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.  

Banja's Story. EDEN's Partnership with Empower One 2018 12 06

Banja's Story from Empower One on Vimeo.

 

EDEN did conservation agriculture training and distributed drip irrigation equipment at Pastor Banja's church in October.  These are the folks that we are seeking to support.  We seek to take some of the burden off of them so that they can focus on spreading the Gospel.  We had representatives from 8 churches at that training.  We had to use 2 translators so that all could understand and learn.  I firmly believe that God has brought these refugees to this central location so that the Gospel can be spread and other life saving training can take place.  I am so humbled to be a part of what is going there.  If you would like to know more about how you can help, whether it be through praying for us, providing financial support, or even going to East Africa to help, please shoot me a message.  I'd love to tell you more.

All Over Kenya 2018 11 03

This past week was a whirlwind.  I feel like we drove all over south Kenya and then back again.  In reality, the kilometers probably weren’t all that much, but when you add in the speed bumps, the cows, the goats, the motorcycles, the SLOW trucks…..did I mention the speed bumps?  What should be a couple hours stretches into 3 or 4.  I traveled with Pastor Simon Kariuki to see 2 new locations and visit one I did training at last year.  Pastor also has a garden with drip irrigation at his house.  

The people we’ve shared the drip irrigation technology love it for the most part.  We have a complication here or there, with each location presenting a different challenge.  Pastor Simon is an avid supporter and promoter of the drip system and conservation practices.  And the electric fence to keep the monkeys out is working too!  He is tweaking the system we provided last year to make it a little more monkey proof.  Those guys are determined!  Pastor must have some good vegetables!   

This has been a busy trip.  As I reflect, I am just humbled that God chose me to be a part of what is happening in these locations.  Many times, I am told that I am the first mzungu (white man) to visit a location.  And many times, I am told I am the first person to come help teach about agriculture.  It is such a big deal for someone to come into these areas, whether it is a South Sudanese refugee camp in Uganda or a bush village in Kenya.  One older farmer in one of the camps was so thankful for us coming that he gave us a chicken to cook for our meal on the second day we were there.  I was given eggs at another location just to thank me for coming to visit.  The ladies at another camp location had a parade for me after lunch…..complete with dancing, singing, and tree branches.  They presented me with a lovely gift to mark my visit.  Really?  I’m just an old farmer from South Carolina.  This appreciation confirms that what we are doing is needed and wanted.  So glad to be a part of it.  

My brain is full and my heart is too.  I look forward to seeing how we can press on in touching more lives in East Africa.

A dry river bed in Kitui Kenya. Dixon, the guy in the rear on the left is a Mobile Messenger with With Open Eyes. His wife Judith is on the right.  Below is a picture of Dixon and Judith's garden.

Training in Bidi Bidi and Rhino Refugee Camps 2018 10 27

Update from Jim Mixson: I am still in the land of the living!  It has been another busy, busy week.  Fatigue, along with writer's block have held me back from posting an update.  I have been working with Empower One since Monday.  We made 2 trips to the Rhino Refugee camp and 2 trips to the Bidi Bidi Refugee camp this week.  The drive to Rhino is 1.5 hours one way and Bidi Bidi is 2 hours one way.  Hence the fatigue.  I am posting several pictures and will put some more detail on each, so please click through and read.  It has been an amazing week.  Monday was spent at the Empower One compound getting supplies ready for our training.  On Tuesday, I got to teach while 2 people interpreted my teaching into 2 different languages - Arabic and Lingala.  It's hard enough for me to hold my train of thought when I'm talking normally, but having to wait for 2 other people to talk in between my thoughts was sometimes a challenge!  Sometimes that train of thought left me standing on the platform with a confused look on my face!  But at the end of the day, it seems that my message got across.  The special thing about this location was that there were some refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo at the training.  This is our first interaction with DRC folks and I'm excited that they will be taking this training home with them when they go.  DRC is experiencing civil unrest and people are fleeing to Uganda.  On Thursday and Friday at Bidi Bidi I trained at Empower One's seminary.  There were 68 seminary students there from all over the area.  They mostly know English, so I didn't have to use a translator there.  The dean of the seminary said they were having a little trouble understanding my English accent!  Ha!  Tomorrow I head to Nairobi to check on a couple ministry partners and look at some new opportunities.  Will try to keep you updated and share some more stories!

Planting okra after installing a bucket drip irrigation system. You can see the wet spots where the water comes out of the drip lines:

The older gentleman on the left told me he was 70 years old. But he was most excited to learn about the drip irrigation! I want you to see the soccer ball that the young boy is holding....homemade out of plastic bags! Love it!!

This is the Empower One seminary at Bidi Bidi. My laptop (on the table to the right) was running off of its battery and the projector was being charged by a solar mat outside the church:

We partner with quite a few ministry partners to accomplish what we do. This shot is at the Empower One compound in Arua, Uganda. GAiN USA (UNTO) provided us with the winding machine on the table to wind up small rolls of the drip tape. It is a game changer! The drip tape comes in 1250 meter rolls and we distribute 30 meters when we give out kits. So that large roll gets broken down into about 40 kits. Rolling the drip tape up sounds simple but is far from it. Think trying to wrap up 30 meters of limp spaghetti! With the machine, we were able to break down a big roll of the drip tape in less than 30 minutes. As I said, game changer!

Prepping and Planting in Rhino Camp 2018 Oct 26

Jim Mixson is helping prep and plant gardens. 

Note from Kristin Mixson: One thing I remember learning last year was that in the refugee camps, they receive lots of dried beans. But they aren't able to get the greens they need. This is so important to the health of the children, especially. All these people have fled the violence of civil war at home. I'm so thankful to all who have been helping provide the funds for irrigation drip kits, teaching materials, and equipping Jim to be able to go. It is humbling and beautiful to be a part of. XOXOXO 

Teaching with Two Different Translators in Rhino Camp 2018 10 23

 Here's Jim Mixson teaching with 2 translators for 2 different languages in the Rhino Camp in Uganda.

Ag Prep Training with Empower One in Arua, Uganda 2018 10 22

 EDEN is partnering with Empower One out of Arua, Uganda. Jim Mixson is teaching how to assemble drip irrigation kits.  Training the trainers!

Rhino Refugee Camp in Northern Uganda 2019 10 19

Well, it has been a long week!    We did ag training today at the Rhino Refugee Camp in northern Uganda with over 60 people.  These are refugees who escaped the violence in South Sudan to come here.  We will distribute over 100 bucket drip irrigation kits which will impact over 500 people.  Just to get to the location was an hour and a half ride one way on one of the bumpiest dirt roads I've ever been on.  And I've been on plenty!  We will finish up training and supply distribution tomorrow and then worship at the church on Sunday.  I think everyone's favorite part of the training was when I showed a short video of me harvesting corn (maize) with the combine.  Wish I had taken more video of it, but I think I had a hurricane or two nipping on my heels!

with Sosthen Amin Lati, Otim Simonjohn, and Sunday Andrew

Neema Children's Home in Kisumu, Kenya Update 2018 04 25

A friend shared pictures from the orphanage while visiting/ministering in April.  The sewing machines purchased by EDEN have arrived.  The other pictures are being posted to give you a better picture of life in the orphanage/school.

Kids sharing beans and rice.

Angel House Orphanage and School in Gamarasa, Tanzania Update 2018 April 5

 EDEN supplied drip irrigation equipment and water tank after training in how to use them.

These pictures were sent from Anna Migera to show the progress after the training.