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

Sharing the Joy

They've pastored a church in Kisumu for 6 years and had never been to Joyland.  

"We know God wants us to go visit the children.  Will you take us?" 

George and Mary ask one Sunday evening when we saw them at the market. 

"Sure! We'd be happy to!" was our reply.  

The church that hosted our DIG training 

(you can read about the widowed moms 

stories on tiltingbalance.blogspot.com.) 

and where Lisa's been teaching on missions wanted to become

INVOLVED!

They wanted to help those who feel helpless.

They wanted to serve the poor.

They wanted to share their blessings. 

 We were sooooo excited to introduce this pastoral couple to our friends at Joyland.

Below are photos of our time together...

Taleah, Tavin, and our neighbor Sally introduce Mama Mary to the children who are more then curious to 

meet new people.

Pastor George gets right to work helping Mark blow up balloons for object lessons on Jesus filling them with His Spirit and shaping them into His design.

Mama Mary leads the children in praise and worship.

The kids nibble on their treats and hold their balloons while sharing testimonies of God's goodness.

  The smiles below tell the rest of the story...

Lisa's good friend Denis refused to look at the 
camera, although he's the one who requested the 
photo be taken of them together. Silly boy! 

Pastor George and Mary plan to bring a team from their church once a month to minister at Joyland.  They also volunteered to purchase new drinking cups for the children since there are not enough for all of them.

"Jambo to everyone!" 

 from the GREAT kids at Joyland!

Asante sana 

for all your prayers, encouragement and support.

hugs from the haugers oooo