Rev. Jacob Barasa, AA is a missionary priest, an Augustinian of the Assumption, and an important part of IAAM since 2017. Fr. Jacob’s association with IAAM extends back through several projects shoring up vulnerability in the human condition in order to prevent or address exploitation. IAAM’s latest mission in Kenya will once again rescue, restore, and raise up individuals and communities.
His mission work is extensive. Most recently he was requested by the Archbishop of Mombasa, Kenya to come and provide his expertise in Bura Territory, an area of great need. He engages in primary evangelization and brings help and hope to people of the mines in Kamtonga, and in the surrounding area. Thus Father Jacob and IAAM have embarked upon the St James Mission, a sizable project encompassing much building and activity.
Father Jacob was ordained a Catholic priest on March 25th of 2014. He’s been hard at work right from the start including founding and directing new schools and new missions in Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya. He has held many positions within his community and had an integral role in the establishment of the East Africa Province.
In his most current assignment, Father Jacob is the Founder and Superior of this New Mission Archdiocese of Mombasa, the Director of Our Lady of Good Hope Shrine in Bura, and the Parish Priest at St James Catholic Parish in Kamtonga – part of the Bura (St. James Mission) he founded. Regardless of everything “all in all I am a servant of God’s people in the missions.”
We’re seeking mission partners to assist financially with building projects for the St James Mission. “The Father’s House” is dwelling in and from which to serve the needs of the local people. This building will serve as a rectory, housing Fr. Jacob and others who might come to serve alongside him.
Because we’ve become aware of the urgent need for a medical clinic, we’re now attentive to the building this important out-station. A humble clinic for immediate first aid has taken precedent among the work in Kamtonga. The idea is to stabilize medical emergencies as best we can so that people survive the trip to the nearest hospital – 2 hours away over harsh roads. Mining accidents are a reality as is the need for care of pregnant and birthing mothers.
Fr. Jacob sees trafficking firsthand. Komtonga is an area of great vulnerability in the human condition. Poverty, homelessness, paganism, and other conditions contribute to exploitation of workers in the mines.
We’re seeking mission partners to assist Fr. Jacob with support for the St. James Mission; medical clinic, The Father’s House, St James Church and out-stations, as well as supplies. Student support is also necessary to begin to educate the children of the region. There are so many needs in Bura Territory and elsewhere in places projects have already been established in Kenya. A general donation may be made to where it’s needed most or to one of the projects specifically.
