The Girl In The Pink Sweater
By Dawn Brown
She’s
“the girl in the pink sweater”. I’m
always stuck by the fact that Elizabeth often explains who someone is by
describing their clothing. Since many don’t
have a change of clothes, the easiest way for me to find them in the pictures I
get over the years, is by describing the color they wear.
Nzilani’s mom went to Nairobi looking for work, selling goods through the traffic in Nairobi, which is something common among men in Mbooni. In 2011, her mother was killed, along with about 100 others, in the Nairobi Sinai Slum pipeline explosion/fire. Her dad is an alcoholic and does odd jobs.
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| Similar to the work Nzilani's mother did in Nairobi |
Late last year, Elizabeth asked me to pray for wisdom. Nzilani had asked Elizabeth if she could move in with her because she didn’t like living with her dad. Although Elizabeth has had several of the orphaned girls living with her over the years, she has all the responsibilities of Child Arise, plus her work on her farm. Elizabeth also believes if a child has a living parent or grandparent, it’s best for the child to stay with a family member.
Later Elizabeth
wrote, “She came to me crying at night saying that her dad had beaten her. I didn’t know what to think. When I realized she had bruises, I decided to
let her stay with me. The dad has never
bother to come looking for her, yet their homestead is not far from mine. She goes to school consistently now, with
paid school fees and a school uniform.
Elizabeth
found relatives who were willing to take Nzilani’s younger sisters, but Nzilani
begged to stay with Elizabeth.
In January,
Elizabeth writes, “It’s a challenge because she hasn’t been living under
instructions and care of a mother, but instead, she’s been a mother to herself
and her sisters. There’s a lot to be
done about her character and teach her more about God as she lives under my
care. Pray for the Lord to shed a light
unto me where she needs correction and discipline and also that the Lord may
reach out to her father to come to know the Lord. I thank God for bringing her to me, that I may
teach her the word of God.”
Currently,
Nzilani is enjoying going to school and church.
Elizabeth now says, “She is a very jolly girl and loves singing. Apart from that, she is also obedient and
listens to me.”
Thank you
for supporting Child Arise. You are
making such a difference in the lives of these widowed women and orphaned
children!
(In
worldwide orphan ministry an orphan is a child who has lost one or both
parents. This is true in Mbooni,
although most of our children have lost both parents.)
Faith, Hope, Prayer
By Dawn Brown
We are so
thankful for how the Lord has provided over the years and allowed us to serve
Him by caring for some of the most neglected and ostracized people in Mbooni,
the widowed women and orphaned children.
He has provided through you and your generosity and we are so
grateful! It has been a big job, often
exhausting for Elizabeth, but at the same time she finds great joy in serving.
Our numbers
have grown over the years and currently, we have up to 100 orphaned children
and 50 widowed women who are a part of our Bible lesson, prayer and meal
gatherings. It has proven to be a very
impactful time in their lives as they are learning of Jesus and His love for
them, growing in their faith, feeling His love and knowing they are not forgotten.
As the
ministry has grown, it has become increasingly difficult to have these
gatherings at Elizabeth’s home. It’s
hard to accommodate such large numbers of energetic children and prepare a meal
for so many people in her yard.
Elizabeth has also faced security and safety issues over recent years
because of the attention the ministry has brought.
As an
officially approved NGO (non-governmental organization) Charity with the Kenyan
government, it is a requirement that we have a building. After much prayer by the Board of Directors
in Kenya and the Board here, we believe it is time to take another step of
faith.
With your
continued help, prayer and finances, we hope to begin construction on the Child
Arise Kenya Widows and Orphans Feeding Center!
Elizabeth and the Mativo family have donated land near the African
Inland Church for this purpose.
Our hope and
prayer is that we will be able to raise funds for this much needed building and
at the same time, be able to continue to consistently keep the twenty two
poorest orphaned children in school, provide the meal at the Bible lessons,
breakfast at the children’s Sunday School class and send a small amount of
helpful food home with the poorest widowed women caring for orphaned children
and those who are sick.
We trust the Lord will provide! We thank you for your continued support!
Prayer Requests From Elizabeth Mativo
My
heartfelt condolences and indeed the whole Child Arise Kenyan Foundation Board
(NGO) for the loss of Carnie Wilkerson, husband of Velma (The Well For Life),
and one of your Board supporters and wish to console with Velma and the family
and yourselves and pray for GOD'S favor and that the Lord walks with Velma and
family during this difficult time. The
good works shall follow them forever especially at Mbooni.
Pray that the children will continue to do well in school. Pray that they will be alert for their
lessons and they will not be given too much work in the homes. Pray that they will let the Lord carry their
burdens, as they are many. May they know
that every good gift comes from the Lord.
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100% of your donation
goes to Kenya!Donations can be made to
Child Arise Kenya
Widows & Orphans Ministry
827 5 Ave Dr W, Andalusia IL 61232
309-798-2596 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
dawn@ChildAriseKenya.com
ChildAriseKenya.com
Child Arise Kenya is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt ministry
