Dear Friends and Partners,

We are preparing for a trip.  Not to Kenya, but to the state of Michigan.  On our last “tour” in January to present the children to others across the country we were invited to come back to Michigan to speak at Delta College in Saginaw, MI at their Global Awareness Program about “Faith Based Service in Africa”.  This initiative is not only about our children in Kenya, but it will enable us to tell a varied audience about the need for God’s love and physical assistance for all the children in Africa.  We are very appreciative of this opportunity and look forward to see how it will honor God and be used for His Kingdom.  In addition, since we are going to be in Michigan we asked supporters there if they could arrange other opportunities to present the children…the outpouring has been tremendous.  To date, arrangements have been made for us to speak at six different venues.  We will be in Michigan March 21^st through the 29^th.  You can now go to our website and check out the Calendar of Events to stay abreast of what is happening with the ministry.  If you have any friends or family in the Midland, Saginaw, Bay City or Mt. Pleasant, MI area and would like to attend a function or promote one during that time frame, please let us know.

We have begun fundraising for our trip to Kenya in June.  We are setting a lofty goal of $50,000 to take with us back to Kenya.  This will allow us to complete many projects that are in process on the ground including the school building at Nice View Academy/Orphanage.  We encourage you to prayerfully consider where the Holy Spirit is moving you and donate as led.  In addition, we are also looking to take back with us the following items that are either not available or more expensive to purchase there:

Toothbrushes and toothpaste (a staple which is used only when they are available to them)

Children’s literature books (our “library” at Nice View is the largest in the area – it is small)

Bic pens (black, blue and red), #2 pencils, erasers and rulers (more expensive there than here)

Frisbees (they don’t exist in Kenya, but the kids love them)

Jump ropes (can get in Kenya but they are expensive and break easily)

Tennis balls (very expensive in Kenya but the kids love playing with them) 

Soccer balls - deflated (can get them in Kenya, but they are expensive)

We have found items such as clothes and shoes can be purchased there and are less expensive and we also assist the local economy by purchasing them in the villages.  We have also found we can purchase Bibles and solar flashlights easier in Kenya, but we do need the funds to do so.  In addition, we have been promised 1,200 used computers if we can pay for shipping them to Kenya.  This is absolutely amazing and would be a blessing if we can get them there.  It will cost approximately $7,500 to ship them.  We will distribute them to schools we support and others in the area as well as use them for bartering for supplies we need.  Any way you can help in any of our fundraising endeavors would be appreciated.

How are the kids doing?   They are continuing to eat because of your generosity.  We had an urgent situation last month at Mercy Child Foundation where the matron did not contact anyone and they literally ran out of food.  We were only notified after the children had not ate in 24 hours, but due to some of our supporters we were able to get emergency food sent immediately and now they have a month’s worth of food in the storehouse.  They continue to be in school and, by the grace of God, they continue to be relatively healthy.  We are currently having all the children at Eldama Ravine Children’s Village tested for HIV since the matron tested positive for the virus.  Since there is much ignorance about the virus and AIDs, the Village board deemed it best if all the children are tested.  We are not expecting any positive results, but it will alleviate fears (I will let you know the outcome).  What they continually lack is the on-going, daily love of God being shown to them….that is why Tammy and I are called back.  We must continually show them their worth is bound up in the fact that they are children of God and He loves them so much he died for them.  You supply the funds; we will continue to be the feet and hands.

What are the ministry needs?  We are searching for dedicated individuals who feel the call of the Holy Spirit to work with us in this ministry.  Tammy and I know we are called to be on-site in Kenya with the children for most of the year.  This can only happen if we have dedicated people in the US who will continue to make the plight known, work on fundraising efforts and continue the administration of the ministry from here.  This is not our ministry; it belongs to God and the people who He brings forward.  If you have felt the Spirit moving you to get more involved, please let us know.  We believe the Lord will provide individuals who have the same passion He has given us to first and foremost serve and love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and secondly exhibit that love by showing it to these children just as we do to our own biological children here in the States.  When this occurs, Tammy and I will begin to stay in Kenya for most of the year, only coming back to the States to report what is happening to the board of Saved By God’s Grace and greet our family, friends and partners who make it all possible through the blessing of the Holy Spirit.  Please prayerfully consider this and see where God leads.

We would love to hear from you!  We certainly welcome all comments, questions and concerns about what this ministry is all about.  The more interaction we have with supporters the more we can all work together to support the kids in Kenya and allow them to see the saving work of our Redeemer in action.  As always, we welcome you to come to Kenya and be our guests.  You would stay with us, eat with us and serve with us.  We will also show you why we serve…to honor God by being in the presence of and serving His impoverished children in Kenya.  Your heart will melt to see these children who, even through all of the issues they face, show us smiles and give us unconditional love in return for us simply being there to share God’s love with them…I will update you on how things are going with the preparation for our return to Kenya when we come back from Michigan.  Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our Kenyan children’s future.

Serving the children of Kenya with you only through His grace and His grace alone,

Chuck McDonald

Executive Director