GoDevelop Olmoran Update

At the end of 2008 we launched a campaign called “GoDevelop Olmoran” focused on developing a community in Kenya that was in dire need. In March of ’09, Bob Wielenga (President of Global Outreach Development) and I traveled to Olmoran, Kenya with a team of six students from Hope College in order to see first hand the issues that the people of central Kenya were facing. We spoke with the people of Olmoran and heard their stories. We found some wells in working order, and in high demand. Other wells we found were broken down and ususable. We also heard about other important issues like the need for agriculutural and economic development.

Since then we have learned about two trees that could make a difference in Kenya. The Moringa tree and the Muiri tree.

The Moringa tree:

It is said that the leaves of the Moringa tree prevent 300 diseases. Modern science seems to confirm the general idea. Scientific nutritional analysis has shown that Moringa leaves are extremely nutritious. In fact, they contain larger amounts of several important nutrients than the common foods often associated with these nutrients. These include vitamin C, which fights a host of illnesses including colds and flu; vitamin A, which acts as a shield against eye disease, skin disease, heart ailments, diarrhea, and many other diseases; Calcium, which builds strong bones and teeth and helps prevent osteoporosis; Potassium, which is essential for the functioning of the brain and nerves, and Proteins, the basic building blocks of all our body cells.

Studies show that, ounce for ounce, the Moringa tree leaves contain…

· 7 x the vitamin C in oranges

· 4 x the calcium in milk

· 4 x the vitamin A in carrots

· 2 x the protein in yougert

· 3 x the potassium in bananas

Another important point is that Moringa leaves contain all of the essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. It is very rare for a vegetable to contain all of these amino acids. And Moringa contains these amino acids in a good proportion, so that they are very useful to our bodies. These leaves could be a great boon to people who do not get protein from meat.

It is noteworthy that Moringa contains argenine and histidine, which are especially important for infants who are unable to make enough protein for their growth requirements. Experts tell us that 30% of children in sub-Saharan Africa are protein deficient. Moringa could be an extremely valuable food source. While native to the Indian sub-continent, Moringa has spread throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world.

Not only are the leaves highly nutritious, but every single part of the Moringa tree has been used for beneficial purposes. Here is a list of the many specific uses people have found for Moringa.

Nutrition • Disease Prevention • Ointment • Alley Cropping • Fertilizer • Erosion Control • Water Purification • Cosmetics • Textile Printing • Insecticide • Fungicide • Lubricants • Tanning Leather • Dye • Fiber Products • Fences • Ornamentation & Shade • Wind Barrier • Cane Juice Clarifier • Honey Production & Clarifier • Condiment • Cooking Oil • Food • Traditional medicine: Anemia • Anxiety • Asthma • Blackheads • Blood impurities • Blood pressure • Bronchitis • Catarrh • Chest congestion • Cholera • Colitis • Conjunctivitis • Cough • Diabetes • Diarrhea • Dropsy • Dysentery • Eye and ear infections • Fever • Glandular swelling • Gonorrhea • Headaches • Hysteria • Intestinal worms • Jaundice • Lactation • Malaria • Pain in joints • Pimples • Pregnancy • Psoriasis • Respiratory disorders • Scurvy • Semen deficiency • Skin infections • Sore throat • Sores • Sprain • Stomach ulcers • Tuberculosis • Tumor • Urinary disorders • Wounds

So, the Moringa tree not only functions as a source for nutritional value and health benefits, but it also has potential as a dietary supplement for livestock and can be used to help increase crop yields.

(The above data on the Moringa tree is from www.treesforlife.org)

The Muiri tree:

The Muiri tree (Prunus africanus) has been used for thousands of years by inhabitants of East Africa for treating various ailments. However, recently pharmaceutical companies have discovered its potential and have hired agents to harvest the tree by improper methods and to an unsustainable degree. Consequently, very few of the trees now remain and the species is considered endangered.

Read more about Africa's Medicine Tree Facing Extinction From Greed, Corruption

Bob recently returned to Kenya to begin investing some of our resources in these areas. Now, there are 5,000 Moringa tree seedlings and 1,000 Muiri tree seedlings growing on a plot of land that was donated to the cause. We also hired nursreymen to tend this farm while the trees grow.

In February 2010, Bob hopes to return to Kenya with a medical team that would host a free clinic in Olmoran in order to determine the key health issues facing that community. If you are interested or know of someone who might be interested in joining that team, please let us know. There is much work to be done in central Kenya and we need your help.

Guatemala Team Reflections

Shiloh Community Church recently returned from their Simply Missions trip to Guatemala. Tom Rundel, the pastor/team leader has blogged some great updates and reflections on their trip. Take a moment to surf over to his blog (tomrundel.blogspot.com), see some pictures, and read some updates on what God did through them in Guatemala.

Great Jamaica Reflection Video

The team from Westwinds put this video together after their trip. I think it really captures a lot of the meaning behind what we are trying to accomplish at Simply Missions. The team spent the week at a residential school for deaf kids in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Take a look at what these kids have to say about their experience. (Read more about the Student Journey trip to Jamaica at www.variousparables.com)

New Simply Missions T-Shirts are here!

Show your support by wearing a Simply Missions T-Shirt.
Now Available for $15 each or two for $25 (plus shipping).
Adult sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL
E-mail your order to joe@simplymissions.org!

Let Us Start Planning Your Trip Next!

Current Opportunities for you or your church:

· Medical Mission trip to Olmoran, Kenya in October of 2009 (Approx. Cost: $2,600)

· Skilled Construction work in Paris, France – now through January. (Approx. Cost: $1,700)

· Guatemala trips customized for your team. (Approx. Cost: $1,300)

· Jamaica trips customized for your team. (Approx. Cost: $1,300)

We are already planning trips for 2010. Contact us today to get a custom quote for your church, school, or small group!

Jamaica Update

I'm just back from 12 days in Jamaica and want to thank all of you who prayed for the teams that were serving there. It was an incredible time. I started out my trip with the Westwinds Youth Ministry team that was working at the CCCD in Montego Bay. We helped pour a concrete sidewalk and the students spent a lot of time getting to know the deaf kids too.

Later I joined the JCS team and spent the remainder of my time in Whitehouse, Jamaica. There we built a house for a family who lost their home in a fire. It was hard work and hot days but it was also an awesome moment to hand the keys over to Solomon and his wife. I'm proud of all the students and adults that joined Simply Missions on these work teams.

If you would like to read testimonies about the house build or see more pictures go to www.royalservants.blogspot.com.

Simply Missions is now on Facebook!

We've opened up a Facebook Group for Simply Missions! This is part of our recent efforts to increase our connection points with you, our trusty supporters, and to create a viral approach to getting our name out there.

Let us know what you think by posting on the Simply Missions wall. Or, tell your friends about what we are doing with Simply Missions.

Find us on Facebook here. Or friend me (joe neill) and you'll see a link to the group on my page. I just opened the group this afternoon and already we have 83 members!

Not sure what Facebook is??? Don't worry. We'll continue to post updates here as well. If you don't recieve our email updates, contact me here and request to be on our e-list.