December 2020 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Supporters,

2020 is drawing to a close, I need to write a newsletter, and I keep thinking about Landscaping.  Last year when I visited SIHG one of the most lasting memories is the landscaping at SIHG.  It is like an Oasis when you enter the gates of SIHG.  You travel down a long dirt road, past massive commercial flower greenhouses, many workers walking along the road, lots of bumps and holes the drivers try and avoid, until you reach the green gates to SIHG.  When they open you are struck by lush greenery.  Flowers and painted metal sculptures of animals greet you with buildings in front and to the right and the SIHG farm to the left.  As this year winds down it is easy, in many cases justifiable, and honesty hard to not be discouraged, but I am not sure it is healthy and it does not mitigate any of the troubles being faced.  This year is teaching me to seek for the hope that is often at the end of long bumpy roads.

My two visits to SIHG have included a trip to one of the largest slums in the world, where all the senses are assaulted by poverty.  Yet even there it is not all despair if you look closely.  There are people and organizations trying to help with food, fresh water, and basic services.  The contrast between SIHG and those slums is huge illustrating SIHG brings hope to Kenya and the world.  The children at SIHG are being raised surrounded by a lush garden, in clean homes, eating nutritious food, receiving medical care and most importantly being loved by Linda and the staff.

I challenge you to seek out hope in your life.  Find those, whether people or organizations, who are working to improve our world, and maybe more importantly ignore those who cling to what they have and in turn reek of despair.

I have high hopes for 2021, and not just that a vaccine can begin to slow the death and sickness and bring about a normalcy to life.  Rather I hope I can remember the unease I felt at times going into work and then remember how so many medical staff showed up to work to care and treat those infected.  I want to remember organizations like Food Banks across the nation who when faced with a challenge rose up and met unprecedented needs.  I will support a small orphanage in Kenya that is keeping its children and staff safe, healthy and cared for in this time of unrest.

With this same attitude of hopefulness I want to share that I am stepping away from the SIHG board.  Five plus years ago when Wayne Adams gathered a group of supporters and asked us to help him ensure SIHG has the infrastructure and funding it needs I knew very little of what I was getting into when I agreed to help.  With the utmost sincerity I can say it has been humbling to be a part of SIHG.  I have enjoyed meeting the people who have supported SIHG and am amazed at your generosity.  I have complete trust that SIHG will have stronger leadership in the future.  I will continue to help and support SIHG as I believe the lives it saves are valuable and important and will look forward to the fruits which will continue to be born from SIHG’s work.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Baloian

Becky Update:

We are happy to announce Becky Adams has transitioned back to the United States.  She is settled in Fresno, CA and will be working on behalf of SIHG from the United States.  In her short time back, she has already made great inroads in sharing about SIHG.  Send her an email welcoming back.  bsihgusa@gmail.com

All donations need to be postmarked or donated online by the 31^st to be on tax year 2020

If you are an amazon shopper try smile.amazon.com and select Seeds In His Garden as your charity of choice and a percentage of your shopping will go to SIHG.