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!