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Current Message from Father Raphael Kishare

Hi Everybody,

Peace and love from OLPHEC. We are well and working hard for a better tomorrow. The farm is ding just great. Hours, days and months have passed as to usher us into another holy season of cleansing and renewal. Lent is here for us all to acclaim God’s mercies and Graces through begging for forgiveness of our many sins.

I personally always look forward to this peaceful, interior period of soul searching when we better our best. The scripture readings really challenge us – God speaks to us through these sacred words to give us another chance (stop, look, listen and act!). Just like my favorite song “whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me”.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I encourage you to use this great time to search our faith and our spirit of sharing – living as brothers and sisters of one big family… the family of God. Our love for God and for each other goes beyond the Lenten practices of fasting, praying and charity, to personal relationships to determine what we want to better in ourselves and to walk an extra mile or two – depending on our ability.

OLPHEC has gone through so much – through fire and grace; through talk and action – but God has been gracious to us. Many friends from all over have come to give their hardy support, and I personally cannot complain.

The happenings after the general election clashes still remain vivid in our vey lives. The drought hat followed in Kenya was God speaking to us – it hit us hard. Food was not available and when it was it was very expensive. But then followed the rains – a blessing for our farm – as well as the extraordinary gift of the borehole (well) which has brought hope and consolation to our mission and dream. Caring for OLPHEC during this time was an act of God, not Man. Life was at the very edge but your constant care and love can never be taken for granted.

2010 is the year of OLPHEC – academically and in matters of sustainability. We have to work so hard in our beautiful farm to get some food out of it, implement systems of irrigation and heed St. Paul’s call “if you do not work, do not eat”. Academically, we have our first class (standard 8) doing their National Exams at the end of this year. This is good news for us all for these students and their performance will show that in only four years, OLPHEC’s mission, dream and challenges have been for something great. It also ushers us into the second phase as next year this class of students will be going on to high school. 

Education is a treasure for them and we continue to help them guarantee their future. Hence we appeal and pray that we shall all walk an extra mile or two – even three for these purposes to guarantee this continuity. Personally I have learned from the outpouring of generosity for OLPHEC through the sacrifices of so many, young and old - no one wants to be left behind. The lesson from the story of Jesus and the widow who gave a mite – or the boy who wanted to share all he had to feed the multitude (two fish and five loaves of bread). What we give, no matter how much we think it is makes a big difference. Even a penny can make all of the difference.

 Our Lord Himself praises the heart that gives cheerfully – our spirit of sharing. I know giving also depends on how much we know, what cause we give for and why, but also who benefits. I may say that my kids are so lucky. I am always humbled by your feeling so to close to OLPHEC and these special angels and their future. The images of pain and tales of suffering that we go through you share with us in a unique, Christ-like way. I promise to work myself so hard and never relax despite what I personally go through to help my dear Kenyans.

Let us pray – Lord we pray continually for all of our supporters; through them we have received courage and hope to help these kids. Be with all those working hard, sacrificing their time and money, to help us get a normal life like children of One God. Help all givers large and small to know & understand that the monies they raise is spent to bring love and hope to these deserving kids whom we love with all our lives. Bless our needs too, our families, our working places, our personal and spiritual needs. Give us all a spirit of wanting to love all persons just as you love us – a spirit of forgiving those who hurt us, just as you forgive our many sins. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen. Miss you all. Asanteni sana na Mungu awabariki (Thanks so much and God bless). I have no better words to say thanks.