Sewing Machines for Refugees! 2019 02 02

I almost began by saying "And so, the journey begins." But that would be wrong. The journey I take today began long before this morning. Remember the 4 sewing machines we planned to purchase to put into the hands of South Sudanese refugees in their camps? Boom! We got 8. Not 4. And that, my friends, is how God has been blessing EVERY PART of this journey. Gifts and donations of thread, scissors, towels, flannel, $, and ties . . . When I say I am in awe of Him and overwhelmed by His ways, it is true. Every Single Day. Below is a picture of the 8 machines we will be picking up Tuesday to take to camps Wed., Thurs., and Fri. PTL! Kristin

Kristin Mixson Appeals to Women for Donations 2019 01 11

Our next Ladies Sewing Night will be next Thursday, Jan. 17 4-7 pm Shandon Baptist Church room C121. We are sewing, cutting, and assembling feminine hygiene kits which include 6 washable-reusable sanitary pads, washcloths, and underwear.  These kits are shared with youth and women in places where access to disposables are not available. Working with Christian ministry partners in foreign countries, we are reaching out to meet a real need and opening the door for gospel conversations--opportunities for our partners to share the love of Jesus and disciple believers in local churches.

I'm pleased to announce that I'll be going to Uganda the first week of February 2019 to partner with Veronica--wife of pastor Sosthen Amin Lati, to set up sewing centers in the Rhino refugee camp (South Sudanese civil war refugees). We set up a sewing center in Veronica's camp in Kiryandongo last January. We'll be purchasing foot-pedaled machines and providing materials for getting started such as thread, needles, scissors, seam rippers, snaps, snapping tools, and template material to make the pads. 

Most of the women in the camps are without their husbands--who are either in South Sudan or deceased.  There is no running water or electricity.  The camps are located miles from civilization, so the women can't go to work each day at a business.  Having the sewing machines will allow them to work, create, and sell products for income to provide food, medicine, and other basic needs. They can send the products they make (uniforms, clothes, pads, etc.) outside the camps to be sold for income. The women are astounded at the love shown by the American ladies who care enough to reach out to them and send their love via these basic supplies.  It gives hope and encouragement, and is a God-hug. 

If you would like to come join us next Thursday night to help cut materials, assemble bag supplies, or sew with your machine, I'd love to see you! 

If you'd like to donate supplies, I'll be taking in my bags scissors, thread, needles, seam rippers, little brushes for lint for the machines, and our on-going pad-making group here in Columbia can use flannel and towels (used are fine!), new washcloths, new underwear (size small--this is one of our greatest needs, honestly), quart-size ziplock baggies. 

If you'd like to make a financial contribution, we have a 501c3 status for our group: Educational Development in Emerging Nations (EDEN) and can provide receipts for taxes.  EDEN 1110 Blakely Ct.   West Columbia 29170.  (This is the same group as the work Jim is doing with the agricultural training.)

God is at work doing mighty things!  I'm so glad to get to be a part of it! Won't you join me? 🙂

Jan 25 Update:

God just keeps on surprising me with so much support, enthusiasm, and gifts for our ministry. I'm humbled and excited  and wondering what He's gonna surprise me with today. Every day. Same chorus. I feel like I'm getting drenched in a shower of blessings.

And the donations keep piling in!  Inside and outside the Sunday school classroom are bags of donations!  Towels, Sewing Supplies & Bags for Kits, Ties for the Seminary Students/Pastors, etc.

Welcome Home! 2018 11 03

 Several friends welcomed Jim home from his 3 week trip!

Cook Stoves in Kisumu, Kenya 2019 01 19

Here is a video of Pastor John Atieno at Neema Children's Home talking about the Super Jiko stoves that the home is now using.  We had a family provide funding for the purchase of these stoves.  The stoves reduce the amount of wood that is needed, reduce the smoke that is produced, and cook the food at a higher and more consistent temperature.  The cooks really love them.  

There was very severe flooding in this area earlier this year.  Some of the irrigation equipment we supplied last year was damaged.  We are in the process of preparing an improved area for the irrigation and getting the needed replacement parts.  They have also installed drip irrigation in their garden area and have just planted their second round of vegetables.  

EDEN along with the Neema Board supplied rainwater harvesting equipment for the home to use.  The gutters were installed earlier this year on the dormitory building as shown in the picture.  We are adding another 10,000 liter tank to increase the storage capacity of the system.  We will also supply a large Uzima water filter so that the water can be used for consumption when needed.

ADD VIDEO HERE

Dirty Landry 2019 01 11

This story is too funny not to share. We had some colorful pillowcases donated. I placed 5 "kits" of ladies luopad supplies in each pillowcase for ease of travel and delivery by Jim Mixson. We sent 70 kits with him this trip. He just came home and said his DIRTY LAUNDRY is somewhere in Kenya, most likely in a school for girls!! He had used one of the pillowcases as his dirty laundry bags in his suitcase!! Oopsie!  (He is most upset about his Clemson BYOG t-shirt being lost. The underwear will be more easily replaced!) HA!  Kristin

Kenya Animals 2019 01 07

 

Water Tanks, Gutters for Rainwater Harvesting, and Medical Equipment Delivery in Kiryandongo Camp, Uganda 2019 01 02

I have had a productive couple days with Pastor Sosthen at the Kiryandongo camp.  We have set plans for more water tanks and gutters for rainwater harvesting.  Most of the water that they captured this year had to be used for human consumption.  I brought a large filter which will purify the water from the cisterns.  

The picture attached is Sosthen's wife Veronica.  She is a trained nurse.  I had the opportunity to get a medical equipment bag donated through Samaritan's Purse in mid December and Veronica is the first person I thought of.  She really has had little to work with.  When I gave them the bag on Monday, they both got the biggest smiles.  They had just prayed on Sunday for medical equipment!  I had to smile too.  Getting to be a little piece in the puzzle makes all that we do worthwhile.