, and come to know Jesus as King. Oh, and his favorite season is Advent and Christmas.
Fred is a founding member of the board of directors for Virginia Racial Healing Institute, a member of the leadership team for Williamsburg's local chapter of Coming to the Table, and a member of Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network's Racial Trauma Committee and Training Committee.
This is how love and grace works. They plant a mango farm. They build bee hives. They start new schools for orphans. They bring in tons of food. And they drilled a water well for the community almost fifteen miles closer than the water that was giving them typhoid.
Long Way Here 
Thanks for reminding us of the life-changing nature of God’s love when tangibly enacted. And thank God for CRF!
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Agreed, bro! Thank you for reading and commenting.
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