Kenya Orphans helped by YOU!

As the Christmas season approaches, and the end of another year is near, I am in awe of all that the Lord has done with His Arms Childrens Project that we are officially registered in Kenya as.  I can not begin to count the blessings. First of all, our precious children we work with in Maseno-Ekwanda area of Western Kenya are all well, happy and energetic.  When I picture our most recent visit this past October, and see the video in my mind of the gatherings, it makes me smile, then get teary.  WOW, how energetic, happy, excited and lively they were. Do you know what that means?  They are getting enough food, enough protein that they need to, to be healthy and they are living with so much hope!  We could not run this ministry without so many volunteers and sponsors across the USA.  We now have donors or supporters in 12 states!  Can you believe that!!!   Word is spreading of what God is doing.

Then we met with most of our high schoolers receiving scholarships of $300 to $500 a year to attend high school in the area.  They were so appreciative, so respectful, so well mannered!  You would love them each if you were to meet them.  I felt like one proud Grandma hugging them and greeting them. I could not be any prouder of what they are accomplishing inspite  of so many odds their short lives have had.  But they are so hopeful, have dreams and aspirations.  Wow, what more could we say!   We continue to pray that the Lord continues to bless our ministry so they can finish high school, graduate, and maybe pursue college careers.  AMAZING! 

Plus we met many of the 92 children we sponsor so they can attend primary school and have hope some day that they can be educated and become more self-sustaining, and eventually leave the poverty.   Such dreams.  Many of them say that actually. They thank us for making their dream of attending elementary school come true!  Can you imagine living and wondering if you can even afford to attend elementary school?  Our kids in our program, have wondered that in the past. But thank the Lord for schools like Shelby Michigan's elementary school who helps pay these school fees. Or Amery Wisconsin's elementary school children and teachers who help pay school fees so their friends in Maseno, Kenya can go to elementary school!  How blessed this ministry is.

This year also saw us purchase property of our own after becoming a non-profit officially in Kenya.  It is located in Ekwanda, Kenya, again near Maseno. It is a beautiful spot, slightly on a hill. We already have been gifted with enough funds to begin to build a small building where our kids can meet for support. We have dreams of making this also a community library which is non-existent in schools or communities in that area.  If you ask me how that is going to happen, I have to respond, "I do not know, God has not told me that yet."   But HE will. 

Then we already have people dreaming and beginning to plan for a mission trip in 2013  back to visit our kids, play with them, perhaps help with building and who knows what.  We have a group from Central Michigan University that plans to visit the area, and work with our kids from the psychology department.  Oh my, did I say yet how amazed I am at what GOD CAN DO!!!

So I thank and praise God for all He continues to do. I thank HIM that he is giving our USA coordinator Brenda Cronk healing so she can continue working with our ministry.  And I thank HIM for everyone of you who sponsors, donates, fundraises, prays, or in anyway works with His Arms to make this ministry possible!  May God bless each of you in 2013 for being such a blessing in 2012!  

Nancy Rowe

Sick Kenya Orphans

Well it has been quite a week For HIS ARMS Orphan project.  Early in the week we found out we had a sponsor for our 57 child!  We are so excited.  So we welcome sponsor Kristan, and child, Somson.  Once again a sad story of a destitute family. So we are thankful to have him now in our program. 

Then we learned one of children we sponsored was ill.  That was indeed frustrating as communication is so bad between us and Maseno/Ekwanda.  So after phone calls, text, emails, we were able to get precious Jane some medical help.  We still do not know for sure what made her so ill, but she is acting healthy and playful again, so we Praise the Lord for helping her to get to a bigger city for medical help with a real physician.

Again challenges continue.  But also we continue to see blessings. I just talked to one sponsor last night who is willing to work to get his high schooler they sponsor to USA for college.  Now those hoops will be huge to jump threw. But once again we turn to God, and ask HIM to help us figure it all out.  This girl has such potential but has such a story of struggles to share as when she was 11 she solely cared for her dying widow Mom as she passed away. This girl, instead of being bitter, is unbelievably bright, articulate, positive and just a love!  So we pray.

Asante Sana readers.  Thanks for taking the time to read our blog. Please continue to spread the word about His Arms.  Let me know if you would know any group that would like us to speak, as we are always willing to do just that in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, or elsewhere if we get help with traveling expenses.  We love sharing God's stories! 

AIDS Orphan in Kenya

On Saturday, Dec. 1st, the world acknowledges World AIDS Day.  We, at His Arms also observe this day with much respect.  You see we are one of the ministries within Western Kenya who will work with these children that are HIV+.  In fact, we advocate for them, pay so they can get to the clinic to get medication, and do what we can to improve their immune systems so they can fight this disease.  Some ministries, even ones that call themselves Christian, will not deal with them. Some absolutely refuse to allow them to stay in their orphanages.  Their comments "well we have to protect our other children".  How ignorant!  By simply protecting others should blood occur as in an injury, you have very much safely helped handle risk.  But for the most part, it is very safe to interact.  One can hug, kiss, share food, play, and surely worship with someone affected or infected with HIV.  The virus is passed thru blood contact, mothers breast feeding and of course, sex.  So we bring gloves for our volunteers in case one of our kids, fall and get cut.  But we also kiss them, hug them, eat with them, dance with them, praise with them, and surely love them!!

If you are considering helping a ministry that serves Orphans in Kenya or anywhere for that matter, please make sure they reach out to children that are orphaned but may also be positive for HIV.  Their immune systems need love and support more then anyone.  And that is why www.hisarmskenya.org surely ministers to all children orphaned in Maseno/Ekwanda area that we are able to, regardless of their HIV status. Please join me in praying for these precious children. Please pray also that funding continues for the medications they need to help be more healthy. Please pray with me that they have a loving, supportive community around them to booster those affected immune systems. Thank you to all of our supporters, sponsors and donors who have huge hearts, and genuinely care for all of God's precious children, especially these kids in Kenya, and especially those affected or infected by HIV.

Helping Kenya Orphans

Anytime you donate to any of our Ebenezer projects which you can find on our website, or any of our programs in general, you have definitely helped a struggling orphan in Kenya. We now are registered as a non-profit organization in Kenya listed as "His Arms Children's Project".  The country of Kenya has officially reviewed what we do, and supports us as doing so in a legal way. That was an important to us as so many "made up" organizations do exist in many of the African countries, including Kenya in order for some crooked person to just gain some funds. We have looked into "orphanages" where people from the USA have been donating to them, only to find they do not exist in Kenya. So today, on "Give back Tuesday" please be sure your organization is legitimate.   Ask about administrative cost. We keep ZERO money within the USA and instead transfer all of our donations to Kenya. Within Kenya, we keep less then 10% of our donations to use for transfer cost, transporting cost of items, and similar items that the volunteers in Kenya lack funds otherwise to perform.  We have NO salaried personnel working within our ministry.  Only volunteers are doing all the work.  We are very proud of our USA and Kenya volunteer workers. How blessed we are. So if you feel driven on "Give back Tuesday" to donate to our ministry, we would love to hear from you.  Check out our website for ways you can donate.  www.hisarmskenya.org     May you be blessed for being a blessing!  "Like" us on our facebook page www.facebook.com/HisArmsKenya  by clicking the "like" button on the top.  Asante Sana/Thank YOU!  Pass the word around!

Kenya Orphan Project Registration complete!

This morning I received word that we are officially a registered non-profit in Kenya!  Our Official name in Kenya is His Arms Children's Project, I believe it is.  We operated before legally under a CBO (community based organization) in Maseno, which was the overseer of several great projects including the literacy program for the community.  However, with us seeking to purchase land, and after talking with legal counseling, we realized we did need to become a separate Entity.  We needed to make sure no one could undermine the work we are trying so hard to do, without any corruption or any person benefiting from our ministry personally!   SO IT IS OFFICIAL!  We jumped thru all the hoops, paid our fees, worked on all the paperwork, sent runners back and forth with all the legal papers, and it is official today!  PRAISE THE LORD!  I am so happy. Cannot believe God has blessed this ministry so much. Who would have ever thought in 2005 when Elaine Sorensen and I visited in Maseno, Kenya with this social worker, Florence Oyosi, that in 2012 we would be running an official ministry that reaches out to hundreds of people. YOU KNOW, THAT IS GOD AND ONLY GOD DOING THAT!  We surely were not smart enough to figure this all out.

SO thanks to all of our sponsors and donors who continue in 9 different states in the USA to help this ministry half way around the world, in Africa, make a difference!  Mungu Awabarkie, may God bless you all!

Kenya Orphans Donations Made Easy!

Just in time for the holiday season, and prior to end of year charitable tax deductions needed, you may now donate on our site thru Paypal. We are so excited to have it up and running. It is simple. Takes just seconds and you can make your tax deductible donation to His Arms Orphan Project!  Visit our website at www.hisarmskenya.org and you will see the "donate" button.  Merely click on that, and it will allow you to either make a contribution from your own paypal account.  Or you may also use your credit card and make your tax deductible donation. In the summary sections you will be permitted to list what you wish it to be used for. In other words, if you want to buy a family a chicken, just tell us so.  Some of our current His Arms sponsors are even making their monthly sponsorship payments this way. We want to make it as easy as possible.  Questions, contact me via ndrowes@yahoo.com   Thanks so much for considering our ministry. As always, we keep no administrative fees here in US other then what paypal charges us, and less then 10% administrative fees are used in Kenya.  Check out other charities, few have that low of administrative fees. We want the money to go directly to these orphans and people trying to lovingly care for them.!  ASANTE SANA!  Thank you.

Gift Cards to benefit His Arms!

Did you know that for the Holiday season you can purchase gift cards from us, that will benefit His Arms Ministry?  Yes, you pay the face value of the card, just as if you had walked into the store and bought one. But for everyone sold, we get part of that money back for the ministry!  If you want to order some, email me at ndrowes@yahoo.com and let me know which ones, and how many. Send me off the check for that amount, and I will mail them back to you. Need not be gifts.  If you want to shop these places over holidays anyways, buy one. Remember the ministry then gets back a portion of that amount!  WIN-WIN!!  Here is list:  Thanks from Nancy Rowe and all the Kenya Kids.
Gift Cards Available
Amazon
ACE Hardware
Aeropostale
American Girl
Applebees
Arbys  ($10)
Bass Pro
Baja Fresh
BP Gas  ($50)
Bath & Body Works ($10 you pay, but worth $10.50)
Best Buy
Burger King  ($10)
Cabella’s
Champs Americana
Caribou Coffee
Cubs
CVS
Cold Stone creamery
Chipotle  ($10)
Dunn Bro Coffee
Dicks Sporting Goods
Herbergers/Carson Pierre Scott/Etc
Hardees
I- Tunes  ($15)
Holiday Gas
J C Pennney
Kwik Trip
Macys
Old Navy/Gap/Banana Republic
Panera  ($10)
Papa Murphy’s($10)
Roundy’s/Rainbow Foods
Red Lobster/Olive Garden
Shell Gas
Starbucks  ($10)
Super America Gas
Target
TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Homegoods
Walmart
Walgreens
Wendy’s   ($10)

Kenya Children's Project

It is hard to believe it has been two weeks already since we left beautiful Kenya.  But our work in Maseno/Ekwanda area of Kenya continues. What great volunteers we have especially our Kenya Coordinator Florence Oyosi.   She is so remarkable, works so hard for our children and their families. And all without a salary.  If you are involved in other ministries, please check their administrative cost out, both on the USA end and on the receiving end. We pray they will be honest with you. We know one that operates between large USA denomination and a Kenya one, that operates with 50% administrative fees.  So please be aware of this. Ask questions, and of course, the best way, is to check it out in person.

We continue to offer this Holiday season the "perfect gift for the person who has everything!"   You can gift him a goat, chicken, malaria net, mattress, water system, Emergency Medical Community Fund donation, educational fee donation, etc.  Go to our website at www.hisarmskenya.org and check the Ebenezer area out. It is simple. We can even mail you out a card to include for the person that states you donated in his honor, but the struggling orphan in Kenya actually benefited. Again, there is no middle man to take a cut. Our prices for these items are what the store owner charges us, or that we purchase for in the local market. Then these gifts go directly to the struggling family.  You cannot believe the difference this gift makes for this family. In many ways, there whole life is turned around because of this small gift.

We continue to rejoice over the great time we had in Kenya checking on our kids, playing with them, hugging them and auditing our books.  Such blessings!  We loved seeing the healthy happy, energetic kids!  That is a sign they are getting protein and nutrition!   Thank you so much!  Asanate Sana to all who help sponsor or donate to these cost.

Pastor Joe Atwater continues to struggle to make it all the way to his home in San Diego, CA.  He arrived on Oct. 27th in New York to see his kids, just in time for Hurricane Sandy. His daughter's house is one of the casualties.  We are thankful that their family did not loose loved ones, though.  But Pastor Joe has been trying to get back to CA since then, and is due to get on a flight, finally today we pray! 

Thanks for following our blog. Continue to pray for our ministry please. Thank God for our great volunteers. And ask the Holy Spirit to guard, protect and lead our volunteers in the way the Lord would have them go every single day.  Asante Sana!  Mungu Awabarikie!

Another Safe Kenyan Mission Trip

It has been less then a week, since our return home from Maseno/Ekwanda area of Western Kenya.  My mind is slowly getting back to "normal".  But just like other trips, maybe my normal, is forever changed. You see some of the things we see are very hard to process. There were good things that we witnessed, like the health of the majority of our precious 56 sponsored children, their siblings and families. It continues to amaze me, how simply $20 per month, can change these families lives. Then add some chickens, some free seeds, and hope abounds!  One garden (they call them shambas) looked especially healthy and thriving. That USA sponsors family had given their Christmas present gift from their daughters to purchase fertilizer for this family instead. WOW, what a visual difference in that garden.  We literally went "wow" as we passed it.

Then another one of our USA sponsors had contacted me several months ago and said that their family had decided to for go buying a new car, but instead decided to sponsor another child.  Well as we visited that family, we realized this decision had literally saved a family of 7 from starving to death. They were still struggling, but now had hope. All because someone in America with a good running car, decided they really did not need a new one, as much as some struggling family needed some help in Kenya. WOW, little did they know what a miracle that would mean.

So as my mind continues to work, I will share more stories.  May God help each one of us to make the right decisions each day like that family in Wisconsin was guided to, that saved the lives of a family of 7.  Help us to always discern the truth Lord.  Help us not be part of corruption ever that would prevent actual help getting thru to those in need.  And Lord help us to continue to be YOUR ARMS as we reach out to the hurting. Thanks for all your prayers!

Kenya Mission Trip notes

Well we are all back safely on USA soil, and all tired, but feeling like God truly went with us.  I will try to relay different stories, challenges, celebrations, etc as my brain continues to try to function! HA!  But overall, I am grateful that I feel healthy, just tired from the experience physically.  The first story I care to relate is one of a new challenge.  But before I go further, I will also tell you of a success story we witnessed first. You see we do see differences this ministry has made with God's help in huge differences!  Our children of His Arms were all happy and currently quite healthy!  PRAISE THE LORD!  That even meant our children who are HIV+ and the two we have that have "full blown AIDS" which just means they are dealing with not so good blood levels of HIV.  But we saw happy smiles, dancing kids, loving the games that wild Besan and Jeanne taught them, and laughter like you would not believe!  You see it takes protein and nutrition that gives our children their energy. Most of our healthy kids in USA have tons of energy!! But to see these kids with energy, makes one jump and down ourselves to witness such an improvement.  We have three young little pre-schoolers that even had a bit of a fight during one of our games.....ok, good...showed them to be energetic little 4 yr olds loving competition!!! With sparkles in their eyes!!! That was a GREAT thing!  I know...who would have thought that, huh???

But one of the new challenges we heard is of the lack of Orphan Feed that used to occur in the community around us. In the past they were heavily sponsored by USA donors thru a local church denomination. Now since the missionaries have retired and returned to USA we did witness many signs, hear stories, where corruption has entered in. Unfortunately the local ladies in that parish we visited, see hungry children, see sick children, but now little funds are getting to them to help these community kids.  And lest you think, they should do something about it themselves, they all live in poverty themselves, all have extra children they now have in their own homes they are guardians of, but just no funds to put on these huge feeds that used to feed 300-500 children their one protein meal a week.  Now about 50 come (some used to walk up to 5 K each way to get there and that takes energy itself) but often are only given a little to eat.  But the hardest part of hearing this story, is that several of the children we had played with, fed, etc in the past when mission trips in the past helped at the Orphan Feeds, have died since December when the missionaries returned home. You see Malaria is still the huge killer of children in sub-saharin Africa.  Malaria is a treatable disease.  Caught in early stages it merely takes an antibiotic to wipe it out.  But that means you have to get to the clinic, meaning a bus ride which cost up to 100 Kenya shillings and then buy the meds ($22 or so)   The average person working in that area still only earns 75 Kenya shillings a day...which is about $1 US dollar.  So if your food for your family is going to cost about 75 Kenya shillings a day.....you see where there is often no money left to support medical needs.

The good news. We are starting a fund you may donate to which will be called "Community Emergency Medical Fund" which will be handled by FLorence Oyosi our coordinator of His Arms. But this is not funds for our His Arms children. We already save part of your monthly support funds for our own medical fund to help our kids.  But when a community adult comes to Florence and refers some ill child to her, and it has been verified from one of these valued community caring individuals, we can offer a gift of some funds to obtain that emergency acute care.  So if the child is seen to be extremely ill and needing to get to a clinic, we may be able to offer some funds. Of course, it is our dream that in this small community of Ekwanda/rural Maseno, we will not hear of a child dying for the lack of $25 US for care for this treatable disease. 

If you can help, please donate to His Arms, Peace Lutheran, 2084 County Rd N, Baldwin WI 54002.  Consider telling others in your church or group of friends. We are going to suggest that perhaps you take away $25 off your budget for Christmas presents and instead donate to this fund.  Again, this is not for our His Arms children. They are getting adequate and great care. It is for those in the community around us, who have children ill.  Thanks so much for reading our blog. To think only $25 may have saved those kids we played with.....well it makes one ill!   But we can maybe stop further children from dying. Asante Sana!  Thanks for reading our blog!

As someone recently reminded me, we cannot do everything, but all of us can do something!
Nancy Rowe

Travelers/Missionaries are on their way home!

This is Renee.  The travelers/missionaries are on their way home from Kenya!  Thank you Lord for being with them while they were in Kenya to be the hands and feet of You!  Thank you for the love, encouragement, time, and hard work they freely gave to so many.  Thank you for all of the support and prayers of the travelers' families and friends before, during, and after their "trip."  I pray Lord that you would keep all the travelers safe on their way home and give them peaceful/restful travels.  I pray Lord that you would continue to pour out your blessings on the travelers after they get home.  Keep them in good health- body, mind, and spirit.  Thank you for watching over these precious warriors of Yours Lord. Amen.

Beginning efforts of the land purchase :)

All is going well. did the business stuff today, which went well. I lived thru the matatu ride (public van 14 passenger, with 24 of us in it!)  Just a litttle sweaty!!!  Tomorrow we end and wrap up, so excited to come home and tell you all our stories. But was glad to get the beginning efforts of the purchase behind us. Officials at the government building were so nice, and she said, "Wow you are getting that at a great prices".  That made me feel good as of course, did not get appraisals. But God is with us....so many cool things....also we saw some of the family that was starving, we gave them money to get food....and today, when we saw them could not believe the difference. The litttle ones smiled, and walked and wanted to even play just a little.....so heart warming to see. They have a ways to go....but so much hope.

Spoke to the girls at school

All your prayers are helping so much!  God is opening our eyes to suffering and pain, but then we are trying to think of more solutions with God's help.  Besan and Gigi speaking to the girls at school has been so eye opening.  They supposedly get sex education in school....but apparently not good enough.  Some of the questions they dealt with today made them think this precious little girl maybe was raped, wondered about pregnancy, etc.  Oh my, we surely did not know we would be lead where we are, but this time we already have had three long conversations with girls and/or women on the various issues.  We pray for these girls and women being raped, and being made to think they are less then perfect creations.  BRING ON THE Psalm 139 projects! WOW are they needed!

A family in desperate need!

This is Renee.  My eyes are filled with tears for the suffering that Nancy, Besan, Jeanne, and Pastor Joe witnessed as they visited one of the newer homes to the program.  There are 3 boys that all have started first grade at age 8, 10 and 12.  They are just so happy to be able to go to school.  The children still all look malnourished with popped bellies.  When they gave them toys, the children sat on a rock and did not have energy to play.  Food only comes out once a month, so they would still be more then 10 days before they would get more food.  The travelers/missionaries gave the family all the protein bars they had with them and purchased eggs for them.  The Dad has died.  The Mom is trying...she had to sell her 13 year old girl to someone who would care for her if she was their servant.  The mom never sees her anymore, but knows she is alive.  The house they live in is not much bigger then a coffin.  It has no beds and 6 are living in the home.  All of them have jiggers on their feet.  After many tears, we pray along with the travelers/missionaries that there will be $500 to build this family a house to live in.

Women issues in Kenya

Wow, a minute again to be on the site. All is well here as far as our health and well-being. We are having great caring people caring for us at the housing unit! Met with ladies today who will start a support group after we leave for women's issues. God is GOOD! They are helping figure out solutions...and when there is not solutions right now, they can encourage one another! It was very meaningful. One never knows what ministry will consist of....today it was talks & sharing of rapes, condoms, HIV, girls in school being mistreated because of being girls, etc..... thank you so much for your prayers.

This is Nancy

This is Nancy. We are so excited to be on the internet for a few minutes. What a time we are having. Very emotional as always, learning lots. Have seen blessings of what has been happening, but continue to see so many needs. So be prepared! We have so much to share again. I will try not to cry so much you cannot understand what I am saying. Just keep praying for us, for discernment in how we d

o things. Pray for Stephen, who may be dying any day of AIDs, one of our daddies of precious little Reuben. Now what for this little guy? Another of our kids with HIV of the new ones, but will not share here, as it is hard to hear. So will contact the sponsors when we get home. but so many good stories of success!!! Love you dear friends!

Orphan Feed

This is Renee.  Mom (Nancy Rowe) called Dad (Dan Rowe) this afternoon about 2pm our time,
10pm Kenya time.   Had a great orphan feed...tomorrow they have gifts for the His Arm's students (party time).   All is well with the travelers/missionaries.   They even had a little critter in their quarters at bedtime.   It was a gecko, who seemed to know nothing about Geico car insurance!  

TRAVELERS ARE ALL SAFELY IN KENYA!!!!!

This is Renee.  I just talked to Mom (Nancy Rowe), and all the travelers are safe in Kenya!!!!  She said their accommodations are very nice.  They have already experienced miracles of getting the luggage there CONSIDERABLY cheaper than expected!  Thank you Lord for your blessings and protection!  They are looking forward to having a party with the logos kids tomorrow.

Travelers on their way to Kenya today!

This is Renee.  This song so perfectly describes the heart of the travelers to Kenya today!  Listen to this and hear the words and pray for them daily please!  Thank you Lord for giving Nancy, Besan, Jeanne, and Pastor Joe the courage to move into action to stand beside the broken!  Bless them all with protection, health, and energy as they begin their travels.  Be with the family members at home and bless them with peace.  Amen.
 "God of Justice"

Pastor Joe arrives safely in Kenya!

Jambo to family and friends in the U. S. from Pastor Joe,

Today is Tuesday October 9. Arrived in Nairobi last Wed. evening after a 31 hour flight (that includes layovers). Flying

internationally makes a big difference I think in how one is treated (Have not yelled at anyone yet!).

It's hard to find a place with internet but finally I have so here I am:

Stayed over night in a nice hotel and on Thursday evening I flew to Kisumu. Pastor Dennis Meeker met me and

put me up at his new home right on Lake Victoria with a million dollar view. He showed me all around the area

including  his new school (grades 1-6) where I taught the 4th through 6 graders about baptism on Friday.

What a treat this was. But we found at least half the class of 40 kids have not been baptized. Pastor Dennis will

speak to each parent about this for permission if possible. We even found a Lutheran who was not baptised! What's

up with that?

By the way, I have a new name. The kids in the class voted 40 to 0 that my name should from now on should be Pastor

Joseph and not Pastor Joe! What do you think?

On Saturday Pastor Dennis drove me to my mission area in Maseno about 30kil away. I arrived about 2pm at Maseno University

guest house where I will be staying for the next 3 weeks. It's the first time I stayed hear and I must say the accomodations are

great - not what I'm used to. I have my own full size bed, a toilet and shower (although primitive) instead of a trickling water

spicket and a 30 foot open "drop hole" for one to do you know what. Everyone is real nice, friendly and respectful to me. Went to a student

chapel service on Sunday morning. The first hour of the service was great but I started getting "worship fatigue" after the 3rd hour. The

services here are LONG! If St. Pauls' services were 3 hours long Pastor Jim would have a congregation of 1.

I met up with my beloved friend and laison where all funds are sent from the U.S. later that day. Her name is Florence and she is one

of the finest, moral and ethical ladies I've ever known. Without Florence nothing would ever get done around here with regards to

my kids and their families receiving help. This is the lady I am now teamed up with including Nancy Rowe from the U.S.

On Monday we took a trip after hiring a driver to a town 30kil away. I went to see the family I personally adopted and check on how

they were doing. My little family of 5 including grandma were OK but had some problems. First of all they had stopped receiving funds

from me since last December. This was because of the retirement of the people I first worked with. The money was accounted for

but unfortunately they were not getting it for almost a year. I have corrected the situation and there will be no more fund problems.

Secondly and very unfortunately my little Sara who is the eldest and 17years old has vanished from high school. Grandma has not

heard a word from her since June of this year. I spoke with many neighbors and found out that either she was forcibly taken to another

Province to work as a housekeeper or worse she was forcibly married and is now far away. I promised grandma, who is obviously very

distressed and concerned with her grandaughter's disappearance that Pastor Joseph will do everything possible to locate and bring Sara

back home. How I will do this I don't know! But I have been making good contacts.

On Tuesday (today) I will be visiting two families who each has received a goat from my funds. I hear they are doing well but I must see for

myself (follow the money trail). They were both extremely poor so I'm anxious to see how they are doing. Then I'll see the families who have

received cows.

That's enough from me because I'm probably boring you by now. Plus it has just started to rain heavily and that means the electric will go out.

You never know for how long it will be off.

One more thing. Somehow (and not very often) I missed dinner tonight.  So I think I'll take a walk into the jungle tonight and wrestle

with a lion for the carcass of a wildebeast.

Blessings to you all and please keep praying, not for me, but for my kids.

Love to all,

Pastor Joseph (Joe)

Cover the team in prayers as the get ready to go to Kenya!

This is Renee making sure I am able to effectively blog to keep us all updated on any news from our beloved travelers heading to Kenya to be "His Arms."  Please help cover the team in prayer!

Kenya time, almost here!

We packed last week-end in MI with each of us, given our last minute assignments to fill in all the "cracks" and pray it is 50 pounds or less. Yes, we do each have an extra 3rd bag they will charge us for, EACH!.  But we are praying that it is not super excess fees in Kenya which it can be. However, for all of your that donated money and said "get what you need most".  Well guess what you helped purchase today?  3000 Children's chewable vitamins that just might keep our kids with HIV alive and boost their immune systems! You purchased Children's tylenol as now the clinic is less then adequate, you purchased 200 band-aids, plus 2 containers of anti-bacterial ointment, plus other over the counter meds for our kids!  What a help that was.  What a blessing!!! Asante Sana!  THANK YOU SO MUCH. 

Will check in one more time before we leave.  We have a send off prayer on Sunday from Peace Lutheran, Baldwin WI. Please include all of our travelers in your prayers.  Pastor Joe from CA, Besan From Grand Rapids MI, Jeanne from Muskegon, MI and Nancy from Baldwin WI.  May the Lord bless our work, keep us and our fellow workers safe in Kenya, and may He take good care of our families back here in the USA.

Orphan Feed

This is Renee.  Mom (Nancy Rowe) called Dad (Dan Rowe) this afternoon about 2pm our time,
10pm Kenya time.   Had a great orphan feed...tomorrow they have gifts for the His Arm's students (party time).   All is well with the travelers/missionaries.   They even had a little critter in their quarters at bedtime.   It was a gecco, who seemed to know nothing about Geico car insurance!  

Church's helping Kenya Orphans

We have several churches who continue to faithfully help our His Arms Orphan Project.  Of course, Peace Lutheran in Baldwin, Wisconsin lets us work through their offices and with their blessings. They have supported us with financial gifts, donated items for our children that mission teams have carried, and of course, spiritually encouraged us,  by holding us up in prayer.  We also must thank St. James Lutheran Church, in Montague, Michigan who has also been a huge supporter now for several years.  They have even held special mission events just to help our ministry.  And now we welcome St. Paul Lutheran, San Diego, CA who have joined in the support of our ministry as well. Pastor Joe Atwater, from St Paul's will also be traveling with this October team leaving shortly for Maseno.

Also, we must take time to thank two schools who have made great efforts in donating to our ministry. Thomas Reed Elementary School in Shelby, MI has been a great supporter of our ministry and our children. As has Amery Elementary School in Amery, WI.  It is so exciting to see the children getting behind this program and wanting other children to be able to learn just like they are doing.  Great teachers have inspired these kids, and we say ASANTE SANA/THANK YOU!

Keep the team in your prayers.  They leave shortly.  They will make every attempt to blog while in Kenya, but one must understand that communication is not a "given" in the remote areas we travel into.  We will do our best.  Perhaps we will be able to at the least, convey a message via one of our family members and a brief telephone call.  We will let you know when we leave.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support of His Arms Orphan Program!

Kenya Orphans Donations made easy!

Hi All of the His Arms Kenya Orphan Project supporters!  We are so excited to report that we now have an even simpler way to donate to our projects. When you visit our website, www.hisarmskenya.org you will see a "donate now" button.  Here you can donate amounts to purchase any of our Ebenezer projects, support your His Arms orphan, make a special donation or any number of ways to help the projects.  It is simple. Secure. And hopefully will facilitate donations to become even easier to share.  If you have a Paypal account yourself, you may use your account to donate toward His Arms projects. Or if you prefer, you can simply use your credit card to make a secure donation. As you can see, it is done to be secure, but simple.  You will see your donation listed as "Peace Lutheran".  That is the organization we work thru in Baldwin, WI so we can legally be a 501c.  They in turn keep this account separate from their general funds, and merely transfer these funds to our His Arms Mission Project and monitor all so we are keeping everything legal, credible, and that your donation may be tax deductible. We appreciate their help in doing so.

So share our website, www.hisarmskenya.org with your friends. Rest assure, we are credible and ethical in our decision making. ZERO percent of these funds are kept in the USA for any administrative fees except for the small percentage Paypal requires of us, to keep this account open. 

May you be blessed for being such a blessing to our precious children in the great Maseno area of Western Kenya!  Mungu Awabarikie.  GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Kenya Orphans helped because of generous people

Today I keep thinking of the Bible verse from II Corinth. 1:3-4 "The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."  You see I recently received gifts from people here in various spots in the USA who wanted to reach out in their pain to help our orphans alleviate some of theirs. One is from a Dad who lost his teen-age daughter in a car accident. He now sponsors one of our little girls.  Another check came from an adult daughter who lost her father, but is reaching out in his name to help the kids in His Arms.  Then one check came today from a husband who recently lost his young wife to cancer leaving behind children still in the home.  He wanted the orphans to feel love, too, even in the midst of his sadness.

I only wish all of these donors could see the face of the precious children they are helping. They may even be saving these kids lives because now they can get nutritious food, safe water to drink and have HOPE!.  I wish they were the ones that will get the hugs from these appreciative kids when the team arrives in October!  These kids will be so excited.  So my prayer is that somehow I can convey to these donors what their generous gifts mean to these precious children, how much comfort and hope it brings to them, even as God is comforting these Americans going through sad times themselves.

Lord may you bless all of our compassionate donors who make His Arms Orphan Project in Maseno, Kenya a reality!! Thank them for helping to comfort so many others!

Kenya Orphan Dream Project

Well I am happy to report that we now have enough money donated to purchase our property in Kenya!!! Is that awesome or what??   A generous donor stepped  up to add to what we had collected from many of you and we now have enough to go ahead with the land purchase.  PLUS we have enough extra to start looking at possibilities of putting up a basic structure!!!  Our dreams and vision to  put up a building where our children and volunteers can meet regularly is becoming a reality.  We ask for prayers of wisdom in working out the legal work in purchasing this.  May God be our guide every step of the way!  Asante Sana to all who have given to make this a reality!

Poverty In Maseno Kenya

I had a discussion yesterday with a local lady that works with a summer food program. She commented "and isn't it sad to think we have 29 kids in this program that are hungry".  I said I was glad that people like her work with  programs like that.  As I drove home, I thought to myself about the book I read by Jeffrey Sachs "Ending Extreme Poverty" which is a great book to educate oneself on the different levels of poverty.  He mentions the first level, which is like this lady mentions. Poeple struggling to make ends meet, not always able to buy adequate food.  Sachs wrote how we can see that level of poverty now in the USA probably in every state. Then he mentions the second level, he said there is even some of that in our poorest areas in USA.  People lacking food for their children and very few resources availabale in their area.  Then he mentions the third level, which is what we work with in our program in Maseno Kenya.  He called it Extreme Poverty.  No food, no resources, nothing for the family to eat, and lasting for days or weeks. 

Imagine a shell of a hut, no beds, only corn stalks for blankets and "mattresses".  No money at all. No furniture or items to sell to get some money. No transportation to go somewhere to get help. No resources in community to help you with. No medical care at all. One cup of water to drink a day from the contaminated river you can walk to per person in your family.  No energy to do any of the work as you need protein for energy.  No protein meals at all. No money to buy seeds to try to raise some food.  No money for fertilizer to try to increase the yeild in the over worked garden areas. And on it goes. 

Yes, we have people in need in the USA, and thankfully we have programs to help them. But we must not forget those in Extreme Poverty who have NO RESOURCES and few fighting for them in many cases.  Become educated on these needs.  Check out programs to make sure they are credible. Consider working with us at www.hisarmskenya.org to help the world alleviate such suffering.  We cannot do it all, but we each can do SOMETHING!

Solar Lights for Kenya

The closer it gets to our mission trip 2012, the more excited we all get.  We have placed our order for more of the solar lights that we took in last year to some of our children that had sponsors that gifted them with the lights. THEY LOVED THEM!!! They said, "we have never had a torch" before!  Not even a flashlight had ever lit up their little homes before. Since that delivery last July, 2011 the grades of the children that received them have all greatly improved. THEY CAN DO THEIR HOMEWORK!  So exciting.

So we are taking more in this year for the rest of our 56 children we sponsor.  So if you care to donate towards those lights, even if you are not a sponsor, we accept all donations, any amounts. You can mail your tax deductible check to Peace Lutheran, 2084 Couty Rd N, Baldwin WI 54002, attn: His Arms Ministry.  We operate our 501c thru Peace Lutheran. 

We also may be able to offer visitors to our website a chance to donate in the near future thru Pay Pal donation button. You would not even need your own account to do so, but could donate with a credit card. Details need to be worked out, but it is looking hopeful.  We will let you know as that progresses.

One more HOPEFUL thing!! We now have gathered over $1500 toward our property purchase toward the $3000 needed to get our match from a generous donor.  Then that $6000 would be enough to purchase that piece of land for the ministry.  We are excited!  God is moving, people are listening and we are thankful!

Asante Sana/thank you to our faithful followers! 

Kenya Orphan Property Project

Habari to all of our friends and supporters. The month of June surely went by quickly. Since our last blog letting you know about the great chance of having matching funds earned toward the purchase of property in Maseno, Kenya for our ministry, I am happy to report we almost have taken in $1000. YEAH!!  Brenda and I coordinated a Brat stand at the local shopping center which brought in $225 of that. Everyone is trying. Just wanted you to know it is not too late for any kind of gift toward that project.

We have found out that the land owner will definitely sell us the piece of property we have had our volunteers look at.  It would be a place where a building could be constructed to house our support groups, possibly even be a church on Sunday's, have a corner that could be developed into a library, and who knows what all!!!  Plus it could be a place our visitors could safely stay at when in Maseno on trips.  So we all are so excited.  

We will keep praying and keep working at fundraisers.  This Sunday the team leads worship services at Peace Lutheran in Baldwin Wisconsin.  We are excited about that, and will hope you can prayerfully support us!  

Blessings and love from the His Arms Kenya Ministry!
Nancy Rowe

His Arms Kenya Orphan Project Visions!

To be involved with this ministry, is certainly exciting. One never knows where the Lord will lead us next. We have just been offered some land to purchase in Maseno area near the market, and near a road (important for logistics!) and so we are prayerfully seeking funding to do so. We have had a generous donor offer a 4 figure gift!!! So we are praying for others to step forward and donate as well as he will match up to $3000!   Is that exciting or what. We know that the property will cost about $6000 to purchase.  Plus of course, the cost of the building. We have two builders eager to make a summer of 2013 trip to help with projects if we secure the property. WOW, God is really making plans!!  Our dream is to have the one building on the property be a combination church, gathering place for our activities, place where we could safely stay when we go to the area and who knows what else!  So we ask your for your prayers.  If you would consider donating, send your tax deductible gift to Peace Lutheran, 2084 Cty Rd N, Baldwin WI 54002 with attn: His Arms Ministry written on outside of envelope.  Thank you!  Asante Sana!

56th Orphan in Kenya being sponsored!

We are so excited to report that His Arms Orphan Project now has teir 56th child being sponsored. This latest one is a little boy with his US sponsors from Michigan.  We welcome them into the program and remind all of our loving sponsors that we would not have this ministry without them. So we praise the LORD for that!  Almost 80 children in grade school with our support and sponsorship!  And 6 in high school that would never have been able to attend without the scholarships from our USA supporters. We feel very blessed.

Plans continue to be made for our trip in October.  Already we have three travelers and more considering it. We pray for them as they prepare for this journey.  We also pray for our ministry and our volunteers in Maseno, Kenya. Things are not simple since the full-time missionaries left. Many challenges exist. We continue to ask for prayers that God shows all the solutions to these challenges.

Mungu Awabarike!  God bless you all!

Kenya Orphan Fundraiser

This week marks an exciting week for the His Arms Orphan Program.  We will be heading two major Fundraisers in Michigan for the ministry and the team leaving in October, 2012.  We will hold a Garage Sale at 5460 Dowling, Montague Michigan on May 18th and May 19th.  Many from St. James Lutheran, Montague, Michigan are supporting these efforts. Then on Saturday evening, May 19th we will be sponsoring a Family Fun Night to benefit the ministry at St. James Lutheran's Youth Building.  It should be a fun night with Euchre Tournament for those that want to play Euchre, and Bingo for the younger, and those that want to enjoy that. We will have Silent Auction items available to bid on and a light supper for Freewill offering as well.  It should be an evening of fun for the whole family.  Plus all these activites and donations will help the Mission Team leaving for Kenya in October and for the many Kenya orphans they work with.  Come and enjoy the fun. Contact us via email at ndrowes@yahoo.com if you have questions for us about either of these activities!

World Malaria Day Kenya

Did you know that today is World Malaria Day.  This is still the leading killer of children especially in the Sub-Saharian part of Africa we go to in Maseno, Kenya. Our Ministry knew this was a priority so we work with local retailers and are able to purchase Malaria Treated Nets for just $7 a piece.  That mere $7 can save a child's life!  The mosquito that carries the Malaria germ comes out at night.  So by covering the area the children sleep in with a net, has helped considerably in warding off this killer insect's bite.  Often in these poor huts, all family members sleep on one mattress if they have one, or together on piles of rags.  So one net can actually protect the whole family. 

If you care to be involved with this project, see our Ebenezer projects area of our site, www.hisarmskenya.org and you can see where you can donate funds to help these be a reality for more children in this area.  Hmmmm $7 that is just a little over the cost of one speciality cup of coffee...not much in our standards.

Saving Dying Kenya Children's lifes!

Today I received an email from Florence, our Kenya coordinator that reminded me just how important our work is. God gets all the credit, that is for sure. But our sponsors in His Arms Kenya Orphan Project need to hear that they are truly saving lifes. Florence shared that one of our newest families, have had such a turn around in their health, in just a few months. When they were evaluated for the program, Florence shared how concerned they were for the family, and how desperate. In other words, some of the children or the guardian, might have died had the program stepped in. This is the reality of these Developing Countries plights!! Children are dying. Guardians are dying. There is not always enough food or definitely no money for meds if anyone gets sick. I have not doubt our children with HIV and AIDS would not be alive for this many years. But here on Saturday at the Logos sharing fun event they have monthly for the families, the new children, their guardians were all smiling and had energy. It takes food to have energy!!! Praise the LORD!!!! Our sponsors and donors are making such a difference. YOU ARE SAVING A LIFE!!!

Kenya Orphans Struggles & Hope

On this Good Friday, I am humbled with this ministry. I feel God is intrusting us, to love HIS very special children. As I was looking at our website today, I noticed something at the top of the page that you get when you hit "news". This was taken at an orphan feed. Well you will notice the precious little girl on the far right, is trying to carefully put some of her precious maize and beans she has just been given into a plastic bag. Why you say, would she do such a thing when she probably has not had protein all week, and is finally gifted it from the Mothers Union at this church? Because this little unselfish girl is taking it home to share with the rest of her family. Maybe there were young siblings who could not make the 2 mile walk each way to the church. Or maybe they are sickly. Or maybe she is taking care of her guardian. Often these young children care for their ailing guardians as they are sick themselves. Some care for them until they die.

So that is the answer to that "why" question. Maybe it is a hard one to hear. Maybe it humbles us once again how we with so much, sometimes "hoard" and do not share because we need to "save it for latter for us".

Dear God, bless these precious children. Show us the right way to do YOUR ministry every day of the year. Help us to be your loving ARMS faithfully as we walk this walk, and share this walk, with these your very precious children! In Jesus name, AMEN!

Kenya Hope!

Greetings to all as we prepare to celebrate the Death & Resurrection of Christ. We are happy to report that the latest email from Florence, tells us all of our children are happy and healthy. Praise the LORD! The local HIV clinic continues to change, with the local people having to pay more for their medications. We pray that the Lord will bless them and improve their immune systems. One of the good things we have heard about our program is that having regular food has really improved the immune systems and health of our own children in the program who deal with HIV. Then to meet with others, be supported, be reminded that they are loved, actually also improves their immune system. So we thank God for our caring sponsors, supporters and donors because they are making a difference in these precious children's lives... So this Holy Week finds us thanking God for all the blessings His Arms Kenya program is seeing. We continue to prepare for the next Mission trip next October, 2012, too! WE are excited!!! So are our Kenyan friends thinking about our visit! So pray for us as we prepare. May God continue to bless His Arms as we reach out in HIS name!

Pastor Joe Atwater

We are pleased to add to our ministry team, Rev. Joe Atwater from San Diego, CA. He was a police officer in New York for 25 years, then later became second career Lutheran Pastor in 2008 serving in San Diego area. But Pastor Joe has a heart for the children in Maseno, Kenya and has already traveled to the area on three mission trips. With the retirement of the Hardisons it left some voids in the ministry in the Maseno area and Pastor Joe's connections, so He was excited to be adopted by His Arms as officially part of this ministry team. He will continue to work in the California area in hoping to continue to share the stories of the struggling in Kenya. In the fall, he hopes to spend 90 days on an extended mission trip to the area. So we are excited to have another leader to help us in our ministry and look forward to more doors that the Lord will open up to His Arms. Watch the site and the blog for further updates. Welcome Pastor Joe! If you live in California and wish to have a speaker at one of your events about His Arms Kenya, contact us and we will put you in touch with Joe.

Box Tops For Education Project

Wow, you never know what God can do. Three of our sponsors replied to our plea for Box Tops for Education (from General Mills products, etc) and we already have received close to $30 in just what box tops they sent us in the mail! As we say in Kenya, that is alot of BEANS!!! Wow, when the average person earns 50cents to $1 a day for their work in that area of Kenya, you can see this is worth a month's wages from just three of our sponsors! Keep it up! ASANTE SANA!!! That is exciting. Again, if you already collect them for your child's school, no problem. We know you bless the ministry in other ways. But if you do not, please consider starting to collect them for our ministry. May you be blessed for being a blessing!

Mungu Tumaini Upendo Bracelets!

Our sale of our new bracelets are off to a great start. For $2 each you are able to help a child attend elementary school in Maseno area of Kenya. Thanks to all of the supporters we have out there selling them!

We also are excited to show off our new website. Mandy Matzek, our web designer has done an excellent job of showcasing our ministry in a colorful but upbeat style. We are so thankful for her and all of her loving support.

We continue to be amazed at God's work in this ministry. With 55 children now being sponsored, another 75 kids attending elementary school, and 6 others in high school, it is only because of God's handiwork that has made it possible.

Contact us with your questions, comments or let us know if you wish to join in this ministry. Mungu Awabarikie/May God bless you all!

New Kenya Orphan

HI All,
We rejoice today that we just received word of the sponsorship of our 55th little orphan in the Maseno area of Kenya. This little 6 yr old girl named Florence lost both of her parents and has been living in extreme poverty with a little elderly granny. The community was worried about this little one and referred her to our His Arms Kenya Project. We are so thankful that a family in Prescott, WI was looking to sponsor a little girl! Did God work that out or what??? This little girl now has so much HOPE. Hope that she can now have some food each day, hope that she can now go to school and hope that maybe she will live to adulthood even though she has been so sickly. PRAISE THE LORD!

If you or your family would ever consider being a sponsor, just let us know and we can pair you with a child in need. We use less then 10% for administrative cost, which is just for the Kenya end of this ministry. Not one penny is kept in the USA. We fight against corruption and have many safe gaps in place to avoid any corruption in all of our details. Contact us on our website: www.hisarmskenya.org if interested in getting more information about our ministry. To all of our sponsors and donors, this ministry would not exist without your help. WHAT A BLESSING YOU ARE!! Asante sana/thank you!

Kenya Orphan Sponsorship

Today I am happy to report we now are sponsoring 54 orphans in the greater Maseno area of Kenya. How blessed we are to have great sponsors that have pledged $20 per month to sponsor kids so they have food, hygienic needs, medical needs met, and they get to go to school! What a huge blessing. This is in addition to our 75 other kids who receive the $25 US per year so they can attend grade school/elementary school which covers their uniform and their fees each school requires of them. Plus we now have 6 that are currently enrolled in high school with generous donors from the USA making those dreams come true for those children. May the Lord continue to wrap HIS ARMS around each one of our precious children and our many volunteers and sponsors both in USA and in Kenya. ASANTE SANA! MUNGU AWABARIKIE! (Thank you and May God bless each one of you!)

Mungu Tumaini Upendo

We are about to begin a fundraiser to sell the rubber/silicone bracelets that are so popular. But ours will be special. You see they will each say, Mungu, Tumaini, and Upendo on one side, and www.hisarmskenya.org on the other side. They will sell for about $2 each and available in youth or Adult sizes. The profit will go toward our $2000 bill that must be paid by end of May for the 75 children we sponsor to go to Elementary school. These are school fees and uniforms that Kenya requires. They may say education is free. But it is not. We of course, also send our 53 orphans we sponsor as well via our USA sponsors so they can go to school too. But as they say "it takes a village to raise a child" well it takes several villages to sponsor all these kids so they can go to school and have HOPE that life will get better with their education. By the way, those words are Kiswahilli for God, Hope and LOVE! Let us know if you can help us by selling some/or buying some!

Kenya School Fees

Habari, as we say in Kenya which means Hello! Hope you realize how important all of our USA sponsors are to our ministry. We would not have this ministry without you all! Whether you sponsor a child, pray for our ministry, pay for a primary or high school scholarship or donate toward our Ebenezer animals/projects YOU ARE A BLESSING!

Just this AM we received word that all schools including our high school kids have raised their fees for 2012 some by $50 each! Can you believe that? More and more children will not be going to school or getting their basic education. So we are scrambling to come up with more funds ourselves, but praying that God will help us do that. However it makes me so sad for all those children, who get no help, whose families are so struggling, as I know this will prevent them from getting their education, which means HOPE out of that poverty. SO WE WORK and try to do our part. Thanks for listening and for your prayers to overcome!