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June 2017 update

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En-Gedi Children’s Home - June 2017 update

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service”. 1 Tim 1:12 (NIV)

Indeed I have the pleasure of once again updating you on where we are at as we begin the month of June.  First, I am very thankful to God our Father and our Lord Jesus for keeping us all in His good care, in good health and daily meeting our needs according to His riches in glory. 

Our children are growing bigger and bigger and each one improving in their different abilities in special ways.  Rose who has multiple brain challenges and overweight is finally able to lift herself up and is trying to crawl.  She has circular legs so the legs fold inside, but we trust God who always surpasses us in doing the rest.  Remember our motto is “we do our best and God does the rest”.

 

Then Michael – our oldest at 11yrs is now able to seat on his back against a wall for the first time.

We are thankful to God also that from May 15 to 18, we were privileged to host guests from Michigan and they helped both at the Children’s Home and also at the new En-Gedi construction site working alongside the Kenyan laborers. 

Out goes 2 girls: Lavency and Angle and in comes 2 boys: Mwangi and Mwongela  

 

And now a bit of picture show on where we are at with our construction.  

I had anticipated that we would be able to move into our new facility sometime during this month of June, but God had planned otherwise.  Construction is not done yet and we still do not have all the finances we need to complete the facility to a live-able condition.  I am humbled to say that “all things work together for good to them that love the Lord”.

My desire to get the building done quickly was based on the fact that we have not been able to rescue any new children since January 2016 when our 3-bedroomed house became full with 12 children and 3 full time helpers; our wait list for such kids has continued to grow longer and longer; three of our children are about too big to be in baby cots; and with the kids improving greatly in their abilities, we need more room for exercises. 

 

But, like I said, God’s plans are the best and my prayer is that I follow Him and not step ahead of him in any way.  On-going works at the facility include tiling the floors, bathrooms, external sanitation and drainage.  We still need to do internal woodwork – closets, shelving, etc, final painting, outside grounds, and complete the caretakers house. 

Please accept my sincere thanks for your continued support.  You are an amazing team – serving God alongside me.  You have not been tired of my many appeals to you; you have been ambassadors of En-Gedi and you have continuously written me notes of encouragement.  To those of you who have visited including Church groups and community people in my local town and beyond – thank you for giving us lots of foodstuff, clothing, and volunteer time with our kids.  May God do you good.

Please continue to pray with us for God’s provisions so that we complete this facility.  Besides being able to take on more kids, I am looking forward to holding training sessions to Church groups and community people from different parts of this country who would want to start organized care for such children as En-Gedi children.  With the growing publicity of En-Gedi, I get calls from different parts of the country to go rescue kids – but my plan is to teach people to not only see God in the lives of such children, but also to love and care for them within their own communities. 

 

Once again, thank you so much for your continued support.  I will keep you informed and work with you on planning for the official inauguration so that those willing and able to come can plan early. 

 

In His service,

 

Margaret Njuguna

Founder/Director

En-Gedi Children’s Home

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FEBRUARY 2017 UPDATE

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FEBRUARY 2017 UPDATE

As soon as I started the ministry of En-Gedi, I was emotionally, though joyfully, shaken by the status of the children who had to find a home at En-Gedi.  Not just by neglect, but also by the children’s very limited abilities.  I prayed for extra grace, extra strength and for the nth time, I asked God to walk with me along the challenging journey. 

I had told God I would be His channel of love to those unloved and unwanted children and also a channel of light to shine in the darkness of superstitions, bad omens and curses associated with disability.   My commitment to God was that I would do my best and leave Him to do the rest. 

 

And that is how En-Gedi

MOTTO – “We do our best and God does the rest” came into being.

Over the last 2.5 years, I have watched our children make mental and physical improvements in ways unexplainable.  Cramped up arms have opened up and out; legs that didn’t make any movements are being raised up and down trying to move; sad faces and sunken eyes are full of smiles and laughter and children who didn’t make any movements are now able to use their bodies to move from one place to another – regardless of their moving styles.  

None of our 12 children has been able to either stand or walk on their own, safe for Jeremiah who since a few months ago could use a walker to walk a bit.  In my November update, I shared about Jeremiah making his very first 3 steps on his own – despite his club feet.  From the last week of January this year, Jeremiah has been able to walk back and forth for a few minutes at a time – without any support.  This is remarkable given that when he joined En-Gedi  two years ago, he was prostrate on the floor pulling himself  slowly using his elbows.  Trying to raise his wrists to hold himself above the floor, he fell so many times that he had bumps on every part of his forehead.  God doing the rest surpasses our best all the time.  He makes impossibilities possible!  John, who is 1.5 years at En-Gedi came with no words at all; now he is able to clearly say 4 words; has learned to wave goodbye, is one of the 3 potty trained and he is not only able to wipe his drool, but also to wipe his wheelchair table.  Jessica whose both hands were cramped by her chest has one hand out and reaching out and holding things. Even Angel is now able to drink water using a straw while I hold a cup to her.
Jeremiah enjoying his walks around the room
I am delighted that God has allowed me to see Him at work right here with me.   Very special “thank you” to all of you who have through prayers, materials, finances and visits – supported this wonderful ministry.  Thank you for allowing God to use you as He is using me to share His love with these children, their families and the community.

En-Gedi new facility update

First, I would like to sincerely thank you for positively responding to our gifts ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.  The 2 buildings are now roofed, inside walls plastered, window and door frames done, electrical works and plumbing done, electric power brought to the site, borehole drilled and perimeter walling done.  Major works still undone include fittings and furnishings, painting, tiling, outside paving, buying the water pump and constructing the storage tanks tower, among others.  us nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Praises and prayer requests

praise God for good health for the children and staff;  for all the people He has bought in to support En-Gedi here in Kenya and in North America; for changing attitudes towards children with special needs through En-Gedi ministry.  Pray for  continued good health for all of us;  for more resources to complete En-Gedi facility; for continued peace in Kenya – especially this year of political elections. 

Last word:  thank you all of you who uplifted me in prayer and sent words of comfort when I lost my mom towards end of November.  Thanks too for all those lovely Christmas cards and notes.  God bless.

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August 2016 update

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En-Gedi Children’s Home – August 2016 update

2016 has continued to be a blessed year for all of us at En-Gedi and I believe for all of you.   All the children and the staff have been healthy and joyous and for that we say “thank you” to God our sustainer.   Most of the children have made huge leaps in both physical and mental abilities and this has continued to affirm our motto – which is “we do our best, and God does the rest”.  God has always surpassed us. 

John who didn’t say a word when he came to En-Gedi can now say three

audible and many inaudible words; David, who started talking two weeks after joining En-Gedi is now able to put together more than 20 building blocks in different designs; Ryan and little “Angel” are now able to count from 1 to 10 – though sometimes not in order.  Jeremiah, the deaf and mute boy is able to walk upright around the room so long as there is some support on the side.  Jessica with crossed legs is now able to lift her back up as well as her legs where the knees cross….. And many more – I am amazed at the great improvements with all the children.  

Construction of En-Gedi New Facility

Construction started early June soon after we dedicated the property to God.  I trust God that construction will not stop because of lack of finances.  We still need a little more than US$300,000 to enable us to complete this facility and move in.  My list of waitlisted children has meanwhile continued to grow and I pray that they will still be living when we are ready to take them in.  Please pray with me for resources.

Once this facility is complete, we will have room to house 30 children – including day care services, classrooms, guest rooms, seminar room and accommodation for seminar participants up to 20 people, equipped therapy room open to the public at a fee and kitchen garden to grow our own green vegetables.  We will also have a few milk goats and chickens for a few eggs for our own food.

We are where we are because you all made a decision to join me in this act of mercy ministry.  Let’s continue to share God’s love and educate many to love unconditionally as God does to all of us.   Thank you for being part of En-Gedi Ministry. 

Exciting News:     At the end of May, I received the most exciting news from the college in which I graduated with my Bachelors degree – Calvin College.   And the news was:  Calvin Alumni Association Board voted to name me a 2016 Distinguished Alumna of Calvin College.  I will be traveling to Grand Rapids, Michigan to receive this award during Calvin’s Homecoming Festivities in September of this year.  Very humbled by this honor, I give glory and honor to God who called me to share His love, His freedom and His light to children with special needs, their families and the larger community.   If able to attend, please register for the Maroon & Gold gala event– September 22 from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. and let’s celebrate together.

To support,   you can send a check to “Set Free Ministries” and clearly indicate “En-Gedi” on the memo line.   You will receive a tax receipt from SFM.   Address: 

Set Free Ministries, 700 36th S.E.  Suite 108
Grand Rapids, MI 49548 US
Phone: (616) 726-5400:  Fax:  616-726-5404

 Prayer Requests:

 

  • For continued health for all our children and staff
  • For provision of resources to complete our new facility

 

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May 2016 update

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EN-GEDI LAND DEDICATED FOR GOD’S MINISTRY MAY 2016

After a long wait of about a dozen different approvals for construction plans for En-Gedi new Home and Learning Centre, we celebrated the completion of the anxiety and waiting and we did it in style: dedicating the land for the ministry of God’s special children.  I am very thankful to God for giving me the patience to pray and wait.  I thank God for Rev. Maina and Elder Ngirita – both from my Church who officiated this dedication as well as Sophie (En-Gedi Board member), son Marvin, friends and some parents of our children who attended the occasion.  And for you who kept praying with us – thank you and God bless you in a special way. 

Indeed I have the pleasure of once again updating you on where we are at as we begin the month of June.  First, I am very thankful to God our Father and our Lord Jesus for keeping us all in His good care, in good health and daily meeting our needs according to His riches in glory. 

The long rains season is just about over and as soon as rains subside, the contractor will get to the site and start construction of the new facility.  If we had all the funds needed to complete the facility, the contractor says he can deliver it in 12 months.  We have raised about 1/3 of the total cost and we still need about 2/3.  I continue to trust in God who owns all the resources. 

Meanwhile, all our children and support staff are well and children improving in their different faculties: – smiling and laughing; making movements and responding in ways new each time, and for all this, we give the honor and glory to God.  It keeps reminding me of our motto: “we do our best and God does the rest”. 

We have also continued to receive many visitors who come to see our Home.  This has been a wonderful opportunity for me to share of God’s love as well as shedding light on the darkness (superstitions, myths and taboos) associated with children born with disabilities.  So En-Gedi is not only a caring and loving home for children; but also a Home where people learn about God’s love. 

Phone calls from local authorities to go rescue neglected and abused children have been frequent.   Although I am unable to take in more children until the new facility is built up, I still go to visit the parent(s)/guardians to understand their challenges and try to develop some friendships.   I always invite those that I visit to come with their special needs children and spend a day at En-Gedi – which helps ease their challenge. 

Prayer Requests:

  • Thank God with me for His continued presence with me and the En-Gedi Ministry.
  • Thank God for all those that God has called to support this wonderful ministry.
  • Pray for continued improvement of responses and mobility of our children.
  • Pray for safety of all those who will be involved in construction of the new facility.
  • Pray that God will provide resources so that once, started, construction will not stop for lack of funds.

Thank you all for being part of this life transforming ministry.  God bless you as you keep serving with me.        

Margaret Njuguna               

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Christmas 2015 letter

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Christmas 2015 letter

Greetings from En-Gedi Children’s Home

 “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.  They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd”.  John

December 2015

 

 

Dear co-workers in the Lord,  

 

Firstly, I give all the glory and the Honour to our God who has brought us this far!  

 

Secondly, I would like to thank you all who have been (and those who have recently joined us) part of this ministry that shares God’s love with children otherwise unable to experience love; share God’s light in an area of ministry filled with the darkness of superstitions, myths and stigma –  all associated with having children who are abled differently.

 

As we close the year – the first full calendar year of En-Gedi Children’s Home (we started April 17, 2014), I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry and Peaceful Christmas as we usher into our lives anew, the birth of the Prince of Peace – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I also wish for all you a wonderful New Year 2016 and I look forward to continue working together in this ministry of love. 

 

Highlights for the year are thanksgiving and praises to our God and I invite you to join me in saying “thank you” to our God for:

 

  • Healthy year for all our children and staff
  • Great improvements in the abilities of our children: 2 boys learned how to sit down on their own (they lay flat on the floor); 4 boys fully potty trained; 1 girl learned to lift herself up a bit in an effort to stand; two boys learned how to mouth some words; children learned how to say simple prayers (2 can talk and others make gestures indicating praying time – trying to close their eyes); children learned how to sing (some just making some joyful noise to Jesus); 2 children learned how to count to at least #10; and all but 3 most severe participated in exercises of building blocks and playtime through the year. Indeed God is good!
  • Acquisition of 1 acre of land to build a bigger En-Gedi facility
  • A wonderful opportunity to share about God’s image in disability at En-Gedi Home, in the neighbourhood and in some villages from where the children come.
  • Visitors to En-Gedi from within Kenya and from other countries near and far
  • My first formal training on disability at a Joni & Friends conference in Uganda – sponsored by Elim Christian Services
  • My very educative visit to Chicago – courtesy of Elim Christian Services
  • My visit to Michigan, Colorado, South Dakota, Minnesota and Washington State – courtesy of all you who ensured that my travels were covered; that I had warm and lovely homes to stay in; that I shared wonderful visits and meals with many of you and that my necessities were all met.
  • A very successful launch for a fundraising campaign to build the new En-Gedi facility – courtesy of an anonymous donor who requested us to march his US$50,000 gift. Please feel free to continue to give towards this matching fund and celebrate the beginning of construction early 2016.
  • Renewed commitment by a brother who pays current En-Gedi house rent and utilities
  • Renewed commitment by a sister who donated and who continues to manage En-Gedi website
  • Increased financial support towards En-Gedi ministry

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2016!

Margaret Njuguna

 

 

P O Box 763-00204, Athi River, Kenya    (megnjuguna@gmail.com)

Web. www.en-gedichildrenwithhope.org