Current News Update.
HOT OFF THE PRESS - JANUARY 2009
Hope Family Homes News Update and request. -
The windows and doors are now in place, the builder now wants to start on the water tower so as to finish the "construction" and then concentrate on the inside.
Shalom to all our friends and supporters,
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to the "Buy a Brick" fund. I can now tell you that all the "bricks" are in place.
There is however a need for money for the next phase. We have windows and security doors in place and before we can proceed with the interior we have to put in place a water tower constructed of steel and capable of holding a10,000 litre water tank (it has to be this size because of the pressure required to gravity feed a house of this size.) We almost have enough to pay for this around £4,500, we are waiting for the inland revenue to refund some tax. A total of £23,000 is still needed to complete all phases. Totals are subject to exchange rates and local economy.
Secondly I would like you to consider becoming part of Gideon's army. Gideon had an army of 300. We need 300 people (or more) who could spare £5 (or more) per month to enable us to continue to run the home. We have outgoings of 179,500ksh (approx £1500) recently with lower exchange rate this is nearer £2000 per calendar month. This includes 35p per head for 3 meals per day for 17 people! We cannot turn the children off for Christmas or turn others away. If you would like to see a break down of the budget in Kenya please do not hesitate to ask.
I do not like to ask these things in this time of credit crunch but there is a real urgency. The sooner we finish this the sooner we can start saving monthly outgoings like rent (36,000ksh) up from 26,000Ksh as from Nov, security guards(17,000ksh). We can then start taking in more children who need a home, love and care.
Remember, every penny you donate to the buildng fund goes to the building of the home in Kenya.
The builder has said that if we can fund the balance we can be in the new home by Easter 2009 - that is less than one year since we started building.
Yours in Christ Jesus
Joannalee Cave (treasurer)
Oct 08
Shalom to all our friends and supporters,
Thank you to everyone who has supported us through this very hard year.
Without you we could have never continued to build and expand the ministry. Every effort is being made to complete the building of our new home, Bethlehem, in Kenya. A correction to my last update is that the roof trusses are being made on site and the wall above the hall roof is being plastered. Once this is finished the trusses will be put into place and the roof sheeting fixed to them. This could be finished very soon. The electrician is placing the sockets and switches at the moment. We hope to secure the ground floor at least with doors and windows.
Heather is now in Kenya and is talking with the contractor to hold on until we raise a total of £20,000 to put in the doors and windows and finish the inside of the building (we have already raised £5000). Then we would have to re-equip the rooms to make good the loss after the break-in.
A lady has cut off her hair and shaved her head to raise funds for us in Blandford. We have circumnavigated Poole Harbour by bicycle, we are holding “Jamfests” in Swanage and people have held bring and buy and tea/coffee/cake afternoons. If you can organise something in your area to help raise funds please contact us for more information.
I know that there is a huge squeeze on finances and Christmas is around the corner, we cannot turn these children off or turn any away during this time. Regular support of £1,500 is needed every month to maintain the basic standard in the home, that's why we need your support to raise the profile of this much needed work. Remember that if you give £3 then £2.99 will go to the home in Kenya (guaranteed, the only admin fee taken from funds is for an “Accountant/Audit” which is an obligation by law). We do not have the overheads/salaries like others. Store up treasure in heaven, be part of the blessing as you consider this request, please use the contact page.
Be blessed…Heather and Alan Purser on behalf of Bethlehem and Hope Family Homes.
Poole Harbour Bike Ride Aug 30 '08,
Shalom,
All four cyclists Steve, Jo, Duncan and Alan, completed the 33 mile route around the harbour on a fine Saturday (missing the splendid Air Show).
We started at the Haven Ferry at 0930hrs with a Bournrmouth Echo photo shoot, cycling through Swanage with a fine stop at the Royal Oak at Herston (for a cup of tea) and then on to lunch at South Instow lane near Corfe Castle. At Corfe we started collecting. Then on to Wareham, Poole Quay, Shore Road and back to the ferry. All had some interesting talks with many people. Our Treasurer Jo achieved her goal and only walked up two short hills.
This will go a long way to filling in the holes of the walls with windows and doors.
We are considering making this an annual event!
A big thank you to all those who sponsored us and for those who would like to, it is not too late to deposit a donation at any Barclays Bank, our details are on the donate page...
Thanks and Be blessed...Steve, Jo, Heather and Alan
New photos are available on request.
August 08
Alan, Steve and friends will be staging a sponsored Bike Ride around Poole Harbour on August 30th to help complete the new home. If you would like to sponsor any of the riders please contact us on 01202 382347. Please watch this space as the details are finalised.
Sponsoring us will help to build this new home even faster. We need the windows and doors.
Work has already started on the upstairs walls and roof of the new home as of 18th Aug.
Alan has completed the 25 mile cycle ride in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Support Fund with £105 raised
June 08.
See the projects page for recent news.
May News update 2008
We have only one Birth Certificate to go for a full set and this is on it's way.
As of 9th May 2008, we are now registered with the Kenyan Childrens Services as a "Charitable Childrens Home"
February news update 2008.
The past three months have been the most testing time for all of us in Kenya with the civil disturbances. We have all experienced things we would rather not and had to absorb sights and listen to stories that are deeply distressing. Our God has safely brought us this far and we realise that he was preparing us for this time of need in Kenya. There are now many thousands of orphaned children as a result of the genocide which has been taking place. We are needed more than ever and the way in which we operate within a loving family environment is probably the greatest hope these children will have of recovery. We are all eager to continue and finish the home at Limuru but we still need £37,000 to complete the project.
The foundation slab will be completed by mid March and then we have to wait until we have sufficient funding to purchase all the stone for the two storey build and all of the cement etc. This will take at least £10,000
Alan is trying to cope with the theft of our beloved and ancient Toyota Town Ace and is waiting to see how much the insurers are willing to pay out, or if they will pay out.
The troubles continue but Heather is returning to Kenya in March as soon as grandchild number one has been born.
Please pray for us and if you can think of a fundraiser to help it along please let us know.
Every blessing in 2008 to ell our readers.
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November 2007 News update
So much has happened since our last update. The land was purchased at Limuru and the walls are going up around the boundaries. We are taking a step of faith and will commence building as soon as they are finished. Our architect formalised our plan and it is with the contractor whilst he does the costing. The electricity company are increasing the supply to the plot as single phase would not be enough for the size of the house and the demands on it. Alan is having a wonderful time doing regular site visits and arranging schedules.
We have been greatly blessed in these past six months and have seen God faithfully supply through the generosity of our supporters. We thank all of you for this and for your continued maintenace of the work.
The children are thriving and looking forward to Christmas and Heathers return.
Electioneering is in full swing in Kenya. Please pray for a peaceful time.
The suspension on our Toyota town ace gave out in November but we managed to get it fixed locally. The vehicle is very old and in need of retiring. Also it is only an eight seater and we are fourteen in number. However, the house is our priority and we long for the day when we can close the door of Bethlehem and not worry about the landlady any more.
Be blessed
Alan and Heather
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News Update August 2007
Salama once again to all our friends and supporters
Praise God for His provision.
We are all well and being refreshed. The children are on school holidays after working hard at their studies this term. All are showing stable improvement and we are told that they are a credit to the family.
Now is a time for enlarging our tents and the family will increase as soon as we can build a new home for Bethlehem.
The last newsletter was about the provision of a plot of land. God has worked His miracle and we have now instructed our Advocate trustee to draw up the necessary “Trust Deed” to enable Correct Kenya to purchase this plot. That was Phase ONE.
Now on to Phase TWO which is the building of a suitable dwelling to house twenty children and staff on this plot. This phase will cost around £25,000. God has provided for the plot, now He must provide for the home.
If you do not want to miss out on this opportunity to help us develop into this new phase then please visit correctministries.org and see how you can help us achieve Phase Two. Please contact us on 01202 382347 or reply to this address…Be blessed…Pastors Alan & Heather Purser
News Update May 2007
Salama once again to all our friends and supporters of God's work in Kenya.
First of all an apology to you all for the non communication. Our computer in Kenya experienced a power surge and although "protected" by a surge protector it blew the motherboard, TIA (this is Africa) hence no emails from Kenya until fixed or replaced. This is being written by Alan who is now back in the UK for a short time.
Education is a key
The children have done well at school.
Moses has declared that he has learnt all he needs to know and now wants to go to work.
Hannah had to redo her homework in front of the teacher as the teacher did not believe that she had done it by herself, she is gifted.
Denis does not find it easy, but tries very hard.
Small Joyce is also working hard.
Josephine is very quiet and is working up the class slowly.
Jasper says he is working for a grade "A".
Susan has been singled out as one of the top students for the district (Kiambu/Limuru)
Big Joyce is working on her last year before her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education.
Solomon and Samuel have made their mark on their new High School, they have transformed the students by introducing Christian Union, much to the delight of the Principal. Sam's maths has improved at last.
Staff at Bethlehem
Pastor Rosemary is continuing a degree course in Christian Theology and is getting good grades. Her sister, Jane, has joined us and has taken on much of the children's work as well as the admin work.
Alan returns to the UK
This has given Alan a chance to return to UK to await his Work Permit and Passport renewal and to spend time with Heather.
New Projects
A special Land/Building Account has at last been opened. We are hoping to raise £35,000 to buy the land and build a simple stone house with sufficient accommodation for up to 20 children. It would take approximately 4,000 blocks at £5 a block to build. Plus initial purchase of the land at £15,000. Be a part of this new phase by helping us to to do this as soon as possible.If you would like to donate to the vision please click here
Current Needs
Please remember that we still need monthly maintenance to continue. We are running a household of 14 people on a total budget of less than £250 per week which includes the rent, all utilities, food, school fees, uniforms, text books, transport, computer and wages for three Kenyan workers.
The accounts in Kenya are audited annually and a copy returned to Correct Ministries in the UK. All of the work carried out in Kenya complies with the Children's Act and is inspected by the Children's Department.
We try to do the best for Jesus within this restrictive budget.
The AGM brought the trustees up to date with the progress. We are on the way to buying the land and building a home for the children. ..Be blessed...Alan and Heather.
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