New school update

This photo shows where construction was of the new school building when we left Kenya in October 2008.

The second floor roof had just been poured and the supports had to stay up a few more days.

All the students at Nice View were so excited about being able to use the one room that was completed even if the desks had not been painted yet (they are painted now)! The Class 8 students were joking with their lower classmates that they (Class 8) would have the new room.

I'm not good with heights so just watching this guy from the ground made me dizzy! As you can see from the next photo, the windows are in this section but they aren't complete.

This is where the building sits as of today. A third floor is planned and after its completion it will be one of the largest buildings in Tala! While we were in Tala last year many people were coming to the school looking for employment and wanting to enroll their children in the school. We had to remind everyone that the building wasn't finished so no work and no enrollment. Gideon (Executive Director at Nice View Academy/Orphanage) is handling the enrollment of the existing school very carefully. He does not want to bring in more children than can be handled with the funds available at the present time. As more support is given he, along with Saved By God's Grace, will move to bring in more children to the orphanage.

But like any construction project, funds are needed to proceed. Right now we only have funds available to buy food for the three orphanages (Mercy, Eldama Ravine and Nice View) and even those funds do not completely cover the costs. Please prayerfully consider if you can help. If you are already supporting Saved By God's Grace, thank you!

Chuck and I look forward to the time we can serve our friends and family in Kenya for an extended period of time, but until then we are called to tell of the needs in Kenya.

Drought and famine continue

Let me first say that Timmy is me (Tammy)! For some reason the "a" in Tammy is very hard for the kids to say or maybe it's my accent (everyone tells me I have a mid-western accent- whatever that means)! Anyway I thought this was a neat picture sent to us by Pauline from the kids at Nice View- thanks dada (sister in Swahili)!

For those of you who are supporting Saved By God's Grace know that you are remembered by the kids at Nice View, Mercy and Eldama Ravine. Your help is greatly appreciated and you can see from the following email that it is greatly needed.

Our friend, Nathan, is a Kenyan we met during our trip in 2008. He and his wife are raising their baby boy during difficult times. He tells us how things are in Kenya at this time:

Kenya is currently undergoing a severe drought,there has been no food in our farms and people are scared,many people including children in the worst hit regions are feared dead,a big no of people are going without food.The biggest problem is however lack of sufficient water!

This is real life for our friends and family in Kenya. I pray that when you read this you will say a prayer for them and their country. My heart and prayers and energy go towards loving our God and trusting Him to bring providence to Saved By God's Grace.

I wish I could fix it all, but God has placed these specific children in our path for us to reach out to. I have always loved the story of a man who was asking God why there was poverty in the world and why He didn't take care of it. Then God asks him why the man wasn't doing anything about it with the resources God gave him.

God will be faithful and I trust Him to move people's hearts to also reach out and help. I pray we are all listening to God's voice and stepping out to help those He puts in our path.

They are not forgotten

We have been encouraging Anastacia in her work in taking care of the kids at Mercy Child Foundation. She is by herself with over 30 children to care for. Recently we sent her a note, this is her reading it with Pauline, giving her encouragement and reminding her she is not forgotten.

I also talked with her last night, she was getting the kids ready for school (from Arizona they are 10 hours ahead of us). Every time I talk with her I remind her of God's love for her and the children and how He has brought us together. Many times she expresses fear of being left alone. I tell her we think of her and the children daily and are praying for them. We will not leave them, they are our family.

The children are told that God is providing for them because people are willing to give sacrificially. I am here to pass on their thanks to you for not forgetting them. God is giving these kids hope through your support and they are learning how very much God loves them. What an eternal impact you are having in the lives of these children - thank you and may God bless you.

We are praying and spreading the word about our kids in Kenya not only for support for food, clothing etc., but also to get Chuck and I back to Kenya on a more permanent basis. If you would like to help us bring the Gospel to Kenya please join The Change Campaign today.

Christopher's letter

Sorry it's been a few days since my last post. We left Missouri at noon on Saturday. Thanks Kevin and Pam for extending the invitation to stay another night. The morning conversation was great, hence us not leaving at 8am. We then drove straight thru to Oklahoma City to visit Florence, she is Gideon's (from Nice View Academy) sister. We had a late dinner with her around 10pm, stayed until about 1am then took off for home-Phoenix, Arizona. We arrived in Phoenix around 5pm Sunday night. I hope that explains why no posts the past few days!

But as I had mentioned before, here is a picture and part of a letter from Christopher at Mercy Child Foundation.

"I thank you for your help because with your help we are going well with education, we have our daily food, and we have good health...I have this chance to thank you for your help in my life. From that time up to now I see there is change in my life. You are blessings in my life. So with your support I am very far in my life. The God whom Israel were praying is one we are praying...We are praying for you everytime and I hope God had eared our prayer and we are waiting for super natural thing that you never see in you life...because our God is living God and will provide."

This letter shows how your support is helping and the faith Christopher has that God will continue to provide.

We recently sent funds over for food purchases and Christopher, along with all the children at Mercy, Nice View and Eldama Ravine, do not have to worry if they will be eating tomorrow, or going to school.

Please consider becoming a $12/month supporter through The Change Campaign. Our goal is 1000 people (as of this post we have 15 people signed up) at $12 a month which will allow us to continue providing food, education, medical attention and shelter for the three orphanages. It will also put us on the ground in Kenya so we can show them the love of God in action and put into motion some self-sustaining projects.

During our trip we had some great conversations and ideas brought to us and we are very excited to return to our family and friends in Kenya to begin implementation. We are waiting on God's timing but as Christopher said in his letter, "our God is living God and will provide."

For those of you who continue to support Saved By God's Grace-thank you! We know you sacrifice to ensure the kids in Kenya continue to survive, we thank you for that sacrifice. Because of you the Gospel of Jesus is being presented daily to the kids in Kenya as they eat, are clothed, being sheltered and receive medical attention.

How glorious our God is to meet the needs of the children through His people.

Seems we're always saying goodbye...

We left Greg and Joyce's this morning from Indiana and made it to Illinois around 12:30 this afternoon. We had to keep reminding ourselves which state we were in! It's always difficult saying goodbye to our new friends, but on this trip we know more new friends are just around the corner (or state in our travels!)

Jason and Stephanie are wonderful people and we had a great conversation before the presentation tonight. Thanks guys for opening up your home and allowing us to be a part of your family if even for just a few hours. Here is a picture of their beautiful daughter Grace! Yup, she's a feisty one but love her compassion and passion for life.

Before we left their home she gave me 70¢ and said it was for the kids in Kenya. She listened to us talk about the kids' needs and she gave what she had. I explained to her that what she gave was two days' wages for some people in Tala, Kenya and it would help feed a child at the orphanage. And her attitude was - well I had it and they need it, no big deal, then she ran off to play. "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven." (NIV Matthew 18:3)

You ask if that's all it takes? How about 40¢/day which comes to $12/month? You can help Saved By God's Grace continue to feed, educate and provide shelter for three orphanages in Kenya at The Change Campaign.

Jason's church had graciously invited us to speak at their Sunday evening service. Most of the church was there and they had some good questions. We were able to continue answering questions and at dinner afterwards (along with a few stories about our travels to Kenya). Thank you to everyone involved with feeding us, the hospitality was great and we felt very much at home with our new brothers and sisters in Christ.

Many of the young people were very interested in coming to Kenya by themselves, but the parents said "I want to go too!" So maybe during our next trip to Kenya we'll have a lot of visitors. I know that how ever many people come, God will be glorified in it!

Speaking to people about our kids in Kenya is our passion and calling. The situation there has not been good for quite awhile. The rains have not come and crops are continuing to fail. Here is a short excerpt from an email received today from Gideon (director at Nice View Academy/Orphanage)

"Things are not very good since the rains failed and the future does not look promising but we trust God who Has assured us of prenty even in times of famine. Our help comes from Him

My brother if the cost of food was reasonable things would be easy but its unfortunate food has became costly and our children use one bag of beans for 3 days , one bag of muthokoi for 3 days ,maize flour of 90kgs for 4 days and so food is taking everything but i thank God for He has been with us and He Has continued to provide

I wish to ensure you brother that despite the hard times i will remain faithful to the call of God knowing that He is there for us"

Please prayerfully consider becoming a monthly donor either through Saved By God's Grace or The Change Campaign. Your support will help us show God's love to them through providing for their basic needs.

More new friends!

We left Gary's this morning around 10:30, a bit late but still ok for the next leg of our journey. I know I've said it before and I'll say it again, several times I'm sure, but God has introduced us to some wonderful people the past few weeks.

Thanks Gary for the great coffee and even better conversations. You were a blessing to me and your faith during difficult times has encouraged me. Your faith is not only in your words but also in the way you live. May God continue to be your strength and show Himself to you.

It was about a four hour drive to Evansville, Indiana for our next stop at Greg and Joyce Donaldson's. Joyce was very gracious and invited us for a little walk to stretch our legs - and it felt so good! Tarrin was able to get veggies and herbs right from Joyce's garden for dinner, so now she's going to try her green thumb in Phoenix again! The poor girl has a tough road with the extreme heat but I know she'll give it a try.

Joyce made a fabulous meal and we had a wonderful conversation that went into the evening. Yes I'm saying it again - God has brought such fascinating people into our lives and I am so thankful for the opportunity to meet and talk with everyone on this trip.

We are so appreciative of everyone who has opened their home for us to stay and fed us to help keep the costs of this trip to a minimum. As we are traveling telling others about the kids in Kenya their needs continue. Last week we sent funds to Gideon (Nice View Academy) for food at Mercy Child Foundation and Nice View Academy. The cost of food is still high but we are trusting God to move people to support this ministry so we can continue meeting their basic needs. If you feel led to help please go to Saved By God's Grace or The Change Campaign and donate online.

What a day!!!

God is so good, God is awesome and He is so merciful to give us a glimpse of what He wants for our lives. This morning we walked to a small restaurant for breakfast with Pastor Ramos before service at the Agape Christian Center. Service starts at 11 with about an hour of praise and worship. Then they have a few minutes of announcements and today we had the honor of being here for communion. Pastor Lopez spoke on getting the church prepared to go out for street ministry. He said that we are being prepared everyday for ministry. We aren’t called to just sit at the well and continually drink and be fed, we are called to go out and make disciples of all people. He encouraged people to love one another and show them that the hope we have is a hope they can have too. “Stop being a mission field and become the missionary God has mandated!” (Pastor Lopez) No matter your circumstances, and the testimonies we have heard have been incredible, Jesus will meet you where you are.

After service he asked people to come up for prayer and Pastor Lopez spoke words over Tarrin and I. He has never met me or Tarrin but his words were spot on and it was a blessing to know that the God of the universe loves me so much that He would put that burden on Pastor’s heart to speak those words to us. It was encouragement and affirmation and focus for me. Thank you Father!!

Then around 2 (which was right after church service!) we walked to Wendy’s for lunch. I was at first a bit bummed-we’re in New York City and we are eating at Wendy’s?! Then we walked into a “railroad apartment” and met Wendy from Trinidad! She had prepared an authentic Trinidad lunch which was extremely yummy! Thanks Wendy for your hospitality and opening your home up and cooking for all of us-you are a beautiful servant of God.

That took us to about 4 when we walked a couple of blocks to where the young adults from the church set up their equipment. That’s when the music began and God’s presence was in the ‘hood, or maybe I should say borough?! The youth presented three skits to music and they were very good for their first “live” performance. I think I need to give Dondi (from DBCC) the video so the youth can see what others are doing to reach people for Christ. Chuck was asked to present the alter call and hearts were led to the Lord. Pastor Ramos asked people to come up for prayer and said “don’t be embarrassed, you aren’t embarrassed to buy drugs/alcohol/sex why should you be embarrassed to accept the free gift of salvation?” Praise God people accepted! My prayer is that those individuals will continue to seek Him and be encouraged to grow in their new life.

The people we’ve met have been from all walks of life with all sorts of backgrounds, but because of our familial tie of Jesus Christ we are one big family all serving the One who sustains us.

Another positive note

We donated my dad's clothes to a shelter (West Midland Family Center) and it felt so good knowing his clothes were going to help another man in need.

As you can see from the second picture, he had very little. The two boxes on the floor and the laundry basket were the contents of his entire closet/dresser drawer. And it got me to thinking of all the "stuff" we accumulate in our closets. I can say this because I am a woman, but it's usually us women who have an over abundance of clothes. I was guilty of this for many years. Buying the next new shirt/pants/jeans/purse (my personal demon!) etc. was excitement. Now, thanks be to God, my excitement comes from seeing our 372 kids in Kenya eating, playing with a soccer ball that was donated to them, hearing their excitement of going to school!

It wasn't my idea or strength to curb my want for "things", it was the Holy Spirit. Opening my heart up to Him and His purpose for my life gave me that determination. It's not easy, I have to rely on His strength moment by moment every day but what a blessing the past few years have been in service to Him!

To become a part of blessing a child in Kenya please visit Saved By God's Grace or The Change Campaign to see how you can make a difference.

Final thoughts

Our friend, Robert, came to Kenya for a couple of weeks last year (during our August 2008 trip) to help at Nice View Academy/Orphanage and to witness the poverty we experience in Kenya.

While he was at Nice View Academy he helped hang mosquito nets, serve dinner to the kids and most importantly showed them he really cared. Robert would have small bible studies with the kids, talk to them about school and got to know them on a personal level.

This is Robert on our way to Nairobi to drop him off at the airport. I asked him what stood out the most to him during his two week stay...

The generosity of the people we meet in Kenya and their willingness to give the last of what they have is a humbling experience. Please consider becoming a partner with us through Saved By God's Grace or The Change Campaign, your support lets our kids in Kenya know someone cares. Thank you.

The Good News...

The past few days I've been thinking a lot about the Gospel message and how we spread the Good News. We are called to teach all nations to obey God's commandments (Matthew 28:18-20).

But how do we do that? We speak the words to people, but without our lives being an example of the Word we are simply talking (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

By living out the precepts God has laid out for us (one being - love your neighbor as yourself, Mark 12:31) we are showing Christ's love to the nations. Saved By God's Grace is bringing that love to the country of Kenya - specifically Tala, Koma Rock and Eldama Ravine.

By providing for our children's basic necessities they are beginning to understand that it is God who is loving them and providing for them. He hasn't forgotten them and He continues to provide for them through your support.

Thank you to all who are part of Saved By God's Grace and/or The Change Campaign. You are supporting the hands and feet of spreading the Good News to the country of Kenya.

Struggles still continue

Talking to friends in Kenya today and it's always a mixed bag of emotions. Happy to hear their voices, sad to hear their stories, impatient to be there and thankful for the chance to encourage them.

Our friend Ruth is working from 4am until 9pm at a hotel. For clarification, a hotel in Tala means a restaurant. They open at 6am and serve small food items in the morning like mandazi, which are like donuts, and chai tea. Then they sell fish, chapati, ugali and other Kenyan foods in the afternoon and into the evening. Since food prices are so high they are struggling to buy the food and many people in the area are not working so they don't have many customers.

Ruth had malaria a few weeks back and is still weak from that, plus now she has the flu. But she doesn't have a choice to stay home, she must work to make what she can so she can afford to eat a little bit. Please keep her in your prayers for strength, providence and encouragement.


I also talked with Annastacia and, along with Ruth, I wanted to be sitting next to them talking. I want to be near them so we can pray together, talk and encourage each other.

Annastacia said the children are all doing well but they are missing smokies (sausages) and spaghetti! They haven't had any since we left in November of 2008. I told her we would see what we could do, but I reminded her that food prices are very high and we have to be good stewards of the provision God sends our way. He has been faithful in providing what's been needed to feed the children, however work on the school, search for a bus and other projects have been put on hold until funding is available.

Our prayer here at Saved By God's Grace is that The Change Campaign will bring that providence for Mercy, Eldama Ravine and Nice View not only for the basic necessities, projects to be completed and to be on-site longer but also so they can have smokies and spaghetti once in awhile.

Dinner entertainment!

After taking this video and watching it several times I have come to the conclusion that "kids are kids"! We were waiting for dinner at Nice View Academy and asked if the kids knew any songs. That started the whole thing...someone got a jug to use as a drum, a stick for a drum stick and their voices to sing out loud.

I really miss these kids (and all our other kids at Mercy and Eldama Ravine).

This video makes me so happy because they aren't worried about if they are going to eat. They are simply having a good time while they wait for dinner.

You can be a part of putting a smile on these kids' faces. If you'd like to help feed, clothe, educate, etc. the kids at Nice View Academy, Mercy Child Foundation and Eldama Ravine Children's Village please go to our website and become a monthly supporter.

Thank you and God bless.

Printers and socks...

What these two have in common is how long it takes to fix/purchase each in Tala, Kenya.

As some of you may have noticed on my Twitter the printer was finally fixed at Nice View Academy in Tala, Kenya. This was in the works for about two weeks and I received word today that is was accomplished!

Getting the printer fixed took the efforts of Pauline (here with Gideon who is the Executive Director of Nice View Academy) calling people, having someone come to figure out what was wrong with it then fixing it. Needless to say it isn't as easy as taking it to the local office store.

We had the same issue with socks, uniforms, mattresses, sheets and so many other items that here we just run down to the local store and pick up these items in one stop.

We planned days in advance to head to Nairobi for these items. Then we had to make plans for them to be transported back to Tala where we have a storage room for the orphanages supplies.

We were able to buy the uniforms in one store (pictured) but we were in this store for about 6 hours - counting and recounting uniforms, making sure we had the right colors/sizes/amount! Their backpacks, however, were very expensive. So those had to be purchased at another store, then we had to go to another location for books, another for mattresses, another for sheets, etc. It made for a very long day and we usually only crossed off one or two items from our list. Meaning another 1 1/2 to two hour drive into Nairobi, finding our items, getting them back to Tala and then the three (possibly five hour drive if we get into a traffic jam) back home.

After our return home to the states we were brought to tears when we needed socks. We got into the car, headed down a few miles to the local store, drove the smooth/safe roads and bought a package of socks. We had just come from planning for days to buy socks and here it was so simple - taking just an hour or less.

Sometimes I feel like complaining when I need to get some milk or other item from the grocery store (it's too hot out/I'm comfortable/I just don't want to go out/I just want to get home etc.) but the Holy Spirit convicts me and reminds me of our brothers and sisters in Kenya who do not have that opportunity.

God comes through yet again!

"...She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." (Ezekiel 16:49 NIV)

Great way to start the blog, huh? This was in my reading this morning and when I read it I first thought of the United States. Sad, yes, makes me angry, yes, but oh so true for many here. Later in the reading God says He will do away with them. Scary, yes, but it doesn't have to be if we follow the teaching's in His word.

Ok, so that's just a very short version of my first impression of this reading. Then I started thinking of people who are helping the poor and needy.

You may remember last Sunday we spoke at Peoria Baptist Church. They took a love offering for us and we received that yesterday. Now what does this have to do with helping the poor and needy other than the obvious - Saved By God's Grace is helping the poor and needy in Kenya.


Well, you may also remember my Twitter (see those updates at http://www.savedbygodsgrace.org/ at the bottom of the page) about Fransisca (the manager from Eldama Ravine Children's Village) being pick pocketed with most of the funds we had sent her. The amount that was stolen was almost exactly covered by the love offering from Peoria Baptist! Praise God! That money has been sent back to Eldama Ravine and the kids are continuing to eat because of God's providence.

God worked through Peoria Baptist to bring providence to a situation we didn't know was going to happen. He brought us all together for a reason and what a privilege it is to work for the King!

Rains are a welcome blessing

We've received word that rains have come to Tala - Praise God! Seeds were planted in time so that means a harvest will be forthcoming for Nice View Academy, Mercy Child Foundation and Eldama Ravine Children's Village!

The following pictures are from our last day in Kenya April 2008 (at Nice View Academy) when the rains had just began. So needless to say, this rainy season was a bit late but we are so thankful it's rained and crops are growing.


























As you can see when it rains it really rains, and this is just one day! Our friends and family also like the rain because it cuts down on the dust and cools things off a bit.

Thank you for your prayers for the orphanages in Kenya and please, if you are able, consider helping financially. The children thank you, their caregivers thank you and we thank you for any help you can give.

Home away from home

Here are just a few glimpses of our hometown in Kenya - Tala.

This is a row of kiosks. Each is very small and each has their own specific things they sell. We go to one kiosk for eggs, one for milk, one for cabbage etc. It makes for a long shopping time going to each kiosk, but most are very close so we park the car and walk.

Here is Chuck and Pauline walking into Rat Race - our local kiosk for getting our top-up cards for our phones.

Tala has the kiosk area which leads to the market - this area is closer to the market. You will find second hand clothing, vegetables, second hand shoes etc. But you can also buy 1 bar of soap, 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 dixie cup of kerosene - that is how most people buy these (and many more items) because they can not afford anything in a bigger quantity.

This is the market and my favorite place to shop and watch people. The women are all friendly and wanting you to buy their vegetables/fruits/pots & pans because they will give you "bei mazuri" (good price)! On market days this area is packed with people selling 1 head of cabbage, 1 banana and trying to make enough to feed their family that night.

Sorry if you have a weak stomach! This is the butchers. In the morning the butcher will slaughter a goat, hang it in the window and wait for customers. When we went in he simply hacks off a chunk of goat from the window with a machete, weighs it on the scales (bones and all) and wraps it in brown paper.

Sometimes you'll even get a small package of herbs/spices to boil the meat in!

On the far right of the picture are the intestines which are considered the choicest part (Kenyans say the sweetest part). Yes I have had them and sorry to my Kenyan friends and family but I don't consider them to be the sweetest!

So there is a small picture of what our home away from home looks like. It is pretty rustic and getting supplies for the school isn't possible here, but our daily needs were met.

Your support is helping to keep food in the kids' bellies, clothes on their backs and education in their lives! Thank you for your continued support.

Where, oh where are the rains?

I was saddened to learn the meat from the mother sheep that died was not fit for human consumption as it died out of human view. One day we'll have the funds to provide the children with meat, but that day will have to wait.

We did, however, get some food staples to Mercy last week. Notice how the children crowd around the truck? What an encouragement for them to see they have not been forgotten. They are receiving the staple items like beans, maize etc. But we were told the children are not eating sukamawiki (spinach-like vegetable), tomatoes or potatoes because the price is too high.

We wonder here "why don't they plant?" No constant rains have come and people are afraid to plant because if it doesn't continue to rain then the seeds are ruined. These are the times we want to be there and have the resources to help plan for planting and getting water to the shamba's (gardens).

Presently we are trying to keep the kids fed - no extra funds for petrol (to run the pump to water the shamba), no extra funds for more seed, no extra funds for items like meat/potatoes/tomatoes etc, no extra funds to get us back to our children in Kenya.

Please consider becoming a monthly donor to help these beautiful children in Kenya.

A part of everyday life...

Today was a mixed day of emotions. I received three letters from Nice View Academy - these were from students who wrote their sponsors here in the US.

Some of their questions made me laugh - "What is chiropractic?" "What is scissors?"

Some made me proud - "When we closed schools I helped my parents by washing utensils and cleaning the house." "I was number fifteen in exams." "I wish you to come and share the mangoes next term with you."

Some encouraged me - "I pray God to bring for you love and happiness." "I pray in Christ for you." "Even my mum is a widow. Widows and widowers they just pray to God."

But what hit me the most in these letters is the way the children tell their sponsors about their everyday life. They tell you of not working, starving, having no parents between normal, child-like questions/statements: (you can click on the letter for a larger image)

"There is no one is working. I am in standard seven."

"Only that my aunt she is not fine because we are starving and we don't have food. What kind of a game do you like?"

"I was number fifteen in exam. I have some more problems that I want to help me because I don't have parents and stay with my brothers. Now I am in class five."

Going without food and/or parents is an everyday occurrence for these children and their parents or guardians are without work. They speak of starving like we speak of running out of gas - needless to say I was in tears while reading these letters.

With your help Saved By God's Grace is working to bring hope through Jesus Christ to these children and show His love for them through meeting their basic needs.

Please prayerfully consider how you can help.