Hello family and friends,
I know I always say this but God never fails and once again, what an amazing Mission trip. I didn't want to write until the entire team returned from the medical/construction trip to Kenya, Siaya. I returned a few days fewer then my team members' as I was set apart with a few others for a ten day stay to help with medical needs and of course prayer.
Although I ended up returning alone due to a change of plans, the team made it back without me! Praise the Lord for safety, something we should never take for granted.
So let me tell you how God showed up, Doctors showed up and wow did His children show up! All together there were more then a hundred patients/families a day. Many old friends joined us to help line up the babies on our first day of work. It was a very special day as we had a volunteer Kenyan Pediatrician and Pharmacist to offer more then just medical help. Their talents and motivation shined as they worked and handed out free medicine to many in need. Dr. Miriam took time to talk with and treat over sixty-six families with young children. They both worked so hard and I know God's love was seen through them as they spoke with and treated each patient.
The district hospital also stepped up to plate with three clinical doctors, a chemist and nurse! God is so good. It was such an answered prayer to see the community embrace the clinic that God has given them. We hope to see it open while we are away and look forward to a consistent communication over this sensitive time. Please pray for God's hand to help these Luo friends of ours.
Many of our friends saw the genuine nature of God's love for them in our return. Words fail me when I try to express to you how much it means that you sent me twice in one year! Twice in one year to Africa to serve! We also learned how God has laid a burden on many of their hearts regarding AID's education and prevention. I hope to hear of many more community leaders being tested but more importantly finding the Lord and hope in the midst of a culture where hope is frail. I spoke to a family of six all positive for the disease. I embraced a frail teenager and her mother struggling through this horrible disease and it was heart breaking. Its good to know so many people like you are praying for them. Thank you so much for thinking about our brothers and sisters in Christ that are half way around the world. Your Love for God's purpose to reach the nations encourages me to press on despite any current or future struggles.
On a more personal note, this trip was more eye opening to where God is leading me even as I mobilize teams in the States. I saw an old patient of mine named Cornelia while serving at the clinic. She spotted me in the window while treating a patient. I immediately recognized her and handed over my duties to my team member Rachel. I couldn't run fast enough to meet her outside. Without a common language we embraced and cried. She said,"Praise the Lord!" I said, "Praise the Lord!" We just kept smiling and hugging. I had met Cornelia in January and treated her for a very bad infected gash on her elbow. I prayed with her for healing and recommended she get it stitched because it was so open and needed atleast 20 stitches. Upon return on that very trip two days later as I removed the bandage nothing remained but a small slice with new pink clean skin. As miracles go, I must have insulted my Father in Heaven, as I almost fainted at the healing that had taken place! Cornelia doesn't even show a raised portion of her scar and as we embraced I just knew that God is bigger then all our problems.
What an undeserved gift we have in His love and gift to heal our hearts in every and all circumstances. I need some healing as I hope to encourage many to step out in Faith to the unreached. I ask for healing and help as Mike and I seek out a new place to worship and be encouraged as a young married couple. God has opened the flood gates of blessing as a team of five prepare for China. Im excited and very humbled as God has placed me to lead it. A whole month to teach English, God's Holy word and get to know a little girl Mike and I are hoping to adopt.
Even with all of His leading we need your prayers to accomplish what we cannot do alone. Please pray for Michael and I as this has been and im sure will continue to be a challenging and growth oriented summer. We have already had to make many extremely difficult God lead decisions regarding, Church membership, friends and finances. As always, im praying for everyone that receives this and thanking God for your help and desire to see through new lenses regarding this purpose driven life He gave us all. To God be all the Glory in all that He has done and will do. God Bless you so much.
In Christ's abounding Love,
Mike & Jamie Babb
Southeast Regional Director
Mugomari School Project
Khayega, Kenya
We just received an update from the Mugomari Secondary (High) School and they are making amazing progress! They can make a dollar go further there than anywhere else we've been in East Africa! I know you may not have an encapsulated idea about the school so Craig Nissen, our Resource and Development Director, wrote the following for all of us:
Mugomari Friends School was established in 1965 as a community-based primary school that has now grown to over 800 students. But only just recently did this poor community dream to educate their children beyond 8th grade and begin a secondary school (Form 1 - 4) In 2003, the government of Kenya began providing limited funding to primary schools, but secondary schools and their students bear the entire costs of building construction, teacher salaries, textbooks, materials, uniforms, and equipment. Most families are not able to even consider sending their children to school beyond 8th grade, and those that try commonly pay for fees sporadically and often with maize or beans in lieu of fees. COMMIT Ministries became involved in helping this school achieve its dream of establishing a secondary school in August 2003. Working with school administrators, we have been able to create a working partnership to initially accomplish three specific goals:
1. Construction of a 2-Classroom Building:
Construction of these modest brick and mortar classrooms began shortly after our last visit to the school with initial funds of less than $700. Administrators and workers are making every shilling invested go as far as possible (workers are paid about $1.25 per day), but more work is needed to make the classrooms usable for students. This is not just an opportunity for major gifts! Even small donations will make a big difference to these students that sincerely want to attend a school of their own and genuinely appreciate the kindness of others in making this dream a reality.
2. Sponsorships For Orphaned Children to Attend School:
AIDS is responsible for leaving over 12 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa orphaned. This small area alone has as many as 1,000 orphaned children. They have absolutely no hope of attending school. School sponsorships will provide them an education and give them hope for their future and the future of their community to battle against ignorance, poverty, and sickness. The cost of sending one secondary student to school including uniform, supplies, and lunches is only $204 per YEAR or just $17 a month! You can help!
3. Short Term Teaching Assignments:
Finding teachers to serve in secondary schools is difficult for the schools in Kenya. So few students have had the opportunity to receive training and education needed to be teachers; economically Secondary teachers are paid 1/10 that of Primary School teachers - about $20 per month. The school has expressed a desire to host short-term teachers that would serve at the Secondary School. The length of time teaching is flexible. There are openings to teach athletics, English, Bible, Science, Math, Arts, or whatever your teaching passion is.
Contact us for more information about these opportunities or send tax-deductible gifts to:
COMMIT Ministries, P O Box 2384, Waianae, HI 96792
You can also download this information from this webpage by clicking this link.
