God is in control
As I sit here at my desk at New Beginnings, I can hear the sounds of wailing as the start of a funeral has just begun below the children's center.
The man passed away about a month ago but, as is the custom, the funeral for an adult does not take place for several weeks to allow time for people who live far to travel back to the home. In many cases it also allows time for the family to find the money to buy a casket, plan the funeral expenses, and pay to get the body from the mortuary.
The funeral started today with the body being brought from the mortuary back to the home, where he will be buried tomorrow after the day long funeral. Tonight there will be music starting late and going on all night. A sort of wake to keep watch over the body and ensure evil spirits do not come to snatch his soul.
Death is very common in this community where over 90% of the population is reported to be HIV+. Even with widespread use of medicine given from the US, many people do not practice monogamy or abstinence which makes controlling the virus very difficult. It often results in an early demise. And still others practice witchcraft for healing, which typically leads to death.
This man was a rather young man in his early 40's. But death has now taken him from his young wife and 5 children. A sad reminder that we are but a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow.
With the Coronavirus in all the news we need to remember that death is not our enemy but through Christ we are now the victors.
Have you made a decision to follow Jesus and have victory over death? Then do not fear, God is in control NOW and FOREVER!
If you have not and would like to learn more, feel free to contact me.
"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."
Hebrews 2: 14-15
It is that time again to start making bookbags for the children. We need about 150 bookbags. This is a big job for one person but when MANY hands join in making them it becomes a beautiful act of love.
Drawstring bookbags
These are simple drawstring bookbags and we have an easy-to-follow pattern that explains everything. If you can help us with 10 or more bags, it would be a real blessing to so many children. Contact us for the simple to follow instructions! We need them by May.
We are in great need of soccer uniforms in adult sizes. Mostly small and medium and maybe a few large. We can also use soccer shoes in adult sizes. If you can help us, let us know.
Soccer uniform donations
We are still collecting undergarments. Our greatest need is for bras and camisoles (with the inner bra). These can be new or gently used. Our girls really appreciate and put them to good use.
Our Children's Choir
Enjoying beauty after their lives seemed destroyed.
If you would like to hear them singing, we would be happy to bring them to you via video.
Contact us TODAY!
717-586-6945
We have open dates and would love to meet with you and a couple friends for coffee or dinner for a chance to share what God is doing on a remote hillside in far off Kenya.
Contact us today to set up your date.
We can't do it without YOU!!
There is the time to submit your application and start planning for July of 2020. But don't delay, time is running out.
Spend your days immersed in the culture and lives of the children who call New Beginnings Children's Center HOME.
Show the love of Jesus to a remote community through home visits to their modest mud houses while taking supplies to the poorest widows.
Change their lives AND change your life...FOREVER!
Our missionaries enjoy an overnight safari on the world famous Masai Mara.
July/August teams often experience the migration season.
Our missionaries stay in missionary housing of brick construction on the secure grounds of our children's center in a very beautiful, remote part of Kenya.
Youth groups, families, and singles are all welcome.
July 17 - August 2, 2020* (2 weeks) $1500 + airline ticket (currently some great deals on airline)
July 3 - August 2, 2020* (1 month) $2000 + airline ticket
*All dates are tentative until airfare is booked.
Looking for other dates? Contact us.
There is still time to apply but do so quickly!!
February 15-February 28, 2020* (2 weeks) $1500 + airline ticket
January 29 - February 28, 2020* (1 month) $2000 + airline ticket
*All dates are tentative until airfare is booked.
Looking for other dates? Contact us.
Travel as a group OR travel alone and make new friends who will serve with you.
Discounts for leaders (of groups of 10 or more) and we do all the training/planning. Make plans to bring your whole group.
Must be 13 or older to travel without a parent or guardian
Set up the dates NOW while there is plenty of space open.
Visit our Missions page for an application or call 717-586-6945.
All dates are tentative until airfare is booked.
Can't make these dates? Contact us for other dates.
This is a unique opportunity to experience life in a very remote part of the world.
Don't pass it up!
For those who would like to spend a month or more with us, you can request to come as an intern.
Interns will be assigned a certain job to do while you are at New Beginnings.
Must be over 18 years of age to apply as an intern. Find details at our Long-term Missions page.
Contact our office for details!
Primary School
Our primary school is moving along very well. After the appointment of a new headmaster, we hope to see many positive changes to help our students make even more progress. Please pray for our new headmaster.
Secondary School
Secondary school is doing very well. The mid-term scores show that our children are doing better than ever. Please keep all our students and staff in prayer. The students are focused on sports this semester and have already competed in a school tournament in a neighboring town. They took 3rd place and are excited to compete more.
To God be the glory!
Next up on our list of needs for development is the need for our preschool classrooms.
Our preschool continues to grow. Currently we have over 50 children attending . They are meeting in one classroom with a wooden divider between the classrooms. It is very difficult to teach noisy preschool children under these conditions. We want to offer our little ones the best start to their education possible, but we cannot do it without your help.
Current preschool classroom
Here is our estimated need for our preschool:
Phase IV
Building for their future!
Preschool Total Donated Balance needed
Classroom 1 $7,000 $6,050 $950
Classroom 2 $7,000 $0 $7,000
Classroom 4 $7,000 $0 $7,000
Office, tables, etc. $7,000 $0 $7,000
Bath house and water tank $3,000 $3,000 Completed
$31,000 $9,050 $23,950
We are very close to what is needed for the first classroom.
Can you help build for their Future?
Any size donation will help us reach our goal.
Donate TODAY!
"Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and
multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness."
2 Corinthians 9:10
Please join us in praying for finances for this project!
Make a donation to our Building Fund!
Duncan is 6 years old and in our preschool. He is a very active little boy who was born to a woman who is blind. He was conceived through rape so there is no father in the picture. It had become impossible for his mother to continue to care for him and she turned to New Beginnings for help.
He is a sweet little fellow who loves to smile and can easily find himself in trouble if not watched over carefully. He is doing very well in preschool. Duncan is in need of a partial sponsor. Can you possibly help Duncan? For just $40 a month, YOU can be the difference!!
Could you be the answer to his prayers?
Consider a one-time or monthly gift to our College/University Scholarship program. This helps some of our brightest students to continue in a university or college to advance their studies. A student who is accepted into a university from New Beginnings needs to fully cover their first year of school. For 90% of those who score high enough for university, the government will help after the first year. Can you help us make it possible for even one child to attend university for that first year? Depending on the university and the degree, the first full year costs $350-$400.
Currently New Beginnings has 3 interns who are serving with us. One has scored high enough to go on to university. One is looking into a college, and one we are considering offering a job at New Beginnings. Please keep them all in prayer.
Robert, one of our 2020 Interns
Thanks to those whom have sponsored these students through primary and high school. They now have a great chance to succeed in life. As orphans, once life looked very bleak for them, but now they can see HOPE in their lives. Please consider a gift for our Scholarship program.
Donate to our College/University Scholarship Fund to help give them and others an amazing future.
You can donate to the scholarship fund for a certain student or a general donation to the Scholarship Fund. If a student goes over and above what is needed, the funding will help another student in need.
If you have donated scholarship money to a certain student, we will do our best to get it to the school they choose. If the student decides to not attend a school, it will go to help other students who want to further their education.
Currently we have many children living at New Beginnings who have lost their sponsors or came as an emergency cases. These children can use either a partial or full sponsor.
To remain in our program, we need your help to find them sponsors.
Visit our Sponsorship page to view more children in need.
Please share this great need with your family and friends.
Wendy is 8 years old and in 1st grade. Her family has donated land to start New Beginnings but they are peasant farmers. The other week we saw Wendy walking home at lunch time and noticed she was going the wrong way. When questioned she told us she goes to another family for lunch because her family doesn't have any. We have begun to serve her lunch but she is great need of a sponsor. Please pray for Wendy.
Could God be calling you to help Wendy? You can partially sponsor Wendy for $40 a month or fully sponsor her for $80 a month.
A child is praying...are you the answer?
100% of all sponsor donations go to help the children.
Frederick is 17. He is in 8th grade. His father donated land to New Beginnings and was always a strong advocate. He died last year. Can you help us assure that Frederick will have a secure future and finish school? He is in need of either a full or partial sponsor.
Is God calling you to help?
100% of all sponsor donations go to help the children.
Helen is 13 and in 8th grade. She is a total orphan who was left in the care of her grandmother. Her grandmother has been in poor health and unable to care for Helen. Helen is in need of a full or partial sponsor.
Can you help?
100% of all sponsor donations go to help the children.
"..when you did it to the least of these...you were doing it to me!" Matthew 25:40
If you would like to sponsor a child, you can do so through our Sponsorship page
or send a personal check to our address:
Shalom Christian Missions
1255 Mill Creek Rd
York, PA 17404
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
Ann Downing Ministries - Hendersonville, TN
Chadwick Optical - Harleysville, PA
Christ American Baptist Church Youth - Spring Grove, PA
Christ American Baptist Church - Spring Grove, PA
Crestline UMC Children - Crestline, OH
Crestline UMC - Crestline, OH
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 United Church of Christ - Schuykill Haven, PA
Harvest Chapel Children's Ministry - Abbottstown, PA
Mansfield Christian School - Mansfield, OH
Trinity Lutheran Church - Crestline, OH
Zion Bible Church - York, PA
We would like to add your business or ministry to our list!
Contact us TODAY!!
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
