Shepherd's Heart 12/27/24

This December, I received an unexpected gift that made it feel like the best Christmas ever! Have you ever experienced that joy deep within your soul as you become keenly aware of God’s Presence and witness Him at work?  For me this year, two things stood out: finding a place for Kate and Adele to live and delivering meal kits and essential items to 200 families in Nairobi, Kenya.  I can’t wait to share these impact stories with you! 

Kate is a young Russian mom pursuing asylum in our country. She is strong, and resilient and has been through a lot in her young life.  We first met them one year ago when she and her 7-month-old daughter Adele lived in a women’s shelter. For the past year, a Good Shepherd team mentored their sweet little family as part of a World Relief Home Team. The World Relief program and housing was scheduled to end on December 18th and Kate’s next steps were unclear as she struggled to earn enough income to be completely independent. She made tremendous strides this year amidst many challenges and Kate and Adele became like family to us here at Good Shepherd.  The thought of them returning to a shelter was not an option for us and we kept pursuing all avenues.  Kate has been going through the Bridge Communities interview process since early November to see if she would be a candidate for their transitional housing program.  Still unknown of the next steps we were preparing to move Kate out not knowing where they would go, we just kept praying for God to make a way forward for them. Then on Friday, December 13th, we were notified by Bridge Communities that Kate & Adele were being accepted into a two-year program in partnership with Good Shepherd. Our team cried tears of joy that day!  With just one week to spare, God made a way allowing us to play an important role in this family’s faith journey. We now have a team helping to furnish their new apartment, and another team being formed to provide weekly mentoring.  Adele is scheduled to be baptized here in February. This beautiful Christmas story reminded me how God often brings individuals in our midst to walk alongside and that His faithfulness and provision are with us every step of the way!

In December, we also had the ambitious goal of providing Christmas meal kits for the 130 families at Cherish Watoto Kenya. Our students come from the surrounding slum area where families struggle on about $2.00 a day.  Over the long winter break, it becomes even more difficult for families to provide enough food for their children as they generally rely on them receiving a meal at school. Good Shepherd your generosity allowed us to give the best gift of all, a Christmas essential meal kit including expensive staples like cooking oil, flour, rice, beans, and other life-sustaining supplies. These items cost one month’s salary for many. The word went out and the families arrived at Cherish to collect this incredible gift on Monday. Seeing the pictures from this impactful day made me shed tears of joy! But what happened next is what touched me so deeply. The staff at Cherish decided to take less for themselves to provide for other families in the community. So they packed up meal kits and essential items and went out into the neighboring slums and delivered items to known families struggling with a sick parent, children with disabilities, widows, and young moms. As word got out, other needy families lined up outside Cherish hoping for food for their families.  What we intended for 130 families, God used to bless over 800 individuals this Christmas. Because of your generosity, Cherish was a Beacon of Hope to its community in Nairobi like we strive to be for ours.  Over 200 families benefited and praised God for this incredible blessing during a challenging season in their lives. Our God provides!  We are working to upload pictures and videos to our website to share with you, but here is just a few. Warning, you might just need a Kleenex!

What a December to remember! A home for Kate and Adele, children with hunger pains now have full bellies, seniors, foster children, and fusion families were cared for among many other impactful stories.  God is here, He is moving! And Good Shepherd, we get to be a part of His incredible work! I’m so grateful for your partnership!  

I cannot wait to see what 2025 has in store for us! Happy New Year Friends!

~Jeannine Allen
Missional Engagement Executive Minister