I sponsor a child through Discover the World because of a song written by Steven Curtis Chapman.  It reads "I saw the face of Jesus in a little orphan girl.  She was standing in the corner on the other side of the world.  And I heard the voice of Jesus, gently whisper to my heart, "Didn't you say you wanted to find me?  Here I am.  Here you are." So what now?"

 

Although the statistics of the effect of AIDS in Kenya seem staggering, three words can describe my experience having had an opportunity to travel twice to Kenya with Doug Millham through DTW:  Hospitality, Humility and Hope all enhanced with an amazing passion for Jesus Christ.  I found myself, along with my college age daughters, being welcomed with open arms to smiles from complete strangers who fed us both physically and spiritually, provided us with their talents of music and dance, and even opened their homes and churches sharing their gift of hospitality. Humility was experienced one day when I was teaching VBS to the children at Shepherds Home I admired a pair of sandals on the feet of one of the children.  At the end of the day, that child came to me and said, teacher Sharon, tomorrow, I bring you my shoes.........." 

Hope for the future is given to these children because of organizations like Discover the World who offer these sponsorships so these children can be groomed to be the future leaders of Kenya; now some have dreams of being dental hygienists, bank presidents, and flight attendants, to name just a few of what has been shared by these beautiful angels.

God has blessed my family in so many ways and by sponsoring Agnes is one way that I may honor God.  The first time I saw Agnes I was a stranger, the second time I could tell by her beautiful warm welcome that I am definitely now her friend, and I can't wait to get back to Kenya to see what God has in store for our relationship together since I have been blessed to meet this beautiful little child. The photos we recieve are part of our family portraits in our home and when letters arrive from Kenya we share each one reading their letters out loud bringing tears to our eyes.  One such letter read, "I am grateful when I read Proverbs 17:17.  Friends always show their love at all times.  I was happy to meet a great friend like you!"

Sponsoring a child through Discover the World it will bless you more than you could ever bless the child you are sponsoring by providing them with a warm and caring place to live, daily food, tuition, books and uniforms, a place to worship and a sense of belonging.  Knowing that you are able to make a difference by taking one orphaned child off the streets of Nairobi and into a safe shelter where they are able to actually have a chance to survive is the best gift of all. 

Proverbs 14:31 says, " He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." 

Pictured left to right: USC Professor Grace Dyrness, Sheltered Children Director Mary Mururi, DTW board member Janice McGlashan, DTW Kenya Project Coordinator Juliet Muthiani 

 

 

Discover the World is happy to welcome a new strategic partner in Kenya in the work of reaching out to vulnerable children and communities. In April of this year we had the opportunity to discover Sheltered Children's Rehabilitation Center in the suburban Nairobi community of Ngong.

We were welcomed by Mary, the care center's director, and she shared with us her dream of helping more children of Kenya. She has great vision for the future which is to provide a shinig bright hope in lives of so many children.

Shelter Children Rehabilitation is currently caring for 190 children. These children attend school in the surrounding areas, but this is a wonderful care center with agriculture, a preschool, boys and girls sleeping quarters, and also a plan to build a school in the future on their own property!

Their mission: to protect and respect the rights of children and give new hope and shelter to the Orphans and Vulnerable Children in the Kajiado District, Kenya.

We look forward to the ways in which Discover the World can extend a hand to this amazing ministry that is reaching out to the most needy in their own community.

 

May 2, 2009 our wonderful partners in fundraising put on a fabulous event in La Canada, CA. This committee, lead by Brooke Moore, worked countless hours to create a beautiful evening where new friends and supporters could come learn more about Discover the World.

 

The theme was Heart in Hand, which was such a fitting way to present the efforts being done on the behalf of vulnerable children in Kenya. The response was overwhelming and raised over $20,000 for the future projects of Discover the World.

 

Discover the World's Ambassador, Stephanie Edwards (pictured above with DTW president Doug Millham), joined us to present her involvement and greet our guests throughout the evening. We are thankful for all our friends in the La Canada area, for their generous support which meets the needs of so many across Kenya.