I received an email recently that had some interesting questions, so I thought I’d relay them to you –
1) “Do you know the temps. in Tala, Kenya during the summer months?” Kenyans don’t refer to summer/winter/fall/spring it’s either wet or dry season and right now it’s very dry and dusty. Rainy season is normally March/April and October/November, but the rains have not been sufficient since March 2008 for planting and harvesting, therefore they are in a famine situation.
2) “Are there organizations to help the poor with food & clothing like we have in the USA?” There are international organizations working in Kenya but none we are aware of in the Machakos District (which includes Tala village) other than Saved By God’s Grace. We have not seen any “Kenyan” organizations working in this area.
3) “if only they (Africa) could unite &…stop fighting amongst the tribes.” The animosity between the tribes is generations old and there are many facets to it, cultural, educational, tribal and political to name a few. We continue to work with the children in order to show them first and foremost God loves them and secondly they have the ability to change the way they live and they can help create change in their lifetime for their community.
4) “What is the reason why Africa cannot climb out of poverty?” Poverty is a complex issue but one of the main issues is greed. This is a generalization, but the people who have the means don’t want to share with those who don’t have. This includes not only financially, but taking the time to educate the uneducated to assist them to break the cycle. Plus, according to the CIA Factbook, their estimate in 2008 was 40% unemployment. No jobs means parents can’t buy or afford food, medical, clothing or education for their children which creates a vicious circle of poverty. Overall a true understanding and embracing of Scripture is needed to raise the people out of poverty.
5) “God bless you for helping those unfortunate children who have lost their parents & aunts & uncles to AIDS.” Not a question but something I’d like to address. The children at Nice View are taught about HIV/AIDS in a scientific manner (no hype/superstition/myth). I actually sat in on a classroom last year at Nice View when they were teaching on HIV/AIDS and was very happy to hear the open discussions and questions on the subject. We are praying for our teachers at Nice View that they can be Godly men and women and set a moral example for the children.
6) “What hope is there for these people?” The only hope for them, as for all of us, is the saving Grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. By continuing to love our children in Kenya and showing them (by providing their basic needs) God is there for them and loves them very much we believe the children in turn will come to know the living God and love their neighbor as themselves which will bring hope for the masses.
I pray some of this was informative. Please feel free to contact me with any other questions or comments.
May we listen to our Lord as He continues to guide each of us in the calling He has for us.