Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Asante tena

Our passion with children here in Kenya is sharing Jesus.   
Many of these precious ones are orphaned, abused, neglected, 
infected with HIV, physically challenged by severe birth defects. 
They may be abandoned, but they are not forgotten. 
 Jesus inscribed them on the palms of His hands. 
He is their reason for living.  
He is their joy.  
He is their hope. 
They are His glory - fearfully and wonderfully made.  

Asante sana for the gifts 
of developmentally appropriate toys, backpacks and bibles.
Asante sana for the financial donations.
Your kindness helps us show God's love in tangible ways.
Mungu akubariki Rafikis.
(God bless you Friends.)


hugs from the haugers ooo


Tax-deductable gifts can be made to 
CARE
P.O. Box 3543
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147.  
with a sticky note directing the funds to 
CARE4Nations - Kenya.

Or visit the sidebar and make a donation through paypal.




Sunday, May 20, 2012

.09 seconds for 2 hours

This .09 second video clip (thanks Casey) was our experience for two hours. An experience that speaks...
                              
Descending the Rift Valley escarpment, Mark worked his 
way though the winding road as rain began to fall in 
earnest.  Along the flat bottom, cars had stopped… 
Wildlife? An accident? Then, we saw it move – earth 
heaving toward us, throbbing with water from the 
mountains. Dirt, silt, small trees and large rocks churned along the side of the car, some rolling violently across 
our path.It seemed surreal, like someone had planted 
an invisible movie screen outside the window. 
We were in the flood zone with no way out.


We waited. We prayed. We watched, amazed and a 
little concerned as the muddy water flushed out onto 
the Serengeti savannah stretched before us. Masai 
observed from the hills, leaning on their spears, murmuring 
to one another. Mutatus, trucks and automobiles shifted 
back and forth, trying to avoid high waters that broke over 
the road. Fretful faces stared at the strong currents slipping 
under their vehicles. Uneasy tension rose with the water.  


That’s when I heard the still small Voice of scripture 
bubbling in my mind.
 
“When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit 
of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” 
Isaiah 59:19 KJV

Yes, we all know those times when we feel the enemy’s 
presence on every side. Pressed down by torrents of tests, 
trials and temptations.  Crises overwhelm us like a deluge; 
we struggle to keep our heads above, gasping for the breath 
of God. Those times inundated with trouble, remember 
the promise – He rises up a standard of protection and 
provision.  Truly a lesson to meditate upon considering our situation.  These words comforted me, yet something 
unexpected seeped in…

“Move the comma.”

“Huh?”

“What if the comma came after the word enemy instead 
of flood?

(For all of you who think I just blasphemed by “changing 
scripture” I certainly did not. Consider the word flood in 
this verse means nahar – prosperity, sparkle, cheerful.)

“When the enemy comes in
like a flood the Spirit of the Lord 
shall lift up a standard against him.”

I saw God in the flood. He agitates cleansing currents 
against evil influences, whipping the weights that so 
easily beset us. His rolling presence penetrates the drought 
of our neglect, breaking up hard ground so new life can 
grow.  He is in the flood - powerful, surging, bring a standard 
of obedience and blessing (Isaiah 28:2).

I gazed at the rising filth with new eyes.  I saw sin being 
swept away.  I saw God’s covering hand holding us as 
His strength removed the debris that pollutes our souls 
(Psalm 90:5). His intensity to rush in like a flood to save 
made sure a way out. His waters overwhelm with grace. 

In the midst of a storm in central Kenya, that delayed our 
best-laid plans for hours, God spoke. When life experiences 
feel like drowning waves, the Lord’s standard comes in like 
flood of freedom  (Ezekiel 47:1-9).



Asante sana for your prayer, support and encouragement.
hugs from the haugers oooo

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Mother's Day and Masai

Mother's Day (or Mum's Day as they say in Kenya) celebrates those who influence lives with motherly love by nurturing unconditionally.  Below are a few faces of "moms" in Kenya...

Phoebe, a beautiful mom in who makes and sells peanut butter to provide for her daughter.

Ruth, a wise and gentle grandmother who cares for her grandchildren by sewing dresses.

A child-headed household where "mom' is a 12 year old girl, faithfully carrying her small siblings to church.

A motherless child who looks for arms to hold her.

Whatever you do to honor motherhood in your life today 
please remember the hundred million children in this world who long to have a mom to hold them.  
If orphaned children are asked what they want, 
they never say - " a big house" or "education" or "more sponsors"or "visits from donors." 
They inevitably answer they want - "a mom."  
Please pray for the mammas and children 
we serve here in Kenya.  
May the work God's given us to do continue 
to help them grow together as families in His redeeming love.


A Visit with Masai...
They peeked through the bushes, watching tentatively 
as we left the tin church building.
We waved them over with the 
welcoming words of Swahili greetings.

Sohoyto smiled, 
making introductions in with his few English phrases.

Lazaro wasn't as talkative 
but readily accepted the sweets we offered.

Obviously curious about the chair Lisa uses, 
we shared the tract that Lisa wrote with them, 
which explains the gospel.
After a fun visit and group picture, 
we invited them to church next Sunday.
Please pray the join us and learn more about 
Father God, their creator 
and Jesus, the Savior of the world. 

Happy Mother's Day from the Haugers, 
especially from Lisa who is so very grateful to be a mom
and prays God will always fill her life with children.



Caesy's doing great, 
learning lots and hugely helping the ministries she visits.
So grateful for her teachable spirit and willingness to serve.
Everyone loves her! 

Thanks for you prayers, support and encouragement.
hugs from the haugers oooo

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Quick update...

 Casey's here. 
FINALLY!  
What a long haul - after 48 hours on planes and in airports 
she arrived late without luggage.  
As we say here - Karibu Kenya (Welcome to Kenya) and "Akuna matata!"(No worries).


We set off from Jomo Kenyatta for the journey home.  Wild Kenya did not disappoint Casey's desire for adventure.  She experienced raging flood waters off the Rift Valley escarpment as baboons dotted the roadside.  

Casey sharing her dance talents 
with an youth group at Covenant of Peace.

African worship is always moving so Casey fits right in.

When the luggage finally arrived, it was Christmas in May! We opened suitcases filled with special treats sent by special friends.  We're so grateful Becky, Ellen, Kiki, Linda, Robbie and Margaret! Thanks for blessing us. Taleah squealed in delight and Tavin's big grin went from ear to ear. Mark kept saying they should remember to share... with him! 

               Lisa reads all her birthday cards early, 
much to Taivn's shock. Ha!  
  Don't worry about her opening them early. 
She's sure to read them over and over again, 
before and after her birthday.

The bakery shirts are a blast. We're gonna invite Kenyans visit this new coffee shop in Pagosa.  Ministry items for the orphaned kiddo's are perfect.  Can't wait to play with them, to share new Bible lessons and encourage healthy child development.
                        
                          


Ministry updates...

We continue to pour ourselves 
into the children and babies at New Life.
Although many see these children as burdensome, their precious lives mean so mach to God and to us
We've been asked to do a training on transitions - preparing care workers and children for changes that come through adoption.  We pray this is an open door for more interaction on adoption issues, much needed for these 
abandoned little ones.





The education center in Mambo Leo is getting ready for 
the shipment of school supplies 
donated from Pagosa Springs students.  
The mandatory fence is being constructed, a pit latrine stands ready for children, and the school building waits for windows, a floor, benches and tables. By assisting this church to open
this center, orphans and widows can receive much needed resources.  James 1:27 in action. 


If anyone would like to donate towards these needs that will help provide quality Christian education for orphaned children and discipleship-skills training for young/single widowed moms, please visit the sidebar to see how to give or contact us for more information.






Our kids being goofy! But that's not new. Ha!



Coming up is more DIG training with our beautiful widowed mammas.  Tavin plays futbal in Nairobi and Taleah visits the City Council and Kisumu History Museum.  Mark and Casey will attend a free water purification seminar.  We'll be visiting the children at Joyland, New Life, and Covenant Home. We'll be ministering at Agape for street boys, Disciples of Mercy HIV clinic and the local churches. We also plan to take Casey for an overnight in Carolyne's rural village.


Please remember us before the Lord; May we continue to find favor by His grace. 



Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.
hugs from the haugers