New LIFE

Beatrice smiles warmly. She pours milky chai from a green thermos into    clear glass mugs and serves crispy-fresh mandazi.  She looks around her food kiosk with satisfaction.  Her customers appear happy.  This is a new life for Beatrice, one she’s been praying about for a long time...

Beatrice was  born the last child to a second wife in a polygamous family and not educated beyond the sixth level.  She was treated as a servant in the family compound.  Like many Kenyan girls, she married young so her father could claim the dowry. She bore two children – a boy and a girl. Then her husband became very sick and died.  Fear surrounded the man's death, and Beatrice was no longer welcomed in her husband’s homestead.  

Without resources Beatrice journeyed to her rural home and made the difficult decision to leave her children there as she begged some shillings to travel to Kisumu to find work.  While in the bustling town, Beatrice tried selling small vegetables along the road, no one would buy; no one showed her pity; no one even seemed to even see her.  She felt her life had been cursed.  

With nothing left, Beatrice waited at a church.  The pastors found her very thin and sick.  After much prayer she regained her strength and started to follow Jesus. When we met Beatrice she worked as house-help, earning the equivalent of 50 cents a day. She knew God had more for her, more for her children, more for their future.  She began praying for new life.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 9:00 till noon, for 9 weeks, Beatrice attended the DIG training. She learned who Christ is in her and who she is in Him.  She learned about the freedom of forgiveness and how God longed to share the beautiful woman He created her to be.  She worked hard developing a plan with a budget.  She received wise counsel committed to accountability.

Today Beatrice applies her lessons well.  She rises early to walk to the market and gather supplies for the day.  She makes her fire and cooks good food for weary workers in her community. She shares her story of redemption along side soft chapati and beans boiled with sweet onions. Ultimately, Beatrice found more than a ministry/business.  She found new life in Christ.

Please pray for Beatrice.  She’s saving money to secure a home so she can bring her children to live with her. 

Thanks for sharing our journey with these young widowed moms. With their permission we've given you a glimpse of the heartache they endured and the miracles of grace God created.  These stories are the fruit of much labor, prayer, support and encouragement.  It's not easy, but then, we've never known God to do something because it's easy.  God moves because He loves.  He loves even when it's hard.  Thank you for helping us show the Lord's love to these women.  

Next post we'll share about Benta, a young pregnant mom that didn't want to birth her child into poverty, but mercy prevailed...  Thank you for your prayers for Mildred and her son.  Franklin is recovering yet still needs dialysis. She's trusting Jesus that soon you'll be reading her story.  

Asante sana Rafikis!

hugs from the haugers oooo

Asante sana for giving.  

Your gift brings hope... and some silly smiles!

We appreciate all the prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers  oooo

Anne's Blessing

When has a blessing become something we receive that's beyond our basic daily needs?  Many who are reading this don't experience homelessness, hunger or lack of clothing.  In fact, most educate their children with abundant resources.  A majority own vehicles, appliances, and indulge in hobbies and entertainment without pinching budgets much.  But what if...


What if you were not born in a family of means, in a country of influence?  What if you lived in a country besieged by corruption, disease and neglect of human rights?  What if your family didn't value you because of your gender?  Imagine for a moment that you are Anne...


Being part of a large family, Anne grew up in an area overwhelmed by poverty, lack of education being the biggest obstacle to opportunity. With so little land to farm and so many needing to eat, Anne saw her life ending in an abyss of hopelessness.  She wanted more but didn't know how to move out of the vicious cycle of eating the proverbial seed met for planting. She chose a path many young and ambitious Kenyan girls fall prey to - marrying a man who was already married because he promised to send her to school.  As a second wife, Anne's position in the community quickly slipped deeper into the dark abyss.  Her dreams of school were thwarted as second wife duties overwhelmed her - finding water, finding firewood, finding food, but never being able to find enough of anything.  Anne survived slightly above a slave status.  She gave birth to two children; then her husband died.  After his burial, the first wife's family chased Anne and her children away from the compound.  She was denied any inheritance.


Desperation drove Anne to the city where she struggled to provide for her small son and infant daughter.  She arrived at a church that welcomed her, introduced her to Jesus, but could do little to help her life become sustainable.  This was about the same time God let us bring the Discipleship Income-Generating training to Kenya. The pastors introduced us to Anne and a friendship began.  Her desire to learn, grow, and become all God intended mixed beautifully with the DIG program.  Instead of eating the seed, Anne was given the opportunity to receive the education necessary to plant the seed, nurture it and watch it grow into a blessing. 


Today Anne manages a maize business.  Her basic needs are met and for her that's a blessing.  She cherishes the blessing of feeding her children everyday.  She delights in helping feed three orphans whose mother deserted them.  She offers her community a staple grain at a fair price to make the traditional ungali.  Anne shares her story with her neighbors and customers - God provides.  She's been blessed to be a blessing.

As the New Year begins, know that you've been blessed to be a blessing.  The promise Genesis 12:3 passes onto us by faith.  If you live in freedom, use that freedom to help others secure theirs.  If your home is large, welcome those who are lonely.  If your closets and cupboards overflow, look for ways to share.  Do these things with the expectation that whomever you bless will continue to pass it on.  It's because of those who experienced generous giving that Anne can now live generously for others. Who knows what kindness can lead to God's greatest gift of salvation? Blessings indeed!

Please continue to pray for the widowed moms as they walk out the spiritual lessons in practical ways.

We appreciate your encouragement, prayers and support.

hugs from the haugers oooo

W

A thousand thanks for your caring support and encouragement 

as we continue our journey in Kenya.

May the Lord bless you for your kindness towards us.

Jambo Dear Friends.

We received such thoughtful responses to our last update, "Beauty From Ashes," with questions asking how to support the ministry for widows and orphans in Kenya.

Checks can be written to CARE and attach a sticky note that says, "for Kenya."

The mailing address is

CARE 

PO Box 3543

Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Or 

People can donate through PAYPAL by clicking the following link and going to the donate button on the sidebar.

Some of the relationship-based projects donate support  are:

• The Discipleship Income-generating  (DIG) training for widowed moms so they provide for their children and not have to leave them as orphans.
• Orphan Care Character Club - helps orphans with food and teaching about growing in Christ. 
• Bio-sand water filter outreach program - builds water filters in oppressed rural areas and shares the gospel message that Jesus is the Living Water.

Thank you for believing that God's love for the fatherless goes beyond borders by sharing your blessings.

Beauty from Ashes

Lillian surveys her shop with a look of satisfaction. It’s a modest place: white-washed walls enclose the small 5' by 12' area, no windows, but there is electricity and a strong green metal door to secure her new livelihood. Lillian has opened a hair salon in the Kondele slum, a dream she’s hidden in her heart since childhood.


Life has not been kind to Lillian. She grew up in extreme poverty and was married at the young age of 15. She bore three daughters. Shortly after, her husband ran off with a witchcraft woman and no one has seen or heard from him. That was 5 years ago; 5 years of desperately struggling to survive and put food into the mouths of her hungry little girls. The option of placing her children into an orphanage loomed over her head like a threatening cloud, ready to consume her last joy of life – being a mother. But God had other plans for Lillian, plans of good and not evil, to give her a future with hope. 

After participating in the Discipleship Income-Generating (DIG) training, Lillian learned who Christ is in her and who she is in Christ. She’s chosen to live in forgiveness and generosity. Lillian is now managing an emerging ministry enterprise in an oppressed area that longs for redemption. She creates beauty with her hands. Her customers are women like herself, who have very little but will spare a few shillings to sit in her quiet shop and have their hair braided. It’s a place of escape from the ever-demanding days in the slums. Soft voices share stories, testimonies and prayers for a new tomorrow. For Lillian, her new tomorrow has come.

As a young mom leaves the salon, her hair twisted into fine rows down her slender neck, Lillian whispers encouragement and hugs her. Lillian returns to her next customer and looks at me, saying words she never thought possible...

“I am happy.

My girls are eating and going to school.  God has given me a testimony to speak.

I have beauty from ashes.”

The DIG project meets widowed moms at their place of despair, teaches them about the transforming power of Jesus Christ, walks with them through healing, trains them to live sustainably, and helps them procure capital to invest in a ministry/business.  As a result of this, children who would otherwise be given to orphanages can now grow up with moms who love them. The women meet weekly to discuss issues and pray for one another. Together, this group is saving money from their businesses to host another DIG training. Their desire is to bless other abandoned moms as God has blessed them.

Would you please pray for Lillian, Mildred Anne, Benta, Beatrice as they begin their ministry businesses to support their children and share their experiences of God's great grace? 

Mildred needs prayer for her son who is very sick with a kidney disease.

Please also pray as we’re training 4 Kenyan women to facilitate the DIG project in other impoverished areas of Kenya.

DIG - a project of CARE4Nations/CARE defends the cause of widows and orphans in Kenya by providing Christ-centered assistance through relationship-based service.  Our vision is for the Gospel message to minster to widows and orphans in their time of need, freeing them from victimization to live the destiny God intended. 

Asante sana for your prayers and support.

hugs from the haugers  oooo

Joy-filled Air

Our family LOVES to visit Joyland Boarding School for Special Needs. We know this because Tavin and Taleah always ask when can we go there and after we leave, they always ask when we can go again. It might seem strange to enjoy a place that houses children whose crippled bodies just begin to tell their sad stories, but sadness is not where they live. Although violence, pain and rejection stole their innocence, the overwhelming power of God’s grace holds them. Even in the midst of a run-down facility that has no library, no playground, no games, crafts or activities, these kids find joy in simply being; that joy permeates the air. You can read about our last visit to Joyland and see some of our friends. They’ve been looking forward to you!

Dennis met us at the gate. Running along side the car, he showed us where to park. Dennis doesn’t put out his hand for us to shake because he has no arms. Instead, he bows his head for us to touch, and he responds with a sweet smile. Dennis is 9 years old. He writes and draws with ease. He’s also a mischievous clown. While Lisa was giving the kids balloons, so many little hands stretched out wanting one; all of a sudden a small foot reached in, bending it’s toes around a red balloon trying to lift it from the pile. “Dennis!” Lisa teased him, “If you do that again, I’m gonna tickle that foot!” He grinned, bumping his head against her arm.

Churchill doesn’t like to talk. Shyly, he sat by our feet always watching and listening. Hugging a two foot high walking stick, his face holds experiences far beyond his tender four years. We’re guessing he’s four because nobody knows how old Churchill is. He waddled over to receive a yellow balloon from Taleah. He waddled back and finds his spot on the ground, looking at his prize with wonder.

Mark’s new buddy is Benta. She took a shine to him after they sang together, and he handed her a balloon. Benta’s struggles to walk because her legs have no bones below the knee. She loved that Mark patiently helped her move outside where all the fun was happening. Throughout the afternoon she followed Mark, which according to the dorm mamma, was the most Benta’s ever moved around! Benta doesn't speak, but she's constantly humming the music Jesus placed in her heart.

After singing praise songs, bouncing balls and eating sweets, a bunch of us hung around sharing testimonies. Finally Alvin, a tiny guy who wants to be a doctor someday, asked us why we are white and our kids are not. We looked at him with wide-eyed shock. “What!” we exclaimed, “We’re white??? Oh my gosh, when did that happen?” Everyone laughed, and we all sat comfortably in each others' presence, breathing in the joy-filled African air.

Below are some more photos of our day at Joyland. Ask Tavin and David (Carolyne’s son) how the boys with significant physical challenges teamed up to play an exciting game of soccer, till the ball popped!

Please pray as we develop a culturally relevant character club to take into the children homes we visit. Also, for Mark as he meets with his "water team" next Sunday. Lisa starts handing out her "tract" this week and continues working with the widowed mommas to take their spiritual training into practical places. Tavin travels to Nairobi with his school to participate in a track meet at Nyanyo Stadium. Taleah is helping plan a birthday party for Carolyne (who's never celebrated her birthday before). Shhhh! The party is a surprise.

Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers oooo

Ministry Happens

Ministry happens here in Kenya, even when we're not ministering. It's unavoidable. You might think it's because of the overwhelming needs we encounter on a daily basis. Yes, we face poverty, neglect and corruption all the time, but that's not it. We're constantly ministering because of who we are as a family - really. Picture this: Lisa using an electric wheelchair meandering into the market with our chocolate kids, Tavin and Taleah. Everyone stares, especially the men and children. They watch us with curiosity that begs for an explanation. See, there are not many white people here, even less with chocolate kids. There are NO people here with electric wheelchairs! Inevitably, Lisa pauses long enough to talk to those who are brave enough to ask about the chair. It always leads to sharing the gospel.

Now, Lisa's writing a tract that tells about our life in Kenya and how God provided the chair to help her overcome a weakness. She says the chair was a free gift and it provides opportunity to move into places no one imagined she could go. Then, the parallel is drawn; God provides us with a free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ to overcome our weaknesses to sin. He helps us move into places that hold our destinies. The tract shares that we must accept we've sinned and fallen short of God's grace, believe Jesus died and rose again to free us from the bondage of sin, and commit to living the life God intends. It also includes local church contact information. We'll print these tracts next week, complete with pictures and hand them out to our constant crowd of onlookers so we can minister even when we're not! Please pray for us. By the way, Lisa still "hates" the chair, but is glad God gets glory through it!

We're processing how to serve a couple ministries here. One is Joyland - a school for 276 children who come from various homes and orphanages to receive an education. This is a unique school because the kids are physically challenged, many living with significant birth defects that could be better managed if they were in a developed country. In the future, we will be sharing their stories and photos of fun times we spend with them. We’re doing this for a couple of reasons.

One, they asked us to post their pictures because they are proud of who they are and what they can do. Too many people look away when they see a small boy with no arms or a little girl with deformed legs and no hands. These children don’t want to be ignored, nor do they want to be stared at like a freak show. They simply want what other “normal” children get everyday – affirmation for their accomplishments, encouragement to continue working hard, concern for their problems, playfulness and hugs, yeah – plenty of hugs. The other reason we’ll share is because the kids a Joyland are part of our lives. We love them, and we hope they will find a warm place in your heart too.

That’s about all right now.

Below is a photo of our chickens and rooster who also makes ministry of intercession happen by waking us up at 4:30 am everyday to pray! (We’re praying we don’t kill him!)

Also, the lizard on our security wall stayed outside where he belonged. Thank God he didn't snuggle up next to us during the night.

In this photo is a small boy in a torn striped shirt… we’re praying for him… and we don’t now why… but we might have an idea…

Thanks so much for your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers oooo