Lessons from Kenya

 I can’t believe it’s been almost 2 years since I’ve been to Kenya! Most of my trips have been in May/June time period so my Facebook memories are popping up daily of so many of the amazing moments I’ve had there!   

People always ask me what I like most about Kenya. And my response is always too long as there’s too many things. But here’s a couple of my favorites:

1. The PEOPLE: My team is AMAZING! They are my family. They are prayer warriors, overcomers, conquerors, world changers, servant hearts and funny as heck. We have so much fun! And of course, the people we meet are kind, generous, inspiring and beyond grateful! Their joy, through many obstacles, is contagious!

2. The PERSPECTIVE: I always say that I’m my best self when I’m in Kenya. I wish I could say that about myself back home but it wouldn’t be the truth. When I’m in Kenya, I feel closer to God. There’s so much out of my control that it requires me to be stay connected to Him through prayer and to help me see His eternal view versus my worldly/temporary view of things. I pray more. I find more joy in simple things. I don’t expect things to run smoothly. I’m more patient.

3. The PASSION AND PURPOSE: When I’m in Kenya every year (except 2020), it reignites my passion and purpose for what we are doing. I get affirmation of how God has taken something small and turned it into something magnificent. I’m reminded of how we can all do something and whatever we bring to the table, God multiples!

There are so many more things that I love about Kenya but these are always my favorite. I’m praying for an upcoming trip and waiting to hear from God as to when to go. I’m also looking for a few others to join me. This isn’t a field trip. I won’t be a tour guide. But if you have a heart to help others (not just witness us helping others) and God’s been tugging on your heart to join us, please reach out and let me know! We can start the conversation about a future trip! 

In the meantime, I’m so thankful for these articles that share a glimpse into what we are doing across the globe. Our writer,  Paul Mukami, does such a great job telling the stories of just a few of the lives we are impacting each month so you can see how the difference we are making and how God is using your support for His kingdom!

Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers! We can’t wait to see what He has in store as life starts returning to normal! 

Your Sister in Christ,

Christa Horst

Give Amore Founding Director  

#28 Clean Water Well Bringing Joy to a Community In Kenya

As a young boy, Ben recalls accompanying his mother on long treks in search of water for domestic use, a commodity that didn’t guarantee freedom from pathogens and a venture that left them worn out and hungry. But not anymore; Give Amore blessed his community with a clean water well courtesy of your generous giving. 

Capricious and tiring as water hunting was, they held close to their heart that someday it would be a thing of the past and just as it is, their prayers have been answered. This well brings with it solutions to long strenuous walks to streams and also helps curb rampant waterborne infections.  

This marvelous well brings Give Amore’s total number of boreholes dug to twenty-eight and as things stand, we aren’t stopping at that tally. With your continued support and our prolific partnership, we hope and are excited to do more. Thank you! 

Her Best Mother's Day Yet!

Phyllis’ hope and joy are tangible thanks to Give Amore Sewing Program-Made with Amore that taught her skills so she could provide for herself and her son!

Three years ago, Phyllis’ marital walls came tumbling down and for once her life felt like there was no promise of tomorrow in what she considered a mean world with meager opportunities. However, noticeable in her eyes currently is a joy that sets her apart from the rest of her peers definitively.

After eviction from her home by her alcoholic husband, Miss. Jamosa stood by her sole promise to give her son the best a mother could and from the look of things, her elected trajectory is paying off. Currently working from home as a seamstress courtesy of the training she received at Give Amore, this motivated mama is changing her world immensely than she could comprehend.

Interestingly, her favorable tariffs not only fetch her the much-needed income but also keep her loyal customers flocked at her door step for her services now turned essential. Phyllis 38, works from home due to pertinent Covid 19 restrictions and mainly specializes in children’s clothes a passion that is chiefly influenced by her seven-year-old son.

New Beginnings, New Opportunities for our Children

We have won, lost, laughed, cried, fell but always got up because the purpose God has placed in our hands is worth everything. Through the years we have mentored our children into respectable young men and women and impacted dozens in the community something that has kept us hooked to the true meaning of hope joy and love.

We have graduated dozens from high school and advanced others to college and everyday this motivates us to even do more. Currently we graduated four girls from high school namely Grace, Everline, Frida and Emily and the good news is, they are eligible to join community level colleges according to current Kenyan educational standards.

Despite the negative effects the pandemic had on the education sector world over, these amazing ladies managed to give it their best and just like their predecessors they are on track to stepping in the shoes of becoming the women they so dreamt to be. 

Continuing to Plant Seeds and Wait for Harvest

Our life changing, life giving Made with Amore sewing program is in jeopardy of closing. We need general funds to keep it open!

Dear Partners,

Spring is here (though Winter doesn’t seem to want to let up her grip) and a new season is slowly making its way. Life begins anew though the process started when seeds were planted and there isn’t much evidence to believe that flowers will bloom. Give Amore has been planting seeds and reaping harvests for over 6 years now. It’s a beautiful thing to see the fruit of our love and labor show up! Yet, there’s still more planting to be done. Still more growth that’s under the surface ready for some warm air, sunshine and water in order for it to spring forth.

God has provided so much this past year when the outlook was bleak. He’s in the details! He’s good and wants good thing for his children! He uses His people to complete his work here on the earth and we are beyond grateful that you’ve joined us in prayer and partnership to help with our mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our brothers and sisters across the globe!

However, we are currently in need of additional support. Our sewing program is in jeopardy as we’ve had no funds raised for it this past year since there were no new products to sell due to me not traveling to Kenya. Or, if we are able to continue our sewing program, we will have to change things drastically. We are in need of 15 $600 per year sponsors ($9000 per year) to help us graduated 15 students per year from our sewing program. This will provide the training, the tools and the sewing machines for them to receive upon graduation so they can start their own businesses! This is how we “teach them to fish” so they can feed themselves and their own families!

 Our sewing program is one of a kind and I believe God is not finished with it yet. However, our general donations have declined and the cost of everything has  increased. If we do not receive funds for this immediately, we will have to make a decision. 

 We believe that when we ask, we receive. Knock and the door shall be opened. Will you answer the call and help us continue this life-giving program?

Please donate any amount at www.giveamore.org and it will be used to help with this. Recurring donations allow us to budget and plan better but all donations are welcome!

We could not do what we do without your support.  We are forever grateful!

Christa Horst and the Give Amore Team

Celebrating Shadrack

Shadrack taught us all so much about life, choosing joy and that each life has purpose. We celebrate he is with Jesus and we look forward to seeing him in heaven one day. Well done good and faithful servant.

A few days ago Shadrack went to be with the lord after many years of living with cerebral palsy, a condition that got worse with time until his passing. Despite being a rock to his mother and sister, friends and extended family, he was an endearing joy, glimmer of hope and most of all love to us all.

Despite his demise engulfing us with great sorrow, it is not lost on us that he is happy and healthy in heaven, no longer constricted by his earthly body. He was a cousin to Grace and Evaline both who are part of our Give Amore sponsorship program.

So much to be said about our boy but we can boldly liken him to our appealing values of joy, hope and love given that he taught us resilience courage and compassion  even in his most painful of moments. We are glad, proud and blessed to have known him for the better part of his life.

#27th Well of Great Purpose

Sherlyn’s and her community appreciate the gift of clean water!!!

For Sherlyn’s community it is good news of clean safe water putting an end to their daily search of this precious commodity in rivers and streams. Courtesy of your generous giving, tens of families will draw and consume clean water safe from pathogens, a blessing they so hold dear.

During its prayer dedication and commissioning, the ecstatic village representatives exuded gratitude of how thoughtful the gesture was and promised to protect and take good care of it for its long term sustainability.

This well adds up the total number of wells dug to twenty seven and more good news is that well number 28 is in the pipeline and should be ready in a fortnight. Just like their predecessors these boreholes are a special significance of hope, joy and love that God desires to be reverberated throughout the world among all mankind.

Catapulted to Independence

Our newest Made with Amore graduates sharing their handmade dresses they designed and sewed as part of our incredible, one of a kind, sewing program!

Made with Amore, a vibrant segment within Give Amore, marked another tailoring school graduation the second one during the Covid 19 pandemic.  As is tradition, this not only empowers the students but also instills confidence and sense of independence.  

This time we had five women graduating after successfully completing a six months training on everything embroidery. Each of them was awarded with a sewing machine and a sawing kit to kick-start their journey in business. 

Almost all of these women are single mothers looked unto to care for their families nay village. Therefore, their graduation and awards trickles down to the very last person who depends on them in both the short and long run of their business successes.*

We wish them all the best. 

An Eye-Opening Experience in Texas Leads to Even Greater Compassion

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


”

— Matthew 6:19-21

Dearest Partners,

I apologize for the delay in getting our monthly newsletter out, but we were literally frozen in Texas.  I’ve struggled with so many emotions this past week and I needed some time to process them and check my heart because I wasn’t always in a good place of choosing joy. As we went without heat, water, electricity and food shortages, access to medical care, access to transportation and more, my perspective always brought me back to my beautiful Kenyans and their daily struggles with these same basic necessities.

I’ve always said that here in America most of our problems are “First World Problems”.  You know the whining and complaining “that the order was wrong” or “the line was too long” or “the portion was too small”. Yes, there’s real struggles here as well but most of the time you hear Americans complaining about “first world problems”. However, this past week in Texas, we were unexpectedly confronted with problems that my Kenyan brothers and sisters face daily. And to be straight up honest, it sucked. 

As we slowly start digging out from devastation to our electrical grid, our plumbing, our water supply, our food shortages, and more, I can only pray that this experience gives us all greater empathy for our brothers and sisters across the globe who live with these struggles every single day. I pray that we rally with compassion like never before to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I recognize that it’s nearly impossible to thrive when you’re only focus in on surviving. Most of my day consisted of fetching water and boiling it! I carried water across the street to my house and had to have a neighbor help me because it was so heavy! 

Though I didn’t choose joy as often as I had wished I would have, I did see so much power in prayer and so much goodness in the power of community as our street, neighborhood and community at large rallied to help those in need! It was amazing! There is so much power in community and I know together, each of our contributions to Give Amore, is truly making a difference! 

Please read these 3 articles for just a glimpse at what we can do for our global community when we pull our resources and use them to impact lives so others can  THRIVE! 

May God Bless You and Keep You Safe,

Christa Horst

Pamela Vicente’s well of wellness

Well #26 is flowing and blessing many!

Emirere village was known for its sprawling water shortages and common waterborne infections but pertinently it is brimming with clean water courtesy of Give Amore’s 26th well. The beneficiaries are ecstatic and thrilled by their new gift after ages of lack all thanks to your thoughtful giving.

So what makes this well paramount in the lives of this community? Firstly, in a village of tens of families, this new baby will cut down on their time spent wandering far and wide in search of clean water. Secondly, the time saved will be invested in improving the lives of locals economically. Further, more children will spend their much needed time in school and at play and so much more.

The well is strategically located at Moses’ homestead and throughout its life of service, will remain open to the village and the larger community to draw from. Consequently, it is worth noting that well number twenty-seven is fully funded and soon its sinking will take course. 

Harriet Flying High

Harriet thriving with her sewing business after graduating from Give Amore’s sewing school.

Somewhere in Kenya’s western province, Harriet, a cheerful, hearty woman is basking in the beauty of her hard work that keeps yielding every day.  This resilient woman, 33, gave her all in our free tailoring school and successfully completed, an effort that got her where she is now.

Instantaneously after her graduation from the program, she hit the ground running and started her home tailoring shop something that she is marvelled at and proud of. Speaking to her, she asserted how her gifts of knowledge, skill, and equipment changed her life immensely in many ways she never thought of. 

Living in a low lying remote village, she used to worry about her tomorrow but now from her small living room, shines beams of hope, possibility and determination that she positively embraces to propel her into the future. Her passion led her to major on women and children clothes and all round repairs. 

Leaping into a Bright Future

Emily picking up her monthly supplies prior to her season of testing for graduation!

Via your continued support over the years, our 12th graders will be graduating from high school in a fortnight! With amore, we say a big Thank You! Emily, Eveline, Grace and Frida are due to sit their final national tests, a huge element of their viability for college scholarships. 

For over a decade you have natured and watched them grow into beautiful young people that they are and as their stewards, all we can do is support and dwell with them in prayer as they take this huge step in their lives, a milestone that will usher them towards their dreams.

They begin their tests in soon and with that in mind, we pray for good health and courage through the entire vital inevitable process. 

A Tidal Wave of Love

Dear Partners,

We are embarking on our 7th year of ministry in Kenya! Who could have ever imagined when God gave me a vision to help my brothers and sisters across the globe over 10 years ago that we would be here! It started with purchasing chairs for the Cornerstone School. That’s it! That was how God works. Don’t ever underestimate the power we have to make a difference when we follow God’s prompting! 

2020 was a crazy year for us all. It was no different in Kenya. But, we are resilient and God is good and we made it through to a new year. School has resumed in person and all of our children just received much needed school supplies, shoes, uniforms and more! We’ve also added a few new students to our program! We finished 2020 with 25 clean water wells (and a huge clean water project-sanitation stations in over 50 communities), our sewing program graduating over a dozen students and a few jigger clinics! 

As we head into 2021, we have funds for 2 clean water wells that will be starting soon! We have students graduating from our sewing program in March and April and all of our children are funded! Our biggest need currently is in general donations to cover miscellaneous expenses (motorbike repair/maintenance, medical expenses as they come up, supplies, facility repairs, etc.) and any future jigger clinics. Please pray that God will continue to provide through the generosity of His people! He gave me a vision of 100 clean water wells and I know He will see it through! 

We appreciate your faithful support whether you are a new partner or if you have been with us from the beginning. It’s incredible to see how when we come together our ripple effect is a tidal wave! When we all do what we can, God uses it and multiplies it! As I always say, it’s an honor and privilege to have a front row seat to this. Thank you for your trust and partnership!

Your Sister in Christ,

Christa Horst 

It is Back to School in Kenya

With the dawn of the New Year, it is back to school for all learners in Kenya and despite the ragging pandemic world over, the government has carefully crafted a return to school plan to help protect the students against Covid 19 both while at home and school.

Josephine, as well as all our sponsored children is excited to resume learning after months of staying home due to the global pandemic that led to all schools closing indefinitely. Also given that Kenya has no homeschooling plan in its education system, there is no way she could have kept up with her syllabus. 

Armed with books, stationery, full school uniform, and more, Josephine is ecstatic and eager to go back to school, meet her peers and dig in, in the buffet of education she so missed.  We pray for their safety!

A 25th Solution to Water Problems in Kenya

 Well #25 is completed, commissioned and is now serving the community around it. Clean water is hard to come by in western Kenya and thus it is not lost on us to acknowledge your vital role in helping to get us at this point in our mission. Thank you for your dedicated support! 

The well is strategically located at Gizel and Khalid’s home and open to everyone who would wish to draw from it. Our mission over the years has been to rid western Kenya of water scarcity and waterborne diseases and our efforts are greatly paying off.

In rural Kenya, most households have snags accessing clean safe water for consumption leaving them to long treks in search for this precious item in unsafe open water sources. Therefore, this well boosts our essential objective of helping eradicate waterborne diseases while easing access to clean safe water.

As the year begins, we cannot wait to see what 2021 has in store for all of us.

An Ever Blossoming Family

Moses W. is now part of our ever growing family of love coming in at a paramount time that schools are reopening in Kenya after a long stay at home courtesy of lack of school fees as well as the global pandemic. This is an exhilarating second shot at education for him. 

As a welcoming gift, he received a set of new clothes, undergarments, household utensils, full school uniform, and books among other school items. 

Moses was abandoned by his mother for another marriage when he was little and his father remains unknown to date. His frail grandmother took up the parental arms and has since looked after him, his sister and four cousins.

His granny does menial work in people’s farms for less than a dollar wage and at times even begs just to feed her grandchildren. Therefore, this is a huge blessing nay breakthrough for Moses and we wish him all the best as we help shape a brighter future for him.

Let it Be Christmas

It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you…yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand. –Mother Teresa

Dearest Partners,

 As we wrap up an unprecedented year, it was so wonderful to wrap it up with a beautiful Christmas party with everyone together in Kenya! When so much has felt out of our control this year, to realize that we have the power to help our brothers and sisters across the globe is unreal.  We have the power to change lives and use our gifts and talents and our time and treasures without ever leaving the comforts and safety of our homes! What a blessing! 

Just a few of the year-end blessings are as follows:

·      Every child in our sponsorship program received a new outfit for Christmas!

·      Every child in our sponsorship program and their guardian families received a DOUBLE portion of monthly food provision!

·      Everyone associated with our Give Amore programs (staff, sewing students, computer training students, children, guardians, well workers and more) was able to enjoy a rare buffet meal with their fill of rare treats-chicken and chapati to name a few!

·      Clean water well #25 just hit water and will be ready to bless another community very soon!

·      Clean water well  #26 is funded for the New Year!

·      Our Made with Amore sewing program is fully funded through April 2021 despite not having any tote bags to sell!

·      And so much more!

When we reflect on all the ways God has provided, especially during an extremely challenging season, it astounds me. It strengthens my faith and should strengthen yours! We’ve all just been obedient to His calling on our hearts and He works it all out. When so much feels out of control, He reminds us He’s still in control! 

What an absolute privilege it is for me to head into 2021 strengthened in my faith, strengthened in my resolve to continue being obedient to God’s calling for me to lead Give Amore and His mission to use us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Thank you for joining us and supporting this monumental effort. Together we really are giving hope, giving joy and giving love!

And the angel said unto them,  “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. –Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Give Amore Team!

Another Gift that Keeps on Giving

Currently in progress in the Give Amore’s list of projects is a well whose sinking has begun and should be completed soon. The well is strategically located at Gizel and Khalid’s home and brings the total number of wells dug across western Kenya to twenty five.

Clean water well #25 is under construction! WOW!

Being a dry season in the country, clean safe water is hard to come by in rural areas hence women and children have to traverse far and wide in search of this precious commodity, hence, much needed help is on the way via this project for tens of families. 

With the dawn of a new year, we hope to launch a well that will leave a mark of satisfaction, joy and community in the lives of its beneficiaries. Plus it is not lost on us that its role in fighting Covid 19 is fundamental and much anticipated.

More Love through Christmas

Christmas came early and big to our sponsored children and the good news is, it was one impactful gifting ceremony all made possible by your hearty giving. The gifts included double portions of food and toiletries, clothes and a party that left quite an impression.

With the pandemic’s pangs raging and many families economically destitute, this life saving intervention not only provided necessary provision, but also revived the much needed Christmas spirit in all of us given that 2020 is a tough year. 

Clothes are a huge deal in African Christmases given that they represent newness and assert the feeling of care and love especially in children given that hardly do they get such attention and this did just that, Thank you. 

More Reasons to Be Thankful

Thanks to Valery’s sponsors she’s been able to have to rare opportunity to continue her education and will become a teacher!

Valery is soon set to be a teacher and start giving back to the society as an elementary school educator, a passion she has held close since her childhood days. According to her, her love for children shaped her interests and she hopes to give the profession her all.

Having grown right before our eyes, she has blossomed into a beautiful modern woman with a knack for benevolence and charity. Speaking to her, she is thankful of how far she has come and hopes to be a better teacher and mentor to many who look up to her.

By educating girls, not only do you empower an individual, but the entire community.  While exuding great excitement, she is prepared to take on the next chapter of her life. We wish her all the best.