KenyaTrip 2024 & Esther's Project!!

This year started with a great vision for a new ministry in Kenya. In the preparing for it I was instructed to return to university for a Grant Writing Class! This is a stretch since it has been 30 years since I was in school, even though I taught each week. This was to have assignments, papers, and so much responsibility but I agreed (to the Lord) and enrolled in City Vision University.
That class took me til two days before I left for Kenya and I'm proud to say I learned extensively and passed with an A! Not bad for turning 70 in January.
The trip was to scout out the land and of course minister in the usual areas and with my close acquaintances I have already secured there. It's now my second home and travel is not a hardship; I see it as an adventure, always with little miracles here and there. 
This trip was full of large and small miracles. I chose to put some excepts of my journal reports I made to my Prayer Partners below, with some of the important pictures.  Then further below I will be addressing the Esther's Project and its potential effect on the young teen moms in Kenya.

I am excited and I hope you will be one of the founding partners to support this program. 

At any time during your purvey of this report, you can give directly by clicking on the Pay pal button on your right !!

I pray I have many that will join the effort to change lives with me in Kenya, and make your donation a monthly pledge.

Now for the adventure....enjoy!!!!

Journal entries

Divine appointments 

1. at the Giraffe Center, prayed for the staff, 2 born again 

2. Ladies home next to Center, asked to go pray for stage 4 cancer. Presence came, she went out in spirit came up with pain gone and a voice she hadn’t had in weeks and could breathe. She was on floor after I prayed and then she said she had not laid on her back and been able to breathe in such a long time. She’s already texted shes feeling more and more healed

 

 

3. Nairobi, wanted a “face for the project”. First thing I saw was a teenage girl with infant sitting on concrete nursing and asking for help. She has a name. Margaret and baby Natalia. She then got born again and more started gathering on the street.  Ministered ( me and my driver) to them, then went to car to get some children little toys. Decided to feed them. 

          

4. Which at the corner was a woman selling food out of a huge box. She does it daily.  Her name Susan.  We bought all her food for the day in 10 min. She was also led to Jesus. 

5. Shopkeepers came to tell me thank you and stayed for prayer. 3 of them came to Jesus. All received new testaments thanks to my driver. 

6. A few guards saved as we ministered to others and they came to hear.

 

7. Did I mention I fed a giraffe with my hand!

Day one testimonies in the books and more!!!

Praise Jesus. 

Pray for more and more. First meeting about the Project tomorrow, church Sunday ( pray for miracles, that seems to be the focus). 

Exciting Updates March 2021

Shining Star Children’s Home and Prayer Mt. Widow’s Ministry Kenya 

 

It has been awhile since I have reached out and gave updates on the ministry at Shining Star Children’s Home and Prayer Mt. but lots of things are happening! While Covid initially closed the school and home, it is now again up and running.

Despite the seemingly chaotic atmosphere we have been under the past year; it has been nothing like what those in Kenya have lived through. People hoarding food out of fear brought a shortage of food for many and many went hungry. No doctors and certainly no testing brought about fear of even getting out in the rural villages so lots of unknown needs were not met.

The children were moved to homes within the village while the home was closed and I sent monies to each family to provide food for them as well as the children they were hosting. That is how I saw was best to keep them fed and also bless the village.

The school is now open again but only for the upper graders; hoping for the younger ones to get to go back soon. We have around 250 children in the school and 26 in the home. The house moms and teachers also took in children so I was able to feed them as well.The children from the school went back to their respective homes so we hope when school opens fully they will come back.

PRAYER MT in Kericho Kenya has stayed active and open for the duration of the pandemic, hosting all who come for ministry 2 weekends each month. My sisters who travel 6 hours from Nairobi, usually by bus, have been faithful to go and minister. This is the site where I ministered to the widows the last trip I took there. 

Prayer Mt is located in Kericho, Kenya and is a compound that includes stone dormitories that will house around 50 people, an outdoor cooking area and a meeting room that holds about 150. We have had over 250 there before though. They are located on a large hill above the town and have speakers that project the ministry down into all the villages and houses below. Many come as they hear the worship or message and are ministered to. There is an immense need there for the children there as well and as I go forward, I will incorporate them also into the ministry.

I am especially going to bring ministry to the children of the widows. Widows in Kenya are much younger than in the states and many have young children that have many needs, such as school, clothes and food. The children that cannot pay for uniforms do not attend school so this can be remedied easily. This will take my feet on the ground to get this started so next trip is my goal. This is a long term project as to be beneficial it must go their entire school years.

Right now I have a project I am funding that will bring hot water to the women when they come for ministry each month. To give you perspective, this is bigger than you would think. As when you go to Kenya, your water to bath with, if hot or warm, is heated over open fire with coal. So the coal smell gets into the water. I know as when I go to Kenya the smell of the water gets into your skin, so to them clean smells like charcoal. When the hot water is in place it will help transform their self image and make them feel special like the Father would love for them.

The entire project is 1900.00 and over my birthday month I had a fundraiser for it and raised almost half. If you would like to help with the balance so we can complete you can donate and memo it for the solar water heater.

I plan a trip back to Kenya either this fall or the following spring to continue and go forward with more ministry. I hope to do a ministers conference while there and impart the Fathers love to these wonderful servants of God in another country.

I want to thank you who have donated in the past, those who are regular partners, and any new  donors and invite you to enter into this ministry with me as we go forward to help the children and the women of Kenya. Any amount is appreciated and all will go to the Kenya ministry either Home or Prayer Mt. you can give via PayPal on openheavenmissions.blogspot.com or mail your gift to: 

Jubilee Family Center  

1700 San Carlos #103, 

San Carlos, Calif 94070

All gifts are tax deductible for your benefit 

Thank you for being a part!

Much Love,

Pastor Debbi

Jubilee Family Center  

1700 San Carlos #103, 

San Carlos, Calif 94070

openheavenmissions.blogspot.com

Kenya 2019

                                Kenya October 2019

Some of the Shining Star School students and teachers

My Kenya trip was long overdue and so eventful but completely gratifying and productive.
I traveled alone this time but was met by my precious Kenyan sister Stella at the airport and traveled to her home for the night.
Within 24 hours we were on the road traveling and I don't think I stopped till I boarded the plane to London 3 weeks later.

Traveling to Shining Star we had two flat tires on the rental car and had to literally follow a roller (large equipment) who just appeared when we got to a road that was impassable; and we stayed sliding in his tracks for about 2 miles to our next turn off.
So many slides into ditches, car quitting, flat tires, driving through water we could not tell the deepness, watching smoke come up from under the car as it the water hit the engine. Running into two fence post and a barbed wire fence, stuck in mud in Nairobi Game park where my driver had to get out in lion and rhino area and I drove as he pushed to get us out!
Just a few of the memories...
While I'll never forget these memories, they can now be smiled at, and the remainder of the trip was full of loving memories that were very special.


Children at Shining Star were excited to see "Mom Debbi" and I was happy to see them.

While there we taught several services as well as started the well dig at the home. I was able to see in person the new fence enclosure, meet some new employees and bless the children with much love and gifts.

Shining Star's partner school is now at 225 children and they too were excited to see their American Mom. We had a fun time with a professional photographer taking their pictures. They felt so special and you could tell this would be a time they would never forget.

We need more classrooms, a playground (my desire as they have only a backyard swingset with two swing now). The principal showed me the area he wanted the playground on and it is a large area as they have plenty of land but just need the equipment.

Many projects coming up and I believe you will find it in your heart to help with some of these projects. You can give online on send checks to ministry address.
Jubilee Family Center 1700 San Carlos #103 San Carlos Calif 94070

While there and ministering at Prayer Mt in Kerocha Kenya, I started a widow's ministry or have in my heart to. I funded a luncheon after speaking at meeting a couple times and we blessed around 50 ladies and gave their children gifts and all had soda (which is a BIG treat to them) I wanted them to feel special. Its sad it takes so little to do that but it is never done.

SO future, I want to fund these ladies' children to attend school as

do not, only because they cannot afford the uniform (20.00).  I also want to equip these women and get the ones that are living on the street in homes and help them.  They are one of the most neglected after the children as they are considered unworthy, used and not qualified Many have been abused and their self image is very poor. I want them to know God loves them and they are special, and important.

I am excited about this next venture!
So while I still love with all my heart and miss my honey who moved to heaven; I have determined to go on and be better, do greater and go further than I ever have before.

Thank you for all who are behind me in prayer and finances and for those who are yet to get on board.
Now is the time to help!
Thank you and God BLESS!
I am attaching a few pictures; more to come as my photographer is working on a video for me.
Love Because He Loves,
Pastor Debbi

Open Heaven Missions Update

Although behind the scenes I have never stopped with our support of Shining Star School and Children’s Home, my communication publicly has been sparse.

Currently the home and school is operating right at 1,000.00 USD per month which I send over monthly to the supervisor who is running the home and school for me.

I am now ready to start the flow of communication again. I thank each one of you for the prayers and support you have given me during the time since Pastor Rick has moved to heaven/

School faculty and their office

There are still days that seem surreal, (like today), but more and more i have emerged strong and whole and ready for my destiny to be completed

Shining Star Children's Home is thriving with the 26 children living there, receiving school help, 3 meals a day and a strong family base.

Shining Star school is surpassing others in the area with high test scores and over 200 in registration. 

We are in immediate need of more classrooms for the school and for the home, a well, that will insure that the children have water even in times of drought. 

 

Shining Star Children

At present they are in the middle of a drought and water is having to be purchased in the village and brought up by moped in 5 gallon containers.and a price of 5.00 per day. Although this seems minimal, it is adding up and we are going to start the immediate plans for a well soon.

I have a tentative date of Sept/Oct for my next visit and hope have that project in the works as I arrive so I can oversee part of the project.

The question is whether we can do a well or incorporate a bore hole which is about three times the budget. A bore hole will supply the school as well as the home while the well will cover only the home. We have a good start on the wells budget but any donations you could give towards it will be most appreciated. You can donate via PayPal button on this website.or  http://openheavenmissions.blogspot.com 

Pastors kids

We have just updated home with fresh paint and put in new gate for protection last year and repainted the gate also when we repainted the home this year.  I have pictures of that forthcoming soon. 

I have plans for recruiting an intern that could possibly spend at least 4 months at the home ministering with the children and the school. I am hoping to find a single girl or young married couple that would feel this is what God has for them to do.

I am looking forward to hosting some of you who would like to have an experience in Kenya with  the children for a short visit as well. So I am interested in hearing from you who are interested in one of these projects.

View from Home

Thank you again for those who are supporting the home and also thank you for those who are considering supporting as i go forward, there are man many more children that need JESUS and I would appreciate all and any support you  might give towards our vision.

Pastor Rick Milliken... Moved to heaven July 22, 2017

Shining Star Children's Home in Kenya is alive and well!

Updates have been slow and I apologize for that but my husband moving to heaven last July caught me completely by surprise.

We had just had our 40th year anniversary wedding renewal with the children of the home in Kenya in Sept 2016 and came home after a wonderful trip to the Holy Land we added for our anniversary present.

Little to no symptoms and an abrupt diagnosis sent us reeling. The next few months are a blur but we never lost faith and hope in our Father.
My husband moved to heaven July 22, 2017 and was completely in faith, never wavered the entire journey. He won his crown of righteousness and is abundantly blessed as he rejoices from his new home.

I, on the other hand, have experienced some of the most intense challenges followed by miraculous recoveries from the feelings. The relationship I have with the Father is more real than ever and eternity is so real to me now; it is merely the place where I too will move one day. But my goal is to bring as much eternity (His kingdom) to this earth in the meantime.

The children’s home is running well, I have not missed a month sending them the necessary check for the upkeep and salaries for everyone. We put up the fence, received electric and weathered a drought and we are still victorious with God miraculously meeting our needs.

The children were in mourning for a month for Pastor Rick whom the called Pastor Dad. It is with the culture. They go through fasting, mourning, and other actions for a death that is close to them. The children and the church did this for Pastor Rick.

A trip to Kenya may be in store for me this October. Not for sure; waiting on the timing of the Lord and the right one to accompany me.
We are now raising money, 10.000.00, for well to be dug and another 800.00 for an additional water storage tank to catch the rain water which right now is all we have.

If you would like to donate to this I would be most appreciative. We currently have many children on a  waiting list for the next addition to the home which was to be built in 2017 but of course got sidelined. It is just me now but I have determined that God is with me and I cannot fail, neither can I quit.
God bless each one of you.
Pastor Debbi Milliken
You may give by clicking on link above

Grand Opening of Shining Star Sept 2016

Grand Opening of Shining Star Sept 2016

Just returned from our 6 week trip to Kenya and made some amazing memories. The 23 hr. trip over was uneventful but from the moment we touched ground in Nairobi, the adventure started.
We got in about 10 pm and midnight found us at our good friend Stella’s table eating dinner (or was it breakfast) ? Eight hours later and frantic packing/unpacking of clothes we had left in Kenya, we were on road for our 6 hr. (turned 8 hr) drive to Prayer Mt. The next 4 days were spent ministering to all peoples who came to the annual conference of Prayer Mt in Kisii where we were the main speakers. Saw many healings and people were transformed as we ministered on the renewing of our minds and the power that can come from it.

Sunday we ministered in Kisii town at our precious friend Bishop Henry Osongo’s church and then on up the mountain to our children home area, between Nyamira and Kericho, above Kisii.

We were there a few days doing ministry before Sept 10, the big anticipated grand opening day. 
We were also celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary and so the village people and our family from Nairobi came and they honored us with a celebration vow renewal. Over 300 came and people were standing outside the church. Dancing and singing was the order of the day. Our first children whom we have been supporting that were scheduled to move in to the home, were in the ceremony as well, walking us down the aisle and wearing their special new shirts I had made for them this past summer. They were thrilled as they blew bubbles on us and helped us celebrate.
After the celebration we made our way down to the home for the ribbon cutting.
When we got down the mountain to the home; the children ran ahead and met us there, their faces full of joy. They knew soon they would have a bed of their own and three meals a day. When we cut the ribbon for the home the children and the village shouted and danced their way into the home. The children all ran to claim their own bed and laid there until we made them get up, giggling and shouting to each other.

The children helped us anoint and pray over the home. 
We heard some of the children talking that they would be able to take their first shower. The newness of it all made us all joyful.
The day continued into the night with more celebration and fun.The children got moved in and have settled into their new home.

We have some very immediate needs that have surfaced as we were moving forward.
The two most prevalent are electric and fencing.
So as not to delay the opening of home we had to purchase solar flashlights for the homes lighting as when we arrived at the home we were told that when the power was to be run to the children's home that the workman who came to do it completed part of it and then stated he needed 4 more poles and would return the next day to complete. Since he had done part of the work our overseer paid him 1200.00 USD to purchase the rest of supply and for work to be completed. Unfortunately he never came back. We found that he did not work for the electric company. This we found is very common in Kenya with scam artists. So we are still needing the replacement funds to get to the correct people to be able to get the power run down the hill.

The fencing is very important to keep people from encroaching on the land and to protect the children. We need to fence the compound in and put up barbed wire around the perimeter. Although we have security guards, it is a requirement to fence in any children home in Kenya so we need to do this asap.
This was highlighted to me even more as the home we stay at while we are at the home and also the overseer of children's home had his home broken into just days after we left and he and his wife were beaten and robbed by 10 men. This was done through a gated area and so I feel very strong that we need to get fencing for children immediately. This will be about 3,000 USD to get complete fencing and gating installed.

So as we go forward we are praying for those who share this vision of providing homes for children who would otherwise be neglected, without parents, sexually and physically abused, without education and malnourished to receive all their needs met and shown the love of Jesus so that they will be able to be leaders for the Kingdom and for their own country.

Shining Star Primary School
All focus this time was on the home but as we were ministering in the school that joins the children’s home property, with our children there which has grown to 287 children from 69 children in 2014, we were again met with many needs. They have only 9 classrooms and need at least 4 more, The children are holding classes under the trees. They need laptops for the teachers; there are 12 teachers now, up from our beginning of 5 teachers. They need school supplies and books. And they need a food program that would feed the children lunch. The children get to school by walking, many far distances.

They start school at 6:30 AM and conclude at 4:30 PM. There is a lunch break but most of the children live too far to go home and they don't bring lunch because of not having enough at home. So these children do not eat all day. We want to provide a lunch for the ones who do stay at school. But when we do provide this , the number will go up so we have to be prepared to feed them all in our budget before we begin.
Thankfully now our Shining Star Children walk just minutes down the hill each day to receive lunch at the home. But there are many others who don’t.
We need funding for a daily lunch program for them to be implemented.

Both the home and school are without a playground of any sorts. SO the future plans for two playgrounds are on our wish list as well.

Thank you for all your prayers and support as we go forward doing what we think Jesus would do for the children of the world.
Pastors Rick & Debbi Milliken

You can be a part by donating to the ministry pay pal account (use button on blog site or link in email) or by sending your check made to Open Heaven Missions or Jubilee Family Center to 1700 San Carlos #103 San Carlos Ca. 94070. All gifts are tax deductible
Jubilee Family Center is a 401 c 3 non profit organization