Our friends in Kenya, sharing their greetings, thanks, and blessings for a Happy New Year. They also welcome us to see them again. AtL appreciates all those partnering together to help grow fruitful lives through the love of God. amongtheleast.org
As we filter through the wreckage of the past year, there appears to be plenty of redeemable events to share from Among the Least, and you’ve been a part of the meaningful success! Below is an update from our field directors, Mark and Lisa Hauger.
“Maintaining relationships with families in the foster care and adoption processes, who request services from AtL, continues to be a beautiful, meaningful ministry. Assisting these families requires detailed listening, privacy, competent networking, and resource sharing. These ongoing interactions are filled with both heartache and joy. Pray for healthy families as they travel their journeys.
We sold some of our property and bought an old, but healthy, motor home so we could travel to locations of ministry needing immigration law services. The motorhome has been made accessible, but still needs a few more repairs. Praying!
After returning to Pagosa from an immigration law training in CA, we all heard information spreading about Covid. Then we saw fallout from the actual virus spreading, and news, and deaths, and rumors, and opinions, and … the list seems endless… Regardless of Covid’s far-reaching fatalities, AtL stretched farther to help relieve some of the harmful impact:
Sponsored Kenyan leaders in ministry to add more options to their businesses which were stressed by Covid restrictions:
Carolyne - is now an Mpesa operator from her small shop, functioning as a mobile banker and thoughtful evangelist.
David - nowadays is managing goats while maintaining water filters plus teaching/ translating for a discipleship ministry.
Steve - a talented artisan added brick making to sustain his work and ministry as a Christian musician
Equipped Carolyne with tools to make masks and share hygiene options within rural villages that needed attention.
Assisted Kajulu Women’s Group to bring in their harvest before locusts (traveling across the Middle East to northern Kenya in epic proportions) threatened to consume it.
With AtL’s support, the Resource Center in Kisumu has purchased 3 new sewing machines. They will begin another tailoring training that also includes a discipleship course.
Since the AtL board is involved in education, their schedules and abilities to influence others during the pandemic has been a significant, but successful challenge. We appreciate their encouragement and support. Thanks AtL board!!
We received a suitcase of handcrafted items for adoption fundraising in US which promotes fair wages in Kenya, thus protecting family preservation. In December, a family in the process of adopting reached out to us to discuss their journey. After talking about the financial piece, we thought of the suitcase! They hosted a virtual sale which is still happening! Please pray for the Mathews family and be free to donate to their adoption by scrolling through AtL’s facebook page.
In the beginning of September, we started communicating with Colorado Hosting Asylum Network and created a partnership. We checked the possibility of legally hosting asylum seekers in Pagosa. We formed a team represented by 3 churches, and we welcomed our first guest! We continue to facilitate team meetings and trainings while aiding in the immigration law piece. Our goal is to multiply this effort and be a community that offers hope to those fleeing persecution.
Recent pictures of the Kajulu Women’s Group and members of Women of Worth get-together for fellowship, harvesting new crops, and discussing how to help one another with encouragement and paying children’s school fees. (Photos shared with permission.)
Thank you all for the generous love, prayers and support! Please know these smiles, praise reports and discipleship are a result of God moving you in response to their prayers.
Questions? Reach out to mlthauger@gmail.com”