New Location of our New blog

Please go to our new Website and read all about what God is doing.

http://www.Go-Near.org/

GO NEAR FUTURE

Melody and I will continue the work of Go Near Ministry on a full time basis. We pray that all orphans and widows would know the love of Jesus. Our part is to lead others to life changing relationships caring for orphans and widows worldwide.

You can visit our web site for a general overview at www.go-near.org We pray that God would use YOU to continue the life change stories as we all go near orphans.

A BRIEF RECAP OF MY RECENT TRIP TO KENYA – JUNE 2008

Rodney Davidson, an FBC member from Little Rock who has an interest in leading teen trips to Kenya, joined me as a friend of Go Near Ministry. We spent our time (almost three weeks) serving our partner ministries, all led by Kenyans. We delivered humanitarian aid, conducted interviews and assessments for future ministry partnerships. You will find writings and photos on our blog at http://taylorafrica.blogspot.com/

UZIMATELE (Life Abundant) Family Home - Nairobi slums

We moved in with Pastor George and Jackie Otieno. Living with their eleven children—all precious orphans—for a few days caused us to fall in love with them. As we walked through the slums delivering bread and milk, our hearts broke for the poorest of the poor. We were given the honor of speaking at Tumaini (Hope) Church/School in the slums. Our meetings with widows and orphans to hear their stories gave us a rare opportunity to really understand the vital ministry to which God has called Pastor George. After getting acquainted with his advisory board, my respect increased for George as I could see the community support God has raised up for this life-changing ministry. Go Near Ministry is commited to support this vital work. Would your family like to make a friend with a boy or girl in Kenya? Contact us for details about a very relational, interactive sponsorship program.

LIVING TESTIMONY CHILDREN'S OUTREACH (LTCO)- Kisumu KENYA

Kisumu has the highest AIDS population in Kenya; that fact alone also gives Kisumu the distinction of ranking #1 in the world to have the highest population of teen-led homes. But our friend, John Okall, is doing something about it and we were privileged to spend several days with John and his leadership team. What an impressive group of Kisumu leaders have committed to working together for the good of the children! John reaches out to help in keeping the orphaned children in their home (allowing them to be raised in their village). One of John's leadership team members, Widow Margaret, has raised many orphaned children over the years. With a heart of compassion and commitment to trust Jesus to provide for the needs of her large family, she is changing her world. As I spent time with her four boys, I was moved by the needs of Dennis, a 10 year old boy. Suffering from an advanced case of AIDS, Dennis made only one request, "If I pass my exams, I would like to have a bicycle." His request brings home the fact that above all, Dennis is a 10 year old boy. Go Near Ministry will partner with LITCO to bring kinship care to Kisumu.

OKUNDI VILLAGE - Kisumu KENYA

Located outside of the large city, this remote village is occupied by women, children, and a few elderly men. Many fathers and sons have died of AIDS or Malaria. Doing all they could to survive, the villagers pooled their meager resources to plant a crop of maize. They placed total dependence on this crop to survive another year, but the crop failed to produce due to lack of rain. Today, they are devastated and quickly losing hope.—God led us to this village through a friend from Nairobi who was raised in this small village. A successful businessman, Benson Okundi, is doing all he can to help his people. But one man is not enough to save a village. Before we left these struggling widows and orphans, we bought grain to help sustain them. More importantly, we also promised to partner with Benson and other Nairobi businessmen to help support the Okundi Village orphans and widows.

With your support we can continue to lead others to go near these precious orphans and widows.

Blessed to be a blessing,

Lewis and Melody Taylor
Leading others to life changing relationships caring for orphans and widows worldwide (James 1:27)

Pictures posted from latest trip

Follow the link on the sidebar to see all the great pictures.

WHAT IF...

I woke up before the rooster began to crow today, as I have for many days now. Falling in bed exhausted at midnight, I awake startled by fresh enthusiasm at 4.30 am. The "what ifs" make my heart pump! What if God would move now to meet needs of Dennis? What if my M.D. friends could help Dennis, a 10yr old boy I visited with in Kisumu. Dennis would have hope and many would gain courage to press on.

What if a wind of hope blew through the desperate Okundi village causing all to sing and dance. A thriving garden harvested by the hands of all villagers and their neighbors, might result in such a celebration. All they need is water! Pray that my friends at Planting Faith ministry might help.

What if "kinship care" came to the Okundi village? Those caring for orphans would receive assistance. Widow Leu would have help with her starving grandchildren Benta, Evance and Sinthia. And many other hungry children would pay attention in school and have courage to trust a good God.

What if God wants to use us to be a part of bringing hope and life to this village.

June 16
DENNIS

Something about the young boy touched my heart when we first met. A handsome boy with pain in his eyes. The house was full of family and friends all laughing, enjoying the meal prepared for us, the guests. The boy was introduced as Dennis. His eyes were sad, movements tentative. He was not feeling well today. Again, I ignored the world I was in and responded as if I were in the States. "Sorry you're not feeling well. Is it a stomach ache? A cough? You'll be ok soon," I foolishly assured.

A week later, I returned to the same home to learn more about the lives of this family. With my video camera in hand, I interviewed the grandmother and discovered she has raised many children, not all related to her. Currently she is a "grandmother" to four boys in their 20's except the youngest at 10 yrs. Each story included more than one relative dying of illnesses. The loss of life was so common there were few expressions when sharing about them. Then we came to the youngest, Dennis. When I asked the grandmother to share about Dennis, she became quiet. Slowly she struggled to tell me of her brother-in-law's death of AIDS. Her sister had not been tested before she had Dennis. Soon after Dennis' birth, she died. Dennis was left with his aunt Margaret...and with AIDS. His case is advanced. His cough will not go away soon, nor will his stomach ache diminish. I stuffed my emotions and asked Dennis a few peppy quesions about sports and school. Then I asked if there was anything he would like to tell me. He paused, looked tentatively at his aunt, then shyly asked, "after my exams I would like to have a bicycle."
The room was quiet, very quiet.

June 16
WIDOWS UP CLOSE

Returned to Kisumu for two more days. Compelled to get a closer look at the lives of widows and orphans. As I arrived at the Okundi Village, I was welcomed by a house gathering. Customs are to greet the guest, pray and serve food. After a brief visit over chai and bread, I met with two widows. They agreed to let me film our talk and film a visit to the house where they dwell. They offered brief responses to my general questions.


The story they each told was in their eyes, deep, dark, sad eyes that have shed many tears. Each has lost family to sudden illness. These ladies are the most desperate in the small village as they have no kin to help care for them and remaining grandchildren. One widow lives alone, I gave her a thousand shillings. Widow Leah cares for three grandchildren. Their eyes reveal shock, fear, anger. Their bodies are thin, very thin. I gave her four thousand shillings. My heart pounded as I left each small hut. I wish I could do more. I MUST do more.

More from: June 13

IMPRESSIONS IN MY MIND

After a busy four days in Kisumu, Rodney and I returned to Nairobi. Usually talkative, we spoke few words as we traveled. The needs are great in Kimumu, especially in the Okundi Village. Impressions of pleading widows, glassy eyed children and weary older men flooded my mind and heart. The small church in the village is bearing the burden to teach, educate and feed all in the village. Most men are dead and gone. As the remaining adults lose hope what will happen to the children? We must return and go near to them.

RICH CULTURE IN KISUMU

Spent the day with new friends in Kisumu. We were welcomed into the home of a wonderful lady who had breakfast ready to serve. Three men joined Rodney and I for fellowship. What a thrill to enjoy the rich culture of our new friends. Fresh mango juice, boiled eggs, chipatis (better than torilla shells), sausage and hot tea (chai) with milk and sugar were served with lots of laughter.

TWO + SEVEN + TWO = ELEVEN !

When I asked the lady of the house how many children she has her response was, "oh, I have so many children". After breakfast she told us her story. A single mother with two now grown children, she began taking in orphaned children. Seven live with her now and she is planning to take in two more soon. She introduced each one as "my son/daughter". What an inspiration she is to me, to share her love and what limited resources she has with so many....

June 13th and 14th

June 14
DIVINE COMPULSIONS
Planned to be in Nairobi for a few days of rest and time with missionary friends. Rodney boarded for home last night at midnight. I woke this morning with one thing on my mind...KISUMU. Something is calling me back. I must know more...about the people we visited, about the places we did not visit. The door is wide open for us to go near orphans and widows in Kisumu. I am compelled to return NOW. I trust this strong desire is another "divine compulsion".

June 13

PLEADING WIDOWS and GLASSY EYED CHILDREN

After a busy four days in Kisumu, Rodney and I returned to Nairobi. Usually talkative, we spoke few words as we traveled. The needs are great in Kimumu, especially in the Okundi Village.

Impressions of pleading widows, glassy eyed children and weary older men flooded my mind and heart. The small church in the village is bearing the burden to teach, educate and feed all in the village. Most men are dead and gone. As the remaining adults lose hope what will happen to the children?

WHETHER BY FEW OR BY MANY...WE MUST GO NEAR
Have you ever faced impossible odds, been outnumbered, stepped into a conflict and realized you are way over your head? Kisumu leads the world in teen led homes, leads Kenya in AIDS population and is overflowing with orphaned children. BUT GOD cares about orphans and widows and He calls the Church to care for them. Jonathon was badly outnumbered by the Phillistine army. His response in I Sam.14 was to take one armor bearer and one weapon to face the enemy. When his armor bearer asked what the plan of attack was, Jonathon responded," perhaps the Lord will give us a victory today, for by many or by few, the Lord is able to accomplish His will. ' One small battle was won as Jonathan and his armor bearer soundly defeated 20 men. One man's bold step of faith triggered an amazing response. What followed was God's spirit moving in the form of an earthquake. The small band of Israelites defeated the enormous Philistine army. This passage gives me courage to take bold faith steps on behalf of those he has led me to.

We must go near these helpless orphans and widows in Okundi village.

June 11th

We became friends with Benson Okundi and his wife Helen in Nairobi. We hope to join them in support of their home village. In the photo are members of Okundi family.

WE ARE FAMILY

As we drove into the village of our friends Benson and Hellen Okundi, many children quietly waited under a large shade tree. Widows sat quietly as we walked into the small stone house. This was very unusual as the typical response to a white man's arrival is for children to swarm shouting, "Mazungu, mazungu (swahili for white man)!" These people had been waiting for many hours, invited to come by our host, Benson Okundi's family. Benson led us into his parent’s home, built by Benson just 5 years ago. His parents greeted us warmly in their native tongue, speaking no english. As we entered the house, a few ladies began singing a welcome song, in their native tongue. We circled around the small room and gave thanks, a ritual among all African believers. Then we sat and introduced ourselves.

Lewis greets the village widows:

Many widows shared from their hearts and my heart began to break.

After meeting parents and relatives of Benson's, we walked around the village to see the mud huts, the school and the church....and the river where all drink, wash clothes and bathe. The river was red with mud. It's the only water they have.

First visitor from America

We then returned to Mr. Okundi's home and were served fresh tilapia from Lake Victoria, millet ugali, baked chicken, greens and rice...all eaten by the same utensil, our fingers. While we ate inside, the large gathering of children were served lunch outside...donated by Benson. We were then asked to speak to these precious widows and orphans. Their hopes were high. Rodney and I were the first visitors from America. Some had never seen a muzungu (white man) Just seeing us made a few children cry. I shared from Eph 1, that we all have one Father who has adopted us into His family. That makes us all brothers and sisters. Before I closed, I assured them we came to help. We gave $500 to the village chief to use where needs are greatest (bags of millet for all). We then agreed to collaborate with Benson to meet future needs.

Then the village elder, Benson's father, announced that we are now part of his family...and Eph 1 was given new meaning!

HELP IS COMING TO KISUMU

Today we visit a village that is almost wiped out by AIDS. All young men have died, leaving many widows and orphans. A few older men and women remain. No gov't agency nor a single NGO (non-government org.) have come to this small village YET. After touring the public primary/elementary school, we were so impressed with the principal. In spite of buildings in the worst condition you can imagine, he remains after many years, teaching with passion. His prize student many years ago was my friend Benson Okundi. What a delight to hear Benson praise his teacher who instilled a passion for math. Today Benson is a successful CPA with Price Waterhouse. Benson and his wife Hellen are giving back to their village near Kisumu. They were the only ones helping...until God led us to go near. Today they need sponsors for mamas and children to get food and school uniforms. The school needs new desks and solar power to light the dark rooms. Will you join us to help this small village?