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.
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| 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.
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