Shalom Christian Missions
Shalom Christian Missions

December 2013 Newsletter

Missions: New Beginnings

By John Makrias

Every time I return to Kenya it is very different from the time before. So much has happened during the last two and a half years since we first discovered the deception of Simon Ochola and the SCM board decided we could not abandon the children without doing all we could to protect them.

I wonder, if I knew then what I know now, about just how deep and empowering the corruption and evil was, would I have had the courage to walk it out? God knew and I can now see his hands weaving the tapestry of our lives, before the beginning. It's humbling to think that God could allow me to witness his hand at work in such a powerful way, let alone have the divine privilege to be a part of it. Just as each of you has been a part, each thread just as important as the next as He weaves His divine tapestry, each prayer, each step, all of it part of His undeniable plan.


It was all in His hands as I began my part of this mission in October. Expectations were high, but so were the possibilities for set backs and delays. When you arrive in Nyasoti, the children always remind you what it's all about. They somehow see past everything and bring a flood of joy as they pour down the hill to greet you.


A lot had happened since 2011 when I made my home in a small tent on the side of the hill in Nyasoti, when we were just beginning-- for the second time. On this trip, however, the big house seemed within our reach. Step by step it all came together. First, the widows whose husband owned the land where the buildings sit came to realize that Simon was deceiving them and both he and their brother-in-law were plotting to steal all the widows' land. For several months we worked with them so that they were legally granted ownership of their late husband, Jeremiah's, land. This would prevent anyone from taking what was theirs.

After that we were officially given ownership of the plot that they originally donated to SCM in 2009. This land was assigned a new plot number and is now owned by our NGO in Kenya. We then proceeded cautiously, being careful to observe local laws and customs. In the end the community rose up to help us take possession. First, the school, where we had a couple of days of celebration and prayer as the classrooms were cleaned and prepared for the class 8 KCP exams. Finally, the main house, where we had a full day of celebration and prayer as we entered and reclaimed what was taken so long ago.

There were many challenges along the way but God guided each step. There had been a drought in the area (this was to be the rainy season but the fields were dry). It began to rain the day we reclaimed the house, and to my knowledge it has rained everyday since, as if God was waiting for what was taken to be returned before he released His blessings (life giving rains). God didn't stop there. A few days later on my way out of the country I was able to witness the court's judgment (after 20 months in court) handed down against Simon Ochola, 15 years for the forceful rape of one of the children we had placed into his care. God's message was delivered, 'Welcome the Advancing Kingdom of God'. It is ALL for HIS GLORY!

Operation: Christmas Shoes

We are one third of the way to our goal for Operation Christmas Shoes with $1000 in donations. We still need $2000 to enable us to purchase a new pair of Christmas shoes, socks and uniform for each of the children ($25 for each child). What a wonderful Christmas gift and an exciting way for each of the children to begin school in January. Please consider a gift for the children of any amount to help us reach this goal. Thank you and God bless as you give to "the least of these"!

Shoes are needed

Reminder to child sponsors: If you desire to give a gift to your child for Christmas you can do so by donating towards Shoes. This is the only gift the children will receive for Christmas. If you donate, your child will receive this gift from you.

Mission Expedition 2014

Expedition 2014 teams forming for July. Take a step of faith and join one of our teams. Watch what God will do with your life to make a difference for eternity. Help with VBS or Bible studies with the children. During the day spend time working around the children's center compound, visiting widows in the community, traveling to market where you might help with a drama, sharing the Gospel with the community, traveling to a nearby island to share the love of Jesus, or sometimes just holding a child that needs to feel loved. In the evenings you might help tutor children, watch a movie and serve a snack to the children, hold a Bible study, help give hair cuts, or have a campfire. On your day off journey with us on a real safari to see the big game. All this in one of the most beautiful settings on earth: AFRICA!!

Special Pastors Trip

We have planned some special short trips just for pastors and church leaders. Invade remote villages with the Gospel of Christ and share the love of Jesus with orphans and widows. Our next trip is planned for February. Contact us for information and rates.

Mission and New Beginnings Staff News

John M has returned to the USA for a few months. His time at New Beginnings was very blessed as so many things were finally seen through to completion. We stand amazed by what God continues to do in and through New Beginnings. We are believing to see an entire community changed by the faithfulness of God and those who continue to stand for righteousness and justice in this remote area of the world.
This month our staff focus is on Julius.


Julius terraces along the border of New Beginnings

Julius is our head groundskeeper. He began to stand with us on that fateful day in 2011 when the mission team was prayer walking in Nyasoti, before the start of New Beginnings. The day when Simon Ochola had his paid thugs throwing rocks at the community because he feared them.

Julius would not tolerate what Simon was doing to his community, especially the children, and tried to stop him, taking a rock to the leg. When New Beginnings was birthed, Julius wanted to be part of what was happening. He is a good man who is an uncle to some of the orphans at New Beginnings. He has been known to take in children who need a place to stay before a sponsor is found for them to come to New Beginnings.

Julius' home is within eyesight of New Beginnings and because of his dedication to the children and the center, he keeps an eye on things even from his home at night. Once when he noticed a light in the forest above New Beginnings, long past midnight, he walked over to try to locate the light to make sure all was well and that the children where safe. Julius' knowledge of landscaping and planting is making New Beginnings a beautiful and fruitful place on the hill. Pray for Julius and his family - for good health and prosperity, and to continue to grow stronger in their relationship with the Lord.

New Beginnings School News

New Beginnings Christian School has finished the year with lots of gold. The school's Academic Achievment Olympics came to an end with many children receiving Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for academic scores. We are so very proud of what God is doing in the lives of these children in remote Kenya.

A special graduation ceremony was held for those children who finished Pre-Unit Class. How exciting to see these children moving out of Early Education into Standard Primary School. Pray for them as they grow and learn.

New Beginnings will expand to include Form 1 (grade 9) and Form 2 (grade 10) beginning in January 2014. Please pray for us as we add a new level to our education for the children of this community. Pray for the classrooms, supplies, and needed teachers as we move forward.

In striving to keep our tuition low to meet the needs of the children in our area, it has been more than a challenge to pay our teachers a good salary. We have worked to keep the school self-sufficient since the beginning but with everything on the rise in Kenya, we feel we need to find sponsors to help with our teachers' salaries. We are not suggesting that a person pay the salary of a teacher but instead if we could have many who would contribute to help cover their salaries, it would be a tremendous blessing to the teachers and to the students of New Beginnings Christian School. By offering our teaching staff higher salaries we will be able to maintain our staff for many years. Please pray for our teachers and if possible consider giving $10 or more per month to help cover our teachers' salaries.

Building News

With all the buildings that were built prior to 2011 being returned to New Beginnings Children's Center last month, there is so much to do to continue the building at the center.

Currently we are focused on getting some help in to evaluate what can be saved of some of the old construction that was not finished and what needs to be torn down. It seems that many corners were being cut in trying to build in the past. Much of the two story structure lacks basic foundational building needs. Some of the unfinished building is already collapsing from rain and other areas just are not proving safe to continue building. Pray for wisdom to know what needs to be done with each area. Pray for finances to move forward.


Pray for Wisdom!

Child of the Month: Pauline

Pauline was sent to us through the District Children's Office. At 14 years of age Pauline is a total orphan who was sold into marriage by her aunt. The man to whom she was sold is in jail on defilement charges and her aunt is also in jail. Pauline came to New Beginnings truly ready for a new life and a new beginning. She cherished the opportunity and quickly began to take on responsibilities for some of the younger children. She enjoyed teaching them some new songs and dances she knew. She seemed to embrace her new life. Shortly after her arrival to New Beginnings, our social worker took Pauline to have an HIV test done and a pregnancy test (given her past). Her HIV test came back negative (Praise God!) but her pregnancy test came back positive. Now Pauline must face an unplanned pregnancy. Please pray for Pauline to remain healthy during her pregnancy and to continue to embrace her new life in spite of this challenge. Pray for her to be able to focus and study. Pray for Pauline to find a sponsor to help support her in her new life.

Nyasoti News

Simon Ochola Defilement Case: On Nov 22, 2013, Simon Ochola was found guilty of defiling a child that was placed in his care. He was given a 15 year prison sentence for his crime. While this doesn't make the pain that he has caused to this child and so many others go away, it is good to see justice prevail for the sake of innocent children. We pray that Simon will have time to think about his actions and truly come to know the Lord during his time in jail.


The victim and her baby pose with the court prosecutor and the court stenographer after the trial.

Nyasoti Rain: On November 19th, the day the house was officially reopened as part of New Beginnings Children's Center, during a celebration ceremony, the rains started coming back to Nyasoti. For over a week after that date it rained ever day. Not just short showers but good soaking rains that quenched the dry thirsty land. Praise God the rains have come again and that God has blessed Nyasoti.