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Amazing Music at Amazing Grace Orphanage Benefit Concert

Mercy Agnes Njeru from Baltimore, Md (center) performs a song as Bishop Dr. Grace Kariuki, right and Irene Mburu joins in during the Amazing Grace Children's Orphanage benefit concert held in Worcester last week. H.Maina/Ajabu Media

from the wires, Ajabu Africa News , posted March 15, 2010

WORCESTER, Mass._Several youthful Kenyan gospel artists including relatively new ones rocked the house last Sunday with a stunning musical performance at the Amazing Grace Orphanage benefit concert held at the Worcester State College Students’ center.

Among the new artists who surprised fans with their highly quality of entertainment included Fitchburg based gospel reggae performer, John Kiigi popularly known as Tosh and Lowell based Joyce Mungai.

Other youthful but seasoned artists who also performed at the concert planned to raise funds in support of the children’s orphanage in Nairobi Kenya, included Caroline Mbithi Jackie Odanga, Irene and Chioma all from Worcester and Mercy Agnes from Baltimore, Maryland and Yemery Patron a Congolese resident of Lynn, and Alice Njeri of Leominster.

When he walked on stage, Tosh, one of the very few Kenyan male gospel artists the US, activated his own set of multi-colored dance hall lights strategically positioned to give the hall a party feel.

He then gave an emotional testimony of how he was inspired to write one of his top numbers titled ‘Hold me in Your Arms’.

“I composed this song during a time I was so down and depressed and did not know who turn to for help”, said Tosh.

“But I thank God that he came and brought me out of my problems and so this tune is in honor of that” he added then went straight into an inspirational performance that pulled older folks and young ones to their feet .

John Kiigi aka Tosh

Many of the children present, identifying with the hip-hop dressed gospel artist, snapped off pictures and video footage with cells phones, cheering wildly in the process.

Equally moving performances were staged by the other artists leaving fans wanting more when the show had to end at 8PM".

Speaking during the concert, Bishop Dr. Grace Kariuki, who in conjunction with her husband, Bishop Richards Kariuki are the founders of the Amazing Grace Children’s orphanage, said that in Kenya, there is a lot of suffering going on by many children left to fend for themselves after loosing their parents to the dreaded HIV-Aids disease and those who are abandoned by irresponsible parents.

Though based in Warrenton Virginia, Bishop Kariuki is a frequent visitor to Kenya on a sole mission for managing the Amazing Grace orphanage under the Amazing grace Ministries.

The orphanage’s main facility is located in Kasarani , Kenya and houses 200 Aids Orphans and street children for support and rehabilitation.

However, according to Bishop Kariuki, the need for more orphanages in Kenya far outstrips the number of willing and active donors.

As a result, amazing Grace Ministries has now established another orphanage in Rumuruti near Nyahururu in Laikipia District of Kenya to take care of girls who are running away from forced early marriages.

Plans are also at an advanced stage to construct a rescue center for boys in Nanyuki a remote town that is also in Laikipia district to cater for young boys in distress.

Bishop Grace Kariuki

She also said that due to the recognition that Amazing Grace orphanage is doing in Kenya, many corporate donors have started chipping in to help, including some from the Muslim community.

“If you want to preach to a Muslim, you have to do it by showing real actions of what you are doing to help a community”, she said.

As a result, the ministry has now been allowed to set base in Doha, Qatar, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, both predominantly Muslim countries. Bishop Grace will be leaving this week for Dubai for a partners’ fellowship in Dubai while on her way to Kenya.

During the event, several Kenyans who have volunteered to sponsor a child each with the $60 monthly contributions needed to support a child at the orphanage were thanked for their selfless gesture.

They included the International Faith Outreach Ministries from Springfield led by Rev. John Wesonga, Jane Chege who sponsors two children on a monthly basis, Catherine Wachira, aka Mama Bob who sponsors one child, and Amos Wang'ombe who also sponsors one child. All three are from Randolph, a few miles south of Boston."

Margaret Nguthuri, a major, consistent and long time volunteer who sponsors two children at the orphanage, was also present, as well as pastor James Kiigi and his wife, pastor Cecilia Kiigi, who were among the pioneers of Amazing Grace Children's Orphanage and current major partners in the Kenyan operation. The Kiigi's are also the parents of the John Kiigi Tosh, one of the artist performing at the concert.

Other notable long time supporters of Amazing Grace Ministries present were Irene Mburu who prior to relocating to the US was a long time volunteer at the children’s orphanage, and Mercy Agnes Njeru, the gospel music artist from Baltimore.

Pastor Christopher Kamau of Divine Gospel Ministries in Worcester whose church has been a supporter of the Amazing Grace ministries was also present at the event. Robert Odanga from Worcester conducted the event as the master of ceremonies.

Bishop Kariuki thanked Kenyans who came to lend a helping hand with sincere hearts to such worthy causes as the word of God asks them to.

“May our God bless you all and multiply what you make”, she said.

The event was mainly organized by Harold Akenga of the IFOM church in Springfield, Mass. Akenga was hailed for his selfless devotion to the cordination of the organizarion's fund raising activities especially in the New England region.

The Bishop, who is a graduate of the Life Christian University in Florida, plans to return to Massachusetts in July this year for a fund raising dinner in aid of the fast growing charity.

To learn more or donate towards Amazing Grace Ministries, click here

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