Sunday, June 17, 2012

SPeCIaL DeLIvErY

It came!
It finally came!
The long awaited shipment 
of donated school supplies and resources.
And was it worth it?  
You betcha!
So many of the gently used items are 
very expensive here and very poor quality 
or not available at all.  
The church in Momboleo
is going start THE BEST school.  
Do you know why? 
Because God said 
He would make sure the poor are cared for.
(Do a scripture study on helping the poor!)

Below are photos of the 
SPeCIaL DeLIvErY
and the story of how God brought it all together 
for the least of these.
(Matt 25:31- 46)

Two years ago we sat in a sweltering cafe, 
drinking mango juice with Pastor Jeremiah.
He shared how difficult it was to minister in a needy community when the church itself had so little.  
We discussed an idea...
  
What if we found donors and donations to match 
what the church raised and do a project that would 
bless the community in Jesus name?

We committed everything to God in prayer 
and traveled home.  
It would take two years to see God's plan unfold...

First, Jeremiah's church faithfully gave 
to construct a sturdy tin structure.

People stateside donated funds used to build 
a pit latrine and construct a fence 
(both necessary to start a school in Kenya).

Pagosa Springs students generously filled boxes with 
 books, binders, pencils, pens, markers, crayons, rulers,
paper, erasers, glue, and all sorts of supplies 
left over from the school term.

Friends from various churches gathered curriculum, resources, manipulatives and teaching aids.

More great friends transported the supplies to a safe place 
for storage that was provided by another great friend.

And even more great friends packed the donated shipping crates, counting and catagorizing each and every item.

Then, 
we waited... and prayed... and waited... and prayed.
Scripture says it's a good thing to wait on the Lord so we encouraged ourselves with those words. 
Waiting.. praying... waiting some more...always praying.

FINALLY
after refusing to pay bribes and experiencing daily delays  
the shipment arrived! 
Contagious excitement invaded in the community.  
Masai warriors helped unload the truck.
Different tribes working together for God's glory.

The line of cooperation brings boxes 
into the church.

So many supplies in a place 
that never experienced such things.

Sharing with the delivery men -  a m*slim 
 was in awe of the teamwork and unity.

The value of books... 
Everyone stops to look with wonder at God's provision. 
(Books here, even paperbacks, 
are scarce and usually cost 20usd each.)

Children gratefully embrace something
they don't have - toys.

Because of what God did and the way He did it, 
people asked for prayer in Jesus name.
(Our motto - Kingdom equation: Biblical Development + Evangelism = Sharing the Gospel)


Soon, a Christian school starts in this building by local believers - a blessing to the community.

This SPeCIaL DeLIvErY came through God's people working together - from small town USA to rural Kenya, 
from believers at different churches to believers from
different tribes, from Pagosa students and friends 
to forgotten children.  
And one great Asian in California who helped connect 
it through oceans and continents.

Asante sana.
You all made it a SPeCIaL DeLIvErY indeed!

hugs from the haugers O0ooo

Thursday, June 7, 2012

What do you LOV?

LOV
living in Kenya... 
LOV
 that we're coming state-side in July to hug family and friends!  
LOV
 that God's leading us back to Kenya to keep
loving widows and orphans in Jesus' name.
              
The Lord led us to commit a year of our lives to serve orphans and widows in Kisumu, Kenya. That commitment comes to an end; but our time here has not.  
Because of your prayers, support and encouragement, we’ve seen His handed extended through ours. 
We LOV that...
  • True orphans embraced with care while families are found from local churches to welcome them home. 
  • 14 widows discipled to live for Christ and empowered to raise their children instead of placing them in orphanages. 
  • DIG trainings can continue in three local churches with Kenyan facilitators. 
  • A Christian school prepares to open in a rural area to serve the poor. 
  • Missions’ messages taught monthly in a Kondele church. 
  • The gospel shared through tracts, conversations, but mostly living with those who do not know a Heavenly Father full of mercy and grace. 
We feel deep gratitude for the work God has done in Kisumu among the oppressed. We sense He’s not done sharing who He made us to be. Holy Spirit’s tug gently pulls us into new projects that will multiply His influence in the lives of those forgotten.                 Many have asked us, 




“Why Kenya? 
Why don’t you work in USA where the needs are many?” 
Our answer is, 
"We’re called. 
We've ministered for years in the States
and when Father God equips for service, 
you don’t argue location.
It’s best to just say, 
'Yes. Here I am. Send me.' ” 
Other questions we’ve been asked are, 
“What’s next and how can we help?” 
Answer: 
"Read on"...
Many widowed mammas here come from very difficult places - a culture that practices polygamy and devalues females, lack of education, lack of resources, severe neglect and abandonment. The vision is to create a resource center that minister to these mammas holistically and trains churches to do the same. We will offer Bible studies, skills training, DIG seminars, parenting classes and reproductive health teaching and child care. We LOV to see more women prepared to serve their communities by finding their positions in God’s kingdom. We LOV for churches to be ready to assist the overwhelming population of widows and single moms that timidly hang on the fringes of community.





We will also offer adoption information to churches and orphanages so they can advocate for families to adopt parentless children. We plan to train caregivers in child development, and methods to practice strong bonding and attachment activities. Providing these services can keep vulnerable children from becoming 
victims of neglect and institutionalization.  
LOV!
         
Continuing with water purification and visiting disabled children are on the agenda. 

LOV some more!








Last but not least, our family is actively pursuing foster/adoption of a 3-year old true orphan (totally abandoned at birth) with mild cerebral palsy. The daunting process has numerous obstacles but we’re plowing forward.
                                                (Notice the heart-shaped mark on his face
                                                       from his very 1st ice cream cone.)
 This little guy NEEDS A FAMILY! 
 We would LOV to be that family! 


          3 ways you can help us to LOV:




  • Commit to defending the cause of the oppressed through prayer. 
  • Give to start/operate the resource center. We are half way there but need sponsors to donate towards equipment and resources. Any size gift will help. Total start up: estimated at $3,994.Total monthly management: estimated at $2,140. 
  • People willing to serve short term or long term in evangelistic based development. 
We’ll be back in the states mid-July for 2 months. We would LOV to visit at your church, organization, bible study or simply share over an American mocha... and maybe some of Sarah's cupcakes... or Kevin's chocolate chip cookies... or even George's granola... mmmm! See ya soon!

Contact us at mlthauger@hotmail.com


LOV n hugs from the haugers oooo