Rotarian Ken Rainey

Rotarian Ken Rainey developed an interest in the work of CEF as a result of his friendship with Tom Sommerville, a Bank Manager from Lisnaskea who believed he was being called by God to give up his day job to respond to the great need in Romania.

His first visit to Romania was around 1996 after prompting and encouragement from Tom to flavour and experience the Country and to see what God was doing in the lives of the people. Around 1999, he again visited Romania along with his home church minister. The purpose of this visit was to report back to his church congregation as they were committed to supporting the work of Tom & Margaret Sommerville.

We 'fast forward' to 2002 when people from an organisation called the Bethesda Foundation were visiting Ireland to promote their work. They asked our new Paul Harris Fellow to host a lunchtime talk so that they could speak of their work with orphans and street children in a city called Galats. Subsequent to this, he visited Galats and was moved to support this work in a very practical way.

In the years that have followed, he has been responsible for setting up various sponsorship schemes for many of the children. He has also arranged numerous events to raise funds for these street children. On at least two occasions, he has taken groups of teenagers from Enniskillen out to work with the Christian Summer Camps run by the Bethesda Foundation.

Over the past 16 years, there have been a number of very emotional visits, none more so than in 2005 when he attended the funeral of the wife of one of the founding members of the Bethesda Foundation who was killed in a tragic car accident. His involvement in the work in Romania, while not broadcast aloud, is known by his business associates and clients, many of whom have given him encouragement, prayer support and financial contributions. As a result of this and his own personal commitment, several Christian workers in various parts of Romania are able to continue in their work.

I am certain that he would want us to understand that none of these things could have happened without the hand of God being upon him and that the more you put into something, the more you are blessed. He has a great fondness for all things Romanian - for the people - for the children - for the food - for the quaint old ways. I believe that he would want us to know that he has never really considered any of this work but rather a great privilege.

Ken Rainey is a very worthy recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship.