FAST FACTS
Human Services for Americans -->
Because many people have asked me, "why are you helping people in Africa, when there are people right here in the United States who need help?" My response, "read the list of services readily available for Americans."
There are approximately 1,109 charities registered to provide Humanitarian Services for people in America. There are only 38 charities worldwide, whose focus is
Kenya . [data collected from IRS]
Number of charities devoted to human services in
America
Defined as children & family 148
Food banks, food pantries, food distribution 143
Homeless services 183
Multipurpose human services 151
Social services 265
Youth development – shelter & crisis services 219
An update from missionaries in the field February 9, 2009
Dear partners, Shalom! November & December were busy and eventful as God was very gracious and kind to us. God’s grace was on us and sufficiently and we ask you to join us in thanksgiving for the children are growing in the knowledge of God is taking shape in our children especially the older children in JOSKA (Residential school with 448 children). The following were the highlights during this period:
Schools closed early in December to allow construction of more classrooms in Kosovo, Pangani and Joska. We thank God for answering prayer for financial provision even when there is economic recession.
There were Christmas parties and gifts for all our six centers, all because of your generous giving. There was great joy in all the children and their families and at least a meal assured on Christmas day. A team from Mountain Christian Church, Maryland led by their missions pastor Tom Moen, was there having fun with children in all the centers.
A successful youth camp for 99 high school students was held at Joska residential school from December 1st to 5th. It was a good time to impart Christian values and challenge the youth on excellence in life based on the spirit of excellence that was in Daniel (book of Daniel). We thank God for short term mission groups that have in the past brought inspirational Christian movies that helped a great deal.
More children were recruited for the January intake as we prepare to open new centers at Mabatini (adopted by Westlink and Central Christian Churches in Wichita, Kansas), Mathare area 2 (Newberg Christian Church and others) and Baba Ndogo. Other centers will follow later at Kiamaiko, Korogocho, Kibera, Kangemi, e.t.a. as other Christian churches come on board to adopt new communities. Thank God for the children and families that are being reached and empowered by the gospel through your generous giving.
More than 100 new believers were baptized on December 12th at a rented swimming pool in a ceremony presided by pastors Oliver, Keith Ham, Tom Moen (MCC, Maryland), Venancius (Brazil), Wallace, Mary, Joseph and William as they were helped by other missionaries in the team and church leaders. These are believers who have come to the Lord in the new churches planted in the centers and in outreaches with short term mission teams. We thank God that the bigger number were the older Joska children that have become very strong believers.
Children dedication was held in our three churches at Kosovo, Pangani and Bondeni with over 30 children being dedicated in each of the congregations. It always made our Sunday services rather long on the respective days of dedication. Thank God for the revival that is taking place in Mathare through our outreach, made possible through the sponsored children as we have access to their families and their neighbors. Thank God too for short term mission teams that are so instrumental in outreach and participating in some of these important ceremonies as you plan to be a part of short term mission teams in future.
Three apprentices who have been in our centers for varying periods of between 3 to 6 months finally flew back home who were Tim Busky (Eastside Christian Church, California – six months), Shanon Brown (Mountain Christian Church, Maryland – four months) and Nathan Li (Canada, sponsored by a church in Kentucky where he studies – three months). There are many opportunities for internship that earns university degree credits through CMFI (Indianapolis) and also through Hope Missions International, Cyndi Peterson who can connect you to Phil Tatum in Indianapolis for internship or apprenticeship).
Our Micro-enterprise program continues to grow as they reached their annual goal of getting more than 500 clients by December as we pursue our ambitious 2010 vision of capitalizing the fund to be 60 million shillings or & 1 million. Many churches and individuals have given towards the program and we thank God for them. Please visit www.cmfhopepartnership.org
and www.hopemissionsinternational.org .
Other programs continue to grow including the Health program comprised of the HIV/AIDS and health clinic, where medical short term missions teams have helped in medical camps and equipping the clinic & pharmacy. Skills training where we've had 3 graduations in dress and jewelry making and hope to expand to other skills like carpentry & welding, as well as, hairdressing & beauty.
We take this opportunity to wish you a most fruitful and rewarding 2009. We love you all and treasure your partnership with us in the work. In His service we remain.
Wallace & Mary Kamau
Missions of Hope International
Pastor Wallace and Mary Kamau
