Stu Ross - June 2020 Update

Based in Kikuyu, Kenya, Stu and Annie Ross are responsible for partnering through the Mission Projects Committee of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) in a ministry of building schools, churches, and girls’ rescue centers as well as managing water projects. Stu and Annie help link U.S. congregations with East African partners to strengthen the church for God’s mission. We recently received the following update from Stu:

Everything in Kenya has been shut down since March 23. Kenya has a dusk to dawn curfew which is strictly enforced. There is no movement allowed between counties. This has affected our church construction work in Kenya since that would involve moving from one county to another. Consequently, construction has stopped on ten churches that were in the process of being built.

CCAP Community Schools in Zambia - June 2020 Update

The CCAP Synod of Zambia is proud of its Community Schools Initiative, and rightly so. Because of the large number of vulnerable and orphaned children in Zambia, there is a critical need for them to access early learning opportunities in order to break the cycle of poverty in their lives.

The synod initially opened daycare centers with feeding programs in 2001 to serve poor communities. In 2004 these daycare centers were transformed into community schools. The community schools educate children who would not have access to school due to financial constraints. The synod now operates 40 community schools nationally, linked with CCAP congregations, that serve more than 6,000 vulnerable children. As the number of schools increased, the synod created a Department for Early Childhood Education and Community Schools.

Africa, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationJune 9, 2020CCAP Community Schools in Zambia, Zambia

Justo Mwale University - June 2020 Update

We received the note below from Lukas Soko, Vice-Chancellor of Justo Mwale University on May 27. Through the generosity of a number of congregations and individuals, Outreach provides full scholarships to 12 Presbyterian pastoral students each year at a cost of $5,500 per student. This augments scholarships that other partners provide. The mission of Justo Mwale is “to provide quality, contextual, Christ-centered, holistic education that empowers persons to serve the church, academy, and society in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.” It is a leading seminary in the region.

Greetings to you in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

How wonderful and edifying it is in these trying moments to stay connected through our relationship and partnership. I am greatly indebted to you for all your efforts and would like to update you on what is going on at Justo Mwale University during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also my prayer that The Outreach Foundation community at large is in good health and under God’s providence.

Help for South Sudanese Refugees

“Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

South Sudanese refugees, in the camps of Ethiopia and Kenya, are struggling to survive, where living conditions are crowded, UN agencies are underfunded, PPE is at a premium, and people are hungry. But what is so amazing about this situation is that the church leaders in the camps are describing an even deeper hunger - for God’s Word. They seem to truly understand the ultimate Source of Help. We, at The Outreach Foundation, are eager to help them meet this priority need. Through our past involvement in trauma healing, literacy training, and Bible distribution, we now have learned of an opportunity to ship a container of 5,000 Bibles in the Nuer language to the refugees!

Bill and Bette Bryant Crisis Nursery - April 2020 Update

We recently received this update from our partners serving vulnerable children and families in Lusaka. Their critical ministry is changing the lives of children, mothers and families in Jesus’ name.

COVID-19 Emergency Response

While the worst health and economic impacts of COVID-19 in Zambia are yet to come, the country is already struggling with economic turmoil and severe hunger. Last year, Zambia suffered its worst drought in over 40 years, followed by floods in the rainy season that destroyed crops and property and displaced people in districts across the country. In the months to come, the impact of COVID-19 will grow in Zambia and worsen the conditions of millions of orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children. Our partners Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) and Christian Alliance for Children in Zambia (CACZ) continue to serve in Jesus' name, providing regular programming with extra precautions and emergency responses for those most affected.

Bob and Kristi Rice - April 2020 Update

Greetings to you in the name of Christ our Savior!

We want to send you a quick update on our current situation. In light of the global pandemic, Presbyterian World Mission requested all mission co-workers to return to the U.S. We had prepared to 'shelter-in-place' in Juba, but realized that with the uncertain future and border closings it might be good to return. We made quick plans and left Juba to return to the U.S. We self-isolated for a couple of weeks as a precaution in case we picked up anything while traveling and are now staying in IL until we can return to Juba.

Holistic Evangelism in Tete Province - April 2020 Update

Note from Outreach: We are receiving frequent updates from global partners on how they are coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outreach trustee Berry Long shared the following news of partners in Tete Province:

Dear friends of Tete Province,

I want to give you an update on our Holistic Evangelism Project in Tete Province, Mozambique. The government of Mozambique has instituted social distancing and mitigation efforts to try and prevent widespread COVID-19 infection. At this point, there are very few reported cases in the country, but there has been very little testing. I am happy to report that Sebber and her family are well.

Home of Hope - Update

Note from Outreach:
We hope you and your loved ones are well during this time of COVID-19. The Outreach staff is well, and our global mission efforts continue. We received this update from Home of Hope in late March and encourage you to pray for our dear partners in Zimbabwe.

We thank our Heavenly Father for many undeserved blessings that He has given to us all. The most precious gift He has given to us is His dear Son Jesus. It is hard to fathom that He would send His one and only Son to save us from perishing from our sins!! What kind of love is this? The amazing free gift of salvation where He gives us the power to become His children. We did not earn our salvation by good works but Jesus did the work by dying on the cross for us. Unearned mercy, love and forgiveness.

There are many trials and difficulties here... water problems, drought, a fuel crisis, high inflation, shortages of the staple diet of mealie meal (very expensive if we do get it), high schooling costs, poverty, depression, poor wages, high unemployment, high cost of medicines and hospitals, cash shortages, fear of the future ... but for us, the Good News never disappears. Jesus is alive... God is always there for us in these troubling times. The difficulties never seem to go away but God is with us to get us through each moment of each day.

Africa, Projects, Partnership, Vulnerable ChildrenThe Outreach FoundationApril 9, 2020Home of Hope, Zimbabwe

Your gifts to the COVID-19 Emergency Appeal are making a difference…in Kenya

Thanks to your gifts for Outreach’s COVID-19 Emergency Appeal we have been able to send $5000 to the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA).

These weeks and months have affected churches around the world, but GOD’S MISSION IS GOING FORWARD. Much like here, the Kenyan government has taken measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19: all schools have been closed, all public gatherings have been banned, and all travelers are restricted from entering Kenya for the next 30 days. The church has complied with the government directives by canceling worship services and any other meetings.

Africa, COVID-19 Appeal UpdatesThe Outreach FoundationApril 8, 2020

Bob and Kristi Rice - Update

Greetings to you in the name of Christ our Savior! We want to send you a quick update on our current situation. In light of the current global Coronavirus pandemic, Presbyterian World Mission requested all mission co-workers to return to the U.S. We had prepared to 'shelter-in-place' in Juba, but realized that with the uncertain future and border closings it might be good to return. We made quick plans and left Juba on Sunday to return to the U.S. We are self-isolating for a couple of weeks as a precaution in case we picked up anything while traveling, and then will be staying in IL until we can return to Juba.

It was very hard to leave! We had returned to Juba in January and were so glad to be home, then being uprooted at a time when home is a source of comfort was painful and disconcerting. On Sunday just before leaving, we read Psalm 23 in the message version, and took comfort in the concluding verse, "I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life." Truly, our home is with God, wherever we are, and we are grateful for His promises and presence.

Africa, Missionaries, PartnershipThe Outreach FoundationApril 1, 2020Bob and Kristi Rice, South Sudan

Frank Dimmock - March 2020 Update

In October I had the privilege of delivering the World Communion Sunday message at my ‘home church’ North Avenue Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. It provided a great opportunity to share about Outreach’s ministry with refugees from South Sudan. I also joined Nancy Fox, Juan Sarmiento and Jeff Ritchie at the Connecting Mission Leaders Conference in Minneapolis. The conference was hosted by The Outreach Foundation and Frontier Fellowship and was an occasion for networking with mission leaders and sister organizations. I traveled to Kenya and Ethiopia during November. It was exciting to collect the initial printing of 200 trauma healing books printed in the Nuer language. I carried 50 with me to Gambella, Ethiopia, to distribute among those trained and actively involved in trauma healing

Africa, Missionaries, PartnershipThe Outreach FoundationMarch 31, 2020Frank Dimmock, South Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia

Dan & Elizabeth Turk - March 2020

Dear Friends,

The grand opening of the FJKM Fruit Tree Center at Mahatsinjo is just around the corner!

On March 19th and 20th, the FJKM President and about 200 others will gather at Mahatsinjo 4 hours NW of the capital city to dedicate the new training center dorm and officially open the work of the Fruit Tree Center. This work began in 2016 with the purchase of land in “mango country.” The Fruit Tree Center now has 2 buildings and over 80 varieties of mangos planted out as well as other promising fruit tree species for Madagascar like cannistel.

AfricaThe Outreach FoundationMarch 12, 2020Madagascar

Jeff and Christi Boyd - March 2020 Update

Mamonjy, A Human Trafficking Prevention Campaign in Madagascar

Dear friends and family,

Once rescued, survivors of human trafficking are often reluctant to talk about their experiences. This is usually because they are afraid of being blamed by family and community for the exploitation and abuse they’ve suffered at the hands of bosses and employment agencies. Juliette (not her real name), however, is speaking out. She is concerned about other women who may fall victim to profiteers. When I met her several years ago, she agreed for me to record her personal story, trusting that I would share it with sensitivity.

Juliette decided to escape Madagascar’s financial crisis after a military coup in 2009. She approached a recruitment agency that offered her employment in Kuwait. Yet the hard work, lack of free time and imposed religious observances took a toll on her health and eventually landed her in a hospital. Juliette realized it would be better for her to return to her home, but she faced many obstacles: “The agency didn’t allow me to return to Madagascar. The agency wanted me to stay and work. Then the people at the agency beat me and forced me back to work.” Complicating Juliette’s situation was the fact that her passport had been confiscated upon her arrival at Kuwait’s airport, and Madagascar has no diplomatic representation in Kuwait to advocate on her behalf. Eventually, she escaped and ran to the French Embassy, where staff helped her find temporary shelter.

Juliette is one of 235 trafficked Malagasy women rescued from working against their will in Lebanon or Kuwait over the past decade with the help of the Rev. Helivao Poget.

Presbytery of Zimbabwe Ministry for Children at Risk - February 2020 Update

Formerly known as Lovemore Home, the Ministry for Children at Risk in Harare rescued many boys from the streets of Zimbabwe. When Lovemore Home closed as a residential home for boys at the end of 2014, The Outreach Foundation and several of its donors made a commitment to helping the boys who lived in the orphanage complete their education.

We have some exciting updates on these boys! Tichaona Baradzi is excelling in Veterinary Sciences at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare. He is completing an attachment (like our internships) learning to inspect and grade meats and poultry. Munashe Kamangira is a student at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He will complete an attachment in Information Technology and Accounting this August.

Northern Outreach and New Church Development in Ghana - February 2020 Update

Celebrating a Decade of Growth in Ghana

The Presbyterian Church of Ghana had its origins 191 years ago when Swiss Reformed missionaries started working in what used to be called the Gold Coast. With close to one million members, it continues to live out its missionary vocation through the establishment of Presbyteries to serve Ghanaian communities in many different locations.

The Outreach Foundation has had the privilege of walking alongside the Upper Presbytery since it was first established by the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in November 2010. We rejoice over their ongoing faithfulness to Christ and Christ's work as they prepare to celebrate their tenth anniversary. During this time, they have added more than ten thousand new members to their rolls, which represents approximately one thousand new members a year!

Frank Dimmock - January 2020 Update

Dear friends,

Elizabeth and Hawida are two of my heroes, whose lives have deeply inspired mine this past year and whose stories it is my privilege to share. Elizabeth fled the ravages of the civil war in South Sudan with 30+ children in her care and managed to bring them to safety across the border in Kenya. She is currently raising 10 of the children and has shared the care of the others with a group of foster widows. Her Presbyterian congregation has stepped up to help the widows with moral support and encouragement and by sharing their food rations. Sewing machines and training to help sustain the widows’ foster-care program have been provided by generous donors through The Outreach Foundation.

And what a privilege it was to meet Hawida during a November visit, a 20-year old young woman who fled fighting in the Nuba Mountains and walked for many days before reaching safety in Kakuma camp in northern Kenya. She was raised in the Muslim faith and is not of the predominant Nuer tribe. She was lonely and hopeless and isolated. She longed for hope and a sense of belonging. Last June she was chosen to take part in an Outreach Foundation facilitated trauma healing training and found faith, hope and a sense of belonging in the Christian “tribe” that gathered around her. She is redeemed, and God has a future and a hope for her!

Africa, Missionaries, PartnershipThe Outreach FoundationJanuary 30, 2020Frank Dimmock, Kenya, South Sudan

Bob and Kristi Rice - Update

How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? Psalm 116:12

At the end of November, we finished our visits to churches for this year. We reflected on all the ways God has encouraged and blessed us as we have traveled around, reconnecting with so many of you who partner with us. We are truly grateful to God and to all the people we encountered along the way. Here are a few pictures and highlights of things we are grateful for in this season:

1. Safe travel…about 10,000 road miles logged and a few flights. We prayed extra hard on the curves and hills of West Virginia in the driving rain!

2. All the people who expressed an interest in South Sudan and the work of the church there – who asked probing questions and wanted to learn more.

Africa, Missionaries, PartnershipThe Outreach FoundationJanuary 6, 2020Bob and Kristi Rice, Nile Theological College

Namumu Orphanage Center - December 2019 Update

My Life Matters
The Story of a Namumu Girl Named Racheal Bbautu

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want… Psalm 23

Racheal believes in Psalm 23. As you read through her story below, please consider what can happen when we obey the Lord and extend the hand of generosity to rescue a child. The sky is the limit for Racheal!

My name is Racheal Bbautu. I was born in 2004 in the Mundulundulu village of Siavonga, Zambia. I was very fortunate to come to Namumu Orphanage Center in 2013.

In June 2008, when I was four years old, I lost my mother and my younger sister on the same day within two hours of each other. In 2011, my father was jailed for five years which left me alone and totally helpless. I moved in with my grandparents, but life was difficult. When I was eight, my grandmother could not care for me anymore, so she took me to Namumu Orphanage Center for assistance. I was lucky they accepted me.

Africa, Partnership, Projects, Vulnerable ChildrenThe Outreach FoundationDecember 19, 2019Namumu Orphanage Center, Zambia

Partner Updates

Note from Outreach:We hope you and your loved ones are well during this time of COVID-19. The Outreach staff is well, and our global mission efforts continue. We received this update from Home of Hope in late March and encourage you to pray for our dear partners in Zimbabwe.

Note from Outreach:
We hope you and your loved ones are well during this time of COVID-19. The Outreach staff is well, and our global mission efforts continue. We received this update from Home of Hope in late March and encourage you to pray for our dear partners in Zimbabwe.