Greetings and Happy Sabbath which is almost here,
We have a couple of more letters to share with you from the orphans, plus I have some additional information that needs to be mentioned.
First let me say that everything is going well at the Sengera House Orphanage. The children are preparing to return to school. Schools were closed back at the beginning of the current pandemic, and they have been doing their courses/studies at home. (We have been paying weekly for them.) Last month schools reopened for 4th grade and 8th grade students. And now starting January 4, 2020 all grades will resume in person.
We have also been able to continue sending out assistance to the widows, and they send their thanks to all of you for the wonderful help. We have also continued to assist the other orphans living outside of Sengera House, including Matara, the “Mzee” (Swahili for Old Man.) If you recall, Matara is in his 90iers, and still caring 5 orphans.
And by the way to call an elderly person “Mzee” in that part of the world is an honor to him. Sometimes in the USA when people get old (especially if they don’t have a lot of money.) their sometimes considered useless. But in Africa the elderly are well respected. In fact you will often times see a family sitting around in a circle with the Mzee sitting on a small ornate stool in the center of them as he speaks his wisdom.
You donors have helped Matara and his orphans a lot over the past year or so, starting when he was (at 92 years of age) arrested and jailed for failing to inform the Kenya Government that he was caring five orphans. It was a tough time for him. He developed pneumonia from sleeping on the cold cement floor of his cell while incarcerated, and then handcuffed to a hospital bed as he received treatment. Your assistance has helped him and his orphans tremendously. (You can read more about that if you go back through the “Previous Updates” on our Update Page.)
But sad to say, he had another mishap. We had a bad storm recently that affected many. (Even at the orphanage we had minor damage from the heavy rains.) But there was a flash flood that totally destroyed Matara”s 45 year old mud house. Fortunately (thanks to your constant prayers for protection) they all escaped uninjured. We moved them into a rental unit in the local village (cost $20.00 per Month) we are currently counting the cost to replace with another Mud building. I’ll keep you posted on that in future updates.
The following is a letter from Haron the Sengera House Overseer:
“Greetings dear Donors and brother Bill.
I hereby pass my deep appreciation and say thanks for standing with us in our eating daily, schooling for orphans. Thanks renovating the well, we know have plenty water in camp, thanks for electric and monthly payments for electric bills and maintaining our Soldier. (We are obligated by the Kenya Government to employ a guard) it’s my joy and happy to thank for the wonderful work you donors have done so much to help our orphans and widows. And my family we highly appreciate for our well being. May God stand with your families in provision and blessings to you and your generation.
the peace and love of God abide in you as we stay in touch.
Haron Mokoro.”
Haron is one of the humblest persons I have ever worked with. He has suffered for the work for a long time, from motor bike accidents while headed to visit various groups (but recovered from all of them) Was robbed numerous times, even had his neck cut two different times, as the robbers attempted to cut his throat (again he was protected, only sustained minor injuries and no funds were lost to the thieves.) One time while visiting brethren in Bomet, Kenya, thieves placed a bag with some kind of chemicals over his head rendering him unconscious (they were looking to kill him and sell his organs to the local Hospital. (If you think I’m kidding, just Google Bomet organ theft, its common occurrence in that area.) BUT once again he was protected, thanks to the prayers you have been lifting up for him. He also suffers from Leukemia, so your prayers for him are much appreciated.
As I mentioned above, we are obligated to employ a “guard” at the orphanage. Anyone in that position in E. Africa is referred to as a “Soldier”. The work day In Kenya consists of 12 hour shift, so he is present guarding our camp each night from 6pm till 6am. He has to stay alert, because there are many thieves that prowl around at night looking for easy pickings. We have had attempted robbery numerous times; the latest was on November 25th at 3am, when three men stormed our front gate. They were pretty powerful and strong because they managed to breach the steel gate and enter the compound. But they didn’t get far, our soldier is quite tough and was able to fight all three of them off, and they fled. (Although he sustained a broken arm.) The entire camp has its perimeter walled seven feet high with broken glass on top. (That’s nother requirement of the Kenya Government.) But it is your prayers that continue to protect us time and time again. Praise God for that.
Peter Nyabuti – Soldier at Sengera House
Now let me get to some more of these letters from the Orphans:
Our eldest orphan at Sengera House is Nehemiah Sibwagwe. He is a vital part of the work we all are involved in. He manages the store room, does the grocery shopping for the orphanage every Sunday, records & distributes the assistance to the various remote Widows and Orphans and much more including tending the children when not well (which usually happens in the middle of the night.) He is a fine young man, an often times accompanies me when visiting remote church groups. Kenya has forty two different tribes, each with its own language. When we visit various groups Nehemiah translates my speaking into Swahili (a Bantu language widely used amongst all the various tribes.)
“Receive my warm greetings in Jesus name.
Am Nehemiah Sibwoga from Sengera orphanage, under pastor Bill Goff.
I take this opportunity to thank you our donors for through your generosity and big hearts, we are good.
Briefly about me;
The start of Sengera orphanage, found me living in Pastor Charles’ home.
In that time, we had no bed to sleep on, nor mattress. We slept on dirt floor of his kitchen on Mats made out of cattle dried skins, we used sacks to cover ourselves just as blankets. We drank nasty water direct from the stream, this always made our stomach trouble us, life was really had. Getting food was just another major problem, getting lunch was just an accident, very rare, and we were only used to porridge without sugar. Going to school was like a miracle up to an extent I had no idea of getting a good education like the one you are giving me.
Shelter was a stress, we used to stay in a little thatched hut, its roof was worn out, rained inside now and then, we were much stressed for real.
All this makes me put you our donors in my prayers. Each time I eat, drink, go to school, sleep and wake up, I think of how very blessed i am. May our Lord God stand with you and your families in Jesus name.
Thanks for your lovely caring hearts, your support has really created an impact of change and through you, we have bright future hopes.
Thanks a lot, God bless you.
your kid
Nehemiah.”
Nehemiah Sibwoga
We have more Orphan letters coming. But for now I have something else to inform you about. But first let me give a warning of “viewer discretion” because what I’m about to show you is extremely disturbing.
As you probably know, we (khofh) have numerous times funded the surgical removal of Jiggers that were plaguing some remote church orphans (and surrounding neighbor children.) But the most recent request for help comes from the Boarder Group at Kenuchi. There are a number of our children there suffering from these jiggers.
There are only two ways to remove these Jiggers. One, is by the hand of God. That is the best way of all, But there seems to be a bit of a problem concerning that way. And believe me the problem is NOT on our Heavenly Father’s side, or that of our Elder Brother. The problem has to be with us, and according to Mark 16:17 its a “Belief” problem. Correct me if I’m wrong but what I read in that passage is that “These signs shall follow those who Believe (including the recovery of the sick.) Please don’t misunderstand; I’m not saying God doesn’t heal, because I know He does. But the miraculous, instantaneous healing of the early New Testament church has been a bit quenched to say the least in these latter days. John 14:12-13. There are many Scriptures speaking of the many gifts that our Father wants to bestow on Believers, and those gifts are something that we need to covet, like were told in 1 Corinthians 12:31. What I know is that whatever is wrong in His church today, I pray that our Father and His Son will correct it, so we can be doing things that are pleasing to Him, and doing good works that will glorify Him. I pray (as the man whose child couldn’t be healed by the disciples) for Him to help any unbelief we may have, which may be hindering the various gifts. Mark 9:17-24.
We checked with a local Hospital, and they said for $35 each child, they will surgically remove all the Jiggers. They remove them with a scalper, and without the use of any type of novacane to numb the pain. There are 15 children in all at that church group. Normally the Doctor will come to the camp to perform the procedure, and at that time other children from the village with Jiggers will also come running for help. So it will be few more than 15 total. (And after the procedure, we will have to purchase shoes for them to prevent repeat problem.)
I hope I haven’t said anything that will offend anyone? If I have, please feel free to call me so we can discuss. Remember, Iron Sharpeneth Iron, I only want to do what is right before God. And I’m not asking for those who have been supporting all along to dig deeper for more funds. I’m only trying to inform of the situation.
Thank You.
Bill Goff
If you have questions please don’t hesitate to call me anytime night or day.
Bill Goff 843-447-0140
E-mail goffb50@aol.com
Web Address: khofh.org