For our prayers this week, I’d like to turn your attention to Africa’s second largest slum: Kibera.

For those who have traveled through or spent anytime in Nairobi, Kenya, you likely walked alongside someone who lives in this vast slum community. Furthermore, if you have actually spent time with people where they live, work, and play in Kibera, the experience will not quickly fade. For many years now, LIA-Kenya has been serving to empower local church pastors in this community.

Today, we invite you to join the LIA family in praying for an important ongoing initiative in Kibera, called ‘health for income’. We believe that God is going to do a mighty work in Kibera and trust that this program is the beginning of transforming the community for His glory.

Please pray for the specific items identified below:

•    That the churches in the Kibera community will recruit more qualified CHE’s   (community health evangelists/educators) to promote the health initiatives from their church community.

•    That the CHE’s would be excited and motivated for the work and would be greeted with receptive hearts from those within the community.

•    That we would have the right tools and resources to successfully execute this initiative.

•    That we would remain focused on the plans the Lord has set regarding this program and this His vision and direction would be followed to the fullest.

•    That the CHE’s would be able to provide a needed service and find dignity as a result of their hard work.

Lastly please pray for protection, wisdom and strength for the LIA staff involved with this program on a daily basis - George, Daniel and Robert.

We thank God for this wonderful opportunity to advance the kingdom in practical ways, and treasure this opportunity to serve alongside you.

For those that have traveled and served alongside the LIA family in Kenya, it is with both joy and sadness that we share this update.
For nearly six years, Augustine “Gus” Muema has been an integral part of our ministry team in Kenya. He has served in any and all capacities, most recently as our Partnerships and Resources Manager for the Kenya office.

Following the completion of his Master’s Degree last year which focused on Water initiatives for Arid and Semi Arid areas, Gus has longed for an opportunity to directly apply that by serving his Kamba people with water initiatives. A sudden opportunity came up for Gus to do this in a way that was beyond our existing water and food security ministry in Makueni, Kenya. Subsequently, Gus has decided to accept this new position and will no longer be employed with LIA.

To wish Gus well, and thank him for his committed support to the ministry of LIA for the last 6 years, please go ahead and comment below, as we will be sure to have Gus respond as he is able.

We treasure the time we had with Gus as a member of our family and look forward to the opportunities before him and LIA in Kenya. He will make this transition in about one month.

It is a very exciting time for LIA!

God has truly favored the ministry of LIA, as expansion is happening both in depth and breadth throughout the communities we serve in Africa. We want to be intentional about sharing the transformation taking place, the struggles we face, and the practical ways that you can be involved in serving alongside the LIA family.

Please take a moment to respond to the survey linked here or above. This short survey will help us to identify how to best communicate and share the work that you have helped to empower through your committed partnership.

We deeply desire your input and treasure the opportunity to partner with you for this great cause!

It is with heart felt joy that we celebrate the goodness of God to LIA, as we mark our 8th birthday since our registration in the USA on April 17.

It’s been 8 great years marked with growth way beyond our wildest expectations. The easiest indicator of this growth could be noted by a look at how our yearly income has grown, or seeing how our staff team has emerged. These indicators speak for themselves. But, we know the real growth is measured by the impact facilitated in the countries God has given us; that has been huge.

We can confidently say God has established his work. We have declared His glory to the nations and the marvelous deeds are beautiful to behold. The fruit of our labor is worth every effort made. To God be the glory

Please take a moment to look at the most recent numbers regarding the work that has been empowered through our great partnerships both by way of the local churches in Africa as well as the various communities of support throughout the US.  These are the numbers of the LIA impact, the numbers that represent the beautiful people that have been served and empowered to have a transformed and abundant life.

We have organized, been part of, or participated in strategic local and international conferences to expand this vision:

* Empowered over 150 church leadership groups to embrace a vision, strategize and implement sustainable wholistc ministries in their communities.

* Implemented, in partnership with local churches, integrated projects in over 75 communities.

* Trained over 3,000 community resource people to teach improved sanitation practices.

* Empowered over 600 families with micro-loans and income generating activities.

* Working with churches, LIA has mobilized communities and established over 80 support groups.

* Trained more than 1,250 youth in skills development programs.

* Provided health education and clinical care to more than 800,000 people.

* Cared for and rehabilitated well over 1,250 vulnerable children.

* Involved more than 12,000 youth in reproductive health programs.

*Helped 50 HIV+ mothers avoid vertical HIV transmission.

* Assisted over 1,200 people with AIDS through home-based care and support.

We celebrate with you all. Your prayers, encouragement, support and participation in this great work is what makes us who we are, and the outcome what it is. Thank you for being part of the LIA family. Thank you for seeing what we see and choosing to be a partner so we can accomplish His mission and charge to us. We celebrate this birthday as a grand LIA family.

The three-day elections in Sudan, Africa’s largest nation, officially began April 11th but were quickly extended to a five-day vote ending this weekend. Complications with the election process lead to the extension. Initially many polling stations suffered missing and/or incorrect ballots and many Sudanese people claimed potential “vote-rigging”.  The vote is part of a peace agreement which ended two decades of north-south war in 2005.  This election is the first multi-party election in 24 years.

Would you share this crucial moment with us? - Please join us as we pray for Sudan.

There is great uncertainty as people cast their votes, but also anxiety as results and post election direction comes forth. In the midst of that we have workers in the country and partnerships with churches in both north and south Sudan.

We also have just commissioned a short-term team that will serve in our target communities in Sudan focusing on medical and construction projects. We have materials being offloaded to facilitate our work and medicines coming in by the flights. They will be joining our partner churches, reaching out in love to serve the least through multiple activities through out the week.

Please pray that we will be ambassadors of the peace of God, with an authority of the kingdom. That we will be wise and every poor decision will be arrested. That fear and anxiety will not deter our God given tasks. Pray for safety and protection from any potential frustration, confusion and crisis. Above all, pray for a peaceful and fulfilling election. Pray that the post election season will be filled with hope and direction.

Thank you for agreeing with us in these things and standing with us in prayer during this crucial week in Sudan.

To read the latest updates from the election process check out two articles from BBC.com: Sudan Extends Landmark Election after Ballot Mixup and Q&A: Sudan Elections in which give greater insight into the complicated election process, as well as what is at stake for the future of Sudan.

The relative peace experienced in Sudan these last few years has been precious. Healing and development, though still at its infancy, is of great encouragement to the people of Sudan, and especially South Sudan.

LIA ’s ministry in South Sudan has been very well received, surpassing our expectations. Doors have opened and the favor of God has enabled great strides within such a short time. We are very thankful to God.

That said, we have the soon coming elections in April. This is a great opportunity for the Sudanese people to choose political leaders and we invite you to pray with us.

Pray with us that this will be a time of peace.

Pray that the election process will be free and fair.

Pray that we will come to greater heights post the election time.

Stand with the churches in prayer, holding up the precious people of this nation and the great hope they have for a peaceful and developing nation, which they can proudly call home.

Thank you for partnering with us, that they may have Life in its abundance.

Dr. Florence Muindi
President, LIA International

**We invite you to share your prayers and questions in the comment field for this crucial time in history for the Sudanese people.

With my most recent trip to one of our target communities coming to a close, I wanted to take some time to reflect on the powerful and encouraging transformation happening amidst the desperation and suffering of the people in this area.

I began my trip with a rather unfortunate experience - the airlines lost my luggage!  Insisting I check my bags I ended up left without a change of clothes and other necessities for a few days.  Initially I felt bad for my misfortune and myself however I soon shaped up and changed my outlook.  I felt ashamed that I was making a big deal about my situation seeing how this was nothing compared to what the families that we have been visiting are currently experiencing yet they still manage to fill their lives with such joy!

It has been very tough times for the families in these communities as we saw firsthand the extensive damage that has been created from the recent unexpected heavy rains and flooding.  Prior to our arrival, there had been three days of continuous rainfall in which led to the closure of many roads, and the collapse of many homes and settlements.

With houses, shelters, and roofs constructed from mud the displaced people of this community have suffered the worst.  Some of the families moved to their local churches for shelter - however those have collapsed as well from the storm.

Sadly the worst is not over.  In the following weeks more rain is expected making it impossible to start the rebuilding process.  Families have lost their homes, children are without a place to play, and the pit latrines have filled with water.  The outbreak and susceptibility for diseases is a great concern for all.

Yet, in the midst of all the destruction I have been simply amazed at the joy and strong faith that these people display.  Our friends from the community met with us and were still enthusiastically worshiping and praising God despite the circumstances.  It is both encouraging and humbling to see such hope founded on more than can be seen.

It has truly been a blessing that Dr. Yared (our LIA program director) and myself have been able to spend time with the board, staff team and church leaders of this community.

Please keep these communities in your prayers.

Pray for their safety throughout the rest of the rain and storms.

Pray for the reconstruction process.

Pray for the health of the people that they may be safe from any diseases.

Pray for the churches that they may respond to help their brothers and sisters in their community.

True joy and trust in the Lord can sometimes seem hard to fathom in times of great struggle and desperation.  Let the people of this community encourage and show you just what it means to fully believe in the steadfastness of our Lord.

Thank you for your committed partnership with LIA to empower the church; especially in moments such as this.