Out of Africa
Empowering Practical Transformation Through the Stewards Fund
Paying airfare for community development facilitators to train local leaders in Madagascar. Providing a salary supplement for a national community development coordinator in Kenya. Translating a community training manual into French.
These are just a few of the practical and savvy ways that Lois’s Stewards Fund is being used to transform communities around the world.
Both the focus and creativity of distributions are inspired by the Stewards Fund’s namesake, Lois. As a young missionary, she was sent to Kenya in 1969 to teach in a local high school. In the mid-80’s, she began leading community health initiatives.
“I just started with a group of four ladies under a mango tree, teaching them simple things,” recalls Lois. “Wash your hands, build outhouses, drink good drinking water, and you’ll see your sicknesses go down by as much as 70 percent.”
Soon Lois began getting more requests from different villages, “Come teach us.” She led trainings all over Kenya, and by the mid-90’s, had a program and local leaders in place to facilitate community health trainings on their own.
Meanwhile, Lois was being invited to other African countries as a trainer, even after returning stateside. However, the rigors of international travel combined with the prospects of placing nationals to lead trainings caused her to retire in 2015.
Lois’ desire was to establish a sustainable local program that would exceed her personal limitations. “There were capable national leaders in place who were well-trained and enthusiastic,” she explains.
“One of the businessmen in our church suggested that a Stewards Fund be set up through Barnabas Foundation,” says Lois. “That looked like the best way to go, so we set the fund up.”
Costs related to promoting community development initiatives are directed to a U.S. based mission agency, but never the entire cost. “Disbursements from the Stewards Fund aren’t given to just spend,” says Lois. “No. No. It’s very specific.”
Since then, multiple donors who share the same vision for empowerment have faithfully donated to the Stewards Fund. In addition to Kenya, initiatives to promote community development have been supported through this Stewards Fund in Madagascar, South Sudan, Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Chad.
“We see communities coming together and families working together,” reflects Lois. “Often they start micro finance businesses, selling a sack of potatoes on the side of the road. We have a training which helps people realize, ‘Oh, wow. I can do something for my family and my people.’”
Lois sees all kinds of possibilities for others who, like her, dream big about ministry making a difference.
“Be creative,” she says. “A Stewards Fund is not just a narrow ‘put my money here, and I give it to charities.’ There are many ways that you can tweak your giving to do some very interesting things.”
To learn more about the Stewards Fund and other giving options, contact Barnabas Foundation at at 888.448.3040 or contact us by email.
