My friend Melissa, Lisa and I all traveled to Kenya recently. We had a long journey in the plane and a warm welcome upon landing. It’s been a week in Kenya already! It’s hard to explain how GOOD it is to be back. Kenya is one of my favorite places in the world. I have enjoyed greeting all of my friends and acquaintances whom I have not seen in a year and a half. Especially my friend Liz... She’s an amazing friend! My first day here she surprised me with a dozen flowers and a cake that was a congrats for my graduation, birthday, and soon to be mommy. Between that and having a student named Mbeyu give me a bunch of notes that she’s been writing to me for the past year and a half… I had many tears of happiness to say the least!

We took about 70 children from grade 6 on a field trip to the zoo. Each helper had 3 to 4 children assigned to them as we toured through. I was amazed to see the excitement and surprise the kids showed the entire day. They were seeing many animals for the first time in their lives, such as; giraffes, crocodiles, very large tortoises, monkeys, buffalo, hippo’s, fish, and other animals. The children were thrilled and full of giggling as they felt the giraffe’s course tongue lick their hands as they held out food. At the end of the day there were many hugs as the children went back home!

We had an extraordinary community outreach day for the village of Vipingo at Crossroads Academy. This day is highly anticipated by the Fox River Church team and the community members in Vipingo each year since 2007. There are many activities going on with food for all! We were able to connect with many children during this outreach festival.

I would like to share something really touched my heart that day. As it started to rain, everyone ran for shelter. My friend Melissa and I ran toward the full building when a man with an umbrella offered to have us stand under the umbrella with him and his family. We introduced ourselves. He had four adorable girls with him, two that were twin babies and two that were in primary. From my understanding, he is the uncle of the two older girls. He and his wife take care of the girls because they have no parents.

They consider it a blessing to care for the sweet girls. Later in the day, one of the girls asked for my email and we exchanged information. Toward the end of the day, I learned they had spoken with the President of MANNA Worldwide who invited the girls to attend Crossroads Academy. I started talking to the girls and their family about this amazing news. They were so excited as if they had won the lottery! I look forward to further communication with the family to see how this news impacts their life. I’m still so amazed by how much these schools/centers impact each family, emotionally, spiritually, academically and physically. There is a long waiting list for those in the community who want to go to each of these centers. Below is a picture of the twins!

As always, I’ve had the privilege of working on building a bridge between America and Africa by updating student profiles for sponsors and am looking forward to gathering more information for the websites and student/sponsor online system. My prayer is that people can see where God is at work in Kenya and know that their child sponsorship's, prayers, and considerations for these ministries are having an impact. Liz, Melissa, Lisa, and I will continue this endeavor for the rest of this trip and after! I’m so thankful that God has given me the gift of this work.

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)

Update

I have some good news to report. Maybe you remember in a couple of my updates, I asked for prayer about packets that were mailed out with information of sponsoring a child through Operation Give Hope. Those prayers were heard. Many people responded! A generous amount of extra funding came in for the children. Thank you for the prayers!!!

There is a water project I’m working on currently, as I mentioned in the last update. A community about an hour and a half from where I stay is in desperate need for clean water. The water they use is very unsanitary. Rotary clubs are in discussion and have taken an interest in helping to drill a borehole for this area. They brought up the issue of long-term contact and community involvement. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to speak with someone that has much experience in this sort of endeavor. He has given me the steps and connections to move forward. Here’s a short briefing on what I’ve learned: I will need to involve Kenya Water for Health Organization (KWAHO-- http://www.kwaho.org/), the village pastor, and chief to start developing an action plan. The goal will be for the chief to set up a community meeting, called a baraza. The pastor & the chief informing the individuals of the water project and how they can be a part. KWAHO would introduce aspects of sanitation and hygiene. During the baraza, the community would select individuals to be on a committee. The committee would manage and operate the borehole long-term and be the voice of the people. They would be trained by professionals about group dynamics such as leadership, conflict management, basic bookkeeping, their responsibilities, and roles. These efforts are in hopes, and prayers that the funding comes through for this borehole. I believe it can happen ~ God does amazing things! Please pray with me for this community, for these steps, for funding, and for a passion from all individuals involved.

Another amazing set-up, that I believe God provided through people here in Kenya and help from back home… We’ve been seeking ways to put this together a custom designed website for Operation Give Hope. After speaking with the person who made our database system, he came up with a good solution. I could design a template in photoshop, put together content, pictures, video clips, etc. Then I give him the info, he and a friend produce it into a website and host it. Within a week or two this will be up and running!

Next week Friday, a medical team of doctors, nurses, EMT’s a dentist and other volunteers will be arriving. They will be going to three centers, giving each child a through medical exam. The blessing this will bring to the children is incredible. Community members will also have an opportunity to see the doctors. I’m anticipating their arrival!

God Bless you! Thank you for all the support, prayers and thoughts.
Love,
Kristen

You know, years ago I had a thought that many people have… if I give Christ control in my life, it will be boring, or their will be things He wants me to give up that I don’t want to give up and I’m not willing to do that, or maybe it will hurt me somehow. Looking back, 3 and a half years ago I made a choice to entrust my life to Him, to surrender it to Him and give up those things that I was previously unwilling.

He did ask me to give up a lot of things, some of them were painful, some were uncomfortable… but, God is God and He knows a path way better than I do. He’s replaced anything I ‘gave up’ with something WAY better!!!! Seriously – it’s just incredible! I’ve seen Him guide every step of the path, it’s an awesome journey, anything but boring. He’s brought me through things that have broken my heart.. but in the end shaped it and gave it purpose which has been totally priceless. He’s blessed me abundantly with a life that has been adventuresome, beautiful, healing, and creative in ways that I could have never fashioned myself. He’s writing the story. A story that I love. He shocks me, surprises me, amazes me, fills me through the good and the bad… I’ve learned to thank Him in the highs and in the lows – He deserves my praises – circumstance is irrelevant.

If you’re ever wondering, as I have so many times – “Should I really give Him full control – even in ‘that’ area ... what if this and what if that?” Please, without question, without hesitation, with a fully willing heart… Just dive in! Let Him control the results of what He’s asking you to do - even if it hurts... the end result is something you don't want to miss. God is just as much there when we say yes as when we say no – but His workings are fruitful, abundant, lasting when the answer is yes. Then we experience Him!

… I love Him. I thank Him. So many of you have been a part of the surprises, lessons, amazement and the workings God has done in my life - you've been part of me experiencing Him.

One of God’s great workings in my life was just here about one week ago. Jerry!!!!!!! He proposed within about 5 seconds of our first time seeing each other in about 5 months! We are planning a wedding here in Kenya on July 27th!! Sooo Exciting! I'm THRILLED to spend the rest of my life with such a wonderful man. Thank you, Thank you God!!

Most recently I’ve had the opportunity to work on a water project for a community that is suffering from the absence of clean water. We’re corresponding with Rotaries in the states and in Kenya to form a unity between the clubs to help bring a bore-hole (similar to a well) to this community so they can have access to good healthy water. I’m thanking God for the response of the Rotarians. So far, a Rotary club here in Kenya nearest the site location is willing to host the water project. They will help deal with the logistics. That commitment was needed for the Rotary clubs in the states to consider taking on this project. Currently Rotaries in the states are discussing the possibility of moving forward. One of the Rotary presidents said she wants to, “run with ball”! So that is really exciting news! Please pray that this progression keeps moving forward and quickly! You can see footage on the YouTube link below.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_RR7Ya2BYg

On Christmas day my fiancé (I like being able to say fiancé..haha) and I went to three of the schools! We took pictures of their Christmas party. The kids were so happy!! When we showed up to one of the centers, our friend Paul told Jerry that he informed the kids that a guest speaker was going to give them a Christmas story! Ha ha… it was funny… Jerry did not expect it, but gave a good story to a whole bunch of kids. While we were driving to the centers, I could not help but think about how many children we were passing in the villages that have no clue what Christmas is about. No Christ - No gifts – No celebration. It’s a sobering thought. But I love being able to see all the kids that would have never had that opportunity to have Christmas, having it because of supporters in America!!!





Much love to you...HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love,
Kristen

October, 2010

Kenya, Africa

October has been a challenging and rewarding month at the same time!!

I was blessed with the opportunity to have a dear friend from the states here for a couple of weeks. All of our days were so full of a variety of projects. We also had the opportunity to meet with some lawyers and government officials. Carrie is a lawyer and she is interested in getting involved with adoption in Kenya. It’s so hard to adopt here. Carrie wants to see what she can do to help ease the process. We were trying to meet the Chief of Justice in Nairobi; however, he sent someone in his place. Later, we learned that the person sent in his place was the Head of Intelligence. He wanted to make sure that Carrie had good intentions. It was such a cool experience!


It was so cool because we were in the building that peace was made a couple years ago for Kenya. There was so much political violence and danger after the 2007 elections (due to corruption in the elections). The current president Kibaki and the man he was running against met at this building to make peace. After their meet, peace was made between the fighting people groups (tribes) and a new constitution was on the horizon. The constitution was just voted on this Aug, it went though and will bring a lot of good to the people here. The place we were sitting is where a new hope was formed for Kenya!!!!

We also met a man that may help connect me with people to do a fundraiser here in Kenya for the Operation Give Hope project. And we met a lawyer that is in the process of making OGH a Kenyan foundation - Perfect timing. I do have one big prayer request. Jim and Susie are in the states; before they left we produced about 1000 packets to mail out to their support base. The packets have all the details on the launch of Operation Give Hope, plus a DVD. The packets just went out this week! I am so excited! Please pray that this will touch hearts. I will keep you updated. This has the potential to help MANY children in a HUGE way!

Here is Carrie’s blog of the time she spent here and her upcoming plans. http://carrieslifeinkenya.blogspot.com/

I was a bit challenged this month because of some of the news that I hear. Before, while in the states, I could always turn off the news channel. I did that because, like many of us, it’s hard for me to hear of the bad things that happen in this world. However, now, even though I don’t hear the news channel… I hear news from people I know. A very dear missionary family was robbed and it was an inside job (I thank God they were not hurt). There have been other robberies in the area where people have been hurt. In the villages there are a lot of witch doctors that do horrible things to others, some of which friends of friends have been affected. This is news that I can’t turn off, because it’s right around me. Maybe it was selfish for me to turn off the news in the past. When other people are hurt, my heart breaks. However, there is some sort of value from a broken heart. In fact, that’s what brought me here in the first place. Sometimes for change to occur our hearts have to break for other peoples problems – because it makes us act.

God is at work in AMAZING ways here in Kenya, fighting against that kind of injustice… by raising up a generation of children who have a heart for Christ. He is the only one who can build their hearts in a way to shine brightly in this world…

Here's an example! The letter is from the girl to the left below!!






If you'd like to hear more, there are some newsletters I can send you. Just request it and I'll forward.


I miss you all a lot! <3 THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for your support!

Love,
Kristen
Thank you for reading about Kenya!

MOMBASA

September 2010
Kenya, Africa

A couple missionary friends (Simone, Lisa B. and Lisa M.) and I started working on quite a project!!! The project is to gather student bios, pictures, family, home description and other information. All this information is put into a data base system. This will eventually give child sponsors the capability to view their childs information and picture online.

While we went to the schools to start this work, Lisa M., a nurse, volunteered to do a medical exam on each student. The most common problems were scabies and ring worm. Thankfully we had treatments that were donated to use for these children.

We successfully completed at two schools. This consists of about 500 children. It was fun learning about the personalities of the students, hearing what activities they enjoy, what their favorite subjects are and what sports they like. A lot of the kids speak multiple languages, English, Swahili and their mother tongue (tribal language).

All of the children live in homes with no running water. They have to fetch water at a borehole, well, pond or tap somewhere in the community. These children certainly have a lot of chores and 'to do’s' just to take care of their basic needs. They grow up quickly. Most of the children live in homes that do not have toilets. They either use a bush, or a pit latrine (hole in the ground). For cooking, many families use three stones with firewood in the middle while placing a pot on top. I’ve seen men, women and children carrying huge loads of firewood on their backs. Some use jiko’s with charcoal to cook. Houses are generally made of either, stone, sand, cement or mud and wood. Roofs are generally iron sheets or makuti (leaves from coconut trees).

I talked to a teacher about one of the students that is an orphan. I asked her who he lives with. Many times orphans will live with other family members such as an aunt, uncle or grandparents. However, he lives in a house with other boys that are orphans. He takes care of these other boys that are younger than him. Twelve years old and already a dad.

Hearing about his living situation made me think of my own niece and nephew who are that age. I simply can’t picture them living without their parents while taking care of other orphans, and struggling with basic needs. The thought breaks my heart.

What a courageous and strong boy this is! I am thankful that he and the others that live with him are able to go to the school. They can feel support from the other children, the teachers, the pastor, etc. God can give them Hope during this difficult childhood.

I want to thank you all for your prayers and support. Thank you for notes on fb and emails of encouragement. That always means a lot to me and brightens up my days. Thank you for helping me get here to do this work for these lovely kids. I truly could not be here without all this support!!!

Love,
Kristen

2nd Month Update

This month has been very good!! I’ve had so many fun projects to work on that have kept me really busy! The projects have been for Operation Give Hope (OGH) and the Hope Foundation. Operating under these are a few centers that feed, educate and teach Biblical truth to children living in extreme poverty. It is my job to make OGH an official Kenyan foundation and help organize a sponsorship program and communication tools for OGH and the Hope Foundation.

This last month my time has been dedicated to designing logos, brochures, newsletters and a DVD. My hope is that God will use these tools to touch the hearts of people in America. And those that have a heart to help out in Africa will have an outlet to do that. I think it’s easy for sponsors to gladly and generously pay money to help children, without really think about what it’s actually doing. I know that through experience. Previously when I’d sponsored children before coming to Kenya, I was happy to pay for it, but I did not realize the full impact. Now that I’ve been to Africa I can see first hand just how much the kid’s lives are forever changed. My hope is to share that with fellow supporters.

My church back home, Fox River, is a perfect example of what GREAT things can happen when a church congregation puts their heart into a particular mission. I’m amazed and inspired through the example of so many people at Fox River that have their hearts fixed here in Vipingo and Bomani, Kenya. I have the privilege of seeing the 400 children that have been helped and changed through our congregation and leadership! http://foxriverchristian.org/

Just this week while in the village of Vipingo, I was hanging out with some youth for a bible study that we just started. One of the teens (13 or 14 yrs old) had her two little sisters with her. Both of the little sisters are identical twins. One of them is in the picture on this email. They are just the cutest little girls. One of them came up to me and took my hand, then sat in my lap. I just wanted to squeeze her! My goodness! Both of these girls have a good chance to end up at the center in Vipingo in the kindergarten class next year. I’m so excited for that, because I think of where they live, how little they have and observe they are likely raised by their teen sister (who is in the bible study). I know that if they get a chance at the center in Vipingo, they will have a chance in life, in a way that would be nearly impossible if they can’t attend there. They will have Hope and the ability to reach their potential.

Prayer requests:

Please pray with me for the teens in Bible study. We are doing a study called ‘Experiencing God’ by Henry Blackaby. My prayer is their friendship with God will come to an entire new level and that they will learn what God’s will is. I also pray they can learn to live with purpose, passion for Him and direction. That they will know how to make wise decisions so they can have a wholesome life.

Please pray with me for the 1000 packets that Jim and Susie will send out with a newsletter, brochure and DVD. Pray that God uses them in a way that glorifies Him and reaches hearts to save His children.

Please thank Him with me for the resources He provided to make it possible to do the DVD, make the brochures, newsletters, online database, etc.
I’ve been amazed at how God has provided all the tools I’ve needed to work on all these projects (It’s been a common theme in my walk with Him). To start with, while I was in the states, I did not have a computer or a printer; however, a dear friend purchased one for me. That is what I am using today! Another friend kindly put a program on my computer that I NEED to be able to make brochures and newsletters. And right before I started the DVD project, a Kenyan friend, put a program on my computer that allows me to compose videos. Also, while I was traveling with Bobby and Lisa, they introduced me to a Christian song artist named Jennifer Shaw. She kindly donated her song in support of the ministry here. That is the song on the DVD. A friend here created a database system for us that is exactly customized to the needs of a current project. Prior to coming to Kenya, my friend, helped prepare me with a mission and vision for my time here. All of these and very many more are the amazing things that God positioned in my life and brought together that lead up to today. God is a great composer! He always brings us what we need. And I can never stop thanking Him and all of you for the help!


Treasuring your prayers,
Kristen Missiaen

Enjoy the DVD on you tube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT7Rer5GMUg