Ministry and Mission Update

Dear readers,

Some time ago Pastor Jonah posted a list of immediate needs and long-term needs of the Missions of Hope. By God's grace the activities and ministries of the Missions of Hope have gone forward despite limited available resources and God is to be praised for making the way. [King James Version: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8]

Post-election violence in Kenya, which has been featured in blog posts over the past two months has put a strain on already limited resources. However, Missions of Hope stands on the power of prayer and God Almighty to continue the work for the Kingdom. [King James Version: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 3:4]

All parts of the body of Christ are needed in this Kingdom effort. Men and women of God in Kenya will labour and do the physical and evangelistic work on the ground. Others around the world are welcome to support them by prayer and finances and other creative ways as the Lord leads, and God will give the increase. [King James Version: So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:7]

If you feel God speaking to you about any of the needs described below, we ask you to contact Pastor Jonah. Contact information is located in the column on the right side of the blog under "Donate".

[New International Version: But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 and I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth. 3 John 1:4-7].

May God bless and keep you.

PJ

King James Version: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15: 58

Ministry and Missions Needs - Missions of Hope

Total costs for all areas of need have been given and are based on projections made in Fall 2007. Any amount that God lays on your heart is welcome. Small funds from many people can be joined together to deal with the most urgent projects such as crop planting, medicines, basic food stuffs and school uniforms. Perhaps there are others who are able to fund specific projects in whole. We only ask that you ask God to lead you in these areas of giving.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS:

URGENT: Rent & plant 4 hectares of land for corn growth, harvest, storage, sale and use $360./yr for 1 hectare. Total Annual Need: $1440

Update: Corn was harvested in September 2007 and a smaller interim crop of potatoes was then planted. Corn was not sold as originally hoped since the price of corn was low. Instead we used it to assist the caretakers in feeding the orphans. Our storehouse is now empty and it is time once again for corn planting. The funds are for land rental, fertilizer and seeds.

URGENT: Plant interim crops (cabbages, potatoes) after corn harvest. Total Annual Need: $600

Update: A smaller sum than the total need was received and potatoes were planted, harvested and distributed to the orphans and widows. The orphans assisted in harvesting the potatoes. We hope to plant interim crop(s) again in future after the corn has been harvested and prepared for storage.

URGENT: Pastoral support - $100 min. - $200./mo. Total Annual Need: $1200-$2400.

Update: We need 1-2 faithful supporters for the pastor so that he can provide for his extended family and have the support needed to carry on the work of the Kingdom without concern over meeting daily food and other needs.

In North America, congregations generally support the pastors by providing salary and bonuses (sometimes called love offerings or gifts commemorating special events and milestones). In Africa, especially in rural areas, it must be remembered that congregants, though they do give to the churches do not have the resource capacity to meet their own needs, the needs of the pastors, churches and evangelism efforts. Unless you have travelled and lived in the community for awhile, it is also difficult to understand that though some costs in Africa are lower than they are in North America, in times of peace, these costs are still too high for the average African. In times of crisis, food and daily survival costs increase greatly, making it even more important to send international aid.

URGENT: Monthly support $50/ per child to cover cost of school fees and supplies, medicine and clothes. Annual cost $600/ per child. Total Annual Need: $24,000 (40 children @ $600).

Update: At present there are no monthly supporters to cover the costs associated with school fees/uniforms, supplies, medicine and clothing. Caretakers are thus supporting these children out of their own limited resources. This is indeed sacrificial giving in service to the orphans.

Recently, the Kenyan government made changes to enable school children in public schools to attend school without paying tuition fees, but the children still require uniforms, school supplies and daily food before they can attend school and be ready for learning. Depending on enrollment rates, location, etc., some students attend private schools if their caretakers are able to pay the funds. Often they fall into arrears and the children must drop out for a time.

The post-election crisis has meant that some children we are trying to serve have dropped out of school. Some try to work before they have acquired sufficient skills. In other sad cases, some children begin to sell their bodies to make money for food. This entire issue is in very great need of prayer. We do our best to provide counsel and support to the children and caretakers but they require specific kinds of counselling and other assistance, which is more than we can provide. We continue to do what we can as we must not allow the enemy to destroy the lives of these children and their caretakers. There are actually more orphans and families that we work with now than when we compiled this budget. If we can secure even some of this need, it would be a great blessing to the children and families.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Clean water - Hand Dug Well and Pump Well (cost varies).

Update: No funds have been received for digging another well. At present, the local villagers who need water use the one well where Pastor Jonah lives. If you can partner with the mission to dig one or more wells, or know of an organization that can provide the funding and know how to do so, please let us know.

Cows - Total Need: $900 for 1 cow. Total One-Time Need: $3600 for 4 Grade cows (for milk production).

Update: No funds have been received for this need. The plan is to purchase a few cows and distribute the milk between multiple families in the village.

Motorcycle - More reliable than a bicycle for travelling the muddy hills and roads of the area. Total One-Time Need: $3500

Update: Ministry transportation needs continue to be met by walking and taking a matatu or bus for longer journeys. When the weather permits the bicycle is used, but this is very difficult due to the hills and mud which often do not fully dry out between rains. We pray for someone to bless Pastor Jonah with a motor bike; the preferred mode of transportation for pastors in the Kericho area because you can travel to places you cannot walk or pedal. In the longer term, it is also much cheaper to run a motor bike than it is to hire cars and taxis or purchase a car.

Pit Latrines - $60 each for 35 houses of orphan caretakers. Total One-Time Need: $2100

Update: We have not yet been able to meet this need. Besides good drinking water and food, pit latrines are needed for basic sanitation and hygiene. The number of orphans and caretakers (total households) has increased considerably since September 2007. We would like to complete pit latrines with a portion of these households, and eventually all of them, as the Lord provides.

URGENT: Vacation Bible School - December 2007 Total Quarterly Need $500. Next VBS - March/April 2008

Update: Funds were not received for the Vacation Bible School (VBS) that was held in December. We have been holding VBS on a quarterly basis for the past several years and this December it almost did not happen. By God's grace, we were able to continue with VBS for the students of the local Rehabilitation School because of the student teachers at Kenyan Highlands Bible College who offered sacrifices of time and resources to teach.

The last fully funded VBS was held in August 2007. We pray for the funds to run a full VBS in March/April 2008 as this event is one of the key evangelistic outreaches to children and young people. These young ones would not otherwise hear the word of God and have an opportunity to see, hear and be loved, by Christian role models in the community.

VBS lasts for one week and funds cover the purchase, development and preparation of teaching materials for approximately 170 children, modest lodgings and meals for the teachers (as they generally do not live in Kericho but come from the surrounding region), a small honorarium for each teacher, replacement of soccer balls for the play time, and a small graduation and closing celebration at the end of the week.

LONG TERM NEEDS:

Grace House Construction (Kericho, Kenya) - $25,000-30,000

Update: None. Grace also needs additional donors to care for the orphans under her care.

Land purchase (Kericho, Kenya) - $20,000 for 1 hectare - $80,000 for 4 hectares.

This is a key missing component of the vision for the ministry to youth in our village. We are praying for the land need to be met soon. This land will be used to construct a Rescue Centre for wayward boys. We would appreciate your prayers and support. Once we have the land we will need funds for the structure to be built.

School Construction (Kericho, Kenya) - $25,000-30,000

Update: None. For the present time, children attend government and private schools.

As you can see, there are many plans underway. We believe in God for seed and the harvest. Thank you for your part in praying and sharing these needs.