The Sophia Fund

On January 1, I launched what I am calling The Sophia Fund. This is a humanitarian effort to feed the poor in Kenya and Zimbabwe.  I had an email from a reader asking for more information as he and his wife prayed about making a contribution.  You may have the same questions he did, so I thought I would share my edited comments to him with you:

The Sophia Fund will only be distributed to those who work and give in the name of our Lord.  Here's the lowdown.

1.  In Kenya, I have a lot of relationships, but am now part of an organization now called The GOAL Project.  You can check out their website here.  In the missions section, you can read about the SARAH Network, GOAL's affiliate in Kenya.  They are all committed believers who have some excellent grassroots connections.  When I go over in three weeks, I am taking a team of seven with me, two of whom are pastors.  They will be visiting the SARAH partners for a week and will be directing the first distribution of The Sophia Fund resources.  I also have an Anglican pastoral couple in west Kenya with whom I work. They are great people, trustworthy and able to get the help directly to the people.  They have no distribution costs or overhead and are also connected with GOAL and SARAH. 

2.  I have a friend in Zimbabwe named Joan. I helped position here in Zim 12 years ago and she has now adopted AIDS orphans into her home and cares for them.  She also directs many outreaches in her community and is a committed believer who works with a large church in Harare pastored by an American couple.  She is in the community, with no overhead, so her resources go directly to help the people.

Those are my two sources that I will work with at this time.  There may be more over time, but they will all be the same:  little or no overhead with committed Christian values who aren't just feeding, but using food as a token of God's love to give people the bread of heaven.

If you need any other info, don't hesitate to ask. We of course are keeping not one penny here but will pass everything on to those in need. 

May God direct your prayers and steps, as I know He will.  I appreciate you even praying about this.

In Him,

John

We have already raised almost $800 and I am asking every reader to contribute at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more.  You can use the "Chipin" widget on this site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today!  I leave for Kenya on February 11.

Comments

[Rob Moritz]

Glad you started the Sophia Fund, John! I hope it catches on and grows and becomes a significant source of assistance to the suffering in Africa. Just sent a contribution to it.
Our Superbowl party was going totally insane cheering for the Cardinals. It looked so close to having God's will be accomplished with an Arizona win, but then that last drive fueled by the very fires of... oh well.
Glad to know that at least the good citizens of Pittsburgh can rejoice, while the rest of the entire earth mourns such a tragic loss...
I'm taking off Saturday for the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, and then on to Israel from there to host a tour. You'll be heading back to Africa about the same time. I'm sure we'll run into one another... how big can Africa and the Middle East be, anyway? Don't they all pretty much know each other and hang out?
Warmly, Rob Moritz

[Jack Oopondo]

To all those who have contributed towards this kitty, may God bless you and thank you for the good work you are doing.
Jack Opondo- Nairobi.

[Susan/TogetherWeFlourish]

Hi John,
You are welcome to post information on The Sophia Fund on Together We Flourish. It's a free service to help raise awareness about good work.