What If?

Hello friends,

This is a quick note to introduce you to a wonderful praise singer from North Carolina, by the name of Kathy Duke. I do not know Ms. Duke personally but came across her amazing CD on CDBaby about a year ago. I was very moved by her song "What if" and wanted to share it with you but it never seemed to be the appropriate time. Recently, as I thought about the post-election violence in Kenya and the hardships suffered by the people in small villages in and around Kericho, this song came to mind and the timing seems to be right to share it with you now. As you listen to the words of this anointed song, I pray you would be moved to ask yourself "What If?", in relation to the orphan children of Kericho Village.

About 8 of the households with orphans, are headed by the orphans without any adult caretaker to help them. The other 30+ households are headed by women and couples. Since December 2007, these families have all been hit very hard by the soaring food costs in Kenya and inflation in general. The overseers of the missions have also been hard pressed to provide counselling and support for daily needs though they have a great amount of faith and pray that God's people will understand the need and be moved by the spirit of God to do his will....that of caring for the widows and the orphans.

It is heartbreaking to know about the suffering in Kenya when you know that the children are wondering who will help them and if God really cares for them? My heart is also heavy for the overseers and the enormous burden they face as they assist the orphans and their families with limited resources. God promises us that the "righteous will never be forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread". In North America, where we have opportunity to work and earn our daily bread, this verse is easier to comprehend than it is to starving people across the world,when their hands, though willing, seldom find adequate work to pay for their daily bread.

Think of the impact that your gift can make for the Kingdom of God and what your practical assistance will mean to an orphan, a widow, a poor family and the overseers. All of them need to know that God's people around the world love them. Your gift can communicate the love, grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father to the children and their families and pastors. You really can make a difference in the life of one person, one child, one family, one household. May God bless and guide you as you pray and as you listen to "What If". May the wonderful voice of Kathy Duke, fill you will the love and mercy of God.

Because He lives,
Sis PJ

Good news in Kenya

Finally there is good news from Kenya. The politicians have a greed to work together ...we are so excited, everyone is talking about it.....and the economy is expected to pick up again, although we hear there is some kind of recession in the world economy. Nonetheless we are a happy people. atleast everyone is thinking the same way....and that is the country we want to build.

We also give our thanks to you for your prayers ..and not forgetting the former united nations secretary Dr. Koffi Annan, Former president of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa and Nelson Mandela's wife Graca Machel. They all spent their time seeking peace that was almost going to be elusive for us here in Kenya.

U can get more information from this link from cnn.comhttp://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/04/17/kenya.cabinet/index.html

God Bless
Jonah

Healthier, Happier, You!!!!: ***Love and Pastor Jonah***

Pastor Jonah was recently interviewed by the author of the houseonahillorg.blogspot. Please check out the interview at this link.

Healthier, Happier, You!!!!: ***Love and Pastor Jonah***

Thank you to Dwana for creating time and space to help raise awareness of Pastor Jonah's Missions of Hope to orphan children in rural Kenya.

God bless.
Sis PJ

Here are the words to a lovely song I've seen on a number of Christian websites. I am not sure that the writer and songstress is actually a Christian but the song itself is thought provoking on a number of levels. If you're interested you can also follow this link to the posting by Pamela dated August 29, 2007. She gives a good critique of the song. Enjoy
http://blog.achristianhome.org/category/essays/

A Life Profound,
(a song by Mica Lee Williams)

There is a reason for believing in the seasons
To know that spring will always come around
It's to begin again though there seems no means to this end
Before one lays a body down
But things that die and wither soon will find new roots and tether
To gather strength beneath the ground

I think that
Far too many soon forget the sound of their own laughter
Far too quickly we move swiftly towards the ever after
But I will stake my claim and I will find the rapture
Of a life profound

I cannot manage to estimate the damage
Of holding deep regret that seeks to pull us down
I see my life as a vessel traveling swift and light
I seek my wrongs to right where I run aground
And the wind that fills these sails speaks metaphors and fairytales That never fail to set me safely down

I think that
Far too often we forget exactly what we're after
And far too soon we skip the book to read the final chapter
But I will savor in each moment I can capture
Of a life profound

When fortune wheels spin around it's good to stay in the middle of it
Cuz yes luck she is a tricky one, but there is joy in the riddle of it
And all that can be lost in another way can be won
And there in lies the meaning

Far too often we forget exactly what we're after
And far too soon we skip the book to read the final chapter
But I will savor in each moment I can capture
Of a life profound

Billy Graham Rapid Response Seminar in Kericho

[Photo caption: Pastor Jonah with other seminar attendees]

dear blog readers and supporters,

i hope you all had a blessed Easter season. as for us in kericho, kenya, we are happy that peace is here after a few months of instability.

over the weekend i attended a seminar here in kericho, which was planned by the Billy Graham Rapid Response Initiative. it was very educational especially for those of us who have no seminary training in rapid responses needed when there is a problem such as the magnitude witnessed in our country.

we learned some very important tenets for helping those displaced and trying to counsel them to accept the situations they are in at the moment..without promising a completely better future......we were taught to let those displaced to be calm and then start life from there again...it was a great one day seminar.

have fun

because He lives

Jonah

Sigilai's Story

hello,

i hope u had a great day. today we had a visit to a home, headed by their old father named Sigilai. he is about 80 plus years old. in the early 40's he was working for the British settlers here and was given a big land as a reward for fighting in their army as well as being a good servant to them.

[Photo caption: Sigilai is the one with the "hanging ears"]

prior to the election last year. he was in his farm in Nyahururu. the farm is about 60 acres large. he had over 200 cows and over 300 sheep and goats. he also combined harvesters, tractors, house and many children from his 2 wives. he narrated to us, that he was rich and had never thought of getting help from anyone before. he considered himself that the Lord had given him favor, as he had no problem with food, and he had children as this is seen part of the blessing here. he told us he had gone to the Red Cross ..but his name could not be called several times for him to get what they need there...and so he left for his son's house here in Kericho.

his story was touching. sometimes we would laugh. but at last he said that "All things belong to God who gave us His blessings to use His hands for His work". though he felt sad, we feel that he still needs some counselling and prayers and felt encouraged too that he is coming closer to admitting that he needs God.

we continue to visit the home of many people like Sigilai every now and then to encourage them to depend on God and leave vengeance to Him. I hope u are encouraged by this.

have a great week
Jonah

Simba The Dog

Hello,

i hope u re doing great in the Lord. i have been involved with a lot of work resulting from the post election violence and the displaced people ...over this past few weeks. our focus right now is encouraging people to go back to their homes and start life again.

as i travel, i take a keen interest, not only in the displaced people but the animals as well. the cows, goats and other animals have largely been taken care of because they provide food for the families, but the dogs and cats are not considered as important at this time.

i met a dog by the name of simba (means 'lion' in swahili). he had a big and deep cut on the face. it was the saddest experience i have ever seen and i felt really bad when i got to see this. simba i suppose was trying to protect the family but ended up almost losing his own life. this to me is an experience that most people have not witnessed in the most faithful animals on earth - dogs and cats. (i will post a story soon about one of the cats i've come across, named Caring, and how she saved some young children from a burning house).

as of now simba is getting better with the help of herbs that are being administered by its caretaker. the horrific experience of animals is another bad result of the post-election chaos we had in kenya. but peace is slowly coming back. continue praying for us.

have a great day
and God bless.

Jonah

Counting the Cost

TENT CAMP FOR INTERNALLY DISPLACED KENYANS

hello everyone,

this first picture is of william standing in the place where his house once stood. it was burned with all his possessions. it is very hard for him to understand what happened. keep praying for him as i have been trying to convince him to accept what happened and take it easy. he does not know the Lord now and i am trying to reach him with love thru' this disaster.

i thank u all for all the contributions u made towards this achievement and work. please know you are always in our hearts here in kericho.

this picture is of me standing in front of a another destroyed house.

it has amazed me how much people can do to each other and i hope the world learns soon, to 'love thy neighbor as themselves'. help Kenya heal by praying...as that is the only way ...Jonah

Healing & Reconciliation

hello,

i hope u are doing great and continuing to pray for us. yesterday was a great day, we had prayers, asking God to reconcile us again. all the churches here had to come and we all prayed for this to happen. first with those that we are in faith together, and to those that were displaced.

we had a busy day going to the camps talking to those who are displaced ...and encouraging them to have faith

in God. This is sometimes hard to do. but we do hope that, PEACE will come into their hearts and reconciliation will come again.

the US ambassador joined us later and we were moved with the love the people of the united states and all over the world had for kenya....

have a great day and remember to continue to pray for us, HEALING is slowly coming, and i know it starts with all of us forgiving ourselves and our neighbors and coming to terms with what happened as there is no time to finger point at this stage.

God Bless

Jonah

Peace at Last in Kenya

hello,

am just sitting here at cybercafe..and i am hearing ODM ... JUU and Raila JUU.

this is the scene happening here..right now, people are wishing each other happy new year.. and it seems it is a start of a new chapter.

the two protagonists finally accepted a power sharing deal between their two parties. Kofi Annan is the man of the moment. he has led the negotiations from the start, and we are really so excited.

The former UN Chief has had dilly dally moments when he was here. sometimes the two negotiating teams could not agree, but he stood his ground, and made Kenya to be a one united Kenya again.

we are happy that this deal has been appended with signatures, but we are sad that it took so long for them to see this.....
a lot of damage has been done already..
about 1500 lives lost, over 350,000 displaced,
what a country this was.... but we call that [violence], an accident. we will start mending the country again.

God Bless
Jonah
read further news from BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7268903.stm
and CNN http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/02/28/kenya.talks/index.html

have a great day
now the massive effort of resettling the displaced and reconciling Kenyans can take place.

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.