Our grand daughter, Sydney Wentz and Oak Ridge United Methodist Church (ORUMC) Family Ministries, are holding the sixth consecutive fund raiser for SHOES  & SOCKS FOR ISAIAH’S KIDS to be held on Saturday, March 14, 2015 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at ORUMC Family Life Center, Oak Ridge, NC.  There will be a hot dog supper, walk-a-thon,  magician and games.

Sydney conceived this idea after meeting Isaiah in November 2009 when they discussed the children’s needs for shoes and socks to minimize medical issues such as ring worm. Shoes and socks are also required to participate in the Child Action Initiative (CAI) sponsored education program. Isaiah was visiting with us and spoke about CAI at Oak Ridge UMC following his participation in the three month training program for indigenous missionaries sponsored at Servants in Faith & Technology (SIFAT), Lineville, Al (info@sifat.org).

In the past five years Sydney, her friends, family and acquaintances who took an interest in this project raised funds to purchase a total of 472 pairs of shoes & socks for Child Action Initiative School Students. 

Isaiah Njimbu Chot founded Child Action Initiative in 2006 to provide educational programs for HIV/AIDS orphans who fled war torn areas of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Kasungami, DRC. The population of Kasungami has grown ten fold to approximately 50,000 people since 2006 when CAI was founded. More than 50% are children. They are in desperate need of essential items such as food, safe water and clothing.

 If you wish to donate to  Shoes & Socks for Isaiah’s Kids , please send donations to: Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, 2424 Old Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 and earmark donations: Shoes & Socks for Isaiah’s Kids. Please go to: www.oakridgeumc.org to view additional Oak Ridge United Methodist Church activities and programs.

Isaiah and children receiving shoes & socks

Isaiah & girls receiving their first pair of shoes & socks

Thank you for your continuing support of Child Action Initiative and its programs.

Blessings,

Bev & Ed Wentz

U.S. Coordinators for Child Action Initiative

Western North Carolina Conference

Piedmont District

Oak Ridge UMC

Oak Ridge, NC 27310

CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE DOUBLE YOUR DONATION OPPORTUNITY

Child Action Initiative (CAI) is in need of a vehicle for the use of Isaiah (Esaie) Njimbu Chot, executive director of Child Action Initiative for transportation for himself, to take pregnant women and children to the hospital, transport supplies, take visitors to Kasungami, etc.  This is an opportunity to assist Isaiah in obtaining a vehicle.  Alternately you may donate to other CAI projects such as: Sustainable Agriculture and Development, Children's Education, Medical care, etc.

Last year $2 million dollars were donated to Advance Specials within the first 2 hours of  Giving Tuesday. We will be making our online donations immediately after midnight EST on December 2, 2014, to be sure of a match.  A total of $6.5 million dollars were donated to the Advance on Giving Tuesday 2013.

When you make an online donation through the Advance on December 2, 2014, your gift will multiply. For one day only, December 2, 2014, as part of UMC#GivingTuesday, gifts made to Child Action Initiative through Advance Number 3021036 will be matched*.

To donate, please go to www.umcmission.org/give  .  This takes you to The Advance.  Go to
 Advance Project Search - enter Child Action Initiative; click on find.  Click on 1. Child Action Initiative - Projects.  Click on Give Now and follow the instructions.  There is an option to give your local United Methodist Church credit for your donation.

As always, when you give through the Advance, 100 percent of your gift directly supports the ministry project; overhead costs are supported through other channels.

Thank you so much for your faithful support and doubling your impact by making a generous gift on December 2, 2014.

*The General Board of Global Ministries will allocate the "matching funds" dollar for dollar up to the first $1 million dollars in gifts to Advance projects received on line on December 2, 2014, between 12:00 A.M. E.S.T. and 11.59 P.M.  A maximum of $2,500 per individual gift to a project will be dispersed as matching funds.  A project may receive a maximum of $25,000. in matching funds. If you do not live in EST please follow this link:   http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html to determine the time for you to give.

Blessings,

Bev & Ed Wentz

U.S. Coordinators for Child Action Initiative

Western North Carolina Conference

Northern Piedmont District

Oak Ridge UMC,

Oak Ridge, NC 27310

2014 has been another productive year in the life of Child Action Initiative under the leadership of (Isaiah) Esaie Njimbu Chot, Executive Director. Following is a summary of these accomplishments.

Blessings,

Bev & Ed Wentz
U.S. (UMVIM) Coordinator/Advocates for Child Action Initiative

          CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE 2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

One hundred children are in school, 60 girls and 40 boys.  They performed very well and some of the students were class leaders.  They received nutritious food.  Beside those who are doing vocational training, we have also students in mechanical and masonry training.  They are learning welding and building schools.

Child receiving school uniforms

Student Selected for Africa University

A student has been selected by CAI for the 2015-2016 school year to attend Africa University.  We are working on the application.

New School

World Vision has built a technical school, Nazareth School, near  Nazareth UMC.  Students will be able to attend without having to travel a distance.

Nazareth School

Shoes for Isaiah's Kids

Children are excited to receive the gift of shoes.  One hundred pairs of shoes and socks have been distributed to needy children.  They are so thankful for the support and enjoying Sydney's birthday gifts.

Children receiving shoes and socks

Chapel

The dream is alive.  The church members in Fipango have started worshiping in the new chapel.  Although it doesn't have doors and windows,  at least they have a nice place to meet and share the words of God.  Max Kern visited Fipango when he brought the building team to DRC and he and the team raised money to replace the old chapel which was in bad shape.

Fipango Chapel

Sustainable Agriculture and Development Program

More than 80% of the participants are capable of providing leadership in their communities in promoting cultivation and utilization of integrated crop production and management.  Also, 50% of the participants demonstrate the ability to volunteer to train other persons in their respective communities.  Many families have started cultivating home and dry gardens.  They cultivated vegetables, cabbages, bean, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and maize.

CAI has taken the initiative to raise Moringa trees and are currently distributing Moringa seedlings in the 8 communities of Kasungami. CAI is currently investigating the efficacy of use of Moringa powder in improving the nutritional status of malnourished children in Kasungami.

Together with the community members CAI has started experimenting food preservation for consumption and income generating activities for women's empowerment program.

Bev Medical Center

This Center is serving women of poor households in the surrounding villages.  More than 60 have delivered babies safely in this center.  Prior to this the pregnant mothers had to walk 20 kms to a hospital.  Many mothers and babies died.  We distributed mosquito nets to women who delivered this year.  In relationship with the Health Zone, 500 children were vaccinated this year.  Villagers can also receive medical check-ups, some treatment and nutritious food here as well as training in sanitation, health and hygiene and low cost safe drinking water.

Baby born at the Bev Medical Center

Saving Group and Microcredit

Eight saving groups were established in North and South Kasungami. These groups are raising chickens.  In addition, some of them are involved in women's literacy, sewing and computer literacy.  They can read, sew shirts and open computers or use some computer keys.

Apprenticeship Program

A lady who graduated from the sewing program this year was donated by CAI a gift of a sewing machine for her shop.  She made 10 curtains for CAI office and Bev Medical Center.

Parsonage

In collaboration with the church we have installed some wires for the electricity.  The new pastor's family is happy to live in the parsonage and use the home office for the church administration.

Children's Choir

World Vision donated music equipment: keyboard, amplifier, speakers, microphones, etc.  We are practicing to perform at churches and other events.

Future CAI Global Community Center

Bricks were made for the future CAI center for the Apprenticeship Program; spiritual and recreation activities will also be available.

By,

Isaiah/Esaie Njimbu Chot

Executive Director Child Action Initiative

2013 ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE, KASUNGAMI, DRC

Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children: 100 children are in various schools from elementary through highschool. They performed well. The children received nutritious food three times per week. 10 students are in apprenticeship programs.

Shoes for Isaiah’s kids: 100 pairs of shoes and socks were distributed last year. It was so exciting to get this gift donated by Sydney Wentz on her birthday event. Children are so thankful to receive this donation for the fourth time .

Fipango Chapel: A new United Methodist Church Chapel was built in Fipango village. This community faced challenges to worship due to the very poor condition of the chapel. During a visit by the building team led by Max Kern (Oak Ridge UMC, Oak Ridge, NC) June, 2012 to begin construction of the Nazareth UMC parsonage, with Isaiah as guide, Max visited the old chapel in Fipango. He was moved by the poor condition of the building. Using funds raised by Max and his team, Isaiah led the project to reconstruct the chapel. People who attend Fipango chapel are so thankful for this support.

Sustainable Agriculture Development: One hundred local farmers from North and South Kasungami (Fipango, Kintu, Kanyaka, Kipweka, Kasamba) attended UMCOR Integrated Crops and Pest Management (ICPM)for 18 weeks. They learned under the leadership of two trainers from North Katanga Annual Conference, to grow, control and enhance food production.

Ms. Abiongeke, 60 years old, said," The training enabled me to grow produce, sell it and buy the metal sheets for the roof of my house. I praise God for that".

Bev Medical Center: was established in the heart of Kasamba in Kasungami, Southwest of Lubumbashi City and framed by five communities. It serves an area of about 4 square kilometers. This is an area of extreme poverty and very little social welfare. It supports and supplements in addition to birthing babies, health related activities and preventive programs. This Center is serving more than 100 women in various programs. 50 babies have been born in a safe place (rather than the bush), and 350 children were vaccinated with polio and chicken pox vaccines.

Saving Group and Microcredit: Five saving groups have been established in Kasungami to reinforce the microcredit program for small scale household projects. This includes women’s literacy and sewing programs. The ladies started a sewing workshop.

CAI Building and Office Extension: The CAI building was completed. This will be used for vocational training, children’s recreation and bible study activities. Also an additional room was built at the Center that will be used for administration activities.

Isaiah (Esaie) Njimbu Chot
 Director Executive   
Child Action Initiative









FUND RAISER: SHOES & SOCKS FOR ISAIAH’S KIDS

CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE March 26, 2014

Sydney Wentz, our grand daughter, is holding the fifth consecutive fund raiser: SHOES  &  SOCKS FOR ISAIAH’S KIDS to be held at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church’s (ORUMC) Family Life Center, Oak Ridge, NC.

Sydney conceived this idea after meeting Isaiah in November 2009 when they discussed the children’s needs for shoes and socks to minimize medical issues such as ring worm. Shoes and socks are also required to participate in the Child Action Initiative (CAI) sponsored education program. Isaiah was visiting with us and spoke about CAI at Oak Ridge UMC following his participation in the three month training program for indigenous missionaries sponsored at Servants in Faith & Technology (SIFAT), Lineville, Al (info@sifat.org).

In the past four years Sydney, her friends, family and acquaintances who took an interest in this project raised funds to purchase 22 pairs of shoes and socks the first year; 50 pairs the second year, 100 pairs of shoes and socks the third year, and 100 pairs of shoes and socks the fourth year. This year she hopes to exceed last years total.

Since 2009 Sydney, her friends and family raised enough money to purchase 277 pairs of shoes and socks.

Isaiah Njimbu Chot founded Child Action Initiative (childactioninitiative.blogspot.com) in 2006 to provide educational programs for HIV/AIDS orphans and extended family who fled war torn areas of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Kasungami, DRC.

The population of Kasungami has grown ten fold to approximately 50,000 people since 2006 when CAI was founded. More than 50% are children. They are in desperate need of essential items such as food, water and clothing.

If you wish to donate to the Shoes and Socks for Isaiah’s Kids fund raiser, please send donations to: Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, 2424 Old Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 and earmark donations: Shoes & Socks for Isaiah’s Kids. Please go to: www.oakridgeumc.org to view additional Oak Ridge United Methodist Church activities and programs.

 

 

CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE DOUBLE YOUR DONATION OPPORTUNITY

 

 

When you make an online donation through the Advance on December 3, 2013, your gift will multiply.

 

For one day only, December 3, 2013, as part of UMC#GivingTuesday, gifts made to Child Action Initiative through Advance Number 3021036 will be matched*.

 

As always, when you give through the Advance, 100 percent of your gift directly supports the ministry project; overhead costs are supported through other channels.

 

To donate, please click on Advance ; Advance Project Search - enter Child Action Initiative;

click on find.  Click on 1. Child Action Initiative - Projects.  Click on Give Now and follow the instructions.  There is an option to give your UMC credit for your donation.

 

Thank you so much for your faithful support and doubling your impact by making a generous gift on December 3, 2013. 

 

*The General Board of Global Ministries will allocate the "matching funds" dollar for dollar up to the first $500,000.00 in gifts to Advance projects received on line on December 3, 2013, between 12:00 A.M. E.S.T. and 11.59 P.M.  A maximum of $10,000.00 for individual gifts to a project will be dispersed as matching funds.  A project may receive a maximum of $50,000.00 in matching gifts.

 

Blessings,

 

Bev & Ed Wentz

U.S. Coordinators for Child Action Initiative

Western North Carolina Conference

Northern Piedmont District

Oak Ridge UMC,

Oak Ridge, NC 27310

 

 





DEDICATION OF THE NAZARETH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PARSONAGE, KASUNGAMI, DRC

Following are excerpts of a recent email received from Isaiah Njimbu Chot, Founder & Executive Director of Child Action Initiative providing an account of the recent dedication of the parsonage in Kasungami, DRC. Included are photographs of the parsonage under construction and of the dedication.

Sunday June 9, 2013, was a phenomenal day at Nazareth United Methodist Church Kasungami, DRC. Local municipal authorities, Episcopal area officers, leaders of the Bishop Katembo District, pastors, church members and members from other church congregations, mission organizations including World Vision and villagers were excited about this event and enjoyed witnessing this memorial dedication and historical event. It was exciting, meaningful and most importantly an enriching learning experience that people will never forget in Kasungami and the South Congo United Methodist Annual Conference.

Speeches were presented by the lay leader of Nazareth UMC, Isaiah Njimbu Chot and the Bishop’s Representative, Rev. Chibambo Shebele. The lay leader especially thanked American brothers and sisters in Christ who, through their donations and talents, made this project truly benefit the church and its dreams.
  Isaiah related, "During Bev and Ed Wentz’s visit to Lubumbashi and Kasungami in 2008, they learned the minister at that time, Pastor Jean Kalau Zombil and his wife Esther, lived several miles from Nazareth United Methodist Church. It was difficult for them to visit the church without transportation and minister to the congregation, especially during the rainy season. During a meeting with the church members the need for a parsonage was raised to enable the pastor and his family to live close by. After more than four years the building team was organized and funds were raised under the leadership of Max Kern and his team: Shirley Kern, Dave Heiser, Amy Hurley, Jayne James and Bill Baxter. It was so amazing for them to visit June 15–30, 2012, and begin construction of the parsonage.

Before dedicating the parsonage, Rev. Shebele, the Bishop’s representative, blessed people who first gathered together to come up with the idea of building the parsonage and the building team from the United States of America who did a great job in helping to get the project underway by fund-raising and then begin building the structure with the help of members of the church.

The congregation assembled outside the door of the new parsonage with joy and grateful hearts to join in this act of dedication. Rev. Shebele declared the parsonage to be a place where the Nazareth pastor will rest, nurture his family and prepare God’s people for the abundant life. After receiving the keys to the Parsonage from Isaiah, she prayed for the house; opened the door; and advised the church to maintain it properly.

Everyone had a great time and shared food with joy. Thanks for doing such a wonderful job and making this event happen!"

By (Isaiah) Esaie Njimbu Chot


The following was written by Shirley Kern when she returned from Kasungami in 2012. This article summarized the experiences of the building team led by her husband Max Kern.  The team began construction of the parsonage for Nazareth United Methodist Church, Kasungami, DRC  June 15 to June 30, 2012.

"When a Fork is Not Just a Fork!"

"Isaiah joined us often and one night he was thanking us for the medicine, clothes, shoes, toys, school supplies, etc. we had brought with us. He made a statement to us that had us scratching our heads. He said, "sometimes a fork is not just a fork". He further explained, every single thing we brought had a purpose and God knew who would get each and everything sent. Each dose of medicine had a name on it, each pair of shoes was desperately needed by a particular child unknown but to God. This became evident when I saw two sisters standing side by side. One sister had on the left shoe and one sister had on the right shoe because there was only one pair of shoes for them. Sometimes when we send something small and seemingly trivial to us, someone there is in desperate need of it. He went on to say, it might just be a fork to us, but to them it represents something they desperately need. So, everything we send fulfills a need someone there desperately has. They were SO VERY THANKFUL for everything we brought with us. Thanks to all of you for your donations. They were received with such gratitude!"

As Shirley also stated in her article, "We had hoped the Western North Carolina United Methodist Conference Building Team program would have been able to send three teams to build the Nazareth United Methodist Church parsonage and raise the $15,000 for building materials, but only six people could make this commitment."

In a conversation we had before the team left for DRC, Max Kern stated, "God chose this team!"

This accomplishment demonstrates what two groups of people of different cultures can do through faith and the belief in God.

Contributions can be made to Child Action Initiative Advance Special 3021036.

Blessings,

Bev & Ed Wentz
U.S. Coordinators/Advocates for Child Action Initiative
Oak Ridge UMC, Oak Ridge, NC
Northern Piedmont Conference
Western North Carolina Conference

 







Isaiah and church members finishing construction of the parsonage

 



 Finished Parsonage 2013

 Rev. Chibambo Shebele, Bishop's Representative

 



 Kasungami UMC Congregation

 





Yvette, Isaiah & Eddie Chot