Into Abba's Arms

IAA'S NEW KITCHEN / DINING HALL PROJECT 2011

2011-11-15T10:25:00.017-06:00

This slideshow will show the beginning to present building process as well as pictures of the students their supervisors and local workers who have dedicated their time to make this project a reality.

The shell of our Kitchen/Dining Hall will be completed around the end of this month. We are so excited to have this facility that will allow our children, visitors and staff to gather together for meals. We have been separated at meals since IAA began due to lack of space. This facility will also be a blessing for: community gatherings; cooking for larger groups of visitors; and as a gathering place for the children to do homework, crafts, Bible Studies and more.

Thanks to:

· The engineering students and faculty at Syracuse University who dedicated several years of time and planning of this project. Group Picture in slideshow: Chuck Brooks (professional mentor), Lesen Haracz, Isaac Allen, Scott Ranthes and Erin Zeqja. Janet Brooks was present, but taking the photo. Others from Syracuse University: Shannon Magari, Advisor to the EWB Syracuse University Student Chapter; and all the other volunteer engineers and architects in the Syracuse area who helped to keep the project on target.

· Gordon Clark who spent volunteer time to oversee this project for IAA.

· James Taubitz, who is a Kenya missionary with EMI (Engineer Ministries International), who is overseeing the project construction.

· John, our Kenyan contractor, who has done his work professionally and efficiently.

· Christine and Samuel, IAA’s staff in Kenya, who has put in extra hours of work to make sure the project is progressing.

· All of you who have contributed to the financial provisions for this project.

APRIL'S THOUGHTS AFTER HER RETURN FROM WORKING AT IAA

2011-10-26T14:52:00.000-05:00

April with Jacob and Hope

Just over a year ago, I took a giant leap of faith and boardeda plane to Kenya. I was broken as I saidgoodbye to my loved ones, but I was trusting God fully with my life for thefirst time ever. I had no doubt that Iwas going exactly where He wanted me to be. The days were sometimes unbearably long yet my time in Kenya went byentirely too fast. I can’t believe it’sbeen a year; I can’t believe I’ve been back home for two months already.

Once I got to Kenya, I waited for the cultureshock that I was guaranteed to have. Believe it or not, it never came. Sure, there were things about the culture that were irritating sometimesbut nothing was ever significant enough to make me want to go home. When it was all over, I came home and Iwaited for the reverse culture shock. This time, it came, but not in a way I would have expected. I came home and suddenly nothing seemedclear. I didn’t know who I was, where Iwas going, or what my life was supposed to be about. When I was in Kenya, people always asked mewhat I missed about home. My answer wasalways that I missed my freedom, or rather, my independence. I was completely dependent on someone else forpractically everything while I was there. Coming home, suddenly I had more freedom than I knew what to dowith. Much to my surprise, that trippedme up more than once. Being able to dowhat I wanted when I wanted to do it felt like a brand new feeling and wasquite overwhelming.

April reading a book with Lydia

My life here at home is very differentthan my life was in Kenya. Here, I don’thave children waiting for me. I sleephalf the day away because I don’t know what to do with myself otherwise. There are no children for me to dress orfeed, none to play with or teach new words to, no diapers to change, no littlelegs running to me or arms reaching for me to hold them the minute I walkdownstairs in the morning. Instead, I wake up and walk upstairs to anempty house. I take a shower everyday-at any time of day I choose. I canstay in the shower for as long as I want and the water doesn’t suddenly turnice cold or scalding hot, nor does it stop running when I would stand in theshower freezing and jpraying that the water would start running again so I could get the soap out of my hair. I don’t have to worry about thelights going off and leaving me to shower in the dark. I can get out of the shower knowing that if Iwant to dry my hair, I can. I don’t haveto rush to make sure I dry it while the power is actually on. I can get in my car at any time I want anddrive anywhere I want to. The roads hereare remarkable. I hear people talk aboutthe ONE giant pothole on I-20 near our exit and think about how nice it wouldbe if there was only one giant pothole instead of hundreds from IAA to thekids’ school. We take so much forgranted here in the US and I immediately fell right back into that same mindsetthe minute my feet hit American soil. All these things that we take for granted are great and it’s been niceto have them back, but I also miss Kenya and the simplicity of life there. It was okay that I didn’t shower every daybecause no one else did either. It wasokay that I didn’t dry my hair because no one cared what I looked like. It was okay that there were a millionpotholes in the road-we were thankful we had something to drive and that it wasactually running that day. There,nothing is reliable but it’s okay because God is reliable. He shows up on time, even if it’s not in OURtime. There, it’s okay that nothing isreliable because there, it’s not about things. It’s about people and relationships. In Kenya, I loved and was loved in a way that is rarely experienced inAmerica, at least in my experience, because we too often let things andjudgments and stuff that doesn’t matter get in the way of loving people for whothey are.

As I said, I came home and lostmyself. I felt like I had left Kenya andlost God somewhere along the way back home. All I knew was uncertainty. Godwasn’t giving me clear answers, or any answers for that matter. I had no idea where to even begin, no ideahow to find my way in a place that was so familiar and yet so foreign at thesame time. While wrestling with myselfabout all the uncertainty, I went to church and the pastor said this-

“The badnews is that there will ALWAYS be uncertainty BUT the good news is that yourlife-it’s going to be okay.”

April and Jacob

If nothing else, I find comfort inthose words. God didn’t take me on this journey and teach me firsthand about His faithfulnessonly to abandon me at the “end”. No,this is just the beginning. He is herebeside me and He always will be. He maynot be making every decision as clear as He did my decision to GO, but He willuse every decision I make for the good. He is sovereign and He is holding me in His hands. I may be uncertain, but God is not and I willcommit my whole self to Him so that my life will reflect His will.
AprilLingle

2011-09-22T15:41:00.295-05:00

SUMMER MISSIONS AT IAA

The volunteers who have visited IAA write such beautiful and wonderful words about their visits with our children, but as I was reading through them I thought of all the blessings they bring to us: inter-cultural learning; building relationships; receiving affirmation; training in scripture; modeling service; providing unconditional love and attention; encouragement. I could go on and on. Thank You!

INTO ABBA'S ARMS

Indiana, West Virginia, Georgia & Pensylvania

Mission Team - June

Back row: Carey Bailey, Meredith Lydick, April Lingle

Front row: Philip Koech (driver), Bill, Tarin

Our June team spent a very busy two weeks in Kenya this year. We spent four and half days at IAA visiting with the staff and children while working on various maintenance projects around the site. As always, it was a blessing to spend time with the children.

One of the highlights of our stay was a Bible lesson and craft project led by Meredith Lydick and Carey Bailey. The girls taught the children a scripture lesson followed by a mosaic project illustrating how God can make something beautiful from things (and people) that are broken. The girls also enjoyed a regular story time in the evening with the children.

Our ministry projects took us to areas outside Kinangop as well. With the help of April Lingle, our IAA intern, we assembled and distributed new mother kits in a nearby IDP (Internally Displaced People) camp. While at the camp, we had the opportunity to minister to and read Scripture with some of the women in the camp. It was a blessing to visit with them in their homes and hear them speak of the Lord’s goodness despite their dire circumstances.

But perhaps the most exciting aspect of the trip was working with One Hope Ministries, whose vision is to place the gospel in the hands of every child on earth by 2030. Using teaching programs created by One Hope, our team went into the public schools of Kinangop presenting the gospel to students and teachers a total of 19 times in 8 different area schools. We were overwhelmed to see the power of God’s word at work as we witnessed many children accept Christ during those two days.

From there our team moved west and then south as we delivered food and supplies to widows, churches, and a children’s home in Ahero who were all suffering from a food shortage brought on by the recent drought. I am amazed at how quickly our time in Kenya passes No carry out, we are blessed anew as God continues to find new and exciting ways for us to minister to our brothers and sisters in Kenya.

matter how many trips we make or which projects we

Tarin Paradise

“I will praise You forever for what You have done; in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good. I will praise You in the presence of the saints.” Psalm 52:9

Woodsedge Church

Missions Team-July

The Woodlands, TX

Kim Neeley
Caitlin Chalfant
Kent Anderson
Andrea Shannon
Allie Dorsey
Ashley Markgraf
Hannah Novelli
Austin Rumpel
Corrie Sharpe
Allison Shrimpton
Paul Lassalle
Gretchen Schneider

Kathleen Wilson and Elissa Adams
Sugar Land, TX

Mission Volunteers - July & August

"I was so blessed to be able to visit IAA again this summer! I had been counting down to my return since the day I left last year, and it was such a great feeling to be welcomed back to IAA with open arms. As soon as I was reunited with everyone, it felt like I had never left. I was overwhelmed with joy to finally be a part of that wonderful family again! I was especially excited to be reunited with 4 year old Martha, who I grew very close to last year. The first time I was there, she hadbeen very clingy and in need of extra love and attention. I am so excited to report that although we still had a close connection, she was much less needy and more independent than she had been a year ago. I couldn’t have been happier to see how much she had grown and matured! This year I was able to stay at IAA for the first half of August, when all of the children were home from school. I was so excited to be able to get to know some of the boarding school students that had not been home the last time I was there. It was so much fun to be there during the vacation month because we were able to do special activities such as take the kids swimming, go hiking with the older boys, and have a sleepover party with the older girls! The Lord has blessed IAA in such an incredible way, and has blessed me with the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by His wonderful work in Kenya. The children and staff at IAA are a huge part of who I am today, and I am so grateful to have been able to spend the last two summers with them. Although I’m not quite sure of when God will lead me back there, I am very much looking forward to another reunion with all of the people I love and miss so much!" Elissa Adams

"Being back at IAA this summer was a true blessing. After I left last summer, I knew I would be back some day, but I never imagined God would be guiding me back there just a short year after my first visit. I felt overjoyed as I was reunited with all the wonderful kids at IAA. I quickly learned that some of the toddlers I grew very close to last year were more independent and didn't need quite the same love and attention they needed last summer. At first this was hard to take in, but it was truly a blessing for me to see that the kids were happy, content, and able to be more independent and self-fulfilling. Milka, the little girl my family sponsors, grew a lot closer to me this year! I really enjoyed spending a great deal of time with her. She has multiple moods ranging from being a complete diva to being the sweetest, most loving little girl in the world. There wasn't a day that went by that she wasn't making me laugh. I also had the opportunity to grow closer to some of the older girls and boys during their month off from school. Theresia taught me a lot about myself and made me realize the importance of providing the older children with just as much love and attention as the toddlers. Spending time with these beautiful children of God was absolutely incredible and indescribable in ways. As I reflect on my time at IAA, I am continually amazed at how much love and support is in this organization. I commend Jane for her hard work and dedication to such a successful orphanage. I do not know when I will be back to visit IAA next, as I am preparing myself for the working world, but I have no doubt the Lord will lead me back into his wonderful home for these children one day. I have so many wonderful memories from my six weeks at IAA that I will forever cherish."
Kathleen Wilson

Kelly Klein, Kristin Klein and Amanda Cook

Summer Volunteers - August

"I will always remember September 15, 2010, as the day I got the green light to go to IAA. I had viewed hundreds of pictures, watched hours of videos and heard stories upon stories about IAA and its beautiful children from my sister and others. I had waited and anticipated this trip for almost a year and never could have prepared myself for what was to come. I had heard stories about growing attached to one child and having such a strong love for them, but I never could have imagined experiencing that for myself.

The moments I spent at IAA this summer were filled with more joy than I knew was possible. Carina captured my heart on the first day and throughout my experience, she continued to make my heart soar. Listening to the sound of her laugh, holding her hand, making noises with her, seeing her face light up, playing our monkey and telephone games - everything about those moments just felt right; nothing else seemed to matter but loving her in that moment. Running around with her on my back, her hugs and kisses, tickling her, dancing with her, and seeing her giant smile could make my heart warm in an instant. Every moment I spent with her I felt peace in my heart. I felt that in loving Carina, I got a new glimpse of God’s love for us – a perfect love. It is almost impossible to imagine that God loves me even more than how much I love Carina. I know this story hasn’t ended yet... this is only the beginning." Kelly Klein

"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

Frederick Buechner

River Cities Community Church

Mission Team – August 2011

Huntington, WV

Top row: Dave Calvert; Tom McGahan; Mary Jane Amos; Jean Howison; Sandy Carroll; Jan Boyd.
Bottom row: Beth Calvert; Garland Bowen; Brenda McGahan; Steve Graves; Kristina Hamilton; Kevin Hamilton.

One year ago the Lord confirmed that it was time to take a group from River Cities Community Church to IAA. Twelve of us linked with others from our congregation and community purposed to:

1. Provide five days of Vacation Bible School.

2. Provide learning materials for the IAA

preschool.

3. Provide curriculum for the Sunday chapel services

The Lord worked through His people who generously gave and the goals were met.

VBS would officially begin at 10 AM and last until 2 PM. The Kinangop kids were so excited they began coming at 8:30 AM and left when they had to. The theme of the week was “How to Roll with Jesus”. Using songs, skits, teaching times, games, and activities they learned how to enjoy the basic Christian disciplines of prayer, time in Scripture, being with other believers, fighting temptation and obeying the Lord with the Holy Spirit’s leadership. Over 250 participated.

Our free time was spent enjoying the IAA family life. As one of our couples spent time talking with some of the older youth, they perceived the need to have some Bible study time with the IAA older fellows. Three evenings included our men having a discussion from a Biblical perspective answering questions the IAA guys had.
For more about the VBS visit Beth's Blog at:
Beth's Blog Post

Engineers Without Borders
Engineering Team- August

Syracuse University Enginerring Students

Syracuse, NY

Chuck Brooks (professional mentor), Lesen Haracz, Isaac Allen, Scott Ranthes,

and Erin Zeqja with IAA children on the kitchen project site.

Janet Brooks was present, but taking the photo

The Syracuse University Engineers Without Borders team had a fantastic time during our stay at Into Abba's Arms. We were greeted with such warmth and friendliness by everyone at IAA. The children, staff, and community members were all so welcoming. We enjoyed every aspect of our trip, whether we were working with the construction team, playing basketball or soccer with the children, or spending time learning about their schooling and interests after dinner. The children were eager as to spend time learning about our lives as we were to learn about theirs. They were a truly inquisitive, intelligent and amazing group. We are incredibly blessed to have gotten to know them and we cannot wait to go back!

Scott Ranthes

New Happenings at IAA

2011-05-24T10:30:00.000-05:00

Many exciting things have been taking place at IAA lately! Our annual King's Feast was celebrated around Easter.

The King's Feast:The King's Feast is celebrated annually at IAA around Easter. We first and foremost celebrate our risen King and Savior, but we also remember our dear and precious friend King Lane. He was a wonderful friend to IAA, Jane, and the orphans. A lifelong resident of Houston, and a member of Houston's First Baptist, King made several mission trips with us to Kenya. He was very troubled that the children never got meat to eat, so he always bought meat for the children. In honor of him, we invite other orphans to celebrate and feast on an abundance of meat.

Watch this video to experience the event with us:

Approximately 180 people attended the celebration this year. Most were children from two other children's homes: 67 children came from Mike Eden's Home, 33 children came from Flying Kites Home, and then we had our own 32 children. For the event, we slaughtered two sheep and two goats, baked 12 cakes, and cooked lots of ugali, greens, stew, carrots, and peas. Each Children's Home presented songs, plays, and marching presentations. At the end, everyone came together to sing and dance praises to God. I was told by many of the attending children that it was the best day they ever had.

"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, 'From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise'?" Matthew 21:16

Easter Sunday: Everyone was in their Sunday best. The service was full of energy with lots of dancing and singing praises and testimonies of God's provisions in their lives. Christine gave a wonderful message of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection and taught the children a new song. Jesus is alive, Jesus is alive, Forever He's alive AMEN! The toddlers sang, "Jumping up and down, jumping up and down, jumping up and down. Shout Hosanna!"

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!" Mark 16:6

Watch our Sunday service praise and worship:

Abstinence Program: This was the best program we've had at IAA thus far. A team came to present to our older children (ages ten and up), as well as some children from the community. Approximately 67 children attended the program. They learned deep lessons on how to abstain from sex, the diseases that can result from it, and they also discussed the consequences of bad choices. We will have an abstinence program every year at IAA now.

Egg Business: We have officially gone into the egg business! We have more than enough eggs for IAA, so we have been supplying most of the local shops with eggs to sell. While I was there, we were requested to provide 500 eggs for a youth conference being held at a church down the road. Lydia has now become the "egg lady" for the community. I told her I would make her a t-shirt that has a big egg on it with a quote. Any ideas?

Sheilah: We are so proud of Sheilah. She has become a true leader in her school and community. She was asked to join a group called, "The Children's Assembly." This group has members all over Kenya and they attend seminars to have discussions and represent the children of Kenya. She was also chosen to be the girls leader at her school. Any problems, comments, or things that a girl would want to report to the leaders at her school are to be brought to her. She is a very Godly and mature young lady for her age.

Volunteers:

It was a blessing to have Mandy Willey with me on this trip to IAA. We started ministry together way back in 1997. I want to thank Mandy for her help with the videos and pictures. Regarding her visit, Mandy says, "Being at IAA with all these precious kids was a blessing, wonderful time, great opportunity, joy, --- just take your pick of adjectives, it was FUN! Being a part of the family for a couple of weeks was quite an experience. That would be the one thing I want everyone to understand, this is a family, not an orphange... a family home. When we came home with two new siblings, EVERYONE was so excited. Their attitudes are loving and welcoming. That was evident in the faces of Carina and Michael in less than 24 hours. They had come home and seemed to know it. This is a special place where God is present and very much at work. I want to say thanks to everyone there who made my stay so great. I can't wait to go again. Come join us!"

Terrace Lake Community Church, Indiana Team:

Shelia: "It was very exciting to finally visit IAA and see the amazing work that God has done and continues to do. We hope to make a return trip next year. Surely there is nothing more satisfying than to see God's servants providing children with love, food, a home and education; children who are growing up in the nurture of God. They hold the promise of the future. We must never fail to care for them."

Trish: "Some months ago I saw a show called Secret Millionaire. It is a reality series about rich people who are given an opportunity to sow money into the lives of strangers. This first episode I saw was about a lady from San Antonio -ironically since I am also from San Antonio, who gave to 3 different charities. One charity was a food pantry, one a music school for underprivileged students, the last a young girl, who was diagnosed with an illness who was chosen for a bedroom makeover. The secret millionaire gave the bulk of her money to the music school and for the longest time I could not figure out why she didn't chose the food pantry, which had the greater need, and served the most people. I didn't realize why until my stay at Into Abba's Arms in April. I chose Into Abba's Arms last year as the recipient for my 2011 Kenya project: Nguo Za Watoto ( meaning Clothe The Children). I gathered 29 friends and family members who together raised funds and new clothing for the 29 residents at IAA. I saw firsthand the labor of love, sacrifice and family Jane is raising in Kinagop. I saw Jane do what this Secret Millionaire did- and that is to sow into the lives of children, and their futures. Even though I personally delivered the clothes and left empty handed- I walked away with more than I took with me. I saw different tribes of children come together for worship, meals, housework, play- even a conference on Abstinence in which the majority of the lesson was not just stay away from sex, but started with the question: Who does God say you are? and ran the gamut on what God expects from all of us, and even what to do if you feel like you have already failed. I walked away knowing that like those talented musical students who have a bright future ahead because somebody believed in them and sowed into their lives, so do these students all the way on the other side of the world in Kenya because somebody also believes in them and sowed a seed into their lives as well."

Chris Ford: Chris and his wife Becky have been a blessing to IAA for many years. They spent 9 months at IAA, so they are like a part of the family. Chris revisited IAA and spent some quality time counseling our boys during the Abstinence Program and he spent quality time with Nelson who they sponsor regularly. "I really enjoyed my return to IAA. It was food to my soul to see that the relationships we established with the children were still very strong. In some ways it felt like I never left because they opened up to me so easily. This was especially true with Nelson. In fact, during the time I spent with him he shared painful memories about his life, before he came to IAA. He spoke in detail about events he only spoke briefly of in the past. After our conversation, I was able to pray for him and with tears rolling down his face, I witnessed the Father bring restoration to his wounded heart (Isaiah 61:1). I believe, in all humility, that this was major victory in Nelson’s heart and that he will never be the same as a result of it. I feel honored to be a part of his life and in the lives of the other children at IAA."

April Lingle: April is our long term volunteer from the Mission's Society, and she is such a blessing. She has really established deep relationships with the children. They love having her there too!

Our Growing Family

2011-05-20T20:32:00.003-05:00

I can't express the amount of love the children at IAA have for eachother. The first two weeks I was there, I was constantly asked, "When canwe get another child?" or, "When will you go get another sister orbrother?" This was asked by not just one, but many of the childrenages 10 and older. The children love when more siblings are added to their family, and when we dobring another child home, everyone is excited. Everyone wants to hold them,play with them and help them feel welcomed. I imagine it is like this inHeaven as each new sister or brother is brought HOME, into Abba's arms.

Meet our two new family members:

Carina: Before coming home to IAA, Carina lived in the Nairobi Children's home her entire life. Her Mother gave birth to her while injail, and when she was later released, she disappeared and never cameback. Carina is now three years old and has the cutest personality. When you ask her what her name is, shesays, "Carina Esther." I've nicknamed her "Katrina." The first time we met, she never stoppedtalking. One day, I heard her talking away to our neighbor, Papa Njau, who had stopped by to greet us. I askedChristine what Carina was saying, and Christine said she was asking him if hehad a big house too. I thought it was so cute she was so proud of her newbig house.

Numbi Michael: Like Carina, Michael was happy to be leaving the Nairobi Children's Home where he's lived all his life. All we know so far is that he was abandonedas a baby and taken to the emergency facility. He is four years old and is very shy and withdrawn. When we first met, he didn't say much, but he looked around curiously as we drove through Nairobi.I assume this was his first time out of the home. When we got him home to IAA to clean him up, Posy noticed he had scabies, an infected boil on his back, and many scars andbruises on his little body. I can't imagine what he's been through. Posy doctoredhim up and he looked so happy receiving attention. Aftertwo days, we noticed he started to feel at home as he began to playand talk to the other children. Christine now reports that he has adjustedwell and is very happy.

Here is a video of Carina and Michael coming home to IAA, where they were welcomed with good showers, new clothes, and lots of love and attention from everyone in their new family:

On Easter Sunday, we introduced Carina and Michael to the church and Christine announced, "If you see these children wandering in the community, please bring them back." I thought that was so funny. We then announced we would pray for both Carina and Michael, and the two children immediately bowed their heads and closed their eyes... it was so cute!

"And he took the children in hisarms, placed his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:16

Sponsorship: Carina and Michael are precious gifts from God. Will you consider sponsoring one of them for $40.00 per month? If interested, please email Jane at: IntoAbbasArms@aol.com.

Meet our two new staff members:

Samuel: We've known Samuel since we opened the home because he lives across the road from us with his family. We are so blessed he accepted our job offer. He will be doing carpentry work, handy work around the site, working in the garden and with the livestock, and other various jobs.

Miriam: Miriam is a very sweet and quiet lady. She will be on our fill in staff, so whenever anyone takes their month leave, she will do their job. We are very blessed to have her.

From our family to yours, God bless!