New Beginnings - a City on a Hill
What an amazing time it is to be alive. So much is happening around the world that can make us feel frustrated and depressed, but the light ALWAYS shines the brightest in the dark. We have been serving the Father in this part of remote Africa for 15 years. We hope to have a Celebration later this year and we hope all of you will join us. God is doing so much and we are excited to share about the City on a Hill that God is building.
Our schools are just opening for a new school year. They are trying to make up for missed time during the lockdown. Our last school year ended in April with exams that followed. Our 8th grade did so well on their national exams and gave us the # 8 ranked school in Suba Sub County. We finished with the highest scores we have ever had. Our high school didn't finish as high as we had hoped but 4 of our students qualified for university. This is something that they would never have dreamed possible but for the fact that someone reached out to help them. We celebrate with Sharon, Kevin, Immanuel, and Newton!!
Our preschool is under construction and we hope to have the students in the new school by early May. Our Women's staff house is not yet complete but has 3 rooms completed for them to occupy.
Electricity has come to the hill and we just await the funding to attach all of our buildings to the meter box. This is the first time in HISTORY that electricity has come to this hill. Your help to see this finished would be greatly appreciated.
We have students in universities, colleges, and vocational schools. We have interns and some staff taking computer training to advance their skills. Our teachers have on going education to hone their skills. We have a former student learning to drive to be able to transport our missionaries and launch our New Beginnings Safari business in the near future.
We are working hard to see New Beginnings be that light in the darkness of this part of the world. We hope you will join us. Ways you can help:
Want to do more? We have several long term projects that we need someone to come along side us and help.
# 1 is a baby rescue program. There are many babies that are born and abandoned along the shore of Lake Victoria. Prostitution is so high in this area, which leads to many unplanned pregnancies. The mothers do not know what to do with the child and simply abandon them. We need a person, group, church, etc to come forward to make this possible. If you are interested in heading this up, contact us.
# 2 is a Mommy and me program. This is to help unwed mothers get some solid help for them to move forward in their lives. As stated above, this is a high area for prostitution. We would like to help those who find themselves in a tough situation to move out of prostituting their bodies to a better future and a way to care for their child. This will need someone to come along side us to make it happen. If you are interested in heading up this are, contact us.
# 3 is a medical clinic here on the hill. We have someone in Kenya who is interested in heading this up but we need help in funding this new idea. This would provide medical care to our community who currently need to walk 3-5 miles to get medical care. A local clinic for minor illnesses would really benefit them.
Consider how God is asking YOU to get involved. We would be happy to travel to your area to discuss what is happening.
May God bless you,
"All things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28.
We could still use shorts for our soccer uniforms in black or purple. Any size especially adult sizes small and medium are needed. We also need soccer shoes/cleats.
Worn soccer shoes
We are still collecting undergarments. Our greatest need is for bras and camisoles (with the inner bra). We also need PJ's. These can be new or gently used. Our girls really appreciate these and put them to good use.
Please continue your prayers for our ministry to the orphans of Kenya. If you or your church are not currently on our Prayer Warriors list, contact us so that we can be sure to add you. We have weekly prayer requests going out.
We have also started something new - gathering for a time of fellowship and prayer. We would be honored to come to your location, whether it is at your home or church, for a gathering. They are just very blessed times and we appreciate them so much. Let us know if you would like to schedule a gathering!
Still time to apply for the Summer Team. We are considering earlier dates since this is an election year in Kenya. If you prefer certain dates, now is the time to apply and inquire.
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!
Tentative Dates for these teams are:
June/July (2 weeks) $1500 + airline ticket
June/July (1 month) $2000 + airline ticket
Visit our Missions page for more details or to download an application. You can also call us at 717-586-6945 for more information.
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.
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 or a mentor. Interns will be assigned a specific job to do while you are at New Beginnings. Mentors will work with one of our single mothers to mentor them into a better lifestyle and give them hope. Must be over 18 years of age to apply as an intern/mentor. Find details at our Long-term Missions page or contact our office for details!
Cynthia is 11 years old. Since her mother's death her father has remarried and left the children under the care of their 80 year old grandmother. It is impossible for the grandmother to provide for Cynthia and her 5 siblings. Cynthia is a good student but without help she cannot even attend school on a regular basis. Cynthia is in need of a part sponsor. For just $40 a month you can help change her life. For more information visit her sponsorship page.
Both school have now started a new school year. Our Primary school ended that past school year with the highest grade average they have ever had. While our high school didn't finish as high as we hoped, we have 4 students who qualify for university. Our school are really changing these students lives. We can't do it without YOU!! Thanks for your support of our schools.
Our preschool is currently under construction. We hope to have the students in the new classrooms in May. What a blessing this is to these children. They are so excited!!
Our school is growing by leaps and bounds!
We have been working to reach our goal for our new preschool classrooms. We are almost there and are even looking at the future with some new pressing issues that we need your help to achieve. Check below for what is needed.
Making great progress on our female staff house
Our preschool is currently under construction. A HUGE THANK YOU to all who gave to make this possible for our youngest students.
PHASE V
Building for their future
Our electrical installation has been stalled awaiting the needed funding to continue. Please consider a gift to help us place electricity into each of our buildings. We have the electricity to our compound but await the needed wiring to install it into our buildings.
Renovations and Upgrades Total Donated Balance needed
Staff Housing for female staff $10,000 $9,500 $500
Electricity for the center $10,000 0 $10,000
Girls Dormitory/Computer Lab $15,000 0 $15,000
Vehicle $30,000 0 $30,000___
$65,000 $9,500 $55,500
Any size donation to our Building Fund 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 these projects!
Currently we have 10 students in colleges/universities throughout Kenya plus several who are serving as interns at New Beginnings as they prepare to go to colleges in 2022. Our scholarship program is a great way to invest in advancing a student's education past high school. You can give to help a certain student or donate to help any who are waiting. Currently those attending on first year scholarships are Afline, Martha, Bruce, Octave, Jackline, and Kevin.
Sometimes our high school graduates contact us when they have been out in the world for a little while and find themselves in great need of help to go the Next Step. Some who finish our program have found jobs or have family that will help them get to the next step, but sometimes our graduates really need just that extra hand up.
We have decided to start a new scholarship program to help these students. This is our Next Step Program. These formerly sponsored students come to serve our center as interns so that we can begin to train them and see if they are serious about this decision. Then we help them go on to colleges to help them move forward. Those currently in our Next Step Program are Sharon, Jane, Susan, and Felix.
If you would like to give to help these graduates, your one-time or monthly donation of any size will make it possible. Currently we have several young adults working toward their goals. If you would like to help them, I know it would be greatly appreciated. Donate here and select 'College/University Scholarship Fund' to help a young person achieve their goals!
UPDATE: Jane is now attending a school to get her diploma in Social Work. She is just finishing her 1st year. She is so grateful for the help she has received to start her first year. She is still in need of support to see her the rest of the way through. Thank you for giving a hand up.
Susan finished our program with a certificate in food and beverage. She spent some time working in Nairobi. The big city did not really appeal to her and she later returned to our area and has struggled to find permanent employment. She is currently serving in our kitchen. She hopes to further her education in food and beverage.
Felix finished high school and was able to finish a semester of college and then was unable to go further. He worked as a bartender and then in fishing but realized he was going nowhere. He is currently serving as an intern at New Beginnings and hopes to further his education possibly in business management.
We are also seeing a need to start a mentor program for some of our girls whom have really not been able to find their way and often end up pregnant and struggling. We are looking for mentors who might want to join us in Kenya for 1-3 months and work with some of these girls as a mentor. To be the example of a better life and encourage them to walk with Jesus instead of on their own. This is a new program and we would value YOUR input on how to get this firmly in place.
Currently we have many children living at New Beginnings who have come in as emergency cases through our children's office. These children can use either a partial or a 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.
Reagan is 13 and in 5th grade. Since his father's death his mother has struggled to provide the basics and even to keep him in school. Reagan needs help!
Roda is 4 years old. When her father died her mother was left with total responsibility to care for Roda and her 3 siblings. Roda has a twin brother Kennedy. The family is in great need of help. Learn about sponsoring Roda here.
A child is praying...are you the answer?
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, please visit our Sponsorship page to see which children have been praying and waiting for YOU!
If you do not wish to sponsor through Paypal you can instead let us know which child you'd like to sponsor and 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
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
Hametown Associates - Glen Rock, PA
Harvest Chapel Children's Ministry - Abbottstown, PA
Kirkland Electric - Wedowee, AL
Mansfield Christian School - Mansfield, OH
Trinity Lutheran Church - Crestline, OH
The Left Hand - Farmington, MO
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
