Who we are
A humanitarian relief organization rooted in Asembo Bay, Kenya — providing medical help, food, schooling, and occupational training to widows and orphans.
Our story
In 2009 Leon and Brenda Hays decided to become full-time missionaries. They sold everything they owned and traveled to Kenya to start Asembo Bay Life Center / Rarieda Relief International — a humanitarian relief mission on the shores of Lake Victoria.
With an M.S. in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a B.S. in Religion from Union University, plus extensive experience in farming, carpentry, and business management, Leon says God was preparing him for the most important job of his life. To the Hays, this is an evangelistic effort accomplished through humanitarian relief.
What we do at Asembo Bay Life Center
"We have 20 acres on which we've created several programs physically and spiritually assisting widows and orphans. Minimal staff live onsite to serve visiting mission teams from Madison-Chester and Crockett Baptist Assn. Southern Baptist Churches. Teams from all churches are welcome. We have a kitchen facility that is separate from our team housing units. We also serve meals to up to 100 local orphans at a time and provide medical clinics to take care of health problems. We attempt to show people the love of Jesus."
— Leon Hays
Our programs
Four ongoing programs — plus the gospel that ties everything together.
Where we are
Asembo Bay sits on the eastern shore of Lake Victoria in Siaya County, western Kenya. The Asembo area is part of Rarieda sub-county, in the Nyanza region — a primarily rural, fishing and farming community of Luo families.
This region carries the long shadow of the HIV/AIDS crisis: many of the children we serve are orphans, and many of the women we serve are widows.
Stand with us
Join the $10 Per Month Club, give a one-time gift, or get in touch about partnering with our work.