| INFORMATION |
 Facebook Page
|
|
| |
Help make a difference and inspire hope in the life of one of these precious children |
|
Greetings!
"Asafiwe" is a Swahili word meaning "praise". "Bwana Asafiwe" is a common greeting between Christians that means "Praise the Lord". This edition of our DTW newsletter is filled with overflowing "Bwana Asafiwe" for each of you, our beloved friends, sponsors, donors, and prayer partners for the work God is doing in Africa. From the short-term mission team visit in August, to the babies rescued in July, to the first two Shepherd's Home children now entering University, we can all celebrate God's great blessings and miracles in all we are accomplishing in His name. Bwana Asafiwe indeed.  | | Kenya Team August 2011 |
Much love to you all, |
Gifts of Great Joy! 
We celebrate the outpouring of financial support which came in last month from our urgent plea for BACKPACKS, BIBLES and SCHOOL SUPPLIES. Check out the joyful faces in these photos, and you'll see how much it meant to these children to be able to attend school, and to do so with the basic necessities to get a good education. Nearly 200 children at the Shelter Children Rehabilitation Center in Ngong received these gifts (personallydelivered by our 21 volunteers), and they were all deeply appreciative, and are on their way to a great year of growth. In addition, we received soccer balls, sports clothing, beanie babies, and many other wonderful and generous gifts for these children . The smiles on their faces as they received their gifts was the best "thanks" that anyone could ever dream of. We are hoping to continue to get more and more sponsors for these children so they can remain in school.
 Special thanks as well to Gogie Girl Sportswear ofNorthridge, and its CEO Vicky Waldorf, for the generous donation of over 4,000 colorful (and very helpful) sports hats, seen in the neighboring photos. The sun at the equator is very intense and these hats are being worn byteachers, drivers, cooks, and caregivers, and hundreds and hundreds of children with great delight. How grateful we were to be able to bring joy to these precious children's lives by giving gifts that we often take for granted.
|
|
2nd Abandoned Baby Center to Be Built
There weren't enough babies to go around for all of the arms that longed to hold and hearts that wanted to love these children when we stopped by the Heritage Baby Reception Center. This month marks the year anniversay of its opening and the rescuing of our first Baby, Baby Joseph. The home has been able to take in and  provide love and care for 18 abandoned babies this past year, and has been successful in finding many of them foster homes as well. Elizabeth Hakes, one of the students on the trip, developed an especially close bond with Emmanuel. This sweet boy was on the brink of death when he arrived at the center, extremely malnourished and weak. Now, he is full of life and energy, and has the security of knowing he will always be cared for and loved.
 Now, with the generous support of DTW's partners in England and the US, a second major project is commencing to help rescue and raise the growing population of babies abandoned in western Kenya. Joshua and Miriam, the directors and founders of Neema House, which currently serves as a home for HIV/AIDS infected and affected children of Kenya, feel called by God to add on a nursery in order to rescue even more orphaned and abandoned babies. This couple is a true example of what it means to rely on God for everything, and we are blessed to be able to support and walk alongside of them in their journey to provide a loving home for those children who don't have anywhere else to go.  |
|
Special Moments
I really cherished the time I got to spend with Fredrick, the boy Jackie and I have sponsored for the past 6 years. I should no longer call him a boy though, because all that I saw as he walked tall and proud towards me, was an incredible young man. For those of you who don't know his story, Fredrick came from a physically and mentally abusive environment, along with  being crippled by his severe clubfeet since birth. He was found wandering the streets of Kitale town at the age of five after being cast out of his family. He became part of the Shepherd's Home in 2005, and with the help of generous donors in 2006 he underwent the first of what would end up being six surgeries on both of his feet during that year. In earlier pictures, Fredrick can be seen standing on the sideline watching everyone else play and dance, relying on others to help him get around. But you won't find him sitting out any longer. Today he is the top student in his 8th grade class, hoping to someday become a pastor, and he is right there leading dances and playing soccer with the best of them. I greatly value the friendship that I have been able to share with Fredrick over the years and watch him as he has grown into a Godly man of true character and a big heart.
 Another wonderful moment for me was when I got to spend time with Winfred, my own mother's sponsored child at Mary's Shelter Children's Home. She was just a delight to talk to, and it was extremely touching to hear her express her gratitude that someone who had yet to meet her, cared enough to continually pray for her, and make sure she was being looked after, provided for, and was able to go to school and receive an education.
The Bible says: "Those who go out weeping..... will return with songs of joy." Psalm 126:6 We witnessed the joy in those who have experienced more than enough weeping for a lifetime. May God bless these children mightily, and each of you who support them, now and always.
Doug
|
|
