May 2025
“Earth is crammed with Heaven and
Every bush aflame with God
But only he who sees takes off his shoes,
the rest sit around and pick blackberries.”
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
The flowers are blooming, new water wells are producing, babies are growing, MAP businesses are opening, soccer boys and girls are coming to Christ, moms are learning how much God loves them and the Flame flowered path to the volunteer house is full everyday with volunteers coming and going, bringing love to the babies at Neema Village. And after five months in the U.S. Babu and I are finally back into all the good things happening at Neema Village.
Neema Director and Board President Kim White has keep everything running smoothly and now is home with her husband, whom we call Saint Bruce, getting some much needed rest and relaxation. Both of our directors, Kim and Kelle, work without pay and their incredible husbands support them to work at Neema Village. Kim was asked to speak at Nanny certification graduation this year. Her parents could not be prouder of her!!
Neema means Grace and it is always by God’s Abundant Grace that we are able to be here for these little ones who have lost their moms. We are now well past 450 babies who have been loved and found homes and a future through Neema Village.
We have updated our website and would love for you to take a look. Each baby and each mom has a story. www.neemavillage.org
Above Kelle and our granddaughter Maria are welcoming in a new baby.
Meet our newest MAP (Mothers Against Poverty) mom, Theresia. She has been living with her grandfather after her husband abandoned her. Her father died and her mother had abandoned the family when she was very young. There are 16 other people living in this very poor house. Grandfather is so sad that he is not able to support his family. Some volunteers met Theresia on a Sunday visit to the slums. They were very concerned about this new mother. Anna and some volunteers went to check on her yesterday and brought her in to Neema Village last night. She may not know it yet but Hope has come alive for this young mother.
A new baby came to Neema Village last week. Baby Joseph’s mom is mentally unable to care for a baby. Social Welfare brought the newborn to Neema and hopefully he will be available for a forever family someday. Each new baby comes with a great sadness but also with a promise for a great future.
We agreed to take four month old baby Elyons last week. His mom has a heart disease and is going to Dar for treatment. She had no one else to care for him. The disease is life threatening so please pray for the life of Mama Elyons.
The Bibis are in!! Always exciting as we welcome the older women who are the tradtional birthers in their Maasai villages. None of them have been to school, none of them have electricity or running water in their homes. Most of them cannot read or write. Most of them except one are first or second wives of four to six wives. They stay a week at Neema and learn new techniques for safe birthing. But the first thing we teach them is try to talk the woman into coming in to the hospital! Many of our babies are Maasai babies whose moms have died in childbirth.
This is our 64th Save The Mothers class (I think). They love and respect their teacher, Ester, who is Maasai and she has been through everything she teaches them.
We do morning devotionals with the Bibis and one morning it was Ray Powell’s turn from A&M Aggies church. Ray told them that they, just like Elisha, are surrounded by a great host of helpers so do not be afraid. It will be a great week of learning at Neema Village for these Maasai grandmothers.
Another new baby came in a few nights ago. Baby Milani came with his father after his mother passed away four days following a ceseaen section. This was her first baby. Sweet little guy – we will love and care for you until your family is able to.
So many of you know and love Maria, our granddaughter above, and she along with 9 other staff, soccer kids and Maasai men decided to become Christ followers last Sunday. Pastor Dave Roberts from Georgetown helped with the baptisms. What a great day!
And what an absolutely incredible day Saturday as over 50 of our moms graduated from their different classes in the Preslar Mothering Center: sewing, computer, English, reading and writing and Women’s Rights. They had all designed and sewn their dresses – without a pattern and on a treadle sewing machine! Aren’t they lovely! These are women who a few months ago were destitute, begging on the street, abandoned and marginalized from society. I wish you could hear them sing!
Ten sewing machines were given away at graduation to women who finished the sewing class. If you want to help buy sewing machines, they cost about $300. Go to the website, click the donate button and Outreach, and on the memo line write sewing machine.
It is our joy to get to be the funnel that filters your gifts out to these babies and moms at Neema Village. We cannot think of a better place to show Jesus to the beautiful people of Africa than right here at Neema Village.
Great Blessings to each of you who love and support this precious work.
Michael and Dorris