Sad News

Friday, December 28th
That evening we received a call from my mom telling me that my 93 year old grandfather had passed away. My first reaction was relief as he had been in the nursing home for a long time and could no longer walk or do anything for himself. And for the most part he couldn't communicate with us. Then the grief hit me that I would no longer see my grandpa's sweet smile this side of heaven. Jamie said he would fly me home for the funeral if I wanted. I considered it for a moment but felt strongly that God did not bring me half way around the world to turn right around and go home. I am so glad that I had spent my Wednesday's for the past year or so with him and my grandma. Maybe that should be a prerequisite for making a trip like this: To make sure if something happened to you or to someone you love while you were gone that you would have no regrets. Or maybe that's the way we should live our lives everyday! I will miss my grandpa but am confident that I will see him again someday in heaven.

Peter - December 2007

Peter was still a shy little guy when the NMC work team visited the baby center in December 2007. Although he slowly warmed up to many team members. In the top picture he was being held by Monica Lengacher. In the picture with the yellow shirt he was eating dirt! Boys will be boys! Peter is now a little over 1 year old.

Our Journey Begins

Wednesday, December 26th thru Friday, December 28th
I have heard Pastor Dave say when commissioning teams that it is so important to pray for them because "you can get into any country - you might not get out!" Fortunately at the time I didn't think it pertained to our beloved Kenya. We had been told the elections might possibly take place on December 26 when we were originally making our plans. But after conferring with several different missionaries felt we were going to be fine as long as we were out of Nairobi before the President was announced. They moved the elections to the 27th so we felt sure there wouldn't be any problems for our group as that was the day we were arriving and we were leaving early on the 28th. We were a little concerned when we found out another group that had arrived the same day as us had arranged security to travel with them back to Nakuru. They said we could join them but as they were not leaving until later in the day on the 28th, our drivers felt we were still safer to go on our own but leave by 7:30. We stayed overnight at the home of Missionary Robyn Moore who was back in the states for surgery. After breakfast and time spent in prayer, we set off. We had no problems leaving Nairobi even though part of our journey was a couple blocks from the Kibera slum where much unrest was expected to take place. What a relief it was to arrive at the Baby Center and see Dan and Dana Jacobs and their family who had been there for 2 weeks. And what anticipation we had to get to work. We settled into the guesthouse which is right above the nursery. (Can you imagine 29 babies 2 and under below you when you "sleep"! Our next project might be a soundproof ceiling installed in the nursery!) Then we went to visit the babies. Although there are only 5 more babies than when we last visited in March, they have all grown bigger so the room seemed much more crowded (and noisy!) At first they were quite frightened of all the new faces, but it did not take long before the older ones were saying "Auntie (or Uncle) - look!" I'm still convinced that somehow we got all of the cutest babies in Kenya residing here!

Simon - December 2007

Simon was about 10 months old when the NMC work team came to Kenya in December 2007. Simon always looks like he is thinking and studying everything around him. He will probably grow up to be a scientist or professor!

2007 12 Kenya Team Picture

Front Row:  Michelle Mast, Talia Jacobs, Carson Jacobs, Dana Jacobs, Dan Jacobs, Mackenzie Lechlitner, Brittany Lengacher, Monica Lengacher

Back Row:  Margie Helmuth, Denny Mast, Jolinda Lengacher, Jamie Lengacher, Staci Wells (soon to be Keter)

Team #6 Construction Pictures

Construction continues on the baby center. Here are the photos from Ed Mosier.

Team #6 Baby Pictures

Ed Mosier and Bob Leinbach returned with these wonderful pictures of the babies. They are why we are continuing to work hard to finish the baby center. God has blessed our congregation by allowing us to work in Kenya. Pray that the work will continue and more little ones like these will be saved!

Team & Construction Update

The construction process is going well. Ed Moser and Bob Leinbach returned from Kenya on November 20th while Kenny McIntyre left for Kenya on November 23rd. Kenny joined Verle Hostetler to continue helping with the construction of the baby center. The roof is complete except for a 20' area. The steel will not be in to finish this section until sometime in December. While this is a small set back it does not change our goal of finishing the center in January. Here is a small list of things being done: painting of interior walls, metal ceilings being installed, exterior and interior doors and windows being installed, cabinet construction, cleaning of site grounds and sealing of cement floors. Many processes are well underway and our teams have been nothing short of outstanding. I thank God for each one of them. NMC's next team leaves Friday December 7th. Those team members are Denny Yoder, Andy Farmwald and Steve Cross(New Life Member). These three men will return on December 18 with Kenny and Verle. I cannot thank Verle enough for his dedication to the babies of Kenya. He has done an amazing job and has quickly gained the respect of our Kenyan brothers. Keep praying for our teams and the people of Kenya.

Jamie Lengacher

Happy Thanksgiving!

Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Psalm 105:1-3

Video

This moving video was shown in our morning services on November 18, 2007.

What will you do?

There are over 2.3 million orphans in Kenya!
The need is urgent and doing nothing is not an option - what will you do to help?
Steve and Donna Henry spoke in our morning services on Sunday, November 18th. They shared their passion for the babies at the baby center. They also thanked our church for the work that we have done and encouraged us that the need is still urgent. Steve and Donna are the assistant field directors in Kenya. They work directly with the baby center. Their visit corresponded with our missions month. A timeline video was shown demonstrating how NMC's involvement began and what has happened since then. There was also a video showing what the babies might say if they could talk. It was beautifully done as was the first video. Again people's hearts were moved as evidenced by the many tears wiped away after the video. The "three words" video will hopefully be added to youtube and when it is I will add the link here. A special thanks to Rodney Jernas for his diligent work on the two videos. He understands the vision and was able to relay that in such a powerful way thru video media.