Winter Wonderland & Hope for Kenyan Girls

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For the first time in years, Ohio has been a winter wonderland!  The children of Sidney had a real treat for their Christmas break.  Jody and I encountered the older crowd of snow borders as well as the little guys on sleds as we ventured out into the snow! One small boy even offered to let us use his sled for a run.

Although we have been enjoying our visit with family and friends, we always hold in our hearts our orphan girls back in Kenya.  


Our first week back in the States we sold $700.00 in hand-crafted Kenyan jewelry, scarves, and even sandals!  Our proceeds will be used to help the aunts of our orphans to start their own small businesses. Our brother Jeremy, has graciously offered to be a distributor for our African products that the aunties will be making.  

God also surprised us with a friends' double portion of harvest this year!  A dear friend who has such a huge impact on the teens in Sidney, Ohio owns a farm which produced double the amount than the previous year. And from her harvest we were able to send Esther, one of our teenage orphans, to school for the entire year of 2013!

Now God has also provided a sponsor for Esther's sister, Emily, who is finishing up her junior high years.  We eagerly anticipate God's provision for Merriam, Esther and Emily's youngest sister.  
Merriam, preparing the evening meal for her ailing grandmother.

God is so good to care for orphans and widows and Jody and I are humbled and amazed that God uses us to be a part of His efforts in Kenya!

While most people have been tremendously supportive,some have wondered why we are in Kenya giving "hand-outs".  I encourage them to go see Les Miserables and realize that all developing countries, while making progress, still have millions of men, women, and children living miserable lives because they were born into severe poverty. We believe there is incredible talent among the poor and given the right training and start up funding could improve their lives through their own small businesses.

That is what we seek to do with our girls.

While we help with their immediate needs, we have a three-fold goal to help with the girl's futures:
1. Disciple our girls to be dependent on God, their Heavenly Father.
2. Ensure they finish their education.
3. Help them develop the skills needed to own and operate their own small businesses.

I return to Kenya next week to help the aunties start their businesses and Jody will be in the States raising funding to open a center where we can fully train our girls in all three of these areas, God's Word, education, and job skills.


We look forward to seeing all God will do for these dear children in 2013!
We pray for you and your families and thank God for you every day.
God's blessings,
Christy & Jody

PS- For more on what we are doing in Kenya, we encourage you to watch this brief youtube clip by Poverty Cure:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On4MbYc0NhE

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