Our Needs

A previous blog gave a brief explanation of support raising.  Now we will go into more detail about our role while serving in Nairobi, our need to get to Kenya, and ways you can be a part of this with us. 

OUR ROLE

Click the link above to get a more detailed idea of what we will be doing while in Nairobi. 

Alicia will be working directly within the child sponsorship program, Hope Partnership.  She will also be able to use her skills as a social worker to provide counseling and other related services to children and their familes.

Tim will be using his ministry skills to incorporate evangelism and discipleship into the microfinance program. He will also be focusing on spiritual development while working alongside local pastors serving at Missions of Hope’s several churches.

We have made an initial 5 -year commitment to serve with CMF in Nairobi.  At the conclusion of this term, we will evaluate to determine if we will remain in Nairobi or serve in another way.

OUR NEED

We are certain God is going to use us in some incredible ways, but we need your partnership to make this possible.  One way would be financially.  We need people to partner will us monthly.  Our monthly budget is $7637. We have currently raised 71% of this budget.  Our remaining balance is $2300 per month!   This number includes housing, ministry and outreach funds, transportation, health insurance and salary.  We are seeking individuals who are willing to include this ministry into their monthly budget.  No amount is too small, or too great!  Without monthly supporters, we cannot sustain our ministry in Nairobi.  This partnership is not only a vital one, but is currently our biggest need.

We are also seeking people who are willing to partner with us through special gifts.  We have a
one-time outgoing budget of $37,364. We currently have 46% of this budget raised.
Our remaining balance is $20,000.  This figure includes training, airline tickets, purchasing of a vehicle and necessary household items.  These gifts are no less important and must also be received in order to depart for the field.

HOW YOU CAN PLAY A ROLE

Obviously, financial support is critical for us.  If you want to partner with us financially, we have several ways you can do that:

You can give online by going to:  https://p2p.paperlesstrans.com/default.aspx?i=cmfms&c3=STEWART+Tim+and+Alicia&c4=400100 

 This will allow you to securely give a special gift or a recurring transaction. 

Or if you prefer non-online giving, please email us at thestewarts08@gmail.com and provide us with your mailing address and we will send you all necessary info.

ALL GIFTS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.

Another way you can partner with us is through prayer.  We are seeking individuals, families, small groups, etc. to commit to praying for us one day per week. We will commit to praying for you on that day as well.  We will regularly update our prayers needs and would love for you to do the same. 
To partner with us in this way, please email us at thestewarts08@gmail.com.

We have also been giving presentations talking about our call to missions and explaining in more depth our roles while in Nairobi.  If you would like to attend one of these informal meetings, please email us and we will make sure you are invited to one of these presentations.

We recognize we are fully dependent upon God and upon others to return to Nairobi to serve the poor.  Without financial support, we cannot go to the field.  Without the prayers and encouragement of others believers, we cannot effectively minister to those in need.  We are so exited about what God is doing in our lives, and we are exited about the many ways that you make it possible.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

Our Role

A few weeks ago, Wallace and Mary Kamau travelled from Kenya to visit West Side Christian Church.  The Kamuas are the Directors/Founders of Missions of Hope International (MOHi), the ministry we have worked with in the past and will serve with when we move to Nairobi.  We were able to spend a great deal of time with them and that time helped to further define our roles in the ministry.

Tim will using his ministry skills to incorporate evangelism and discipleship by working within the Spiritual Life Department at MOHi.  Missions of Hope currently has planted 6 churches.  A church plant begins as a Bible study at one of the schools and continues to grow into an active church.  Two new studies have started and will soon become churches.  Tim will work alongside recently ordained Kenyan pastors by assisting them as they grow thriving churches.  They will be working together to create and implement a discipleship plan for new members of the churches, helping them grow and become consistent in their faith.  He will also be working to build relationships within the micro-finance groups, helping to incorporate evangelism into these groups and to connect them to their local church.  He will also be using his passion and skills in photography to help communicate the story of Missions of Hope, showing the transformation from the valley of darkness into the Mountain of God.

Alicia will help coordinate the child sponsorship program, Hope Partnership.  There are currently over 6,300 student enrolled in the 13 schools operated by MOHi.  The Hope Partnership provides educational opportunities  to the neediest children living within the Mathare Valley slums.  In addition to education, students also receive a school uniform, two meals per day, basic health care, and a focus on spiritual development.  The educational opportunities for children in the slums are lacking.  In the past, fewer that 5% of students from the slums were able to pass the national exam which is required for entry into high school.  The two classes of students at MOHi that have taken the exam have passed at a rate of 100% !!  Praise God for the opportunity these children are receiving at Missions of Hope thanks to the thousands of sponsors.  The staff at Missions of Hope are praying that over 10,000 students will be enrolled in one of the schools by the end of the year 2012.  Alicia will work to gather profiles for the children, facilitate communication between the child and their sponsor, and maintain all sponsorship information.  She will also be able to use her skills as a social worker to provide counseling for students and their families.

It is safe to say we will be VERY busy once we arrive in Nairobi.  We are very eager to assume these roles and our so thankful that God has provided ways for us to use our passions, skills, and talents to serve those living in poverty within the Mathare Valley slums.