Food Relief in the Horn of Africa

As you might have read in the leading newspapers, there is a very bad drought in northern Kenya, in Somalia and Ethiopia.  Christians here and several organizations have decided to do something about it and I got involved too. (You can click on any of the photos to enlarge).

In the pictures you can see that we visited and took food relief to the Maasai people and the Somalians providing much needed water and other supplies.









I think we have got to do something.  At least
visit these people and give what we have.

Going there is not easy but we have to try to make a difference at least.

 

I will be travelling there again.  Maybe next week.  

Partner with us and let's help those in great need.

You can help raise awareness of the Missions of Hope by using the share buttons at the bottom of this post or any other post. Thank you!

Bear With Us

You may have noticed that we are making changes to this site. Please bear with us as we undergo the process because we hope to make your visit here more enjoyable by these changes.

We know your time is valuable so we would really appreciate you taking time to leave a message if you notice any issues when you are browsing or surfing the site.  If you have anything else you'd like to share or ask about these missions, don't be shy.

While you are waiting for updates on this site, please check out our new collage and slide show by clicking  here. 

 Some beautiful flowers in Kenya.

You can help raise awareness of the Missions of Hope by using the share buttons at the bottom of this post or any other post. Thank you!

Kigen Goes Home

Hello friends, I want to tell you that the little boy we were helping from Pokot country in the north of Marigat has now been released from Moi Hospital. Some of you know I went to Pokot country on a relief mission because the people were very hungry.  Their hunger led to fighting in one place.  When I heard about that I wanted to do something to help.

Missionary, mother Paulina and the children, 
Kigen can now see out of one eye. Praise God!

My post was called "Heart for the Pokot". While there with my friend and with assistance of an NGO from Kericho, I met the little boy and his mother Paulina.  We prayed for them because it was clear there was something very wrong with the children. You can see what I mean in the photos below.  After that we raised some money to bring the boy to a hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.  The children had something very wrong with their skin and the boy, Kigen could not see.  Both of his eyes were closed shut.

The family has been a long time now in Eldoret but they are now finally going home. They have all gotten healthier looking. The boy, Kigen can now see out of one eye because the doctors did surgery.  He has been recovering and the hospital has been ready for some weeks now to release them. We had to wait until we could get some funds to take them back to their village.  It took us awhile to clear the bill with the hospital but now that is done.  The family is happy to go home at last.  I am happy that this mission is completed.

We could not have done it without friends.  Those who gave and those who prayed. I thank you all. God knows who you are and he will reward you.

My next mission will be trying to get help for the young man named Kipngeno. He needs a sponsor to help him go to university. He will study in the health field. You can read about him on my Priorities page (see menu at the top).  If you know of where we might get a sponsor for him, please let me know.  We hope he can start the term in late August as he has already been accepted at Kisii University.

Enjoy the photos and please continue to pray for me.  Pray too for this family and the missionary.  

Kalenjin Culture Dictates Burial Rites

"A good name is better than precious ointment; 
and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Ecclesiastes 7:1

Hello,

We lost my uncle (although we refer to him as grandfather most of the time because he is the oldest of the generation of our grandfathers).

Many people really admired him as he was a very strong Christian and never engaged himself in fights. He lived in harmony with everyone.

In Kalenjin culture, a place for my uncle's burial is usually the prerogative of the clan to decide.  Uncle married two wives and one of the wives died a long time ago.  So he was staying with the wife who is called his second wife whom he married in the 1950's. He stayed with her for most of his working life and through his illness.

 

The second wife is also the younger wife and because he was living with her there was no need to keep a second home for the first wife since no one would be living in it. Kalenjin culture does not allow a man to be buried near the house of the younger wife so we had to build a house quickly so that he could be buried next to his first wife.

This was a learning lesson for us  as we had never witnessed this before.  We learned a lot  though what was of interest for me is to see what the Bible says and how far culture can be changed by it.  I did learn my lessons though and am weighing the pros and cons of this culture (cultural practises).

My uncle has been laid to rest and we are now are now comforted.

Enjoy the photos.

Mombasa and Naivasha Travels

I had a great time over the last two weeks resting and attending conferences in Mombasa off Kenya's coast, and in Naivasha in the interior.  This is an annual conference that I've been fortunate enough to attend a few times because I've been blessed enough to get a scholarship to cover the cost of hotel, food and conference fees.

 

 

It was such a great time staying in Mombasa and having some time to swim. I really loved doing that.

 

 

 

I also had a great visit to the island in Naivasha, where they have what they call a walking safari. Whenever I'm on conference some newcomers to Kenya will invite me to show them on a safari. This one was a short safari.

 

 

Wildebeests, giraffes and many animals were at close range.


I really loved it there. It was a refreshing time for me. Now it is back to my studies and my missions work.

Enjoy the pics.

One Boy's Fight for Survival, March 30, 2011

Hello friends,

I am writing from the City of Eldoret now.  It has been  a while since i updated you on Kigen's progress.

I don't have good news yet.  What the doctors have been doing so far is cleaning the boy, and his brother together. The kids are very clean.  But they are yet to come up with the best medication [treatment] they had promised.

I was able to talk to the person in charge of the ward and he told me they are waiting for the report of doctor in charge of plastic surgery .  A 'lady' of Indian origin, she has refused to give up on Kigen, which warms our heart so much.  She was the one who admitted to us also and she had given a hint of some surgery,  but she was waiting the report of the other doctors.  What I found out though is that, they are taking the utmost care not to do something that will worsen the situation.

I do believe though that finally he will be able to get some help.  Some of the wounds have healed and i found him moving and eating.  I am just hoping that he will be able to get better someday.
 
Otherwise you have a great day and God bless.  Please continue praying for his mother and her children.  I feel heavy in my heart for them.

This cost of this medical mercy mission  is stretching us. We gratefully accept donations to assist in little Kigen's medical needs.

See the donate button to the top right of this blog.

Updates on his treatment will be posted when they come available.

Many blessings.

Photo credits: All photos the property of  Pastor Jonah.

If you wish to share this story, photos may be used with credit and a link back to this site. 
Many thanks and blessings.

Kigen Update, March 13, 2011

Kigen is doing better. I went to see him in the hospital today. He was asleep most of  time I was there. His mom told me that he was better and he is getting some ointment for the wounds and some medication for his ears and eyes.

On my way to visit little Kigen at the hospital.

The younger child Tikitiki, is doing much better too. He can now see and they look very clean. Praise God. The mother has also been able to make friends.

On my way to the hospital.

Taking some food and milk to the hospital.

We thank God for the doctors who were able to give the two boys one bed to stay in together as a family. Initially, they were given different wards because of the age difference. In this hospital, people are sharing beds because there are so many who are sick now, and there are limited spaces to put them.

Another update is that Kigen has received blood into his system. The skin specialist has been booked for tomorrow (Monday) and Wednesday is the surgery day. Just note that things can change without notice here in Africa so we will update you when the actual surgery and skin study is completed.

Praying for little Kigen

Nonetheless we praise God for keeping this family well. The mother left behind a sucking child in the village where they live so we are just glad she is here though she had some pain in her breasts earlier this week.

Continue praying for us all as we live here in Eldoret.

Many Blessings

We gratefully accept donations to assist in little Kigen's medical mission.

See the donate button to the top right of this blog.

Updates on his treatment will be posted when they come available.

Photo credits: All photos the property of Missions of Hope, Pastor Jonah.

If you wish to share this story, photos may be used with credit and a link back. 

Emmy Launchs New Album in Eldoret

My time in Eldoret is mostly going to the hospital concerning little Kigen's care, and back to my hotel. But I had a change in routine this Sunday,

After a visit to church then to the hospital, I was happy to visit the launch of a new album by Emmy Kosgei. Emmy is a renowned gospel artist in the country of Kenya though she sings mostly in the Kalenjin language.

I was happy to see her father the Rev. Jackson Kosgei, who has been in a wheelchair since he was young because he had polio. He thanked his wife for accepting to marry him, the way he was, and now his kids are making him even more popular.

He himself is a great speaker and very knowledgeable speaker.  He is now pursuing his Ph.D studies even though he started Grade one when he was 21 years old!

I have been able to make friends in Eldoret and it is a great place to be. Enjoy the pictures of the launch.

Have a great day.