A KENYAN bishop, who as an eight year old child was abandoned by his parents, visited Okehampton recently. Pastor Barrack Okiro came to Okehampton as the guest of Inspiration (Church of the Nations) which has links with East African countries. Barrack is based in Nakuru, Kenya?s fourth largest town and capital of the Rift Valley province. Nakuro is an agricultural town and, therefore, has similar foundations to Okehampton. Barrack is responsible for 20 churches in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda with a combined membership of 50,000. He is currently touring UK churches, preaching the gospel. At eight, struggling with skin cancer, Barrack was abandoned by his parents. Five years later, he became a Christian. At 25, having overcome the disease, Barrack met his parents for the first time since being abandoned and explained to them what Jesus had done in his life ? they subsequently became Christians. Barrack shared news of problems in his homeland ? drought in Kenya is worsening and the battle against AIDS continues. Barrack told how he has had to bury many people due to AIDS or starvation. He attended the Okehampton ministers? prayers at New Life Church and spoke at churches in Liskeard and St Austell before travelling to Wales. Inspiration?s Pastor Mike Davies said: ?We will be making further mission trips to Kenya later this year. The requests for us to visit towns and villages in Kenya and surrounding countries is now ever increasing. ?I believe within the UK we have a responsibility to help share the burden that is placed upon these African nations.? A previous visitor to Okehampton, Bishop Isaiah Challo, will be visiting the town again at the end of August.
