June 2011
Kenya, Africa
Hello Friends and Family,
I hope and pray that all is going well in your life. Everything here is going very well!
The last couple months have been very rewarding and busy. I visited my fiancé in Mozambique. Two friends of mine came here, one for a month and the other for a couple weeks. We worked on the water project; adoption issues, Operation Give Hope administration and Nora did student teaching. What a blessing that has all been in my life!
Now, I’m going through a transition as I prepare to get married and go home at the end of July. One of my prayers, before I even came to Kenya, was that whatever work I started, would continue on after I go home. As I look back, I see God has allowed a lot to be accomplished since July of last year. Here are just a few things:
Operation Give Hope (OGH) and Hope Foundation (HF) have logo’s to be identified with.
OGH set up legally as a Kenyan foundation.
OGH and HF have a newsletter and are now set up on email updates for supporters.
OGH and HF set up with an active sponsorship system connecting sponsors to students online. Over 1,500 children have profiles, pictures, and updated report cards online for their sponsors view.
OGH and HF each have a website.
OGH and HF are on facebook.
All of these connection tools are a key to keeping people involved and informed of where God is at work here in Kenya. This work needs to continue through people that live in Kenya. God has brought two wonderful Kenyan young ladies to our attention Liz and Judy. They are smart, ambitious and have a heart for this ministry which will help the children tremendously. Liz and Judy were hired on as of May. We had an official training meeting with them, as well as two key staff members at each of the 6 schools(centers) that are represented under HF and OGH. Lisa, Bobby, Jim, and I all introduced the concept of this new endeavor. We shared what the new roles, responsibilities and job descriptions from everyone there. And we discussed the main objectives, purposes of these new procedures and why they are important to each school, how it will benefit their administration for record keeping, and most importantly keep the sponsors updated and current with their students. Providing a computer for Liz and Judy, plus a printer for Liz is something that is on my heart because it is necessary for the work they are doing for OGH and HF. Please pray that God provides for that. If you’d like to contribute, just send me an email.
When I go home, I will be continuing work for OGH and HF. There’s so much to keep up on.
In addition to that I’ve had the opportunity to lead many teen bible studies throughout the year. This stretched me. I’ve never been one to talk much during a bible study, more less lead them. However, God allowed it to be an experience that helped me grow and fall in love with the teens here.
Another major project that’s been dear to my heart is a place called Tumaini. Tumaini Bapist Academy is a small school in a far off village. There are about 120 students there. The classrooms are mud huts, dirty floors, there are no bathrooms (only a very shabby and open pit latrine), no desks, minimal supplies.. and you get the picture. It’s a very poor area. On the same token, it’s a beautiful area.. there is a lush, green, small mountain in the scenery. There are beautiful trees everywhere. The people in the community and at the school are warm, welcoming, and rewarding to be around.
Behind the school is a small man created pond. This is the water source for the nearby community. The water is very dirty, making people sick… and there are about 3 crocodiles in the water. I’ve seen two of them personally! Imagine drinking water from that! We’ve been exploring ways to get a more reliable and clean water source to them. However, many unforeseen challenges have come along the way. There are two options we’re looking at now, either putting in a borehole, or tanks for rain harvesting. Both of those options have their ups and downs. Either of them would be a much better solution to the water source they currently have. Once we’ve evaluated the best solution, we’ll move forward with it, God willing. We are selling t-shirts for around $15 to raise funds for the water project.
I’m thankful to have the opportunity to work do some work there. I’ve learned a lot about community development and am still learning. I’ve been working with Kenyans that know a lot about implementing projects to help that area.
I feel like I’ve written a novel, ha ha! Maybe you made it to the end, or just caught the beginning. Either way, I’m thankful for the time you took to learn about my time in Kenya.
Ways you can help:
Purchase a t-shirt for the water project
Contribute a small amount to help us get computers and printers for the use of The Hope Foundation and Operation Give Hope.
I praise God for all that he has allowed over the past year. All that He’s set up, the people he’s provided to come along side and help, the resources He’s provided, the circumstances He’s set up and the work He’s allowed me to do. It’s an amazing journey walking with Him!
It’s hard to describe how honored and privileged I feel to have this amazing opportunity to work in Kenya for the sake of Kenyan children… and to have so much support from everyone in the process.
Thank you all for your love, support and prayers!
Please pray that the rest of my time here is blessed, and well spent!
Much love to you and your families! Can’t wait to see you all at home soon!
Kristen Missiaen (soon to be Pettigrew)
