December 2024

​As we approach the end of 2024, I am once again amazed at how fast time flies by.   Mom and Dad always told me how the clock speeds up as you get older, and I would often roll my eyes at them.   However…..  😊
This past year has been a whirlwind for the ministry of Mahali pa Maisha, and for the Bell family in general.
We started the year with 326 infant rescues since we started the ministry back in 2011.  As of today, that number has climbed to 358.
And we are constantly reminded that despite the growing numbers, the infants God places in our care are each one a special little starfish, needing rescued and loved.  And each one is worth saving, regardless of the cost.  (picture of Jairus) 

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There have been some heartbreaking stories scattered throughout the year.  Newborns left on garbage heaps, dropped in pit latrines, buried in a riverbank, most left to die in an unimaginable way.
Others were the result of a case of incest, and culturally the mother could not keep the baby, so she gave him away.
In the case of Josiah Joshua, the mother, who was Christian, got pregnant by a Muslim man.  Neither family wanted the baby, and the initial plan was to simply throw him away.
Thankfully, a nurse interceded and convinced the mother to offer him up for adoption.    Josiah is now with a loving family and has parents and three older sisters who shower him with love and affection. 

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 Or in the case of John Richard , the mother was young, her first year of college and she got pregnant before she left the village for school.  She gave birth and left the baby outside the gate of a hospital.  She did not want her family to know she had been pregnant.   Once she was identified, she continued to say she did not want him, but the Children’s Officer insisted her parents be informed in the hope they would be willing to take care of him.  (picture of JR)
But sadly, the grandparents wanted nothing to do with this wonderful little boy.  
Thankfully there are many couples who do want a little one, and are wanting to start their family through adoption.    JR will soon be placed with his Forever Family where he will grow up knowing Jesus and the feeling of being wanted and loved.  As of today, we have placed 220 little ones with their new families.

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As I was drafting this letter, we got a call for yet another little one, left in a dumpsite, cast aside with the garbage.  Apphia is our 358th rescue, and the mission continues. 

​Property Update
The expansion of the MpM ministry in the form of a training center and temporary housing for adoptive families, teams and volunteers is slowly grinding to completion.  Much slower than we had hoped or planned for, the Life Center is taking shape. Teams that start arriving in January will be helping to put the final touches to get it ready for whatever God has in store as we look for better ways to serve the infants, and their Forever Families. 

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Bell Family update
Life continues to be a zoo for the Bell’s as God leads us on this amazing, and often frustrating journey.   Ethan and Selah are well into their 9th year of school and enjoying their limited time with friends at the church youth group.  We were so proud when Ethan made the decision to be baptized in November.  His devotion to learning more about Jesus, and his dedication to his daily Bible study is an awesome example for us all.
Selah is blossoming into a beautiful young woman, enjoying her time with friends and her dogs.  And spending a lot of time trying to convince mom and dad that we (she) needs a German Shepherd! 
Shaddy is in 3rd grade and also doing well with his studies.   His adoption case continues to be frustrating as we lean on God for the determination and trust it is all going to work out.  Because the Kenyan Government has refused to issue the needed Adoption Certificate, we had to hire a “high end” attorney to file an application with the court to force them to honor the High Court ruling that was issued a year ago.  So in response the govt has now filed an application against the ruling in an effort to get the adoption overturned. 
The matter for both applications is to be heard on Feb 3, 2025.  So once again, we find ourselves waiting, and with lots of time to pray about it.
Overall, we Bells are doing ok.  Just trying to keep up with the plans God seems to have put before us and striving to complete the race as strong as we possible can.
The Holidays are always a challenging time of year as we miss being with our older kids and our grandsons.  And not being able to travel back this year due to the US Embassy refusal to issue Shaddy a visa to travel has just made it tougher.   But we trust God has it all in His very capable Hands and it will all come to pass according to His perfect plan.
This ministry is made possible by all of you who give sacrificially of your time and resources, and we never want to take that for granted. So thank you for your love, prayers, and support.
We wish to close with wishing you a most blessed holiday season as we celebrate the birth of our Risen King, and the reason we are serving.
Merry Christmas!
 
The Bell Family

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