Sema?

"Sema" means "What's up?" in Kiswahili.  

Below is news about what's up with us. 

Please send us a note sharing what's up with you. 

"Like cold water to a weary soul 

   is good news from a distant land."  

                                                               Proverbs 25:25

The DIG trainings continue; we have two 

trainings going - one at a church where two different 

churches are participating.  This is a big step in 

cooperation for pastors.  Thank you, Lord!  

Using object lessons to teach scripture - 

Nothing is impossible with God! 

Carolyne moves in her gift of teaching 

the women that knowing what skills/gifts

they have is necessary for determining 

what ministry/business to pursue.

The mommas are busy taking notes about 

biblical principles for modeling a Godly life,

"being" a servant and ruling in the spirit realm. 

In between our trainings and the kids' 

school,  this is where we usually find 

Tavin - playing "futbal"with his Masai buddies.  

He lamented us being too close - 

"Gee Mom, it's so embarrassing 

when you to take pictures."  

So, out of respect for my 14 year old son, 

I took a long shot.  

Look hard... Tavin's the tall one in the red shorts.

DIG training in a thatched-roof hut.

Feels really "African" surrounded by flowering 

plants, palms and banana trees.

Ha - just beyond the bush is a busy road in 

this town of about half a million residents.

Lovely to use this little oasis to teach God's Word. 

The widowed mommas shared their stories...

  

Jacqueline had been selling glue to street boys

 to keep her children alive. 

She cried 

knowing she was killing them 

so her's might live.

Now she knows God has a future 

with hope for her and her babies.  

She's been

 hired to cook at a home for street boys. 

Redemption always overcomes desperation.

Another woman who's not saved 

"wandered" into the training.  

We prayed for discernment.

Would this be a distraction or a blessing?   

Her name is Agnes.  

She attends a cult and has "spiritual experiences."

We invited her to church which she now regularly attends 

and is still coming to the DIG training. 

She's hearing the truth about Jesus Christ.  

The truth will set her free.

We regularly teach about missions 

at this awesome Kenyan church.

Praying for them to be 

sent into the fields ripe for harvest.

Ministry at an orphanage and 

our new little friend 

who is very dear to our hearts.

Pastor Dwight Saunders, his daughter, Emma of

International Voice of the Orphan 

www.internationalvoiceoftheorphan.com

 (from Durango, CO and now live in Phoniex, AZ)

were ministering in Uganda and 

invited us to attend the 3 day 

Legacy Leadership Conference - 

powerful preaching about 

living a life that leaves a 

legacy for the kingdom of God. 

It was a wonderful time of rest 

and spiritual refreshing for us.

So nice to fellowship into the evening with 

missionaries who love the Lord 

and His call to serve in East Africa.

Extra nice to be with familar faces 

who will soon be "part of the family"

as Pastor Dwight's daughter is marrying 

Lisa's nephew in August.

No matter what side of the border - Kenya or Uganda, 

 fatherless children wander everywhere 
looking for attention.

We love to share a laugh, some sweets,

and a prayer in the precious name of Jesus. 

 After traveling over the equator numerous times, 

we finally decided to stop and snap a photo.

We're blessed to be living in Kenya, 

serving Jesus by "caring for orphans and widows."

Asante sana for your 

encouragement, prayers and support.

hugs from the haugers  O0oo

Kenya is fighting the Al-Sh*bab (related to Al-Qu*eda) in Somalia.  Sadly, war means orphans - M*slim orphans who are hungry for food, hungry for God.  Many crippled orphans 

are identified by the UN and placed in Kenyan schools, 

like Joyland.  We get the beautiful opportunity to share 

the love of Jesus with them.  Thanks for making it possible 

for children, who lived through unspeakable horrors, experience God's amazing grace.

Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers oooo

Tax-deductible donations can be sent to CARE with a 

sticky- note "for Kenya." 

P.O. Box 3543  Pagosa Springs, CO 81147.

Benta's Story

Benta’s deep brown eyes hold a story she’s reluctant to speak.  She stares at my face, searching for something to encourage trust. I smile weakly and urge her on, 

“Please Benta.  If you can share…” 

She continues gazing at me and the words tumble out.

“My father had two wives.  

I am the second child of the second wife.  

I was not educated.

I married young, but I loved the man. We lived a good life.  

I learned to read and write. I had a son.  

We were a happy family.  I became pregnant again … 

but… 

my husband died…” 

Benta hesitates for a moment, hanging her head. 
She lifts her eyes at me again. 

“In a short time, I had nothing.  

Nothing.  
My son and I were starving.  

I thought I must abort the child I carry.” 

Tears slid down her smooth ebony skin. 
She doesn’t wipe them away.

“There was nothing. 

How could I bring my baby into the world to starve?” 

We wait in a circle, 

listening to the meaningful silence sagging the air heavy.  

We could feel Benta’s throbbing wound. 

What would I do if I were starving - no food for days and my 
small son crying to eat?  How would I feel holding his thin 
body against my swollen belly throughout the dark night only 
to have nothing to offer him when morning broke?  Would the baby weight in my womb burden my thoughts with worry?”

Hard to imagine when I’ve never gone hungry. Judgment 
comes easy when the belly is full, home is comfortable 
and threats of death don’t hover like vultures. 

Part of the ministry in Kenya is to hear these women’s stories.  

To really hear them - let their sorrow touch us, let their 
courage find us, let their desires to truly live burn like fire in 
our hearts. Our passion connects with their pain, and together 
we look to God for answers.

Benta’s desperation led her to church. The pastors embraced 
her and invited her to join the DIG training. She attended 
every session - watching, discussing, praying, learning. We talked, planned and moved forward with her vision to sell 
grains. After submitting a proposal and receiving a donation 
to start her ministry/business, Benta found a place near her 
small home, close to her children. Yes, her children. Benta did
not abort her baby. She birthed a girl and named her Winnie.  

God turns nothing into something.  

He provides food for the hungry.  

He offers hope for the hopeless. 

He does that through us - 

through you, 

through me,  

through Benta. 

Benta's ministry business serves her, her widowed sister 

and their four children. As a family they testify that the 

Lord defends the cause of widows and the fatherless.

Psalm 82:3, Isaiah 1:17

Asante sana 

for your prayers, encouragement and support. 

hugs from the haugers oooo 

Life in Kenya can be challenging!

Thanks for helping us face the challenge.

All tax-deductable donations can be sent by 

paypal at the sidebar

or to CARE, PO Box 3543 Pagosa Springs, CO

81147.

Please make a notation - for Kenya.

hugs from the haugers oooo

Abandoned Babies

Abandoned babies.  

Left in hospitals, at clinics, in fields, even in pit latrines.  Sweet little ones.  Precious to God.  

Needing care, love, to be held and cuddled. 

19 babies who need families. 

If these tiny treasures don't get adopted by 18 months they are moved to another home in Nakuru. 

We visit here as a family to hold babies and pray that God bring them families.

This home also cares for children with severe disabilities. 

We feed them, play with them and pray for God's blessing.

The third DIG training is underway.  

Carolyne shares on the session "Who Is Christ In You?"  

 Pastors and Elders attend with the widowed moms. 

Learning together will help them serve the women better. 

These widowed moms need to know they have a 

place to belong and leaders who care about their futures.

Burying sins of 

unforgiveness, offense, bitterness and abandonment, 

then committing to walk in the freedom Christ provides.

Please pray for the widowed moms to embrace 

everything the Lord has for them.

The directors of Hope's Promise Kenya 

spent 3 days with us visiting 

the widowed moms businesses, 

children's ministries, and talking about God's goodness.

What a blessing to host them 

and receive heavenly encouragement!

Asante sana for your prayers and support.

hugs from the haugers. oooo

From Taleah

Taleah is home from the hospital and feeling much better. Asante sana for your prayers!  

The diagnosis was "maybe strep..." There is no quick strep test here so the lab had to draw blood and run a hemogram.  Taleah was given a fever reducer that didn't bring her fever down so the doctor became concerned - an emotion not translated well from a Kenyan accent to American understanding. Taleah was released from the hospital in time to make the long, hot trip to the Uganda to renew our visas.  Today she's a little restless so we decided to do a post with mom's help.  

Below are recent photos with captions of some special times for Taleah here in Kenya...  

It all started with an egg... or was it the chicken?

 In our case it's my pet hen named Kuku 
(Swahili word for chicken) 

who laid 15 eggs and we now have 8 baby chicks!

 Obviously, I am smitten. 

Tavin (in his school uniform) and I enjoy the 
new additions to the family.

So stink'in cute, huh?

Meet Lillian and Ruth (and their cute kiddos) - facilitators mom and Carolyne are training to take the DIG program

 into the slums of Nyallenda through a local church.

During Christmas break I watched the kiddos 
while the moms did the training.

 I really liked these kids.  I think I found a new ministry...

The local wildlife park ($1.50 for students)

where the only thing that was 

between me and these animals was a chainlink fence 

(which my hand could easily fit through!).

Some animals roamed free like impala and the zebra.

My friend, Sally and me at the wildlife park.

Lake Victoria

I love the trees here.



New shoes for my birthday (my favorite gift).



Celebrating with my family.

Tavin practicing for the Nairobi competition.

  Homework!

Which is where I have to end this cause now I have to do homework.  Yuk!  Oh well.  Thanks for praying for us and helping us do God's work in Kenya for orphans.

(I'd rather play with the kids instead of doing homework!)

Love,

Taleah