Dear Friends,
After a delay-plagued journey from the day it left our storage facility in late November, our container arrived in Kenya in the beginning of February. Knowing that the 10,000 containers that fall off ships into the sea each year are a tiny fraction of the 226 million containers that crossed the oceans in 2022 assuaged our concern after we learned our shipper had been unable to get the insurance we had requested. Nevertheless, we were relieved when it finally arrived in Mombasa.
Once at the port, Immaculate was advised that due to a government crackdown on the rampant practice of for-profit businesses bringing goods into Kenya under the guise of being charities, we would be required to pay an additional $20,000 in taxes, triple what we have paid in the past. Immaculate, undaunted by this scary news, went from one office to the next in the chain of authority explaining our mission and previous work. Finally, at the highest level of appeal, she prevailed, and we were granted charity status. From there, releasing the container when smoothly. Faith, the Revenue Authority Verification Officer, cleared it without having a single box examined, saying merely, “May God bless Serving in Jesus’ Name for donating all these things for the less fortunate in our society.”
How often have we heard people describe their new 4-bedroom house as only having 3 bathrooms? Imagine, having a couple hundred children and staff using a few latrine stalls. Therefore, this year, we are circling back to the orphanages and private schools in our network to build a second set of latrines at the facilities where they are most needed. Those projects start in March, with plans to build six 5-stall latrines over the next few months.
After seeing the container in place and resting for a day after her long, tiring week in Mombasa, Immaculate began pulling out boxes and sorting items for distribution. She visited two of our dearest orphanages, Upendo and Magodo in February. The children are always excited to see her. As with all children, they love getting gifts. The boys were excited about the caps, cleats, and most especially, the soccer ball, which we sent thanks to Caitlin Terry, who collected over 100 balls for the boys. The girls love the Dress-a-Girl and Indian dresses, and the older girls are grateful for the Days for Girls kits.
Our great joy is in knowing that the Lord is faithful to keep His promise that His word will not return to Him without accomplishing the good purposes for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11). Therefore, we delight in seeing pictures of children with their Bibles and Scripture cards and hearing of them proudly reciting Bible verses, which Immaculate sends ahead of her visits.
March promises to be an exciting month. We will be working with Children Evangelism Fellowship to help facilitate and support getting Good News Clubs into the 15 orphanages and 7 private schools in our network. At some point this may even expand into the many public schools where we have completed building projects. The Good News clubs focus on bringing children into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and teaching how to grow in faith.
As always, we are grateful that our work goes on, and we send our thanks to each of you who pray for our ministry, donate items, provide financial support, and give time to help with our work. We are ever thankful for all those who enable us to continue sowing seeds of life in 2023 (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Blessings,
Kathy Carlin, Executive Director
