Friends, there is so much on my heart to blog.
I had three different Biblical messages running through my head this morning and I arrive at my computer needing to do accounting and the monthly wire (Made possible by YOUR donations! Thank you for sponsoring our children! I am covering all the staff and administrative expenses to make it possible to send all your money to Kenya.)
I am trying to go ahead and send out snatches of our accounting narratives regarding the children's purchases over the last few months. Henry and I write out the instructions and the result so that we can follow the path of giving and recieving for each individual. If the email I send seems cryptic, feel free to ask for elaboration BUT perhaps pray that I can get my head around that particular account when you ask. There are so many now, so all prayers are appreciated for each member of the staff to get these things right. It takes a lot of communication and cooperation and we always work to improve process.
These last months were a bit different. Several older children have their accounts paid off because those of you who give in large amounts were able to pay school fees back in the spring. For some children, I fronted the money because you have proved to be reliable in your automated giving. Others have to wait as money arrives and I send it over monthly. The high school children really need an upfront load of funding in January. It is a difficult time--and right after Christmas!
I am also trying to prepare for Christmas--um, yes. That is the title of this post and I am just getting to that.....but what fun it is! The team has created a suggested wish list after meeting together to review each individual child and consider their home visits and personal preferences and goals. Some children's homes are in such dire need. Little Brian is one. Crispinus is from a home with unstable finances. Ben and Noel have a handicapped old widow grandmother but at least they are the only two children in the home and both sponsored. Beverline is one of 7 children and a handicapped abandoned mother who used to be a school teacher. Grace and Everline have a wonderful hard working aunt as their guardian, but she cares for her nearly teen handicapped (cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, very low understanding and completely no walking or limb use) son, and three other disabled adult males!
With 45 children and 20 staff, there is so much good giving available! Cows are over the moon! Personal water filtration biosand filters are about $300 per home and wouldn't we love to know our children can filter their water? It is just money--and I know we have much higher costs for everything here--and it is hard to send money away and trust the Lord to fulfill His purposes where you cannot quite see it working--BUT WE HAVE AN AMAZING TRACK RECORD OF PROVING YOUR MONEY GOES WHERE YOU SEND IT!
Although I have had less personal communication with each donor, there are always opportunities for you to inquire and we follow up until we can get that answer. For some children, like Gladys, it means a costly trip to her-- deep in the bushlands of central Africa! So you don't get that fabulous American speedy answer. This isn't Google. However, the query crosses lands and seas to reveal the wellbeing of your Kenyan child. Your influence continues to give these children such hope and joy! They have a beloved community and an identity as a loved one! They know these gifts come through JESUS and that I come to them to bless them and love them. They know someone is far away who gives sacrificially to see that they get their needs met. They know God counts them as worthy of care. What a treasure to have such love. Thank you for sharing your time and money. I get to see the abundance you have created and it is marvelous and I just shout,
"JESUS IS ALIVE!"
Because I see Him operating through you to His Glory!
I pray you do not get weary in well doing. I pray the cares of this life do not drain your heart. Be encouraged that you are changing the world! God in you is creating a better tomorrow. Things have really improved and developed and grown. We have SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY SO BLESSED BY YOUR GIVING TO THE BUILDING! This building is a LIGHTHOUSE of love, joy, peace, and HOPE! You cannot even imagine the way the people love their computer classes and thank God for this opportunity to learn what they have only heard about. You can't imagine a computer center deep in Western Kenya where schools have no electricity and no water. They do not always have books or pens! They do not always have desks! And they can come get computer lessons FOR FREE??????? It is a dream. It gives them such vision for their future. They believe they can be a part of their coming digital age.
Hallelujah!
Please pray about your Christmas giving. If you are like me, you go out to buy gifts and what happens? You have no idea what to give your recipient but there, RIGHT THERE, is something you want for yourself. OH! And something else quite wonderful! And so I arrive home with a few more things FOR MYSELF and I haven't even gotten the gift I cannot figure out for the friend or family. I can even send myself things by using Amazon, but forget to mail something to my brother or sister or niece. So others go without while I keep forgetting them and acquiring for myself. How does this happen? I don't know, but I THANK GOD for the blood of Jesus and the mercies of God that are new every morning. I live on that mercy. I forget everything I am supposed to do. I forget everyone I mean to write. I never call anyone (we all know that, ha ha!) but somehow GOD. Somehow GOD invades my life, I actually make a call. I actually mail a card (miracle!) I actually buy a gift! I actually give my time. I actually CARE FOR SOMEONE ELSE.
Praise God Praise God Praise God!
So I know that you forget some of the best priorities--and there is no condemnation from me! Only love and thanks for what I know you HAVE ALREADY done! You have been so good and faithful to our beloved Kenyan family and children. I cannot thank you enough. I praise God that HE rewards you because I truly CANNOT thank you enough! I could never have the time to give you the praise I have in my heart and the joy we share in the good work occuring in us and over there. God is building us together as a Holy People, Beloved of Him! and we share in our joys and griefs.
Merry Christmas Early! I pray you are able to give all that is in your heart to give and that you are satisfied in Christ and able to die to the things of the world. I am rejoicing in the Lord! He is so faithful to us and I know He will provide through many so that these few celebrate His life and birth and they recieve what they cannot return. Through no earning of their own, they have been chosen for great blessing. And we have to--and I praise Him forever!
I had three different Biblical messages running through my head this morning and I arrive at my computer needing to do accounting and the monthly wire (Made possible by YOUR donations! Thank you for sponsoring our children! I am covering all the staff and administrative expenses to make it possible to send all your money to Kenya.)
I am trying to go ahead and send out snatches of our accounting narratives regarding the children's purchases over the last few months. Henry and I write out the instructions and the result so that we can follow the path of giving and recieving for each individual. If the email I send seems cryptic, feel free to ask for elaboration BUT perhaps pray that I can get my head around that particular account when you ask. There are so many now, so all prayers are appreciated for each member of the staff to get these things right. It takes a lot of communication and cooperation and we always work to improve process.
These last months were a bit different. Several older children have their accounts paid off because those of you who give in large amounts were able to pay school fees back in the spring. For some children, I fronted the money because you have proved to be reliable in your automated giving. Others have to wait as money arrives and I send it over monthly. The high school children really need an upfront load of funding in January. It is a difficult time--and right after Christmas!
I am also trying to prepare for Christmas--um, yes. That is the title of this post and I am just getting to that.....but what fun it is! The team has created a suggested wish list after meeting together to review each individual child and consider their home visits and personal preferences and goals. Some children's homes are in such dire need. Little Brian is one. Crispinus is from a home with unstable finances. Ben and Noel have a handicapped old widow grandmother but at least they are the only two children in the home and both sponsored. Beverline is one of 7 children and a handicapped abandoned mother who used to be a school teacher. Grace and Everline have a wonderful hard working aunt as their guardian, but she cares for her nearly teen handicapped (cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, very low understanding and completely no walking or limb use) son, and three other disabled adult males!
With 45 children and 20 staff, there is so much good giving available! Cows are over the moon! Personal water filtration biosand filters are about $300 per home and wouldn't we love to know our children can filter their water? It is just money--and I know we have much higher costs for everything here--and it is hard to send money away and trust the Lord to fulfill His purposes where you cannot quite see it working--BUT WE HAVE AN AMAZING TRACK RECORD OF PROVING YOUR MONEY GOES WHERE YOU SEND IT!
Although I have had less personal communication with each donor, there are always opportunities for you to inquire and we follow up until we can get that answer. For some children, like Gladys, it means a costly trip to her-- deep in the bushlands of central Africa! So you don't get that fabulous American speedy answer. This isn't Google. However, the query crosses lands and seas to reveal the wellbeing of your Kenyan child. Your influence continues to give these children such hope and joy! They have a beloved community and an identity as a loved one! They know these gifts come through JESUS and that I come to them to bless them and love them. They know someone is far away who gives sacrificially to see that they get their needs met. They know God counts them as worthy of care. What a treasure to have such love. Thank you for sharing your time and money. I get to see the abundance you have created and it is marvelous and I just shout,
"JESUS IS ALIVE!"
Because I see Him operating through you to His Glory!
I pray you do not get weary in well doing. I pray the cares of this life do not drain your heart. Be encouraged that you are changing the world! God in you is creating a better tomorrow. Things have really improved and developed and grown. We have SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY SO BLESSED BY YOUR GIVING TO THE BUILDING! This building is a LIGHTHOUSE of love, joy, peace, and HOPE! You cannot even imagine the way the people love their computer classes and thank God for this opportunity to learn what they have only heard about. You can't imagine a computer center deep in Western Kenya where schools have no electricity and no water. They do not always have books or pens! They do not always have desks! And they can come get computer lessons FOR FREE??????? It is a dream. It gives them such vision for their future. They believe they can be a part of their coming digital age.
Hallelujah!
Please pray about your Christmas giving. If you are like me, you go out to buy gifts and what happens? You have no idea what to give your recipient but there, RIGHT THERE, is something you want for yourself. OH! And something else quite wonderful! And so I arrive home with a few more things FOR MYSELF and I haven't even gotten the gift I cannot figure out for the friend or family. I can even send myself things by using Amazon, but forget to mail something to my brother or sister or niece. So others go without while I keep forgetting them and acquiring for myself. How does this happen? I don't know, but I THANK GOD for the blood of Jesus and the mercies of God that are new every morning. I live on that mercy. I forget everything I am supposed to do. I forget everyone I mean to write. I never call anyone (we all know that, ha ha!) but somehow GOD. Somehow GOD invades my life, I actually make a call. I actually mail a card (miracle!) I actually buy a gift! I actually give my time. I actually CARE FOR SOMEONE ELSE.
Praise God Praise God Praise God!
So I know that you forget some of the best priorities--and there is no condemnation from me! Only love and thanks for what I know you HAVE ALREADY done! You have been so good and faithful to our beloved Kenyan family and children. I cannot thank you enough. I praise God that HE rewards you because I truly CANNOT thank you enough! I could never have the time to give you the praise I have in my heart and the joy we share in the good work occuring in us and over there. God is building us together as a Holy People, Beloved of Him! and we share in our joys and griefs.
Merry Christmas Early! I pray you are able to give all that is in your heart to give and that you are satisfied in Christ and able to die to the things of the world. I am rejoicing in the Lord! He is so faithful to us and I know He will provide through many so that these few celebrate His life and birth and they recieve what they cannot return. Through no earning of their own, they have been chosen for great blessing. And we have to--and I praise Him forever!
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