Kenya Missions Update

23 February, 2004

Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus the Messiah!

Just wanted to send a short Email and let you know about my last three days. On Saturday, two families from the Navillus church asked me to take them to Kitale to visit the Church of Christ Orphan homes. They wanted to take some gifts there. So, I agreed, as it has been some time since I have visited there myself. They have two homes, one for girls and the other for boys. 41 orphans in total with two families helping them. Each child is sponsored at $27 per month. This is suppose to pay for their food, medical, clothing and schooling etc. A very tight budget! Some of the children are now in high school and some are very young. Some of them were gotten from the local hospital where they were abandoned by their mothers. They said that at the hospital right now are 5 abandoned babies.

Sunday night as I watched TV, the United Nations had an advertisement. It said that right now in Kenya (a country of about 33 million people) that there are about 1 million children without parents due to AIDS , with a lot of them living in the streets. That is 1 out of every 33 people!

Today, I had visitors who works with NCCK (National Council of Churches in Kenya) who wanted my advice. They want to build a bread oven and also they have been given 20 acres of land that needs to be developed for supporting the project they hope to start soon. About 5 acres is dry land and 15 swampy land when it rains. That project is either going to be a place for street children or for orphans, they really haven't decided as of yet from the best that I can tell.

Please pray about these 1 million young people of Kenya who are having a difficult time in life! And for efforts in the country to help them both physically and spiritually.

Thanks for your love in prayers,
Keith Gafner