In our Kenya program, the power of meals is undeniably changing lives. Through the Mama Beth Children’s Program, we are witnessing firsthand the profound impact on the children and their families. These meals not only nourish bodies but also keep children in school, restore families, and spread the gospel message. It’s truly remarkable to see the transformative influence a simple meal can have.
Since Mama Beth’s program began providing lunches at multiple schools, attendance and test scores have risen dramatically. Attendance now stands at 99% because children no longer miss afternoon classes to leave for meals. To address the issue of older children dropping out due to a lack of perceived value in education, we started a preschool to instill the importance of education early on, leading to increased enrollment each year. Our goal is to create a strong foundation for these children, both academically and spiritually.
As we strive to create outstanding programs and make a lasting impact, we recognize that some changes only God can bring about. Joe and Sasha joined Mama Beth’s during a very difficult time in their lives. They were deeply hurt by their father’s struggle with alcoholism, which left him unable to provide for the family. However, God was working in their father’s heart. Over time, as he listened to his children talk about the meals they were receiving through our program, he felt convicted to provide better for them.
He eventually joined a rehabilitation program and is now recovering from his addiction, mending his family, and making up for lost time. We are incredibly thankful for our Kenya program and how God is using it to transform not only the lives of children but also the lives of their families.
At Mama Beth’s, children are initially drawn by the opportunity to receive a nutritious meal, but they always hear the gospel message as well. Through various events and teaching tools, many children have come to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
One example is a recent Vacation Bible School that focused on the theme “I am the vine, you are the branches,” from John 15:5. Organized into age groups, the children learned about the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. Younger participants explored faithfulness through the life of Abraham and learned how God shapes us for His glory through the story of Joseph. These lessons were conveyed through demonstrations, memory verses, skits, songs, and team-building activities. The teen group focused on the importance of faithfulness to Christ, abiding in Him, and becoming exemplary in conduct, speech, love, faith, and purity (2 Timothy 4:12). As a result, 21 children chose to give their lives to Christ!
The Mama Beth Children’s Program recently introduced a new teaching tool that provides a deeper understanding of the Bible, making it easier to engage with the students. This has led to a profound impact, with many children recently choosing to surrender their lives to Christ. With 53 students across three schools, we thank God for these new believers—all starting from a simple meal.
We’re immensely thankful and humbled to witness the transformative power of meals in Kenya through the Mama Beth Children’s Program. With children nourished, education sustained, families reunited, and hearts turned to Jesus, it’s evident that God is working miracles through this program.
In my mind, I can still hear her cries of defeat and see the tears pouring down her face. I can see the “I am stupid” notes she had written on her school worksheets that day. My precious eight-year-old daughter was fighting to overcome dyscalculia – basically the math version of dyslexia – and we had no idea. It was
Nancy, our Director of Development and long-time short-term missionary, shares her experience with the “Women of the Word” program in Kampala, Uganda. These resilient women, who migrated to a new area after facing unimaginable hardships, have come together to build a supportive community and empower one another. Discover how their journey of faith and perseverance is creating lasting change in their lives and in their community.
What does it look like to follow Jesus in a culture where most of your community—and even your own family—follows a different faith? In Kosova, where Ramadan is a time of fasting and nightly celebration, young believers often feel the tension deeply.
This blog, written by our Kosova program directors Nora and Metush, shares the powerful story of Ymer—a boy learning to hold onto Jesus in the middle of cultural and spiritual pressure.
1.86 billion people log into their Facebook account at least once a month–that’s almost 1/4 of the total global population! This number doesn’t even include other outlets like Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. People in developing countries are no exception to this global trend, and chances are, the child you sponsor has
11 yrs. old
Entered the program: October 2023
Rachael lives with her mother and 5 siblings in a well-built sheetmetal house courtesy of Mama Beth’s program which is a huge blessing for the family. Her mother suffers with mental illness and cannot work. Rachael's older brothers help care for her and her sister. The family relies on the good will of friends and neighbors to help provide food for them.
Rachael's siblings, Alex and Esther, are also in the Mama Beth program.
Plus bonus group fundraising ideas!
