| God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5P). Everything in His Word draws those who love Him to the light and to that which is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Therefore, we continue to share the pure, powerful Word of God with the children of Kenya, knowing it will lead many to Jesus, who is the Light of the world (John 8:12). We pray for His light to give them hope, and for His Word to shine brightly upon their paths (Psalm 119:105) as they walk through the strife-ridden times of COVID-19. Sadly, due to increased cases of COVID and the lack of facilities to care for the critically ill, the Kenyan government reinstated tight restrictions in March. Public gatherings, commerce, and movement across counties were severely limited and in-person education was suspended. While these restrictions, and the ensuing economic hardship, are casting darkness over much of the country, we know the Light continues to shine, and the darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:5). Although many projects we had hoped to do this year, such as creating learning centers and establishing Bible clubs, are delayed, we are excited for the opportunity to ship our second container this summer. Among the tightly-packed 4000 cubic feet of items will be 5,000 Bibles, one for every student in our network who has not already received one. The library at Lumino Orphanage is completed, but it sits idle due to the lockdown. The facility was used briefly during the national exams, but with classes suspended, the children will have to wait to enjoy its treasures. Note below the set of World Book Encyclopedias on the shelves. While no US thrift store will take these outdated books, they are awesome resources for Kenyan children to learn about things outside their local environment since the internet is not available to them. |
| A member of the Kenyan Parliament for Likuyani constituency in the western region donated uniforms for the “footballers’” who play soccer on the Ivugui Orphanage grounds. SIJN provided the soccer balls, and once Immaculate can travel again, she will take sneakers, socks, and nylon backpacks from the container to the players. This program was initiated to give the teenagers (some prone to dangerous behaviors), a wholesome pastime, but unfortunately it been suspended as well. |
Other Activities in March at Serving in Jesus’ Name
- Received a sizable donation to purchase Bibles for our summer shipment from the women who attended the Renewal of Hope Retreat at Berea Church.
- Purchased equipment for our volunteers to show The Jesus Film and other Bible-based movies when they visit the Kenyan facilities. Since the quality is so much better in the US than in Kenya, we purchased the equipment here to send with our next shipment.
- Sent deliveries to four centers in March. Although our Kenyan volunteers were not permitted to visit personally, we were able to get some pictures showing the joy our gifts – truly expressions of God’s love – are bringing to those with such need.
We are so grateful for the ongoing support we receive both in the US and in Kenya. Our sincerest thanks go out to each of you for your continued support of Serving in Jesus’ Name with your prayers, contributions, donated articles, and help sorting, packing, and transporting. A special thanks to the women of Berea Church for helping to fund the 5,000 Bibles we plan to send in the next shipment.
We are also grateful for the hundreds of women with Dress a Girl International who sew the beautiful dresses the girls love so much and the sewers with Days for Girls who create the hygiene kits for the young women. We praise the Lord for all you have done and are doing to enable us to carry out this work of love. We pray the Lord blesses you, keeps you, and causes His face to shine upon you. May He be gracious to you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26),
Blessings,
Kathy Carlin, Executive Director
