Happy Mother's Day!

We spent the morning at Peoria Baptist Church here in Arizona giving our testimony and raising awareness for the children in Kenya. All morning I was thinking of our children in:

Tala,

Koma Rock,

and Eldama Ravine and how very much I miss them.

Every time we talk or email the orphanages I tell them we haven't forgotten them and we love them very much. We emphasize to them when God provides for us here that provision is passed along to them. They are seeing God's hand in their lives and for that I am thankful!

On this mother's day please remember those who have lost their mom's and those who never knew their moms. And give your own mom a call or hug! :)

Reminiscing

We were going through some papers we brought back with us from Kenya. Yea I know it's been months, but they were all letters, pictures and drawings that the kids sent back with us. We just weren't sure where to put them!

I am in the process of putting some of the students artwork onto the website in an Art Gallery. We have some talented artists at Nice View Academy!

The entire student body drew pictures of whatever they wanted. Most were of their home or Nice View. This drawing is from Damaris who was in Pre-Unit (Kindergarten).

Eric Musembi, Gideon's son, gave us a story. It reminds me that the grass is not greener on the other side!

"Kigo Kigoi had been in Kareru Prison for many years. One day the prison guard forgot to close the back gate. Kigo saw a van that had come to collect kitchen waste. He crept onto the back. He wanted to escape. When it stopped after an hour, Kigo was shocked to find himself in yet another prison--Giture Maximum Security Prison."

It also reminds me that God can use me right where I am. I trust Him and rely on Him to direct me and this ministry. Thank you for your prayers of encouragement and support.

God's perfect timing!

Chuck received an email from Fransisca (Eldama Ravine Children's Village) and she said the children are all doing well. She says the children have returned back to school and are improving in their studies.

I was brought to tears however with the following:

"Please tell Tammy her children miss her soo much and any time they talk of her they shade tears of joy knowing though they dont have parent mothers God has given them a caring mother to fill the gap."

I want to be there so badly to talk with them, hug them and just be there with them, but we are waiting on God's timing. And, as usual, my reading today spoke to that issue directly! Galatians 4:4 says "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son..." Since God knew the perfect time to send His Son then I have to trust He knows the perfect time for us to return to Kenya.

The children in Kenya are also praying, "we are still praying for you about your coming the soonest." We thank you all for your support and prayers.

Saved By God's Grace is waiting and trusting in the Lord for His perfect timing - Amen!

Kenya is still Kenya

Chuck passed an article along to me that made me laugh but yet was so truthful and to the point I had to share a quote or two. The gentleman wrote this in 2001 but it still applies today!

" Kenya roads are just about the same. With the exception of worse Nairobi traffic jams, things are the same as 20 years ago. Matatus drive just as badly with just as many people hanging out the doors. Trucks drive just as badly and spew just as much black diesel smoke as they crawl up the hills."

and

"Kenya dust is still the same. After ten years in Canada, it is hard to recall just how pervasive the dust is around here. This fine volcanic dust gets everywhere. It is in houses, throughout cars, and coats anything in the vicinity of a road. There is no end to it! I'm continually amazed at the dirt around here.

This took me right back to Nairobi in a flash! I can see the people hanging out of the matatus (mini-van taxis), the traffic jams everywhere and the dirt and grim in the air.

Our trips to Nairobi were few and far between - we only went when we had to get supplies. Nairobi is about 36 miles away from Tala to the west but that trip could take up to two hours getting there and depending on the traffic jams up to five hours for the return trip!

It's not like running down to your local convenience store. Trips were planned out for days before hand to make sure we had everything we needed on the list. We had to plan for buying socks, uniforms, school supplies and many more items not available in the local villages.

Your funding helps make getting these supplies possible. Thank you for your donations and support.

Change 4 Kenya!

We have a 5 gallon water jug sitting on the outreach table at Desert Breeze Community Church. We've labeled it "Change 4 Kenya" and people are asked to drop in their spare change. Our friends and family have jumped on the band wagon and are bringing in cans, bags and wallets of coins to drop in the jug. Here's Danny and Wendy with their contribution - thank you!

This is a simple way of raising funds and awareness for our kids in Kenya. Maybe your church/group/business can do something similar for Saved By God's Grace? Please contact us if you'd like some brochures and business cards.

Do you put 40¢ a day into a change jar/dish/box etc.? For a glimpse of what's to come visit our homepage (scroll to the bottom) and read more.

A few Yeah God's!

Annastacia (house mom from Mercy) called today. Actually she "flashed" us - meaning she called us and hung up after the first ring. That means they want us to call them because it is cheaper to call from the US to Kenya than from Kenya to here.

She told me they are all doing well and getting ready to go back to school on Monday - yeah God!

Benjamin, who was sick recently, is better after getting the medication he needed - yeah God!

They planted maize, skuma (spinach like veggie) and beans at Mercy and Annastacia said they had "a lot of rains" - yeah God!

Annastacia is feeling better after receiving malaria medication and cream for an eye allergy - yeah God!

I thanked her for her on-going strength and faithfulness to God and to the children at Mercy. It brings me much comfort knowing she is there loving the children and letting them know it is God who brings them providence through Saved By God's Grace. I told her how very much we love her and the children, and I pray she sees that by our continued support.

Christopher asked me when we would be returning and I asked them to please pray with us so that God will show us when is the proper time for our return.

Annastacia said "I am very happy that you continue to care for us and have not forgotten us. I pray Jesus will meet your needs." A woman (she actually seems more my daughter) who has nothing but the love of Christ in her heart is praying for our needs to be met - it was a humbling prayer and I thank God for allowing me to be a part of Annastacia's life.

Please consider donating to Saved By God's Grace - may He meet your needs so you may help others through your abundance. Thank you for your support.

A day at Glendale Community College

We were invited to participate in the "All Shades of Black" for the Black Student Union at the Glendale Community College campus in Arizona. They had several different cultures represented and Saved By God's Grace was there to represent the children in Kenya.

We talked to several people about the orphanages, we had several people sign up for our newsletter and we handed out a lot of information. Now we let God move the hearts!

COMING SOON - "The Change Campaign" - watch the website or blog or FaceBook or Twitter for details!