This Month in Review...

It's that time where the industrious create "year in review newsletters."  Considering we post monthly updates, you might get bored with the redundancy, so here's a photo story of 

"this month in review."

Like the Kenyan weaver birds that busily build, we find ourselves 

continuing to build useful projects that serve people in Jesus name. 

The widowed/single mamas of WOW (Woman of Worth) 

enjoy prayer, bible reading and fellowship. Two more

mamas have joined us.

Although  possessing little themselves, they diligently 

work on projects to give back to those in the community 

who struggle -  we like to call this  "the widow's mite."

After 46 days back in the orphanage, Lil Man is home with us - his 

family.  Friends at the home gathered to sing, eat cake and say 

good bye (although we only live a few blocks away and he sees 

them regularly.) The sweet send off helped us transition him 

without disturbance.

Sharing cake is a tradition at celebrations and Henry
was happy to feed Moses.

 Now that Lil Man is back home, we do strange things 

like eat under the table. 

 Nothing like a 5 year old to keep you laughing!

 Helping harvest our first bananas!

We said good bye to a new, dear friend who assisted us in

 "handling" Henry's confusion while he stayed at the orphanage.

These croquet champions were all instrumental in 

encouraging us through Henry's transitions.

Serving in the village - one of the poorest districts in Kenya -

never fails to humble us.

The mamas kindness, hard work, willingness to give, to learn 

teaches us about the depth of God's grace. Ministry here is 

always mutually refreshing.

Helpful Henry. It's his gift!

Harvesting and packaging roselle tea to sell.
They distribute the profit to those in need.

Calendars used to roll paper beads are first studied with curiosity.

Lack of access to information is a root problem we're trying to change.

Henry gets an "ouchie" and the mama's rush to tend him.

Learning together how to bring God's transforming 

Word to those among the least.

Mark and David prepare a water filter for Mama Janet's

home. Janet cares for 3 orphaned girls.

With constant labor of working the garden, hand washing, caring 

for little ones, preparing cook fires and food... the ease of using

this filter to clean water amazes the mamas.

Village Chandelier

Meanwhile, back at New Life, the orphaned kiddos special 

needs join festivities of a grand opening of their new home.

A blessing to attend and photograph!

If you've followed our blog, you know about the complicated 

issues surrounding the land purchase for the local church we 

are part of. The trails were firey but God is the Great Redeemer! 

The church is now considered the rightful owner of this hotly 

contested plot. Praise Jesus! 

This month found the pastors praying 

over newly appointed leaders of various departments - one 

being our ministry partner, Carolyne. She now heads

Love in Action Ministry to the poor.

 

Pastor and Elders join hands - a three-fold cord

 not quickly broken.

Mark's service always includes everything from teaching to 

building to managing to holding babies.  Love this guy!

Lastly, we were surprised to be gifted with a trip to the 

coast for RnR we've not had in three years. A donor 

designated gesture that greatly influenced our mental health!

No more teachers or school books!

Just water time...

Kayaking...

Exploring...

Dancing...

And sand - so much sand!

Creepy things visiting the pool...

 Of course - the real RnR!

But RnR doesn't last forever so back to ministry we are passionate about. 
Please pray for us and the following situations...

• Intercountry adoptions in Kenya have been suspended indefinitely.  Our adoption of Henry should not be affected since we are handling the process as residents and already have placement. With so many true orphans and abandoned babies in Kenya, we're praying this ruling can be overturned and adoptions will resume.  
• For the church leaders to have have solid Bible knowledge, wisdom from above, and the character of Christ to minister in love.
• For the mamas to continue to grow in their faith and good works that God has prepared for them.
• That we and the team in US have wisdom in making decisions about sending a shipping container filled with ministry items to use for a resource center.
• For the physically challenged children of Joyland who are back in the refugee camp. May they stay healthy, safe and keep focused on their heavenly Father. 

As always, we're overwhelming grateful for being able to 

live the call and for those who help make it happen.

Asante sana!

Mungu awabariki this Christmas season.

hugs from the haugers

                                                                                                  Ooo0o

Kadogo Multiplied

 
Kadogo means small in Swahili. We are constantly humbled by God’s power to take kadogo and multiply it to express His love. Below is a list of words from the Bible that are kadogo but POTENT in their influence. 

• Sparrows. If a tiny bird does not escape the Creator’s attention, neither do you. Matt 10:29.
• Loaves and fish become creative ingredients for a miracle. John 6:9.
• Cup of cool water given in Jesus name brings His reward. Matt 10:42.
• Seeds of faith move mountains. Luke 17:6.
• A child welcomed into Jesus Presence because the kingdom is made up of these. Luke 18:16.
• Flowers wild in the fields are not arrayed more beautiful than you. Luke 12:27.
• A word in season brings refreshment. Psalm 119:17-20.

How does God take the seemly insignificant and transform it into the glorious meaningful?

1. Ask Him - “Lord, my “kadogo” comes up short, but in your Hands - it’s more than enough. I’m giving you my small ______________ (self, possessions, money, time, attention, resources…)

2. Believe Him - Know that He’ll take whatever small thing you offer and multiply it beyond your natural abilities. In other words, it will take His grace and not your striving to make beautiful ministry happen.

3. Celebrate Him - Don’t look around comparing your life to others. That only breeds discontent, frustration, and covetousness.  Instead, CHOOSE to celebrate Jesus moment by moment. Watch Him gently embrace your smallness and touch the world!

Here are some "kadogo multiplied" stories from our life in Kenya…

A small donation for an overlock machine, and another for materials, and another for supplies then soon the mamas - without husbands, without extra resources, but giving their little time - are making washable sanitary pads for poor village girls.  This kadogo act of kindness coupled with a gospel witness will improve school attendance that can provide a hopeful future and end the cycle of neglect and poverty - a BIG impact from such small offerings blended together by the Master Maker of good and perfect gifts.

 

 

One tiny baby, abandoned… No amount of searching found a relative to claim him.  He’s a boy now needing a family.  Small choices - small changes in light of the obvious impact that a mama’s love, a baba’s acceptance and siblings’ joy will have on his life.  A decision to humbly say, “Yes God,” can transform a destiny, regardless of how long he stays.

Four teenage girls gather under the jacaranda tree on the school campus. Sitting close under the shady branches they share snacks. One Musl*m, one Hindu, two Christians talking about lessons and boys and hair and music till the little Musl*m girl reveals her fear of the increasing threat of Ebola.  A Christian girl places a warm hand on the Musl*m girl’s arm and seriously explains, “When you are afraid, you can call to Jesus. Ask Him to help you. He will never let you stay alone.” A small nugget of truth given with tenderness can open the door for the Lord to change an life for eternity.

An insignificant cup of clear water was murky minutes ago, almost consumed by a toddler with a runny nose.  A quick pour through the filter and now his mama holds a plastic bottle filled with water that won’t make her child sick.  She listens to the Bible lesson that Jesus, the Living Water longs for her to thirst no more.  The Creator of Life brings new life to a mom and a child through a cup of clean water.

In a wheelchair not made for African mud, my body - weakened and fragile - can still be a missionary in the hovels of the poor.  It is where we hear God speak. It is where we see Him take those destitute and set them among royalty.  Only Jesus…  to Him be all the glory.

    Nothing about you is too kadogo for God to multiply.  Just let Him have it and hold on…

“It's the SMALL things that are important! Love or an act of kindness - those are the things that keep darkness at bay.” The Hobbit “An Unexpected Journey.”

Asante sana for your encouragement support and prayers.

hugs from the haugers

Ooo0o