December 2018 Newsletter

December 2018

Dear Friends of Seeds and His Garden,

I have not done a good job keeping up with this correspondence.  I want to give insight into SIHG, and I hope that insight leads to people choosing to support the work being done in Kenya by SIHG.  Too often I sit down and have nothing to worthwhile to say.  Draft after draft is started and discarded because it is not good enough or I should clarify it is not good enough to convey the excellent work done every day at SIHG.  But it is the end of the year and good or not I have to send something out.

There is a story in the Gospel of Luke (7:18-35) where John the Baptist’s disciples come to Jesus to ask if he is the awaited for Messiah.  John’s disciples ask the most essential question, and rather than a thesis or proclamation, they are told to report on what they saw.

“21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

The list of miracles above is exactly that, but the last thing mentioned is what I want to emphasizes.  The good news is proclaimed to the poor.  Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, who Christians believe to be the Son of God and prophesied messiah.  When asked to confirm if he was the Messiah, Jesus gives examples of his work, and the common denominator in his work is; first it’s miraculous, but second, it benefits those that do not have, the blind, the lame, the sick, the deaf, the dead and the poor.
I do not have a wonderful story to share with you this month about a child at SIHG.  But I know that everyday these children who were abandoned are fed, given medical care, educated, and most importantly loved.  Christmas services, large meals, and lots of shopping tend to dominate our Christmas season, but may I put forward that Jesus, the long awaited Messiah, who Christians look to for salvation, offered his examples of service to those who did not have as proof for who he was.  In this Christmas season perhaps we try to emulate him by looking to those in need and helping.
As always thank you for your generous donations which allow SIHG to care for children in Kenya.  $.99 cents of every dollar sent to SIHG goes to Kenya and is used to feed, heal, educate and provide love for orphans.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,

Jonathan Baloian

Notes/Updates:

• After a long, tenuous, and stressful process, SIHG’s license to operate as a children’s home was renewed by the Kenyan government.

• Kevin and Shadrack two children who came to SIHG as babies have graduated and are living outside the home learning to live as adults.  It should be noted that the care SIHG provides does not end with childhood.  SIHG is there to help whether they go on to college or enter into the workforce.  Each young adult is unique and thus Becky and Linda work with each to help them be successful in life.  Furthermore they will always have a home to return to.  After 20 years in existence, the holidays have become a time where those who were raised at SIHG return (sometimes with their own families) and meet the new additions to their family.

• Becky returned briefly to the US to attend the funeral for her mother Pat Adams, (see obituary).  At the service it was touching to see so many supporters of SIHG celebrate Pat’s life.  She affectionately was called Nana by the children at SIHG.

• We are proud and excited to announce two new board members:  Debbie Hall Friede and Nic Campos were voted onto the board at the annual meeting.

• Volunteers Needed:  Do you have construction experience, (or another skill you would be willing to share with us)?  SIHG needs help building their Girl’s home.  Contact us if you are interested in serving.

Patricia Ann Adams
June 30, 1930 – October 19, 2018

Patricia “Pat” Adams went to be with her Lord on Friday, October 19, 2018. Pat was born in Porterville, CA. on June 30, 1930. She was the daughter of Elmer and Frances Junker. As the child of a Baptist minister, she attended schools in Colorado, Oregon, and California. She graduated from Modesto High School and Modesto Junior College. Her brother Larry and her sister Lorraine preceded her in death. On August 27, 1950 she married Rev. Wayne Adams. They had met in the seventh grade. God blessed them with 68 years of marriage, two daughters, Becky and Wendy, three grandsons, RJ Campos (Kacey), Nic Campos, and Sam Campos, and three great grandchildren, Jesse Campos, Jillian Campos, and June Campos. Pat was always referred to as a homemaker, but she was so much more. She was the consummate pastor’s wife. As such, she will be remembered for her many years of visiting and caring for the sick, teaching children, counseling women, and singing in the church choir. She also taught a women’s Bible class for 25 years. The thousands of notes, cards, and letters she carefully wrote and sent to congratulate, encourage, comfort, and inspire will never be forgotten. Although she was a woman of great class and dignity, she never sought nor was comfortable with recognition or applause. 

Wayne and the entire Adams family would like to express their deepest thanks to everybody who has reached out to them with cards and notes of condolences as well as contributions in Pat’s memory.

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