Honouring Peacemakers

One of my earliest memories of the great work that Links does in the area of income-generating projects that I would often hear the then CEO, the late Rich Hubbard, share about, was that of ‘Cows For Kenya’. The simple alliteration of it has always stuck in my mind - as has Rich’s humorous and unique way of telling every audience that the clever part was that said cows would arrive, having been artificially inseminated, and therefore those donating funds for the product were getting two for the price of one! Cows For Kenya was just one of the great projects that we were able to see roll out with one of our earliest and outstanding Act4you partners, Peacemakers.

Peacemakers was founded by Dennis and Brenda Marshall, following a visit to Embu Kenya in August 1991. Right from the outset their passion was to see leaders from across the denominations impacted by God and filled with the Holy Spirit, working in unity and bringing transformation to their towns and villages. Throughout the years Dennis and Brenda led many teams and impacted untold numbers of lives. Sadly, Dennis Marshall passed away in 1998. However, the work continued to grow, with a team in Embu continuing to carry out teaching and training alongside community development projects, ranging from educational support to agriculture, as well as running a great resource centre that could be used for retreats and events. It has always been an honour for us in Links to stand with our friends at Peacemakers and, when possible, to partner with both project development and training in various areas from business to healthcare.

Over the last year and a half Links has been in conversation with Peacemakers, initiated by Brenda Marshall, with the view to Links possibly adopting the Peacemakers site in Kenya. The idea is that we could help ensure that the great work there could continue and that the site would also become the new hub for our Africa operations. This was an incredibly timely conversation, that we strongly believe was orchestrated by the Lord, as Links was also in the process of looking into options of further developing our Africa Hub. Our dream has always been for our regional office to have a centre of excellence, that could be used as a resource hub to showcase project and agricultural development, whilst also being a centre for our offices and a place to carry out both training for partners and potential retreats. We had also been sensing that God was leading us towards Kenya as a strategic location for our operations across the continent. Following much prayer, discussion and planning together, we are very excited that our Africa Region Coordinator, Sam Walker, is now on site in Embu and we are so very grateful to both God, and for the willingness and obedience of Peacemakers to follow God’s voice and leading. Together we know that both the great work and legacy of Dennis and Brenda Marshall will continue, alongside all that Links will be able to develop, both within Kenya itself and across the continent of Africa.

We say it often: we genuinely believe that we are 'in it together' and that, when we connect people, confront poverty and create potential day by day, we are seeing the world impacted and changed. Thank you for joining with us on this incredible adventure through your prayers, support and financial giving. We are so grateful to every one of you who forms our Links family.

Let’s keep seeing lives changed and communities transformed!

Joe Gisbey

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