Christian Relief Fund Blog

War on HIV and TB

2009-09-23T13:07:00.000-07:00

“TB is a time bomb, and the clock ticking is HIV/AIDS”

Every day, 700 Kenyans die of HIV/AIDS related diseases . . .

Due to reduced immunity the numbers of deaths caused by tuberculosis and malaria is rising . . .

We join this war because we are determined to make a difference . . .

"This is one of the most effective programs I've seen . . ."

The Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center (VCT) in Kisumu, Kenya, is truly making a difference in the lives of suffering people according to Milton Jones, president of CRF board, who recently visited the VCT, located in the slums of Kisumu. "This area has the highest prevalence of AIDS in the world. Before the existence of the VCT there were no health facilities for 700,000 people. It was our dream to partner with the government and still remain a faith-based program. The VCT is directed by Koteino Thomas, trained and certified in healthcare administration, especially the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Free testing, counseling and World Bible School correspondence courses are offered to every patient. If a patient is HIV positive the patient receives treatments."

"I had malaria and didn't even know it . . ."

"The VCT is a full-blown health clinic and pharmacy with a doctor, a physician assistant, anda nurse who can each prescribe medications. The doctor is the best in the city, trained in London." says Milton. "I ran into a guy on the street who told me how much better he was feeling since he went to the clinic. "I had malaria and didn't even know it,' he said, but the clinic tested him and gave him medication." Needs: While the HIV medications are provided by the government, the VCT needs $2,000 each month for the malaria, tuberculosis and cholera medications. To support the volume of patients seen, the VCT is in need of one more physician assistant. $200/month would procure another physician assistant. Case workers who go out into the field to monitor patients on HIV medication are necessary because the HIV can mutate so medicine needs to be adjusted accordingly. A small stipend of $75/month per worker would be helpful in retaining case workers. A CD4 count machine is needed to test blood. Because this machine normally costs $38,000 hopefully one can be donated.

In the Homes of Kenya

2009-07-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

Barbie Jones, CRF employee and wife of Milton Jones, CRF president describes the need she saw in Kenya:

I was honored to visit the homes of some of our sponsored children around Eldoret, and homes of others who have been on a waiting list for over a year. My goals were to reassure the sponsored children and their guardians that CRF would continue to help them, and to encourage those who are still waiting…and hoping.
Survival is an issue here - day to day survival . . .
Devastated by political violence after the presidential election in December of 2007, Kenyans are now experiencing a year-long drought. Corn, the staple food in Kenya, is stunted from lack of rain. Puny bean plants struggle to survive under the corn stalks. We met dear people who were so needy, and yet so gracious. One household was five children, ages 12 to 19. That's it - no parents, no guardians . . .
Their corn patch was barely growing at all; they couldn't afford fertilizer. One widow had ten children. The baby had accidentally been named the same name as one of his brothers by the clinic. She asked us to give him a new name. We chose David because King David was the youngest of many children, yet chosen by God to lead his nation. The widow smiled. Another guardian prepared hot chai tea for us inside her mud hut. Yet another widow gave us a gift - a gourd used to store milk. It was decorated with beads, leather and elaborate burned designs. When we returned to Eldoret we learned that the gourd was extremely valuable. She gave us the best she had, hoping her children would soon be sponsored . . . . DONATE TODAY!

Romania Relief Update

2009-07-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

"We are people who are trying to live what we teach and preach." That is what I tell new people when they want to know about our church and faith. I have been busy since June 1st . We gave out 2500 packages to children which were really appreciated. I am still hearing good things about it. I am compiling a list of the needs for Christmas. It just takes a lot, when you are trying to help 5000 children. Thank you for your help, monthly support, and prayers. We are blessed to have you as friends, supporters and sponsors. We love and appreciate each of you. Imo & Dale McAnulty

CRF Sponsored Children Earn College Degree

2009-07-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

With help from CRF sponsors and hard work, these four students recently graduated from Cuttington University in Liberia:

1. Moses Zolue 2. Johnny Miller 3. Amanda Cooper 4. Togar Tarpeh

From starvation and crushing poverty to a college degree! We congratulate these students and you who have helped! We thought you would enjoy reading their comments:
1. Moses Zolue, Agriculture, sponsored by M/M Tyson Browning: "I lived for many years in a ghetto area inhabited by ex-soldiers who loot, steal and maim. I thank God for the Christian Relief Fund whose financial support enabeled me to not be a part of such activities. Because of the civil war in Liberia my parents were unable to acquire an education. I would like to contribute to the rebuilding of Liberia and to devote my services to the Lord's church and the uplifting of my family. "
2. Johnny Miller, Biology, sponsored by M/M Troy Link, graduated Magna Cum Laude: "The university has brought so much joy to my life and made my life more valuable and meaningful . I really enjoy having good friends and attending chapel, but it will be the best when I reach my zenith, becoming a doctor."
3. Amanda Cooper, Nursing, sponsored by M/M Darrell Swanson
4. Togar Tarpeh Sociology,sponsored by M/M Richard Dale, describes the university: "Much damage was done during the civil war, but it is in the process of being restored. The dorm is simple, 4 students to a room, who obtain water from a hand pump for drinking, bathing and washing. Electricity is only on from 6AM to 5 PM and 7PM to 12AM. Meals consist of bread & tea for breakfast, rice for lunch, and a sandwich & juice for supper. There is no choice of foods but these are appreciated because I did not eat 3 times a day in Monrovia. There are few books in the library. No computers. Most students rush to Monrovia to have term papers completed on time. It is possible to pay students with personal laptops to do term papers, but this is not easily affordable. Learning under these conditions is difficult but I was determined to make all sacrifices to get education at all costs, hoping to graduate from a state of poverty to a better life. "Through CRF and my sponsors, I've had a great time through my academic journey thereby graduating with a BA degree in Sociology and an advanced certificate in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. I graduated with honors (Magna Cum Laude). I really do appreciate all you have done to help me make it through. It is my prayer that the Lord reward you for the duties that you all continue to perform.
43 CRF students continue to attend university. Any help for these who are struggling to make a better life will be appreciated.
If you would like to help click here: YES! I want to DONATE TODAY!

A New Home for Children in Dominican Republic

2009-06-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

Imagine 18 children crowded into 2 small bedrooms and having to use an outhouse for a bathroom! The children of the CRF Children's Home in Neyba, Dominican Republic were badly in need of a better facility in which to live. With special thanks to Whiltes Ferry Road Church of Christ, they are getting their new home which will have twice as much living space for the kids with a nice kitchen and two bathrooms!

To help click "Current need" and type "DR HOME" in the comments block on CRF donate page. Click here to donate.

After the Violence of 2008: Update on Aid to Kenya

2009-03-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

The need in Kenya is still very great as people struggle to recover from the election violence of 2008. Homes and property were stolen, burned or demolished and families have not been able to raise crops for two years. CRF sends aid with Fielden and Janet Alllison when they make periodic trips to the affected area. Here are some of their comments: "We arranged for enough seed and fertilizer to be bought to supply 175 families with enough to plant one acre of corn each. A committee in the most affected area will coordinate with church leaders to decide which families are the most needy. "One Christian lady whose husband had been murdered during the unrest, was unable to pay rent for the house she's staying in. We left some funds for her to purchase roofing material so that she can return to her farm and build her own house. "We met with the high school board to discuss the reopening of the school. They have opened, and have four teachers with about 25 students. All of the students were in need, as the families who've moved back into the area found their houses and possessions destroyed or burned. Thanks to funds from Christian Relief Fund, we were able to provide 21 students with fee money and enable the school to operate and pay teachers. "Some of the stories that the children had to tell were tragic. One student told me that his father was shot and killed by the insurgents, and his mother was burned alive in their house. No child should ever have to suffer such a thing! Another said that he was separated from his parents when they fled their home, and now he doesn't know if they are dead or alive. Many had at least one parent killed during the unrest. Our hearts go out to them. We want to give them hope for the future by providing some high school education. Your generous gifts have helped the people to look to the future with hope again. The churches are regaining strength and peace, though there is still a residue of fear and distrust between the clans. Church members are reaching across clan lines to make amends. We insist that relief be offered to both sides, as all suffered equally, which they were already eager to do. Pray that Satan be defeated and God be exalted." {cms_selflink page='55' text='
Click here to help
'}

Dental Clinic for the Poor

2009-02-27T12:44:00.000-08:00

Some of the worst living conditions in this country or even most third-world countries can be found in the poor neighborhoods of south Texas (pictured here). Dilapidated homes, bad water and sewer systems, and lack of medical services result in high rates of disease: hepatitis, typhoid fever, dysentery, cholera, tuberculosis and and others. For children, this lack of medical care can be devastating. Because of the great need for inexpensive or free medical and dental care (there is NO dental care available to the poor here) North Pharr Church of Christ, Mission,Texas, is assembling a mobile unit which will enable them to have clinics as often as dentists/doctors can come.

"Over the years, North Pharr has hosted many congregations in working in poor colonias in South Texas and northern Mexico, obtaining the services of dentists and doctors from various congregations. To stage these clinics, we had to rent mobile dental clinics owned by the state and/or medical schools. Unfortunately, this is not possible any more because of scheduling and budgetary issues. With a mobile clinic (with generator) we can actually stage this anywhere we want including the five churches we have established in the Colonias. We will offer cleanings, examinations, extractions, fillings, etc. Also, the dentists will be able to refer patients to local dentists or dental surgeons if more extensive care is needed. Also, this clinic would be able to be used by doctors and optome- trists. For more details about this work go to

The church has purchased a truck and trailer and the Longbrake Foundation has given half of the money. An additional $20,000 is needed to remodel the trailer so the mobile dental unit can serve the poor.

In Memory of Ruby Nell Loe

2009-02-24T13:16:00.000-08:00

Ruby Nell (Ketchersid) Loe was born December 9, 1928, in Crowell, Texas, to Owen and Bessie Ketchersid, the oldest of two other siblings, Eddy Ketchersid and Nancy (Ketchersid) Brown. After his service in the US Navy during WWII she married Baxter Loe September 12, 1946, in Seagraves, Texas. God blessed them with four children: Ronald Wayne Loe, Karen June Talley, Kimberly Grant Loe and Melinda Michelle Troublefield. After working in the oil production business for several years, Baxter and Ruby Nell entered full-time ministry in 1961. They served churches in Brownwood, Odessa and Amarillo, Texas. During this time, Baxter edited the Gospel Tidings and after missionary trips to India, in 1971, he founded the John Abraham Memorial Christian Relief Fund, officially incorporated in 1973 and now known as the Christian Relief Fund. Ruby Nell worked in the CRF offices for many years ministering for Jesus with a loving and giving spirit to the needy. She was known as mother and grandmother to thousands of hurting children around the world. Ruby Nell was a prayer warrior and angel of mercy behind the scenes. Baxter preceded her in death February 7, 2001. Ruby Nell went home to be with the Lord February 23, 2009, and was laid to rest beside her husband at the Llano Cemetery, Amarillo.
The family suggests memorials be given to Christian Relief Fund, PO Box 19670, Amarillo TX 79114-1670.

$ How to make your dollar work harder $$$

2008-12-15T13:31:00.000-08:00

First of all we want to say THANK YOU for all you have done to help hurting children this past year through The Christian Relief Fund . Your marvelous generosity has brought hope and joy to the hearts of children and families around the world. Your contributions make possible a work larger than any single individual could maintain. As the year draws to a close, many begin to think of finances and how to make the most of giving for tax benefits later. Year end charitable giving is a time-honored tradition that impacts your future, your loved ones and the recipients of your genorosity for generations to come. Recognizing the tremendous value of charitable giving, our federal government provides significant tax benefits for gifts to a qualified charity. The best way to make a gift will vary with individual circumstances but the following are some suggestions:

1. Check or cash: Your check to a qualified charity prior to December 31, could save you quite a bit at tax-filing time.

2. Securities or real estate. If you have owned stock or real estate for more than a year, you may deduct the full fair market value and save capital gains taxes on appreciated stock or real estate donated to charity.

3. Life insurance. If the charity becomes both owner and beneficiary, replacement value, cost basis or premiums of the policy, may qualify for chari-table deduction depending on status of the policy.

4. Gifts of tangible personal property may be fully tax-deductible at fair market value or on a cost basis depending on whether or not they are related to the charity's exempt purposes.

5. A unitrust allows assets to be sold within the unitrust and proceeds reinvested to produce a greater yield for the donor(s) or beneficiary(s) providing substantial tax savings, an annual income to you or your family and a hedge against inflation as income increases with the value of the trust.

6. Gift Annuity. Many people are discovering that with a Christian Relief Fund gift annuity one can make a significant gift that impacts lives around the world both now and for eternity and at the same time receive a guaranteed income for life. Complete information on how this program can work for you, including a personalized proposal, is available to you without cost or obligation.

By taking advantage of the current tax laws which encourage and support gifts to qualified charities, each of us is able to make every dollar work a little harder. CRF will be pleased to provide information and assist in any way possible at no cost or obligation and with complete confidentiality. To find out more call or email CRF. Thank you for your friendship and all you do to support CRF. Your gifts are changing lives today and for generations to come.

October 2008 - Helping the Blind to See

2008-11-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

Uganda:
When we arrived, she was already there - she wanted to be first in line. She was seated on a blanket of leaves, her face expressionless. She lived somewhere nearby in a small mud brick hut with no electricity or running water. Looking into her eyes, I could see that she could not see me Life in Uganda is hard. The very basics of life are labor-intensive and for most, there is barely food enough to live. But for the seeing impaired, life is even harder. Financially, glasses are out of the question. Movement is limited. It is not safe to walk about for the danger of stumbling in a hole or tripping on a rock or stick. Most likely, her grandchildren were her eyes for getting around the compound where she lived. She really wanted to contribute to her family, to help prepare meals, wash clothes, pick rocks out of the rice, thread a needle to mend the clothes of her grandchildren.
She reminded me of the blind beggar Bartimaeus. Neither could provide for themselves or see anything useful. Their lives were lived in scary, dark, blurry places. Life was a pretty miserable struggle for both. I reached for our newest glasses, made especially for us by a company in Mumbai, India. They are easy to adjust and have glass lenses so they will resist scratching in the dusty African environment. Putting on a pair of high powered glasses, she could suddenly see everything again, and we both praised the Lord for answered prayers. Just like Bartimaeus, our patient went away seeing everything with a big smile on her face. $25 will buy TEN pairs of these special glasses. The goal: to provide 10,000 glasses for the poor, as funds permit.
Click here to help.

Sept. 2008 - MEDICAL CLINIC IN BELIZE

2008-11-10T10:15:00.000-08:00

"I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratefulness to the Christian Relief Fund for their assistance over the past several years with the Medical Mission to Northern Belize under the supervision of the elders at Central Church of Christ in Bryan, Texas. Our director is Bob Wolfert. Thanks to CRF we purchased $2,029.80 of medicine specifically for the children of Belize. I have been involved with this mission for the 14 years that we have been going to Belize. We have just returned from this year's trip to the Corozal region of Belize July 5 through July 13. We were very blessed this year. In 4½ days we saw 1,452 patients and dispensed nearly 5,000 medications to the people of northern Belize. Your support is greatly appreciated !! Thank you very much for your past support and we look forward to serving the people of Belize again next year."In His Service, Janet Lenz
Click here to help.

August 2008 - Ghana - Helping the Poorest of the Poor

2008-11-10T10:06:00.000-08:00

A Poverty Comparison: Gross National Income (per person)
*United States - $2,800 per month
*Dominican Republic - $277/month
*Belize - $215 per month
*Ukraine - $70 per month
*Kenya - $25 per month
*Uganda - $18 per month
*Malawi - $12 per month
*Ethiopia - $7 per month
*CRF has projects in these countries

Willie Gley was one of the ministers in a congregation of 1500 in the city of Accra, the capital of Ghana, Africa. But he was not content with this success. He had a burning desire to help deprived children living in the poorest parts of his home town of Ho, two hours away. His team went door-to-door in the poorest neighborhoods to find the most needy. The Mars Hill Christian Academy started there with 30 children. $30 per month will provide transportation, breakfast, lunch, and education for one of these children. "The food we give them is what some of them depend on for the entire day." says Willie. "We only give the workers an allowance until we can pay them something better. They have been very understanding." Would you give hope for a better life to these children? Click here to help.

July 2008 -What Happens When Orphans Grow Up?

2008-11-10T09:59:00.000-08:00

The Children’s Home in Kitale, Kenya. was officially started in 1992, so the first kids who came in are now in their early 20’s. Of the first 40 kids who came into the home, 22 of them have now moved on and begun lives outside the children’s home compound.
For the first time since the first wave of kids left the home (2003/2004), we invited all the kids back to the home for a special reunion. My first impression watching them come in was how mature they all seemed to be. The second thing I noticed was how much joy they had greeting each other. The home was filled with lots of laughter, hugging and joking. They all seemed to talk at the same time – trying to catch up on each other’s lives.

I began with a reunion speech that outlined my hopes and dreams for the day’s meeting. I gave each one a Bible, took their picture, and prayed for them. I was overwhelmed with love for them. I was moved to pray more often for them and to think of ways to increase my influence in their lives. Here are a few of their stories:

Stephen Muturi is 22 years old and might be the brightest academically of the group. He consistently scored highest among the kids in primary and secondary school. When it was time for him to move from the home he stayed around Kitale for a while until we were able to find him some scholarship money. He then moved to Nairobi and is now in his third year in university studies. He dreams of completing a master’s degree and becoming a university professor. CRF helps over 60 university students like Stephen with tuition and fees (a cost of $500 to $1300/semester). Click here to help..

Esther Muthoni is 24 years old. She married Absolom Irungu a small business owner who lives about 2 miles from the children’s home. Esther now attends church at the children’s home each Sunday with her two children Nancy Njeri (2 years old) and Pauline Wangoi (6 months). She is active in the choir.

Martin Wanyama is 23 years old. He moved from the home to Mbale, Uganda where he currently works as a security guard. He wants to take Bible courses at Messiah Theological Institute and become a preacher. In his first course he scored 100 on the final test. He became a member of the Mbale Church of Christ, sings in the choir, is captain of one of our youth teams, travels with me to discipleship meetings in the villages, and has learned how to fit glasses on people during our SEE Ministries eye clinics. He hopes to move to Nimule, Sudan and coordinate eyeglasses clinics throughout southern Sudan. If all goes well, SEE Ministries will begin training him to cut and edge glasses in 2009 – a rare skill in East Africa.

Whatever their situation, I have discovered that just because they have left the home does not mean we will no longer care about them or have a part to play in their lives. What we have learned from this first wave of kids coming in and out is that we need to do a lot more planning and preparation for kids becoming young adults. -Shawn Tyler, Mbale, Uganda

Thank you for giving these children a future and a hope . . .As Shawn stated above, preparation for adulthood is an important part of helping children. Cost of tuition and fees for university students is comparatively low in some countries, ranging from $500 to $1300/semester. As little as $50/mo could help a student obtain a college degree. Perhaps you'd like to help on a one-time or a monthly basis. All funds received for CRF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS will be used to help CRF children prepare for the future. Click here to help.

June 2008 - Churches Helping with CHINA EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

2008-11-10T09:51:00.001-08:00

Gary Jackson described May 19 as “one of the harder days, emotionally, in my entire life.” Jackson, a church member living in Beijing, visited earthquake survivors in a hospital in Chengdu, China. The May 12 quake, the deadliest in decades, claimed at least 34,000 lives in central China, according to China news agency. The survivors, many of them children, were trapped beneath rubble for days, Jackson said. “All of the families have lost their houses and everything in them.” Jackson and other church members in Beijing plan to take supplies to Dujiangyan, a city near the earthquake’s epicenter and to provide any further aid they can to victims. China Mission, sponsored by the Peachtree City, Ga., church, currently cares for about 670 orphans in Christian care centers registered with the Chinese government and plans to assist about 2,000 children orphaned by the earthquake.

May 2008 - The "Silent Tsunami"

2008-11-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

Spiralling food costs -- called a "silent tsunami" by the World Food Programme -- have sparked protests and food riots in 34 countries. The head of the UN World Food Program, Josette Sheeran, described the current food price crisis as a "global hunger emergency." The increase in food prices is costing the lives of 250,000 people every 10 days. Up to 100 million people are being pushed back into poverty. Rice prices have gone up as much as 250 percent in the past year. The world's poorest are the most vulnerable.
Violence, burning tires and looting in Haiti. . .
The poorest country in the Americas, Haiti has seen some of the worst food-related riots in recent months. From Roberta Audate, CRF worker in Haiti: "Because Haiti imports most of its food, it is at the mercy of the world market. Prices have gone crazy in the last 5 months . . . .50 lbs of Corn Meal was $12.60 in Nov and is now $24.65100 lbs of rice was $38 - now $66. 100 lbs of beans was $57 - now $96.1 gal of cooking oil was $5.20 - now $8.90.Propane for cooking @ 100 lbs was $38.00 and is now $63.70Gasoline was $3.90 a gallon and is now $6.80 a gallon The vast majority of Haiti struggles to get by on less than $2 a day! The rising prices of staple food items like rice and beans have left many Haitians desperate and angry. Rising fuel costs have made transportation of foodstuffs increasingly expensive, making the current global crisis especially painful for Haiti.

Shawn Tyler reports on how this "silent tsunami" has affected CRF projects in Kenya: "The children's home we run in Kitale, Kenya, is more than $1000 a month short on its budget. Right now, because of rising costs of food, CRF sponsorship does not even cover the cost of food for the children. Rice has doubled in the last year. Sugar has gone up 70%. Wheat flour is more than 60% up. Cooking oil is up more than 45%. Charcoal and firewood have doubled in the last year as well. We need to do something quickly to alleviate this shortfall."

Another factor creating the food crisis is that several African nations who used to produce enough food to feed their own populations are no longer able to do so. Zimbabwe used to export food to other southern African nations. Now because of civil unrest and internal wars, Zimbabwe's people are starving. They no longer produce enough food. Other African nations suffering food shortages are: South Africa, Malawi (annual, chronic shortages), Kenya (recent political instability saw food stores of certain tribes burned while others missed the planting season), and southern Sudan. The most vulnerable in this spiraling cost of basic foods are: refugees, internally displaced people groups, urban poor not living on farms, and orphans. Shawn Tyler reports, "Every employee we have is crying out for help to stem the losses they are taking as their wage remains the same and food prices go up out of sight. In fact, Kenyan news has recently reported that some people have moved into refugee camps in order to get food."

Because of skyrocketing food costs, CRF is asking donors to increase monthly giving by $5 to $15. NEW CRF Child Sponsorships will be $30/month. Sponsorship of AIDS Affected Children will be $35/ month. Click HERE to help with rising food costs.
Thank you for helping CRF save lives!

April 2008 - Helping Mothers in Haiti Feed their Children

2008-11-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

"The situation in Haiti gets worse everyday. Prices continue to soar, leaving the Haitian poor in an even worse condition than they already lived in. I saw someone cooking what was called "beans" but it appeared to be coffee grounds. It was horrible . . . .

. . I have had 11 babies offered to me by starvingmothers in the last few weeks . . ."

People come daily asking for a little bit of food to help them get through the day. On the radio talk shows, stories of families living off of "mud pies" are common and very, very sad. I have added 19 kids to our feeding program in the last 5 months."
CRF helps to feed over 2,000 people/month in Haiti. $10 will provide over 22 meals!
"Thanks to CRF we were able to purchase corn meal, beans, oatmeal, cereal, bulgher wheat, eggs, bread, vegetables, sugar, spaghetti, hotdogs, herring, chicken, oil, tomato paste. I have had a hard time getting fresh eggs from the Dominican Republic due to an Avian Flu scare. What we can get are very expensive. We have had to give more corn meal for breakfast and sometimes again for lunch. Beans are very expensive and we have had to cut down on usage of them. We haven't seen large bags of milk for over a year.On a happier note, one of my kids who has been in the nutrition center since its inception will graduate in June. He will be the first one to graduate from school. We are really proud of Marccodson Similien. We hope to have a real big graduation bash in June and will send pictures. I pray that all continues to go well for you and CRF. God's continued blessings."-Roberta Audate
Click HERE to help. . .

Jan- Mar 2008 - Kenya Violence Updates

2008-11-10T09:39:00.000-08:00

Kenya Update - A report from James Oyugi, Feb. 28, 2008
Dear friends,Peace be with you all. I just wanted to tell you that at the end of a tunnel there is light. Today this evening we witnessed a pact being signed by our president and the opposition leader and an agreement reached which at the end may bring a lasting solution to the crisis. We thank the American government for standing firm with us; we also thank the former UN secretary, the AU, the EU and other world leaders. We hope this is a God given chance and it will benefit the people of Kenya. We are praying that everything be passed into a law so that we don't experience a similar case. The entire country has broken into celebration. May the lord bless you all. Bye - James
Peter & Annh Andhoga - March 2, 2008The city of Kisumu was at once in motion of cleaning the city. People had said that now since they have been given hope in the new government, then it is now their time to express their happiness and solidarity with Raila and ODM by cleaning all the messes which were still on the roads. You could not believe what was happening, but I tell you Kisumu residence were happy. The celebration went on through out the night.
The celebration was in all areas of Kenya. Western to coast were all celebrating, North to South were all celebrating. We are all saying " God’s name be glorified. God Bless Kenya, and God Bless our Leaders." We are continuing to pray that all the implementation of the things which had been signed should be quick. We also would like to thank all of you for being with us in prayers all this two months period. It has been such a long two months, during which Kenyans knew nothing but sadness, pain, suffering and difficult life style. We can now look back and say that our God has never abandoned us. We will keep you posted on any latest development. For the cross of Jeusus -Peter & Annh Andhoga
On December 27th, Kenya held presidential elections that appeared to be rigged. Violence broke out throughout the country. Mobs burned houses, and shops. There is fighting between tribal groups, and many people have been killed or displaced. It is amazing that a country can go from economic leader in East Africa one day, and become a smoldering heap the next. This is just more evidence of the fallen world in which we live. Over the past few weeks things have settled down some.
Feb. 26, 2008The situation in the country is still unpredictable, and there are still problems that will most likely continue for a while. Tourism, which is among the largest sources of income for the country, is down 90%. Foreign funding has significantly been reduced, if not stopped all together. And there is still a large amount of tension between tribal groups that support opposing political parties.Kitale, Kenya, where I travel to each month to work at a children's home, has been one of the calmer areas. Our plan at the moment is to travel there at the end of this week to do our work at the home. I hope that all of you are doing well, and I thank you so much for your continued prayers and support! In Him, Stephan Shelburne
A report from Francis Kipsang Bii, Eldoret, Jan. 7: “I am very sorry on the state of Kenya now, since this morning when I arrived, I have moved around our churches and what I am seeing does not please my eyes. From our churches here in Eldoret, displaced brothers and sisters are now camping at Huruma church, their houses and all their belongings have been burnt; some of our kids plus their guardians are all together there; also at Kipkaren Church, the brethren who were living there cannot be seen. The shocking state here is people dying of hunger and starvation. These people need our urgent help. There are also slain dead bodies around the church. Please help us in assisting these victimized brothers and sisters. And please pray for peace in our nation.
FROM Thomas Otieno: “ The situation is overwhelming and the little help the Red Cross gave is not close to the need. Businesses are closed so it is impossible for families of the children to buy anything to eat or conduct the small businesses upon which they survive from day to day. We are forced to feed the children and their guardians and other people in the area we cover.
"So far we have been able get grains and cereals that we distribute to them. We have spent $8000 dollars so far. This amount is so big because the commodities have tripled in prices and if you don’t want to pay then you starve.
“Since we are running out of so much we would like to request if you can just send money as the banks are now opened and we can receive money. Things have gone down a little now though with the US secretary of state in negotiation with the both sides." The people say there are 65,000 people displaced in the Eldoret area. CRF workers are very busy now, caring for 300 at the Huruma Church Building. Reports will be sent ASAP on status of CRF children. Pray!
FROM Keith Gafner,5th January 2008: “ This morning, Horace and I went to our house to check it out. The road was clear and had no problems. There are three houses in the compound and all were safe and protected by the Lord. We got some food out of the house and other misc and food out of the garden. On the way home, we decided to do a little site seeing. Just below our house on the main road, a house was burned out. Several buildings were burned as we went up the road. Good news, the girls school was not touched. They were to start school next Monday, but that is not going to happen.
“On the way home, we noticed that people were beginning to wash their cars along the road. A good sign. The long convoy that we saw in the morning was beginning to move on its way to Nakuru (to take the Kikuyu people) and to Nairobi or wherever to bring back cargo (semi trailers). We read in the newspaper that the port is full of containers and there is a shortage of fuel in Uganda, because it all comes in our port at Mombasa.
In town, things are getting back to order. More and more shops are opening up. You do not have to wait in lines outside any more. We even bought a newspaper in town today, the first we have seen in about a week. The banks have filled the ATM machines and so money is starting to become available. And gasoline is being distributed, so more stations are opening up.
I received a SMS on the phone from some Kenyan Christian friends to come and help. So, Horace & Phyllis Leister, Rachel Schmitt and Grace and Keith went to the Catholic Church to help with a counseling and health clinic. The outside grounds were filled with people and their belongings. Heart breaking stories. The last person that Grace talked with was heartbreaking! The person said, "Her head is not right because of what she has gone through, please talk to her". Three children, the fourth on the way. Has no idea if her husband is dead or alive. Everything gone; house, cows, sheep, maize and all food and clothing. Her parents live a long way away and she has no means to get there.
We have had countless prayers answered. Some monies have been received through the churches of Christ and will go to help displaced victims. As other monies come in, we will be helping with medical, food and clothing needs of other people. Pray that the Lord will give us wisdom and safety as all of us work together to help those in need. Thanks for your love in prayers and financial assistance. 100% of funds sent for Kenya Relief will be used for meeting needs in Kenya
Click HERE to help. . .

CRF Helps Victims of Hurricanes of 2008

2008-11-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

CRF sent $11,240 for Hurricane Relief in the Carribbean and Houston areas.

A Call for Help . . . Hit by Four Hurricanes in Four Weeks
Haiti - September 2008
" We praise the Lord for His continued goodness and protection. Our family survived the four hurricanes in four weeks very well. However there are many areas of the country that continue to be flooded.
The roads are impassable at this time. 40,000 continue to be stranded in need of basic water and food. Over 400 deaths have been confirmed. All the rivers in this area are over their banks.

We have been able to provide necessary food to several families in our community that are in desperate need of nourishment and we will expand our efforts, bringing food, medicine and water as we are able to get to the areas of greatest need. Brothers Pelicie and Oreste, the preachers of the Santo Church of Christ are keeping contact with brethren in Gonaives and the central plateau. They will help to organize efforts to bring relief to the brethren in these areas and the community surrounding them.

Many families were already in a financially depressed state and now they have lost everything including gardens, livestock, personal belongings and in many instances their homes. We hope to help them replace some of their household needs. They are in dire need of beds and bedding. As we deliver food they smile broadly and exclaim: "Thank you, thank you, we are not forgotten."

Haitian School was supposed to open early this month but has been delayed until October 6th to provide time for cleanup and preparation for the coming school year. It is safe to say that in areas like Jacmel in the south of Haiti and Goniaves and Saint Marc in the northern part of Haiti, this delay will not be adequate time and the school year maybe lost to many children.
We thank you all for your prayers and financial support to help the needy in Haiti.

Praising Him,

Roberta Audate Edwards

Hurricane Ike
This has been disastrous for all Cuba. It will take a long, long, long time to recover. Many people have lost their houses and everything. In the past, other hurricanes were different because they hit only one or two provinces, but Ike hit all Cuba, and the worst is that the economy in Cuba is TOTALLY collapsed, even recognized by the Cuban Government officially through the newspaper and media.

Three days ago we received dramatic news: The prices of fuel have nearly DOUBLED.
Many people call me FROM ALL CUBA and are waiting for us to carry them something, but we can't afford the fuel. Oh man, It's a completely crazy situation.
Everybody knows that in a few days all basic needs (food, water, clothes, etc) will increase in price. For that reason many people are buying things up before the price increase. All the stores are beginning to empty. But we know that God has the Eternal Control.
In this moment we concentrate on finding and buying a lot of food. After that, many, many, many people will need clothes, shoes mattresses, furniture, etc.
We are doing the best that we can; we have to use rationally the little money that we have and try to share between every body equally, and select the priority (in this moment the homes that have children, elderly, handicapped and sick people.)
In many places we do not have electricity; in this moment we have not had electricity in the church building for 4 days. Thank God we are using the generator that Brother Bill Stough bought some years ago, but we use it only to connect the computer and email service.
The goods news is: GOD TAKES CARE OF US ALWAYS AND FOR EVER.Always in Jesus, Ammiel Angel

Fighting Poverty in Dominican Republic

2008-11-07T14:06:00.000-08:00

Clockwise from top left: Typical poverty of DR. Baptisms result from CRF programs. Children and families receive food supplements. CRF enables children to go to school and have hope for a better future. CRF helps the handicapped. Center: Cesar Diaz with a gift from his sponsor

Inspite of the beauty of the Dominican Republic's Caribbean beaches and the economic boost from growing tourism, most Dominicans continue to struggle for survival. Unemployment is 20%. More than half the homes lack sanitation and clean water. Respiratory tract infections, malnutrition, parasitic infections and gastrointestinal disease are rampant. Although primary school is compulsory, many children are unable to attend because their families cannot afford required supplies and uniforms. Only 58 percent of children reach the fifth grade. CRF Child Sponsorship is making a difference by providing food, clothing, medicines, schooling, Bible teaching, and vocational training. College tuition is even available for students eligible for university study. CRF provides help for families with medical needs or disabilities in the form of food supplements, medicines, helping to set up small enterprises, and giving goats to provide milk and additional income.

Mar 2008 - CRF partners with churches of south Texas to help poor families in colonias. . .

2008-11-07T12:35:00.000-08:00

When temperatures drop to freezing in the Rio Grande Valley the poor suffer. Multiple families live in unheated shacks; children have no shoes and insufficient food . One family visited had nine children. The smallest, two one-year- old twins, were very sick with pneumonia.

About half the homes have outhouses; about ½ have septic systems which are too large for the lots. The result of this is raw sewage which contaminates the lots, especially during times of rain when proper drainage is not available. This is the source of much of the third-world diseases found in these areas.

Colonias in South Texas . . .

In Spanish the word colonia means a neighborhood.However, in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, it has come to mean a substandard slum. Some of the worst living conditions in this country or even in most third-world countries are found in these colonias. The average annual household income of colonia residents is $6,784. Over 47% are unemployed. Of those employed, 48% work for minimum wage or less. Two-thirds of adults did not finish high school.

Why Do Colonias Exist?

The Rio Grande Valley is populated mainly by poor Hispanic families - migrant workers or recent immigrants from Mexico - who can neither pay cash nor obtain conventional financing. Landowners sell them parcels of land for a small down payment, on a contract-for-deed basis, financing over a period of time at high interest rates. If payments are missed, owners can resell the land to other buyers. Formerly, developers were not required to furnish water, sewage, electricity, or drainage systems. Building codes were non-existent. In spite of recent legislation prohibiting this type of unrestricted development, the practice remains.

You can sponsor one of these children. $30 per month provides food, clothing, blankets, shoes, medicines, sanitary items, and school supplies. You receive pictures, background information, and the opportunity to develop a meaningful relationship with your child through correspondence and visits to the area, a great advantage of sponsoring in the South Texas program. Your future and that of your sponsored child will never be the same. Click here to sponsor.

New Program in Togo, Africa

2008-11-07T12:20:00.000-08:00

Togo is a small, thin sub-Saharan nation, about 350 miles long north to south. As in much of Africa, Togo's history is marked with political violence and the country is struggling economically. AIDS has claimed one or both parents of many children. The new CRF program is helping families who are taking care of children whose parents have been affected by AIDS.

A typical family: Richard, one year old, lives with 3 adults and 6 children (four are the landlord's children, one is a half-brother, age 3) in a rented compound of mud brick and tin. Cooking is done outside in a courtyard. The father has a job making $70/month as a driver/mechanic, but cannot support two adults who are receiving HIV treatments, let alone provide for Richard and his older brother. Richard was bottle fed as a child; now eats corn meal mush with sauce. His parents admit that he doesn't eat as well as he should. Generally he is healthy except for some malaria. Both parents are HIV positive. At 10 months Richard tested negative. He needs to be tested again at 18 months.

Nutrition and medical care are important for these children to remain alive. They generally eat rice and beans with tomato sauce, corn meal mush, and yams. Very little meat.

Faces of the Tsunami

2008-11-07T12:12:00.000-08:00

Six year old Kalimila lost his parents in the tsunami He and 35 other children are in the CRF Mercy of Christ Cottage established in the city of Vijayawada, India, for orphans of the tsunami. Some of the children in the home may be there on a temporary basis. It is possible that family members may turn up some time in the future. For now, these children have a place to call home where they can receive food, clothing and Christian nurturing.

A witness of Christian love and caring in a pagan country: The sign reads "Church of Christ Colony" in Nellore district, India. The government has granted more than 3 acres of land and CRF will construct 50 houses for those who lost homes in the tsunami.Below: Relief operations continue along the coast replacing and repairing nets and boats for those in fishing villages who lost their only means of livelihood. In addition, food, water, cooking utensils, clothes, and blankets have been distributed.In addition, food, water, cooking utensils, clothes, and blankets have been distributed.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING VICTIMS RECOVER FROM THIS HUGE DISASTER . . .CRF distributed rice, dal (a staple food of India), drinking water, blankets, cooking utensils and helped repair and buy new boats, fishing nets, and houses to replace those destroyed."It was very hard to see the many dead bodies and devastation."CRF is working on the eastern coast of India to relieve needs of Tsunami victims, coordinating with Bill Adcox & Scott Gage of India Mission Fund, known in India as Bread of Life (BOL).

CRF has worked with Edward Rouse, our contact in India, for many years. Initial efforts were in the villages of Pedana and Manginapudi and 6 villages around Machilipatnam. The area consists of fishing communities who lost their fishing boats and nets, their only means of livelihood. Huts were destroyed and all their belongings were washed away. Now they have only the clothes they are wearing and seek any kind of help. The area is very sorrowful. All these victims are very poor and dependent upon daily fishing wages for survival.

" . . .only such dedicated Christian organizations can serve the needy and come to the rescue of such helpless people . . . " - letter of appreciation form government of Machlipatnam.

A Family for Orphans in Ukraine

2008-11-07T12:01:00.000-08:00

Life is very hard for the thousands of children who grow up in orphanages in Ukraine. They receive no preparation to face life on their own outside of the orphanage. When they leave at the age of 18, they have no place to live, no job skills, not even simple life skills, like cooking, doing laundry, how to live in a family, etc. Tragedy resluts:
-Within ONE year of leaving the orphanage, 15% of the orphans commit suicide.
-Within 3 years of leaving the orphanage, 70% of the boys are arrested.
-Within 2 years of leaving the orphanage, 60% of the girlsare involved in prostitution.

Thirteen teenagers who have exited the orphanage program now are living in the Transitional Living Center, while they pursue job training and learn life skills.

A Miracle Happened Here Today . . .
Recently, one of the orphans, Julia Sherbakova came to a major decision in her life. Over the past year, Julia has read her Bible, studied, attended Bible classes faithfully and asked many questions. This orphan girl has grown into a beautiful caring young lady. When the Tsunami hit, she purposefully set aside much of her monthly stipend to help in relief efforts. Julia is always willing to meet needs around her in whatever way she can. Julia decided to be baptized. Now Julia has a new family...the first TRUE family that this young lady has ever had! Rejoice with us!!!

Do you know someone who would be willing to sponsor one of these children for 2 or 3 years?

Please pray for the children in Ukraine who have been left behind by their society, that they will be reached for Jesus and that God will contiue to allow us to touch these children who are desperate for a place to call home. "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless, maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy..." (Psalm 82:3-4)

Zimbabwe-Restoring Childhood to Children

2008-11-07T11:59:00.001-08:00

"God bless you for the wonderful work you are doing." -Soneni, Khayelihle Children's Village
Their mother abandoned them in the care of their mentally ill father, a drunkard who would go for days without coming home.
Three-year-old Molen was "mother" to her two sisters: nine-month-old Moreblessing and 2-year-old sister, Monalisa.
Some neighbors realized the children's plight and made a report to the police. The police failed to locate Molen's parents. Molen and her sisters were taken to Mpilo Hospital where they were admitted for safe keeping. The police and the Zimbabwe Department of Social Welfare contacted Khayelihle Children's Village (KCV). Molen and her sisters joined the KCV family on April 6, 2005."She has finally realised that she doesn't need to be the 'mother' in the family anymore. . . " Now Molen and her sisters are very happy, with good food, clothing, friends of their age to play with and quite a number of "grown-up" mothers to give the love and care they lacked at home.

Ethiopia Deaf School

2008-11-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

CRF helps deaf children in Ethiopia.
A letter from the director of the school in Adis Ababa:

"I hope your work is going well. I have spoken to some folks recently from Amarillo. They spoke very highly of you and the work you are doing. Thanks for your help. All the students sponsored through CRF are still in school and seem to be doing well. There certainly isn't a shortage of students. We are overwhelmed with applications from many more children than we can possibly accommodate. For some reason there seems to be an increasing number of deaf children in Ethiopia. In our Beginner A and B classes the last two years we have not accepted any "hearing" children until we are sure we have room for all the deaf that have applied. We want to have a few hearing children in every class in order to maintain our integrated system of teaching. This system has helped eliminate the "handicap" image the deaf have of themselves. They understand they can compete in every area of life with children who can hear. One by-product of this integrated system is that the hearing students who have gone through our schools and have gone on to graduate from government high schools and are entering the job market are coming back to us looking for a teaching job. At this time we have four of them in the government teacher training school and within a year they will be teaching in our upper grades. These are young people who grew up with the deaf and speak sign language as good as the deaf do. In a year or two, perhaps our teacher shortage will be answered."

Helping Aids Orphans in Africa

2008-11-07T11:44:00.000-08:00

In sub-Saharan Africa today are more than 34 million orphans, 11 million of them orphaned by AIDS. In Kenya an estimated 500 people die each day from AIDS. As many as 730,000 Kenyan children have become orphans because their parents have died of aids. Even when only one parent dies, the hardship is great. The burden of caring for the orphans falls on a single parent or already overstretched families. Such is the case for most of the children in Ring Road School, Kisumu, Kenya. They survive on a diet of corn meal cooked in water, some vegetables, rice, and sometimes fish. Here are some of their faces and stories:

Some children at the school are total orphans, living with relatives: Valentine Madresi, grade 4, is living with 5 other people. These homes are usually one-room huts with mud walls and grass-thatched roof. Christine Oliech, grade 6, has16 people in the home of her sister.. Agnes Owuor, 4th grade, has 8 people living in the home. Evance Otieno, 8th grade, lives with 7 people in the home; Evans Ojwang, also 8th grade, has 3 people in the home. The incomes in these households ranges from $4/mo to $40/mo. Without help, their chance of survival is small.

Tackling the AIDS Problem in Uganda
Statistics prove Africa to be the number one place for AIDS orphans. Orphans often become second-class family members. If there is not enough money for school, medicine or clothes, the orphan is left out.Milton Jones challenged missionaries in Africa to think of how the church should respond to the problem of AIDS orphans. . .Milton Jones, a dynamic preacher for a church in Seattle, is also on the board for Christian Relief Fund. He raises money and awareness for AIDS orphans. Stephan and Chris Shelburne responded to Milt's challenge. Both are raising funds for their extended stay and ministry in Uganda. They hope to begin a new outreach to AIDS orphans. Funds will move through the Christian Relief Fund. Please pray for the success of this effort. The number one question of AIDS patients when diagnosed is, "What can be done for our children?" Perhaps this is where we can come in as partners.