Christmas for the IDPs

On Christmas Eve day,  my Kenyan friend Jonah went shopping for food at the local Gilani's Supermarket in Nakuru town. He hired a truck and got together some volunteers. (Click all collages for a large view).

Their mission was to visit and encourage some people living in a camp for Internally Displaced Persons outside of Nakuru.  These people live in deep poverty.  That means they do  not have proper housing, jobs or food or clothes.  They live in ragged tents and ramshackle buildings constructed with scraps they have been able to find. They live without water, electricity or basic toilets. It is a miserable and hard life.

Now and then if they are lucky they might get a glimmer of hope through the gifts of strangers like Jonah and those that help him in the missions.

Here are a few photos of the children and the people of the camp.

Children love to be remembered. These small gifts of snacks made them happy at this time of year.

The grownups also love to be encouraged and remembered.  Many of the people in IDP camps once had land, homes, jobs. Now they live like beggars not knowing what will happen to them tomorrow. They are trying very hard to get some kind of compensation and a new start from the governing powers.

They were very happy to receive the gifts.

This is what the spirit of the Christmas season is about.
Bringing joy to others.

Blessings of the season to you.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed, Peaceful Season

I wanted to share something with all my blogging buddies for Christmas. 

Originally it was going to be a Christmas photo, But I came across this video which really "blew me away" and instantly knew this was what I wanted to share with you all.

The song is introduced by David Foster,  Canadian "boy" and well known music producer
and composer and sung by the wonderful Andrea Boccelli and the world reknowned
Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Whether you are a Christian, or not,
I hope that the peace and beauty of this song will bless you.

Enjoy!

Peace, Joy, Love  & Hope,

be unto you.

Wise Words

A lie does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become a lie because nobody sees it.

~ Mahatma Gandhi

 

³¹Then said Jesus ...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  ³²And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 


  ⁵⁰And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.  ⁵¹Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

John 8: 31-32, 50-51


~ Jesus Christ 

Wise Words

It does not matter how slow you go so long as you do not stop.

~ Confucius Hoping you are all enjoying your holiday preparations.

Gift Catalogue - Missions of Hope

Hello friends,

I know you are all busy preparing for Christmas. If you are still considering what to gifts to buy for Christmas, I have some ideas for you. It is becoming more and more popular to purchase charitable gifts on behalf of someone else. We have some great ideas for you through the Missions of Hope. Please take a moment to consider whether any of these gifts would speak to your needs.  It would be also be great if you would feel free to share this post with your friends who may still be looking for Christmas gift ideas

Soon I will do a post on a woman who has been helped by gifts such as these.  Thank you so much for considering these needs.

Merry Christmas and happy shopping!

Orphan & Family Needs

---

$155 to $205 US - School Fees per Boarding student

$25 US School Uniforms per student
$15 US School Shoes per student

$25-50 US monthly for Orphan support

$55 US Family Support

Farm Animals

---

$5 US per chicken
$6 US per rooster 
Just a few hens can help provide eggs and chicks to raise poultry for sale.

$55 US for one goat ($50) + vet inspection ($5)
A goat can provide milk and if two goats of opposite sex are purchased, can provide a simple livelihood for a family.

$800-$1000 US for one high grade cow
A good cow gives quality milk for consumption and for sale.
8 or 10 donors can help to purchase 1 cow.

Agriculture

---

$120 - $250 US for seeds & fertilizer per growing season   For several years, Missions of Hope has planted communal crops (corn, cabbages, potatoes) and given out the harvest to the widows and orphans.  We were unable to do this in the Jan.- March 2011 planting season.  Instead each farmer must find adequate funds for planting. Help us to help them, with the planting in Jan.-Mar. 2011.

Other Suggestions

---

* corn 30 kg  $22.00 US
* oil 1kg  $7.00 US
* beans 5kg $4.00 US
* flour $2.00 US
* onions 2kg $2.00 US
* royco 500 gr $2.00 US
* veggies $3.00 US
* rice 3kg $4.00 US
* meat 2kg $6.00 US
Based on monthly needs per family of 5 members

* $250 US to sponsor 1 mother for small business start-up or to learn a trade

 

* 300 US/yr to help 1 child attend school
OR
* $3000 US to send 1 youth to college/uni.
OR
* $60 US to buy 1 cell phone for pastor or college student
OR
* $10 US/mo. to buy airtime for pastor or student

* misc. $10.00 US (eg. soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, etc.)
Based on monthly needs per family of 5 members

* 1 pit latrine - $60 US
sponsor 1/2 latrine - $30.

* legal title deeds - This need has been met.
OR
* Build 1 Refuge Centre  $15,000 US OR any amount to help get project underway

* blankets n mattresses
$25-$50 US for 2-3 people
OR
*day clothes 1 child $15. US
OR
* medicine n doctor - $20 US

 

 

NOTE:  All prices fluctuate greatly in this time of incredible inflation. We have tried to give accurate costs to the nearest rounded up dollar. These figures will be updated when there is a significant change in prices.

---

DONATE HERE   (See top right of page).

If you wish to donate more than $300. US kindly contact us first by clicking here

Missions of Hope: Mama Linet

I wanted to share this uplifting missions update out of Kenya. (Click on the highlighted title below, to read the post).

"Mama Linet" and little Linet.

Missions of Hope: Mama Linet: Hello friends, I was able to meet Mama Linet on Wednesday of this week. Mama Linet, is of the Luo tribe, like President Obama in USA. She ...

Soft Glow

Lamplight keep on burning while this heart of mine is yearning.
Lamplight keep on burning till this love of yours is mine.

Song: Lamplight (sung by the Bee Gees)

I stand at your gate and the song that I sing is of moonlight.
I stand and I wait for the touch of your hand in the June night.
The roses are sighing a Moonlight Serenade.

Song: Moonlight Serenade  (sung by Carly Simon)

Join Skywatch Friday here for more beautiful skies.

Sponsorship Needed ~ Please Pray

Missions of Hope enrolled Kipngeno in university in Kisii Town, Kenya where he is majoring in pharmaceutical studies.  Kipnegeno waited years after graduating from high school to be able to start university.  Several times we thought we had a donor for him.  Several times our hopes, but more  importantly, Kipngeno's hopes, were dashed because the would-be donors never followed through.

Kipngeno kept busy on the farm while he waited for his time to start university studies.

In September 2011, we took a leap of faith and enrolled Kipngeno in school and have managed to help him through 4 months of student housing and all needs associated with living in a new town and going to university.

The term finishes at the end of December and we are appealing for someone who feels led to help Kipngeno, to come forward.

Are you the one that can help him?  

You would be changing a life for the greater good if you can help.

Jonah pays a visit to Kipngeno. Jonah is on far left, Kipngeno on the far right with his lab coat and stethoscope, a friend of his in the middle. Can you imagine how excited Kipngeno must be?

Once Kipngeno finishes his education he will also be added to the ranks of the medical profession. Kenya is greatly in need of medical personnel.

According to Oxfam,  there were only 14 doctors for every 100,000 people in Kenya in 2006.
There is a critical shortage of doctors and specialists in Kenya.
Food for thought.

You can help publicize this need  by using the share buttons below.

You will never know how one simple act can change someone's life.
If you can help or know someone who can help, financially, then please contact me here.

Photo Credits: Jonah at Missions of Hope

Ever Changing Weather

I was reminiscing about a road trip to visit my mom last Spring. Just look at the ever changing weather and sky in a few short hours. In the case of the bottom photos, it is only a few minutes between photos.

Join Scenic Sundays hosted by the Holleys to see more beautiful scenes from around the world.

Macro Flowers - December 2, 2011

 

These flower photos are from my archives as of course we have no flowers growing here at the moment. You can enjoy more flowers from around the world at Tina's Pic Story and Maia's Macro Flower Saturday.

A Series of Sky Photos from the Spring

Click here for more sky photos from around the world.