The purpose of this proposal is to outline the future of Akiru Ministries, formorly known as Nomads 4 Jesus and Sewing Beads and Seeds.

Alan went to Seminary at South Western and became a pastor in the late 80’s. Alan and Leah were married in 1986 and began their ministry pastoring small churches in East Texas. In the year 2000, Alan and Leah Fleming brought their family from Texas to Kenya to begin a lifelong mission of physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual aid to the nomadic tribes of Eastern Africa. In 2006 they adopted their 3rd child. In their time in Africa they served the Borana people of Northern Kenya and most recently the Turkana people in Western Kenya. 

In August of 2022 Leah was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. She and Alan returned to the states to pursue treatment. Even from a distance they continued to send money from their donors to help their village with medical and food needs. On July 21, 2023 Alan sustained a stroke that has left him legally blind and disabled. Leah passed away on August 27, 2023.

The Turkana people blessed Leah with the name “Akiru” for how she refreshed their hope like a spring rain. Our ministry has been working to honor Leah’s legacy by carrying that mission forward: to refresh the Earth by providing training, resources, and direct aid to underprivileged and underserved people in Kenya.

Alan has been working hard overcoming impairments from his stroke in July 2023 and the loss of his wife. Alan is more determined than ever to see their life’s work continue to flourish, even in the arid Kenyan soil. Because of Alan’s stroke this aid has been required to be from a distance. This has been challenging but he has had help. Abbey Barnosky, Alan and Leah’s daughter, is a certified doula with over 100 live births attended and 400+ clients served through prenatal education, postpartum care, and consultations with nurses, midwives, and doctors around women’s healthcare. Her time in Kenya as a child birthed a passion to become an educator of women’s health. Her passion for ministry continues to this day as she organizes resources for her parents ministry.

Alan and his late wife Leah both started ministry in their teens and have carried that legacy their entire lives. Because of this, Abbey was born into ministry. She was always involved in every aspect of ministry through her growing up; doing ministry together is like breathing to their family. Both Abbey and Alan bring their own skills and experiences and work together to carry on the work in Lowangila to over 400 families.

Akiru has benefited from the fundraising experience and support of many connections in the United States, the technical expertise of volunteers, the encouragement and guidance of friends, family, and donors, and the continuous flow of messages back and forth with the pastor of our church in Lowagila Kenya. We are constantly learning, constantly growing, and continually connecting people with organizations who are able to help both locally and from afar.

Sewing Beads and Seeds: Nearly 10 years ago, our Co-Founder, Leah, taught the women in Lowangila to make bead jewelry by hand. Our ministry has been bringing that jewelry back to the U.S. to sell, and 100% of profits go directly to our 130 women and their families in Africa. Every piece of jewelry is hand-crafted by village women in Lowangila, Kenya, as an alternative means to provide for their families. Each color pattern represents a different family’s support. Our customers feel fulfilled knowing that each dollar provides food, clothing, and shelter for families. Our ministry absorbs the cost of the advertising, shipping, packaging, etc. so that the full amount of each sale goes to the craftswoman who made it. Donations to our ministry make this possible.

Leah Fleming (1967-2023)

Akiru Ministries honors the legacy of Leah Fleming by continuing to provide training, resources, and direct aid to underprivileged and underserved peoples across the globe. She gave her life to this ministry, and so we are doing the same.

Alan Fleming

Alan and Leah started their ministry to Kenya Africa in 2000 and were partners in every aspect of ministry. Since the passing of his wife Alan has slowed down but remains as Bible Education Director of Akiru Ministries.

Abbey Barnosky

Abbey is Alan and Leah’s daughter. When Leah passed Abbey shut down her business and stepped fulltime into helping Alan manage Akiru Ministries. She is currently the Operations Director. 

Connor Fleming and Family

Alan and Leah’s middle son Connor, his wife, Melissa, and sons Ami and Ti. Connor is a Tattoo artist in WV. 

Ross Fleming

Alan and Leah’s youngest son Ross is 20, currently working on attending college and is considering a career in Mechanics.