SEPTEMBER 2009
Dear Friends of Kindle Orphan Outreach:
"What
does Kindle really mean? It is not our language,
and we do not understand this English name!"
This was the question asked at a Family Life Ministries meeting recently,
where 20 or more women were gathered under a tree for a special event.
Three of their group had memorized 100 verses in order to earn a Bible
which they could not afford to purchase, and this was presentation day,
with the emphasis on the importance of God's Word in our lives!
This was an opportunity to explain that KINDLE means "kukoleza moto" - to kindle or light a fire. Fire is an essential commodity in the lives of these women and they could relate well to the discussion about the need to kindle a fire in their home. You kindle a fire to heat water for bathing; fire is needed for cooking food; coals from the fire go in the iron so your clothes look nice; the fire is the place where family and friends meet for warmth and fellowship while stories are told.... In fact, A HOME WITHOUT FIRE IS NO HOME AT ALL! So it is with Kindle Orphan Outreach and God's Word. God's word is needed for cleansing and nourishing and having a life that looks good. It is where we find fellowship and acceptance and love. In fact, A HOME WITHOUT GOD'S WORD IS LIKE A HOME WITHOUT A FIRE. Let us all let the fire of God's word be kindled in our lives, our families, our community.
Many times a conversation with visitors goes like this:
"But where are the Orphans? We have not seen any orphans at Kindle Orphan Outreach!"
We respond with another question.... "When you were in the villages did you see any children?"
- Yes! Lots of them! They were everywhere!
- Then you have seen many of Kindle's orphans! They do not wear signs, and we do not want them to look "different" from other children in the community. They live and play and go to school along with children from regular families. If you hug the children, you will have hugged an orphan!
However, sometimes we have the occasion to invite all the orphans that Kindle cares for to come to the Kindle base. Then we can see them as a group and have special interaction with them. This happened recently when a friend of Kindle Orphan Outreach raised and donated funds so that all the orphans who attend school can receive a new uniform. Tailors were hired, the children were measured, and sewing began. Soon after you receive this letter, 200 new uniforms will be distributed.
What about
Outreach? KINDLE
reaches out in many directions. We try to stretch our arms wide
in order to show God's love and light to the children and their guardians.
In fact, the whole community is touched in some way by Kindle.
One part of Kindle that is being stretched
far beyond our capacity is the Katawa Community Clinic. Because
Katawa has earned a good reputation, sick people come from even far
beyond our area to receive help. The present staff and facilities
are stretched indeed! There is a very URGENT NEED to build!
The first priority is for 2 staff houses
so that we can hire qualified medical staff. Secondly is a need
for a larger pharmacy and a lab to do simple tests. Also urgently
needed is a separate wing for pediatric care and under-5 clinics.
Last, but definitely not least, is the need for a Maternity unit.
At the moment, women must travel many miles to give birth, or just stay
in the village. Maternal and infant mortality are high.... Some
of our orphans are a result of maternal death at childbirth. Kindle
can help, but we can't do it alone! The cost for this expansion
is overwhelming to us: One staff house alone will cost about US$36,000!
TWO MORE STAFF HOUSES
LIKE THIS ARE NEEDED BEFORE WE CAN EXPAND OUR STAFF
THE COMMUNITY HAS STARTED TO MAKE AND BRING BRICKS IN FAITH
PLEASE JOIN US IN
PRAYER THAT GOD WILL PROVIDE FROM HIS GREAT STOREHOUSE SO THAT KINDLE'S
HEALTH DEPARTMENT CAN REACH OUT EVEN FARTHER.
Once again, as we come to the end of this "Kindle Aflame", we want to thank you all sincerely for your share in Kindle Orphan Outreach. Your interest, your letters, your gifts, your prayers, all encourage us as the staff of Kindle, and that encouragement gets passed along in some way to each and every orphan and guardian in our community and beyond.
Many blessings to you all,
Marilyn Barr, on behalf of all the
Kindle Family
Again, here are the current channels for sending gifts for Kindle:
- Australia: Make checks payable to Kindle Orphan Outreach, and send them to Andrew Barr: 953 River Drive, Keith Hall, NSW 2478 For contacting Andrew if you have questions or would like him to speak at your group, use email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- USA: There are 2 channels you can use: With clear notation that your gift is for Kindle Orphan
Outreach, make checks payable to:
Water of Life Community Church, 7625 East Ave., Fontana, CA 92336
(email contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
OR: Extreme Response Intl, P.O. Box 345, Snellville, GA 30078
(email contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Canada: Extreme Response Canada, P.O. Box 1013, Simcoe, ON N3Y 533
(email contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
- UK: Cheque payable to Starfish Malawi, designated to Kindle. Send to Terry Pickford, 12 Haffenden Road, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6QE (Request Gift Aid to Starfish)
(email contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
- Malawi: P.O. Box 311, Salima, Malawi
Or direct deposit into Stanbic Bank, Salima Acct, #014/00/04860600
(email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Attn: James Kabuli)
For all of these, it is helpful to
us if you drop us a note at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
so that we know to expect your gift, and respond
to it.
