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We offer a heartfelt "thank you" to the contractor, architect, and all of the workmen whose care and attention were evident throughout the Elizabeth House project. In just the past week alone, more than 100 workers were on site, working tirelessly to prepare the house for our special celebration. The building is on track for full completion by March 1, and the Sisters are confident it will be rented immediately. We have already been in close conversation about ongoing mainten

Saturday (1-31-2026) was the day we were all waiting for to celebrate the blessing of Elizabeth House #1. The Mass at 10:00 AM included much singing and dancing by the children of Star of Hope Orphanage.  Our team could sense the joy of the students in the atmosphere.  The children danced in the entrance procession and throughout the Mass whenever there was music.  The team members were in the offertory procession: Elizabeth Cole (Sr. Toni’s niece) brought up the dedication p

Sister Toni and the team arrived safely in Africa on Thursday Night (1-29-2026). Sister Mary Paul welcomed them and took them to Westland, the guest house run by the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood.   On Friday, they spent the day visiting the Elephant Refuge where there are 12 baby elephants being cared for by trained caregivers.  There were also a baby rhinoceros and a baby zebra at the reserve. The team knew they were in Africa when they could be with the live ani

On January 23, 2026, I journeyed to Kilunga to meet with the Precious Blood Community Group. Formed just last May, this microfinance group has already begun to flourish. As the women shared their progress, I found myself inspired by their determination and unity. Some of the women used their first loan to buy seeds for gardening.  Within a few months, they raised enough produce to sell at the market. With the profit from gardening, they were able to pay school fees for the ch

We are thrilled to share some exciting news: we’re heading back to Africa!   And thanks to your prayers, encouragement, and generous support,  you are very much part of this journey. This blog will be your window into our adventure, so  watch for updates along the way  as we reconnect with old friends, strengthen partnerships, and continue the work you help make possible through the African Ministry Fund. Our Travel Plans & Key Milestones January 28 - We depart St. Louis for

Women in the BUKOBA region needed daycare for their small children while they developed their income generating projects. By 2024, they had four classrooms and were ready for another level. In 2025, African Ministry Fund donated funds to build another classroom for the BUWEA School.  BUWEA began with a small prayer group of 7 women. During their weekly meetings they decided to begin a merry-go-round savings project. They began to provide loans to one another taking turns usin

Naomi Leparkiras , now 20 years old, was rescued along with her son Victor by Star of Hope Children’s Hope when Naomi was a teenager. According to the government system, Naomi should be on her own as orphaned children age out of child care at age 18.   However, Star of Hope supports Naomi and is happy that she has just finished Form 3 (equivalent to being a junior in high school). Before coming to SOH, Naomi lived in a culture that did not value education and did not go to sc

I left for a short but wonderful trip to Kenya on Oct. 10, 2025, and returned on Oct. 22. Visiting the children at Star of Hope Orphanage is one of my favorite things to do. Many donors gave me items to share with the kids, such as flip-flops, backpacks, pens and pencils. The children were so excited. Faith, a 12-year-old girl at the orphanage, had a wonderful welcoming speech. A highlight of the day was to meet and hold the youngest child at the orphanage, six-month-old Mari

After visiting the children, I went to view the construction – half finished – of Elizabeth House. Elizabeth House is designed to be a rental facility with 15 units. Income from the rental units will be used to sustain the St. Michael program at the Orphanage. The St. Michael Program provides either job training or future educational opportunities for the students who age out of the orphanage at 18. . The rental house will be rented by people in the area as apartments with ei