Mara Link
Wakefield Diocese has been linked to Mara Diocese since 1988 and St. John's link with Nyakiswa began in the early 1990's. Members of the congregation made a short visit to Nyakiswa in August 1996. In 1999 the Vicar of Nyakiswa made a return visit staying at our Vicarage for some of the time. Since then several visits have been made in both directions culminating in a "Parish trip" in September 2006, when four ladies will be spent 3 days in Nyakiswa.
Over the years, members of St. John's Rastrick have been very supportive of our Mara Link and money has been sent to Issenye Secondary School, Mara Primary School to fund a teacher, the Disability Project, the Drought Appeal and a collection was taken to help refurbish Bishop's Lodge Musoma. In addition, we have sent resources to the Nyakiswa Primary schools and money is sent monthly to the Church in Nyakiswa.
There are also regular collections for Faith in Action, which arranges for the transportation of items by container load from Parishes in the wider area. At the beginning of August 2006, £1,800 (raised by events including a concert organised by a member of junior church, strawberry tea and garden party) was sent to Nyakiswa to roof the new larger church building and support orphans in the local Primary schools.
There are also regular collections for Faith in Action, which arranges for the transportation of items by container load from Parishes in the wider area. At the beginning of August 2006, £1,800 (raised by events including a concert organised by a member of junior church, strawberry tea and garden party) was sent to Nyakiswa to roof the new larger church building and support orphans in the local Primary schools.
The Mara Link continues to develop in many areas and in November 2006, a group of thirteen people from Mara will visited Wakefield Diocese to bring another successful year to a close.