Gifts We Receive...

This Christmas we received Gifts…

We watched children, abandoned at birth - left in ditches, pit latrines, and tea fields but rescued by the merciful hand of God - preform a Christmas play celebrating the birth of Jesus. A Gift.

 During the short presentation, a little girl sat on my lap.  She finds me every visit and climbs up. Who could know behind those inquisitive eyes and nimble fingers lies experiences far beyond her 12 months? She came to the home plagued with sickness leading to death, but now she radiates life. 

A Gift.

A small boy, dressed like a shepherd with a towel over his head, tied snug with a pink headband, sucks his thumb and waves at me.  He doesn’t speak yet his smile says everything. He came to the orphanage at 16 months, significantly impaired by cerebral palsy. Today he runs like he’s dancing, giggles bubbling from his belly. 

A Gift.

She stands, leaning into a gold-colored walker, forcing her feet to obey.  Dressed in white with tinsel woven around her braided hair, she is an angel.  Last summer, she crawled along the ground, frustrated by overwhelming limitations. Her last trip to the hospital, as she waited, she sang songs about Jesus, encouraging those suffering around her. 

A Gift.

He needs constant care, tucked in a wheelchair, anticipating a push onto the porch that’s dressed like a stage.  A sparkly cardboard camel taped to the side of his chair indicates he’s a wise one. He grins while others sing, and his hand reaches out to hold the air. I think he’s holding the hand of his Savior that no one can see. 

A Gift.

 These children – found as babes in places no child should be, challenged by physical handicaps and developmental delays, the ones left behind when families come to adopt, the ones ignored because they don’t fit the scheme of healthy and normal – they are the gifts we are blessed to receive.

We thank God for the gift of life – the life of Jesus who came to seek and saved those who were lost. He also was born in a place not worthy of a child.  But God had a plan... May we remember the hopeless and helpless this Christmas season and bring them the gift of Jesus.

Matthew 25:40

Merry Christmas!

Asante sana for your prayers, encouragement and support.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0

12 Days of Christmas in Kenya.

Thinking of the Twelve Days of Christmas 

in a different way...

The days before Christmas can be a scramble 

to find the right present, finish holiday baking, 
and attend various get-togethers.

While you plan, shop and celebrate the birth of Jesus, 
would you remember some forgotten ones?

Below is our Twelve Days of Christmas in Kenya.  

It shares prayer requests,
ways to relate to those less fortunate, and ideas for donations.

We appreciate your prayer and gifts 
on behalf of widows and orphans.

                                                                                 James 1:27                                                                                                                     Blessings of peace and joy,

   hugs from the haugers Ooo0                                     

Roots

As Taleah played in her favorite tree, I examined its roots... following them up the strong branches supporting 
my daughter's smile.
 

Then, I remembered a boy... eyes holding hatred beyond his tender years. Wickedness invading innocence, infecting roots for his future and now… who brings hope to his dying life?

Living in Kenya, among people with roots formed by generations of poverty, polygamy, tribal violence, gender injustice and colonial oppression we see where truth must eliminate lies so healing can flourish.

The word root or roots is mentioned 56 times in the Bible.  Roots deal with foundations and fruitfulness - stability, support, nourishment, growth, productivity.  

The Creator, Father God 

determines where roots start.

Then life happens. 

Almost uncontrollably, bad things sink deep into hearts.

Evil’s desire to destroy reflects in sin’s horrors - stolen innocence; suffering inflicted without restraint; incessant, searing pain of abuses; neglect's lonely abyss.

Sin infects roots with bitterness, offense, unforgiveness.

(Deuteronomy 29:18)

Amusements might temporarily soothe sins throbbing wounds, but who can heal root damage? Who can make new foundations that affect fruitfulness?

 Jesus.

Only Jesus.
(Isaiah 11:10)

Recently we started teaching a facilitator class for the DIGGS training.  We asked widowed mammas to look in a mirror and tell us what they saw…

First, uncomfortable shifting emerged. 

Faces in a mirror, in front of others?

Really looking…

Honestly seeing… 

What did they say?

“I see my old face... missed so much life.  I see God wanting to give me more.  I see me giving because I received.”

“I see someone who was shy but now I know I have confidence in the Lord in me and my sons.”

“I am ugly.  I don’t know some days how God will help me. But He does. I am here. I am learning. I am growing. I want to help others. I need help to do that.”

“I was loud, got angry easy. I want to defend myself because no one ever stands with me, my children. Now I want to enjoy the life God made for me and teach others to trust Him.”

Jesus heals sick roots. 
These widowed mammas believe Christ provides more than their traumatic pasts dictate, more then evil destroys. 

The Christ-centered relationships between us cultivate roots that create stability, support and productivity.  

True growth might be slow, but it’s established,

and we see healthy buds of fruit forming.
(Jeremiah 17:8)

By helping these mammas create new roots, children 
are spared generations of hardships. 
Does evil remain? 
Yes, it will remain until the end, 
but choices change evil's destruction and yield healthy roots - 

as long as Jesus is the answer.
(Colossians 2:7)

                                      

    TOGETHER, WE NURTURE ROOTS THAT BRING ABUNDANT LIFE FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND THE FUTURE OF NATIONS

IN JESUS NAME.

(Ephesians 3:17-19)

Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0