An Afternoon in Nyweta

The sun beats down hard on rusty tin roofs as dust dances in tiny cyclone-like-swirls around barefoot children gathered to watch.

It’s water filter delivery day in Nyweta.

Just one water filter installed in this area can serve 50 people. Not only will it help keep them free from waterborne diseases, but it will also save the already overworked mamas time and money – precious fuel like charcoal or wood won’t be used to boil water clean.

Mark and David hoist the cement encasement into the small sewing shop already filled with mamas, colorful material and sewing machines. Everyone stops and curiously stares. I begin sharing the purpose for clean water and the spiritual parallels of a clean heart.

While our activity unfolds, a young girl, severely burned on her chest and with only one eye runs into the shop and giggles. The mamas begin to tease her about something I can’t quite figure out. I catch a few phrases and realize they made her a dress, although she could only pay 100 ksh ($1.00).  She tries it on, receiving a chorus of “Ooo” and “Ahhh,” followed by some tongue clicking approval. She hugs the mamas and skips away clutching her new treasure.

The blaring sun hides behind a relief of rain clouds. I’m quiet, absorbing the extremes of joy and beauty here. We bring a life-saving filter that will meet a great need among the mamas. And these mamas, with their little offering of a simple dress, bring a reason for happiness to an outcast girl.

From potable water that keeps sickness away to a lovely garment for a child who feels far from pretty, God is concerned with both - and everything in between. Matthew 6:25-34.

Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers   

Ooo0o

Kenya Update: July 2015

I’ve been working on a blog post about “inbetween” but realized it would not be finished any time soon so we decided to post praise reports and prayer requests because for us, that’s the most important communicate right now. 

PRAISES!

Visitors…

Friends from Pagosa are like a soothing balm. We thought we’d be traveling back to USA at the end of this month for a furlough but the current adoption crisis finds us here indefinitely. When Jaden Hinger and Jeannne Marie Soniat showed up on our compound, our souls oozed gratefulness. We couldn’t talk to them enough, or show them all we wanted to share, or hear all the stories of home… So thankful to smile at their familiar faces for a week!


Jaden makes everyone feel welcome.


Jeanne Marie's new buddy.


Always having fun.


Lessons on love through croquet.


Trees big enough for the family!


Look what we found...


Another buddy for Jeanne Marie.


Jaden showing the giraffe something interesting...


Sunset drama

More mamas from Women of Worth group (WOW) visited the Joyland kiddos, making Saturday afternoon full of games, face painting, story telling, prayers and praise. Needy Kenyan mamas embracing forgotten Kenyan children creates remarkable relationships. So thankful to know God cares for them all, and we get to organize the meeting of hearts.


Josephine reads with the kids.

Janet mothers little Raila.

Loisa always makes kids smile.


Looks like they will be visiting regularly!

We visited the mamas of Kajulu Women’s Group and gave the washable sanitary pads made by the WOW mamas so orphaned girls won’t miss weeks of valuable education. The mamas continue to read their bibles together and share their faith with others.



The Resource Center has a roof and now we have the photo! So thankful to see the progress! Soon ministry to the surrounding slums will be functioning from this place. Yea God!



We are facilitating a new DIGGS training to six widowed mamas, a pastor’s wife and a married couple with 5 children. They participate in engaging activities that teach who Christ is in them, who they are in Christ, whom did God make them to be, and organizing/planning/budgeting for their futures.


Creating thoughtful responses through art.


Please pray for this recently widowed mama of 3 little ones.


Burning and burying unforgiveness to live in freedom.

Tavin, Taleah and Henry finished school and are happily pursuing hobbies, friends, and ministry at Joyland. They were recruited to help paint biosand filters to deliver to those who need potable water.


Good job!


Taleah's hair on the last day of school. Really.


Peeling aloofas we received from a friend.


Taleah sharing her gift.


Tavin sharing his gift.


Henry sharing his gift.


Washing his car in his Yankees hat. Silly boy!

Adoption continues to be a trial for not only us, but the whole country. The Kenyan Law Society has filed suit with the government presenting the sad case of more overcrowded orphanages and numerous children waiting to be adopted due to the illegal moratorium. We go to court again tomorrow – July 21. We don’t know what to expect. We only know trusting God and speaking for the fatherless is our responsibility.

Please pray for…

• Widowed mamas - keep growing in favor with their neighbors and their businesses as they grow in God. Their testimonies are powerful witnesses used to change the common social view that widows are worthless burdens.
• Joyland children - the school term ends and many are sent back into situations far worse then what they experience at Joyland. May they hold fast to the Word shared with them on Saturdays.
• The DIGGS classes - let Word of Truth take root in their hearts and bring changes necessary to bear good fruit.
• Adoption - to flourish in Kenya and orphans be welcomed home into families that will love them forever.
• Our family - to process delays without judgments and to see God’s provision in many different areas. Continued divine protection and good health.

Let us know how we can pray for you.

Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0o

Update: June 2015 Lessons in Dust and Mud

June 30^th already!  Many of you reading this are watching your summer fly by. We on the other hand don’t even remember it’s summer since the equator weather stays warm.  We only have two seasons – dry and wet, or as we like to call them – dusty and muddy.

With that analogy, we’ll share the dusty and muddy of life here and ways you can pray for us.

The adoption of Henry has been a hot, long, dusty journey. Although we’ve seen God’s hand move amazingly through supportive relationships and timing of Henry’s placement with us, the path to justice for orphans is not for the faint of heart.  We prayerfully, carefully, legally pursued this journey because we felt Holy Spirit leading us. Little did we know our case would be in the midst of a grimy legal battle for the rights of truly abandoned, orphaned children to be placed in caring families approved for adoption. The lines are drawn in the shifting dust with government manipulation on one side and child advocates on the other. We are with the other, standing alongside the Law Society of Kenya and The Law Society of East Africa. The USA embassy in Nairobi is petitioning the Hague to intervene since Kenya is a Hague compliant country for laws governing international adoption.  Even local adoption by Kenyan citizens has stopped. Check the article below to read about a current lawsuit. restore-adoption

Every ministry project goes through muddy seasons, but we’ve noticed it’s actually fun to play in the mud!  Instead of jumping to judgments and becoming critical, we join together and speak truth in love. Issues that threaten conflict arise, but conversation laced with a bit of humor and served up beside sweet hot chai get us all back on the same page and projects continue moving forward. God saves the team from complaining about potential messes, drawing us closer to Him and each other.

Regardless of dust or mud, we are content to keep praising, praying, and believing. Will you join us?

• Please pray the adoption process opens so children are free to be welcomed into loving families. Our next court date is July 7^th.
• It’s Ramadan and as we write this the call to prayer echoes through the evening air. Please pray we effectively share the love of Jesus with our Musl*m neighbors.
• Please pray for the widowed/single mamas of the Women of Worth group and the Kajulu Women’s group to be faithful in studying God’s Word, successful in their businesses, intentional in their parenting, generous in their giving.
• Please pray for the neglected kiddos at Joyland as we keep sharing Jesus with them on Saturday afternoons.
• Thanking God for the progress made on the Resource Center construction. Grateful for the gifts and the local church's sacrificial giving that helped build partitions.
• Please pray for Tavin and Taleah as they take exams the next couple weeks.
• Still waiting on the approved missionary permit renewals…
• Yahoo!  We get to spend next week with Jeanne Marie Soniat and Jaden Hinger. SO EXCITED!!! 

Waiting at one of our many court appointments.

Our dear friend Steve sharing praises at Joyland.

Building the Resource Center together.

Our prayers for dear friends and family are that you to truly enjoy the summer vacation by relaxing in the One whose rest is never ending.

Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers 0ooOo

Colorful Lessons

I watch them draw with unexpected abandon.  Quietly putting color on blank paper, transforming thoughts to images, their resolute expressions speak strong. They are absorbed in the process of creating.  Regardless of the lack of experience with paints and brushes and crayons and markers, their determination to share testimonies of who Christ is compels them.  As always, I ask permission to taking pictures and tell their stories. What I hear humbles my heart.

 

Josephine’s husband died, leaving her to raise two children without support from extended family. She sells vegetables:

“My life is like this tree. Some parts have color. Some do not. If I am deep rooted in Jesus. He can grow sweet fruit like mango to share.”

 

Christine, a member from the church who helps at WOW.

“Life has many storms. Jesus can make those storms useful in our lives and the lives of others.”

 

Jackie, a widow with two children who used to sell glue to street boys but now works as a cook at a street boy ministry.

“The same, same sun is like Jesus. He brings light, makes us warm, grows food. Yes. All this comes from Jesus. Who are we not to worship Him?” Can you make food grow or bring light?”

Simple representations of foundational truths.  Sometimes life becomes so complicated we forget God always provides our needs. We run away from stormy times instead of letting them be funneled through Jesus, our Source of redemption. Good fruit grows when our roots go deep in Him.

Three years ago when I first began meeting with these women - victims of severe neglect, abuses and corruption, I sincerely wondered if change would really happen. Now after time spent building relationships, I’ve seen a change happen in all of us, especially me.

I’ve learned that my story is always part of a bigger one that God is writing.  In this chapter He molds my weakness to strength among Kenyan mamas and He bonds them together in service for others. Their colorful pictures reveal genuine faith and mine is challenged.

This group of mamas have come so far. Each one has a business they use not only to earn money for living but as platforms to share their testimonies of Jesus amazing grace. Their new group venture? Work together to form a catering service called 

"Fruitful Service - serving you with fruits of God's spirit."

If you would like to help them with capital to purchase items necessary to develop their service, please donate through paypal on the side bar.

Also, please keep our adoption process in your prayers.

Thanks for your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0o

May Update: Just A Word...

Just a Word…

Sometimes that’s all it takes to keep you from anxious thoughts, fear, worry, confusion. A word fitly spoken carries soothing peace – the kind of peace that hides you when tempestuous trials pound with vengeance.



I periodically attend a bible study for missionary women. One sunny Thursday afternoon we were discussing hearing the voice of God. The question was asked, “What’s your hardest issue to trust the Lord?” I blurted out, “TIME.”

Time is my love language. When I feel it’s not managed well, I sense trepidation, like a looming storm threatening to destroy opportunities. Insecurity and uncertainty hails down, flooding questions nag me at 3:00 am…

“When will this adoption saga end? Will we be able to travel home together and visit family we’ve not seen in years? Will Tavin be able to finish his senior year in the States and make plans to enter college? When can we apply for Lil Man’s passport and visa? When can we purchase tickets? Will the Resource Center be completed by July? Can we move all our things there? How will it all mesh so it’s completed at the right time?”

In the midst of this tempest, I received two birthday gifts: a watch from Carolyne, a ministry leader and a scripture magnet from our missionary friend, Bev. Imagine my surprise when these two presents combined and God spoke, reminding me…



He is ever faithful. He can be trusted to accomplish His plan on time. He knows my struggles, He sent His Word. It encompasses me with peace. What about you? What encouraging Word hides you in Him?

Thanks for joining us in praying with gratefulness…

May adoption procedures in Kenya resume without complications. Let the social workers, lawyers and judges defend the cause of the fatherless. Our adoption process has another court date – June 10. Appreciating prayers!



Our missionary permits are approved but lost on some bureaucrat's mounded desk. Seriously. Only grace for this one.

A huge thank you to those who sent donations for the Resource Center. We are half way there! (Oops. Forgot to carry my camera to the site.)

Please pray as we deliver water filters next week. May the Lord open hearts to embrace Jesus.

Please pray for the Kajulu mamas and at risk kiddos to overcome sicknesses that invades the village during rainy season. Let them be healed in Jesus name.



Please remember the Joyland students who live in Dadaab refugee camp. Because of continuing terrorist attacks close to Dadaab - a place overflowing with refugees from Sudan and Somalia - Kenya has pending plans to close the camp. These innocent kids will be repatriated to unstable countries filled with violence, and human rights abuses.






Be free to share requests with us so we can trust the Lord with you.
Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.
hugs from the haugers Ooo0o