The Village Time Forgot and other news from Mission:180 in Kenya

The "road" to the village. Rough going.  We were bounced
around a lot, I even got a sore back from this ride.

We travel in two vehicles, this is our super tough
Mitsubishi Pajero Exceed.

The new Toyota Hilux Surf. We spend a lot of time
in these vehicles.
What a day we had yesterday. We spent over 6 hours in the vehicles, 4 of them literally off the road, bouncing over boulders, through ditches, dried stream beds, up and down steep boulder strewn hills and through thorny Acacia tree shrubs.

Not much has changed in how the traditional Masai live
for many generations. This is a real Masai community.

We arrived in this beautiful valley at a very old, very traditional Masai Village.  These people are unaware of such things as the internet.  They have not changed the way they live for generations.

What brings us so far out of the way to a little forgotten part of the world? Hope, love, compassion, and a genuine desire to deliver the aforementioned qualities to some desperately needy people.  Its hamper time for Mission:180 in Kenya.  Its the time of the year when we really focus on connecting our Canadian supporters with Kenyans in desperate need.  We accomplish this by giving you the opportunity to purchase a hamper of staple foods that we will assemble and deliver on your behalf.

Some of the Masai men in the village.   

We need your help to fulfill our purposes here in Kenya.  The Christmas Hamper initiative, called "Hampers Of Hope", is one way you can do that. We are here in Kenya to improve the lives of the Kenyan people one life at a time.  Providing food to people in desperately needy situations is one way we do accomplish this huge task.
If you haven't already done so, please sign up by emailing jennifer@mission180.ca,  and indicate you want to feed a family in Kenya this Christmas.  For more details, read the post from September 17 on this page.

Home Sweet Home!

The Village Time Forgot.

We have guests from Canada with us now all the way through to December 2nd. We have more arriving on the 1st of December, through till the 13th.  Then we are blessed with more from December 28 - January 10. It's amazing to host our friends from Canada, to see Kenya through your eyes, most of you for the first time.  It's refreshing, encouraging, and a real treat for us. We are thrilled to host you.  Why not plan a life changing Impact Trip to Kenya! You will not leave here like you came!

Everyone loves sweets!

 

Jeremy, one of our staff, who serves as our  Community
Liaison with the Masai people. He is standing with the
local pastor and some of the residents of the village.

We have the amazing privilege of visiting these beautiful people in their homes and communities, bringing them much needed staple foods, and this message of hope, "Someone out there knows about me, and cares"! Thank-you so much to all of you who have donated for the hamper program. Without you, this does not happen.  We need more hampers, so if you want to be a part of this incredible initiative, please let us know ASAP! We will be thrilled to deliver hope on your behalf this Christmas season!

Mission:180's Christmas Gift Giving Options 2012

It is only mid September but we here at Mission:180 in Kenya are already gearing up for the Christmas season.  We are very excited to announce our annual "Christmas Gift Giving Options" for the current year!!

This year we are offering the following 3 options for you to give back this Christmas Season:

Option #1

Hampers of Hope

A Christmas hamper is not only a gift of food; it's a gift of HOPE!  It is a gift that says someone cares about us!

The cost of the hamper is $70 Canadian and is broken down as follows:

• $65 for food items in hamper
• $5 cost of delivering hamper (Fuel)

 

Each hamper will contain 135 pounds of staple foods made up of the following:

•                2 - 2kg bags of Chapati Flour 

•                2 - 5kg bags of Rice

•                2 - 2kg bags of Sugar

•                3 - 10kg bags of Maize Flour

•                4 - 1kg bags of Kidney Beans

•                4 - 1kg bags of Nyayo Beans

•                1 - 1kg bag of Sour Porridge

•                1 - 1kg bag of Uji Porridge

•                1 - 500 gram bag of Tea

•                1 - 5kg tub of Cooking Fat

•                1 - 500gram bag of salt

•                1 - Laundry/Dish soap

This is enough food to feed a family of four to six people for up to 10 weeks.  By donating a hamper, it not only provides much needed physical sustenance but also hope and encouragement that somewhere there are people who know about them and their situation, and who care enough to give generously to help them.

   

By mid December each hamper donor will receive an email from Jennifer with pictures and a short bio of the family that received your hamper.

If you would like to be a part of this program and purchase a Christmas Hamper as a gift for yourself or on behalf of someone else, please email Jennifer at jennifer@mission180.ca

Please ensure that you send an email to Jennifer to indicate how many hampers you would like to donate BEFORE you send payment.

Payment options are cheque or PayPal though our website at www.mission180.ca but please note that any payments made through PayPal will need to have a $2 transaction fee added to it.

·      Paying by cheque - $70

·      Paying by PayPal - $72 

Mission:180 will issue receipts for all hampers in early 2013.  

The final cut off for all Christmas Hampers is November 15th so that we can deliver them in time for Christmas.

Option #2

Housing Project

It has begun!  The big project that God brought Mission:180 to Kenya for has started!  We have broken ground and begun construction on the 1st of 12 children's homes.    Each individual house will cost $50,000.00.

This year, as part of Mission:180's annual Christmas Gift Giving Options, we are looking for 100 people/families/businesses/groups to donate $500 each to help us complete construction on the 1st house.   This Christmas you can help Mission:180 make a PERMANENT difference in the lives of 8 orphans and 1 widow.

If a contribution of $500 is too much for you or your family then maybe consider teaming up with family/friends/co-workers and sharing the $500 donation between you.  Feel free to get creative or to donate whatever amount is comfortable for you.

Donations can be made the following ways:

•                you can contribute through PayPal by clicking the "donate" button on our website at www.mission180.ca or our blog at www.m180.blogspot.com

•                sending a cheque made out to "Mission:180 Ministries" to:

                     Mission:180 Ministries

                     1505 Jackson Ave

                     Saskatoon, SK

                     S7H 2N1

Please mark or mention "building fund" when making your donation.  Tax receipts for all donations will be issued in early 2013 so please ensure you provide us with your correct mailing address as well as your email address so that we can keep you updated as things progress.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact jason@mission180.ca or jennifer@mission180.ca

Option #3

Education Sponsorship

**Please note - Last year the sponsorship spots went fast so I would recommend emailing Jennifer as soon as possible to let us know who you would like to sponsor.**

Nikita Dangi

Nikita was born on June 24, 2009 and will be attending Nursery School at Hakibiafra Academy in January.  Nikita loves to play with her skipping rope in her spare time as well as playing with her sister and her neighbors.  Nikita’s favorite color is pink.

Please note that Nikita’s school fees include a snack and tea 5 days a week as she only attends school from 8:00 am until noon.

The fees required for Nikita to attend Nursery School are $200.00 CDN.

We are looking for 4 people to sponsor Nikita at $50 each.

If you would like to help Nikita attend Nursery School in January please contact Jennifer at jennifer@mission180.ca

Prudence Kagonya

Prudence was born on September 9, 2000 and will be entering Grade 7 at Excel Academy in Nairobi in January 2013.  Her favorite subject at school is Social Studies.  Prudence enjoys participating in athletics, specifically racing events but in her spare time she really enjoys playing hide and seek with her friends.  Prudence’s favorite color is pink.

Please note that Prudence’s school fees include lunch and tea 5 days a week.

The fees required for Prudence to attend Grade 7 are $700.00 CDN.

We are only looking for 1 more person to sponsor Prudence for $70 as we have already raised $630.00 towards her fees.

If you would like to help Prudence attend Grade 7 in January please contact Jennifer at jennifer@mission180.ca

Bryce Mbulika

Bryce was born on March 26, 2008 and will be entering Kindergarten at Excel Academy in January 2013.   His favorite subject at school is learning how to read.  Bryce loves to play soccer in his spare time but was just given a bicycle so he spends a lot of time riding it.  Bryce says that blue is his favorite color.

Please note that Bryce’s school fees include lunch and tea 5 days a week.

The fees required for Bryce to attend Kindergarten are $600.00 CDN.

We are only looking for 2 more people to sponsor Bryce at $75 each as we have already raised $450.00 towards his fees.

If you would like to help Bryce attend Kindergarten in January please contact Jennifer at jennifer@mission180.ca

Thank you so much for your support of the various projects we here at Mission:180 are working at providing. You generosity makes it possible for us to make an IMPACT, one life at a time, one family at at time.  May this coming Christmas season be a time of blessing and peace in your family, home and workplace.

Sincerely,

Jennifer and Jason Sheppard

Mission:180 Ministries

Ground Breaking, The construction begins!

On September 5th 2012, we went out to Mission:180's land to have a ground-breaking ceremony.  We prayed, we read some scripture and we dedicated the property, asking God to bless it, to provide safety for the workers doing the building, and peace and love in the homes from day one of construction!

Mission:180 Kenya! Left to right, Jeremy Sailoji, Jennifer and Jason
Sheppard, and Joseph Mutua. We broke the ground together!

This was a very exciting day, with a great sense of progress and moving forward towards the big project we have come to Kenya to do.

It was great to have Maurice and Maureen Potter, fellow missionaries
with us for this dedication.

In building, and life, its all about paying attention to the foundation!

To see more pictures from this great day and more details about the construction, click on this link to go to Mission:180's web albums. 

Back to Canada - June & July 2012

Summer In Canada 2012

This cake was donated by Bridge City Cakes for our fundraiser in
Saskatoon! Thanks Arvelle and Wayne, you guys rock!
We didn't want to cut it!

Visiting Jennifer's parents in B.C. Larry always flies
the flag of whatever part of the world we are living in  when we visit!

This summer was our first scheduled home assignment to Canada.  We completed our first term in Kenya, and it was time to head to Canada to report to our board and our supporters about what we have been up to here in Kenya, what we have accomplished, and the various challenges, victories, setbacks etc. we have experienced so far in Mission:180's work here.

It was a very busy two and a half months, and we planned it that way. We had many people to see, many meetings to have, and churches to visit, and friends and family to reconnect with.  We had a blast.  It was a whirlwind, and sometimes it felt like "Hurricane Sheppard", blowing in and out of towns and peoples homes so quickly! We drove over 10,000 kilometres in that time, in two different vehicles lent to us by Saskatoon Hyundai, and Blackburn Motors! These generous gifts saved Mission:180 several thousand dollars in rentals and made it possible for us to get where we had to go! We are very grateful!

We really needed get to Canada this summer. This was the longest we have ever been outside of Canada, and certainly the longest we ever stayed in what is known as a "developing nation". Without going into too much detail, we were ready for a break! We were treated so well by family, friends, churches, even strangers. What a privilege to see you all and share the excitement of what God is doing through Mission:180 here in Kenya, with the support of great Canadians who believe in us and the work we are doing!

While we were in Saskatoon, we had a very important board meeting.  There was business to attend to, decisions to be made and budgets to be set. Below is a picture of our excellent leadership team. From left to right, Don Schoenfeld, Mark Emde, Jason Sheppard, Ashley Drayton, Jennifer Sheppard, Nathan Cressman, and Nancy Emde.

Mission:180's Stellar leadership team. 

We are blessed to have the calibre of people who give of their time, energy, and resources as the leaders of Mission :180.  We cannot do this without their guidance and input, and we don't want to try.

Of course, there was some time made for fun and visiting. Below are several pictures of Joshua enjoying some fun on the lake. These opportunities do not present themselves in Kenya, so he was eager to seize the day.  Thanks Uncle Frank, Aunt Cheryl, and honorary big bro Tim Behrendt! You are such a blessing to us and Mission:180! We love you!

The goal with Uncle Frank is always to get airborne!

Success and FUN!

Thanks for my first knee-boarding lesson
and experience Uncle Frank!

We left Canada to return home to Nairobi on August 1st. We arrived here on August 3rd at 2:30 AM. We were tired, but glad to be home.  It was a long trip home. All but two of our 13 checked bags made it on the same flight as us, and the last two came by the end of the following week!

We already miss you!  Our times with our parents, siblings, nieces and nephews and our great friends and supporters were so special. We love you all. For all the moments we will miss pursuing our calling here, we are sorry! Some days this ocean between us seems so big! We really miss you. 

What's Next? Stay tuned for updates on the following:

• Mission:180's process to become registered as a Non-Governmental Organization In Kenya.
• The development of the land we now own in Masai-Land.
• The upcoming school and Christmas Hamper Sponsorship Campaign!
• The general joys and challenges of life and work in Kenya!

Again, to those who take the time to read this, to stay informed about what we are doing, and to those who support us financially, emotionally and spiritually, we say THANK YOU VERY MUCH! ASANTE SANA!

Great News From Kenya!!!

We are returning to Canada in 6 days! We are counting down the days and we can’t wait to see you all as we travel around and visit with the various churches, businesses and individuals who are helping us accomplish our work here in Kenya!

A corner of Mission:180's land. This 1.5 acre piece has
the buildings on it.

BEFORE WE COME HOME…….We have some very exciting news about a very recent development here in Kenya. 

When we left Canada in December of 2010, we had some lofty goals and a list of things we wanted to see accomplished before we return in 2012.  When we set these goals, we had no idea how slowly things moved here in Kenya, or how tough it is to accomplish what would be simple tasks back in Canada.  

We will be sharing with you all in Canada about what we have accomplished here in Kenya, when we visit your churches, homes, and even workplaces over the next few months.  But I want to share with you all one REALLY BIG AND EXCITING piece of news!

Looking out towards the Ngong Hills and The Great Rift Valley. 

One of our big goals was to acquire land here for the purpose of building the children’s homes and community center.  A place of safety and blessing that would benefit the residents and the surrounding community.  Up until 4 weeks ago, we were planning to come home with that goal unreached. 

Out of the blue, Mission:180 has been GIVEN 6.5 hectares of land, or 16 acres! This land lies in an area of Kenya where we have actively been involved in doing 

relief work, as well as traditional Christian ministry.  It’s an area we love with people we love.  We will be working among the Massai there.  This land is valued at around 700,000 Canadian dollars.  It has a borehole (a well) and several buildings already on it. 

We are already giving back to that community where the land is, with a community water project.  Daily, 1000 people, and 1,500 animals are benefitting from clean healthy drinking water.  We have hired a local man to be our community liaison and water project manager. 

Some cattle, a very important part of Masai Culture, at the watering
trough that is apart of our community water project.

The Top of the Borehole

This is a part of Kenya we have always found beautiful.  The pictures do not do it justice.  To be given this land to conduct charitable work on is an incredible blessing.  To understand how significant this donation is, and how unheard of in Kenya , I will tell you that other missionaries are using the word “Miracle”, to describe it.

WE NEED A LITTLE HELP!

There is one small hiccup you may be able to help with.   We need $6,000 Canadian dollars to finalize the transfer documents, and have the land in our names.  This will make it possible for us to begin development as soon as we arrive back in Kenya early in August.

If you are able and willing, please click on the donate tab on this blog, and follow the directions to make a contribution through PAYPAL.  If that is not a way you want to donate, feel free to send a cheque to Mission:180, 1505 Jackson Ave. Saskatoon SK.  S7H 2N1. Just mark “land” on the memo line so we know you want the funds to go in that direction.  Any funds above the needed amount will go towards the development and maintenance of the property.

We are so grateful for your help! We cannot do this important work without you!

CANADA, HERE WE COME!!!

This panoramic shot shows the whole 16 acres.  From the buildings on the left, to the top right corner, this has been given to Mission:180 to make an IMPACT in Kenya!

The pinpoint is at about the 1/3 point of the whole property.  The whole rectangle, with the green buildings at the bottom, and the road at the top, this is the whole 16 acres!

Hamper Delivery Dance.

This short video shows how happy the kids are when we show up with a hamper of food.  They love to see the camera, especially when we flip the viewfinder around for them to see themselves.  This is a real treat.