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."

Current News

Many people have been asking if the situation in Kenya has settled down. So I thought I would try to update everyone with what we have heard from the missionaries. Since the two political parties have come to a power sharing agreement, the rioting has almost completely stopped. The missionaries have said there have been no problems in and around the baby center. In fact things seem very much back to normal. They are having no problems getting the water and other supplies they need. They feel safe to travel to Tenwek and other areas of the country. And the caregivers feel safe to come to work. We are planning to send another team again soon and continue the work God has called us to. We appreciate everyone's diligent prayers during Kenya's time of crisis. And ask that you continue to pray that the country's stability will return and that the people of Kenya will continue to adopt the beautiful babies God has placed in our care at the baby center.

Kids Rescuing Kids in Kenya

When I spoke with missionary Melody Dearmon about our Kenya Night she was thrilled! But she wasn't surprised that the youth were being touched by God to help the babies in Kenya. She, in fact, had written an article for WGM's Call To Prayer publication about young people she had known whom God had also called to give. I asked her to send it to me, so here it is:

KIDS RESCUING KIDS IN KENYA


It's always been intriguing to me, to watch a child play with a baby. Children of all ages are easily amused by this smaller version of themselves, and seem complimented by the grasp of a tiny hand around their finger, now so big by comparison. Babies seem to bring out the best in children, but it's clear that babies need adults to care for them. Only adults can meet the needs of babies … right? Don't tell that to some of our supporters ! God has sent some pretty young boys and girls to us, and they might just make some of you adults sit up and take notice! They have certainly made an impression on us.



It's been a year since we came to Kenya, East Africa as career missionaries. After months of orientation and language study, we began the awesome task of building the Africa Gospel Church Baby Center, a home of love and security for babies orphaned or abandoned, as the result of disease and poverty. Like all WGM missionaries, we had to raise a considerable amount of cash and monthly support to get to the field. This was and is, no small undertaking, but has definitely been a faith builder. By the time we got to Kenya, we had a profound sense of the team of Christians back home who give sacrificially to make it possible for us to take the love of Christ to this part of His world.



To us, a big part of our support team has been some of it's smallest members. Have they been able to give large sums of money? No, their contributions have been proportionate to their size, but we know from scripture that with God, little is much. Somehow, we have felt very keenly that these pint-size contributions will have a tanker-size impact. We believe God honors the heart and efforts of child in a special way.


Want some examples? Our first elementary school-aged sponsors are themselves Missionary Kids, one of whom already supports his missionary aunt. But, when they heard about hurting babies without mommies and daddies, they wanted to help. Compared to the little allowance and spending money they had, their giving to help the babies in Kenya was huge.



Another girl, a pre-teener, mailed in two weeks allowance and a lovely letter written with great sensitivity to the things of the Lord. She was going to have her long hair cut soon, to give to an organization that makes wigs for pediatric Chemo patients. She wished she could do more and thinks she might want to be a missionary herself someday.

2.





Want another one? How about the little girl whose heart was broken when she heard about the babies and children in Africa who needed a home? She asked her mother how she could raise money to help, and we thank God for this parent who found time to encourage and help her daughter follow the Lord's leading. She recently sent in $137 from the proceeds of a garage sale, stocked with donations she had solicited from others in her community who wanted to help.



At our own church in Savannah, Georgia, the Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, many children (and some adults too!) made wonderful cards and wrote letters of encouragement to us, to let two missionaries far from home know that we are loved and appreciated.



God is building a giving ethic in these young hearts that should inspire and challenge those of us much older. My husband and I have certainly been encouraged in our own walk of faith by these children and young people who are definitely doing their part as kids rescuing kids in Kenya!!

December Construction Pictures

Kenya Night

This Wednesday night, February 20th, is the youth's Kenya Night. There are tons of awesome things to bid on and 1/2 of the money raised that night will go toward the AGC Baby Center. The other 1/2 will go towards Caleb Bislow's ministry to the Maasai. Go to kenyanight.com to place online bids for the items you want. And as Pastor Derry says, bid RIDICULOUS amounts as you know that the money will go towards two excellent causes. It is so exciting to see the youth get so excited and involved in two ministries that will make an eternal difference. There will also be a bake sale that night and a talent show. So please come show your support to the many young men and women who put their heart and soul into this. Thanks!

Construction pictures

Urgent Prayer Request

We received an email from Staci from the baby center. She praised the Lord that they had finally received a truckload of water. They are still in desperate need of our prayers in the following areas:

1. Water supply continues to be a serious problem.
2. 2,200 refugees at Ogilgei (a village near Ngata)
3. Pastors and Red Cross workers who are trying to help
refugees on limited funds and limited strength.
4. Staci and Wycliff as they continue to minister in new
and unique ways to all those God puts in their path.
5. Continued safety for the babies at the baby center and
all those who work there.

She praised God as He continues to supply for their every need. Please continue to pray for Kenya, the needs are great but our God is greater!

Dan's talk with Margie

Dan Jacobs talked with Margie Helmuth this morning. She is doing fine but the situation in Kenya can be hard to deal with day after day. Almost everyone knows someone who has been touched with the violence. Today it was a friend of Margie's. His brother was killed overnight. Her heart hurts for the senseless violence that took her friend's brother and that has claimed far too many Kenyans. Please pray for healing for all of those affected by violence. And please pray for Margie. Pray that God will be especially near, that He will hold her in the palm of His hand, that she will be encouraged by the love shown to her by God. Pray that she will continue to be a light in a dark land. Pray for her friend as he grieves the loss of his brother. Pray that God will give him comfort and healing.

December 2007 Baby Slideshow

Comment from Jon Andrews, Youth Minister at Wakarusa Missionary Church

I am so gald that you all are home safely. Alison, Preston and I have been praying for you all. I want to thank you all for doing what you have done with/for the baby center.

I have been reminded during your trip of 2 things. #1 God tells us to go, if He says it we should do it. #2 The importance of modeling to students faithfullness. God has placed a burden on your hearts for the baby center, and you have been faithful.

We're Home!

...."Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow -- what a ride!'"
This quote was sent by Margie Helmuth soon after we returned home from Kenya. It serves as a reminder to us that we are not meant to sit in our lazy boys until the Lord takes us home to be with Him. We are to be out doing the work He has called us to do. Most of the time it will not be in a dangerous location. But if it is, we will remember that God is in control. He will give us peace that passes understanding.