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Christmas 2018 Greetings from En-Gedi

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Christmas 2018 Greetings from En-Gedi

Dear co-workers in the Lord’s ministry:

 

Please receive our special 2018 Christmas greetings and best wishes for the new year 2019!

  

We are grateful to God for another beautiful year full of blessings; and for seeing God at work with us and in our lives; grateful that you have continued with us in this life transforming ministry.

 

En-Gedi Home has continued to be a safe haven for children with special needs and we have witnessed tremendous improvement in the abilities of the children – both physical and mental.  From just one child who could talk at the beginning of this year, we now have 3 and 2 others gaining new words consistently.  When we sing together, we now can hear more clear words than just a few months ago.  Two children are able to hold support and stand for a few minutes at a time.   As we do our best in caring for these children, God will continue to do the rest in their lives.  Thank you for the many prayers you offer for us and for your continued financial support. 

We already enjoyed our Christmas cake, though we still expect a few more from community people who have called to say they will bring cakes to the children on Christmas day. 

And, God continued to send welwishers to us to bring foodstuff and other goodies for these lovely children.  Glory and honor belong to our God.  Our pantry has enough food & supplies to take us another two months. 

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October 2018 Update

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En-Gedi Children’s Home – October 2018 Update

Dear friends and servants with me, receive warm greetings from me and my En-Gedi family! 

I am encouraged by the words of 2nd Chronicles 15:7 “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded”.  And I read this verse with Colossians 3: 23&24 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” 

These last couple months have been hard seeing one of our kids consistently trying to keep alive.  As much as I said I would be prepared for any eventualities related to the lives of these God’s special children, I get overcome by compassion and I keep

reminding myself that “at En-Gedi, we do our best and God does the rest”.  This boy – SONTO has a spine that curves to the back and it’s been so hard on his chest when both his head and his legs curve so strong in endless convulsions.  The specialist has said Sonto is not sick and that we just keep administering the tablet to reduce convulsions.  Please keep praying with me for Sonto and for peace. 

We are otherwise all fine and continue to witness God’s presence with us and His providence in our everyday lives.  Besides the challenges related to disability, we have had no sick children to warrant us to go to the hospital.  Glory and honor are to our God.  The caregivers are all fine and happily serving with me. 

Since the last update, God has provided resources for a back-up generator that makes our training centre cum guesthouse sell better.  Although we have not had any groups renting, we have had many enquiries and we are hopeful for income generation through this facility.  

Our garden is a resource for spinach, carrots, kale, plantains (cooking bananas) and papaya fruits. This helps us save money for other necessary supplies. 

Please accept my thanks and great appreciation for your continued prayers, thoughts and financial support.  Together, we are making a difference in the lives of these children, their families and the community as a whole. 

Pray with us for continued God’s guidance as we make decisions to take in more children; for continued health and strength for all of us.  Thank God with us for providing finances to build the children’s playground.  Thus far, the Lord has helped us!

Many blessings to you all,

Margaret Njuguna

Founder/Director – En-Gedi Children’s Home, P. O. Box 763-00204 Athi River, Kenya. 

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2018 DEDICATION

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2018 Dedication

DEDICATION SPECIAL – JULY 2018

Dear beloved friends and supporters:  first and foremost is to thank you all for warm welcome when I was in your country last spring/early summer.  Our time together was a blessed time.  Secondly, please allow me to share this pictorial memorable event of our July 7 En-Gedi facility dedication.  You were all well represented by 17 guests from the US and Canada who attended the event.
Dedication Speech given by Ms.Margaret Njuguna on July 7, 2018.
  • Is it true: – that if you have a child with disability some people will stare at you?
  • Is it true that some people will look away from you?
  • Is it true that some people will think there is a curse or a bad omen in your family?
  • Is it true that some people will think you are bewitched?
  • Is it true that you will lose some of your friends?
  • Is it true that some marriages will break? Is it true that no one will want to babysit your child?
  • Is it true that some family members will ostracize you?
  • Is it true that you will be ashamed of that child?
  • Is it true that you will not want other people to know about it and that you will keep that child away from the public?
These are some of the challenges faced by parents with children with disabilities – and they are real challenges! I know that God calls people to special jobs – because he called me.  From a high profile job to a much higher profile job.   For 27 years, my work with the Christian Reformed Church of North America was working with people.  I worked with people on 2 levels.   Level 1 was with people who were Christian leaders, teaching them to be Shepherds for all, and not just to those who came to Church on Sundays. Level 2 was with people who were economically and socially poor – helping them improve their economic and social status. During these years, my eyes caught the attention of some special people who were completely left out in both levels of my work.  These were disabled people who lived in the streets – begging.    My heart went out to them and I started befriending them – to know them and hear their stories.   After many years of wondering what I needed to do to change the sad stories, I made a decision to quit my job, return home in Kenya and start a ministry that would help address some of the challenges faced by those closely affected by disability.  I started En-Gedi in mid 2014 with a mission to provide a special home that would offer children with disabilities a healthy and safe environment where they would grow, learn, thrive and develop to their fullest potential.  And in so doing, be a help to parents of such kids. I started by renting a small 3 bedroom house in Muigai Estate which filled up with 12 kids in just about one year. As a normal practise with me, I asked God what next and He led me to planning for buying land and building a bigger home for His children.  In about 2 and half years, He provided resources to purchase this land and to build up this beautiful facility.  God indeed has been our Ebenezer! En-Gedi Home provides a calm and a comfortable setting in which children are surrounded by caring and dedicated staff who encourage and nurture the children every moment of the day.  I belief the author who said “that in every society, disabled children have the same social needs as other children. They need to be loved and appreciated; they need to play and explore their world with other children and adults; they need opportunities to develop and use their bodies and minds to their fullest ability, whatever that may be; they need to feel welcome and appreciated by their family and in the community”. End of quote. One thing that is common to all of us – regardless of our physical or mental abilities is the breath of life that only God gives.  Sometimes I have wondered why a young surgeon who saves lives in a most reputable hospital drops dead while an En-Gedi child whose brain is 90% damaged and totally useless to itself keeps alive. The breath of life indeed belongs not to us, but to our creator.  Our Mission states that En-Gedi Children’s Home enriches the lives of children with special needs through collaborating with families, government departments, like- minded agencies, faith-based organizations, and corporations, to build a continuum of compassionate care.   I am grateful to God that he has touched many of you here today to be part of this life transforming ministry and I pray that the relationship we have started with you will grow and deepen so that we are able to help many more children with special needs. It’s my plan to liaise with county and national government offices dealing with special needs people so that together we can train the community people to appreciate and care for children with disabilities as well as mentor those willing to start a ministry like En-Gedi.   It’s also my plan to deepen our relationship with these 2 levels of government so that En-Gedi can be one of the beneficiaries of resources allocated for disability.  I would like to appreciate all of you here – who have in one way or other contributed to the success of En-Gedi Children’s Home. I will not be able to appreciate each one of you, but God knows you by name and knows what you do for these His special children.  Let us continue to love and care for them and in so doing, keep beautifying our eternal crowns up in glory.  My appeal to you all:
  • Please keep supporting us in whatever way you are able to
  • Link us up with people who support community work like this one
  • Tell others that we have a guest house and a conference centre that we rent out to raise support for En-Gedi children
  • Keep us in prayer for God’s continued blessings of health and improvement of ability for our children
I will end with this prayer: Lord, make me a light of who You are that all may see You and give You glory.  Let not only my heart be set on your worship, but I pray that others would worship You and dance for joy because of the works of love You do through me.  Yes, Lord, I pray that as I love them, caring for their needs and nourishing their hearts, that You would replenish their souls that they should have a heart of joy to worship You as you have given me.  I pray that You would make me the image of your love and that I would worship You not only with my mouth but with all I do.  Amen.

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Christmas Greetings – 2017

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Christmas Greetings - 2017

Dear co-workers in the Lord’s ministry,

 

Kindly receive our special 2017 Christmas greetings and best wishes for the new year 2018!  

 

Indeed we thank God for giving us a very blessed year; an year that has seen us complete our new facility and move in; an year that has registered tons of improvements in the abilities of our children; an year that we have registered a very successful community outreach; an year when truly God has met our needs according to His riches in glory.  He is a faithful God – Glory and honor are His!

 

We conducted thanksgiving prayers for the new facility on November 30 and we moved in on December 5.  The children who move around have been very excited and this excitement has brought out some abilities previously not noticeable.  For instance, John and David are able to wheel themselves – though just using one arm.  Our settling down is going well and as soon as we furnish a bit more, we will start to take in more kids and open opportunities for volunteers

Please thank God with us for: a) completion of this facility that will help many more children; b) thank God for those that, in different ways have contributed  to improved lives of En-Gedi children; c) thank God for His continued provision to our needs.  Pray that God will continue to be central in the En-Gedi ministry; b) pray that the children will continue to improve in their abilities; c) pray that God will touch people willing to come as volunteers to serve with us at En-Gedi; d) pray that we all experience a renewal of God’s love as we celebrate Christ Jesus’ symbolic birth this Christmas season.

Thank you all for being partners with me. 

Margaret Njuguna

MNjuguna

“I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens” (Psalm 7:17–

 

 

“I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens” (Psalm 7:17–

En-Gedi Children’s Home, P. O. Box 763-00204 Athi River, Kenya.   www.en-gedichildrenwithhope.org

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November 2017 update

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En-Gedi Children’s Home – November 2017 update

Greetings to you all my friends and partners in serving God’s children!

 

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)

Please accept my great appreciation to you all for walking with us at En-Gedi with your prayers, financial support, visits, e-mails and cards.  May the God we serve together do you good!   

 

We are all fine and enjoying each day that God grants to us. Our children have continued to improve in their different abilities – both mental and physical.  To highlight just a few – John who couldn’t say a word 2 years ago when he joined En-Gedi has now over 20 words and most of them quite clear; Michael who just a few months ago started sitting on his own with some back support is now able to move with his back all over the room.  For the first time, he is now able to turn from laying on his back to laying on his tummy; Angel, our little armless girl is talking almost fluently now. It’s amazing how much all the children have improved.  Glory and honor are to our God.

Since the last update, God has provided resources for a back-up generator that makes our training centre cum guesthouse sell better.  Although we have not had any groups renting, we have had many enquiries and we are hopeful for income generation through this facility.  

On September 24, two of my staff and I took 5 children with us to a Presbyterian Church that helped resuce our girl Rose.  We were warmly received and with our children, we presented a praise chorus and I shared about seeing God’s face in disability.  Educating the community on disability is one of our goals.

On our last wrap towards moving to our new facility

Main entrance

     my office (to the right)   

storage room

therapy room

Working on final touches of the driveway, parking and gardens.                  Paving blocks being laid out.

Paving of the grounds is expected to be complete in another 10 days.  Soon after, I will have my Board members, parents & guardians of our children; my Church leadership and a couple prayer groups that I belong to come to make a “thanksgiving prayer to God” and dedicate the facility to God’s ministry.  It actually might coincide with your Thanksgiving and if so, lets plan to thank God together for His doings. 

 

Official inauguration is tentatively scheduled for July 7, 2018 and I am extending a very warm invitation to any of you who is able to travel to attend this occasion.  Meanwhile, I plan to travel to the U.S. and Canada (just Alberta) from mid April to end of May 2018.  This trip is to visit my N. America supporting families and congregations to personally say “thank you” and to share pictures and videos of En-Gedi.  I will correspond directly with many of you on these plans so that we work on my visit together.   

 

Soon after moving into this new facility, we will take in 3 or 4 waitlisted children. Individual families and congregations in our neighborhood have given us enough food and clothing to immediately support these additions.  And I am sure as we gradually take in more and more children, God will continue to increase our financial resources to cope with the growth of En-Gedi ministry.   Below are some of our waitlisted kids on the higher priority list:

Praises and prayer requests

Thank God for:  a) the far He has brought us in building this His ministry; b) for continued peace in Kenya despite some challenges we experienced after the national elections back in August; c) for rains all over the country after over a year of failed rains that caused drought and famine in many parts of Kenya.   Pray that: a) God will give us a good transition as we plan to move in to our new facility; b) that God will continue to guide me as I make plans for travels to North America in the spring; c) that Kenya remains to be peaceful.   I appreciate your support in raising the Contractors retention fee – half of which have to be paid on handover of the facility at the end of November. 

 

Together in His service,

 

Margaret Njuguna –  megnjuguna@gmail.com

www.en-gedichildrenwithhope.org