Kenya Family Funeral

For those of you who follow us on our facebook page, you know that yesterday we learned of the death of one of our children's dad.  This young man was a good Daddy to his little 3 yr old Reuben, even though he was so poor and so sickly.  But that fight ended yesterday when the horrible disease of AIDS claimed his earthly life. 

This morning I learned that it will be the "responsibility" of  our His Arms Children's Project to cover the cost of the funeral.  This poor man living in extreme poverty, also had an extended biological family that had basically disowned him and chose to ignore his little son as well.  When we did gift this man with animals, apparently the "extended family" stole them from him.  We of course, bought him a new animal, helped raise the funds to build a secure pen for the animal, and a door with a lock to protect him and his little boy.  Last October when we visited, Stephen, this dear man, walked miles just to see us, hug us, and tell us how very much he appreciated all of our help and the respect we had given him.  We could not believe he had made that long walk in his very diseased state.  We surely reminded him with hugs how important he was to us and to the Lord. 

Stephen lost that earthly battle over the week-end.  But now we also are left to bury this young man.  Already I received word that our families we support (now have 61 children in family units being supported by US sponsors!  PRAISE THE LORD!) have now all donated some beans and maize from their humble belongings, so the funeral "feast" can happen for this young man.  Florence will meet with our over seer Margeret who introduced us initially to this special family.  They will plan his humble funeral.  We may have to take some funds from our property funds we have been collecting, for our new building. But we will bury this sweet young man, with dignity.  LORD continue to show us the way.  Help us to continue to be HIS ARMS in reaching out to the hurting, the outcast, the orphans, the widows, and the oppressed as with those dealing with AIDS.  Show us the way LORD.  SHOW US YOUR WAY LORD!

Poor Nutrition and Orphans

Recently someone was looking at some of my pictures from past mission trips to Kenya. They noted that our kids had no hair or very little if any.  They asked why?   Good question.  You see the simple answer is the growing hair takes protein and good nutrition.  Also maintaining hair takes money to purchase products to clean it with, and keep it looking healthy.  Products take money to purchase.  Bottom line, when you see pictures of African children like ours, with little or no hair that very well may mean that poverty also plays a part in this.  Most of our children's guardians just shave the children's head. Thus no stigma for poor quality hair due to in adequate diet at times, or no money to purchase the expensive hair products.  It also reduces the cases of a fungus that also can infect the children, and takes money to buy the medication to treat it which often can take a month of treatments. 

So with all of that, we are proud of our girls and boys who have little bald heads, but huge smiles!  Plus if they are energetic, then that really pleases us as that means they are getting enough protein to help them have that energy.  Bottom line, if you were only given so much money to live on or earn in a month, you can see why hair products would be way down the list!   Medicine, food, shelter, blankets, malaria nets, animals to help them become self-sustaining, seeds to raise food,  and on the list goes. All of those items would surely be more important then some hair products!  Enjoy the smiles and radiant faces of our precious little ones on His Arms Site.  See www.hisarmskenya.org  to find some of those smiles!

Kenya Mission Grants

Today we received word that we are among 120 being considered for 30 grants possibly being given out to non-profits trying to make a difference in the world. Many people had told us, we needed to apply for grants to help our ministry with all the great things His Arms hopes to do to make life better for our friends in Kenya.  However, we now know that takes a lot of effort!  But we completed the first step, and now leave it in the Lord's hands. We request your prayers! We know many ministries are out there in the Global World doing great things to make life better for others.  However, we also know some are more popular for whatever reason then others. The work we do in Ekwanda and Maseno area of Western Kenya might not look beautiful, might not be one that will give great publicity to some donors, but we can say in our hearts it is saving lifes, giving people with HIV hope and respect, giving children a chance to get  a basic 8th grade education (OR MORE!) and keeping them out of sex traficking and prostitution!  It is helping to give young girls and young women empowerment and self-respect where they hear they are of value to God and to us!  And we do this without paying salaries and big bucks to politicians or church officials so that the program can keep going!  People check out your ministries you are sponsoring. Many have hidden corruption they are working with, and your dollars may not be getting to where you think they are. We promise we will do everything in our power so the funds go to the most vulnerable!  No CEO getting a half-million dollar salary.  No, just volunteers working their hearts out trying so hard in USA and in Kenya to help people improve their situations and most of all, to know that they are so valued by our Lord and Savior.  So please pray for us.  Pray that God sends funds to help our ministry continue as we have hopes and dreams that it will.  And thank you Lord for so many willing volunteers, sponsors and donors you have already blessed us with!  Thank you!  ASANTE SANA!