The power of equipping

Partners for Care believes in equipping young indigenous Christian leaders to help them do God's work in transforming their villages and their nation. Recently, through the inspiration of a team member of the Sisters Go to Kenya team - Virginia in memory of her beloved son Alain - the PFC team opened a cyber and a music center in the slum near the PFC house. C. Ron, a reporter in South Florida and President of the Del Ray Beach Rotary donated all the computers for the cyber. We carried all the computers to Kenya in our luggages! C. Ron works with at-risk minority youth. He understands how important it is to work with youth.

Yesterday I received the following report from the PFC Kenyan team. They are making a difference there in their village.

We held our first children ministry today in the music centre. The  agenda was about impacting the kids in this village. There were 60 children - 50 of them were from the children's home which is close to the centre in the village. We started with some fun dancing to make them feel a sense of belonging. Charles gave them a talk on how to belong to the community and how love has made everybody acceptable. He told the children how Jesus gave up all for loving us and by this he died on the cross for everybody to believe and have eternal life. This seemed to be quite amazing to children for they knew that there is love. They knew that we loved them unconditionally. Then we showed them a movie. This kept their mind awake as they gazed on how wonderful and hopeful they should be for there is a lot still awaiting for them.   As the on the ground team we found a need of naming every Saturday children super Saturday. This is when we will restore hope to these beloved ones who have lost their hope cause of a thief disease known as HIV/AIDs. No one deserves to live such kind of life that is full of sorrow and hopelessness. As Partners for Care members we desire that one day God will make this happen and the whole country will be able to learn from this small village. not to  forget the children. The children told us "this is where we belong and thank you guys for thinking about us". They continued to say "we had fun that has made our minds grow" yours faithfully George...      a point to remember,,,, we are called to save lives for the kingdom... thanks again.. 

Blessed to help equip George and the other PFC staff in Kenya,

Connie
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Announcing 2010 Partners for Care mission trips

The link below is our mission trip brochure for 2010. Ryan Morrison will be helping with all of the trips. Please contact him or me if interested in going to equip, encourage, engage and empower the Kenyan Partners for Care staff. See what God is doing through these young leaders who care about making a difference for the children God's loves. They are changing their nation. Join them as they serve in some of the most desperate places in Kenya.

Blessings,

Connie

http://www.partnersforcare.org/docs/2010_mission_trips.pdf

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Pray for Justus

Late last night our time I spoke with Justus one of the Partners for Care staff in Kenya. It was early in the morning Kenya time and he was on his way to school. That might surprise some of you as Justus is 25 years old. But, it is true Justus has gone back to school - not college - high school. Because of extreme poverty growing up in the Mombasa coastal region Justus never had what we take for granted here in America - a chance to go to high school. Due to a lack of funds, he had to quit school at the end of primary school. So in full school uniform Justus has started his first year of high school. He told me this morning he LOVES being back in school. He loves his teachers and his favorite subject is chemistry! Justus supports his mother and his three siblings with the small salary we give him. If Justus works hard in school he will graduate before his sister does.

Now for the prayer part - Justus injured himself today playing football (soccer) at school. He is in pain and I tried to give guidance when he and Sammy called for help. Of course, I told them to use the ice packs we have in the house, elevate his leg, don't walk on it and give him Advil through the night for the pain. They will take him to the hospital in the morning for x-rays. I pray his leg isn't broken and that this will not interupt his schooling.

Praying for Justus,

Connie
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Photos on the blog

If you want to see the Partners for Care team go to www.partnersforcare.blogspot. I think you will enjoy seeing both the new music center and the Life Changing Center with the new cyber.

Connie
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Eric and I return from Kenya and update on status of PFC

We are now flying home to the US. Eric is anxious to see his family and friends. He has really done an excellent job! He has been an asset to Partners for Care and we really appreciate him coming to Kenya. You have seen some of his photos on the blog and we will post more later.

I wanted to give an update about what the Partners for Care are doing in Kenya. They have three main projects. The first is the newly opened cyber and music center they opened in the village near the PFC house. They call the center Life Changing Center. Their focus is the youth in the slum near the center. They are giving music lessons including guitar, vocal and keyboard.

The Temples of Worship in front of the music center

They also are teaching churches in this area creative worship. Each night they show a motivational film to the youth. The cyber is dedicated to the memory of Alain - son of Virginia a friend of mine. Alain died when struck by lighting last spring. He was 32 years old and a very, very special young man. It is through Alain that we received the computers for the cyber. We thank our partners in the US - C. Ron Allen for the computers.

The Temples of Worship and Connie in front of the Cyber

The second project the team is their church impact program. They are working with the 22 churches in this slum area helping the churches do the 7 things Dr. Rick Warren says needs to be done to wipe out HIV/Aids. These include testing publicly, preaching pure, non-discrimatory policy for those infected, an outreach to the orphans and vulnerable children, an outreach to those persons living with Aids and a youth program teaching waiting until marriage.

The third is their what if? campaigns. They will continue to do out reaches giving the message of HIV prevention and bringing people to Christ.

The following make-up the Partners for Care staff:
Sammy, George, David, Franko, Justus and Sam. And, we continue to support Mare in Marsabit.

People we are working with in Kenya include:

Dr. PLO Lumumba who is our what if? spokesperson
The Kolozo Foundation (Vice President of Kenya)
Hope for the Next Generation

The team is good and the work is there to do. I left the team working hard to transform and save lives. I am truly blessed to work with this team in Kenya.

Connie
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Update on Nick and Charles and Community Transformers

Partners for Care continues our partnership with Nick and Charles and Community Transformers. I spent time at the rescue center and making a home visit in Mathare. All the children continue to be happy, to grow in their faith and the school-age children are in school. There were five children with malaria this time but all have been treated and doing well. Nick plans to move the children to their new home after this 3 month school term as there wasn't room in their new school until next term. Please pray for the safety of the children staying in Mathare and for their health. Nick and Charles still struggle with having enough money for food and health care but they use their own salaries and do without themselves to help these children and others in Mathare. And, they are very grateful for those of you who do send them support through Partners for Care. I can personally tell you all the funds go to help the children. I see that for myself. Your funds are making a difference in the lives of these children. They will never forget and neither will God.

Thank you for helping the least of these,

Connie
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PFC leaves for mission

We almost called off this mission due to a lack of funds and sickness. George was sick, funds were gone and the team felt we just couldn't go. But, yesterday George got better after we changed his malaria medicine. The first medicine he took the malaria was resistant. The team wanted to keep their commitment they had made to do a what if? event at the celebration of Obama being President for one year. And we are designating Mama Sara (Obama's grandmother) as the Voice of the 473 children who die everyday in Kenya. It isn't easy to go on mission with a music team. Where ever we go we need to take the speakers, instruments, etc. We take bibles for new believers, commitment cards and eight of us are traveling. Eric is with us and hopes to get some good photos of Mama Sara. The team was up at 4:30 am and we left the Partners for Care house before 6:00 am. after prayer. Our prayer today included prayers for the Beat the Drum children.

On mission in Kenya,

Connie
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More photos posted

We have posted more of Eric's photos. There is a very good one of Justus and you will also see a couple photos of the Temples of Worship that we will be using for a calendar.

The Temples of Worship

The Rift Valley

The Temples of Worship

Justus


Connie with Dika

Enjoying very much Eric being here with us in Kenya,

Connie
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God does remember just one little girl

God did remember the little girl, Daisy, from the Rescue Center. Nick called me yesterday and asked me if I could send 4,000 shillings (approx. $60.00) through the phone so he could bring Daisy home from the hospital. In Kenya you cannot be released from the hospital unless you clear your bill. Even though having enough funds to even care for the Partners for Care staff is an issue, I sent it without hesitation. I couldn't think at the moment of a better use of $60.00. How I wish I had back all the $60.00s I have spent on something I could have lived without. Just more stuff I thought I needed. Now what I needed more than anything was to help a young man - Nick - who takes care of 32 children even when it means taking children to the hospital in a matatu. He has been caring for 4 children this last week who have malaria. One of the children Lucas wasn't better today so I suggested Nick try a different malaria medication. If he isn't better tomorrow Nick will take him to the hospital. For those who read the last blog update both Daisy's parents have died from Aids And, they believe Daisy got malaria when she went to the village to bury her Mom. Nick will have Daisy tested for HIV/Aids. Pray she is not infected with the same disease that took both her parents.

Grateful to God for remembering just one little girl,

Connie
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Just one little girl

It might seem insignificance to tell the story of one small, little girl in the face of thousands of lives lost in the devastating disaster in Haiti. But, I remember Ryans's blog about how he serves a God of distraction who remembers even the smallest person in need. Nick and Charles came close to losing another one of their children in the rescue center. Daisy is five years old. Her mother (Nick's cousin) died of Aids last month. Her father had already died so she is now a double orphan. She has malaria. The doctors told Nick when he took her to the hospital if he had waited much longer to bring her in she could have died. She was admitted to Kenyetta hospital. This is the fourth child in the rescue center with malaria in the last week. They are expecting many more cases of malaria in the coming weeks due to the rains. Nick and Charles are so grateful for those of you who support them in prayer and financial support. I really don't know sometimes how they keep going day after day with so much ilnesses much Aids and so little money to provide for the children.

Praying for those in Haiti and little Daisy,

Connie
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Eric takes Temples of Worship photos on location

Eric spent the day taking photos of the Temples of Worship giving him a chance to see their work and go deep into the heart of Kenya. Eric followed the team as they walked through the slum near our house. He saw up close slum life. He said sasa to the many children standing in the doorways of the shacks they call home. Eric takes everything in stride. When I told him what the many little plastic bags were (flying toliets) he just said "oh" and started stepping over them and not on them. All the time he was taking photos of the Temples of Worship. And, you will see when we post some of today's pictures on the blog Sam was photograhing Eric.

Tonight we went to Limuru to meet with the street children. I still wonder when the words "street" and "children" started to be used together. It doesn't seem like those words should ever be used together. It also gave us a chance to eat at Ryan's favorite restaurant - where the goat meat hangs in the window and they cut it up for you right in front of you with big, sharp knives.

Sammy and Franko had gone earler to meet with the street children to tell them we wanted to take a photo with them. Street children are very hesitate of allowing people to take pictures of them. They say people come, take photos and nothing changes for them. We told them we know that. And, we didn't lie to them. We told them while we won't be back there with them again we told them Partners for Care through the what if?, campaign is working to wipe out HIV/Aids so the Nation can use the funds spent treating HIV/Aids to develop their Nation. They allowed us to take the photos of them with the Temples of Worship.

Their are different groups of street children in Kenya. There are the young children like the three we were able to take from the streets of Nairobi two years ago Steven. Jimmie and Brian who are now with Nick and Charles. They were young and were not sniffing glue or using alcohol. As the children living in the streets get older they get more "hardened" and there is more use of glue and alcohol and even other drugs. It is much more difficult to help them. Obviously, the best solution is the children never have to go to the streets.

Eric went today where most people have never gone - even Kenyans. He went from the slum to the streets to see where people live. 60% of the people in Kenya live in a slum. Eric was brave to go there. He is 18 years old and has seen a lot here in Kenya in a short time. I never feel we are in danger as the Partners for Care staff always protects us. And of course, I know God has our rear quard "and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard." Isasiah 58:8. Someone recently reminded me of this.

From Kenya,

Connie
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More photos....

Here are some more of Eric's photos:

Connie

Justus working on the garden

Sammy

Pictures posted

Pictures are at www.partnersforcare.blogspot.com. Enjoy, Connie
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Eric comes to Kenya to take photos

Eric Kirk made the decision to come to Kenya when he had dinner with David Gruber and his friend Courtney (David's daughter). And we are glad he did. Taking a semester off school Eric wanted to come to Kenya with Partners for Care to photograph their work. Eric takes his passion for photograher very seriously and the result you will see in his photos. He travelled with me when I came Friday night. Below you can see five of his photos.

A photo of the cyber cafe in Marurui Slum


Mary who lives at the Rescue Center


Brian, who also lives at the Rescue Center


An auntie with two of the kids who live at the Rescue Center


Sam with Junior

We will post more each day as he follows the Partner for Care team capturing their work and other images of Africa. Eric has been wonderful. He has a servant heart. He hasn't asked for anything for himself and has seemlessly fit in with the team in a country he has never been to before. We are blessed to have him with us and appreciate that he is using his talent and gifts to help Partners for Care. I want to thank his family Dr. and Mrs. Allan Kirk with trusting me to bring their son to Kenya.

Connie
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I have returned to Kenya

I have returned to Kenya.  As some of you may know, the last month has been very challenging for Partners for Care. The challenges began last summer. These challenges have been tough--families go through divorce, churches withstand splits, and nations experience coups.  But, what man meant for evil, God uses for good.

Because of these challenges, I didn't know what to expect here on the ground when I came this time. I had been told the team was in place and focused, but frankly my trust level has greatly changed over the last few months--especially this last month. Unfortunately, I have found I had trusted some that were not trustworthy.

What I found today here in Kenya is a team more focused, more determined to make a difference than ever before! They are more supportive and trusting of each other. They are certainly a stronger team. They are a team that is having fun together again, both working and serving. I see more passion and joy in them and and more humility expressed.They now begin each day with devotions and prayers and a planning meeting. They have department leaders - missions, cyber/music center, music lessons and devotions/spiritual development.  They then do their work for the day coming back together again for music practice at 4:30. They meet again to share the results of their work for the day. They end the day with a motivational movie shown in the new music center.

They are cooking for themselves and cleaning the house and the compound. The garden has grown and that is where their vegetables come from.   Ryan had an impact on them. Ryan told them work hard, tell the truth and serve God.  And, that is what they are doing.

Partners for Care seeks to equip, encourage, empower and enable young leaders--aiding them to solve the problems in their villages, their communities, and their Nation. These problems are numerous. The problem of poverty that brings despair is all around them. The problem of HIV has infected and affected so many.  The problem of the deaths of 473 children who die everyday in Kenya. Today, I was witness to young leaders who have been equipped, encouraged, empowered and enabled to change their Nation. And they are doing just that. I was glad to be back.

From Kenya,

Connie
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"I don't know why all my family is dying from Aids"

As people are fighting over rumors, hurt feelings, gosspip and things that focus only on themselves I am once again reminded of the real enemy and of the real warriors. I just spoke with Nick. How can a young man carry such heavey burdens?

Nick is at the mortorary. A familiar place for him. His 18 year old niece died from Aids. Last week Nick buried another uncle. He said to me "it is my fault I should have got them tested earlier'. He also wondered aloud why all his family is dying from Aids and why he is the one to bury them all.

Tonight he will travel up-country (he has no car so I assume that is on a matatu) to attend the burial of this young woman. Then return to Nairobi on Christmas Eve Day to the 34 children he cares for. I didn't ask but Christmas in the Rescue Center will not be like Christmas morning in most of our homes in America. I doubt there there are gifts for the children. Hopefully, there will be food. A donor gave me money for the children for food and it has been wired - I pray it arrives in time to buy food for Christmas.

Nick with Elizabeth

Besides burying two family members the week before Christmas Nick and Charles and other CT volunteers were attacked by about 20 men trying to steal from them last week while doing an event to raise funds for the burial of Nick's uncle. They were cut with knives and Charles' two teeth were knocked out. I called Charles and his mouth is wired and he can only take liquids. I worry that he doesn't have money for a proper liquid diet.

I was calling to tell Nick of the good news that we have a donor for the children's new school uniforms. He is extremely grateful.

And, he told me baby Diamond's mother (baby Diamond died last Spring of Aids) is in the hospital sick from the same disease that took her baby's life.

Nick said he is grateful to God because he has the strength to help his family. It was alreay hard to get in the holiday spirit of shopping, eating and giving gifts to people that already have more than most people will have in a lifetime. This seems to make it a little harder.

Talking with Nick and Charles reminded me why I go to kenya. I pray God shows me how to help and not harm. I pray that He reminds me whatever people say about me I am called to help these two men who carry such a burden of disease, death, hunger and even despair. I felt humbled when Charles at the end of our conversation said "pray for me, mum". Right now I didn't feel like a very good mum to him.

Oh, when I asked Nick why he hadn't called me to tell me all these things he said "I have been confused with all that has happened". I am confused, too, why all of the suffering? But, I am not confused that I am called to help. And, I am grateful for those donors who partner with us to help.

Praying for these young men in Kenya,

Connie
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Ryan's last update

Below is Ryan's last update from Kenya. Ryan describes so much of how I experience the work in Kenya - 10,000 miles from home. I want to take this opportunity to thank Ryan and his family. I must admit I am not looking forward to my next trip without Ryan there! We worked so well together - we couldn't be more different him young and me well you know old, we are different politically, etc. But, where it counted we are very much the same. We share a love for God, for serving and a believe that maybe just maybe we can make a difference. I would rise at 5:00 am with Ryan getting up right behind me. After sharing our morning coffee we began the work of the day. We shared our frustrations mostly laughing our way through them. And, Ryan loved Marsabit just like me! Imagine the most remote, difficult place to get to in Kenya and that was a place he loved and wants to return. When I was discouraged he would encourage me, when I felt we couldn't do what we wanted to do he told me we could, when I doubted if I could even do this work he told me I could. I thank God that He in His wisdom knew it was time to have the help, strength and wisdom of a young man named Ryan. For that I am grateful. Connie

How It Works



John 12:25-28:"The man who loves his live will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. Right now I am storm-tossed. And what am I going to say? 'Father, get me out of this'? No, this is why I came in the first place. I'll say, 'Father put your glory on display.'" (Message Bible) The last few grains of sand have settled at the bottom of my African hourglass. I look back on my trip and can see that each grain has come and gone with its own lesson and its own life. It has been these experiences that have brought meaning to a meaningless land, and life to a place where life is so dear. A grain for the red earth I have walked everyday, and a grain for the people I have met along the way. Grains for the injustices I have witnessed, but grains also for the Hope that remains. Three months ago I started this trip because, as my first letter explained, "I wanted to take a step of faith." I wanted to see where my life would go if I walked up to my edge and then took another step. God would have to bless that courageous step of mine, right? I was hoping that, by stepping off my ledge, God would whisk me away toward untold grandeur and beauties. I have since realized this is not exactly how it works. "How it works," has been a constant topic of conversation for me in Africa. How does it work that the eggs in the house are not refrigerated-along with the milk, jam, butter, and...yes, the mayonnaise? Every morning, there is part of me that expects to hear the chirps of freshly hatched chicks in our kitchen cabinet. For some unknown reason of logic, I still eat the scrambled eggs and drink the milk (I will die before I try the mayonnaise). Back to faith, if stepping in faith does not get you instant grandeur and beauties, then how exactly does it work? Much of my time in Kenya has been miserable in its passing. Strangely and assuredly, Africa has had the ability to make me feel utterly alone and but one in billions all at once. The days' frustrations have made even the most mundane of tasks complicated. Most noble efforts have been made in vain. Even as I type this update, children starve, disease spreads, and evil works exponentially. Comfort is something always dreamed, but never obtained. Alone, frustrated, weak, and uncomfortable is what Africa has gifted me. These are the sands of my journey. Stepping out of your boat can be miserable. It can make you feel alone. The wind and waves leave you frustrated and weak. And there is no comfort to be found on the high seas. Faith brings fear, and fear is never fun. This is what we can expect by walking in faith. But there is some unknown reason of logic that catches our attention and pulls at us to leave our boat. The disciples thought it was a ghost-fear telling them to stay, God was saying "come." Wind, waves, uncertainty, and fear are the environment in which God walks; do we want to come with? You might have been very surprised to hear that misery has been a constant grain for me over the past three months. It has attached itself to most days. But curiously, as I look at the collection of sand at the bottom of my hourglass, misery cannot be found. I look back on my ride and remember not the miseries. Grains of loneliness and insignificance have been replaced by the love of a God wholly distracted by me and by the wisdom of a God that authors the master plan. Grains of frustrations have been replaced by the perseverance flowered by faith in the God of renewing strength. And sands of helplessness and pain have changed into houses of shelter and rest. THAT is how it works. I read a quote the other day and it said, "You can expect two things when you follow God: You will be absurdly happy and in constant trouble." Grains will fall that make you doubt and sink. Some grains will be full of fear or misery, but at the very moment you think too much, an arm catches you and says, "faint heart, why so little faith?" Your feet might be wet, but you've just walked on water. Surely a strange, but exhilarating process happens when you walk with God-the waves fade away, the wind loses its power, and you are left face-to-face with Jesus. I stand at the end of my trip and peer into the mound of sand at the end of my hourglass and see not the wind and the waves, but the arm that reached out. The arm of the One who commands the storm, and it obeys. *Because this is my last update from Africa, I do want to take the time to thank all of you for the encouragement and love you have given me. It was during some of my darkest hours that I would check my email to find uplifting messages from family and friends. Many times it would be these very emails that enabled me to spur on and continue the race. It has been a blessing to know that those who love me have made prayers for my well-being halfway around the world. Thank you. I cannot wait to return home and be re-united with everyone. I am longing to spend Christmas with my family, and have dessert with a nice glass of refrigerated skim milk that comes from a plastic jug... and not from a pan underneath the sink.

Ryan
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Anyone can get discouraged

They say the higher the victory the trickier the devel. Or something like that. It has been almost two years since I came to Kenya. Confinced I could make a difference in the lives of those infected with Aids. It has been a fruitful trip - taking Rebecca to see her father was wonderful, seeing the what if? presented at World's Aids Day, completing a buisness plan for the cyber/music center we are opening in the slum near our house, making plans for the Obama celebration next month and many other good things have happened. But, things haven't been easy this trip and I have began to doubt myself. Am I strong enough? Can I do this when people let you down? Working in a developing nation isn't easy. It isn't the physical struggles so much - the long rides on a crowded matatu, the lack of water, the power outages, etc. I am used to those things. It seems like so many people here have deep hurts and disappointments from a lifetime of poverty. So much sickness and death. The lack of food and water causes so many problems. People here are used to hearing of people dying. This week military helicoptors were dispatched to the Turkana area to bury the 29 bodies found including a woman still holding her baby in her arms. They all died from a water borne illness - from drinking bad water. But, God is good and He can and does encourage us if we allow it. I am grateful for all of you who read these updates, who send back encouraging messages and who even pray for me. I am not too proud to say it isn't easy and I need all those prayers.
Connie
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People long to make a difference

Those who love the Lord and want to follow the teachings of Jesus long to make a difference in the world. We were reminded of this again yesterday. Also singing at the World's Aids Day was the gospel group known as the best in Kenya. They are very popular singing all over the world. They have all the equipment they want and as Sammy pointed out they have a 2000 keyboard. The keyboard Sammy desires someday. They sang 6 songs while we sang two. I went to their lead vocalist and spoke with. We agreed to meet for tea to talk. Franko and I met him last night. He told us that yes they are now very successful, making money, singing at events all the time but when he saw the guys singing what if? he said he wanted to go sing with them. He told Franko how blessed he was to be using his talents to make a difference in the world. He is a Christian and he offered to help us. He wanted to join with the guys to sing to make a difference in the world. We were all reminded about what is important - not fame, not wealth, not even a 2000 keyboard. What is important is to make a difference. To someday to be able to stand before Him and hear Him say, "Well done, my faithful servant". I know someday He will say that to the team here on the ground singing to make a difference.
Connie
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Partners for Care presents at World's Aids Day

Yesterday on World's Aids Day 2009 Partners for Care delivered the message what if? there was no HIV/Aids in Kenya, in Africa and in the world? They delivered the message to dignitaries, to all agencies govermental and non-govermental who work to prevent the spread of Aids and to thousands of people through their song what if? and through telling of their work. They also told the crowd through song if there was no Aids in the world we could Smile Again. They were live on TV and as we travelled about the rest of the day in our what if? shirts people were telling us they saw them on TV. But, even with all of the military bands, parades, balloons and speeches about progress made in fighting this disease Ryan and I could not forget what we see - the devasation caused by Aids. Even with progress we still see so many orphans and children infected. I quess it could be worse if progress hadn't been made. But, to that Mom dying from Aids or that baby born infected it is hard to say "we have made progress". In speeches they said over 300,000 people in Kenya are now on ARVs (the drugs people with Aids take to live). That included 3,000 children. Children born infected. They are the most infected and affected by Aids. Today we begin the meetings with people we met yesterday to see where we can partner together to enhance the fight against Aids. Maybe next year World's Aids Day 2010 they can announce no baby was born infected in Kenya.
Proud of the what if? team,
Connie
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