Hello Friends and Partners of Saved By God's Grace,

The Count Down Is On!

It is approximately 30 days until Tammy and I leave for Kenya.  We are anxious to physically begin the work God has brought to us.  We have been preparing both mentally and spiritually over the last few months and look forward to serving God and His children in Kenya.  I want to thank you for your support over these pre-trip months.  It has allowed Saved By God’s Grace to provide much needed food, water and clothing to the children at Nice View Junior Academy, the school/orphanage the ministry supports in Tala, Kenya.  It has also allowed us to begin a relationship with the village of Tala and Gideon Malinda, the executive director of the orphanage.  This relationship is a precursor to the presentation of the Gospel message of love and salvation.  The children of the orphanage, the staff and even the people of the village of Tala have seen a "miracle" in their eyes.  Why would people in the United States care about them and their situation?  They have been told it is only by the Grace of God that help has come...they will come to understand this more fully in the upcoming months.

Where Things Sit In Kenya:

I am saddened to tell you the violence that has been present in Kenya since their elections in late December is still on the rise.  Gideon has taken in an additional 80 children over the past month.  This puts the total at 230 children.  Since the new building is not complete, this has the facility spilling over.  Children are being put in every available space.  It has also put a strain on the finances.  We have continued to keep Joseph Mutuku, the building engineer, working on the structure (see below), but we have had to divert money which we intended to spend on the building to simply feed and clothe the additional children.  Of course, God will continue to provide through His people as this is His ministry and He remains sovereign.

The good news is while the violence has brought more children in need to the orphanage, no violence has come to Tala.  The majority of the violence continues to be in the western areas of Kenya where the political opponents have their support divided down tribal lines.  We continually pray that the violence stays away from the village as most inhabitants are children.

For those of you that enjoy statistics, I have gathered new statistics on the village itself (these are current as of January 24, 2008).  There are approximately 27,000 people in Tala and the near surrounding area.  Approximately 16,000 are children (8,000 of them being orphans).  Out of the adult population of around 11,000, only 1,650 or so are employed in quarries, on farms or in the market place...they make around a $1/day or less...the rest are unemployed.

In the next section of the newsletter I will let you know the specific needs that are now presenting themselves and the associated costs.  We would like to go to Kenya with as much of the funding as possible (in God’s providence).  We can then oversee their use during the seven weeks we will be there and push to get the necessary items completed to provide for the children already at the facility and the additional 150 children the orphanage has committed to.

The Plans In Kenya (God Willing):

Showing God's Love by Simply Being There:  Mother Teresa said it best, “As far as I am concerned, the greatest suffering is to feel alone, unwanted, unloved.  The greatest suffering is…not knowing what it means to be loved.”  The children in Tala have been told about God's love, but they have a hard time understanding it when they continue to live in conditions where they are wondering if they are going to eat tomorrow.   They do not see a loving Father who cares for them beyond imagination.  We plan on showing them there exists a God who loves them unconditionally through all of their trials and difficulties...how?  Simply by being there and telling them there is no other reason that we came to be with them other than the fact God loves them and brought us there for them.  We will tell them all they have seen happening at the orphanage is only provided by the God who created the heavens and the earth.  We will show them that we are all loved and saved only by God's Grace.

Cost: Priceless

Presenting Scripture:

280 Bibles are going with us on British Airlines.  We will be presenting them to the children and adults at the orphanage.  We will talk with them about God's Word and His message of love that it contains and show them how to begin to study it.  We will tell them how important it is that they continue to read the Word of God to see the love He has for us and learn how we are to live our lives

Cost: $2,500

Shipping Children's Books on British Airlines:  We have at least 300 (possibly 600) pounds of children's books to take with us.  Children's books are like gold in Kenya.  We are going to take these books with us to ensure they make it to the orphanage (and it is the cheapest way to get them there).  The library has been started when, through your generosity, we shipped 70 pounds of books three months ago.  Since then we shipped another 70 pounds, but they have not arrived as of yet (they were shipped 6 weeks ago).

Cost: $600

Furnishings and Repairs of Existing Structure:  The existing structure is in need of repair.  More beds and desks are needed and the facility is in need of roof repair.  It also needs to be closed in (there are no windows or doors on the classrooms).  We want to work on this as we continue to build the new structure.  This structure will be converted into additional dormitories.

Cost: $20,000

Purchase of Used Bus:  The bus which transports the children is 20 years old.  It is now breaking down weekly.  This situation is not simply an inconvenience, but it is dangerous.  Gideon calls to see if he can get someone out to fix it.  All stay on the bus until it is fixed due to the possibility of animal attack in the outlying areas.  If it cannot be fixed in a few hours, a public bus is hired from Nairobi to transport the children until the bus is fixed.  The most recent breakdown was the gearbox.  Karen Motors of Nairobi has a bus for us.

Cost: $17,000 - $20,000

Continuing Work on New Facility:  Due to the recent unplanned (by us, not God) additions to the orphanage, we have increased the capacity of the new building by having the engineer build three stories instead of two.  This has increased the space to 7,350 square foot (2,450 per floor).  This, of course, has increased the cost, but only by $20,000.  The total cost is now estimated at $84,000.  We have paid $24,000 of this to date.  As noted, we have diverted some of the funds we had hoped to put toward the building to simply care for the added little ones, but Joseph Mutuku has been diligent in continuing construction on the facility.  While this is the largest expenditure we have, it is imperative to complete this structure to allow more children into the facility.

Cost Remaining: $60,000

Economic Development: We are meeting with an organization from Australia called The Mutunga Project.  The company is a micro-economic development company which loans out funds for groups of individuals who have a common bond and holds them accountable for the repayment of the loan.  I talked to the director of the organization, Pastor Stewart Morris, and asked them if they thought they could work with the people of Tala, especially those that had some sort of "affinity" with the orphanages in the area.  It took three months for them to prayerfully consider our request, but they came back and said they would be happy to work with us in Tala.  We will be meeting with their local subsidiary, AfricaShare, to see how we can begin to assist the local economy in Tala to become self-sufficient...helping to end the cycle of poverty in the area.

Cost: $0 at the present time - I will have more information when we return

Meeting with Local Pastors:  I will be meeting with local pastors to discuss needs of the community both physically and spiritually.  I will be touring the local Bible College to see areas in need of assistance.  Much of this will be in preparation for a mission trip to be planned for the late fall/early winter of this year.  This will be a chance for some individuals to see firsthand the plight of their brothers and sisters in Christ outside of the US.

Cost: $TBD

Putting Names to the Faces of the Children:  Tammy's major project will be to document what we are doing through the Grace of God.  This will include video and digital photography of our journey as well as a "blog" which is now up and running. We will bring back enough material to put together a presentation for people around the US to show them what can be done through their involvement.  Tammy will photograph and get background information on each child to put together a unique biographical sheet.  This information will be placed on the website, but will also be produced in hard copy to allow an individual to review the information and, through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, sponsor (by way of monthly donation and writing) a particular child.  Since one of the national languages is English (the other is Swahili), the sponsor and child can communicate with each other and a God-ordained relationship can begin.  What a blessing it will be to show love to a child who thought they were forgotten.

Cost: $20-$30/month (Truly Priceless)

Seven Weeks a "long time"...No Way:  When we first scheduled this trip we thought seven weeks was a long time, but now we wonder how much we can accomplish in the "short" time we will be with our brothers, sisters and children in Tala.  We know that God has called us to be used in this capacity the rest of our lives so whatever remains undone this time will be done later...we rest in God's sovereign timing and will.

Financial Information:

Remember, all donations are tax deductible on your federal income tax return.

Well, the above is quite an extensive list, but far from being impossible to complete. Remember, what we ask is that you pray about your financial involvement with this ministry to Kenya.  If you are moved to help, please do so.  Scripture is clear that we must help our neighbors who are in need...the children of Tala are in need.  You can give through our website or send a check to our Glendale, AZ address...any amount large or small is appreciated and put toward the above projects.

At the current time we have been used by God to bring water to the orphanage, bring better quality and quantity of food to the children, give the children a new set of clothes and a present of a backpack, begin a library, and begin construction on a three-story building to enable the Academy to take in a total of approximately 380 children...we thank God and you for that provision...where does that put us now...

We have approximately $1,000 in the bank which will be used for the extra luggage on British Airlines.  We know we will have at least 12 pieces with us.  The first four (two each) were included in our ticket price, the other 8 will cost $1,000 ($125 each).  This will use up our funds we have on hand...WE NEED YOUR PRAYERFUL CONSIDERATION FOR ASSISTANCE OVER THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS!

During the next 30 days as we prepare to leave, we ask that you be in prayer with us that God will provide for what He wants done.  We have always wanted to do everything in His will and in His timing.  We want to move with His hand, neither before it nor behind it.  It has been hard for me to not jump the gun and move at my timing instead of His, but I have found out so many times that to wait on Him is strength and refreshment to the soul.  What an awesome God He is!

We also continue to pray for the monthly supporters we need to keep the orphanage going.  With the additions of the new children we need approximately 232 regular monthly donors at $20/month to support the facility.  Please prayerfully consider this in your monthly budget.  This is a longer term commitment, but at a small monthly price.  God will bring the people He needs to meet the demands of the orphanage...please respond if you are one of those people He calls to do so...if you are reading this via e-mail, click here to make a donation.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please join us in prayer for the following petitions.   Be confident our Father is pleased when we bring our needs before Him.  Jesus died for this relationship with Him.  Let us honor His sacrifice and keep in relationship with our Lord God at all times through Prayer, reading of Scripture and communing as believers.

• For continued renewal of spirit for Gideon and Pauline Malinda
• For the safety of all those in Kenya during this violent period, expecailly the children
• For health, both physically and spiritually, for the children of Tala
• For all the poor and orphaned children of the world, that God's love will be shown to them and hope will be restored
• For our partners that God will bless them as they give of their abundance He has given them
• For this ministry that God will be the guiding light and we will follow faithfully as He calls
• For the lost that they may seek the salvation of Christ
• For the sick that God will grant them health and peace
• For those that seek their calling that they might listen for God's guidance and He may speak clearly to them
• For brothers and sisters in Christ that are seeking employment

Please let us know of any prayer requests you have so we can place them in our newsletter for our partners to lift up to God!

Check Out The Blog!

Tammy has created a "blog" that she will maintain while we are in Kenya.  As long as we can find internet we will update it a couple times a week.  Go to the website and click on "Our Blog" in the top menu to access it.  We will have commentary and pictures on what is happening.  You will be able to comment on the blogs and we will have access to those comments immediately.  I know that we would appreciate hearing from you while we are in Kenya.

Please Pray:  Believe me when I tell you Tammy and I still cannot believe God has brought us to this point.  We understand completely it is only through His power and grace we can perform in faith to be obedient to His will.  We have seen and understand the power of prayer and know that it is prayer that will strengthen us as we continue to serve the One who has brought us here.  Your prayers are appreciated!

Please let your friends know about this ministry and direct them to our website at www.SavedByGodsGrace.org.  God will convict them if they are being led to help.  Have them contact me if they want more information or have questions.  Let businesses you are in contact with know about this cause.  We welcome any assistance to this ministry through the grace of God.

While I know this newsletter may have overwhelmed some of you I want you to know where we sit.  Also, know that nothing is done outside of the sovereignty of God...that is why I am confident in what we can accomplish together.  Please do not think that a small donation will not be useful.  All gifts to this ministry will bring God's love to the children of Tala and He will multiply those gifts for His purpose as He sees fit.  Continue to pray on your involvement...God will convict you if you are to help...please respond when you are called.

As Mother Teresa said, "Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things.  It consists in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends us.  It consists in accepting and following the will of God.”  Accept joyfully what God has brought to you to accomplish on this earth.  Let the outflow of your faith be seen by men as the fruit of our faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Until our next newsletter, peace to you and your families.

May we all "Bear one another's burdens and therefore fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2)

In His Grace and His Grace alone,

Chuck McDonald

Executive Director