Give Amore is Eight Years Old!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”-Ephesians 3:20-21

Can you believe it? Give Amore just celebrated our eight (8) year anniversary!!! Over 13 years ago, I donated plastic chairs to a school in Kenya. That’s how ALL THIS started! That turned into sponsoring one child, then another, then another and another, and another which stirred in me a desire to go to Kenya in 2012 which stirred in me a desire to really affect change and transformation in the communities we serve.

 It’s truly incredible when you think about all God has been able to accomplish because I was willing to be the voice for our brother and sisters across the globe and I have waited with expectation (and sometimes with fear) for Him to stir in the hearts of others to join me over the years! I never could have imagined what Give Amore could accomplish through a work-from-home busy mama, a laptop, social media. God put the rest together in such an incredible way!

 A dear friend created this video as a recap of 2022 that I wanted to make sure everyone sees!

This is just summarizing last year but not ALL the we’ve done! If I tried to list it, I’d be here for days and days. The impact for His kingdom that we are having is immeasurable! I believe we will only get to see all that we’ve been a part of when we meet Jesus and He says “Well done my good and faithful servant”. How amazing will that be?

 As we start on our 9th year in ministry, we have 2 major needs at this time…

•  Our sponsorship program is in need of multiple sponsors. In fact, we really need to DOUBLE our support for this incredible program. The sponsorship costs have been going up steadily for years, yet the cost of sponsorship has stayed the same. We’re in the negative. We need an additional $3000 per month to break even for 2023.

•  I would desperately like to get back to Kenya in May of 2023! That’s right around the corner! I’m looking for a partner (or two) that would like to join me on an incredible trip of a lifetime! I truly am my BEST self when I’m there and long to be with our amazing team and community that are like family to me! I estimate the price of the trip to be around $3500-$4000 for 10-14 days. I’m somewhat flexible with dates, but would love to share this experience with someone else that God stirs to go! Pray about it please and reach out with any questions!

Again, I find myself waiting with expectation on God’s provisions. It’s all His. In His timing. His people. He loves us and has plans to give us hope and a future! I’m so thankful for the front row seat I have to witness all this goodness.

In His Love,

Christa Horst

Give Amore

Founding Director

On to a New Year

Being our very first newsletter edition this year, Give Amore takes this chance to thank you for your continued support and look forward to a much more productive 2023 full of so much joy, hope and love. Our goal this year still remains investing in projects that have sustainable affirmative impacts in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Kenya.

Further, we remain committed to spreading the gospel in acts of good will to bring even more disciples to the growing family of Christ… to teach more people how to fish so as to feed them for a lifetime. 2023 comes at a time most people are grappling with harsh economic elements but it is our hope and prayer all will be well as the year progresses.

From our families to yours n we wish you a happy 2023 filled with blessings and so much abundance.

It is Back to School in Kenya

Armed with books, stationery, new school uniforms, toiletries and more, our sponsored children commenced their first school semester this year ready to learn all thanks to your thoughtful giving that has kept giving all over the years. Just like their peers, they all have a reason to stay in school glitch free.

The beginning of every semester is always accompanied by hustles and bustles as people rush to beat set deadlines and our team did their very best early enough to avoid any possible hiccups. Major activities included purchases of school supplies as well as paying school fees for all our esteemed sponsored children.

It is through your much needed help that these children are in school. We pray for them that God protect them and bless them with good health and wisdom to pursue their dreams now and in the future to come.

Meet Cynthia!

Orphaned and from a deprived background, little Cynthia has seen it all from sleeping on an empty belly, dropping out of school, lack of clothing and so much more ills life can throw at a person but still her resilience and determination keeps her adorable smile on and eye on a better tomorrow.

Her hope is fueled by your dedicated support that supplements her diet monthly, pays for her school fees and supplies every semester and so much more priceless backings. She dreams to becoming a teacher when she grows up and help guide children like her to a hopeful tomorrow.

With your support she can become anything and everything she aspires to be and we pray it continues until they are all realized and not the reverse. God bless you for all you do and we pray he keeps providing for little Cynthia like he has for years now.

Merry Christmas from The Give Amore Team

We pray the joy of the season has found you! We have been in awe watching God stir in the hearts of others to join us in making a difference across the globe this season! I, personally have had such fun watching people volunteer their time, talent and treasures to support us! It fuels me and energizes me. Often times this journey can feel a little lonely. This season has been anything but! It’s a reminder to me that we can all do something and when we find passion and purpose it can energize us in all areas of our lives!

Read these few articles to see what we’ve been up to this month and be on the lookout for a video update that will recap 2022 and perhaps move you to tears like it has me!  

Prayers have been answered and it’s an honor and privilege to be the messenger of such goodness!

We thank you for your support and are so grateful for your generous giving that makes all this possible! 

Merry Christmas to you and your families! Stay tuned for our 2022 Recap Video!

In Love,

Christa Horst and The Give Amore Team

Sharing the Joy and Love of Christmas

Christmas came early to our brothers and sisters in Kenya and once again everything was done to tradition just like the pre pandemic years. Every child received new clothes, shoes as well as extra food and toiletries supplies. Among other special gifts were a cow, goat and chicken for select families.

To top it all off, everyone was treated to an end year feast with distinguished Kenyan delicacies served including masala rice, chapatti, deep fried chicken, corn bread and so much more. Further the congregation was filled with joy of getting together in celebration of the end of an eventful yet successful year.  

Christmas means so much to many children and adults alike across the globe and as witnessed, Santa managed once again to put a smile on every child's face courtesy of your generous thoughtful giving. It is a season of neighborliness and indeed you all set the bar so high. Happy Christmas!

Celebrating Well #36

Miriam, a grandmother of seven, alongside her village mates witnessed the unveiling of Give Amore's 36th well one of its kind in the very deprived remote village. The well was unveiled in a short ceremony of prayer and thanksgiving to mark the beginning of its service to its beneficiaries.

According to Miriam, now 70, all her life has been spent wandering far and wide in search for water for her domestic consumption but at last a permanent solution to her troubles finally arrived. A gift she never fathomed would be realized in her life time let alone being just yards off her homestead.

The well is strategically located in the village which gives ease of access to its clean water by everyone from within and beyond. Also this new baby provides a remedy to the prevalent waterborne diseases that have plagued many for years causing pains and at times fatalities especially in children.

2022 Year in Review

From wells, jigger clinics, school sponsorships, graduations from our computer and tailoring classes and more, it has been quite an eventful year yet fruitful. As we grappled with inflation among other tough economic and personal challenges, we managed to do more together than previously projected.

This has been made possible through our concerted efforts under the banner of hope joy and love. It is safe to say that through this banner this year alone we delivered five wells, graduated fifteen tailoring students, treated over sixty children from jiggers, couple these with our school sponsorships as well as food distribution, all the glory goes to God for these remarkable deliverables.

As the year ends, we look forward in hope for an even successful year full of God's grace and blessings to even do more to instill hope, brighten the world with joy and look out for each other in the greatest gift of all, love. As you sign off your Christmas cards this year, bear in mind all the goodness of God you have spread thousands of miles from home.

A Humble, Important Ask...

Some of our children and their gifts last year at our Give Amore Christmas Party!

Happy Thanksgiving Faithful Partners!

We hope this short newsletter finds you overflowing with gratitude and joy seeing a small glimpse into the goodness you are contributing to our brothers and sisters across the globe!

We are so thankful for your partnership-not just in prayers but in ACTION as you make a difference to your brother and sisters around the world!

As we head into the holiday season full force, I am asking for your prayerful consideration in helping us not only with Christmas gifts and a feast for our families in Kenya but to help us make up the deficit in our sponsorship program. We have had 30%+ increases in the cost of EVERYTHING. We have been covering this as long as possible without raising the sponsorship amount for our children. Unfortunately, the prices are just too high now and cannot afford to do that any longer.

I am currently facing a difficult decision of possibly NOT having a Christmas feast/gift for the children in order to TRY to afford school fees in January. As a mom this breaks my heart. As the director of Give Amore, it’s a pretty big deal that not only do we not have a cushion in our account any longer but we, in fact, have a SHORTAGE for funds for our sponsorship program.

We pay half the school fees for our children in January as well as uniforms, shoes, books, school supplies and the monthly provision of food. If we don’t have enough funds to cover this, I’m not sure what we will do. When given the choice between food and education, it’s a pretty hard choice! I pray that I don’t have to make that choice. In the past, God has always shown up mightily for us by moving in the hearts of others to be the light in this world!

So, I humbly ask that you consider a few things:

1. Giving to our Christmas fund

2. Giving a general donation for 2023 on top of any current donations

3. Increasing your monthly sponsorship by $25 or $50 per month (as able)

We cannot thank you enough for your generous giving. It’s because of this that I have such a hard time asking for more from anyone! But, God says to ask and it will be given unto you. Ask and that door will be opened. Ask and you shall receive.

We cannot wait to see how God provides!

With Much Love and Gratitude,

Christa Horst and the Give Amore Team

Unveiling Well #35

Another community in western Kenya is celebrating a new well that was commissioned and gifted to them after many years of plight to end their water problem. This well brings our total wells completed to thirty-five, a mark way beyond our projection all thanks to your thoughtful generosity.

Women and children from all over the community and beyond will benefit from this magnificent gift all thanks to its strategic central location. This ensures time is saved hence beneficiaries can now focus on other activities they prior couldn’t.

Sighting water was marvelous but the notion that the same water is providing solutions to tens of families or even more is humbling, satisfying and glorifying to our efforts in realizing our vision of providing long lasting remedy to the massive water menace in western Kenya.

More Sewing School Graduates Facing a Promising Future

Our good work of women empowerment through imparting of sewing skills is paying off as indicated by a recent graduation of our previous class after successfully completing a six months course on everything embroidery. Each graduand received a sewing machine and kit to equip them for industry.

Like their predecessors, most of these beautiful skilled women come from humble backgrounds with limited education and resources thus skills acquired will go along way in providing economic soundness to their families.

Every student in this program trains free of charge therefore, witnessing the milestones reached so far, we believe this program isn’t mere luck but a venture guided by grace, passion and undisputed divine approval for the glory of God. We wish them all the best as they take the first steps into their promising future.

What Are You Thankful For?

Over the years we have watched Give Amore grow in bounds but little did we know it would integrate and be part of people’s daily lives as it is today. In major parts of western Kenya, it is close to impossible not to note conspicuous projects done and delivered by our consolidated efforts in bettering lives.

From jigger clinics, clean water wells, tailoring training, school sponsorships, food and toiletries distribution and so much more including our efforts in the fight against covid 19, our presence is not only essential but God sent to permanently change lives and this means a lot.

As a leader in what we do, we have set a precedence of integrity, hard work, compassion, love and self-driven motivation qualities that have greatly shaped productive men and women who also seek to give back immensely to their communities creating a ripple effect of positive change. Therefore, we seek to thank all our partners who have walked with us over the years and whose prayers and contributions form the bedrock and foundation that we stand on today. Happy Thanksgiving!

Love Nuggets from God

Happy Fall Partners!

I love Fall because it’s a beautiful reminder of what’s always happening behind the scenes! God created such a beautiful cycle of new beginnings, growth, color changes and rest in the 4 seasons and it’s a reminder to us all about the cycles of life.

I often feel that things with Give Amore are stagnant. I can feel that they aren’t growing or aren’t growing fast enough…but then. But then, I’m reminded that when something seems to be buried it’s actually planted and soon blooms and growth is coming.

That’s what’s happening in various cycles and seasons of Give Amore. I’ve fully released this ministry to God. It’s His. I’m just a willing vessel to be the pass through and the voice for our brothers and sisters across the globe. It’s His to continue or to stop. And, once again when I felt that things were buried, He resurrected new life!  

There’s been so much goodness happening! One day last month, I received a general donation. Later that day, the team messaged me that there was a school infested with jiggers and could we do a jigger removal clinic (even though we haven’t done any in a long while). I asked how much it would cost. Guess what? It was the EXACT amount that had just been donated! I call that a LOVE NUGGET from God! A reminder HE is in control! So, that’s what you’ll see in this newsletter…all the reminders that God is in the midst of stirring hearts and compassion to change the world and make it more like heaven.

I am ever grateful for our partners in health and hope. I pray God stirs in someone’s heart to join me in Kenya next year. I’m desperate to get back and trusting God will bring me the perfect partner(s) to travel with and be the hands and feet of Jesus in Kenya. PS: I’m my best version of myself in Kenya. It’s truly a beautiful place and experience! Please message me if you want to know more! 

Please read on for hope and encouragement of how we ARE making a difference!

God bless,

Christa Horst

Founding Director

Give Amore

“When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
”

— Romans 12:13

Jigger Free Feet Once Again

2022 gigger clinics premiered this month with over fifty recipients benefitting from the program. Children formed the majority of the beneficiaries with most of their feet on fatal levels making this initiative the promptest and much needed for their craving of a good night’s sleep.

Our primary targets are school going children who are the most vulnerable due to their inaccessibility to foot cover, hence after every jigger clinic, our patients each get shoes to prevent any reinfections during and after treatment. With most families living in dirt houses which are a breeding ground for jigger causing fleas, our team further sensitized them on efficient tactics that help mitigating the thriving of the parasites.

Our endeavor is to ensure our community is free from these enemies of comfort and we hope and pray these efforts persist and last over time. Our prayers and gratitude go out to our thoughtful donors whose kind contributions promise lasting comfort to these miserable children.

35th Well to be Unveiled Soon

Celebrations linger in some parts of western Kenya as villagers of Emulele welcomed a new well earlier this month alongside the commencement of another well in Ebumweche village, two blessings that promise long lasting supply of clean water to these befitting populations.

To Emily and her family, it is a dream come true after years of enduring long treks in search for this precious life saving commodity and much more as a woman. She anticipates a productive future given that this solution frees up most of her days’ time which will be channeled towards economic activities she has long shelved.

Women bear most of the load of water fetching and most of the time find some relief in their children who skip school to help in this tedious daily task. The sinking of the latter well adds up our total wells to thirty-five and as its launching approaches we pray for its sustainability and unmatched service to its caretaker community.

Meet the Team

From tailoring school, computer training, wells, food distribution and so much more projects and activities, we rely on our dedicated team to ensure everything runs glitch free from time to time and this month we celebrate them. Ranging from accounting, planning, project execution, monitoring among others, their on-time delivery is worth celebration.

In and through the pandemic, we have achieved so much least imaginable breakthroughs and we couldn’t do it without our efforts, time, skills pooled together and catalyzed by this amazing team to be where we are today. We are thankful and hope for even more blessings in the foreseeable future.

Serving in different roles, it is an honor to witness change right from the front row on a daily basis and much more in the lives of communities they either know so well or have lived alongside for a very long time nay the rest of their lives. We pray for blessings upon them and their families as we prepare for the next chapter of service delivery.

We are Making a Huge Difference

Meet our Give Amore Team!

Standing Row left to right…Duncan (our newest staff member), Jack (one day will be a preacher), Henry (our accountant and a husband and father), Brian (he trains our computer students), Erick (husband, father and works closely with all aspects of our programs), Geoffrey (he completed our computer classes and is disabled but works hard supporting our facilities), Judith (wife, mother, works closely with our children, especially focusing on their mental and physical health), Paul (photographer, writer, newsletter editor involved in all areas of our programs.

Bottom Row-Evans (our Made with Amore Tailoring School teacher), Winnie (our Made with Amore Sewing School Teacher and graduate from our programs).

Dearest Partners,

We hope you and your families are wrapping up a memorable Summer and ready for a new season ahead!

We are beyond thankful for all our generous partners who have stayed the course through crazy times and for new partners that have joined us! You all recognize that when so much feels out of control, a great response is generosity and to help others! We know the Lord loves a cheerful giver and we appreciate your support more than you know!

This month, we have a few featured articles of some of the great things that have happened this month! But please know, every day we are making a difference! Our programs in Kenya affect hundreds of people daily! Our legacy of water, education, health and hope is immeasurable!

We hope you can take a few minutes to read just a few ways God is using you to make a difference!

As always, thank you for your trust, partnership and prayers!

Christa Horst

Give Amore Founding Director

A Single Well Can Do So Much

After drinking from streams and even at times ponds for years, the people of Lukoye village in western Kenya now have a second chance of rewriting their story in an endless prose of health and productivity from that of constant waterborne diseases and unaffordable medical expenses and even at times, fatalities. Give Amore is gifting a well to this wonderful community and its construction is soon to be concluded thanks to your thoughtful and generous giving.

Just recently the community through their emissary reached out to us with grave concerns of infections that were deemed to be water related seeking thoughts and ways for a lasting solution to their problem. Sadly, a dog’s carcass was uncovered upstream hence the cause contamination of the water consumed for weeks by this unsuspecting community.  

Therefore, this well is timely and will provide a sustained remedy to this grave ordeal by supplying clean and safe water for drinking among other domestic uses to tens of families in this well deserving community. We pray for its speedy completion and a gallant entry to service.

Zooming Off to Serve

Just like many other organizations, Give Amore depends on transportation to get almost, if not all, of its job done; therefore, our recent acquisition of a motorcycle goes a very long way in ensuring this good work keeps yielding affirmative change in many lives in western Kenya.

You might wonder, why a motorcycle? Well, despite them being a very popular means of transport in rural Kenya, they are the only effective alternative in accessing very remote areas where even a small car can’t due to poor road network. They are fast and easily maneuver foot paths to get help to those who need it most.

Their durability, reliability and efficacy have stood the test of time and have proven to be the bedrock to the wins we celebrate today. We pray this new acquisition does just that for the many more times ahead for the glory of God and service to mankind.

Volunteer of the Month

For years now, Duncan Otieno is our longest serving volunteer with a stellar tag of dedication to service. He is one of the essential cogs on our wheel of bettering lives, every time and again reminding us that service to others, equals finding one’s self.

We recognize and cherish his unwavering commitment to our cause, his efforts, dedication and self-drive to service that have translated to the achievements we applaud presently. It takes a great sacrifice such as this to steer our ship of change even further into the future of possibilities.

You are an inspirational soul and disciple, lighting the way for our team and the community at large. Thank you for your commitment, energy and time to time thoughtful sacrifices you make without pouting when called upon. We celebrate you!