November 2019 Newsletter

The supporters of SIHG are a special group of people.  I got to meet many who came out to celebrate Wayne Adam’s skydive on his 90^th birthday.  Among that group was Board Member Bonnie Molinari who had just returned from Kenya the day before where she led a team of friends to experience and aid SIHG.  On the back there is an update from the adventure and the Fundraiser for Luke.

This month I’m excited to share Board Member Debbie Hall Friede’s letter.  Her story is a great example of what involvement with SIHG can be.   There are many ways to help SIHG, and Debbie took on one of the most difficult ways which was sponsoring a child.  Enjoy her letter and if you ever want to learn other ways to help, or you have ideas of how you can help, please reach out.

As always, thank you for your generosity.  Your donations are keeping SIHG thriving.

Sincerely, Jonathan Baloian

Dear Supporters:

When I went to visit Becky and meet the children of SIHG for the first time in Kenya I have to confess I had alternative motives of treating myself to an African safari, photographing amazing animals and spending time giving back to my friend who gave her entire life to a foreign country serving impoverished children.    When I arrived the children’s eyes were silent, screamed of hunger, and seeking a LOVE that would make a difference in their painful life.  It was clear to me that Mama Becky was reaching a group of children that nobody else was called to serve.  She was called by the Holy Spirit and she responded.

My journey in child sponsorship started with a commitment to a young lady named Eunice, who was 9 years old.  She came into the home with an older sister (Jacintah) and younger brother (Benson).  All three kids were abused by alcoholic parents and seemed wounded to a point of no return or so they thought.  They were part of the original 25 kids who started at SIHG.  It was Mama Becky’s vision to feed, comfort with a home environment, educate, share God’s Love and give them the emotional support to turn their lives’ around, with the ultimate goal to help guide them to be the future leaders of Kenya.  When I met Eunice she was withdrawn, angry and scared, but she and I shared the passion of Sports and God’s Love.  On that day I realized I could be a small part of changing her life by helping support her financially, spiritually, and emotionally.  

I visited Eunice in Kenya three times before she graduated from High School.  Each visit impacted my life in different ways. Every time we were together we had new activities from enjoying a trip to the local water park with 20 other kids, going on a safari to see the precious land of Africa, to staying in a lodge on a lake and going out into a small row boat then realizing that HIPPOS large enough to eat us, were directly below us the entire time.   Sometime it’s better to not know the danger you are in and more fun to recognize the fact after you’ve safely arrived home, yikes!  

On our last visit to Kenya, I took Hank (my fiancé) with me to meet Becky and the kids.  We had dreamed of the opportunity to ask our wedding guests to donate our wedding gifts to SIHG, so it was important for him to see the home before we made this request.  Our journey together would create memories of a lifetime.   Hank and I were married one year later and our wedding guests gave graciously.  We have been blessed though our giving to SIHG.   

Our sponsored daughter gave us many challenges and rewards throughout her childhood and now young adulthood and I have been blessed to have worked with her through the many of them.  Today she has two children and is working hard to become a nursing assistant so she can begin working in Senior Living facilities.  She is making her impact in Kenya.

Sponsoring a child at SIHG changed my heart forever.  I pray daily for the children to grow in Christ and experience the LOVE that changes us.   God has called all of us to be obedient to the Holy Spirit.  What is he calling you to do? 

Sincerely

Debbie Hall Friede

Update on Luke’s Fundraiser:

October 16^th, Wayne Adams jumped from 18,000 feet along with his son-in-law Earlin, and Grandsons, Sam and Nic (SIHG Board Member).  We are happy to report everybody landed safely in front of the large group who came out to see this in person.  Thank you to everybody who showed up to support and celebrate Wayne.  Thank you also to everybody who has donated to Wayne’s Birthday wish of giving his birthday to help Luke at SIHG by raising funds for his care.  We have already received $25,000 dollars.  If you still want to contribute just send in a donation with “Luke” or Wayne’s Birthday on the memo.  THANK YOU!!!