A great guest speaker and a trip to Kent Farm Brewery
From Doris MacFarquhar, Monday Club member, photo by Mel Hunt
“A Mother’s Heart in Kenya”
The Monday Club speaker this week was Shaye Cornell Regan, who traveled with her son to visit the Rehema Home, with two locations, in Kenya, Africa. It is a facility that cares for orphans, half of whom are HIV positive. As vast numbers of adults died of HIV, children have needed care. This facility can house just 100, but in a homelike, not institutional setting.
In the 3 months planning for the trip, Shaye collected 255 pairs of shoes, and many suitcases full of goods needed by children. They took only a backpack for personal needs.
The Kenyan government is young, about 60 years old. Nairobi has drinkable water, but few other places do. Goats and cows are thin, feeding on very limited vegetation. Local people sell goods along the roads, and barter for sales. In the schools older children help younger ones with their work. The Missionaries Shaye met included two Rochester women who have worked there for 11 years, caring for 65 children. She said “They knew they should serve there.”
Shaye’s passion and heart for the children and workers who are there mirrored the overwhelming need. and the great love and service given by those who care for children at Rehema Home. She brought many craft items to display and sell, with all funds going to support the Homes.
She also brought cards with information and a contact website: rehemahome.org
Field Trip to Kent Beer Company
The September 26th Monday Club meeting was a “field trip”, to Kent Beer Company, a visit to the Brewery there. Almost 30 of the Monday Club were able to learn of the origin of the business, as Ed Kent explained how it all started with home brewing with a kit, and several years of experimenting and increasing his skills. The company opened in February of 2020, and has steadily increase its production and variety of offerings. He explained how many ingredients are sourced from New York State producers, and members were able to see the brewing equipment through windows in the production room.
There were lots of questions, answers and discussion of the brewing process. Then members read product descriptions, sampled, and enjoyed their beverages. The visit was complete with the lovely fall day and beautiful views from the top of the Kent Farm Hill.
