Dental and eye clinics

When the Michigan team came last Spring, they donated a portable dental chair and eye clinic. Both were developed by Steve Saint's organization - I-TEC. The eye clinic has hundreds of glasses and an easy way to help determine which pair of glasses will improve the patents's vision. Both the portable dental clinic and the eye clinic will travel with us when we do medical mission out reaches. When not being used in the field, both clinics are used in the what if? Medical Clinic.

Both of the clinics expand the ability of the PFC medical team to help the materially poor in Maururi slum. It is wonderful when a team comes and leaves equipment like the dental and eye clinics which helps the team on the ground serve thousands of people for years to come.

PFC is grateful to the Michigan team for raising the funds to purchase these clinics.

Connie

Broken...again

Here is an update written by Bridgette after we went with Peter and Charles to make an mHealth visit in Maurui slum. It is never easy to go to the home of someone who lives in the slum and who is sick. Our staff do it everyday. They are helping those they serve.

From Bridgette

One of the most exciting things happening at Partners For Care here is our medical clinic in Marurui slum. Last year, when I was here the clinic had just opened. In this one year it has become a real Godsend to so many in this area.

Also this year, PFC was chosen by Sana (a team from. Harvard and MIT) and Global Heed to field test mHealth - healthcare using mobile phones. Here's how it works... a PFC staff person takes the mobile phone and goes to a sick person's house in the slum. They take their vital signs, collect personal data, photograph the patient and upload all of this into the device, which is immediately transmitted to our clinician at the clinic. The clinician then triages the patient making one of four decisions:

1. If an emergency, advises the patient to go to a hospital
2. Advises the patient to come into the clinic to be seen
3. Advises the patient to come to the clinic for medication
4. Or asked the PFC staff to provide information to the patient to address their symptoms

This device can literally change the way health care can be done in a developing nation. And all of it is free to those in abject poverty. Further, because a medical record has been established in the computer system, it gives PFC vital information necessary to follow up with the patient... and it's all paperless!
Thus far, the implementation has been going very well, and allows PFC to triage and treat many sick people who might not ever have access to health care. The program will be one of the classes taught at Harvard this next spring on Global Health.

Before leaving in a few days, I wanted to spend a day down at the clinic with the PFC staff there. I was invited to go out with Peter on a follow up home visit. As we walked deeper and deeper into the slum, I realized I had no idea just how bad the conditions were. As we entered the one room, dirt floor shack where 9 people live, I sat and watched as a mother held her listless baby girl. She had been diagnosed with environmental asthma... most likely caused by the burning of the black coal in the same room they sleep in!

As I sat there, I was heartbroken as God reminded me how incredibly blessed I am... and that no one should ever have to live like those I saw today! The scene still haunts me as I write. As I lay my head down tonight with a soft pillow under my head, clean sheets over my body and a mosquito net around my bed, I pray that I will always feel heartbroken over what I saw today... because without that, I would forget just how much God has blessed me and that He has blessed me to bless others. Peter and Charles go deep into the slum every single day. Their hearts break too... and that is why they do it.

Partners For Care's medical work here in Kenya is indeed making a huge difference... as they continue to show this community that they are not forgotten. Through medical treatment, community health initiatives, bed net distribution, HIV testing and education and free medical camps, they are truly changing their nation, one patient at a time. I am so humbled to be a part of it.


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Favorite photos from Connie's and Bridgette's Trip

Bridgette and a newborn

Bridgette and Connie observing the bead program

Bridgette and the CHW

Bridgette in the field

Child searching for water

Debra and the children

Children watching us

Connie helping with Adan

Debra and the children

Pastor Hirbo rescuing Adan

Pastor Hirbo's children in the new dresses

Sweet boy

Sweet children

They are in wonder of Bridgette's hair

Volleyball In A Slum

Bridgette has done a great job of explaining one of our programs here in Kenya...girls volleyball. This morning I listened to John Maxwell's DVD on 5 Levels of Leadership - position, permission, production, people development and pinnacle. Pinnacle level of leadership means being a leader people follow because of who you are and what you represent.

I was reminded how Partners for Care is about helping young people here develop their God-given abilities to be pinnacle level leaders. Leaders people follow because they are followers of Jesus - the greatest leader of all times and because they do as Christ commanded - care for the orphans and the children and serve the poor.

Do all the good you can - wherever and when ever you can and do your work the best you can undo the Lord. That is what Bridgette and I have seen the PFC staff doing here in Kenya.

Connie.


One of the programs at Partners For Care involves sports-particularly mens' soccer and ladies' volleyball. Because of our relationship with Peace Passers (www.peacepassers.org), which I found out about through a dear tennis teammate in Atlanta...the men's soccer teams have been equipped with uniforms, cleats, etc.... Obviously, the girls' volleyball team does not require as much; however, the more equipped they are, the more confident they will feel.

While here, I have had the pleasure of getting to know the middle school age girls on the team. These young ladies are at such impressionable ages, and their coach Justus (one of the PFC Temples of Worship musicians), has invested much time and energy into their lives. For that reason, I have seen and heard amazing stories of the bond being created both on and off the volleyball court. They are sharing their faith, their friendships and their struggles...and Justus is teaching them how to be pure sexually, faithful spiritually and committed to get their educations no matter their circumstances. Their stories bring me to tears ( she told me not to cry!) as they live day to day for their basic needs to be met. Life is incredibly difficult for these girls...yet they are stronger and more disciplined than many adults I know. I am in awe of their resolves...and can see how the sport of volleyball is building so much more than athleticism among them. I listened as they shared how they scraped together 10 schillings each to help a teammate in crisis...or how they took turns around the clock coming to Justus' bedside and praying when he was very sick this past spring.

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of going to one of their matches. As we drove deep into the village where the match was to be played, I was shocked at how badly these people were living. All that came to mind was "Our slum's better than your slum!" Its all relative, isn't it? I mean, we compare our "stuff" to others all the time, right? We've all heard the saying...One man's junk is another man's treasure. But as I stood there in the middle of a slum in East Africa watching these girls play with simple t-shirts and no shoes...I was reminded just how important this program is on so many levels. You see, to them, it didn't matter the conditions around them or the fact that they had no shoes to wear. They were playing their hearts out and loving every minute of it!

After the game/match, Justus used this opportunity to talk to them all (including the other team) about character, perseverance and personal growth through education, etc.... By modeling this lifestyle himself, he is changing the direction of these young girls lives forever. We played a movie on the projector that Connie and I brought from the U.S. (on a concrete wall) and we popped maize over an open flame for snacks. You should have seen how much fun the girls were having! It will indeed be one of my fondest moments here as I have formed lasting relationships with several of these girls. I can't wait to see how God will use them to be a shining example for others...all because of a simple sport called volleyball in a slum in East Africa!

A Rescued Child Feeds Others

Another update from Bridgette. It is indeed a blessing to see the team harvest food and feed the children. It is a special blessing to me to share this experience with Bridgette.

From Kenya,

Connie.

One of our outreach ministries is in an area around The Rift Valley called MaiMahui. While the drive through the valley is breathtaking... the area is heavily infected with HIV/AIDS due to the heavy trucker population that travels through this village. PFC supports Pastor John in this area as he runs Kathi's House of Restoration Rescue Center where he has rescued 10 year old Mini. Mini is a double orphan who was being cared for by her elderly grandfather. They were living nearby when the grandfather approached Pastor John and asked him to help them so that Mini could go to school and get an education. Our job here is to equip those less fortunate so that they can help themselves....which is only possible through education. So little Mini moved into Kathi's House where she could return to school yet remain close to her grandfather.

Several weeks after Mini came to Kathi's House, the grandfather offered Pastor John 2.5 acres of land to lease for a minimal cost. Because Pastor John has a strong ministry in this area assisting the widows and the very poor, what a better way to use the land than to plant a large Hope Farm? PFC rented the land last spring and had a full garden of beans the first season. In less than 3 months, we had 3 large bags of beans! These bags were distributed between many in MaiMahui, Maruri slum and Nick and Charles' children. This first garden gave hope and food to many for months... and I have even been able to enjoy them while here! Immediately after the first crop, maize was planted. While we were in Marsabit last week, several of the guys went out there and retrieved 5.5 large bags of maize! Again, these bags were distributed between multiple ministries...in order to feed others for months to come.

Partners for Care Hope Farm in Maai Mahiu

God has used one little girl rescued by Pastor John to feed many others, including children rescued by Pastor Hirbo as well as the 34 children rescued by Nick and Charles in Mathare slum. Who knew that saying "Yes" to one grandfather in need would ultimately bring food to many? Sometimes I think we refuse to say "yes" to so many opportunities because we are afraid or we don't know the outcome... but I think we also miss out on the opportunity to bless others and be blessed ourselves in return. God promises to provide... always! As I have seen here over and over again, I long to have the faith of those with so very little... and be bold enough to respond when nudged.

"What good is it if people claim to have faith but have no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose someone is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed, " but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, without action, is dead".


-- Bridgette.

She Told Me Not To Cry

I wanted to share with you why I have told Bridgette not to cry.

Nick is the one who taught me not to cry. I used to cry when I made home visits to those infected with HIV/AIDS and heard their stories and saw their living conditions. Nick explained that I wasn't helping and I was even hurting people.

Nick sees it this way. If he can bring a smile and a little joy to someone infected with AIDS they just might live a little longer. That is why when you make visits with Nick or Charles or any of their team they make small jokes with the people they visit. There is always laughter and joy when we visit those infected with HIV/AIDS.

I have also learned that I misjudge what is sad to someone. I use my life experience to decide a home is too small or the lack of a material good is sad. My son would be very sad to be given a bike to get back and forth to college where here giving PFC staff bikes brought great joy. I love my son but I am afraid he might just cry if I told him that his mode of transportation would be a bike.

So I have learned to not cry at what I see and what I hear. It doesn't mean I don't cry later in private. It doesn't mean my heart isn't broken at the sickness and hurting I see. And, I found myself tearing up when I read Bridgette's update. But, I respect those I meet enough not to judge their situation through my own world view.

I am learning from those who serve everyday on the ground here in Kenya.

As you read Bridgette's update you will see her heart and passion for the people here in Kenya.

Connie
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We see many things here that move us to the core of our beings. Without this exposure and awareness, God cannot use us as humble servants to glorify Him. Connie has taught me over many trips here that we must try very hard not to show our emotions in front of the people when faced with difficult challenges/situations. Imagine how anyone would feel if others around them cried whenever the shared their struggles or hard circumstances? We all strive to maintain dignity, no matter who or where we are.

So I have tried to be very strong...but must admit that I have fought back tears, some joyous, some sad when:

• I saw little Adan's gangrene feet for the first time;
• One of the PFC staff workers in Marsabit held my hand, thanking me for "coming so far to help his people";
• I walked into Pastor Hirbo's home and saw how 13 people lived there;
• I washed jigger infested little feet;

Treating jiggers

• I saw the Second Chance center transformed with fluorescent lighting and bright colored paints...and the smiles of all who study and learn there;

Grace studying in the new classroom

• I walked into the what If? Computer center in Marsabit and saw 4 computers we had hand-carried there working;

• Parkishon women drinking brown, muddy water...followed by goats doing the same;

• I walked in Marsabit Hospital where they don't even have gloves to protect their hands and the doctor said "This is our children's ward";

• When I heard and saw the beautiful women of Parkishon singing and praising God's blessings while dancing in the middle of a parched desert;
• When little Adan hugged my neck and first smiled after a warm bath in a plastic basin and a full meal;
• When Pastor Hirbo's adorable 3 year old daughter played with and tried to braid my curly hair;

Pastor Hirbo's home

• I saw the women of Parkishon filling their Greif water back packs with water;

• I took one of the full 50 lb. packs off an old woman's back and put it on my own....

These are just a few of the many times I have fought hard to hold back tears. If you really want God to break your heart while on the ground here, you have to see the work of the humble people who serve others every day here. God breaks our hearts to allow us to become more like them. "Whatsoever you do for the least of these...you do for me". I pray I will always be moved to tears...because through humility, it allows transformation to be more like Him.

A vision grows

It was a simple vision...help the women of Parkishon make medallions out of beads and Linda would sew them on bags and purses and sell them in the US. Linda called the project Rendille Inspired Designs. There is no commerce in the village of Parkishon so this would bring a small commerce to the women.

We purchased beads in Nairobi and the wire in Marsabit. We delivered the supplies in August on a Monday and one week later there were 76 women making medallions. We were humbled when we went to see the women making medallions. They were sitting in the dirt, legs outstretched making the medallions on their laps. There was no shade and in the desert the sun is hot.

Making the medallions

Someone said, "we should build a shelter for them to protect them from the sun.". When the women were told this they went to the chief's house late at night and told the chief "you must give us land to build our shelter for our bead project". Many NGOs have attempted to get land but the chief has denied them. But, the chief has said yes for Partners for Care to build a shelter for the women.

When we visited this past Tuesday, Elizabeth, the Community Health Worker took my hand and led me to a place behind the chief's house and told me to "stand there". She then got others to stand in the other corners of the land that the chief has donated. It is a good size piece of land.

Now the plan is to build a what if? Life Changing Center in Parkishon where the women can learn to read and write and where they can make the medallions. And, even possibly they will sew water packs and sell them for income.

This vision has grown because of Deb, Communication Director for Greif and Dano who is a business leader with Greif. They came, they saw and they want to help Pastor Hirbo help his people to help themselves through sustainable projects.

Is this bigger vision possible? All things are possible for those who believe. We believe this center will happen.

Watching visions grow here in Kenya as God brings together an incredible group of people who have a heart to make a difference in the world,

Connie
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Rescuing Adan

A few weeks ago Pastor Hirbo sent us some photos of children he was treating for jiggers. We have seen photos before and we have treated jiggers ourselves but these photos were very sad to see.

It is always heartbreaking to see any child's hand and feet eaten away by jigger infestation but the photos of two of the children haunted me. I sent them to Linda one of our board members and she wrote that the photos sickened her and reminded her our work is not finished.

As soon as we arrived in Marsabit on the missionary flight and I saw Pastor Hirbo I asked him about these two children. He said, "we shall go see them".

That afternoon we traveled 40 minutes in the four wheel drive we had hired. As we traveled on rough, dirt roads up and down hills I wondered how Pastor Hirbo could even get to where these children lived. Praise God for Pastor Hirbo's motorbike that allows him to reach the hurting children.

We arrived at a small village which seemed more like a collection of a few manyattas (homes made of sticls with dirt floors). We walked on a dirt path to a manyatta separate from the others. They brought to us the boy who had the jigger infected fingers and they were much improved! Then they brought Adan to us. Pastor Hirbo and I sat on a rock holding Adan as his mother stood by holding a month old baby. It was obvious the baby was developmentally delayed and blind. The mom seemed barely old enough to have the children.

Adan

Making the decision

I checked little Adan's feet and knew he had dry gangrene on the bottom of both his feet. Pastor Hirbo sand he felt the child needed rescued. The Kenyan team spoke with the mom and she agreed. It is never easy to take a child from their mother and Pastor Hirbo only does it in desperate situations. We took the child to the quest house we were staying and everyone on our team helped. Some bathed him, some went to buy him clolthes and others went to get him medicine. It was fun watching John and George of the Kenya buy small clothes and diapers for Adan.

At first Adan wouldn't eat. He was so listless and weak. We started him on an oral antibiotic and tetracycline ointment for the gangrene. And, we prayed for him. Soon he was reaching for the chapati and eating. We dewormed him and diapered him and put him to bed. He slept in our room with Bridgette. He slept so peacefully.

Sleeping

The next day Sam and George took him to the hospital. They found he was at severe nutritional risk and the doctor confirmed he had dry gangrene. The spots around his month and the black on his heads that wouldn't come oFf when we washed him was dirt.

George at the hospital assessing his nutritional status

Pastor Hirbo and his wife (who is a saint!) agreed to take Adan into their home for now until the gangrene is gone. Adan would be the 7th child rescued by Pastor Hirbo.

The mom came to town to see where Adan was - she walked to Marsabit carrying the baby of one month. The mom had given birth to 8 children - 4 had already been rescued by the Catholic Church. She was unmarried and was shunned by her village. Very sad situation. Pastor Hirbo's team had arranged for her to go to the hospital and be tested for HIV/AIDS and to be given family planning help. Pastor Hirbo also arranged for her to have food for the other two children and herself.

We have hired help for Pastor Hirbo's wife as she cares for. 10 children in their home. Three of the children are away in secondary school.

These are the kinds of situations Pastor Hirbo deals with on a daily basis - making life and death decisions for some of the most marginalized people in the world living in some of the harshest conditions in the world.

Humbled to know a man like Pastor Hirbo and the wife who supports his vision to save the children of Marsabit,

Connie
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Going to the end of the earth

It is a privilege to go to the end of the earth to serve God's people. It is even a greater privilege to go with a friend. Here is Bridgette's update about her first trip to Marsabit.

It won't be her last...

Connie
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You have all heard the term before..."Going to the ends of the earth". But never did I think that in my lifetime that I would actually go there.

Part of our team are on our way via missionary flight to a remote northeastern part of Kenya south of Ethiopia called Marsabit. We are going to check on the implementation of the Greif water backpacks. Partners for Care (PFC) has been chosen as implementer in Kenya of this new, innovative transport for water. This water backpack was developed by a US based company called Greif out of Ohio after their CEO David B. Fischer was cured of cancer and decided that because of the miracle he experienced in his own life, commissioned his company to come up with a product that could help people in the world.

Going on the missionary flight

PFC has distributed more than 500 of these packs on the ground here in this remote region to be "tested" and our staff Pastor Hirbo (I like to call him a male Mother Teresa) has been training the women on how to use them. For ages, women and children in this area have been carrying water in heavy plastic drums on their backs, walking 6 hours each day to get water.

Because of the severe drought in this region several years ago, many people had lost their animals. Some even were forced to flee to Ethiopia in hopes of saving their families. Yet because of the recent short rains here, we found this area to be green and producing crops. Those here know it is short lived. That's why the water packs are so critical in assisting women traveling long hours every day for water.

Filling the water packs

These packs have the potential of changing people's lives all over the world. And God has connected key people to make it happen. It's amazing to stand back and observe. Connie Cheren (founder of PFC) meets Liz Blake (V.P. Of Habitat for Humanity Int'l) on a plane to Washington, DC (not once, not twice-but 3 times!). Liz Blake tells Connie about Grief's water pack and shows her one of the packs. Connie then shows Liz one of her videos about how badly the people are struggling in Marsabit. She was so moved by what she saw that she comes to the area herself and is so touched by what she experiences, decides that PFC and Habitat Int'l should co-brand the packs and work together implementing them in Kenya.

Connie and Bridgette

Greif has sent 2 of their executives to join us on this trip to Marsabit to review the oversee the project's progress. They are also organizing for a film crew that will be coming to Marsabit to film the story for a show called "Responsible Business".

Dano from Greif

Debra from Greif

Stepping back and looking at what has transpired in a few short months. It is miraculous to me how the God of the universe has orchestrated this to happen...to show us all how much He loves and cares for the needs of those suffering. He invites all of us to simply believe, trust and be willing to serve others wherever He sends us...whether it be to your neighbor's house or to a remote village south of Ethiopia.

A mother carrying a water pack and her baby

I am so humbled to do my part and grateful for all those in helping me do it.

Just Like Me

Another great update from Bridgette. It is morning here and we are on our way to Marsabit.

Blessings,
Connie.

During my time here, I have had the fortunate opportunity to interact with many Kenyan women...from the young ladies on the what If? Volleyball team to the grandmothers learning to read and write at age 83. What I've come to realize is that they have the same hopes and dreams, just like me. They are students who dream of an education. They are young women hoping one day to work at something which gives them purpose. They are mothers who pray for protection and provision for their children.

Like me, most women I know are often overwhelmed by all we have to do. How are we to manage work, children's schooling and activities, the home front. Just like me, the women here work very hard to provide...but unlike me, it is a daily struggle for them. Some walk 6 hours a day to carry water on their backs, some rely on prayer alone for daily bread. Just like me, the mothers want more for their children's generation.

Women at work

I am so inspired by these women here. I have much to learn from them. Again, I am nudged by that small voice inside which reminds me of all the times I have said "I have nothing in the frig/pantry to eat" or standing in my closet frustrated because "I have nothing to wear"!

Christian making dresses

At the end of the day, just like me, we are both loved beyond measure by the same awesome, loving, amazing God. Praying we never forget how blessed we really are.

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PFC Kenya appoints first board member

Partners for Care has appointed Robert Karanja as its first board member. Robert is the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Kenya. The team is very excited to have as its first board member such an experienced leader and a great Christian.

Robert came for lunch today to meet the staff. Sam showed the ministry through photos, Temples of Worship showed the ministry through music and the he saw first-hand the IT, clinic and 2nd Chance. Robert was impressed by the work he saw.

A good beginning for a board that will help PFC grow...

Grateful for the volunteer service of Robert...

Connie
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Second chances

This trip to Kenya I am blessed to have Bridgette Boylan with me. Bridgette is one of our board members and is passionate about helping the team on the ground as they make a difference for the people of Kenya.

We are a great team as Bridgette comes prepared to serve - not to be served. She is humble and never is her trip here about her...it is always about those she comes to serve. What follows is an update she wrote her supporters. She shares what is happening here in Kenya so well.

Her message:

One of the programs we have established and implemented here is called "Second Chance". For many, it has been their only chance to get an education. In Kenya, all children can get an education through middle school for free. However, in order to attend high school - it costs, both for tuition/school fees as well as school uniforms. It is not uncommon in a developing nation as the nation does not take in enough taxes to educate all for free. So many are forced to drop out of school after 8th grade due to lack of funds. Thus, the cycle begins as lack of education leads to lack of employment which leads to poverty. So with the help of an incredible young Kenyan teacher named Sam (who had to drop out himself), we started a program whereby anyone, ages 18 to 110, could go back to school in order to get their high school certificate (or GED as we call it). I love the story told of an 47 year old woman who came to Second Chance this year in order to learn how to write and speak English. Can you imagine how this changed her life?

So one of my goals while here is to assess the space where they meet in the slum so that they can expand for additional students. It is a nice problem to have...but expansion costs money no less. Today, I met with the "fundi" or contractor to get an estimate to build walls, add mesh windows for ventilation and wire for fluorescent lighting so that classes can be extended into evening to expand on a literacy program. They took measurements, calculated square footages on the back of their hands, and quietly and methodically estimated what material and labor costs would be. I took detailed notes so that I could assess costs against funds donated. As the shilling costs escalated, I became concerned that we may not be able to do it. This would mean that we would have to turn away over 50 people in the slum waiting to come to Second Chance school and the evening literacy program. 24,930 shillings for plywood, door locks, mesh windows, 19,780 shillings for electrical wiring, fluorescent lights, 15,530 shillings for paint. I had selected sunny yellows, earthen brick and sky blue hues. My heart sank as I added up all the costs-afraid that the expansion would have to wait. Then I did the math...and begun to chuckle as I realized after the exchange it would be approximately $800 US! When was the last time you did a full room expansion for $800? As I reflect on what this will mean for so many...I am gently nudged to ponder what I spent at home in one month before I came here versus the costs needed to equip those to teach others to read, write and get an education. Hmmm....

I am so grateful that you all can play a part in educating others...even from 10, 000 miles away.

Bridgette
PFC Board member
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Prayer request for Partners for Care

I received this message from Linda after she saw some recent photos of children in Marsabit infected with jiggers. Pastor Hirbo has treated 955 children with jiggers since January. In fact, all the children in Parkishon are jigger free. But, there are more villages and sadly more children. I have attached photos of two of the children.  To be honest, the photos are difficult to look at.  Here is Linda's message.

Greetings Friends,

I wanted to write and ask you to please pray for Partners for Care.

Without realizing it, I had been feeling so thankful about the wonderful things God's doing through the ministry; the MANY lives, villages and slums that are being transformed because of the Lord's work through them, that I had forgotten how many more souls are suffering and need to be reached.

I was focused on the fruit (which is good - YEAH GOD!), but forgetting about the great harvest that still awaits . . .

My wake-up call came when I received new photos from the team on the ground in Kenya. Thank God He keeps doing that and putting me in my place.

Friends, our work is not done . . .

There were many photos that made me smile! Lives transformed by God's provision and intervention through His people, whole parts of the ministry that are exploding with growth . . . but then I came to photos I never thought I'd see.

I hadn't been nauseated like that since I was in nursing school.

Besides photos of life, health, salvation, second chances, and smiles . . . there were photos of children in newly discovered villages and tribes who were literally missing fingers and toes. Jiggers (sand fleas) and infection had taken them due to the lack of something as simple as shoes, soap and water. Without too much detail, the flesh was not only sloughing off, but gone. Some children were with toes only half there, eaten away to the bone - which was visable.

Why is this ok? I am not materially wealthy by most American standards, but my closet is full of shoes. I have water (warm or cold) at my disposal and many colored, scented, and some merely decorative soaps to choose from. I have more than enough . . . So why do little children have to lose body parts and sometimes their lives, because they lack these simple things? That, makes me nauseated. It is not ok.

Each child in the photos had a beautiful face, a name known by our God, a life that is precious, and a hope and future in His plan. Each child deserves the simple things in life . . . starting with life itself.

The enemy will always try to defeat our work for God here on earth, but we have a Savior who has already dealt with that through His own unimaginable suffering. He did that so we could have victory. So little children like these, could have abundant life.

Will you please pray for the people of Kenya who are hurting? Pray for this ministry we are all a part of -  that God would do His work through us, through them, so that MORE (and more and more) lives would receive the saving hope and life Jesus died for.

"Where two or more are 'gathered'" :)

With thanks and Blessings,

Linda G - www.partnersforcare.org


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The women of Parkishon are using the water back packs

Marsabit women carrying their water back pack uphill

It was so excited to receive this photo from Pastor Hirbo. Pasor Hirbo has been going to Parkishon every week to help the women make the transition from carrying the yellow jerry cans to using the water back pack carriers to transport their water. His work is helping ease the burden of these women. They walk 8 hours to find water!

I had gotten very behind in sending out updates about the progress of the work of the team in Kenya. To share with you their work I have posted on our blog photos of the first crop from our farm, an update and photos of Cris and Gary's vision trip to Kenya, a thank you to ITT Technical School for the computers they donated and more photos about the water back pack project. I hope you visit the blog to see the work on the ground.

Blessings,

Connie

First harvest from Partners's for Care Hope Garden

PFC's Hope Farm in MaiMahui

First crop - red beans

Children are dying because moms can't read

When I was in Kenya this last trip I saw this poster in a the waiting room of a children's officer. 

 The Partners for Care team in Kenya work every day to save the lives of the children. And, they have the 2nd Chance School to help people from Marurui slum achieve their primary and secondary education. I knew it was important for people to learn to read and write - but I never connected the two - children dying because their moms can't read. To learn 50% of the children born to illiterate mothers die before age five made me understand how important it is to reach moms who are illiterate and help them learn to read and write. Teaching them to read not only improves their quality of life BUT also helps save the lives of their children.

The Partners for Care team have doubled the size of the 2nd Chance School - reaching more moms. They have now enrolled 10 more students in their literacy program - all moms!

It is a privilege to support the 2nd Chance School as it helps moms learn to read and write.

Connie

Partners For Care thanks ITT Technical School for the computers they donated

Gary Willis tells about his trip to Kenya

Cris and I just returned from a mission trip in Kenya.  We were visiting several pastors that we support over there through Partners for Care.  There mission model is to "Equip Kenyans to help Kenyans." 

All 18 of the paid staff are Kenyans.  They run a medical clinic, secondary and computer classes, an orphanage for 36 children, AIDS awareness, and hospice care in the Marurui and Mathare slums.  We saw some terrible living conditions but some beautiful people.  The trip was wonderful, it is amazing how much good they can do with what we send them monthly.  We traveled as far north as Marsabit, near the Ethiopia boder, and as far south as Mombassa, on the coast just north of the country of Zanzibar. 

The greatest day was spent with the Rendille tribe in Parkashon.  These people are nomadic herdsmen living in mud and stick huts just like they have for centuries.  Pastor Hirbo is doing remarkable things with these people including medical care and teaching them crafts to sell in the neighboring town's market place.

 The most touching moment was visiting a woman named Vanessa in a slum of 800,000 people.  She is dying from AIDS and worried about the future of her 4 children and the two orpans of her sister that she also cares for.  They all live in a one room shack.

After the 10 day private tour with the staff, we spent a two day vacation at Watamu which is one of the best fishing spots in the world.  Our one day out was a success.  We caught tuna, wahoo, kingfish, marlin and barracuda.  I caught the 8' striped marlin pictured and released one that was 11' long.  We had to harvest the 8 footer due to it swallowing the hook and tearing its stomach. 

Cris is my new fishing buddy.  She had a great time and landed several big fish including this big wahoo.  We gave all of the fish to the locals except the tuna that fed 25 people at the Partners for Care house.

I recommend anyone interested in supporting the ministry to let us know.  We plan to go back in February of 2014 and would love to take others who want to see the ministry in action and tour the country. 

--
Sincerely,

Gary Willis
President
Parsons Gifts

Water Packs to Marsabit

Can a water back pack carrier improve the quality of life for those who carry water? Seems like the answer would be obvious - especially if you are the one who carries 20 liters of water in a heavy, plastic jerry can - on your back or on your head. Try carrying 5 10 pound bags of potatoes and you will know what women carry - many carry this amount of weight for 8 hours. The water back bags are not only much lighter than the jerry cans but they are designed to provide support making carrying the 20 liters of water much, much easier.  I have tried the water back pack myself and there is a huge improvement over the jerry can.

But, how will we know the difference a water back pack can make? Answering this question is why Partners for Care is working with Grief (the company that has developed the pack) and Liz Blake, Vice President of Habitat for Humanity and Tony with Back the Pack to conduct a demonstration project studying the implementation of the water back pack. That is why the PFC staff traveled long, difficult roads to take 400 packs to the people of Marsabit.

The first step was to complete a questionnaire asking the people about how they carry their water, how far they go to fetch the water, what ailments they have from carrying water, and if they clean their drinking water. We asked if their children go with them and if they carry water, too. Second, was to train the people how to use the pack - how to fill it with water, how to lift it to put it on their back, how to clean the pack, etc. Then the team got to give each person their own water pack! The photos tell the story.

Pastor Hirbo will go weekly to Parkishon to monitor the the adoption and proper use of the packs. In 6 weeks I get the exciting job of going to Marsabit to see how the project is going. Then in December we will do the post-survey to determine the anticipated benefits of using the water back packs. We will see if they have less neck and back pain, if it takes less time to carry their water home and what they do with that time.

The team on the ground - Sammy, Moses, George and John along with Pastor Hirbo did a great job this week getting the packs to Marsabit, completing the surveys, training on how to use the packs, distributing the packs and taking the photos so they can share the process with all of you. It is a joy to work with thee PFC staff in Kenya who have a passion to help their own people. Enjoy the photos! 

Connie

Driving to Parkishon

Difficult travel. Truck broke down delaying the team for a while

 Training the "trainers"

Completing the surveys

Teaching how to use the packs

The women are happy 

 Giving the packs

Taking their packs home