Serving 'the least of these': Michelle Outman runs h.o.w.? Ministry in Cape Girardeau to help women in Africa

Michelle Outman turned her love for serving others into mission work that is making a difference in the lives of countless people, particularly in Africa. As the founder and executive director of h.o.w? Ministry, Outman not only helps Africans overcome obstacles, but she empowers them to cultivate life skills through which they develop resources to help them flourish. Helping Orphans and Widows -- h.o.w? -- has a three-part mission: "empowering women, saving children, fighting poverty."

In 2012, Outman transformed h.ow? Jewelry, formerly a for-profit company, into the not-for-profit it is today. Though she has proceeded with a vision of her own, the foundation remains intact. The ministry is built on a heart committed to mission work that enables women to provide for themselves and their families. Jewelry continues to play a major role, as women create and sell these items, which allows them to purchase such necessities as food and clothing, pay for their children's medical care and provide education for their families. Outman says her desire is to "empower the widows and orphans in Kenya through education and employment opportunities."

But her commitment to serving began long before 2012.

"As a young child, my parents had us serving our neighbors and community. In junior and senior high, my youth group did many service projects in our community and for others in neighboring states. I just grew up serving others," she says.

She put that servant's heart to work in 2007, when she tackled raising money and awareness for clean water projects in Ethiopia.

H.o.w.? jewelry on display.Glenn Landberg

In 2009, Outman set foot on the African continent herself. She and her husband, James, already had two children, Parker and Paeton, and that year, they adopted twin boys from Ethiopia. Outman has since been to Africa 12 times on mission trips: Ethiopia twice, Swaziland three times and Kenya seven times in the past four years, with plans to return in June. Her 17-year-old daughter, Paeton, describes it this way: "You get the mission addiction."

Though Outman also took a Haiti trip last October, visiting 12 ministries, Africa has a place of its own in her heart.

"Africa is a beautiful continent. I love the people, the colors, the music, the animals," she says.

Of course, Ethiopia is special to her, since her adopted twin boys, Phisher and Phelix, were born there.

"In June 2009, our family of four grew by 'four feet' as we traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and welcomed 6-month-old twin boys into our hearts and home," Outman says.

By line:H.o.w.? jewelry on display.Glenn Landberg

The twins, who have special needs, have added joy to their family.

"If you asked each of us, we would all agree that the twins, even with their special needs, have been the biggest blessing to our family," she says.

Kenya, the focus of h.o.w? Ministry, is a permanent fixture in Outman's life.

"Four years ago," she says, "God called me to Kenya to minister to widows and orphans. I love Kenya; it is my second home. The relationships I've made are familial."

Her work there is an investment in fertile soil that is yielding fruit. The ministry, for example, has purchased seven acres of land in Naivasha, Kenya.

By line:Michelle Outman, h.o.w.? Ministry founder and executive director, poses for a photo.Glenn Landberg

"The vision for this property is to train and equip older orphans, who are aging out of orphanages, with life and vocational skills, as well as continuing to invest in the lives of the h.o.w? widows, enabling both, with ongoing educational and vocational training, to be gainfully employed members of their society," Outman says. They will grow crops on the land and build designated spaces for the creation of jewelry, baskets, scarves and other products. They also will build a church for worship and a guesthouse to board mission teams.

H.o.w? has already seen returns on its investments. One example shared by Outman is Mary and Samuel -- a 19-year-old mother and her infant son, who has cerebral palsy from a brain infection. h.o.w? provided funding to transport Samuel to the doctor, purchase medicine and receive physical therapy. The organization also gave Mary a sewing machine so she could use her tailoring skills to earn wages for her family. She worked long, hard hours, often getting little sleep, and grew in confidence and self-reliance as a result of what the ministry sowed into her life. Her dedication paid off, and she earned a respectable reputation in her community.

"Her dress designs are known, and many women in the community are requesting she make their dresses," Outman says.

Thousands are involved in making sure stories like these continue. Donations of $35 help purchase items such as flour, sugar, tea, toothpaste and more; while annual events, such as the "For the Least of These" 5K run/walk on May 7, raise awareness and funds to support Kenyan orphans and widows. Supporters also host "trunk shows" to sell products that keep the ministry flourishing.

Outman also recognizes prayer as a vital part of the ministry's success: "[People] we do not even know of are silently praying for the ministry and those we serve," she says.

By line:H.o.w.? jewelry on display.Glenn Landberg

H.o.w.? jewelry on display.Photo by Glenn Landberg ~ glandberg@semissourian.com

Given "hand ups, not handouts," the women of Kenya are deeply engaged in their own well-being, even as supporters here in the U.S. are engaged in the well-being of Kenyans. The "handmade jewelry, handwoven baskets [and] scarves knitted by the widows are just some of the items" they make, Outman says. Add to that "headbands, key rings, baskets, hand-beaded leather sandals, scarves, beaded African animals, olive wood salad spoon sets, ornaments and nativity sets," and there is something for everyone.

"All jewelry, baskets and crafts are paid for up front," Outman says, "so each woman earns money for the work she does." This is the empowerment that h.o.w? seeks to cultivate.

So what now? The ministry takes two trips to Kenya a year for two weeks each -- one in January and one in June. There, the h.o.w? team puts on a conference for widows; distributes clothing and blankets; serves the orphanage, delivering clothing, shoes and hygiene products; teaches at school, giving teachers a break; and brings professionals to assist students with disabilities. The team even helps make new jewelry to sell in America. No matter the expertise or interest, every person is useful in the work h.ow.? does.

Outman has this to say about taking a mission trip: "Go!" She adds, "Get out of your comfort zone and allow God to stretch you."

Over the years, many have answered that call.

By line:H.o.w.? jewelry on display.Glenn Landberg

"Serving the least of these, those that are so precious in His sight, is what puts life in me," Outman says. "The poor, the widow, the orphan, the sick, the imperfect, the lonely, the ones who are so often forgotten and overlooked are children of the most high God."

Outman, too, is "the least of these," she says.

"I am imperfect, and I fall short of His glory. I have material wealth, but I am poor in spirit," she says. "I feel close to God when I am serving as His hands and feet."

Thus, the mission continues.

Visit www.howministry.org to learn more about the ministry and how you may get involved.