More Thank You's

Even more clothing will be sent to Kenya thanks to the generous donation from another young lady. When she took back some of her Christmas presents that didn't fit, she wasn't able to find anything she wanted to replace them. Her mom told her she could always use that money to buy something for the babies in Africa. They had a good time picking out adorable clothes in the sizes needed. Thanks again for using your gifts (literally!) for the babies. May God bless you richly!

2008: Seeing God at Work

1. Violence in Kenya, over the presidential election in January, impacted the baby center in many different ways. We praise God for His protection of the babies and caregivers during that time. Also for His provision of water and other basic supplies. We know He was in control even though things seemed out of control!

2. Staci Wells became Staci Ketter in January. We thank God for Wyclif and his life of service to the local church and to the baby center. We wish them much happiness in their life together.

3. Nine new babies were welcomed into the baby center family in 2008. They came from hospitals and police stations. They have quickly become healthy thriving babies who have brought joy to everyone who works at the baby center. Currently 28 babies live at the baby center. Forty-six babies have been helped by the baby center since they welcomed their first babies in April 2006.

4. Nine babies have left the baby center in 2008. Seven were adopted. One was transferred to a different home to be with a sibling. One went home to his heavenly father.

5. The baby center was dedicated in September. Former President Moi and Pastor Dave Engbrecht attended the ceremony as well as many other dignataries and church and missionary leaders. This was a joyous celebration of the lives that have been saved and the faithfulness of God to His children.

6. Margie Helmuth moved into an apartment above the baby center in October. Her accounting knowledge and her sweet loving spirit will be such a valuable asset to the work being done there.

7. The long awaited news: "WE HAVE WATER" was heard in December of this year. This project was over a year in the making. We look forward to the many babies that will be able to join the baby center family because this large expense became much smaller.

We praise God for his faithfulness! He has provided every step of the way just what was needed at just the right time. We also thank Him for allowing all of us who have been associated with the baby center in one way or another the joy of getting to know those precious babies! Kenya and the babies at the baby center have stolen the hearts of everyone who have come to know them. And as Pastor Dave says "We are wrecked!"

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Jamie leaves for Kenya at the end of January and thanks to generous donors, he will be taking much needed clothes to the babies at the baby center. The October team saw first hand how desperate the need for the larger size clothing was. A donation of gently used size 2T and 3T clothes were left at the ministry center and they were exactly what the babies were low on. Also some teenagers sold items at a garage sale this summer and used the money to buy some clothes and towels for the babies. The caregivers at the center will be so delighted when they get them - I wish those who donated could be there to see! It is always so exciting to see all of the different ways God uses his people to supply the babies needs!

We Have A New Baby! - January 2009

Baby John joined the baby center familyin December 2008. He was welcomed by his 27 brothers and sisters. He is a cutie! Please pray that God will touch a couple's heart to adopt Jonathon. And continue to pray for parents for all of the babies currently residing at the baby center.

Michelle's wedding gift

Michelle Mast and her dad Denny went with an NMC work team to Kenya to the baby center in December 2007. She fell in love with the babies there and continued to pray and share about them long after she came home. When Michelle married Mike Marshall on November 21, 2008 she wanted the babies in Kenya to be a part of the ceremony. At the reception at each place setting was a tea candle with the following message attached:
A donation has been made in your name to the Africa Gospel Church Baby Center in Kenya. This candle represents the abandoned and the broken. Take your candle and go light your world!
Mike & Michelle

Thank you Mike and Michelle for sharing your special day with babies half a world away! May God bless you both as you begin your new life together!

WE HAVE WATER!!!!!!

We finally heard the words we have been waiting for this morning "we have water"! Billy Fuller reported the well casing is 117 meters (384 ft.), the well head is pumping water and the water tastes great. Billy drank right from the well tap which makes me really jealous. Billy invited us for steaks on his grill tonight and I just might take him up on that one! (Could be tough getting to Kenya by supper time) The aquifer is LARGE and appears very clean. We have shipped a water sample to be tested and will have the results within 2 days. Margie is sending pictures today so we will get them up on the blog as soon as we can. Thank our Father in heaven tonight for His faithfulness! He is bigger than any problem we face today, tomorrow or next week!

Jamie Lengacher

Almost There!

We received word that we are at 105 meters (344 ft.). We have a steady supply of water and should be at the correct depth within the next few days!!! We expect a phone call sometime over the next two days to announce the drilling has ceased and we are ready to hook up the wellhead. Once the drilling has stopped we will be ready to construct a small pump house. The brick material to build the pump house was donated by the lady we bought the land from. She has become a great friend to the baby center. God has been so good in supplying us everything we need on this project. Continue to pray for wisdom as we begin the next phase in this project.

Jamie Lengacher

Through the Rock!!!!

As we approach Thanksgiving God has given us another reason to be thankful at the Baby Center. We have drilled through the hard-pan and the water level has stayed consistent. The Ministry of Water representative assured us that is exactly what we wanted and that he is confident we have a long, sustainable source of water for many years to come. Since Kenya does not have a Thanksgiving holiday they will be drilling the rest of the week. We are at 94 meters (308'). We believe we have a little less than 100' to go. When you stop to give thanks tomorrow remember all the "throw away" children of Kenya and be thankful for all our Father has given us. This mission of "saving the least of these" has never meant more to me than it does right now. God Bless

Jamie Lengacher

Kenya thru Bev & Bernie Lambright's eyes

Bev and Bernie Lambright were members of Team #5 and Team #9. Bernie is also one of the leaders with the water project. These pictures are from their trip in October 2008.

In His Time

As of today we have drilled 80 meters (262 ft.). We have hit some hard-pan which was expected. While this slows the drilling process we have been assured that we are still on target to hit a major water source. We have consistently been in a large water vien since drilling past 160 feet. We should have a better understanding of how much longer it will take after Tuesday. I thank each of you for praying for this project. I'm confident we will have the source of water that God intended.

Baby Fever

Baby Fever. What is it? It is the love and passion you get for the little ones at the AGC Baby Center. After seeing so many pictures and hearing so many stories, to experience it myself was amazing. I want to thank all of the people who worked so hard to build it, all the sweat and time you put into it. I enjoyed the fruits of your labor....being able to stay right there above the babies and able to go and play with them after supper. I think we got the best end of the deal! Oh, we worked at painting and building cabinets ect. But the best part was having my nose pinched, and all the children yelling "Auntie, Auntie" when I walked by. Thank you to Pastor Dave and Jamie and Jolinda for passing the fever onto us. Pastor Dave talks about the eyes of an orphan, it is true there is something about the eyes of an orphan. They tell a sad story without saying a word. If God is calling you to catch the fever, you should follow His call. It is the best thing we have experienced.

Pete and Tina Carpenter