Kenya Update - December 2009

Dear Friends, Sponsors, & Intercessors,

What a delight to bring you an updated report of what is happening in the village of Bura and the orphanage and high school.

The children in the orphanage are well, and we have grown in numbers as some of the orphans attending our new high school are boarding there as well.

There are a total of 58 orphans, 36 of these are small children and the rest are of high school age. As well as these young children, we are daily bringing in a number of children from this community to receive primary education and food.

As you all know, these little ones and those who are orphans attending the high school, are dependent on your giving and your sponsorship. Thank you so much for your faithful, monthly giving, so that the children can depend on food, and a home with love and supervision from the widows.

The new high school now boasts 85 students with many more clamouring to be allowed to register. Therefore we are embarking on a extension to the school and Dickson and team are getting ready to pour a foundation. This is an area for prayer and funding. We are happy to report that they do now have, a dining hall, staff room, storage room, a room for the cook, and an office for the principal.

Please understand these are understated, and basic, but nevertheless, adequate, and we give thanks for each and every room and improvement. There are new chairs in the school, (plastic) three second -hand laptop computers, some basic lab equipment for the science class, as this is essential for the gov't. approval and also some new or updated washroom facilities. All of these items were required by the Kenyan gov't to meet the standards required for high school education.

The teachers have been tested and their standard has been found to be at the university graduate level. All of these met requirements are a tremendous blessing to those attending the school.

As you might recall, we were waiting for reports from Living Waters in our last update. But in the meantime, we have learned as well as Living Waters, that we must have 3-phase power to run the well. The team in Bura are regularly inquiring of the authorities re. the power hook up and are hoping to have power by December. Again, though we have already paid for the power hook up, 3-phase power will cost extra...so again this is an area for prayer and funding. The reason that we need the 3-phase power is due to the depth of the well, and the amount of power to power the electrical pump.

We are trusting that the fruit farm will be in our name by the time we send out our next update. We have been working diligently for some time with the lawyers in Nairobi, and though things are going well, please pray about the Akuna Matata! We forget how rushed our lifestyle is in North America until something like this purchase takes place, and we realize or at least begin to learn to appreciate the differences in cultures and the blessing it can be to us with lots of time to pray and learn patience.

Our new manager, Edward, ( some of you heard from him recently re. the need for rain and God's answer to that prayer) is thrilled to be getting things prepared as best as he can at the farm.

Please note that while there has been some rain in Bura, they need much more as Edward has had to re-plant some of the crops and there is the need to store rainwater in the large tanks, for daily use as well. This would be a huge blessing to the farm and school and orphanage to be able to buy another tank to store the rainwater, until the well is working and even after it is, for an extra water source.

In regards to the fruit crop, we hope that the fruit that is left after the drought, will be ripe after Dec. and will produce a small amount of revenue to at least offset the costs of the maize and bean crops as well as vegetables that have been planted to feed the children. Please pray for this fruit to grow and multiply as well as the crops.

I am sorry to report that there are only 4 cows left. Two died due to the drought. There are six goats and some of these were traded for chickens. The chickens were too old and they are hoping to buy some new hens in the New Year.

We hope this information and description will help to color a picture in your minds, of the village and what is currently taking place.

But we have an excited team of ten, preparing themselves as well as the team in Kenya, for a working visit in January. We will tenatively leave on the 16th, returning on the 2nd of Feb. There is much to do and yet so much already to give thanks about.

The Kenyan team will be spending some real quality time with our team to learn about the Father's Heart message, which will include sessions of healing for all. This is a tremendous blessing as they plan to meet team with team for the teaching and not only learn but practise, what they learn. Dickson has assured us he will lead his team into this time.

Afterwards we will also meet and teach a group of pastors who have formed an association with Dickson, and are closely connected. Yeah! This is so great as they too will hear much of the same teaching.

We have also felt that Father has asked us to meet with the elders of the village to thank them for allowing us to work within their community and to honor them for this. Dickson is so excited about this meeting and has assured us that they want to meet with us, as well as some government officials and local councelors. We know this meeting in particular is ordained.

We also have felt strongly that we are to hold a feast in the village and invite all those around to "come and eat" and already have an estimate for the village of Bura and two other villages. For two bulls, one cow, oil for cooking, 5000 orange juices, and rice, this will cost us approx. $ 1700.00 . The elders and government officials would like to attend as well.

We are also collecting clothing that we can give out at this feast to the orphans. If you can help in any way with the feast of love for Bura, we would be thrilled to receive it on their behalf.

As you can see, or should I say read, there are a variety of ways you can help tangibly or prayerfully or both.

Some of the team need sponsors for this working trip to the orphanage. There are a number of things outlined in this letter, such a water tanks, school extension, helping with the feast for the community, bringing pastors to the seminar, or the Christmas gift for the children at the Heartbeat Children's Home.

The Lord is extending His territory and we are running to keep up. His love knows no bounds and His mercy is so great. We are priviledged to be working with each of you, and want to thank you for all of your contributions over this past year. We hope that your own Christmas in Canada will be so much richer for the benefits you have sown in the lives of the children of Bura.

Won't you take a moment and consider how your gift this Christmas will make such a difference to others in Africa? Please know that each gift you make is tax deductible and we are happy to send you a receipt as long as we have your address and postal code. Please note we are registered with paypal to make your giving easier at www.heartbeatministries.ca Or you may send a cheque to Heartbeat Ministries, 95 Loggen Road, Lower Sackville, N.S. B4E 1V8.

We wish to thank you on behalf of all the children whose lives are being changed as a result of your giving, from the Kenya team who work so very hard to see their vision come to pass, and from all of us at Heartbeat. Many blessings for this Christmas season and into the New Year.

With loving gratitude,

Charlie & Elaine / for the team Heartbeat

Orphanage Project - click here