Friday, August 20, 2010

The City of Hope: Families Building Families

Here at the City of Hope we know that the key to a successful future is built on having strong families. That is why we are so excited that we have entire families cooperating together to serve one common goal. 

One of the most remarkable things we saw this summer, was a family being restored.  A friend of ours had had trouble with his wife for awhile and finally she left him in pursuit of a more peaceful life. This summer, though, things changed for them. He began working at the City of Hope were he found positive friends and a greater purpose to help those even less fortunate then himself. The City of Hope provided him a new home and Dr. Chacha was able to walk him and his wife the process of restoration. She returned home with their two daughters. We will not ever forget the overwhelming feeling of joy we felt when we turned around in church to see him there dancing his heart out and praising God for his blessings. He has not wiped the smile off of his face since his wife returned. He is a new man with a new mindset. He told us one afternoon, "If you cannot love your family, who else can you love?" God is the healer of broken hearts, the restorer of mankind and the mender of relationships! 


The headmaster at our primary school, Godfrey, is one of our integral people at the City of Hope. He has done much to improve the education and the structure at the children's home. This summer, his wife graduating from nursing school and the City of Hope had the perfect opportunity for her! With almost 90 children living there and even more coming to our school from the village, having an on sight nurse was crucial. She was just the person to fit the job. Now both Godfrey and his wife are flourishing. Their five year old son also attends our school and he is among the brightest in the class. Now the whole family is unified and are fulfilling the purpose planned for their lives! 


Our agriculturalist, Lucas, came as one of the first employees of the City of Hope. Though he resides in Kenya with his wife and sons, he commutes daily to Ntagatcha. Through him, many of his family members have also caught the vision of the City of Hope. His brother has since become the plumber we rely on for repairs and for the building of the Medical Center. Lucas' nephew, Jakob, was hired as a teacher and is well loved among the students and staff. His niece, Janet, has become a great help in the guest house. She cooks and cleans for the guests and resident missionaries. She has since met her husband, Jack, at the City of Hope as well. He is one of our best teachers! Their family has made a huge impact on the City of Hope! 


There are also families in the United Sates bringing hope. Marion Myers has been with The City of Hope and Teamwork Ministries from the beginning. She has been spreading awareness and raising crucial funding for years. Her son Jeff Myers and his wife Claire serve on the board of Teamwork City of Hope, and have become key components to raising support. Also, many of Marion's grand children have volunteered on the summer missions teams.


We cannot talk about families without mentioning the most influential families at the City of Hope. That is the family of Dr. Chacha. Dr. Chacha founded the City of Hope on land owned by him and his brothers. One of the brothers, Julius, is the top manager of our labor force as well as public relations. As an influential leader and pastor in the village he has filled that role well. He has six children and his wife, Margaret works in the Mission Center. Other brothers are builders and watchmen, and his sister is the seamstress for the children. Many nieces and nephews both work, attend school and live at the City of Hope. Sisters in laws help the children with carrying water and braiding hair. 


Right now the Mission Center has been left in the hands of Dr. Chacha's nephew, Kyle Ledyard http://www.kyleatcoh.blogspot.com/, and second son, Imani, who will be at the City of Hope for the next year. Kyle's sisters Greta and Alaina are soon to join this September. Also Dr. Chacha's in-laws, Glenn and Velma Horst, have volunteered at the City of Hope building beds, shelves and playground equipment and teaching the children.


I (Mwita Chacha) am his oldest son. I have been blessed with the opportunity to get to know my family through the City of Hope. By working with them, as well as countless others, the less fortunate have in return been blessed. The City of Hope is also were I met my fiancĂ©, Monica Harnish http://www.dreamsfromafrica.blogspot.com/. We have a similar goal to give hope to the children in Ntagatcha by building families,  because strong families are what helped build us. 


Marion Myers and the girls at the City of Hope 




Mwita Chacha, Monica Harnish and Mwita's cousins 




Glenn & Velma Horst, Imani Chacha, Kyle Ledyard and the children of the City of Hope 








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