Shalom Christian Missions oversees and operates New Beginnings Children's Center located in a very remote part of Kenya. New Beginnings is located in Homa Bay County. The county was recently named as having the highest number of HIV/AIDS patients in the nation of Kenya. Of that county, Suba sub-district is known to have the highest rate and in the Gwassi area, it is estimated by the people that live there, that over 90% of the adults are infected. We could not have found this part of the world if we had been looking for it.
Eight years ago, when we first started to serve the orphans of this remote part of the world, others in Kenya told me, "You don't want to work with those people. They are not good people. Even their own tribe doesn't want them." Still others from Kenya, whom I took to visit, asked, "Is this still part of Kenya?" The lowest of the low. The worst of the worst. When you think about it, what other place would God take us to? Who else would need His help this much?
Since we arrived in 2007 we have worked with more than 1000 children in the area. Currently we care for 160 orphans and most live at New Beginnings Children's Center. Another 350 attend both the primary and secondary school that operates to serve the children of New Beginnings and the community. Many of the children attending our schools are also orphans, or what the nation deems as a partial orphan, meaning that one parent is deceased and the remaining one is unable to care for the children.
To be an orphan in this part of the world is a cruel fate. It means a childhood of disregard and child labor. It means being pushed around from one family member to another because no one can afford to care for you for very long. It means risking being sold for slavery or sex trafficking.
With a waiting list of still over 200 children who are praying to find a sponsor, I sometimes ask God, "How can we possibly do this? There are just too many who need help." BUT, God is making a way. "A way in the desert and streams in the wasteland". The exact scripture that God brought to me when we had to make a restart in 2011. Isaiah 43:19.
Two months ago we were blessed by hiring a new director. He brings so much to New Beginnings, including the fact that he worked for a children's center in Central Province of Kenya for several years. In Central Province there are 18 children's centers in one district. They actually bribe the children's office to be offered the next child needing placement. A far cry from what we are dealing with. In fact that is why Mark wanted to come to this area where the need is greatest. This is an answer to prayer for him.
We feel that with Mark at the lead and the organization he is setting into place, God is making a way for the care of so many children to happen. We have many other areas in our district contacting me and asking us to build a center for their orphans, as they are as desperate as the current area where we are located. We feel that God loves every single one of these children and has a special place in his heart for those who are orphans. He wants none to suffer and be lost.
While God is making a way for this to happen in Kenya and things are taking shape, we need to help make a way for this to happen as well from the USA. We need your support. There are many ways you can become involved:
1. Prayer support is the first and foremost support that we need. If you can commit to praying for us on a regular basis, please do and let us know you are praying. We have many of our prayer warriors connected to us through Facebook and get regular prayer requests posted to them.
2. Sponsor a waiting child in need. Our board has been in prayer about the best way to handle the sponsoring of children. While the cost to fully supply the needs for a child have increased dramatically, we wanted to find a way to make it affordable for many to become involved on this very personal level. We have found the best way is to offer a shared sponsor option. To fully sponsor a child is $80 per month BUT to share the sponsorship of a child you can become involved for as little as $20, $30, $40, or $50 per month. This means that more people can become involved and more children will be cared for. Each sponsor can choose the amount that best fits their budget and what God is calling them to give.
3. Making a one time OR monthly donation to our building fund. Without building, we cannot move forward. We cannot take in more children and offer them a place to sleep. We cannot continue to educate and feed the children without classrooms and a proper kitchen and dining facility. It is so important for us to find those who wish to give to the building of this project and maybe in the future to be able to build more projects for the glory of God and His children.
4. Join us on the mission field. You can come for 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or more. We need both short-term and long-term missionaries to step forward to help be the godly example to those who work at New Beginnings and those who live at New Beginnings. The children need those who can become a mommy and daddy to them while they serve at New Beginnings. We have an intern program that will help you grow and learn in a remote part of a foreign country, but be in the safety of a U.S. run organization. Is God calling you to take that step of faith?
God is making a way! Are you part of the way?
Is God calling you to become involved in any of these ways? Or is He stretching you to become more involved? Contact us today and take that STEP OF FAITH!
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 :
Friday, November 13 will be our Shalom 4th Annual Benefit Dinner beginning at 7 PM (doors open at 6:30) at the Four Points by Sheraton, 1650 Toronita St., York, PA 17402. RSVP by Nov. 7th. Visit our Benefit Dinner page for more information and to purchase tickets!
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.
Bring your friends and sponsor a table. Business/church sponsors will have their name displayed on a table that evening PLUS your business or organization name will appear in our monthly newsletter and on our website for a whole year.
The cost is $35 per person. Bring your friends and sponsor a table for 8 for $260. 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.
If you would like more information but cannot make it to an event, please contact us.
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!
Beautiful are the feet that bring Good News!
Applications are being accepted for the 2016 trips!
Winter 2016
January 23 - February 7, 2016 (2 weeks) $1500 + airfare
January 23 - February 23, 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, often during the migration season.)
Travel as a group OR travel alone and get to make new friends who will travel with you. 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.
Visit our Missions Page for more information about each trip and to download an application.
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 children have been waiting for the arrival of Papa John who finally arrived this past week. Papa John is currently the missionary who spends the most time at New Beginnings and many of the children have grown very fond of him and look forward to his arrival and are very sad when he leaves.
This trip John has much to accomplish as it means the hiring of at least one more key staff person. This month he will be looking to hire a Financial Officer to oversee the bookkeeping of both schools and the center. This person will also work to make sure that taxes and audits are taken care of in a timely manner. It is not a small role but one that is greatly needed to keep things running smoothly and keep accountability at New Beginnings.
A second position he will interview for will be that of an assistant to the director. Any good leader needs to have a 'Timothy' that he is bringing up underneath him and our director is very aware of this need.
While he is there, John will also introduce our new director to the dignitaries that he will need to be in contact with as head of New Beginnings.
He will get to spend some time being with the children who call him Papa and look forward to his frequent visits.
Please keep John in prayer as he interviews applicants for these and other positions and to remain in good health during his stay.
Our primary students have been very busy as this school year draws near the end. Only about one month left for our grade 8 candidates to prepare for their national exams that will be given in early November. It is a time of excitement and tension as it approaches. Our grade 7 students prepare to take on the role of the next candidates for 2016. They are also filled with excitement and anticipation.
Our new head master is handling the task before him with extreme skill and grace and our teachers are pushing forward to see that this year's students are doing the best ever at New Beginnings. Our school has remained at full capacity all year.
Please keep the students and staff in prayers as they work diligently to shape the future of Kenya.
New Beginnings Secondary School continues to move forward with better staffing and management. January will be an all important step in seeing that Form 4 will begin and several new classes will be offered. Stay tuned to hear more about that.
Our new Principal is bringing New Beginnings into the forefront in the area. However, this past week he did meet with a motorbike accident in the area. God protected him from what could have been a serious accident to only being slightly bumped and scraped. Your prayers over our secondary students, staff and administration are truly making the difference.
Three of our students will complete secondary school very soon and are taking their finals this month and next month. They have been attending class off the New Beginnings compound at other schools in the area. It has been an exciting journey for them as New Beginnings has seen them through so much and now to make this huge step in their lives.
At this time, two of our graduating students have made the decision to apply and have been accepted by New Beginnings as Kenyan Interns for 2016. Both Felix and Victorine will come home to New Beginnings and serve as teaching assistants in our secondary school.
They look forward to giving back to New Beginnings to help shape the minds and lives of other students. Both have already done some work at the secondary level while they have been on school break this past year. This opportunity will also make it possible for both students to earn a small income. They will be taught to open a bank account and save their money for their future goals of further education or training. The future looks very bright for these students. Join me in praying for them as they move on to become 'Care givers' instead of takers.
Victorine is surrounded by Lydia (head of Social Welfare at NB), Papa John, and Uncle Mark (director of NB) on parent visitation and prayer day at her school.
Thanks to the sponsors who have made this possible for them. If you are interested in giving in any way to help our graduates further their education, please contact our office. SCM is working to set up an "Expanded Education" fund for those who have finished our program but are desiring to go further in their learning and training.
So much building has been accomplished this past year. Take a look at what your giving to the building fund has accomplished:
The older boys dorm room.
Building has slowed at this time until more funding is raised. There is still so much to do but without funds we cannot move. Please pray for the needed funds to move forward on the projects below.
Here is what needs to be accomplished by order of need:
We still have 2 1/2 months left in this year. Help us see our goal for the classrooms to be finished before 2016.
Estimated amount to reach this goal: $15,000.
Our building goal of 2016 is to see our new kitchen and dining hall built, plus the secondary offices completed.
Estimated amount for these 2 projects: $30,000
Building Phase II:
| Phase II Projects | Cost | Donated | Still Needed |
| Primary Classrooms (3) at $7,000 each | $21,000 | $7,000 | $14,000 |
| Secondary School improvements | $2,000 | $2,000 | COMPLETED |
| Permanent Boys' Dorm (Emergency) | $15,000 | $15,000 | COMPLETED |
| $38,000 | $24,000 | $14,000 |
First primary classroom is completed. Still need to complete 2 classrooms for primary.
The boys dorm is completed.
Secondary improvements are finished.
Can you help donate to finish Phase II of building before the end of 2015?
Phase III: Permanent Dining Hall/Kitchen, Secondary School offices, & Guard Building (Estimated at $30,000)
Finish Final Classrooms for Secondary Library/Laboratory/Dorm room (estimated $20,000)
Phase IV: Rebuild Primary Classrooms (8 classrooms and office)
Phase V: Smaller housing quarters for children, Medical Clinic/Pharmacy/Store, and Staff housing
Can you help us Build for their Future?
Peter is 12 years old. His mother is deceased and his father struggles to care for him. Peter is currently in grade 6 and an above average student. He works hard to succeed in school. His highest subjects are English and Science. Peter lives at New Beginnings and has a partial sponsor.
He enjoys spending time with the missionaries who come to New Beginnings and it is probably one of the reasons he excels in English. He enjoys joking with those who visit. Peter likes to play soccer and his favorite color is green.
Peter is asking for prayers to do well in his upcoming final exams and he is asking for prayers for find the additional sponsor he needs to be fully covered to live at New Beginnings. Peter needs 2-$20 sponsor or 1-$40 sponsor. Can you help Peter? Please pray for him!
The big news at New Beginnings is that this past month World Vision began the water tank project that brings water right to New Beginnings. The pipes were laid and just recently water began being pumped up the hill to the holding tank. This is a tremendous blessing and we praise God for this life-giving water being delivered to New Beginnings. No longer does water need to be carried on heads or on the backs of donkeys to bring it to New Beginnings!
In the future we will need to place our own water holding tanks so that eventually New Beginnings can have running water all over the compound.
Thanks for all who prayed to see this project accomplished. Thanks, World Vision, for blessing New Beginnings and praise be to God for what He has done!
New Beginnings Secondary School principal, Mr. Sure, was in a head-on motorbike collision but by the grace of God was spared any major injuries although he suffered some minor injuries. Please keep him and all of our staff in prayer.
Two children are in need of further medical care that is going above and beyond our normal budgeted expenses for New Beginnings. Sixteen-year-old Cynthia needs to have further tests done to figure out the cause of extreme bone pain she has from time to time. Nine-year-old Ruth needs to have surgery for an extremely herniated belly button. Each of these will require several hundred dollars to complete. Pray for them and for the funding.
This past month, a new child obtained full sponsorship and became part of the family at New Beginnings. Lavenda's father died when she was a baby. Her mother was unable to care for her and her brother and left them in the care of the grandparents. Lavenda was brought to New Beginnings by her elderly grandfather. He was so very grateful for the support that Lavenda will now receive. Thanks be to God for those who found a way to become part of making this possible for Lavenda.
Is God calling you to help an orphan? For as little as $20 a month you can make a difference in a child's life...forever.
When our new director came to New Beginnings, he came with a car for which we have been covering the maintenance. Currently the car at New Beginnings is broken down and we need prayers to get this up and running again. Pray that we locate a good mechanic that can do the job at a very reasonable price.
Norah is 13 years old. Her parents have donated land to New Beginnings although they live in poverty. Norah needs a full or shared sponsor. For $80 for a full sponsor or become a shared sponsor for $20-$60 per month. Is God calling you to help Norah?
To become a partial sponsor ($20, $30, $40, $50, or $60/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-$60 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.
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 a partial sponsor. For just $20-$40 a month you can make an impact in Tyson's life.
To become a partial sponsor ($20, $30, $40, $50, or $60/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-$60 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.
Sharon is 11 years old and a total orphan. Sharon has lost her sponsor. Sharon has been living with her sister who is a cook for New Beginnings. Her sister's husband is abusive to Sharon and after a severe beating Sharon came to seek refuge at New Beginnings. Sharon only needs a partial sponsor who can commit to $20 per month. Can you help Sharon?
To become a partial sponsor ($20, $30, $40, $50, or $60/month) or full sponsor ($80/month) to a child, please visit our sponsor a child page.
OR you can sponsor Sharon (NBCC #142) or another child by mailing a check to our headquarters for $20-$60 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.
If you would like to sponsor a child, you can do so through our Child Sponsorship page.
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
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
