June 6, 2013 by Micah Albert
Plant a tree – Empower the future
God has blessed us with a very important opportunity to change not only the environment in a community but to change the futures for needy and suffering lives here in East Africa. Your care and investment in this project will help in so many ways. The timing is crucial because right now is the rainy season and the absolute best window for us to move into action.
Here is the Problem: People depend on trees for their main fuel needs in the village. All cooking is fueled by firewood or charcoal and all construction is done using trees as main posts for roofing, walls, and furniture. Trees are coming down but not being planted. The forests are being destroyed in massive numbers which is having a devastating effect on the environment, animals, weather patterns, and local village economy. Along with this deforestation there is soil erosion – top soil being washed away which impacts peoples ability to grow food not to mention the dangers of mud slides that this past year killed over a dozen innocent families near the Kerio Valley.
As a growing organization that is reaching more and more people with the message of Christ and key ideas for breaking the cycle of poverty each year – we know that we can reach even MORE if we are able to become increasingly self sustaining financially within the countries where we serve here in Africa.
This project is important to help solve both of these challenges.
We are stepping in faith to plant just over 15,000 trees which in terms of ministry sustainability will bring a net income of over half a million dollars within 8 years from the trees alone. Then there is the VETIVER GRASS that is being planted between the rows of trees, along the perimeter of the property, and on certain dedicated plots of land. There is the capacity of planting more than 30,000 plants that will multiply by 5,000 % within the first year (One seedling will multiply to become 50). The government and other environmental groups are now recognizing the importance of this special grass for controlling soil erosion (there is no other plant that does this better) and will be looking to buy the seedlings. ELI will be on the forefront in the nation in growing vetiver grass seedlings and the positive environmental impact is immeasurable with the added bonus of income from the sales which can reach
This income means that we will be able to reach more than 2,600 MORE families with life changing training every year – year after year or provide full care for more than 50 orphans annually.
The environmental impact is vital and important – The income potential is real and translates to be thousands of changed and empowered lives.
Your gift – given to this project will have a multiplying impact on needy lives and we are grateful for each dollar that is enough to plant and help sustain more than two trees or vetiver grass seedlings.
June 6, 2013 by Cathy
Check out ELI’s opportunities to serve like David, Andrew, Sarah, Ryan, Tori, Kimberly and Steve did! Visit the Go To Africa link on the ELI website to get more information. Will you be one who comes to empower and equip?
June 6, 2013 by Cathy
Every summer ELI hosts visitors from all over the USA at our various ministry sites. Currently Kipkaren is enjoying Cameron, Karyssa, David, Denise, Emili, and Kasey – students and staff from William Jessup University. Integrating their love for Jesus and soccer, this energetic team is ministering to the children and youth in western Kenya in a unique way…sports outreach ministry. This week they are making daily trips to ELI’s Brook of Faith Academy to share the love of Jesus with almost 300 kids through a VBS program. Next week they will visit six primary schools in our area to teach kids soccer skills, leadership, and how to be a great kid who loves the Lord.
June 6, 2013 by Cathy
Community development often means being a catalyst. At our Kipkaren River Training Center we are seeking to inspire the community to think outside the box in terms of economic development. Employing innovative ideas for sustainability, work has been taking place to create a fish pond, environmental development around the pond that will sustain the fish, spring containment and natural water purification with vetiver grass, and beginning steps toward the creation of a large blue gum forest. All of these ideas are things that an individual or small cooperative group can do to provide economic security.
It is our prayer that as the community sees these sustainability ideas in practice, some will be inspired to try themselves. As the environment around us changes due to deforestation, climate change, and population growth it is important to continue seeking new ways to act as good stewards of what God has given us. It is also our aim to broaden ELI’s own base of sustainability within Kenya.
To view a brief video on how this property development continues please click here.
June 3, 2013 by Micah Albert
Intern Ryan English unloads food-aid to the areas hit hard by recent landslides. (Photo: Micah Albert)
May 27, 2013 by admin
Sun setting over ‘Rock City’, Juba South Sudan. (Photo: Micah Albert)
May 27, 2013 by Cathy
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” Colossians 3:23
Empowering Lives International delights in pairing up ministry needs with ministry gifts. Each year as our Team, Professional Volunteer, and Intern season rolls around we pour over applications, praying about how God might use the talents of visitors to further His kingdom.
How can one minister with a paint brush? Currently ELI is hosting Sarah Ackerley, a Professional Volunteer who really knows how to use this tool beyond what most of us can do! As an illustrator of children’s books, Sarah has been integrating her love of art, children, and Jesus into her ministry activities in the village of Kipkaren, Kenya.
Educating orphans and vulnerable children is a special task and ELI’s Brook of Faith Academy staff wanted to transform the nursery school classroom into an inviting place, something that matched the enthusiasm and love that the teacher, Mrs. Chebii, lavishes on the children. Partnering with Sarah and her creative talents, this once drab classroom has become a place that invites the children into a learning adventure. With “Noah’s Ark” as a theme, Sarah has used her paintbrush to inspire kids to seek Him! The results are amazing….a true Colossians 3:23 expression of a talent!
How might God be asking you to apply your talents in Kingdom building activities? If you’d like to explore a service opportunity as a Professional Volunteer or Intern, click here for more details.
May 23, 2013 by admin
Exploring the streets of Juba, South Sudan. (photo: Micah Albert)
May 9, 2013 by dianahom
9th grade students
It’s back to school for our children in Kipkaren and Ilula. It was great to have all the children home for the school holiday. In addition to playing and catching up with each other, the older children (8th grade and high school) went through additional school tutoring as well as participated in a vacation bible school that a short term team from Water of Life Church in Southern California hosted. (more…)
April 29, 2013 by dianahom
How sweet it is to receive a letter from a friend! All 200+ of our children have received letters from their sponsors and friends and they are so excited to write back. Thank you to everyone who wrote to the children for Write to Your Child Month!
All the children receiving letters
More photos…
(more…)
