Christmas is fast approaching and everyone is busy with shopping, Christmas parties and special functions, visiting family and just doing special things. What a beautiful, exciting time of year.
Christmas is also an exciting time of year for the children of New Beginnings Children's Center. School has come to a close for the year. About half the children will go to visit a parent or guardian for part of the month. Those are the children that have someone that they can visit. The rest will remain at New Beginnings since this is the only home that they have. Even for those who go for a couple of weeks, most will be anxious to return to New Beginnings for Christmas Day.
At New Beginnings, Christmas is not a day with presents wrapped in bright paper under a tree of sparkling lights. It is a day much like most other days, except there will be special food and it is a day of relaxation, games, and movies. It is a day to hear the story of how Jesus came to earth as a baby, just like they were born and even in a humble setting, just like their birth (most of our children were born in a mud hut). It's a day to hear how Jesus gave up his royal throne in heaven to come and live like they live, in a very humble home. A time to understand that Jesus grew and struggled with many of the same problems they face. To know that Jesus understood poverty, he understood loneliness, he understood all the hurts and pains they have suffered. To come to realize that Jesus did all of this because of His great love for them.
It is a time for each child to understand that Jesus' love for them goes so deep that He would give up everything, even his own life, so that they could know Him and have eternal life with Him. It is a day for them to understand how much Jesus loves them and how special they are to Him. THIS is Christmas Day at New Beginnings Children's Center. A day to remember and understand Jesus came to earth just like you, FOR YOU. You are that special.
Christmas Day 2013
The children of New Beginnings will receive their new shoes, socks, and school uniforms later that week, but that is nothing compared to what Jesus gave to them and THAT is what they will celebrate at New Beginnings on Christmas Day.
May we glorify Jesus this Christmas Day and everyday.
'For unto you a child is born..."
Contact us to have someone share about the miracle that God is doing on a hill in remote Africa. Our missionaries would be happy to share. How great it is for young and old alike to hear about miracles on the mission field in Africa. Schedule for 2015 TODAY.
December: Currently we are taking donations for Operation Christmas Shoes. Our goal is to be able to give each child at New Beginnings a new pair of shoes, socks, and uniform to begin the 2015 school year in January. We need $4000 to reach our goal. Over $1200 has already come in donations, we still need $2800. Can you help us reach our goal for the children? Any amount will help bless them. We are a 501(c)3 charity; all donations are tax deductible.
January: Down under - we will be collecting under garments for the children of New Beginnings. This includes underwear for boys and girls, bras, slips, camis, and pajama bottoms. We need sizes from children's size 6 to adult med for both boys and girls. We have a growing number of teens who call New Beginnings home.
February: Sock it to us - We will accept sock donations for the children.
March: Shorts and Skirts (long skirts that are past knee length are best)
Please send all donations to our headquarters at:
Shalom Christian Missions
1255 Mill Creek Rd
York, PA 17404 U.S.A.
Airline prices are the best they have been in years!
Kenya is Ebola free!
What will I do on a mission trip? That is often the question. The answer...what is God calling YOU to do? From construction to VBS, to medical care, to sharing the Gospel. Our teams have done it ALL. What is God calling you to do? Not sure...take a step of faith and see what God shows up to do. It will be more than you ever dreamed or imagined.
Our missionaries stay in missionary housing of brick construction on the secure grounds of our children's center in a very remote area of Kenya. Spend time immersed in the culture and lives of those who call New Beginnings HOME. Show the Love of Jesus with the community. Change their lives AND change your life...FOREVER!
Summer 2015:
July 6 - July 20, 2015 (2 weeks) $1500 + airfare
July 20 - August 5, 2015 (2 weeks) $1500 + airfare
July 6 - Aug 10, 2015 (1 month) $1900 + airfare
Summer trips include a Safari to the world famous Masii Mara game reserve.
Winter 2016:
January 10 - 24, 2016 (2 weeks) $1500 + airfare
January 10 - February 10, 2016 $1900 + airfare
Winter trips include a Safari to Nakuru National Game Park.
Visit our Missions Page for more information about each trip and to download an application.
All Dates are tentative until airfare is booked.
NOW is the best time to apply and start planning!
Airfare is always best in December & January.
Internship Opportunities
Would you like to spend more time living in Kenya and experiencing the culture?
Consider an internship (1-6 months) or long-term mission opportunity. These trips are tailored to the individual applying, so please contact us for more information and get ready to GO!
Our missionaries have returned home to spend Christmas with their families and friends in the USA. They have so much to share with everyone about the miracles that God is doing on the hill in a remote part of Africa. If you would like to schedule them to speak at your church, youth group, Sunday school class, home group, or organization, contact us. They would be happy to travel to your area and share the MIRACLE.
Three of our missionaries will return in January. Please keep them covered in prayer and consider supporting them as they serve. If you wish, you may contribute through our secure Paypal link. Choose 'General Fund' and include the missionary account number in the 'Add special instructions to recipient' area on the Paypal page, or mail a check to our headquarters. Cody and Lynnea's account number is KE1495 and Christa's number is KE1497.
School has finished for 2014. This has been a year of milestones for New Beginnings Christian School in Nyasoti, Kenya.
Procession to Closing Day Ceremonies for primary school.
It is a blessing to have our secondary school successfully finish its first year. We are excited that New Beginnings Secondary School will also add grade 11 in 2015 complete with a Science Lab. Continue to pray for the success of this school for the community. We still endeavor to keep tuition affordable for the people of this poor community.
The day that the first load of bricks and cement arrived for the new primary classrooms was an exciting day. Just as the bricks were all unloaded a storm blew into the area. High winds during the storm ripped our boys' dorm to pieces. Praise God that no one was hurt when this happened.
The children worked, even in the rain, to move the boys' things to another area. The changing area/storage room for the girls quickly became a temporary dorm for the boys. Both the boys and girls are using some of the empty classrooms to store their belongings. In light of this event it seemed that there was no choice but to replace the boys' dorm immediately. This will set us behind a bit in getting the classrooms built but it is all in God's hands.
The boys' dorm will now be built with brick and will be much stronger to withstand the winds that sometimes come upon the hill.
We praise God in all things, and the excavation for the new classrooms has continued and is almost complete. We are hopeful that construction for the new classrooms will begin in January.
Meet Evans!
Evans is 12 years old. His father was the head cook for New Beginnings and upon his sudden death in September, Evans was left a total orphan. Evans was taken in by New Beginnings upon his father's death. He is beginning to adjust to life on the hill, although it was a bit hard at first to adjust to life without parents AND a new life with so many siblings. Evans has had little opportunity to attend school in the past and is only in grade 3. Evans likes to play soccer and hopes to join the team of New Beginnings in the future.
Please pray for Evans to continue to adjust and to perform well in school this coming year. Pray for Evans to find a sponsor.
The biggest news in Nyasoti is the construction that has begun at New Beginnings. Anytime construction starts it means extra jobs for those in the community. Many men and even some women came daily to do the excavation in preparation for the building. Often women will carry water up the hill to be used for the cement when the construction begins. Every jug is tallied and payment is made. Yes, it is good news when construction begins at New Beginnings Children's Center and news spreads throughout the valley.
It was also a blessing when the County Children's Office made a donation through the Governors office of food supplies to the children's center. We are thankful that the government offices are becoming more and more involved with New Beginnings and the plight of so many needy children in this area of Kenya.
Amina is 10 years old. Since her father's death, her mother has struggled doing odd jobs to provide for her family. Amina needs a sponsor!
By sponsoring Amina or another child for $38 a month, you will provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care and an education.
100% of all sponsor donations go to help the children.
Visit our Sponsorship page.
Polycap is 10 years old. He is a total orphan who lives with his grandmother. He needs help!
By sponsoring Polycap or another child for $38 a month, you will provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care and an education.
100% of all sponsor donations go to help the children.
Visit our Sponsorship page.
Sarafina is 14 years old. Since her father's death her mother has struggled to care for her and her siblings. Is God calling you to help Sarafina?
By sponsoring Sarafina or another child for $38 a month, you will provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care and an education.
100% of all sponsor donations go to help the children.
Visit our Sponsorship page.
Shalom Christian Missions is a 501(c)3 non- profit organization,
dedicated to serving children in need throughout the world.
All donations are tax deductible.
A & R Rental Center -York, PA
Bon-Ton Dept Stores - York, PA
Freedom Wireless - York, PA
H & R Block - USA
This Little Light of Mine - York, PA
TPI Test Products Inc. - Philadelphia, PA
Ann Downing Ministries - Hendersonville, TN
Christ American Baptist Church Youth - Spring Grove, PA
Eagle Christian Ministries - York, PA
Elisha's Home and Ministries - Montrose, PA
First Baptist Church - Smithville, TX
First Evangelical Lutheran Church Youth - Chambersburg, PA
First United Church of Christ - Schuykill Haven, PA
Harvest Chapel - Abbottstown, PA
Hope For Women - Tempe, AZ
The Worship Center - Lancaster, PA
May God bless you as you pray and give to help the children!
Donations may be made through Paypal or you may send your donation to:
Shalom Christian Missions
1255 Mill Creek Rd
York, PA 17404
(717) 586-6945
These two children are at the top of our list of children needing sponsors. Click one of their pictures to read more about them.
Meet more children in need
