We've Been Lost!

Aye! As I look at the last time we posted I realize we've been lost! That's what they say here in Kenya when you've not been seen around; "You've been lost." That usually follows with a story as to why. Well, here's our story...

We had visitors. Not just anyone visitors (although we had those too) but family and friends from our Pagosa town.  Loved ones who've traveled this mission journey with us through encouragement and support came to share our lives among the poor and experience God's rich blessings.  We've learned some things hosting these great people like the awesome, Silas Thompson; my amazing sister, Vicki Hujus; sweet Shea Johnson; and our "long-timer" return intern, the passionate Casey Crow. The lessons follow in photo form:

 

Silas reminded us that life is never dull. When opportunity presents new friendships, embrace them and always finds ways to express kindness. He made us laugh. He experimented with food and fun. Ministry flowed from him with ease and comfortable conversation never seemed to end. Plans for next summer are in the making. We're pretty sure he'll bring USA friends to meet his Kenyan friends. That's just what Silas does.
 

Shea showed us that first time short term missions trippers can jump in and be useful regardless of the situation. We saw Shea participate with joy. Her humor lightened the burden of neglected children. She kept us aware of prayers for Pagosa, especially the wild fire crisis near South Fork. We also know now that Skype and Ritz crackers are daily staples. We hope Shea follows her desire to come see Kisumu's children again.

 

Having Kiki, Lisa's sister, with us made dreams come true.  Ever since Kiki was a little girl she wanted to travel to Africa, and ever since Lisa followed her call to Kenya, she wanted Kiki to come. But that's not all. We learned that Kiki's thoughtful diligence to service changed teachers, mamas and orphaned children. She kept us smiling as she touch lives with her welcoming ways. Of course we stayed up too late, laughed till we cried, and prayed we minister together again on Kenyan soil. Soon.

 

Casey's back to Kisumu this summer continuing to show us that passion for justice will not be extinguished. Her knowledge, dedication, and willingness to stay teachable reminds us that nothing is impossible with God. Casey's vision to make the voice of those forgotten to be heard is big, but she knows Jesus is bigger. We're grateful to welcome her into our family again. We know our Kenyan friends are delighted to see her  too.

Our time with these precious visitors was full but fast. Their presence created warm connections. Their hard work lightened our load. We're grateful for their service and sacrifice. Mungu awabariki Rafikis. 

Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement!

Hugs form the haugers Ooo0

The Single Mama and the Soap

The mamas brought her to us early last Saturday. 

The sad story escaped slightly, in hushed tones with worried faces.

“Husband abandoned… Floods washed away home… 
gave 10 year old daughter to a pastor for food… 
he won’t give her back… using her… 
she has nothing… please…”

She held her baby close. 

 

The Bible says God shows Himself strong on behalf of the destitute 
who cry out to Him.  He called us to Kenya for this (Psalm 82:3).   
Surely He wants to bring redemption. 
But how did He want to help this young mama who suffered so much? 

We served tea and waited to hear Him speak.

“Soap.” came the Quiet Voice.

“What?” we questioned. 

“Soap.”

The thought settled.

“Ok.” We shrugged and followed, not knowing where, but knowing Who.

We planned to host a liquid soap making training so - then and there - we did. 

She watched…

She got involved…

  

She laughed…

She opened up… sharing struggles, answering questions, revealing hope.

Together, our prayers went before the throne room of Grace.   

We asked for help in time of need.

While Taleah played with the baby, they experimented with the new product. 

Ahh! 

An idea clearly exposed.

                                              

Like the widow with the oil in the Old Testament, (2 Kings 4:1-7) 

we collected jugs and filled them… with soap. 

That rainy evening we sent the women home (dressed like “chocolate smurfs”) 

trusting she could sell the soap to help her family. 

 

She sold the soap. 

She earned enough money to travel to her rural home 

where she can start a small business selling, of course,

 soap.

Please pray as the authorities approach the pastor to release the 
young girl back to her mother.  Please pray he will obey the voice 
of the Lord and act justly. May truth prevail. 

God does so much with so little. He simply asks  - "what do you have?" 
Like the small boy with the fish and bread, like the widow with a jar of oil, 
our tiny possession can be used to bring hope, sustenance, life. 
What can you give God today? 

Asante sana for you prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0

"Same-same"

Processing life in Kenya, as we live among the least, needs God's wisdom.  
Yes, we minister daily - teaching Bible, facilitating scripture-based trainings, 
hosting skills classes, playing and praying with orphaned children. 
Yet... absorbing how life works here, the nuances, the perceptions, the 
cultures of Kenya's 23 tribes hesitantly mixing, brings us to the feet of 
Jesus. Seems we've set up camp at the foot of His merciful throne, 
receiving help in our continuous times of need.

These last couple of months truly tried us: living like itinerant ministers 
for two weeks in Nairobi during the tenuous elections, traveling from 
or to Kisumu (always a "hair-raising" adventure) and getting the news 
that Mark's dad died; our friend here died that same week. We 
battled constant sicknesses, negotiated peace between arguing 
mamas, and confronted a manipulative pastor. 
Lisa's chair broke, which really crimped our schedule. 
Another "hair-raising" trip back to Nairobi to barter for a new one. 

Then, the bizarre experience at a wedding we attended in the slums: 
unpredicted post election violence broke out with automatic weapon fire, 
tear gas and screaming.  The colorful celebration of happy hearts ended 
with us all huddled in the church. Under the cover of darkness, we convoyed 
home. The next morning, while we made pancakes and poured fresh juice, 
the news came - 6 people were killed, 10 wounded.  

For us - raised safe and secure, with healthy families, enjoying pleasures of 
food choices, good education and comfortable homes - participating in
 African life forces us to understand the responsibility to love God with all our hearts, minds and strength and to love our neighbor as our self. We don't 
know why God moved us all the way to Kenya to teach this simple truth.
Maybe to show us the world is our neighbor. That boundaries, prejudice, 
and apathy shouldn't separate His resources, His concern for every heart, 
and His desire to fulfill destinies.

Frequently, the full sense of gratefulness overwhelms us, like at those 
"milestone" moments - a baby's birth, a child's graduation, the time your 
children come to you and say thanks, not for a gift or permission to do 
something, but because they realize love is unconditional, and they've
 been blessed to receive it.   
We're blessed to receive love, from God, from you - our friends and family. 
We're blessed to share that, as Kenyans say,  
"same-same" love with those who are among the least.

Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.

Hugs for the haugers  Ooo0

Overcome

In light of the trials and tragedies these last couple months - ones we've encountered personally, some challenging our calling, others rocking the nations like the Boston Marathon bombing - we bring you a short video clip.  

These kiddos, our little orphaned friends, rescued from death in the slum, 

sing praises to Jesus. 

Makes me wanta keep fighting injustice.

Romans 12:21.

                                         

Overcome.

Asante sana for your prayers, encouragement and support.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0

Mark's dad

A father with his children.

Father, with wet eyes: "My dad died today."

Children, with embraced arms: "Better to have loved a dad 

and grieve his death then to not have one to call dad."

Early Monday morning Mark's dad journeyed home, to heaven,

held in the arms of His Savior.

Please pray for the family.

"Waiters' Serve"

  As we 

"wait" 

for the results of Monday's 

presidential elections to be tallied and announced, we 

"serve" 

 children who were orphaned by violence 

during the last political elections. 

Praying for peace in Kenya - for the sake of the innocent.

 

Welcome the morning with porridge, ugali and prayer.

 

 

Grateful for simple food.

 

  

1st lesson of the day - math with Uno cards.

 2nd lesson - phonics bingo using groundnuts. 

"BINGO!" = eat the ground nuts!

 Face painting fun!

 

 

Roaring for Jesus!

 Can you say, "SMILE?"

 

 Lessons with Mark.

 Art therapy.

 Bible teaching.

 

 Receiving prayer from children who need so much.

 Testimony time.

 Surrounded by God's mercy and grace.

Asante sana for your support, encouragement and prayers.

hugs from the haugers

Giving Back

Sustainable sewing gives back.
It’s learning to create with excellence.
It’s redeeming wounded self-worth.

It knows quality matters,
because all is done for the glory of God.
It’s doing an everyday mundane task
and finding how God wants to use it
to bless another.

It’s not waiting for the some sweet day
when you have something to give away.
It’s giving without getting.
It’s living faith now.

Widowed mamas learn to sew –
measure, mark, pin, thread, stitch. 

Result – 

Fluffy, bright pillows for handicapped, orphaned children. 

BEAUTIFUL! 

 

 Our friend, and seamstress extraordinaire, 

        teaches with humor and expects the best. 

  

  

 

The widowed mamas learn to sew by hand, 

on electric and manual machines.  

 

 A four-legged visitor

interrupts the class.

Pillow delivery = JOY!

 

This project helped six widowed mamas to learn a skill and use it to bless someone else, before they used it to benefit themselves. The project can continue but needs your help.  

•  $200 will buy another manuel sewing machine. (The electric one was barrowed. The manual and sewing supplies were generously provided. Thanks!)
• Dontions will purchase material - cotton katanga at about $2.oo per yard.

 With these items we could teach weekly,

 improving the mamas' skill base and blessing those in need.

Check the paypal bar on the right

Or

Send donation payable to CARE
PO Box 3543, Pagosa Sp. CO 81147

with a sticky note - "CARE4Nations. Sewing."

Asante sana!

Mungu akubariki.

hugs form the haugers Ooo0