Habari is a Swahili word which is a form of greeting and also means "news." We would like to extend our greetings to you and provide you with the latest news from the Kamau family.
We do have some exciting news in the works that we like to share with you. It might be helpful if we gave a brief overview of how God, in ways which were unknown to us at the time, has been preparing us for a new ministry.
WHERE WE HAVE BEEN...
Some of you may know about our previous missionary activities. In fact, it is fair to say that we both met on the mission field when Kamau was working with the Jesus Film Project in Moscow, Russia in 1992. Following several short term missions trips to Eastern Europe, Kimberly came on staff with Child Evangelism Fellowship in Northern Delaware. After we were married in 1997, we had hoped that we would both be able to return to the mission field right away, but as so often happens, God had other plans. Kimberly continued to serve full time with Child Evangelism Fellowship and Kamau began working with the Ministry of Caring, a relief agency in Wilmington.
During this time, both of our children were born. After the birth of our second child, Kimberly became a full time mom and we settled down into routine family life.
WHERE WE ARE...
The past eight years have been spent learning how to live and grow together as husband and wife and parents to our children.
Through Kamau's employment with the Ministry of Caring, Inc., we have also had the opportunity to work with the inner city population of Wilmington. This organization is a non-profit social services and relief agency that serves the poor and homeless population through various programs such as emergency shelters, dining rooms, medical services, child care services, etc. Currently, Kamau is serving as program director for House of Joseph I, and emergency shelter for men. Kimberly began working with the same organization two years ago at Mary Mother of Hope House II/III, and emergency shelter for homeless women and children.
It has been a very challenging and valuable time for us as we have learned lessons in compassion, conflict resolution, humility and servant hood. We have had the opportunity to acquire new skills in administration managing staff and overseeing the daily routine of a community of individuals living together in the shelters.
Unbeknownst to us, God has been preparing us for a new phase in our lives...
WHERE WE ARE HEADED
"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." ~James 1:27
In sub- Saharan Africa, the disease of AIDS has claimed the lives of millions of fathers and mothers leaving behind millions of children who are growing up alone and as heads of households. Grandparents who would normally look to adult children to care for them in their advancing years, are now having to care for their grandchildren, in many cases, several sets of grandchildren.
Here are some staggering facts about the crisis:
- At least 10% of the population between the age of 15-49 is infected.
- Every 14 seconds a child is orphaned due to AIDS.
- 50-69% of new infections are youth.
- By 2010 there will be more than 40 million orphans in Africa.
In September of 2005, while hosting a routine missions meeting in our home, the enormity of the crisis was brought to our attention and specifically, how the nation of Zambia has been affected:
- Zambia ranks among the highest in proportion of children who are orphaned, with 1,100,000.
- One in five people is HIV-positive, which for a population of only 10 million is devastating.
- Most people in Zambia do not know if they are infected.
Our hearts were stirred with compassion and we responded to an invitation by the founder of All Kids Can Learn International to prayerfully consider coming on board as staff to join them in the effort to rescue the orphans. We believe that answering God's call "...to visit the orphans and widows in their distress...", is His plan for us at this time.
The children will receive basic necessities such as, shelter, meals and clothing in a loving, nurturing and godly environment. They will also be presented with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and receive instruction in God's Word.
This will be done by establishing Villages of Hope which will contain cottages for children with Christian widows or couples as the primary caregivers of each cottage. The children will also receive educational opportunities to help equip them with skills for the future. We will be involved in supervising the daily activities of the village.
The first village is expected to open in November of this year and we anticipate leaving for Zambia towards the end of summer or early fall of this year.
Prayer Requests
We would greatly appreciate your prayers for our family as we embark on this new ministry. Please join us in prayer for the following:
- The construction of the first village will move forward without hindrance.
- That God will provide godly local staff to work with us and that our hearts would be knit together with them.
- Wisdom to know what to pack and what not to pack for our departure.
- That Kimberly and the children will quickly adapt to Zambian culture and environment. (Francis [Kamau] is a native African from the country of Kenya)
- That God would provide the prayer and financial support needed from various individuals and churches.
- That God would lead us to a home church in Zambia with solid biblical teaching and welcoming spirit.
- Godly friends for each family member.
- That God would enable us to get our home ready for sale and a buyer would be provided before it is time for us to leave.
