Shalom Christian Missions
Shalom Christian Missions

May 2014 Newsletter

"I thought I was Dreaming."

"I thought I was dreaming" is how one child described how she felt after coming to live at New Beginnings. This month I would like to share with you the story of another child that calls New Beginnings HOME. This child first found a sponsor in 2010 while our center was under the direction of our former corrupt director. We learned that she never did come to live at our children's center at that time even though we were told she did. Nelly has chosen to share her story with you to help show how you can make a difference. This is Nelly's story.

Nelly in 2010, full of hope when she applied for a sponsor.

Nelly was born in 1996. At the age of 10, Nelly and her younger sister, Sharon were with their mother when she died of heart disease. Nelly and her younger sister and brother were heartbroken to lose their mother, and as if that wasn't enough, after her burial their father deserted them.

Being the oldest at 10 years of age, Nelly took on the task of trying to provide for herself and her siblings. For three months they lived hand to mouth barely getting enough to eat. Nelly then decided they could not survive this way and sent her brother and sister to live with a nearby relative. Nelly remained at home. Nelly says, "I remained alone and sat at the door waiting for my death." Then someone informed her that she had a grandmother that lived far away who could possibly help her.

Nelly went to live with her grandmother for some time, but in 2010 her aunt came to take her to live with her in Magunga. Her aunt was with child and Nelly could help with child care. Her aunt also applied for Nelly to find a sponsor through Shalom Christian Missions.

In January of 2011, Nelly learned that she had found a sponsor. Her hopes were high that she would soon go to live at the center with the other children. The same week that Nelly received this great news she also received news that her father had died. Nelly went to the funeral and then returned to her aunt's home with her sister. But as though life had not given her enough blows, it was going to soon take a another turn for the worse. Shortly after Nelly returned to her aunt's home, her aunt ran away from her husband leaving her three-month-old boy in the care of Nelly and her sister Sharon.

During the three weeks that her aunt was gone, Nelly's life changed drastically. One night, her uncle came into the room where she was sleeping and told Nelly she had a choice of life or death. He raped Nelly that night and Nelly conceived. When her aunt returned she realized that Nelly was not the same. Nelly was not eating nor was she talking to anyone. She had been threatened to remain silent about what had happened.

When Nelly's aunt realized she was pregnant she sent her back to live with her grandmother. Nelly's opportunity to live at the children's center seemed a distant dream. Out of fear, Nelly would not tell anyone for two years who was the father to her child.

In September of 2011, as New Beginnings Children's Center was just opening, Nelly's aunt heard that we were looking for Nelly as one of the children marked to rescue from our former director. She told us that Nelly was now pregnant, would we still want her? We agreed that we would help Nelly regardless of her situation.

Nelly came to New Beginnings very afraid. We did not know whether she was carrying the child of our former director (since we then knew he had been defiling most of the girls) or of someone else. What we knew was that Nelly was 15, pregnant, and afraid. For some time after Nelly arrived she was accused of stealing by the other children. This is often the case for new children who are afraid and insecure about the future when they first arrive at New Beginnings. When you are suddenly living a life that seems like a dream, you become afraid that one day you might awaken with nothing once again. Nelly settled into New Beginnings and began to attend school. In time, she began to realize that she was cared for and not judged because of her situation in life.

Nelly, Dec 2011, in the hospital, after giving birth by C-section to John Zellmer Junior.

In December of 2011, just after turning 16, Nelly gave birth to a beautiful baby boy whom she named John Zellmer Junior, after the New Beginnings director, the person who helped start New Beginnings. It was this kind-hearted man who took care of Nelly during her pregnancy.

After the birth, Nelly did not attend school for another year but cared for her baby at New Beginnings. She studied while he napped and on test days she would attend school to take the exams. She finished the 2012 school year by being promoted to the next grade level and obtaining an above average score.

Nelly and her son continue to reside at New Beginnings. It wasn't until May of 2013 that Nelly finally felt safe enough to share the truth about her pregnancy. Nelly is currently in grade 8 and preparing for her National Exams in November. Nelly hopes to one day be a nurse and care for those who are sick, like the nurses she met while she was in the hospital having her baby.

John Jr is anxious to start school in January of 2015. John is a true child of New Beginnings, never knowing another home since he was born. He knows our director, Baba Watuto (father to many children) as his only father. If you cannot find Little John, just look for Baba Watuto and you will find him nearby. Last December, at the age of 2, John was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia. While we don't know what the future holds for John, we do know WHO holds his future.

Nelly and John feel safe and secure at New Beginnings and Nelly says that without New Beginnings she doesn't know where her or her son's lives would be. She is doubtful that she would have survived the delivery since a C-section would not have been an option for a poor orphan. She is very grateful for all who support Shalom Christian Missions and believes that someday she will be able to give back to the world what has been given to her through your support. Praise God for Nelly and Little John! These are 2 lives that were changed because of your giving.

Nelly and Little John in 2013.
Change a life! Become a sponsor!

Donations for the children!

If you would like to help donate items for the children for their Christmas in July celebration OR if you are a sponsor and want to send a gift to your child for Christmas in July, please have it reach our office by May 15th.

Sponsors: Your gift for your child should be in a gallon-size ziplock baggie. Please remove all wrappings from items you place in the bag. Write the child's name and case # on the bag. Be sure to include a picture and note for the child. This will be given along with a bundle of clothing for the child. If you cannot give a gift, we will give one on your behalf. When we celebrate Christmas in July EVERY child will receive a gift.

During May we will also accept donations of medical supplies.
This includes over the counter medications such as pain relievers, cough drops, antibiotic cream, etc., as well as bandaids, gauze bandages, etc.

All donations should be sent to our headquarters at this address.

Calendar of Events

July 2014:  Mission Expedition to Kenya.
Friday November 7, 2014:  Mark your calendars for our Annual Benefit Dinner in York, PA. More information to follow.

We would love to come and share with you and your group about what God is doing at New Beginnings in Kenya.

Contact us TODAY at 717-586-6945! (Please leave a message if no answer)

Mission Expedition 2014 & 2015

The July team is in their final stages of preparation before they travel to a remote village in Kenya this summer. Please pray for this team as they finish packing and planning. Many are going for two weeks, some for two months, and several will remain at New Beginnings until Christmas.

Our January trip is now accepting applications. What an awesome time to join us in Kenya! After this past winter, what better way to escape some of the cold and spend two weeks or a month in the warmth of Kenya. Serve the Lord and feel the warmth!

Summer trips include a safari to the world famous Maasai Mara game reserve.  Winter trips include a Safari to a smaller game park and are therefore a bit less expensive.

Please visit our missions page for dates and more information.

The sooner you are ticketed the better airfare pricing.

Intern Opportunities & Long Term Missionary Opportunities

Shalom Christian Missions offers 2-6 month intern opportunities. Contact us for more information.

We also have opportunities available for those who feel God calling them to long-term missions.

Contact us TODAY!!

Mission News

John M has returned from serving at New Beginnings for two months. It was a very fruitful time and although he misses his family in Kenya it was time for him to return to his family in the USA and his business. This will be his long break from New Beginnings since he probably will not return until October. Enjoy your break John.

Three long term missionaries are preparing to depart for New Beginnings this summer.
Christa will arrive at New Beginnings in June. She is no stranger to New Beginnings since she spent five months there in 2013. This time she plans to reside at New Beginnings until Christmas, return home for the holidays, and depart with the January team for another six months. BUT Christa's plans for New Beginnings are much longer than that as she sees this as becoming her new home. Christa has a degree in Biology and will work alongside the Science teachers of New Beginnings Secondary School. She will also spend time in the evenings tutoring children who need extra help. What a blessing she will be to the children of New Beginnings. Please keep Christa in your prayers as she enters this new season of her life.

Christa
Christa's account number is KE1497.

Cody and Lynnea will arrive at New Beginnings in July. They also are not strangers to New Beginnings. Lynnea has been going to minister to the children in this area since she was 16. She has gone all but one year since 2007, often working the entire year to save the money to return to the children she loved. Lynnea recently graduated from Millersville University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is excited to return to New Beginnings and work alongside the primary school teachers, teaching English. Lynnea will also help to tutor the children.

Cody has spent two months at New Beginnings in 2012 and 2013. He has a heart for God and a heart for missions, especially the children of New Beginnings. Cody will focus his time working alongside our groundsman to establish new garden areas and with other various jobs around the compound. Cody will also share messages with the children during Chapel service and is planning some small Bible study groups with the children.

Cody and Lynnea, who met on a mission trip in 2012, will be married later in May and will return to New Beginnings as husband and wife. They also plan to return home for Christmas and then join the January team and return to New Beginnings for another 6 months. Please pray for them as they enter this new season of their lives

Cody & Lynnea
Cody and Lynnea's account number is KE1495.

If you would like to make a donation to support either of these long-term missionaries, you can do so here and include their missionary account number under the 'add special instructions to recipient' box of the Paypal page, or if you prefer you can mail a check with the missionary account number in the memo section to:

Shalom Christian Missions
1255 Mill Creek Rd
York, PA 17404

All funds donated under any missionary accounts will go to support that missionary.
We look forward to hearing all that God is doing in and through the lives of these three servants as they become the hands and feet of Jesus at New Beginnings Children's Center.

New Beginnings Christian School News

The second semester of the 2014 school year will begin this week. After having a month break to rest and visit with family/guardians, the children will head back to school once again. This semester, all Kenyan schools will focus on the arts. The children will have the opportunity to compete against other schools with various songs, verses, speaking, and, of course, dances. A favorite is the traditional dance competition in which our children did so well last year. I was so honored to have arrived in Kenya in 2013 just in time to see them compete in the County competition in Homa Bay. Please pray for the children and staff as they head back to school.

Recess at New Beginnings Primary School

Consider becoming a 'New Beginnings Defender of Education'

We are praying for more people to become involved in helping with the costs of education for the children. This is an extreme need right now! We need to increase our teachers' salaries to above the poverty level. With the incoming president last year, prices of everything have been on the increase within the nation. This is not helping those who live far below the poverty level in this rural area. We also need to purchase more books and other supplies for our students. We cannot do this based on the tuition we are charging since our goal is to continue to keep our schools affordable for the people who live in great poverty within this community. Please join us in praying for people to join us in this effort.

Donor Defender If you choose to donate $20-$50 each month to our education fund, you can provide an increase for 1-2 teachers.

Patron Defender If you give $51-$99 each month to our education fund, you provide for 3-4 teachers to receive a raise and more supplies such as books to be purchased for a classroom.

Champion Defender If you can donate $100 or more each month to our education fund, you provide a raise for 5 teachers plus additional supplies. Please consider helping us in this very critical way.

Every person who becomes a 'New Beginnings Defender of Education' will have their name placed on a plaque that will be on display at New Beginnings Christian School. Our current goal is to have $1000 in donations for our education fund each month to supply our teachers with a fair wage above the poverty level in Kenya and to buy the needed classrooms supplies for the school. This is vital for the education of the children in this remote part of the world.

If you are a teacher or just care about seeing children in a very remote, poor area of the world have a chance at a better life, consider becoming involved as a 'Defender of Education'...'for the love of a child'!

Building News

New Beginnings has been a busy place for the last month. With extra donations coming in, it was possible to complete the fencing of the new land parcel, purchase supplies, and keep moving forward.

We have been blessed to find a lorry (big truck) driver who is working with us. This enables us to buy many building supplies in Homa Bay at a better price. The only thing is that we need to fill the lorry when we have its use so that we do not spend a lot to get a little. With some extra donations last month, we were able to fill the lorry and have not only the fence posts and barbed wire delivered, but some spouting, one water tank, and bags of cement as well. All these items have already been put to good use but we need to finish many jobs. There is so much building to be done. Can you help us with this first phase of construction work?
Let's see this happen for the glory of God!


Storm gutters are being installed to prevent runoff and harvest precious rain water at New Beginnings.

 Donated Still Needed   Total
 $1,500 $0 Fencing & Temporary Gate plus additional fence for new parcel  $1,500
 $2,000 $3,000 Gutters & Water Holding Tanks $5,000 
 $1,000 $4,000 MIssionary House Renovations  $5,000 
      $11,500

$7,000 still needed - Praise God for your generous donations!

Child of the Month

Meet George!

George is 14 and lives with his grandfather near New Beginnings Children's Center. Both his parents are deceased and his grandfather has been left with the care of George and his two sisters. His grandfather is very old and there is just not enough money to provide for the children. Often he is faced with providing food or tuition for school. Food must come first and the children often are unable to attend school. George is bright but is falling further and further behind in school. Currently he is in grade 5. His hope of one day becoming a doctor, to care for the many sick people in his community, is fading fast.

George is asking for God to somehow help his grandfather and he is asking for prayers to find a sponsor.
Please pray for George.

Nyasoti News

The biggest news in Nyasoti is the water tank that will soon be in place thanks to World Vision. This water tank will be placed on the hill near New Beginnings and will then have pipes placed throughout the community providing a gravity-fed system to distribute water to more areas instead of just the one well. A solar pump will be installed to pump the water from the current well to the holding tank. Once this tank is installed, New Beginnings will work to place a higher tank above the center to provide its own gravity-fed system to New Beginnings. What a blessing this new water tank will be to the entire community! Keep praying this new tank through.

Although this is the long rains season, the rains are once again just not coming. Please pray for rain for our area. They have experienced several droughts during the growing season in the last two years. This only adds to inflation in an already poverty-stricken location. We need your prayers going out for God to bring the rains that are desperately needed.

Children In Need

Meet Norestine!

Norestine is 9 years old. Her family lives in poverty but has graciously donated land to New Beginnings. Norestine needs a sponsor!

By sponsoring Norestine 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.

Meet Godfrey!

Godfrey is 10 and was born to a girl who was defiled. He has only known his grandmother as his caregiver. She is now growing very old and struggles to provide for Godfrey. Godfrey needs help!

By sponsoring Godfrey 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.

Meet Lilian!

Lilian is 13 and rarely attends school. She is an AIDS orphan who lives with an aunt that struggles to make ends meet. Are you an answer to Lilian's prayers?

By sponsoring Lilian 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.

Shalom Christian Missions is a 501(c)3 non- profit,
dedicated to serving children in need throughout the world.
All donations are tax deductible.

Special Thanks to:

A & R Rental Center - York, PA
Bon-Ton Dept Stores - York, PA
Flying Feet - York, PA
Freedom Wireless - York, PA
H & R Block - USA
Imagineered Signs - York, PA
This Little Light of Mine - York, PA
Zapata Renovations - York, PA
Ann Downing Ministries - Hendersonville, TN
Christ American Baptist Church Youth - Spring Grove, PA
C.R.E.W. Youth Ministry - York, 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

May God bless you as you 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