There is great reward when we embrace others in need and equip them with skills (not handouts) so that dignity and sustainability can be passed on to others!
“Then let us meet your God!” they passionately cried—almost shouted—at the ELI team.
The crowd of more than 50 people (all brewers and alcoholics) in the slum of Turbo, Kenya, was shocked as they listened to the testimonies of Ruth and Julia, two incredible Women of Change.
Let’s rewind a bit . . .
A few weeks back Don Rogers and a couple ELI staff members were ministering in this slum. When a sudden downpour struck, they dove through the nearest open doorway. Little did they know that God was orchestrating a divine appointment which no strategy, plan, or man-made agenda could construct: they had just stepped into one of the most infamous moonshine distribution hubs for the entire slum! The owner of the dilapidated home, 72-year-old Grace, has been selling illicit alcohol for longer than she can remember in order to support her 19 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and dozens of other abandoned and orphaned children/youth who look to her for help.
Grace was awestruck when she heard from Don and the staff how thousands of other ladies who used to brew and sell moonshine were able to leave it behind once and for all. She could not comprehend how as a result of encountering the real Jesus AND learned practical skills they could be freed from the bondage she’d personally lived under for decades.
Grace NEEDED to hear more and meet these World Changers herself.
That happened earlier this month!!!
It began with Ruth and Julia fellowshipping with Grace and some of the other brewers in her home in the Turbo slum, but suddenly it became something much larger. Word quickly spread through a part of the slum that two unique women were sharing their stories of change. A crowd began to form . . . and it grew . . . and grew.
Soon more than 50 people were packed into a small area, clamoring to hear what Ruth and Julia were sharing. Questions were being yelled at these two women. Some were shouts of doubt—disbelief as drunkards and brewers alike could not fathom how Ruth, Julia, and thousands of others had not only left brewing and alcohol but were now community leaders, elders, and business women.
And then several others shouted, “Bring us your Jesus! Please share with us your ideas. Teach us new skills. We want to be like you.”
Because of our combined efforts and your compassion for the poorest of the poor, this cry for Jesus and change can be answered!
It will take much prayer and relationship building but a dynamic team of ELI addiction counselors, agricultural trainers, business trainers, youth ministry coordinators, pastors, Women of Change, and Men of Change are now organizing in order to minister to the men and women in this dark slum area who are willing to pursue change! With your help, the darkness can be shattered and a light of change can break through so the current and next generations can live a life filled with hope.
After ten days of being boots on the ground with our national team, I am a different person! Thank you to all who have been praying for Don, Amy, and me during our time in Africa. We experienced blessings on all sides because of your devotion to prayer.
On May 16th, I had no expectations, just pure anticipation and excitement as we boarded the plane. As I am now boarding my return flight, I can see how God orchestrated every step, encounter, and program. Every moment of our time has been significant!
From the Training Centers, to the churches, to the villages, ELI has a reputation of empowering the poor and giving hope. Our entire Kenyan team is doing great work moving the mission of Jesus forward!
We are Igniting World Changers:
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in the Children's Homes
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in the Teams of Change Cohorts and Family HOPE trainings
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in the villages, through Women of Change and Give a Child a Chance
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in thousands of farms across eight countries
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in the homes of our staff and leaders
The prayers and support from our partners are contributing to a national revival! I thank God for how our board and executive leaders follow God's voice and heart to reach the broken and most vulnerable in East Africa. It takes many people working together in unity and humility to host a movement of God. I was blessed the last two weeks to shake every one of our National Teams' hands and sincerely thank them for their tireless effort to advance the Kingdom of God by loving the one in front of them—whether a pastor, village chief, child, brewer, or alcoholic.
After days of praying together, ministering to one another, and learning from each other, I was baffled by how wide my heart was to every one of our teammates! I was profoundly touched by everyone I met and every testimony of transformation I heard. When I asked God why I was so energized and moved by their lives, He replied, "When my people's hearts are overshadowed by My obsession for the poor and the broken, you will find yourselves fueled by My love, which is supernatural."
I can't wait to share more stories of transformation over the next few months. Stories that wouldn't have been possible without World Changers like you! The spirit-led movement is advancing so rapidly that we may never hear every testimony. Yet, I count it a privilege to be a messenger of hope to you as we find ourselves fueled by this supernatural love of God.
If you would like to receive exciting updates like this regularly, make sure to subscribe to our email list here and if you want to join our prayer team, click here.
- Christina Andriese
- Ruth was so fierce that even the police in the area feared to try and arrest her. She was the “Most Notorious Brewer.”
- Grace would yell at the top of her lungs throughout the night when drunk. Her family and friends did not dare come onto her property unless they were going to buy her changa’a (alcohol nicknamed “kill me quick”).
- Alice knew there were over 200 other illegal brewers in her village alone so she had to add some kind of potion (embalming fluid) to her “batch” to make it more intoxicating.
All three of these ladies had something in common. A lack of skills to generate income lured them into a dark business that made life worse for them and their children and added to the poverty in their communities.
It would take great sacrifice for real hope and change to reach their hearts.
“Keep looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who because of the joy awaiting him, endured the cross…” - Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)That sacrifice came from Jesus. The ministry of ELI provides people with life-changing training and skills, but we know that the deepest change comes from the inside out.
These ladies still have something in common. They have all gained new skills enabling them to come out of brewing—yes! And they have also found healing and restoration from Christ. This is the joy Jesus died and rose to make possible!
In fact, recently on the same day, all three of these women were in different villages inviting dozens of women to follow their example of change! The joy they now have because of their change cannot be contained and is worthy of our prayers and encouragement. This same joy can be yours today as you choose to trust in Him.
There are now over 2,000 families who have reformed from illegal brewing in Kenya alone! Recently a number of ELI staff and partners gathered on a Zoom call to pray for these Women and Men of Change. Take a few minutes right now and be inspired by this prayer given by ELI-Kenya COO John “Bush” Busienei.
The last two weeks have been incredible! Our amazing partners have helped orphans and families crush poverty, embrace Christ, and share their transformation with others. See just some of the exciting highlights below:
CRUSHING POVERTY:
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A group of alcoholics admitted they need help fighting their addiction and decided to attend an ELI detox program.
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48 brewers from a village called Kapteren who are hungry for change took the first step and signed up for training in March!
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A group of brewers, alcoholics, local leaders, and other community members from the village of Kapsegut went through a four-day village training. This training came as a result of the HOPE Rising Hike back in December! Now, 26 women are shining their light and hoping to help others in their community crush poverty.
EMBRACING CHRIST:
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53 children received Jesus as their Lord and Savior at a VBS rally led by ELI-trained Sunday school teachers.
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9 of our 7th grade students from the Ilula Children’s Home were baptized.
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30 women surrendered their lives to Christ and decided to leave the life of brewing!
SHARING THEIR TRANSFORMATION WITH OTHERS:
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10 village Teams of Change are now leading agricultural workshops and trainings and hosting meetings in their villages to discuss opportunities for further development.
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A team of 11 International Extension Coordinators from all over East Africa gathered to discuss and share new ways of reaching out to different communities.
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Peris, the Women of Change Chaplain, was interviewed on the national news channel and she shared her personal testimony!
As the Lord continues to move and His Spirit leads people into incredible action, our invitation is to PRAY that doors continue to open! One way to partner with us in this amazing movement is to join our Prayer Team. We send out an email every other Saturday with exciting praise reports and prayer requests for the ministry. If you would like to sign up, click here.
FEBRUARY UPDATE
“You are welcome to work with my people and community.”
That’s always encouraging to hear from a village chief. But the bigger question is what compelled him to say this?
When some of the ELI staff recently visited Chief Malalo and his community leaders in Butula, Kenya, Chief Malalo had something he wanted to share:
ELI has been mentoring Benedict (and his wife, Josephine) for over 6 years now. As a pastor, he has the vision of empowering his congregation and community through self-sustainability and agribusiness so that they can be a beacon to other communities who do not follow Jesus. Their dream is to use agriculture and business as a form of evangelism so people can physically witness the changes that are possible when operating within a Kingdom culture and mindset.
This husband and wife are so potent in their training and dedicated to their people that they have raised up co-laborers to reach as many families and households in Butula as possible. One of those “workers” is Florence and she made it part of her mission to personally impact the chief.
And, as they say, the rest is history.
Another chapter is being written in Butula’s history as ELI begins to journey deeper with Chief Malalo, Florence, Benedict, and the many others who are ready to join forces to see that no family is left hopeless and resigned to poverty!
Hope is on the rise, my friends! If you want to be a part of this amazing movement, click here.
Five Women of Change carefully made their way down the rough dirt road. They were on the way to Chepketeret, Kenya, to meet with 16 brewers who had heard there is a way out of brewing because of last month’s Hope Rising event. These five special women took time to listen to the hearts, minds, and souls of these ladies.
One of the sixteen named Gladys shared about how she was lured into brewing by the “lie” of its quick and easy money. While the money flowed in as the moonshine flowed out, she slowly found herself trapped.
In early December she was reflecting on how her family’s life descended into chaos, pain, and fear. She wanted a way out. She wanted to leave the life—and lie—of brewing moonshine. She told herself it was time to take baby steps toward change.
That’s when she heard the words "HOPE Rising" on the radio and learned about the hike that had taken place just a few days earlier.
Believing this was a gift from God, she contacted ELI and learned more about how thousands of families have been able to leave brewing and alcoholism. She then found 15 other ladies in her village who were interested to learn about a new lifestyle free of fear, abuse, neglect, and shame.
And that’s how, and why, five Women of Change made the trek to meet Gladys and her friends. After the day of learning about how change is really possible, the 16 women signed up to be trained February 7-11th!
In this new year, YOU can make NEW LIFE possible for so many families hungry for change! Click here to start now! Your prayers and investments can open the doors for so many lives to be impacted. This New Year, let’s celebrate together the many new lives that will be sparked toward positive change in the coming days, weeks, and months!
December Update
“May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in your faith, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope.” - Romans 15:13
AFTER THE HOPE RISING HIKE UPDATE
Saturday December 4th elevated the hearts and worship of around two hundred people who gathered in a MOST SURPRISING PLACE in Africa! Many had JUST finished hiking a steep trail from the below in the Kerio Valley to the top of the escarpment along a former delivery route for illegal alcohol. The hikers who finished the climb were exhausted but filled with an overwhelming joy because this was so much MORE THAN A HIKE! It was a three-hour climb and declaration that darkness will NO LONGER HAVE DOMINANCE in that area of Kenya nor in their lives.
Addictions to alcohol are being broken and families that were once torn apart at the seams are being restored in miraculous ways. Even the television media came to see and broadcast the testimonies nationwide! We’ll post those here soon!
This climb yelled “HOPE IS RISING!” It signified that the prayers and support from our amazing partners have helped each of these families reach new heights and a new mission: to embrace Christ, crush poverty, and share their transformation with others!
The county governor told ELI staff, “There is no better place for me to be today than to be walking this path with people who have discovered this hope and change. ELI has brought immeasurable impact to families and communities, and I am so glad to join this challenging climb to show my commitment to join them and to encourage even more to change.”
The prayer and support of friends like you fuel a movement that reverses the works of darkness. Ruth, a former illegal brewer of changa’a (which means “kill me quick”), said, “I used to walk this same route every day carrying gallons of illegal brew to sell. But today I have the light of Jesus, and it is His power that has brought us together to do this climb. The Spirit of God has given us real hope, and His power will lead us forward so that more lives are set free to shine Jesus’ love.”
If you would like to invest in this movement and help HOPE Rise, click Donate at the top right on your screen.
October Update
HOPE Rising!
On December 3rd, a declaration of HOPE will be made in Kenya as dozens of Women of Change, village leaders, ELI children’s home graduates, and ELI staff will be gathering together. They will hike up a mountainside as a demonstration of God’s deliverance, grace, and power in reversing the pattern of poverty that has been prevalent in their communities for generations. They are also affirming His commission over their lives to be World Changers. Collectively we are calling this unique hike with a purpose “Hope Rising!”
We know this will be a powerful demonstration and prophetic declaration for all involved. As Bush, our Kenya COO, cast the vision in Africa for this experience he said, "This may not be the kind of hike for everyone in that the climb will be difficult—and it is meant to be. It is a powerful symbolic climb because changing lives is not an easy thing, and so the climb will also not be easy, BUT we will demonstrate to many of those who ask us what we are doing and why—that we persevere to make it to the top as we declare that all who decide to change can also persevere by the Grace of God and find HOPE Rising in their hearts, homes, and communities."
Every person who has been invited to walk with us has expressed interest in participating! We anticipate the local news to report this unique event and hundreds of unbelievers will hear the message of HOPE . . . the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Like the Israelites walked around Jericho in faith for their promised land, our African friends will walk for hope to rise over their homes, communities, and nation. Within the next few weeks, there are 2 ways you can participate in this prophetic act and be a part of a walk that releases the Hope of heaven and reverses what the enemy meant for evil.
- On December 3rd, during their preparation, ascension, and celebration ?we will be supporting and standing in agreement through prayer for this symbolic act. We are hosting a 24-hour prayer vigil starting at 4:00 AM PST on December 3rd through 4:00 AM PST on December 4th. No matter where you are in the country we can pray together. Please consider signing up for a 30-minute slot here and praying with us.
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Follow and share the journey of Hope Rising on ELI’s Facebook Page. We will be posting videos, testimonies, images, and clips of the footage from the hike on the day of December 3rd and 4th. Additionally, we will highlight the ongoing testimonies after the event for the entire month of December. Please watch, like, comment, and share so more people can experience the transformational power of hope in Christ. You can find the series of stories and updates by searching the hashtag #hoperisingglobal
Finally, in the Spring of 2022, we will take our turn and engage in a Hope Rising Hike. We know, America is on God’s radar and the same freedom from oppression, addiction, and strongholds that Africa is experiencing is available for us in America as well as around the world. We will be switching roles in the spring as we walk for Hope to Rise and are covered with prayer and intercession from our friends in Africa. We will release the timeline, some fun challenges, and opportunities to participate in this early in the new year.
We sincerely hope you can join us in one way or another as well as share the word with your churches, ministries, families, and social media friends!
September 2021 Update
Chief of Empowerment
On a dark and stormy night, Chief Thomas gathered four policemen in preparation for a raid. Knowing alcohol would be brewed rain or shine, they felt sure they would be able to capture several illegal brewers. The sound of the rain hitting the corrugated iron roofs would drown out their swift approach into the homes after midnight. It was never something he enjoyed; putting an already impoverished mother into prison created a conflict in his own heart knowing that her children would suffer even more. But the government had mandated the closing of all illegal alcohol brewing dens.
So when Chief Thomas heard the testimony of an illegal brewer who had completely transformed, he was captivated. Over the radio a woman named Ruth shared about the radical change her life had undergone. The sincerity of her testimony compelled him to find out how she had changed. (Read her story here.) Maybe the women in his own community could follow the same path, and he would be freed from being required to arrest them.
It's been 5 years since Chief Thomas heard that radio program and subsequently brought 193 willing illegal brewers to the ELI training center to learn alternative skills and about the transforming love of God. After an additional 25 came the following year, Chief Thomas said he'd seen more transformation in that 10 months than in the previous 10 years! The government has since seen the results of his efforts. He has been promoted to the highest level of chief in his county and for 2 years in a row received a presidential award for evident change and development in his area. "My promotion and even these awards are because of Empowering Lives," he cheerfully says. He doesn't hide the challenges he faced for 20 years . . . or the life skills and message of God that have fueled his community's dramatic turnaround.
Chief Thomas enjoys carrying his Bible now when he visits people's homes. Idle youth, domestic violence, arrests, and many other social ills have decreased. And within 2 months of those original trainings, the enrollment in schools increased by over 500 children!
Your partnership and prayers can help empower chiefs and community leaders throughout East Africa to accomplish their hopes of bringing lasting change and development to the thousands of people in their communities.
Click here to empower lives today!
August 2021 Update
Celestine’s life took a miserable turn down a deadly path after she got married. Her husband’s meager income was not meeting the family’s needs, and though Celestine’s children begged her not to, she began brewing and selling illegal alcohol. She would tell them—and herself: “God will bless us one day and then I will quit.”
The police planned a night ambush and finally caught Celestine red-handed. As the police car drove off, she could hear the screaming cries of her children pleading for the police not to take their mommy away. Celestine realized at that moment that she needed to seek real change in her life. She heard about Julia, a former brewer from her same town of Ngorngoroi, and decided along with several other women to follow Julia’s example and attend a 5-day training with Empowering Lives International.
During the training Celestine learned of God’s love for her, as well as so many new ways to provide for her family: baking, dairy farming, kitchen gardening, and more! Upon returning home, the implementation of these skills was difficult, but Celestine persevered with the help from other friends like Julia who were making new lives for themselves too. They checked in on one another and encouraged one another, knowing that returning to brewing would be devastating for their families and their community. Together they even invested in a few bigger businesses like selling tree seedlings and starting a rental company, where they collectively invested in and then rented out plastic chairs, plates, and cups for ceremonies.
Because she has taken the skills she learned at the training and built on them, Celestine is now able to help her eldest daughter attend college while her younger children continue in elementary and high school. Celestine shares her testimony as often as possible:
Your investment can make so many stories like Celestine's a reality! World Changers are being ignited every day in East Africa . . . and as they pass their transformation on to others, more World Changers are set ablaze! You can help fuel the fire of change that is now burning brightly in East Africa! God’s Spirit is at work, and we are grateful to be on this journey with you! Click here to start now!
July 2021 Update
This month, the cohort from the village of Kocholwo came to ELI for the second level of Family HOPE training. Comprise
During their 3-day training at the ELI Training Center, this group of emerging World Changers gained more agricultural and business skills to earn God-honoring incomes. Topics included:
- how to grow the greatest number of vegetables in the smallest space
- what a vertical garden is and how to build one
- the importance of a kitchen garden
- the different planting cycles of vegetables
- how to prepare a portable garden
- business skills, including record keeping and marketing
- many more ideas that this group completely embraced
Each person couldn't wait to return and apply whatever possible to their own homes and then share these ideas with others. By the end of the first day, they decided instead of being called a cohort they wanted to be known as the “Team of Change.” 
The chief said the #1 problem he has faced in his community is the challenge of illegal alcohol brewing and drunkenness. He is now hopeful that through this training the Team of Change will take the information they learned, share it with their friends and neighbors, and help bring transformation to the entire village!.jpeg)
We are humbled by the village chief’s eagerness to partner with ELI and embrace all of the training that took place, including the challenge to grow deeper in relationship with Jesus.
It’s incredible how the right knowledge in the minds, hands, and hearts of empowered people can bring transformation to a whole community! We are so excited to see the change in this community over the next few months. We are so thankful for our partners who make trainings like this one possible. You can bring positive change to communities all over Kenya through your prayers and support! To partner with us now click here.
June 2021 Update
The other women brewers were shocked, and the village administration was overjoyed. Ruth had been a notorious illegal brewer and seller of changa'a ("kill me quick") alcohol for years. But, upon returning from an ELI training, she smashed her brewing pots and declared that she would live a new life—one that would honor God and be a blessing to her children and community.
The news spread far and wide. Dozens of illegal brewers from Kocholwo Village felt a tug of hope rising: "If notorious Ruth has changed, then is it possible for us to change as well?"
They dreamed of a life without police arrests and jail terms. They dreamed of a job that didn't force their children to drop out of school to become "cheap labor." They dreamed of their homes being filled with food, joy, and laughter instead of alcoholics, conflicts, and crumbling marriages.
The change in Ruth's life inspired forty brewers to attend a week of ELI training, where they discovered new skills for business and the love of God. Fast forward, and a group of these ladies now call themselves "Fruits of Change!" Through their implementation of ELI-trained skills to earn a God-honoring income, they now run small businesses growing coffee, bananas, potatoes, and vegetables. They have even started their own micro-lending program to increase their harvests!
Our faithful partners here in the US made it possible to work with them and help them in their "dream project" of planting trees. Dozens of families are now piloting coffee and citrus tree plantations. When successful, every family in the village will follow their lead so the village will be known regionally for its steady supply of valuable fruits in several years.
Felistus, the Chairwoman of the "Fruits of Change" group, has this to say:
If you would like to partner with us to help empower more people in East Africa, click here.