| During this difficult and painful time, we, at Serving in Jesus’ Name, share in the sorrow of those who have lost loved ones to the corona virus, and we pray for those who are seriously ill with this disease. We also share the concern of those severely impacted financially by the shutdown and cutbacks of so many businesses across the country. While our plans have been changed, as have those of millions of others, we are grateful the Creator of the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them remains ever faithful (Psalm 146:6), and we take comfort in knowing we need not fear since He is always with us, upholding us (Isaiah 41:10). Our confidence and hope is in the Lord, who is our refuge and strength. He is an ever-present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1), and we know He has a plan, a good plan, for us, just as He does for all who put their faith and trust in Him. (Jeremiah 29:11). Much of what we expected to do in March has been postponed. Delayed projects will begin again in the Lord’s perfect timing if He desires us to accomplish them. Immaculate, our Kenyan Project Manager, would have visited us in the US in March, but her trip has been put on hold for now. We are grateful she and her family are safely waiting out the “shelter in place” orders in Kenyan away from the congestion of Nairobi. Further, our container shipment to Kenya, planned for March, has been put on hold as well, but we praise the Lord that everything is in clean, dry storage, just awaiting the right time to ship. Our work in Kenya has slowed, but not stopped. Since the western region is rural, the projects to build new latrines and a rainwater catchment system at St. Paul’s Primary School are progressing well. The building materials and the two 5,000 gallon water tanks have been delivered. The trusted crew we use for all our building projects has traveled to the site and will be staying nearby until they complete their work at St. Paul’s. Other projects, however, are temporarily on hold. The solar energy company has had to delay the installation of a system at Magodo Orphanage due to the shutdown in the area, and our tent making plans to supply cows and chickens as a means of income to women starting new lives after leaving St. Rita Rescue Center will need to wait. As always, we are grateful to all those who support us with prayers, financial contributions, donated articles, and help sorting, packing, and transporting boxes. “May the Lord grant each of you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19) Blessings, Kathy Carlin, Executive Director |
Other Activities at Serving in Jesus’ Name in March:
- At home, we are providing support to individuals suffering financially due to COVID-19 as well as to ministries helping others in this time of great need.
- Nathan Woods delivered another large supply of products, including many boxes of personal hygiene items donated by the Amway Richmond Leadership Development Team.
- The Northern Virginia and the Virginia Beach Chapters of Days for Girls donated another 340 kits to help provide dignity to the young girls and women who will receive them.
- Dress a Girl Around the World donated over 500 additional dresses to brighten the lives of young girls, who may otherwise never have had a pretty new dress.
