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The March 2009 Fundraiser in Sechelt was a great success!
Thursday may not be the best night for a Sechelt Fundraiser, but the few who attended were generous and also enjoyed the lively music of the Coast String Fiddlers.
NOVEMBER 2009 UPDATE:
David Willliams from this musical group is now helping out in Kenya! Check out his blog. The new well is drilled (June 2009), but we still await electricity completion to use the water because the pump is electrically driven.
OLD NEWS ABOUT THE WATER FUNDRAISER:Edwin and Nancy Cahill gave a heartwarming talk about the precious kids in Kenya, and Dane Ruck explained the need for a drilled well. The dug well cannot provide enough water, and has to be pumped every 20 minutes. The water is muddy and has to be left in the tank to settle before the children can drink it. This is causing the generator, which powers the pump, to break down because of overuse, and the repair becomes expensive.
Funds raised at the benefit concert were $688.40 toward the $13,000 needed for the well with a solar powered pump.
Waterfront Restaurant in Gibsons, BC has been collecting coins throughout the year for Mercy and Caring Children's Homes and presented a cheque for $1,400. This will be a great boost towards feeding the children. (Use one of the pictures of the cheque presentation).
Art Jones at the Waterfront Restaurant in Gibsons, BC on the Sunshine Coast, has a coin jar for Mercy and Caring Children's Homes, and here he is presenting Cahills with a cheque. Please visit his restaurant and see his display.
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Below are some of our older newsletters. |
A delightful 7 year old Canadian girl decided to share her birthday with the Kenyan children. She invited her guests to bring a gift of money for Mercy and Caring Children's Homes to her party, and raised over one hundred Canadian dollars. Her Mom said it was a great idea, and her daughter received several larger Birthday gifts from her Grandparents and other special people, but did not feel overwhelmed by SO MUCH STUFF this year as she had in the past. It also gave them a chance to tell their guests about Mercy Home. The guests liked the plan too because they didn't have to go and shop for just the right birthday gift.
Since it is more blessed to give than to receive, we know this child has made a wonderful decision.
Ask us about the Half and Half Birthday Party with Mercy and Caring Children's Homes. We can supply pictures, info., and ideas.
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Nancy’s second hip surgery on July 24 was successful! Your prayers have been answered. She can walk 2km. God willing, we hope to return to Kenya in March.
MORE GOOD NEWS
Our 6 big boys have been studying in college and we are awaiting their marks.
Our 3 young ladies in grade 9 are moving on to grade 10, a dream come true.
Fewer children have been ill this year since they have moved onto the 10 acre farm and into the new brick buildings. None of our staff or children were harmed during the election uprisings, and the country seems now to be stabilized with both a President and a Prime Minister from the 2 major parties forming the government.
There have been some challenges for our Centre Manager with the sewer system, but the weak pipes have been replaced. The generator has been running to capacity to provide electricity for lights and to pump the water from the well into the tanks to be gravity fed to the dorms and kitchen. The generator is not really of sufficient strength for all the electricity needed. Please pray with us that the government will soon provide power to this site. We also need funds to build office and chapel space.
This year donor’s generosity has provided 13 new bunkbeds and bedding, and tables and chairs for the dining room. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
Monica, our centre chaplain has begun wonderful Bible studies and choirs for our children and community. She has had surgery to remove fibroids and is recovering.
CHRISTMAS LETTERS HAVE ARRIVED
In the past 3 weeks during school break, children have been involved in a Christian camp, and also visited their relatives in the Kipsongo slum. They will have a special meal and a “new” pair of shoes for Christmas. We noticed as we scanned their letters, a few have forgotten they are not supposed to ask for anything in their letters but alas, they are normal children and a few requests for a small toy or T-shirt have slipped in. Please don’t feel badly about that. Your support to each child is providing education, food, shelter and necessities of clothing, and for all of this the children are truly grateful. One day if you do get to visit, you can bring a little gift, but please do not send anything that won’t fit in a normal envelope or we will just be promoting materialism and inequality. Your letters with your photo and words of encouragement are the best gifts and greatly appreciated. Please go ahead and send them directly to Mercy and Caring Home, PO Box 1962, Kitale 30200, Kenya. If you have misplaced the letter where we have guided you in what to say and what to avoid saying, we will gladly send that to you, or tell you on the phone.604-870-0352 If you have access to internet, you can simply write a note to the child using our email address: encahill@yahoo.com Our social worker will print and deliver it.
Let each of us, as Mary did, say to God, “I am the Lord’s servant.” That attitude brings God’s favor. Be blessed this Christmas and throughout 2009.
EDWIN AND NANCY CAHILL, 90 HAPPY CHILDREN, and TRUSTEES.
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NEWS UPDATE, Dec. 2, 2008
LET'S RAISE CHICKENS AND TOMATOES! At the board meeting on Dec. 1, the history of Africa becoming addicted to help was discussed. A decision was made to try to work towards making the Kenyan project more self-sustaining over the next 5 years. The first projects will begin in July with a tomato greenhouse that will market tomatoes during the season when they are not so available, or blighted by rain. The initial cost to begin is about $2,000, and the plans have been carefully designed by agricultural specialists in Kitale. We saw them last year, and wanted to begin then but the building project took priority.
The chicken business will start small, and again we saw that business being operated successfully so have a good mentor.
For Christmas this year, if you wish to donate in honor of someone, we will send them a card if you let us know. You could contribute towards the new classroom for Grade 7 children, bricks for the office, or towards capital for the chicken or tomato projects.
Mercy and Caring Children’s Home in Kenya is a buzz with children enjoying their summer. The children and the community are together sharing a time of singing, Bible learning, and games for a “camp” something like our summer camps here. There is one in session now for ages 5 to 12, and another planned next week for youth. School has ended for this year and the new classes will begin in January, 2009.
However, before that, they will visit in the Kipsongo Slum their aunt, grandmother or whoever is still living. It is important that children keep in contact with their blood relatives, and they are excited to be "going home" for 2 weeks. Because food is hard to find there, the staff have arranged to meet in a designated place and give each child some ground maize, cooking fat and bread. There are always many more children looking on hoping that one day they too can be cared for at MCCH. You and I know what it is that is preventing this. Only a sacrifice of a cup of Starbucks coffee per day would make that dream come true for many more needy children. Sponsoring a child comes with more blessings than you can imagine. It is impossible to outgive God! Contact us at MandCCH@yahoo.com (Please type in the address, don't try to use Outlook.)
We hope you have a wonderful Christmas season, as you ponder the great gift of love God gave when He sent His Son, Jesus into the world as a baby with the purpose of being the sacrifice for our sins. What an incredible gift.
Edwin and I postponed our trip to Kenya which was planned for November 16 because my Mother died on Oct. 12, and it seemed overwhelming for me to get ready on time. We were able to recover the cost of the tickets with the cancellation insurance, and now are hoping to go in March, 2009.
If you are able to send a Christmas card or little note to your sponsorchild, s/he will be delighted to receive it. From Canada to Kenya postage is $1.60 for 30 grams, and takes about 15 days. To send 100 grams is $3.75. If you do not still have the Kenya address, please contact me at the phone number below.
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Mercy and Caring Children’s Homes (MCCH)
A registered Canadian Charity
285 Glassford Rd., Gibsons, B.C. V0N 1V8
email: MandCCH@yahoo.com
604-870-0352 (Cahills) or 604-886-7736 (Donna Ball/Treasurer)
A SMILE FOR EACH DAY OF THE WEEK
“I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU,” declares the Lord, “PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE. THEN YOU WILL CALL UPON ME AND COME AND PRAY TO ME, AND I WILL LISTEN TO YOU. YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.” Jeremiah 29:10-14
If you haven't read the Sept.Oct. Newsletter, it is below.
NEWS UPDATE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008
DON'T MISS THE EXCITING NEW FUNDRAISING IDEA AT THE VERY END OF THIS NEWSLETTER.
Dear Friends of Mercy and Caring Children’s Homes:
It is a privilege to come into your home either by hard copy or by internet, and greet you once again. Thank you for your prayers and support.
The children at Mercy and Caring Home were safe during the post-election uprisings last December & January, for which we praise God and give thanks to Him for answering our prayers and yours.
Nancy is recovering from her second hip-replacement surgery. The first was last September, 2007 in Kenya, and this one on July 24, 2008 in Abbotsford. Her wound that was infected is now healed- another praise item! She goes weekly to physiotherapy and one year from the initial accident, Sept. 4 was given permission to walk.
One child’s story
Linda lost her mom in 2005, and her dad in 2007 to AIDS. She’s eating the usual lunch of beans and corn called “githeri”, but also requires a special costly diet of fruits, vegetables and meat. The social worker has asked for $40 more each month to give Linda the extra foods to sustain her HIV positive body. Linda needs a sponsor. If God is tugging on your heart to help her, please contact us. Sponsorship is $50 or $35 per month, whichever you can afford. There are also other children needing a sponsor. We need 35 more sponsors to meet our average monthly budget. Maybe you know someone waiting for such an opportunity.
***Newsflash, Nov. 3
We now have a sponsor for Linda!!! |
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On the site in Kenya:
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a. The children spent 2 weeks of the August holiday in Kipsongo with whatever family they have. The District Children’s Officer (the authority in Kenya over Children’s Homes) suggests that children in care keep ties with family. This is the Kipsongo village, the former home of many of the children. |
| We prayed for their protection and they are all back at Mercy and Caring Home now beginning the 3rd term of school, September through November. |
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MCCH chaplain, Monica, spearheaded a week of Youth Meetings during the August school break, and 100 youth from 14 different churches, joined our teens. God showed up! The youth were energized by the Holy Spirit in worship, hearing the word, & in service. These young people will influence their churches, schools and homes.
The two cows did not calf, so produced no milk. They have been sold for the price originally paid for them. It has been suggested by seasoned farmers that we fed these cows too well!
Mercy and Caring Academy, the on-site elementary school with 101 day students plus our registered children, is establishing a good reputation within the community
Six young men are now in studies at college or university: Andrew and Mike in medicine, Samwel in Lab Technician training, Epong in Community Development with social work, Major in Business, and Silon in Teacher training. We are so proud of them.
| Epong enjoys his hobby of gardening, but his career is in Social work and community development. |
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Our 3 girls in Secondary Boarding school are working hard to keep up with the competition. Please pray for Jennifer, Lucy and Elizabeth to overcome the challenges they face being young women in a Boarding school. They are in Grade 9.
In August, the girls’ dorm house parents had to be let go and replaced with 2 matrons. We were disappointed that the couple did not work out. It was a challenging time for all of us, but handled well by our Kenyan board and management.
Where help is most needed:
1. Prayer for the Cahills as they continue to share the vision of MCCH in Canada until March when they hope to return to the Kenyan site.
2. More sponsors to cover the increasing operating costs.
3. Building funds:
a. To complete the guest house . We praise God for the $30,000 that has come in so far.
We are believing God for future building money for the Administration block, the chapel, another dorm and a clinic.
Ways of Giving:
As well as cheques to MCCH to the address above, you can now make your donation by Visa or Mastercard. Please call with your card number. If you wish to use internet to donate, we are registered to receive donations to Mercy and Caring Children’s Homes through Paypal and CanadaHelps.org.
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THANK YOU for the MCCH gifts honoring Nancy’s 60th Birthday. Her goal is to furnish the dining room with tables and chairs at a cost of $1,700. We are delighted with the $1,400 that has already come in. Nancy's sister Wendy, and Carolynne, one of the board members, added funds from their birthdays as well.
Update: The tables and chairs are now in the dining room in Kenya. Hurrah!
Nancy with one of her grand daughters.
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Some of you have included MCCH in your will. That is a great way to bless needy Kenyan children after you are enjoying Heaven! If this is your desire, please call for more information.
When a conversation turns to Kenya, or the poor in Africa, please direct folk to this website. More pages will soon be up and running.
Word of mouth recommendations make such a difference!
We want to say how much we value you as partners in the great thing God is doing in Kitale, Kenya with Mercy and Caring Children’s Homes. It is a privilege for all of us to be part of His good plans for the poor.
With joyful hearts,
Edwin and Nancy Cahill
NEW FUNDARISING IDEA: |