Potential is God's gift to us. What we do with it is our gift to God.

-Mark Batterson from "Primal - A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity"

There are so many stories of courage and perseverance from this little village in western Kenya but one story that unfolded before our eyes profoundly touched each of us on the mission team and in leadership at TLM. We would like to introduce you to little Jane Anyango. Like the children you see above she was a beautiful, curious, and loving 6 year old. She sang songs, made crafts, played games, prayed prayers, and danced to her heart's delight with us during our short time in Wachara. And not unlike the other children in the school around her, she wasn't quite sure what to make of these wazungu, white people. But she was willing to find out!

Not long after we left Kenya to return to the United States Jane became ill. Her parents knew that she would not be seen in the regional hospital unless they arrived with the shillings required for such a visit. Then there was the problem that the hospital is not reachable on foot with a sick child, so the funds to rent a vehicle provided another obstacle to getting the medical attention she needed. Often when poor families in third world countries find themselves in this position they will go to family, friends, and church members for help. Unfortunately that takes time and time was yet another luxury this family did not have. And so this weekend 6 year old Jane Anyango went to be with Jesus.

We join with her family, friends, and all those who live in her village in mourning the loss of a life so young. We know that we mourn for us - Jane is doing just fine in heaven! But we also mourn for everyone in her village and villages like hers all over the world who will one day find themselves in a similar position.

The leadership of Touching Lives Ministry have felt God's call to take our first step in turning our mission statement into reality. By God's grace He will use us as a vehicle to provide a medical clinic for the village Wachara, Kenya in 2011. Please join with us in praying that God will supply all that will be required as we walk in this calling. May Jane's legacy be that this village will never again lose one so young because medical care was not available.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.   
Psalm 30:11