Slowed but not stopped… July Ministry Update

It gladdens our hearts to imagine this bright, new classroom bustling with exuberant 5-year olds.  We are so grateful that out of the abundance the Lord has given to us (2 Corinthians 1:4), we are able to give these innocence little ones a welcoming place to start their school years.  Our hearts’ desire is for the love of God to permeate this place and for the Scripture scrolled across its walls to sink into the children’s minds, hearts, and souls, drawing them to the Lord.  We pray this tangible demonstration of the Lord’s provision for them will contribute to the firm foundation of faith each child will grow upon (1 Corinthians 3:11), so throughout their lives, they will walk in the light of Jesus Christ. (Proverbs 22:6)   

The nearly total shutdown in Kenya due to the pandemic is making survival difficult for millions of people across the country.  In a recent speech about the financial impact of the virus, the Kenyan Minister of Health emphasized how much better people with some means to sustain themselves are doing.  Therefore, since owning livestock has a significant impact on a household’s income, we have accelerated our tent-making initiative by buying a cow or some chickens for an additional ten single mothers. 

We selected the construction of a library on the grounds of the Lumino School for Disabled Children as our next project.  Lack of funding for food forced the school to close its residential facility in recent years, so the children are brought to school each day from their homes with family members or guardians.  Although, the library will not like the magnificent marble structures we have in the US, it will bless a people hungry for reading material.   This simple brick building will be the only library within a 10-hour walk, and the thousands of educational, spiritual, and entertaining books we have shipped will be available to students and villagers.  

Other Activities at Serving in Jesus’ Name in July

• Vincent, the classroom construction foreman, touched our hearts when he said, “God bless you.  This work is providing food for many families.”
• The solar energy project at Magodo is still on hold since solar panels and energy inverters are not available due to the disrupted shipment of these materials.  We are sadly disappointed to know the sewing machines we sent are sitting idle due to the lack of electricity during this time when this orphanage in the heart of Nairobi’s largest slum could have been earning much needed funds by producing articles to sell.
• The container shipment remains on hold due to the embargo on used goods coming into the country.
• Our annual outreach in Appalachia is still under consideration.  Although we desire to distribute the small mountain of winter apparel we have collected to those in need during a praise and worship event in far-west Virginia, we are praying about the wisdom and safety of such an event this fall.

 We are grateful for the privilege of continuing the work the Lord has put before us to do and for each of you who support us in so many ways.

Blessings,

     Kathy Carlin, Executive Director