Happy Christmas for the Children
27 Dec 2010 5 Comments
in Children, PHOTOS Tags: Christ, Christmas, Kenya, Yogananda
|
|
||
|
||
|
PHOTOS ARE AT END OF THIS POST
Dear Ones,
Above is an e-mail that I received this morning from Rev. Wangai. I sent him the remainder of the money before Christmas. He used some of it to buy food for the animals and the rest to provide this Christmas celebration. I was very pleased.
The book, The Second Coming of Christ, is in the mail. I wanted to send it via UPS – but that was going to cost over $300! Yikes. So it was sent via US MAIL. Please keep it in your prayers so that it arrives safely to his post office box. Oh yes – some of the money also went to pay for his yearly fee for the post office box. Sometimes he simply lets it go (a very low budget operation!)…
Anyway – I was pleased how well this project went this fall and into Christmas. Thank you all for your help…
God bless you all.
Joy!
Mary
And below is a copy of the e-mail I just sent to Rev. Wangai:
Dear Rev. Wangai,
Oh – I was so happy to see the pictures of the children. I am glad they had a nice Christmas meal, and with presents and even some new shoes! Wonderful!
You have done very well using the resources that we send to you. I am very happy to see that. I will share these pictures with the group. I am sure that they will be pleased, as well.
Do the ladies continue to pray together before they sew? This will keep the energy in the group very harmonious, happy and holy. I hope they are gradually learning to say the Prayer of St. Francis by heart (memory). It will bless them very much if they do so.
The Second Coming of Christ book, by Paramhansa Yogananda, is in the mail – but it may take time! When we tried to send it via UPS – we realized it would cost over $300. I didn’t have that, and I wanted you to have as much as possible for Christmas for the children. So I am happy to see that you have done such a nice thing for the children with the money we sent.
God bless you and your family, and your entire congregation.
Blessings In Christ’s Love and Joy!
Rev. Mary
CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE
- scan0003
- scan0002
- scan0004
2 More Goats!
18 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment
Dear Friends,
I received this e-mail this morning with a picture of the 2 new goats. The new chicks will arrive soon. Thank you for all the good you have done! Rev Wangai mentions that the sewing project is going well. In my next letter I will ask for details on the sewing.
I will be sending a small gift of money for Christmas as it approaches. This will help him to give a modest Christmas party for the children, as well as provide for some expenses that come up as these projects develop. At this point the goats are not producing milk (or therefore, money).
He rented a nearby 1/2 acre of land with some “semi-permanent” structures on it (huts?). Anyway – he will plant napier grass on it for the goats. There is also “bore hole” water on the land (a well). All this he got for $50.00 a year! But to buy the plot would coast $5000.00! So I said – well – renting sounds pretty good!
Recently I have suggested that he teach his congregation this daily affirmation:
Daily affirmation:
Focus deeply at the spiritual eye, and repeat three times:
“I will with my own will, which flows from the divine will, to be healthy, to be well, to be prosperous and spiritual, to be well, to be well.”
Paramhansa Yogananda
Date: Thu, Nov 18, 2010 at 2:33 AM
Subject: goatsDear Rev Mary,
Receive greetings in the name of our lord Jesus Christ. We are very happy to let you know of the progress, this morning we managed to procure the goats and their are very fine animals – good milk grade.Rev Wangai and a helper - with the 2 new goats
We are sending you the photo. the picture was taken this morning so only one care taker was present.
The new chicks have not yet arrived since they are coming from far. Sewing project is going on very well. The prayers you have been sending are very beneficial and of great help to the women. There is a great change in their spiritual life.Receive greeting from the ladies and my family.
God bless you mightily
Rev Wangai
Thank you all again – What a blessed way to start Thanksgiving!
God bless you all!
Joy!
Mary Kretzmann
More goats & chickens soon!
12 Nov 2010 2 Comments
in Goats and chickens Tags: Ananda
Dear Friends,
I just sent Rev. Wangai money for 2-3 more goats, and chickens (they already have 2 goats and a dozen chickens)… Your combined generosity has allowed me to do this and help them get up to a moderate goat dairy much more quickly than I had anticipated! Thank you!
It is important to note that without your help – the cost of dairy goats for these widows would be entirely prohibitive. It is life-changing that they have this opportunity now. You’ll note that I mention the “barn” (really a repaired shed). I was relieved that they had this shed to fix up – because the cost of building a structure would have escalated the project beyond the scope of this effort.
I enclose part of my e-mail to him, below. We stay in touch, and he seems to be managing the project well. He understands the principles of delegating practical authority, while yet remaining strong in his spiritual guidance of the congregation.
I have reserved some money to cover the postage costs to send to him the book, The Second Coming of Christ, by Paramhansa Yogananda. It is already purchased, now I have to wrap it up securely to send it. I will also include a few other small items in the box. It feels like a blessed event that this book is getting shipped to Kenya. I will coach him from afar – by suggesting a few short passages at a time. Many Christians in Africa have strong faith, and these blessed words can take that faith to a deeper level.
If any of you would like to go in on a Christmas season gift for the widows and orphans, it would be most appreciated. A friend of mine said that her relatives will be doing it together as a family gift. This is all still a rather informal effort – and please know that 100% of the money goes to this project.
God bless you all.
Joy!
Mary Kretzmann
PS – I will post pics soon when he sends of of the news goats and chickens.
Excerpt of my recent e-mail to him:
Dear Rev. Wangai,
…Please use the money to buy 2 goats and many more chickens, plus feed and supplies, OR you may use it to buy 3 goats and a few extra chickens. Please decide according to what makes the most sense to you right now. If the barn will hold only 10 goats, it may be best for now to simply increase the herd by 2 more, so there will be room for the baby goats, when they are all born. Or – if you decide there is indeed enough room – this is a good time to get 3 new goats. But you can talk it over with your man there who knows about goats, and make the decision.
I have purchased “The Second Coming Of Christ” and I will be preparing a package to send to you.
…Please use this payment in the best possible manner to set up the operation. You have done very well with the resources so far, so I trust your judgement…
News: Today I will be making a better video of the affirmation, “I will with my own will….” A man in our Ananda Community has better video equipment and he helps us make videos that look more professional. It will also be easier for you to understand what I am saying., and thus easier for you to teach the affirmation.
May the blessings of Christ be ever with you, your family, and your congregation.
Joy!
Rev. Mary Kretzmann
The new chickens!
27 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment
Below is photo of Rev. Wangai with two of the widows taking care of the new chickens, which look big and healthy!
I am also getting ready to send him money for more goats, because I have received more money for this. I will sit down this weekend and see what is possible for them, with what has come in.
I’m sorry this note is so short! But I thought a little bit of news is helpful! As Thanksgiving approaches, it warms my heart that we have already helped their lives be more bountiful.
Joy!
Mary Kretzmann
PS – I also sent Rev Wangai a copy of “The Beatitudes, by Swami Kriyananda” – (scroll down to see it…)
I thought this would be helpful in his ministry.
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2010 4:52 AM
To: Mary Kretzmann
Subject: Greetings
Dear Rev. Mary,
Receive greetings in Jesus name. How are you going on with the ministry. We had a good service yesterday. The women are doing well in the three projects, chicken, goats and machines. I took a photo of the chicks although they were not taken properly they spread in the house, the women there are the ones dealing with the chicken. i will take the chicken only. the sewing material photos has not been complete yet but i will send it as soon as it is ready together with the chicken photo. We are praying for you.
God bless you
Yours Rev. Wangai
Rev Wangai with two of the widows, and the new chickens
The Beatitudes, by Swami Kriyananda
Goats have arrived!
05 Oct 2010 2 Comments
in Goats and chickens, PHOTOS Tags: Christ, goats, Kenya
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS!
The goats have arrived, and I was also able to send him some extra money for a dozen indigenous hens, and extra sewing material. There is a bit more money left to send. I am currently on the east coast, and I will send the money once I am back home. I want to see how things go with these new chickens, etc. I may have enough money for him to get one or two more goats. (The goat shed can fit 10 goats.) People have been generous. THANK YOU! We will see how it all goes!
In the photo you can see that these are European style dairy goats, as opposed to the small pigmy style African goats. The pigmy goats are good for a source of meat, for those who care to use it that way – but they are not so great for milking. These dairy goats are made available by the agricultural institute in Kenya. These were highly recommended for milk production.
joy!
Mary
PS - Here is a series of notes from Rev. Wangai .
Sent: Mon 10/4/2010
To: Mary Kretzmann
Subject: Re: Goats
Dear Rev. Mary,
Receive greetings in Jesus name. I am very sorry for delaying the photos.This is
because the camera man delayed me I don’t have my own camera. I am happy to
inform you that I have the goats at home and have taken two photos with a small
group. The women are very happy. even in the photos as I hand over the goats to
them you can see they are very happy.
I have bought materials and I have ordered and paid a dozen hens as soon as I
get them I will send you photos. We had a great service on Sunday.Receive
greetings from our church members and also from the women with a lot of joy.
Receive greetings from my family,the church and the women.
God bless you so much i love you. Waiting to hear from you soon.
Yours Rev. Wangai
A FEW DAYS PRIOR…
To: Mary Kretzmann
Subject: Re: greetings
Dear Rev. Mary,
Receive greetings in Jesus name. Sorry for delaying in replying this email i was
a little busy.I received the money and I thank you so much. I have gone today
and paid for the goats. so I’m just waiting for the delivery of the goats, once
they are delivered i will take a photo and send it to you. We have bought 8
machines at the moment and 5 are the only ones working in the sewing cloths but
three of them are for training. We don’t have any extra money because the money
we got (FROM SELLING PRODUCTS) we used it for the kid’s school fees.
We are getting tenders but we don’t have materials. About the chicken, the Hybrid
chicken are a bit high because a day old chick is 100 Kenya shillings. The chick
will stay for 5 months for it to start laying eggs which will be very expensive,
I prefer we buy the indigenous hens because they also lay eggs and one goes for
$5 and its only one month to laying. therefore it is not very expensive as the
hybrid one.
God bless you,
I will send you a photo of the goats and the children, and another one with the
goats and the women then send it to you.
Receive greetings from my family, church and all the congregation as i wait to
hear from you soon.
God bless you
Yours Rev. Wangai
AND A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THAT…
Dear Rev. Mary,
Receive greetings in Jesus name. I am happy to hear from you.Yesterday we had a
good service and all our churches are going on well. The sewing machines are ok,
the ladies are working hard. I wanted to inform you about the goats, they
started from the central Province, right now these sides they are not many here,
they are very rare, only in the agricultural institutions and I would prefer
that grade because it is the best and it is found on that price only. They can
not change the prize, they are very expensive but very good breed. because its
productive and the products are good as in milk and meat.
We can buy from other small farmers but they cannot be the hybrid I want so we can waste money on a fake breed that’s why I preferred to buy from the agricultural institution.
I don’t want to quote a less amount and end up not buying the goats that will be wrong.
Pass our greetings to your family, the church and all friends.
yours in the Lord
Rev. Wangai.
CLICK DIRECTLY ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
September update
11 Sep 2010 1 Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Ananda, Christ, Kenya, Yogananda
Excerpt from my recent healing prayer newsletter:
…I have been in touch with Rev. Wangai Rukwaro of Kitale, Kenya. He is the pastor of a Christian congregation, and he has been a member of the Ananda Healing Prayer Council for many years. His ministry cares for 40 widows and their children, who struggle to support themselves as best they can.
A couple of years ago our family sent him money at Christmastime to buy a treadle sewing machine so the women could better support themselves. (Otherwise they did very low paid working like washing..) We were impressed
A couple of years ago our family sent him money at Christmastime to buy a treadle sewing machine so the women could better support themselves. (Otherwise they did very low paid working like washing..) We were impressed that they showed great industriousness.
This summer Rev. Wangai told me about 4 new orphans resulting from the death of one of the widows, and he was hoping somehow I could help find monthly support for the children. (This is a typical method to support such a ministry). However, my “main” ministry is theAnanda Healing Prayer Ministry, and I wasn’t ready to take on such a big new project…
Later that morning, I prayed for guidance on how to help the children. Instantly an inspiration came to my mind. It was so quick, and so fresh an idea, that I took it as an answer to the prayer. I felt the blessings of Paramhansa Yogananda, and the idea was this: Could the widows form a cooperative society together, to help each other with their children in life, and even (God forbid) if some of them should die? It is hard to think about such things, but it is a necessity in any one-parent home, and especially an impoverished one. I wrote and asked Rev. Wangai if they had 10 treadle sewing machines, could the women bring in enough extra money to help even feed these orphans? He said yes, with 10 machines, that would be feasible…
In the next couple of months some friends on the healing prayer council assisted me in getting the number of treadle sewing machines up to the total of eight! This has helped the women very much. They work cooperatively in using the machines, and in healing each other with childcare. And I have been assured that those orphans are now well loved and cared for by some of the older women in the congregation.
Now instead of getting 2 more sewing machines, we have the goal of helping them purchase 2 goats. They have already repaired an old shed that will serve as a goat shed, and can hold up to 10 goats as the herd grows. This will provide milk for the children, and if they have extra, goat milk gets a good price in Kenya as a health food. (If you want to help with this, please write to me at the Ananda address.)
- Pastor Wangai (near the window) leading healing prayers
This process has touched my heart deeply. I have been watching it blossom from the other side of the world as a new cooperative spiritual community. They continually send their loving gratitude and their prayers for all who have helped them. It makes such as difference. Pastor Wangai, in honor and appreciation of this, has named the group “Ananda-Kenya Prayer Ministry.”
He has asked me to give them spiritual direction from afar. This sparked my memories of years ago when I myself had a treadle sewing machine – before we had much electricity at Ananda. I had 2 little children and I would sew for much-needed extra income. The sound of the treadle was peaceful, and gave a rhythm to my inner prayers, and practice of the presence of God. It was a very special time.
I asked Pastor Wangai to guide them with a prayer each morning. (The machines are all together in a simple building.) I also suggested that they strive to “pray unceasingly.” They could pray for all of the children – showering them with prayerful love. (For more on all this you can search “Kushona Sisters” to find my blog online…)
He was very happy to share this with them, and they were very inspired by it. I also taught him the “Jesus Prayer Meditation” and asked him to teach it to the women. Nayaswami Kriyananda taught this to a Catholic priest many years ago. It is the hong-sau meditation, but uses the prayer: Lord Jesus Christ (inhalation) have mercy on me (exhalation).
Last week he asked for further instruction and inspiration because he was leading a 3 day prayer seminar. I suggested that he teach them all the Divine Mother healing prayer technique (see previous photo). I also suggested the Prayer of St. Francis, and sent it to him in English and Swahili. It is such a sacred prayer, and will help the women to live a sacred and holy life together in Christ.
Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
Pastor Wangai teaching the St. Francis Prayer
Paramhansa Yogananda wanted to help infuse Christianity with the experience of deep inner communion with God. My heart is touched watching this unfold so far away – but as a new branch of our spiritual family. In any spiritual community, it is important to support the body, mind, and soul, while holding fast to Yogananda’s ideal of “Plain living and high thinking lead to the greatest happiness!”
God bless you all!
Joy!
Mary Kretzmann
Director of Ananda Healing Prayer Ministry
14618 Tyler Foote Road, Nevada City, CA 95959
More Sewing Machines on the way…
24 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
in Sewing Machines Tags: Christ, Kenya, sewing
Dear Ones,
This is the correspondence I sent along with the money details for the two new machines. Thank you again to Pat T., Lisa C-J, and to Sheila N. for your generosity.
Please keep Rev. Wangai in your prayers for guidance and protection. It is a fairly safe area, but I always get a bit nervous when it is time for him to pick up money for new sewing machines. I don’t want to plant a negative thought, but rather a positve flow of divine grace and prayerful protection.
I am sorry it took an extra week to send the money on to him. Last week we sent our youngest son, David, (age 17) off to college. And the he got homesick right away… So, of course my mind, and e-mails and phone calls were with him…I think he is doing better now. He is now taking it “one semester at a time” instead of merely “one day at a time.” Progress!
Blessings and joy,
Mary Kretzmann
Dear Rev. Wangai,
I just sent you money for 2 more sewing machines, which will bring the total to 8.
May the Ladies continue to find work to keep all of these sewing machines busy. May they grow in prosperity, and continue to be generous toward each other, and toward the orphans in their group. Please continue to guide the Ladies in prayer and Christ-like service and compassion.
“Suffer the little children to come unto Me – for such is the kingdom of heaven.”
As the work grows, I hope that the mothers will be able to afford the basics for all the children, such as food, shelter’ and school fees. But please keep other luxuries at a minimum. Paramhansa Yogananda said this:
“Simplicity of living plus high thinking lead to the greatest happiness!”
Please note – he does not say “poverty of living” but rather “simplicity of living”. The Ladies have been in poverty – but now they are on their way to a beautiful “simplicity of living”. This is a great blessing. As they grow in holy simplicity, with their needs met, please teach them to be constantly in a state of Love and prayer with Christ. May their hearts be full of Him. May their hearts shine with divine contentment, gratitude, and generosity.
“…And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me…”
40“Mfalme atajibu, `Ninawaambia kweli, kwa jinsi ambavyo mlivyomfanyia mmojawapo wa hawa ndugu zangu walio wadogo, mlini fanyia mimi.’
For these Ladies – “the least of them” right now are the orphans left behind by the lady who died…
May these ladies and the whole congregation somehow love and guide those children. Those orphans need school fees first, because they have lost their mother. School will keep them busy and will give them guidance. I want all of the children to have school fees, but please give it to those orphans first. And in return, I expect those orphans to be grateful and well behaved in school. Please make it clear to them that they must do their very best with this gift of schooling. It is God’s grace in their lives. They must not squander it.
Please let me know if the women will soon be making enough money for food and school fees for all the children.
Do the women still have new orders for items to sew? Should we still go all the way to 10 machines? Do they still have enough work for 10 machines? Or should we buy 2 goats next?
Sewing is the best financial foundation for the Ladies – but I want to be sure they have enough work for 10 machines. Let’s watch their progress over the next few weeks. And then please give me a report. It is very good when the Ladies go out to get orders for more items to sell to the schools and hospitals. Please do let me know if they are still busy and successful in getting orders. This helps me understand your local economy.
Finally, I am very glad to know the women are praying, and also that the ministers are enthused in the West Pokot District. However, it is very important that we meet the goals first for these first Kushona Sisters in Kitale. I want these ladies to get out of poverty into a beautiful, God-loving simplicity that is generous toward others in need. As God blesses them, they can then let God’s blessing flow through them to others. It is a very holy commitment that these Ladies are caring for the orphans in their group, under your direction. So – I want to be sure this project is on solid ground first.
(Please forgive me – but Swahili is the correct language for Kitale, right? )
Oh! I just did a search and look what I found:
http://vbministries.com/swahili_lesson.asp
So – please tell me about the ministers in West Pokot District. Are they also serving widows and orphans? One idea I have is that we get 2 goats first for the Kushona Sisters, and as the herd grows they can give 2 goats to the people in West Pokot. But please tell me about their ministries first. Or is the west pokot district under your direction? Please tell me more…And please teach them to pray in these ways you have learned…
God bless you, and all of the people in your spiritual care.
kwa heri…
In Christ’s Love,
Mary
Rev. Mary Kretzmann
http://www.healing-prayers.org/
Sent: Wed 8/18/2010 2:33 AM
To: Mary Kretzmann
Subject: Re: greetings
dear rev Mary.
we thank the lord for you every day,receive greetings of the name of our lord Jesus Christ.
we are very fine and blessed and we are thanking our lord for the care and protection.
Every body here is doing fine and well..we spent the weekend in .3
district and we discussed more about our new ministry, ANANDA -KENYA prayer ministry .they are very excited about thee new ministry.they are now praying for it and its future in doing the work of the great commission.
women are doing good work with my guidance,and praying ceaselessly for the project and for you.
receive their greetings. pass my regards to your family and all
our children are fine and sent you their greetings
GOD bless you
rev wangai
