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

The Blessed Catch

Jesus is calling, inviting, challenging us to trust Him in the deep places for the catch He will provide. The "deep" can 

be an uncomfortable place - filled with threats of danger, discomfort, and insecurities...

But when we obey, He's faithful to give all that's necessary - the blessed catch.

Question is,

What do we do with the catch?

•    Disciple widowed/single mammas opened ministry-businesses where they tell testimonies of the Lord's provision to care for their children.

•    Share God's love and redemption with handicapped, orphaned children.

•    Minister in churches on missions, adoption and orphan prevention. 

Asante sana for helping us "go out in the deep" and "teach others to fish."

Let the cycle of the blessed catch continue in Jesus name.

We appreciate your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0

God's working...

Almost two months back in Kenya and it seems time moves faster than the projects we're implementing, but after reviewing images captured by the camera, we're reminded that God does far more than we can imagine. His concern for the poor is cradled in kindness and nurtured through relationships. Our western impatience and preoccupation with effectiveness is learning to yield to the gentle heart of peace.  Even in all of this, God's working... 

Garden Against Hunger

Some of the widowed mammas put the DIGGS teaching on service into practice by preparing the "shamba" for planting.  We're anticipating yummy, homegrown veggies in a few months to share with children at the orphanage.  Feeding the hungry is Jesus name is part of the gospel message. 

 Digging hard earth to cultivate fruit is symbolic of these women's lives.

 Tavin volunteers and the mammas enjoy his help.

 

Meaningful Object Lessons

Imagine precious few years of education where you sneak into class late because chores delayed you... You came in hungry and without shoes to sit on a dirt floor and listen to a teacher for hours... This was the childhood of our DIGGS facilitator trainees who recently learned the value of using object lessons to introduce a topic. We reviewed biblical object lessons and practiced some of our own. With peals of laughter mixed in thoughtful responses, the mammas understood - involving the learner brings greater meaning.   

Gaudencia and Mildred try an exercise about strength and meditating on God's Word.

The women attempt to walk with pebbles in their shoes while sucking on a pieces of candy.

Which do you think got the most attention - the discomfort or the sweetness?

What gets the most attention in your life?

 Needing Miracles

Always, the orphaned children touch us like no other.  In a country twice the size of Nevada, with 2 million orphans, what can we do? Of course, help mammas who are at risk of loosing their children, but what about the abandoned ones who's extended families and rural villages can't be identified?

We been asked by friends in USA to identify an orphanage that needs a nutrition program; that investigation led us to a place of brokeness - 60 kiddos, some desperately sick, in less than adequate facilities. 

 Prayer is their only weapon against evils threatening to steal what little life they still have. 

Will you pray with us?

These children need miracles.

Asante sana for your prayers, encouragement and support.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0