Send Sharon to Kenya!
Hi Everyone!
As most of you know, the past couple of years have been a period of
transition for me! When I left my position at North Point Community Church in
2011, I had no idea where God would take me next and, to be honest, I was more
than a little scared! But a few weeks
into the job search, my good friend Connie approached me about helping her grow
the ministry to Kenya that she founded five years ago. My first thought was "sure, as long as I
don't have to go to Kenya!" I'd already
been contributing financially to Partners for Care for
several years, but never grasped the importance of that support until I went to
work for them.
Partners for Care
(PFC) is a
small 501 (c)(3) which exists to glorify God by battling the spread and effects
of HIV/AIDS and other preventable diseases in Kenya through partnership with
other individuals, organizations and agencies. We envision a day when the
spread of HIV/AIDS will be eliminated, including the unnecessary transmission
from an infected mother to her unborn child, and when those already infected
will be provided with compassionate and ongoing care to improve their longevity
and quality of life. Below are some of our life-changing initiatives.
·
Medical Clinic in Marurui slum - provides affordable
healthcare including disease assessment and treatment as well as community
health education to the materially poor. Over 22,000 have been treated in medical camps.
·
Water Pack Distribution to replace jerry cans,
which contribute to water-born illnesses and physical problems in women and
children.
·
what if? Life Changing Centre in Marurui slum with
a computer school, 2nd Chance Education program, and medical clinic.
·
what if? Life Changing Centre in Marsabit with a
computer school.
·
Sports Programs (soccer and volleyball).
·
HIV/AIDS Prevention - music outreach and medical
programming for the eradication and prevention of HIV/AIDS in East Africa. Over
267,000 have been reached with the
message of HIV/AIDS prevention.
·
Marsabit Mission - medical outreach focused on the
treatment of children infested with jiggers (a parasite). In addition, 8,825 bed nets have been distributed
to prevent the spread of malaria.
·
Kathi's House of Restoration in Mai Mahui -
provides temporary care and treatment of children orphaned by HIV/ AIDS.
·
Hope Garden - a small farm in Mai Mahui used to
grow food to distribute to orphans and children at risk.
·
Beading project for Rendille women in Marsabit as
source of family income.
But it's not just the factors mentioned above. It's also the
numbers 0 and 27.
Partners for Care has 0 staff, facilities or infrastructure in the U.S. to
support. Our U.S.-based directors and board members are all volunteers who
contribute to the ministry, rather than drawing a salary from it. Sure, we have
operating and administrative expenses that we can't avoid, but our board
members and directors fund these expenses so that all other donations go
directly to Kenya. Connie is so
determined to keep this number at zero that she funds my salary through her
business as a nursing home consultant, instead of through PFC donations.
The number of paid PFC staff members in Kenya is 27 "“ all Kenyans with a desire to serve in
their own communities. PFC is dedicated to encouraging, enabling,
equipping, and empowering these Kenyan leaders to do the work that they are
called to do. So, we are investing in growing these men and women as godly
leaders "“ through leadership books, DVDs, Bible studies, and other avenues. The
even more exciting part is that they, in turn, are training up leaders in their
communities!
Why am I telling you all this?
PFC encourages individuals to come to Kenya in
order to personally catch our vision and consider long-term partnership with
us. Despite my words to the contrary,
God had another plan and "yours truly" will be traveling to Kenya March 19-26,
2013 to meet, serve, and support our staff there!
I would be so blessed by your prayers for God's hand on this trip. Would
you also consider a financial contribution? My airfare has already been covered; however,
I need to raise an additional $2000 to support my expenses while on the ground.
Please click on the donate button on this site to make your contribution through GoFundMe.
We all have our passions, but I never thought Kenya would be one of
mine. For reasons only God knows, He has placed me in an organization where I
never thought I'd be, and where I am largely out of my comfort zone. But that's the way God works sometimes, isn't
it? He doesn't call the equipped; He
equips the called.
Humbly thanking you in advance,
Sharon
Dicks
Partners for Care
http://www.partnersforcare.org
770.294.3586
