PASTOR BEN KAIMBA BURIAL FUND RAISING
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2011, 3.00 PM
The Late Elder Bernard “Brother Ben” Kaimba, a Kenyan Evengelist in prividence Rhode island who passed away in his sleep last Saturday. Pic courtesy of Pastor Daniel W. Brown, Holy Temple C.O.G.I.C |
Due to the snow storm that hit the North East last night, the city of Springfield in Massachusetts have seen loss of power and downed trees on the roads just like many other areas in the region.
As a result, the planned burial funds drive for the late Pastor Ben Kaimba has been rescheduled to Sunday, November 6th at 3pm.
All Kenyans and friends have been asked by organizers to take note of the change and prepare themselves in a bigger way for the Sunday event.
An initial funds drive held last week at a church in Rhode Island came up short of the target amount, prompting a second funds drive to be organized by concerned Kenyans in the region.
According to Pastor Daniel W. Brown of the Holy Temple Church of God In Christ in Pawtucket, RH, about $4,500 was realized at the funds drive he had organized last week on Saturday, October 22nd.
Many thanks to those that have shown a willingness to assist in this noble task. The harambee comittee for pastor Ben Kaimba is targetting a sum of USD 10,000 which is usually the average cost of repartriating remains back home to Kenya.
I know this is a short notice and knowing that a majority of you may not be able to make it to the fundraiser, below find the account details for those that will be touched to contribute.
Holy Temple Church of God In Christ
Citizens Bank,
Pawtuxet Branch,Cranston, RI, 02905
A/C #: 23074914
C/O Bishop Soi- Daniel W. Brown, Ph.D.
When and if you deposit some funds, it would be nice to email or phone our facilitators for the fundraiser a Mr. Patrick Inyagwa (chairman of luhya community in New England) @ musaberu@gmail.com or phone him at 978-390-9982 or Mr. Robert Odanga robertodanga@yahoo.com or phone him @ 774-242-4650.
The fundraiser is still on this coming Sunday the 30th at 3.00pm ET courtesy of Pastor Wesonga at;
International Faith Outreach Ministry Church.
45 Newbridge Street.West Springfield, MA, 01089.
Please kindly extend this invitation and plea to your fellow friends. At this point we are all members of the Kaimba family. God Bless you all.
Thanks
Pastor Brown
Read original story below:
Kenyan Pastor dies in a Rhode Island church, burial funds drive urged
By Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa, posted October 14, 2011
PROVIDENCE, R.I_A Kenyan evangelist serving in a small church in Rhode Island was found dead on Saturday evening in a church basement room where he was living.
According to Pastor Daniel W. Brown of the Holy Temple Church of God In Christ in Providence, Elder Bernard “Brother Ben” Kaimba age 52 died in his sleep on early Saturday morning after what the medical examiner called a “Pulmonary Emboli due to deep vein thrombosis”, a respiratory failure caused by a blood clot in the system.
The late Bro. Kaimba leaves behind his wife of 23 years, Beatrice M. Mwisukha, his children: Billy, Brenzil, Bright, and Brilliant (all of Kakamega, Kenya), his niece, Evelyn Makatiani of North Carolina, and a host of friends and relatives.
A fund raising event to seek funds to transport the body of the late evangelist has been organized to take place on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at Holy.Temple C.O.G.I.C., 68 Althea St., Providence, RI 02907 starting at 4.00 pm.
Speaking to Ajabu Africa News, Pastor Brown said that the late Kenyan evangelist had become sick about 2 weeks prior to his death and was complaining about stomach problems, severe body pains and painful coughing.
However, after a day or two he began to look and feel better and preached a very spirit filled and strong sermon at their church on Sunday October 1 easing the concerns of the church members and friends.
“However, I was told that during the bible study on the Friday night before he passed away, he seemed very ill again and his hands were trembling and very cold. The brethren told him that he should go to the hospital right away and that they would take him there,” said Pastor Brown.
The pastor added that despite the insistence of church members to bring the late Kaimba to see a doctor, he insisted on waiting until the next morning.
“Unfortunately, it appears he had already passed when one of the brothers came to take him to the hospital on Saturday morning. I went to check on Brother Ben and found him dead sitting in a chair with his eyes closed.” he added.
Pastor Daniel W. Brown of the Holy Temple Church of God In Christ in Providence, R.I. Pastor Brown had been helping the late Kenyan evangelist who passed away in his sleep. |
Pastor Brown said that the late “Brother Ben” was a member of Holy Temple Church of God In Christ where he was ordained in 1999 and served as an Associate Minister, Sunday School teacher, Men’s Group and Men’s Chorus Leader.
“He was a faithful and consistent member and servant of the lord. He was a prayer warrior whose faith did not waver.”
However, things started going downhill for the late pastor after he lost his job about two years ago around January, 2009. “Brother Ben began staying in a small room in the basement of our church. He had not been able to find work for the past two years during which time he stayed in the church.” said Pastor Brown.
Pastor Brown, an African American man who teaches Kiswahili and German at Tufts University told Ajabu Africa News that he has visited Kenya many times in the past .
During his most recent trip in the spring of this year, Pastor Brown visited the family of his late compatriot in the ministry.
He said that he has already contacted the family of the late preacher and informed them of the sad news.
“They are very devastated.” said the pastor. He added that they are not well off and are not able to afford the cost of transporting his remains home to Kenya (approximately $9,000.00) and have authorized him to ask for help in raising the funds for such transportation. “Our church is very small and only able to donate $1,000.00. So we along with the family are asking for help in raising the remaining $8,000.00,” pleaded the man of God.
He urged the Kenyan community in New England, Minnesota and other states to turn out and lend a helping hand with contributions in order to transport the body of the deceased to his ancestral land for burial.
The late Bro. Ben Kamba hailed from Sabatia village (Vihiga District) of the Western Province of Kenya.He graduated from Musingu High School (Kenya) in 1978 and received his bachelor’s degree from Zion Bible College (Barrington Rhode Island (U.S.A.) in 1999. He was a very diligent and capable student who finished Zion Bible College’s 4-year program in 3 years. He was a student leader at Zion and was greatly respected and admired by the faculty and students for his faith.
Prior to coming to study in America he served as a clerical officer for the government of Kenya and was a minister in the Africa for Christ Evangelistic Association (AFCEA) in Kakamega. After finishing Zion, he worked in several positions including several years as an electronic de-burring machinist for Lavigne Manufacturing, Inc. in Cranston, RI.
The late Evg. Ben Kaimba (left) & Pastor Brown |
“Above all, “Brother Ben” loved the work of an evangelist and spoke in churches throughout New England, in Minnesota, and other parts of the country.” said the devastated man of God.
“He will be especially remembered for his enquiring and thought provoking questions, his wonderful deep singing voice, his inspiring sermons, and as a true and faithful “Man of God”, said Pastor Brown.
A Memorial service for the late pastor will be held on Sunday October 23 at the Holy Temple C.O.G.I.C., 68 Althea Street, Providence, RI 02907 starting at 4.00 pm.
A bank account (Acct # 23074914) has been set up at Citizens Bank under the Title, Ben Kaimba Kenya Fund where well-wishers who cannot make it to the fund raising event on October 22 can make deposits.
Checks should be made to “Ben Kaimba Kenya Fund” and include the above account # on the check. Deposits may be made directly to a Citizens Bank near you, or by mail to the following local branch here in Rhode Island:
Citizens Bank
Pawtuxet Branch
2191 Broad Street
Cranston, RI 02905
(401) 784-8955
For more information, contact:
Pastor Daniel W. Brown
Holy Temple C.O.G.I.C.
68 Althea Street
Providence, RI 02907
401 996 3017
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