Sunday, November 9, 2014

TRAGEDY AT FARAJA WIDOW’S PROJECT IN KIBERA (Nairobi, Kenya)

I received this sad message first thing Monday morning on Nov. 3, 2014.  I visited these ladies at their workshop in Feb. 2014. I've been selling their bone jewelry and aprons since 2010.
Scroll down to previous post to view photos from my Feb. 2014 trip. 

On behalf of the St. Martha's Ministry, and Faraja widows in Kibera, I would like to request all of you to stand with us in prayer. A great tragedy happened at our project in Kibera at 1.00am today and by 3.00am this morning (11-3-14) the attached pictures is what was left.
We have lost everything; all our sewing machines, already made orders for Christmas, materials, documents etc.
It is indeed a very trying moment for us.
May the Lord bless you all for standing with us during this difficult moment in the history of St. Martha's Ministry and Faraja Widow's project.
     Eunice
Before

After




Praising God for supplying the needed funds to rebuild within 1 month of the fire.
Below are pictures of their new workshop taken on Dec. 5, 2015.
Many thanks to all who supported this project!

    

                                                                
                                                                          


Thursday, November 6, 2014

Feb. 2014 Visit to Faraja Widow's Project in Kibera slums (Nairobi,Kenya)

I am thankful to Eunice Otieno for taking me to visit the women who make the bone jewelry and aprons that I have been selling. This picture was taken at their workshop in Kibera slums in
Feb. 2014

Eunice and Caleb, project coordinators at St. Martha's Ministry. 
The mission strives to improve the quality of life of widows
and orphaned children by HIV/AIDS through economic and spiritual empowerment.

The widow project is named 'FARAJA', the Swahili word for 'comfort'.

Here are some of their beautiful creations.

They make jewelry out of bone, glass beads, or wire.

Bone bracelets

They modeled their handmade aprons for me.

The sewing room.

A sweet message from the women:
The money you have been giving us through buying jewelry and purses has been very helpful to us and the widows and their children. Through selling jewelry and purses, we are buying the school uniforms, pull overs and shoes. Both widows and their children are very happy and grateful to you. 

New Friends in Uganda

Two new friends in Jinja, Diana and Betty.
They each have a special story of  God saving them and taking care of them.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Scenes from Light and Life Free Methodist Church in Jinja, Uganda (Trip 2014)

I travelled to Uganda on Feb. 10-24, 2014.  My last trip was in 2012. I had a wonderful time reconnecting with the Jinja bead makers and working at the Light and Life Free Methodist Church.  I travelled with a team from Janesville, Wisconsin, led by Joy Ngobi, founder of Hope Institute of Uganda.


Joy Ngobi oversaw the disbursement of 2 containers of medical equipment donated by 3 hospitals in Wisconsin. I worked with the bead makers helping with product development and design, as well as sharing spiritual encouragement and Bible teaching at the church.

I also went to Kenya for a few days to visit with the Free Methodist Bishop and his wife, Neddy, and met the widows that make the bone jewelry I have been selling. 

             Pastors Manasseh and Rose              Mama Pascalia with Rebecca and Peace
  

The kids who sang for me. 

The bead makers

Fun time at the well



The parsonage behind the church

Deo proudly shows newly built library shelves

Working with the beaders

They taught me how to make an ornament.

Linda with the kids

Aaron with the kids

Me and Peace

Me and Mercy 2014

      Me with Mercy and her brother 2014                                Mama Esther, bead maker and caretaker


 Me with Mercy in 2012

                                                                         Me with Mercy in 2011-my first trip to Jinja, Uganda

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Arrived in Uganda

Arrived safely. Smooth flights. :) going to bed now. It's after midnight here in Uganda.

Monday, February 10, 2014

On my way to Chicago, then Uganda.

Bags packed. Checked in. On my way. 
The worst part is over. The Packing! Now I can rest and enjoy the journey. 



Friday, February 7, 2014

Some things I look forward to:

Looking foward to:
Seeing the mother's and children again.

   seeing the wildlife          

and walking the red earth of Uganda


      Enjoying the beauty of Lake Victoria and the interesting fruits foriegn to Westerners (Jack Friut)

 
Visiting the leprosy dorm at Baluba hospital.

Speaking at the Jinja Light and Life Church again.
 
 



 

Container 1 packed on Dec. 7, 2013

The first container of medical supplies and equipent to go to Uganda was filled to the max! This picture of Gideon Ngobi personifies the joy felt by all when it was done on Dec. 7, 2013 (taken in Janesville, WI)

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Have Passport. Will travel!

The time has finally come for my next mission trip to Uganda. Dates set for Feb. 10-24.

I am looking forward to reconnecting with the Jinja bead makers and working at
the Light and Life Free Methodist Church again.
I will be travelling with a team from Janesville, Wisconsin, led by
Joy Ngobi, founder of Hope Institute of Uganda.
Joy will oversee the disbursement of 2 containers
of medical equipment donated by 3 hospitals in Wisconsin.  I will be working with the bead makers helping with product development and design,
as well as sharing spiritual encouragement and Bible teaching at the church.