Dear Friends,
Thank you for praying with us for Dr. Daniel Muvengi in Kenya.
An equatorial country know for its savannahs, wildlife, and prehistoric sites in the Great Rift Valley, the Republic of Kenya is home to 48 million people (86% Christian and 11% Muslim) from an estimated 47 ethnic groups. Approximately 75% of Kenyans work in agriculture and over one-third of Kenyans live below the global poverty line (1.90 USD per day). In the first three months since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic, Kenya’s unemployment rate doubled to 10.4%. Over one million Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine doses (out of the 24 million ordered) arrived earlier this month.
Daniel serves with World Vision International as Regional Director for Faith and Development in East Africa. ScholarLeaders supported his PhD in Intercultural Studies from North-West University in South Africa. Through a case study of Africa’s largest slum, Kibera (Nairobi, Kenya), Daniel’s research guides the Church’s active role in poverty alleviation and development. Daniel is married to Dr. Christine Mutua, whom ScholarLeaders also supported through LeaderStudies. Daniel and Christine have a daughter, Hope, and two sons, Shalom and Fadhili.
Daniel shares the following message:
After serving almost eight years in Arusha, Tanzania, I was able to return back home, together with my family, to Kenya, where I continue to serve with World Vision International as Regional Director for Faith and Development in the greater East Africa region. My role involves integrating faith into all our development work and external partnerships with churches, faith actors, and other key stakeholders to support the wellbeing of children and their families. I am also involved in leadership development within and beyond the organization.
Thanksgiving
1. Over the last seven years, I have led an effort (Empowered Worldview) within World Vision International to develop a biblically based resource for socioeconomic empowerment targeting churches and communities for transformation. The approach and curriculum are now being used in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
2. Our daughter, Hope, graduated last February just before the lock downs and was able to return home. She is currently working.
3. Our son, Shalom, managed to start his studies at Coventry University in the UK. He is preparing for sports management career.
4. My wife, Christine (a ScholarLeaders beneficiary), continues to develop leaders through her teaching work with Daystar University and Development Associates International.
Prayer Requests
1. Pray with us for our son in the UK, where COVID-19 continues to ravage the country amid full lockdowns. Pray that the situation will improve, so that the college can resume in-person classes. Pray for his protection too.
2. Pray for our last-born son, Fadhili, who is in Year 10 (tenth grade).
3. We have launched a small organization that equips local pastors in rural areas through training in theology, socioeconomic empowerment, and children’s ministry. Pray that God will provide partners to support this work.
Daniel Muvengi