September 2005 found CLC’s Lloyd Hodkinson at the Nairobi International Bookfair in Kenya. Why did God have him there, as possibly the only “International” Christian delegate at a combined Christian and secular event? After spending time seeking God, Lloyd began to see a tremendous need in the supply “chain” of getting Christian books to those who need them in East Africa. A “link” was missing.

There was no local, central place for Christian bookstores to buy books. Each bookstore had to purchase directly from overseas (primarily) publishers with all the problems and costs that entails. Selection was limited, and prices were actually higher than in the US, while incomes were much lower.

The vision to replace this “broken link” came in the form of a central distribution warehouse for the retailers in East Africa. By partnering with Western publishers and purchasing larger amounts at one time, we would be able to import the books at lower costs, enabling bookstores to sell the books for as much as 20% below the Western price!

The bookstores would get better discounts, wouldn’t have to wait months for books to clear customs and could buy just what they needed for that month. The publishers could sell more books without the normal credit risks associated with doing business in that area of the world.

Major publishers in both the US and UK were approached, and so far about 30 have agreed to support CLC Christian BookLink – Kenya! Their help will make the establishment of the project possible although we still need considerable funding to pay for the initial stock orders.

We are now in the process of registration with the Kenyan authorities and are developing a list of the most needed books for that area. Please pray with us for the registration to go through quickly. Pray that God will raise up the right person to manage the center in Nairobi and that we will find suitable premises to operate from. Pray that we will be a strong “link” for God and that this vision of thousands of affordable Christian books being flooded into that thirsty land will result in changed hearts and lives to the glory of God.

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