Friday, October 13, 2017

Self-employed

Young artisans, trained, equipped, and now self-employed.  2014-2017
Just this month, a sweet lady provided this young worker (center) with a
 sewing machine, part of the church's investment in her life.
The economy in coastal Kenya is loosely organized, and in the rural areas, there are few regular jobs.  Most household income comes from doing a little business here and there.

The critical elements for progress are perseverance, education, and skills.

Dressmakers and tailors are useful in the community, but it takes skill and equipment.  Support provided through the fellowship of local churches helped these folks work their way up to self-employed status; progress indeed.

About those churches ... it takes a good heart and personal sacrifice to serve.  This young pastor makes his living operating a motorcycle-taxi.  Where he serves, there's little regular income, and the typical church has no financial means to support a pastor.  If he wants to give his life and serve them, he still needs to make a living just like everyone else.  Friends in the states joined in to help make the motorcycle possible, and now he's got the means to provide for his family while serving others as pastor.  Impressive fellow.  Kind of like the apostle Paul when he was making tents in Ephesus ...

"I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.  You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.  In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:33-35

The church that serves these folks is many things - a fellowship, a refuge, a place to be encouraged and to encourage others, and a help along the way.  Thank you, Father; give them good success.
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So church can be practical, too.  There's much more to the stories here, of course, and opportunity for friends to make a difference. 


Friday, October 6, 2017

Continuing Opportunity

The last six months in coastal Kenya - again this year, the rainfall has been insufficient, food shortages have raised prices and emptied shelves in the marketplace.  Life is difficult for many.

Our friend Bishop Samuel and the churches labored together through the months, helping as they were able.

In April, they delivered a truckload of food and seeds for planting to the Guruguru community, and they shared with widows in need at church in Burundi.  The Guruguru school stayed open, teachers were paid, and food was provided daily, the only meal for some children.

In May and June, they continued supporting the teachers and school lunch plus they purchased textbooks and supplies.  Building materials were purchased for the Kibaoni church.  Bulk food purchases were made and delivered to the Guruguru community.  There's more to the church, of course.  They baptized 82 in June.

In July, they continued the school and community food support in Guruguru and Kibaoni.  Roofing materials were purchased for the Kibaoni and Mariakani churches.  The churches serve broadly as community centers and as child education facilities that include a midday meal, all part of the work of service.  The July harvest was small and shortages in the market persist.  They brought school supplies for the Kibaoni children to help get things started there.  Local officials have approved expanding the Christian school in Guruguru.  They hope to add more classrooms. 
Porridge before church

August and September, the work continues.  Porridge before church attracts a large number of children.  After months of effort, some areas had zero harvest.

Bishop Samuel has established 30+ churches, and his wife Glaris pastors also.  They and all the church leaders work like everyone else.  On a small farm, the bishop's corn harvest was less than hoped, but they shared it with the church community anyway.  They're doing their best to keep their own kids on track with schooling and preparation for life.

The church in Mariakani continues to expand to accommodate the
community they serve.  They provide wonderful care for a mob of
children, some of whom we've met in person in years past.
They've tackled so many needs along the way, and friends in the states get to assist.  A pair of orphans Samuel rescued from devastating circumstances are supported in a boarding school by a family here.  Trade school for another.  An orphan teen in Rwanda was assisted with training and a sewing machine.  Just this month, one of our families got to cover the costs for a young lady in Kenya for dressmaking.  It sounds small and simple, but it can make a lifetime difference.

For the months ahead, Samuel's priorities for assistance are centered around the schools and churches.  They're bringing hope, keeping people alive, and the children on track.  The Mariakani church facility has been expanded to satisfy health and safety standards for the number of children they serve.  For the Kibaoni church which first met under a tree, their building is complete and in use now.  A shelter has been built in Msambweni for the church there; they have 58 members.

Msambweni church under construction
For reference, the operating cost for the Guruguru school is around $500/month.  Teachers (3ea@$70/month), food prepared on site ($150+/month), plus teaching materials, student supplies, uniforms and shoes ($300+/semester).  The costs extend similarly to other venues.

Beyond the simple efforts to help others, the churches provide a place of worship with fellowship and encouragement for the community members, and they are a refuge for widows and orphans. 
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Samuel writes,
“The support from OFH has done an amazing job, glory to God.  Through your partnership we have touched, transformed, helped hundreds of orphans and families around the coastal areas.  Our Guruguru nursery school currently has 80 children. They get free education and lunch. This has been a milestone.  The 3 teachers having been receiving their monthly allowance promptly.

The church buildings for Mariakani, Guruguru, and Kibaoni are also a big milestone for our ministry.  Thank you so much.”
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The real world is a difficult place.  Having the chance to learn from folks like Bishop Samuel and his pastor wife, Glaris, changes everything.  If you'd like to join in via Our Father's House, please do.  Better yet, go see for yourself; you'd be welcome and blessed.  We'll be glad to arrange introductions.  :)


Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Pre-school is open!


In the west African country of Sao Tome & Principe, kindergarten is open (the Jardim de Infância de Milagrosa) for the kids in the community.  Parents are happy to see their children able to attend school in early age.  Classes begin the middle of this month.

The Milagrosa community pulled together to build the facility over long months of manual labor, initially funded by Camden Roofing and Construction in Charlotte NC.  UNICEF and the Department of Education joined in to bring the project to completion. 




Update January 2018 - Our thanks to Camden R&C for supporting development in western Africa and particularly for funding this school project.  Locals did the work, but Camden provided construction materials and support to make it happen. The school serves the community now with forty preschool kids enrolled. (Note the kiss, sent today to those who helped.) STeP-UP, the NGO on site, sends their thanks.  


Pictures from 01/2018 show delivery of refrigerator and kitchen supplies on the semester's opening day.  The occasion was attended by UNICEF and STeP UP and was broadcast on national television.
Thanks and a hat tip to Camden Roofing
and Construction in Charlotte NC for
their generous support of education
and assistance efforts in Sao Tome
and Principe, western Africa.