Mission Statement

Touching Lives, Inc is a Christian ministry committed to supporting communities worldwide through improved health care, education, spiritual and economic development

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Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Mountain Movers

Christ said we could move mountains if we had faith. But He didn't say we wouldn't need a shovel.
-Joyce Vollmer Brown

During our time in Kenya we had the privilege of meeting many "shovels." Shovels are those people and organizations whom God puts in our path to help us move mountains. We met shovels in the back of airplanes, in guest houses, behind the steering wheel of our van, across the breakfast and dinner table, out on the street, and at the end of very long journeys. After a few days we began to expect rather than be surprised by our encounters with God's various "shovels." Let us introduce you to one of these very special groups of people.
The road from Kijabe in central Kenya to Sanjweru in western Kenya is a long one. The journey takes about 11 bumpy and dust-filled hours. Knowing that makes it easy to understand that when we finally arrived at our destination we were tired, hot and in great need of refreshment. As we stepped out of the van that had become our temporary home that day, we were greeted by a form of refreshment beyond compare. You see, the community of Sanjweru had gathered and were awaiting our arrival for much of the 11 hours we were traveling. We were greeted by smiling faces, hand shakes and hugs. It didn't matter that many in our welcoming committee didn't speak English or that we don't speak Luo, hugs and smiles are fluent in every language!

We were then treated to a walking tour of the property that will, by God's grace, soon become known as Sanjweru Medical Center. It is completely possible that none of us have ever taken a more energizing walk! The area around Sanjweru is beautiful and from the vantage of "God's Hill" we saw much of it.

This community and its leaders have become one of the most important "shovels" God introduced us to during our time in Kenya. When we arrived in Sanjweru we were hoping for refreshment and this community, dedicated to helping themselves, provided what we were looking for above what we could ask or even imagine.

We've just received word that the community has removed the brush from the perimeter of the 23 acres to prepare for the placement of a fence around the land in just one week's time! Our next step is to provide the $9,000 needed to erect the barbed wire fence. Please join us in praying about the part God wants each of us to play in this great adventure. In the future TLM will be offering various opportunities make donations, both monetary and goods, in honor or memory of those who are dearest to us. Until then, if you would like to make a donation on behalf of someone, visit our Donate page and make a notation in the memo of your check.

Like our brothers and sisters in the Nyanza Province of Kenya, we can all be "shovels."

Saturday, March 5, 2011

He Has Just Begun!

God has a thousand ways
Where I can see not one;
When all my means have reached their end
Then His have just begun.
--Esther Guyot

The February mission team has returned - and we bring Good News! Sometimes in life we realize that God has been working on our behalf in small ways, sometimes in big ways, and occasionally He reminds us that He has been working in both small and big ways all along. Such was the case during our time in the western Kenyan province of Nyanza over the past two weeks.

Shortly before our departure we received word that some kind, compassionate, and generous people from the village of Sanjwero donated 23 acres of land to Touching Lives Kenya for the purpose of building a medical center for the community! To the left of what we having lovingly named, "God's hill" you can see a "table". This is the future home of Sanjwero Medical Center - A Ministry of Touching Lives. The TLK land continues half way up the hill.

The committee members who have been appointed by the Sanjwero village have already become "ambassodors" to the surrounding community, gathering support and much needed muscle power to begin clearing the brush from the land in preparation for construction to begin. The boards and officers of TLM and TLK are grateful and indebted to this group of men and women for all they are doing.

One of our final privileges before departing Nyanza Province was to witness the placement of a sign announcing this as the site for the coming medical center. Around the sign are just a few of the dedicated committee persons who are sacrificing much for the betterment of their community.

We have much to share regarding what God is doing in and around Sanjwero and more updates will be coming soon. Until then we do have prayer requests to share:
  • That God will move hearts to supply the funds needed for ground breaking and the commencement of construction before our summer medical mission at the beginning of July
  • That the medical center's well can be drilled prior to the arrival of our summer mission team
  • That God will call, prepare, and equip the summer mission team
  • That God will provide for the safey of those who are working to prepare the land for the construction to begin
  • Above all else, that God will be glorified in and through this awesome work!
If you are feeling a "tug" on your heart to be a part of God is doing in this region and are would like to be a part of the summer mission team please go to the "Home" page of the TLM website to download an application. If you cannot go but feel called to support this work or send others, please visit the "Donate" page on the website. Whether going or sending we ask for and cherish your prayers on our behalf as we begin to step forward in this outrageously wonderful move of God.

God has just begun!