Ministry update 2020-2022

 

The tragedy that began in late winter of 2020, shook the world at its core. Churches were closed, businesses folded, and international travel almost came to a complete standstill. Millions of people worldwide died from this invisible monster called Covid-19. It touched us all in some way and for some it profoundly impacted them and changed their lives forever. Many of us lost friends and family and the ones that recovered still feel the long term effects of this cruel virus. As an international missionary/evangelist I couldn’t travel anywhere outside the country. Like most I spent time with family and sought God.  As we were able, I blessed the contacts and families I knew in Kenya, Bulgaria, and Macedonia and sent money for formula for a sweet baby in Kenya. We gave food to local food banks and helped collect warm clothes to be sent through another ministry to Bulgaria.

It was a little more hopeful in 2021. I traveled to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to help in an immigration shelter and brought 100’s of blankets for babies and children on both sides. We collected warm clothing for a church in Colorado Springs and gave them out in November and we headed to Reynosa, Mexico to pray and bless needy families. I traveled to Mayfield, Kentucky after a devastating tornado destroyed half the town and killed many. I came alongside a church that was helping so many. We gave out clothing and food as we prayed and gave out tracts. I was so blessed to have partnered with these amazing men and women.

Early in 2022 I had been praying and seeking God about a final visit to Bulgaria and Kenya. I got very sick with Covid in late January and as I was recovering, another monster would rear its head. In late February 2022. Russia would invade Ukraine and begin a ruthless war on helpless civilians. Another missionary wrote me and asked if I would go with her to Poland to bring supplies to the refugees. I did not have any contacts there, but I did in Bulgaria. I went up ahead and while waiting ministered in the churches and some poor areas. Sadly, my friend in the US had fallen and severely hurt her knee and was unable to come.  My Bulgarian pastor friend and I traveled to a home in Romania that was caring for Ukrainian families. I was able to bless them with blankets, a new suitcase, and prayer.  I blessed the director of Casa Shalom and left money for her to help care for a young boy with leukemia. She hopes his family will be staying in Romania as he recovers. This is our prayer as we come in agreement with her and that he will be healed completely. I truly hope God will bring me back this year and work in another refugee shelter.

I am so pleased to announce a friend and dear brother Geoffrey Mutigah will be our Kenyan director. I have known him nine years and he was instrumental in helping us obtain and oversee the greenhouse in Samburu while it was still operational. He has traveled with me throughout Kenya, and I have been a guest at he and his wife’s home. I am auntie to their children Joy and Joey. He will be overseeing a feeding program to the villages in Samburu. In March we started sending $150 to buy food from the local farmers. He was able to by about 900lbs of maize which is their staple and give it to a village elder who is giving it out. Samburu was hit hard with drought and famine long before Covid. The severe restrictions devastated Samburu. Combined with 3 locust invasions and dust storms so many are dying daily. I hope to be able to do this monthly, and in the future, put up another greenhouse if God enables once again. This will be our third attempt at setting up a long-term feeding program for the villages there. I remain hopeful and trust our Lord to bless this.