Mwebale nnyo from Mike and Deb — August 24
Jacob Nakhosi
It wasn't too long ago when we asked you all to dig deeper than you ever had before for the programs we're working on here. Want to know the kinds of changes your hard earned money is making a continent away?
Meet 14 year old Jacob Nakhosi. As he was sharing his story with us recently, even the pastors eyebrows raised in shock as he talked about the banana fibre 'house' he lives in by himself. Both of his parents died of AIDS; his father 2 years ago, and his mother last year. Trust me when I say that no matter how many times we meet children in this situation, it is always heartbreaking to us. But Jacob didn't come with his hand out begging...he didn't come looking for pity. He came with a bag full of toy cars he fashioned from scavenged wire, tin and a little fabric. And, without missing a beat, this young entrepreneur didn't hesitate to ask for an order for ONE HUNDRED CARS! He wants to buy iron sheets to make a roof for his house that leaks from all directions when it rains. I think when I was 14 I was buying the latest style of bell bottom jeans or something. You?
Moses and Mike
This is Moses (at left with Mike). Proud papa of 7 and grandfather of 3. Polio stripped him of the use of his legs, but that hasn't broken his spirit or his desire to financially care for his family. He didn't come into the Africa TrAID center looking defeated, and he surely didn't leave that way.
Below is Moses (seated) surrounded by the wood trays he crafted for Africa TrAID and some of his children and grandbabies.
Some of our artists have never had the opportunity to learn to read or write. Their signatures upon receiving payment is their thumb print. The Light Village will enrich their lives by offering classes for these adults.
These are just a couple of stories from our Africa TrAID program. The number of people who are truly seeking a better life by having an opportunity to EARN a living, is staggering. It takes so little really, to give people here a good start in business, and a way out of the vicious cycle of poverty.
Moses with wood trays he crafted and some of his children and grandbabies.
Want to help? We still need to raise a significant amount of money so that we are able to purchase the unique art and handcrafts our people are working so hard on. These items will be shipped back to the states where you'll have an opportunity to see first hand how YOU have made a difference in lives 9,000 miles away.
Thumbprint signature
We think when you 'meet' the artists that you helped and see their awesome creations, you will be proud to say, "Hey, I helped him buy sandpaper to smooth out his carved giraffes"...or, "This necklace I'm wearing? A widow in Africa raising her five children and three orphans made this using paper I helped her purchase."
We need you, today, to make a difference...to help transform the lives of the people here that are in desperate need of hope for a future.
Your generous contributions over the past few months have included...
- Keeping Bulucheke Internally Displaced Persons Camp Health Clinic open for an additional two months assisting more than 4,800 people with treatment for illnesses like malaria, typhoid and cholera; and presided over LOTS of moms giving birth safely to many new babies. ($2,000)
- Sponsoring Joseph's Nursing Training at Ahmadiyya Hospital, raising the bar of care given at our Sibanga Health Clinic. A second student, Esther, recently began her sponsorship through the training. ($400)
- The continuation of our feed program for widows, orphans and vulnerable children. There have satisfied tummiesbeen an additional 900 people who have felt God's love, your love, learned about good nutrition and left with satisfied tummies. ($700)
- Kept nearly 100 artists/craftsmen working to provide food and school fees for their families through the Africa TrAID program.
Pastor James and Janet Tukolet
This is Pastor James Tukole and his precious wife, Janet, in front of their very modest home; mud walls, cow dung floor. She weaves fantastic baskets and can hardly believe anyone in America might like one! They care for a number of orphans in the village and Africa TrAID has helped them change the lives and futures of many, many children.
You can make a difference TODAY for a brighter Africa tomorrow by making a tax-deductible contribution to One City Ministries.
Not only are all these programs ongoing, but we still need to ship all of the magnificent Africa TrAID items...and we need to get ourselves stateside as well! We need a giant and quick push...we need YOU!
If you would like to make a contribution, or join our family of monthly contributors, you can easily do so on our website...or you can mail a check to One City Ministries at 3959 Van Dyke Road, Suite 299, Lutz, FL 33558.
If you haven't yet, we hope you will mark your calendars for the Second Annual 'I Love Africa' event! We will be bringing greetings and smiles from lots of your friends here. Thursday evening, November 18th at Tampa Covenant Church. Please check the website for more information...or to volunteer to lend a hand that evening! What an amazing opportunity to see, first-hand, the brilliantly creative products our artists are working on...like Moses' trays, or Jacobs bikes...and how YOU have changed their lives.
Thank you so much for your support, encouragement and prayers. We are blessed to have you in our lives.
Sending love from Africa,
Mike and deb
P.S. From the time we've all had our first cup of coffee this morning...until the same time tomorrow, 6,000 people will die of AIDS in Africa...11,000 people will be infected with the HIV/AIDS virus...3,000 children will die from malaria, 1,600 people will die of typhoid and 5,760 children will become orphans. All preventable. There is a way forward, and the changes we are making today will last forever! Please help us make a difference.
photos by Mike and Deb
"No one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." Edmund Burke
