What an honor it was for me to spend the last 2 months on a remote hillside, in far off Kenya, at a place called New Beginnings. A place where miracles happen everyday.
A few of the miracles that happened while I was there:
The primary school children competed in the Provincial Music Festival in Migori, Kenya. This was made possible only because of lots of hard work that promoted them from the District and County Music Festivals, by taking one of the top 3 positions.
They performed "The Sacred Song" which is a song that tells the story of Christ by singing and dancing. It is a traditional song in their culture. The children were nervous before the performance when I reminded them that they were only performing before an audience of ONE. To sing and dance for the Lord, to bring glory to HIS name.
What a privilege to watch them perform before a packed crowd that cheered them on and was on their feet with applause at the conclusion. They performed flawlessly.The team took 4th place. One score behind what would have enabled them to go on to the National Level of competition. What a miracle that these children, who were once thought of as insignificant, can perform before the Lord and take 4th place at the Provincial Level. Praise God for this miracle!
Provincial Music Festival
The 2015 Mission team was a total blessing to me, the children, and the community. They never ran out of energy and gave God the glory for each opportunity that presented itself. So amazing to be even a small part of them. The children were very sad to see them depart even though they have gotten used to people coming and going at New Beginnings. They hope that each of the 2015 Mission Team will return one day...sooner than later. What a miracle to see what God can do with those who surrender to His will to come to serve in such a remote part of the world.
Our new director, Mark, became part of the ever growing staff of New Beginnings. Mark has been married to his wife Grace for over 18 years and they have 4 children plus a nephew who is in their care. Mark comes with vast experience that we believe will help see New Beginnings make great steps forward. Previously he worked at Kijabe Mission Hospital for more than 10 years, resigning as head chaplain to take a position at another orphanage.
For the last few years Mark has worked at an orphanage in Central Province, giving him much needed experience in this field. When we began the search for someone for this position, many told me we would never find someone who had a degree in Theology and who had the ability to direct the ministry. We feel that Mark was a direct answer to our prayers and amazingly he feels New Beginnings is the answer to his prayers, too. A miracle from God!
We were invited to meet and talk to the Governor of Homa Bay County. Not a small feat to sit before one of the higher officials of Kenya and share our hearts about New Beginnings. The day of our appointment the Governor was called to an emergency meeting in Nairobi and was not available, so we met with the Deputy Governor. He was very happy to hear about our project and wants to become involved in seeing some infrastructure coming to New Beginnings. This could mean some roads and electricity. We departed with him stating that his office is always open to us and his promise to do all they can to help us since "You are helping the people of our country and we want to help you." Praise God for another miracle!
Our boys dorm was completed and each boy was assigned to his own bed. It was a special evening when I had the privilege of giving bed assignments and physically showing many of the boys how to sleep in a real bed with sheets. Many of our boys told me they have never slept in a real bed before, much less one of their very own. What a blessing!! A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who gave so much to make this possible. This month we hope to give each of the girls their own beds too. Another miracle!!
The youngest boys dorm!
Become involved! Be part of the miracle as a prayer partner, a child sponsor, a one-time donor, and/or by joining us on the mission field at New Beginnings, where miracles happen everyday.
2015 A Year of Giving!
September, October, and November we will be accepting donations for "Operation Christmas Shoes." Our goal is to get each child at New Beginnings a new uniform, shoes, and socks to start the 2016 school year. To reach our goal we need $25 for each child(X 160 children) or a total of $4000. Any donation given towards "Operation Christmas Shoes" will help us reach our goal. Mark your donation "Operation Christmas Shoes."
Dates to Remember :
Saturday, September 19th - Missionary Picnic has been POSTPONED until the spring 2016. Stay tuned for details about this event!
Friday, November 13 will be our Shalom 4th Annual Benefit Dinner Celebration beginning at 7 PM (doors open at 6:30)
Come and celebrate with us what God has been doing through Shalom Christian Missions at New Beginnings. Enjoy special music, hear from missionaries, find out what's new, see lots of new pictures. Help us raise the needed funds for our latest building project at New Beginnings as this is a fund raising event.
The cost will be $35 per person. Bring your friends and sponsor a table for 8 for $280. It's a great business tax writeoff!
The dinner will be at:
Four Points by Sheraton
1650 Toronita St, York, PA 17402
Please RSVP to info@ShalomChristianMissions by Nov 7.
What will I do on a mission trip? That is often the question. The answer...what is God calling YOU to do?
From construction to VBS, to medical care, to sharing the Gospel. Our teams have done it ALL. What is God calling you to do? Not sure...take a step of faith and see what God shows up to do. It will be more than you ever dreamed or imagined.
Our missionaries stay in missionary housing of brick construction, on the secure grounds of our children's center in a very remote area of Kenya. Spend time immersed in the culture and lives of those who call New Beginnings HOME. Show the Love of Jesus with the community. Change their lives AND change your life...FOREVER!
Applications are being accepted for the 2016 trips!
Winter 2016
January 10 - 24, 2016 (2 weeks) $1500 + airfare
January 10 - February 10, 2016 $1900 + airfare
(Winter trips include a Safari to Nakuru National Game Park)
July/August trips for 2016 are now open!
Two weeks--$1500 + airfare
1 month -- $1900 + airfare
Because of projected demand for summer of 2016, we will have several 2 week trips open
AND a 1 month option. Contact us for dates and details.
(Summer trips include a Safari to the world famous Masii Mara game reserve.)
Visit our Missions Page for more information about each trip and to download an application. Make plans to bring your whole group! Discounts for leaders and we do all the training/planning.
Set up the dates now while there is plenty of space open.
All Dates are tentative until airfare is booked.
Want to stay longer?
2-6 month internship and long-term mission opportunities available!
Contact our office for details at info@shalomchristianmissions.org or (717) 586-6945!
The 2015 mission team did a fantastic job while they were at New Beginnings. Their time with the children and the community was one that will long be remembered. The children especially liked a new addition to the program called "Littles Time". This consisted of the team splitting and taking the younger boys and girls to their dorms for a story time, tucking in, and prayers. What a very special time this was for everyone. The team even wanted to do this on nights that it was not scheduled because it was such a sweet time. It is something that will remain in all their hearts for a long time.
Over the summer months another intern spent time at New Beginnings. Melanie gave 2 months of her life to spend with the children of New Beginnings. She spent her days in the pre-unit, baby, and nursery classes, helping and teaching the children. It was rewarding for her to see that the difference between the mid-term and final exams showed amazing progress on the part of the children. What a blessing to everyone, including me, it was to have Melanie give this time of her life to us. Thanks Melanie! You will be missed! Karibu Kenya! May you join us again!
This week both New Beginnings Primary and Secondary will resume classes for their final semester for 2015. This is an exciting semester especially for those who are 8th grade candidates who will sit for their K.C.P.E. exams in November. These exams mean the end of primary school and decide the fate of those who hope to attend secondary school in 2016. Please keep the 32 students in prayer who will sit for these exams at New Beginnings.
New Beginnings Primary School will start this semester off with a new headmaster and New Beginnings Secondary School will also have a new principal beginning this semester. Read more about these two new additions under New Beginnings News. We are excited to have them on board and taking the lead.
Our boys' dorm is now finished (except for ceiling tiles-that will come later). What a blessing it is to have these two new dorms for our boys. The boys are now separated by age into separate dorm rooms. The 2015 mission team was instrumental in seeing these dorms painted and they came out beautifully with one green room and one blue room. Thanks to everyone who gave to see this project finished.
The first permanent primary classroom is finished and will be open for use when school begins this week. Our goal was to have 2 more classrooms finished this year but funds needed to be diverted to build the boys' dorm after the old dorm was ripped apart by a storm at the end of last year. Please join us by donating to see these two additional classrooms finished this year.
A new girls' dorm is being finished this week to house our secondary girls. Since the shell of this building was in place and the space was greatly needed, it became imperative that we finish this dorm to give our girls much needed space in order to accommodate each girl in their own bed. What a blessing this will be for the girls of New Beginnings.
A temporary guard house was put in place at the gate in an effort to make New Beginnings more secure and to give our security a place to stay dry in the rain, cool during the days, and warm during the nights. This also provides a secure location for every visitor to sign in and for inspections and sign outs for those leaving. This house will be well used.
Building Phase II:
| Phase II Projects | Cost | Donated | Still Needed |
| Rebuild (3) Primary Classrooms and finish Secondary Classrooms | $21,000 | $21,000 | COMPLETED |
| Secondary School improvements | $2,000 | $2,000 | COMPLETED |
| Permanent Boys' Dorm (Emergency) | $10,000 | $2,550 | $7,450 |
| $33,000 | $25,550 | $7,450 |
Construction of permanent primary classrooms is underway.
Can you help us get this final part of the boys dorm completely paid?
Phase III: Permanent Dining Hall/Kitchen & Guard Building (Estimated at $20,000)
Finish Final Classrooms for Secondary/Office/Library/Laboratory building (estimated $10,000)
Phase IV: Rebuild Primary Classrooms (8 classrooms and office)
Phase V: Dormitory for older boys, Medical Clinic/Pharmacy/Store, and Staff housing
Can you help us Build for their Future?
Faith is 8 years old and attends New Beginnings School in the pre-unit class (kindergarten). Faith is quiet and enjoys spending time with all the missionaries who come to New Beginnings. Playing with dolls and games that are available at the mission house is one of her favorite things to do. She does well in school. Faith's father is deceased and her mother is unable to support her. You can choose to partially or fully sponsor Faith for $20, $40, or $80 per month.
So much has happened at New Beginnings in the past few months. Many new children have arrived and many new staff have also become part of the New Beginnings Family.
Karibu to our newest staff members!
Our new director has arrived! 'Uncle Mark' has already won the hearts of many of the children. His people management and organizational skills along with his compassion and love for the children will move New Beginnings forward. We are very blessed to have Mark taking the lead at New Beginnings. Please keep Mark covered with your prayers.
Mr. Washington Ogweno has been appointed the headmaster of New Beginnings Primary School. Washington has been part of the primary school where he has served as teacher in the past. He has done a great job and we are confident that he has the ability to serve the primary school in this leadership capacity. Please pray for Mr. Ogweno.
Mr. Dominic Sure will take over as principal at New Beginnings Secondary School. Dominic comes to New Beginnings with lots of experience in the secondary field having just retired from the public school system as a secondary principal. We believe Mr. Sure will be a great influence and leader for New Beginnings Secondary School. Please pray for Mr. Sure.
Mr. Sure and Mark
Mdme Lydia recently came to serve as a social worker at New Beginnings. Her education and experience has placed her as the head of the Social Welfare Unit of New Beginnings Children's Center. Please keep Lydia in your prayers.
Daniel joined New Beginnings this past summer as night security. He comes to us highly recommended and has proven to be well-qualified and capable of moving our security to a new level. Please pray for Daniel.
Karibu and welcome HOME to the new children of New Beginnings!
Tom was a former child of New Beginnings who has been lost for several years. He showed up after I arrived and within a week we had him with some of our older boys at a Polytechnic School to train as an electrician. Tom was very grateful and told me this is an answer to his prayers, a dream come true. Tom has been blessed that his former sponsor has taken him back and will see him through this final phase of New Beginnings. Praise God for Tom! Keep him in your prayers.
Lubela came to New Beginnings in August. She was sent by the District Children's Office to stay at New Beginnings while her secondary school is on holiday. Her home life has not been good and she needed a safe haven from an abusive father. Please keep Lubela in prayer. Lubela needs a partial sponsor.
A younger Tom came to New Beginnings. This one is 9 years old and a total orphan. He has been living with an aunt who sought help from New Beginnings since she is unable to continue to care for him properly. Please pray for Tom.
Tom, surrounded by his new family!
Another new child is a 10 year old girl who is deaf. She was also placed with us through the District Children's Office. This is a temporary placement until she starts at a school for the deaf in January. Please keep her in prayer that she feels at home and for the children to find a way to communicate with her. Pray that her placement goes through at the school for the deaf. She is in need of a full/partial, temporary sponsor.
Tyson is 12 years old and lives in Kenya. His mother died during childbirth in 2007. Since then the father has remarried and the children are now neglected. Tyson needs your help! He needs a partial sponsor ($40 per month).
To become a partial sponsor ($20 or $40/month) or full sponsor ($80/month) to a child, please visit our sponsor a child page.
OR you can sponsor Tyson (NBCC #004) or another child by mailing a check to our headquarters for $20 or $40 for partial sponsorship or $80 for a full sponsorship with the child's name and NBCC # in the memo line.
A child is praying...are you the answer?
100% of all sponsor donations go to help the children
Norah is 13 years old. Her parents have donated land to New Beginnings although they live in poverty. Norah needs a full/partial sponsor.
To become a partial sponsor ($20 or $40/month) or full sponsor ($80/month) to a child, please visit our sponsor a child page.
OR you can sponsor Norah (NBCC #266) or another child by mailing a check to our headquarters for $20 or $40 for partial sponsorship or $80 for a full sponsorship with the child's name and NBCC # in the memo line.
A child is praying...are you the answer?
100% of all sponsor donations go to help the children
Peter is 12 and is in grade 6 at New Beginnings. He strives to remain in the top half of his class. His mother is deceased and his father is older and struggles to meet his needs. Peter needs help! Peter needs a partial sponsor.
To become a partial sponsor ($20 or $40/month) or full sponsor ($80/month) to a child, please visit our sponsor a child page.
OR you can sponsor Peter (NBCC #038) or another child by mailing a check to our headquarters for $20 or $40 for partial sponsorship or $80 for a full sponsorship with the child's name and NBCC # in the memo line.
A child is praying...are you the answer?
100% of all sponsor donations go to help the children.
You can BE THE DIFFERENCE in the life of a child!
Shalom Christian Missions is a 501(c)3 non- profit organization,
dedicated to serving children in need throughout the world.
All donations are tax deductible.
A & R Rental Center - York, PA
Bon-Ton Dept Stores - York, PA
Freedom Wireless - York, PA
H & R Block - USA
Test Products Inc. - Exton, PA
This Little Light of Mine - York, PA
Veleska Jewelry - Lancaster, PA
Ann Downing Ministries - Hendersonville, TN
Christ American Baptist Church Youth - Spring Grove, PA
Christ American Baptist Church - Spring Grove, PA
Eagle Christian Ministries - York, PA
Elisha's Home and Ministries - Montrose, PA
First Baptist Church - Smithville, TX
First Evangelical Lutheran Church Youth - Chambersburg, PA
First Evangelical Lutheran Church - Chambersburg, PA
First United Church of Christ - Schuykill Haven, PA
Harvest Chapel - Abbottstown, PA
Helping Hands Ministry - McAllen, TX
Hope For Women - Tempe, AZ
The Worship Center - Lancaster, PA
May God bless you as you pray and give to help the children!
Donations may be made through paypal or you may send your donation to:
Shalom Christian Missions
1255 Mill Creek Rd
York, PA 17404
(717) 586-6945
These two children are at the top of our list of children needing sponsors. Click one of their pictures to read more about them.
Meet more children in need
