The Abigail Endowment - Hope in Kenya

The following article appeared in the July 2008 Priority Newsletter:

By Eric Smith, Director of MCIF (Missionary Church Investment Foundation)

With MCIF celebrating 50 years of ministry this year we've asked for examples of how MCIF has helped make a difference for Missionary Churches. Here's a moving example of a simple and basic way MCIF has played a small part in an important ministry for NMC (Nappanee Missionary Church):

It's a short story written by Jolinda Lengacher, a ministry volunteer for NMC called, THE ABIGAIL ENDOWMENT.

"The members of Nappanee Missionary Church have had their hearts stolen by a group of small children that most of them have never met. They are the babies of the AGC Baby Center in Ngata, Kenya, East Africa.

In 2003, Pastor Dave Engbrecht was asked by missionary Melody Dearmon what NMC was going to do about the AIDS problem in Africa. After hearing his answer, she shared another way NMC could be of service. Partners were needed to help build an adoption center in Kenya for orphaned and abandoned babies between the ages of birth to two years old. The need for this age group is especially great as they require much more individual care than many of the traditional orphanages in Kenya were able to provide. They also plan to adopt out the babies at a very young age. In September of 2004 the first NMC work team was sent to help pour the foundation. Several work teams were sent in the following years to continue the work on the building. Then in early 2007 NMC became even more heavily involved when we were led to take an even bigger role at the center. A work team sent in March of that year confirmed God's leading to take charge and finish construction of the building. That team was also priviledged to meet a very special little angel named Abigail. Although she was very ill while the team was there, she exuded a sweet spirit that everyone was drawn to and fell in love with. Abigail recovered after we returned home. Then another illness later that summer was too much for Abby's tiny body. She went home to be with Jesus on September 8, 2007. Abby's death moved our congregation to tears, but also to a stronger determination to help those who are the most weak and vulnerable in Kenya - the babies. After holding, feeding and loving these children, we knew we had to do everything in our power to help them grow to lead the lives God intended for them. This need would continue not just today, not just tomorrow, but for years in the future.

One of the ways we are able to support the babies at the Baby Center is through the Abigail Endowment at NMC. Invested with MCIF, now a monthly interest check comes to NMC which then goes on to the Baby Center. It is currently enough to endow not only one life, but nearly two, for years into the future. The endowment is also providing funds through MCIF to finance church building. Those churches can further impact the world for Christ. James 1:27 says "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and foultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." Because of the endowment, Abigail's brief life will be remembered and honored for generation after generation."

Abigail goes to be with Jesus

On September 10, 2007 we received an email with this message from Staci Wells:
"Today is a difficult day for our AGC Baby Center Family as we will lay to rest one of our precious baby girls, Abigail. Abby was taken to be with Jesus early Saturday morning. We know she is in perfect peace and rest, and we trust that Jesus' purposes for her life were fulfilled. But still we hurt and many in our family will struggle this afternoon at the burial as well as in the days to come. Even some of the bigger kids are aware that something is different. They see Abby's photo and say "Abby?" (which is the only name that any of them knew how to say). They all loved her so much and were unexplainably drawn to her, always gathering around her in the mornings when they were outside. It was like they knew that she need their support. So pray for our family here. We're thankful for the hope and joy and comfort of Jesus. And we're thankful for the LIFE that we're surrounded by everyday in each one of our precious family. Our family, by the way, remains at 25 - another thing that Jesus knew would be needed. On Friday evening (the same day Abby was admitted to the hospital) baby Meshack was left at our gate. In taking Abby home, the Lord provided space for Meshack here with us. THANK YOU for continuing to lift us up to the Father. We know already that He's answering."
For those of us who met Abby, we can tell you that Abby was an angel here on earth. She left a lasting impact and we pray that her life and death will leave a lasting impact on our church. Abby knew what it meant to be loved for the short time she was here on earth. But there are many more who will die without knowing that love. We need to continue the work God has called us to and ask ourselves what can I do?