LifeMission Family, 

When I moved to Haiti in 2018 and started working alongside a ministry that ran an orphanage there, I got the privilege of getting to know a little girl named Rebecca. Rebecca is the kind of girl that’s FULL of energy and joy, the leader of the pack, and she thinks everything is the funniest thing ever.

Rebecca didn’t have very many moments that she settled down and got serious, so the day she sat with me on a picnic table and told me about her family sticks out in my memory. She shared with me the few memories she had at home before entering the orphanage and mainly about how much she missed her Dad, and how badly she wanted to go home and be with him.

I remember feeling confused. In my mind, the orphanage was good enough for her. She was getting three meals a day, had a ton of kids to play with, could go to school for free and didn’t have to worry about anything scary outside those four walls.

When the leadership of that ministry started looking into the benefits of family reunification versus institutional care, it was abundantly clear that “good enough” in an orphanage wasn’t good enough. When God has entrusted so many precious lives to you, you don’t want just good enough, you want the very best. So, we started the process of partnering with a ministry that could help us successfully and safely reunify all those kids with their families.

Rebecca has been home with her Dad now for a couple years and it brings my heart so much joy thinking about what God has done for her. From a daughter, to an orphan longing to be with her family again but separated by poverty, to a daughter again - this time with a partner ministry standing with her family and promoting their togetherness.

There are so many other precious kids sitting in orphanages and on the streets today that have very similar stories to Rebecca, longing to be back with their families again. This year through our Mission Christmas giving and our partnership with Agape Children’s Ministry, kids get the opportunity to go home and be with their families again - and in my opinion, that’s the best gift we can give this Christmas season.

Blessings, 
Cara Ernest
Global Missions and Local Outreach Coordinator

Mission Christmas Update

We've raised over $4000 towards our goal of $75,000!

This year for Mission Christmas, we're partnering with Agape Children's Ministry. Agape Children’s Ministry has been caring for the children of Kenya for many years. Their holistic approach has proven successful at permanently reunifying children with their families to keep them out of orphanages and off the streets. Your Mission Christmas giving will help establish a 20-bed Rescue Center in Nakuru, Kenya.

Any additional funds raised will go to help motivated ministries transition from institutional care to a family first model.

Agape Outreach Testimony

"I loved having the opportunity to partner with Agape in Kenya! I especially loved doing outreach to the kids on the streets. We saw several people accept Christ and were able to pray over so many of them for safety and healing in their hearts.

A special moment, though, was when we were visiting a teen girl who Agape had reunified with her family. Their follow ups are an opportunity to encourage the kids and make sure they are doing well. While we were talking to her, I had a word from the Lord for her. I spoke out those words of identity and affirmation and when we said goodbye, she spontaneously hugged me! It’s customary to shake everyone’s hand for greetings and farewells, but hugs are much less common. I knew that the words the Lord had given me to speak over her made her feel loved, which was what the Lord wanted!"

-Desi 

Mission Partner Spotlight

"Sin is a problem. We see this truth within Scripture, and we see the real effects of sin daily, locally and globally. In the developing world, the evidence of our fallen nature stands out much more prominently. You see its affect upon institutions at all levels – within the highest levels of government and within the humblest of families. In Kenya, tens of thousands of children live separated from their homes and families. Some live on the streets, others are incarcerated, and some live in orphanages. Most of these children live this way because of conflicts within their homes – they are runaways, and many times, they are the abused and neglected of society.

For the past 30 years, Agape Children’s Ministry (agapechildren.org) has worked to reconcile these children back to their families. Daily, Agape RESCUES children from the streets and from the police cells of Kisumu and Kitale, Kenya and brings them to our campuses for short-term REHABILITATION. Over a period of 1-3 months, Agape’s staff ministers to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of these children while finding and preparing these children’s family members for their return back home. When the family is ready and the child is ready, Agape REINTEGRATES these children back with a safe family member. We are praising God that since 2010, He has enabled Agape to reintegrate over 5,500 children back with their family members, over 78% of which have remained home long-term. We are in the midst of expanding our ministry work to the city of Nakuru in February 2024, which will enable Agape to rescue, rehabilitate, and reintegrate over 1,200 children separated from their families every year.

Agape’s mission extends far beyond family reconciliation, though. All of us have a major problem – we are sinners in need of a Savior. And the only answer for our problem is God’s saving grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Whether on the streets, in children’s prison, on our campuses, or with families, REDEEM is our primary focus. Agape’s staff preaches the Gospel at every opportunity, because it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that we can be reconciled to our Heavenly Father. And as the Gospel is preached, God saves! Over 800 children and family members have trusted in Jesus as their Savior since the beginning of 2022. Agape then walks with children and family members to help them to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.” (2 Peter 3:18) "

Mission Monday

There will be no Mission Monday in the month of December. 

Due to 21 Days of Prayer in January, Mission Monday will be on the fourth Monday of the month, January 22nd. Join us in the Barn at 7pm.
We can't wait to see you there!

Local Outreach in December

REFUGE KC