Hujambo my Friends:

I now know what the expression “To truly understand another person you must walk a mile in their shoes” means.  I never could imagine nor understand the poverty and the way of life of our Brothers and Sisters and their children in Kenya.  I am just starting to understand that what we are experiencing every day is normal, everyday life for people in Tala.  It is not something that is occurring for just a short time until help arrives, it is not something that will pass when the political winds change…it is their life that they live every day.

I listen each day to children tell their story to us and my heart breaks and my eyes swell up with tears.  I ask our Father to intercede in each child’s life so that His presence and love brings hope that I can only give for a short season, but He can bring to them for their entire lives.  I watch as they go on their way after we speak knowing that the chance that they will get out of poverty, simply earning enough to eat, is slim.  I know this because I see the adults in the community.  I see that they have dignity, but not much else.  I wondered why I see people herding sheep and moving bulls through the streets dressed in a suit coat or dresses.  Gideon tells me that this is an expression of dignity.  They have nothing but a shack, but their outward appearance gives them hope and a pride that they find nowhere else.

Now that I have experienced it I long even more to help.  The Holy Spirit has guided us here and I am now further convicted by where I have been lead and what I have seen.  I feel like Thomas who doubted and when shown simply replied, now in faith, “My Lord and my God”.  I have now seen what the Holy Spirit wanted me to see so that I could, with all confidence, tell my Brothers and Sisters in the US the need that exists here in Tala, Kenya.  I am confirming that help is needed.

Do I believe that we can “solve” the various situations that exist here…no.  Can we bring God’s love and show that we, His people, care, will act as Scripture calls us and will assist them in their burden…yes.  As I have mentioned before, we are simply starting where God called us and will move on from there.  At the Academy alone there is enough need that we could work here for a few years…that is what we plan on doing as long as it is in God’s will for our lives.

Maybe in a selfish manner, I simply do not want to stand in front of my Father and tell him that I put my faith in His Son.  I want to stand before God our Father and have Him say, “Well done good and faithful servant”.  I want Jesus to tell our Father that I saw Him when He was hungry, thirsty and naked and responded in faith.  I want to live out my faith in Christ, not simply proclaim it in word.  I want to embrace those that are children of the Almighty like myself, but are those that Jesus talked about when He spoke of helping the widows and the children.  He has led us to the place where we can serve His mighty name…you are at that same point as partners in this ministry.

My Friends, let me thank you so much for your response to this ministry…becoming part of what God has called Tammy and I to.  He told us that we were simply to present the needs and He would move hearts…He has.  You have responded with love, time and finances.  Tammy and I pray for all that assist in this ministry.  We know that you have listened to the Holy Spirit and have responded to His call.  You have allowed us to bring hope to the people of Tala, specifically the children of the Academy.  Again, thank you!

Currently we have a couple of days left for a matching donation made by a very generous donor.  We are using the donations to purchase a used bus for transportation of the children who stay at the orphanage.  The current bus is literally falling apart and I am amazed that they can keep it on the road.  I don’t know if Tammy has put a picture of us pushing it yet, but it cannot reverse so we push it back when we need to reverse it before going forward.  The first time the “while man” jumped out and pushed it a group of kids instantly help us and we were laughing so hard.  They couldn’t believe that this white guy got out to push the bus.  If in prayer God moves you to help with this matter, please follow the Spirit and do so.  Thank you to those of you who have already done so…your contribution has been matched by our generous donor!

Please know that all is not bleak in Tala.  The people have embraced us whole-heartedly and love God so much it shows in everything they do.  Tonight we walked out of the gate (scarred our guard, Kolonzo, who didn’t know where we were and saw the gate open…that is another story) and walked to a mother of six.  All the kids were filthy and the mother herself was dirty and you could see she lived a hard life.  Her husband was a night watchman who made around $35/month.  All of the kids came out to meet us at the end of the drive.  They came welcoming us with eyes sparkling…they had heard about the white people who came to Tala in the name of God.  We always carry candy with us as it is a favorite of the children.  We passed out the candy.  By this time the Mom was running down the drive to meet us.  She was almost crying as she greeted us.  The oldest child translated for us as she spoke very little English.  We made as much talk as we could but them simply gave her the rest of the candy that she accepted with gratitude.  We will go back tomorrow and visit the home.  Gideon told me that they were very poor and we could see the home and know that they lived in squalor.  He also informed me that 4 of the kids were going to our school free of charge because of the help of the donors of Saved by God’s Grace.  They had gotten clothes and the other gifts and that is why the mother was greeting us with such emotion…she was meeting the people in person that had helped her children…she was seeing the people that God had brought to help her…praise God for His love for this family…praise Him for bringing you to help…know your help is changing lives.

I must close as I could go on for hours.  When we return, God willing, we will be bringing story after story and will be sharing them with you on an ongoing basis.  We will attempt to allow you to see through our eyes what life is like for the children of Tala, Kenya.  We have made semi-concrete plans to be back with around 5-7 people in September of this year.  Please begin to pray about your involvement in that trip.  If the Holy Spirit leads you I know it will change your lives.

Once more thank you for your support of this ministry.  May God continue to be the center of your lives and service to Him your passion.

In His grace and His grace alone,

Chuck McDonald

Executive Director

(ps please excuse the appearance of the newsletter...we are in Kenya!)