Patrick's Story

Over the past two years, the compassion of Jesus Christ has led me far deeper than my mind knew to comprehend. I have experienced that His love has no limits and is powerful enough to cast out fear and transform lives. I want to share the story of one little boy, who represents so many others, whose lives are being restored with hope and purpose…
Patrick’s contagious smile fails to tell the abuse he has endured, the challenges he has overcome, and the battle he continues to face. As a 9-year old boy, Patrick’s story is one that breaks the heart. He was born to a single mother who died of AIDS related complications. He was rejected and abandoned by the rest of his family because he is also infected with the HIV virus. After a Good Samaritan found Patrick very sick, living in the bush without shelter; he was admitted to a local hospital where he continued to live for six months.
Upon learning of Patrick’s story, I had the privilege to bring him from the hospital to his new home at ELI’s Kipkaren Children’s Home. When the social worker from the hospital explained to Patrick that he would be coming to Kipkaren to live and would attend school for the first time in his life, Patrick smiled brightly and threw his arms around me tightly. In that moment, I realized that through this child I was going to learn not only about loving but also about being loved.
Upon arriving to the children’s home, he leaned against my chest as he was welcomed by the singing of his 25 new brothers and sisters. In Swahili, I whispered in his ear, “Patrick, God loves you, he loves you so much!” Although Patrick has lived so much of his life rejected, there is a Father who has caught the tears from his silent cries. In that moment, I was reminded of the words of Proverbs 31:8-9, words that have been so often haunting and challenging me throughout this year: “Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously. And plead the cause of the poor and needy.” The love of Christ is what has brought Patrick to this refuge where he is accepted and cared for. As I learn what it is to serve God by loving His children, I am truly humbled and amazed at His provision. As the body of Christ joins together to live out His mission of “preaching the good news to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, proclaiming liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the
blind, and setting free those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18); I have witnessed His Kingdom come, one life at a time.
I am committed to live in Kipkaren and to serve with ELI as long as God leads. I invite you to continue to join me in this journey. Your prayers and financial gifts are gratefully received. The cost for living and continuing the work in Kipkaren will be around $50,000 for this next one year (the increased expenses are due to the expansion of our HIV/AIDS program). Please consider making a one-time gift or a monthly commitment to partner with me as I minister to the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of the people affected by HIV/AIDS.

This year, with your help . . .
-Mobile HIV testing and counseling services were offered in 20 villages with nearly 2,500 people being tested. Those who tested positive have been referred to
a comprehensive HIV/AIDS treatment program.
- HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaigns were held in six villages with the goal of promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and offering HIV testing. Various games—including football tournaments, volleyball, bicycle races, and running— as well as a professional band from
Nairobi were utilized to draw crowds which have ranged from 700 to 3,000 people. HIV+ individuals from the project willingly shared about their HIV status and encouraged others within the community to be tested.
- HIV/AIDS Caregiver Trainings were offered and completed by 204 individuals from 60 villages. After the three-day trainings, individuals were encouraged to return to their villages to
increase awareness within their community, to promote HIV testing and referral, and to be caregivers to the sick. Follow-up is conducted at three, six, and nine month intervals.
- Traditional Birth Attendant Training was given to 132 women from 10 villages over 18 weeks. Special emphasis was placed upon the topics of HIV awareness and the prevention of mother to child transmission.
- Basics of HIV/AIDS trainings were conducted to approximately 3,400 students at 17 primary and secondary schools.
- An outreach program was started for seven local prostitutes to help them realize their value as children of God and to train them to find other ways to provide for their families.
- A mission trip was taken to Southern Sudan where 1,046 patients were offered general medical and dental services.
- ELI Kipkaren Children’s Home has been constructed and serves as a refuge and a home for a total of 96 orphaned children.
- The Home-Based Care team continues to visit 25 HIV+ individuals to follow up on their medication adherence, their nutritional status and overall physical and emotional health.