Like most volunteer groups, the team from Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church in New Jersey had a smattering of skills and interests: an accountant, an engineer, a soccer player. Yet each member brought their own talents to help light Khwamba village during their four-day stay in June.

Ward Scheiderman, Paul Sigmund, and his daughter Diane worked on a solar panel installa-tion project, bringing light and electricity to Minis-try of Hope. The panel will not only power 14 lights in the feeding center; it will also charge several solar lanterns. These lanterns will be rented to members of the community, helping to support Ministry of Hope while providing 8 hours of light to individual homes. The solar panels will power a “cell phone sta-tion” as well. While previously, people had to walk 11 kilometers to Mponela to charge their phones, the station at Khwamba will allow the community to charge their phones for a small fee.

P.O. BOX 1462 • BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. 28711 • WWW.MINISTRYOFHOPE.ORG • JUNE 2011

W hen I visited Lesotho in Octo-ber 2009 on a mission trip with my church, North Ave-

nue Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA, I had no idea what God had in store for me there. During our time in Lesotho I be-came quite interested in one young or-phaned child named Sechaba. As a result of contacting tuberculosis at an early age, he had developed a severe curvature of the spine known as kyphosis.

After our return to the US, the Holy Spirit continued to nudge me about Sech-aba. My husband, Greg, and I decided to see how we could help him medically. In January we asked Presbyterian missionary Nancy Dimmock to take Sechaba for medical tests and x-rays so we could send the information to doctors here in the States. She learned that he had been se-verely abused and had extended hospital stays in the past. Nancy’s heart was touched and she felt led to take Sechaba home with her to foster him.

Greg and I continued to pray about what our role would be in Sechaba’s life. This was God at work in my life because I was completely happy with our family of

three girls. But by the end of March, Greg and I had decided that God was definitely leading us to adopt Sechaba.

In May we started the adoption proc-ess. While it was hard to wait, it was a huge relief to know that Sechaba was in a wonderful home, speaking English, and going to school. We will never be able to repay the Dimmocks’ kindness and love.

Sechaba came home to us on Decem-ber 15th of 2010. From the week he ar-rived in America we have seen countless doctors. He has been diagnosed with ky-phosis in his thoracic spine, a condition that will continue to worsen until correc-tive surgery is done. We have found an orthopedic surgeon who feels confident that he can correct Sechaba’s kyphosis. This will be a major procedure spanning 6-8 weeks in another city with additional weeks of recovery at home. In addition, he has hearing loss in one ear due to a series of infections that will also require surgery this fall. Despite these challenges,

Sechaba Comes Home By Leigh Kershner

Continued on next page Installing solar panels at Khwamba

Leigh and Sechaba

Liberty Corner Lights Khwamba By Sydney Kornegay Continued on last page

Irrigation Project at Matapila By Paul Sigmund

M inistry of Hope’s six remote feeding centers have a chal-lenging task as they work to

provide nutritious meals for the village orphans that they serve. One of the most pressing needs at the feeding centers is to have vegetable gardens to supplement the children’s diet of boiled corn meal and beans. The most significant obstacle is the availability of water.

It seldom rains during Malawi’s dry winter season (July – September), and drought occurs with alarming regularity even during the main growing season. Water is a precious commodity, and even though underground water is plentiful, rainfall controls people’s very survival. In response, a team from Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church looked into how to provide water for irrigation at a test gar-den at the Matapila feeding center.

The investigation identified an inex-pensive drip tape irrigation system devel-oped by Chapin Living Waters. If a water tank could be elevated five feet above ground, gravity would provide sufficient pressure to specially developed drip tapes to deliver consistent plant watering. Drip irrigation dramatically reduces the water requirement of conventional irrigation because only the roots of each plant are watered, reducing evaporation and runoff. Best of all, the cost to supply a 1000 square foot garden was less than $100.

Joseph, the Director of the Matapila center, and village leaders were very ex-cited about the plan to build an irrigated

vegetable garden at their site. A team of local men set about clearing and leveling a piece of land, building a fence, and cul-tivating the ground. Then a platform was constructed that was strong enough to hold 2000 pounds of water 5 feet off the ground. Everyone eagerly pitched in to build the platform, hoist the huge water tank into place, and lay out and connect the drip tapes. Teenage boys pumped wa-ter into buckets and carried them the 100 yards from the well to the tank. Finally, the tank’s valve was opened, and precious water began to drip into the parched soil. Village volunteers carefully transplanted seedlings started weeks before in anticipa-tion of this day. Tomatoes, Chinese cab-

bage, and mustard greens were planted, one at each drip point. Grateful voices offered thanksgiving to God as the garden was dedicated with prayer.

The Matapila test garden is only the beginning. Plans are in place to expand the system to include the entire garden plot. In addition, the gravity irrigation system is readily adaptable to individual household gardens in the surrounding villages, and a number of chiefs and church leaders have shown great interest. Paul Sigmund is a member of Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church in New Jersey. He has been the project coordinator on his three trips to Malawi.

Meanwhile, Lisa Mandel and David Cutler helped lead a VBS, teaching the children at Khwamba about God’s love around the world. The VBS featured crafts, singing, and a daily story. The group ended each day with a women’s soccer clinic, led by high school students Emily Cutler and Kristin Powers. “I just feel like the girls never get a chance to play” explained Emily, as the girls from Khwamba flooded the small soccer field out-side of the feeding center.

The project contributes to what Ministry of Hope director John Mandere calls “Christ-centered, sustainable develop-ment.” The idea is to create programs and projects that do not just benefit orphans, but the whole community. Projects like the solar panel installation bring light to the community while mak-ing the feeding centers more self-reliant.

Lights - from page 1

Orphans watching as solar panels are installed

Providence Church Continues to Bring Hope By Pete Barbano

I n April, a group of 6 volunteers trav-eled to Malawi, sponsored by Provi-dence Presbyterian Church and Res-

urrection Christian Community Church of Hilton Head, SC. The trip focused on both medical work in villages and practical maintenance and ministry at the

Khwamba and Mponela feeding centers and the Lilongwe Crisis Nursery.

Our team as-sisted with 5 Mo-bile Medical Clin-ics, seeing 1865 people suffering with everything from malnutrition and skin disorders to HIV and ma-laria. In addition to the clinics, we joined African Bible College students in painting two feeding centers and conduct-ing VBS programs with the children there. Finally, we were able to help with press-ing maintenance needs at the Crisis Nurs-ery and to provide some new and much-needed supplies.

It was a great privilege to be able to be involved in a holistic ministry to our brothers and sisters in Malawi - offering practical service as well as spiritual en-

couragement. I was blessed by every child I saw, and touched by many of the villagers’ deep faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Pete Barbano is a member of Providence Presbyterian Church in Hilton Head, SC. He has been to Malawi four times in the past 18 months and plans to visit again this fall.

On February 9, 2011, Chikondi Hope was abandoned by his mother. She had taken him for treatment at the Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe, and was waiting in line for her turn. She turned to the lady next to her and said, “My baby is hungry; would you please hold him for me while I go and buy some yogurt?” Chikondi’s mother gave every indication that she was planning to come right back. But she did not return, and the lady holding the abandoned child eventually found a policeman who took him to the Lilongwe Social Welfare Office.

The child did not have any documentation and was given the name Chikondi by one of the Social Welfare officials. They called Ministry of Hope who came and took Chikondi to the Crisis Nursery. He appeared to be about two years old, and had multiple disabilities as a result of cerebral palsy. Because of his many needs, he was kept at the Crisis Nursery despite the fact that he was older than most of the babies there.

Eventually Chikondi’s mother was located by authorities and is now serving jail time. Ministry of Hope was able to find an aunt who agreed to care for Chikondi.

It is indeed by God’s grace that Chikondi was brought to the Crisis Nursery. We pray that God will continue to provide for his needs by surrounding him with people who are passionate and committed enough to accept and nurture Chikondi regardless of his disabilities.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

Examining Chikondi

Would You Please Hold My Baby? By Daniel Moyo

Freshly painted feeding center

Orphans show their appreciation

M inistry of Hope Board mem-ber Jim Skidmore, with his wife Jean, traveled to Africa

in May at the invitation of Ministry of Hope. They spent the majority of their time in Lesotho helping with the MoH accounting system, meeting the staff and board, and visiting and encourag-ing missionaries Frank and Nancy Dimmock.

MoH Lesotho’s goals are to match orphans with adoptive parents, provide care for children of working mothers, and support families with children who lack funds for school and basic needs.

It is encouraging to note the pro-gress since the Dimmocks moved to Maseru a year and a half ago. At that time, the local orphanage had 107 chil-dren, but now it is down to about 70 since MoH Lesotho has arranged 35

adoptions. As Frank said, “Nancy’s goal is to empty the orphanage.” There is much to be done, but they are cer-tainly on the way to doing just that.

Update on MoH Lesotho

he is neurologically sound, which amazes his doctors.

Sechaba is an amazing little boy who has overcome numerous difficul-ties in his life. His mother died of HIV and his father died of TB. He has been uncared for and underfed for years. Since being in the US, however, he has made many friends. The children at his school care very deeply for him and his teacher has taken him under her wing with additional tutoring after school. He

is now able to write short sentences, read beginner books, and add small numbers. Sechaba is even learning to play the piano and how to swim.

Greg and I are grateful that God brought Sechaba into our lives. In Leso-tho, we were reminded that God did not bring Sechaba this far to leave him. “Bring Sechaba back to Lesotho when he is standing tall,” we were told. We feel certain that one day we will be able to do just that.

Sechaba - from page 1

Sechaba with his sisters Isabella, Meti, and Talia

Recently adopted baby

Ministry of Hope PO Box 1462

Black Mountain, NC 28711 1-888-Malawi2

www.ministryofhope.org

Mission Statement Ministry of Hope seeks to glorify God by reaching out to the orphans, widows, and the destitute with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, providing hope as we minister to their basic needs.

Board of Directors

There are two Boards that direct the activi-ties of Ministry of Hope. A Malawian Board directs operations in Malawi, and a U.S. Board promotes and supports the ministry within the United States. In the U.S., the Ministry of Hope, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization lo-cated in Black Mountain, NC.

The Ministry of Hope, Inc. U.S. Board

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Rex Hoffman Vice President, Wachovia Bank, Asheville, NC Director Emeritus: Polly Miller Forty-year Presbyterian missionary in Africa, Black Mountain, NC Board Development Director: James Hamilton Attorney, Laguna Beach, CA Finance Director: Jim Skidmore CPA, P.A. Montreat, NC Communications Director: Van Kornegay Associate Professor, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC Missions Director: Scott Rodehaver Civil Engineer, Wallace Engineering Tulsa, OK Resource Director: Janet Skinner Wells Nonprofit Executive, Los Angeles, CA Members at large: Pamela Bowman, Basking Ridge, NJ Mary Jo Carlson, Hilton Head, SC Carmel A. Courtright, Scottsdale, AZ William Grayson, Garland, TX Bill Kaneft, Columbia, SC Rebecca H. Potter, Pasadena, CA Kenneth Root, Jr., Mesa, AZ