Archive for the ‘Ministry’ category

Another aspect

January 22nd, 2012

You’ve read here before about Caring For Kenya’s Kids (C4KK) and C4KK Children’s Shelter.  Helping to supply basic needs for orphaned children, widows and employing workers so they in turn can afford their families needs.  Today I’m going to show you another aspect of C4KK’s ministry.  We work with a friend, Ben, a local Kenyan and Executive Director of My Brother’s Keeper, who works with HIV/AIDS victims and those living in the slums.  We help support Ben on a case by case basis in which Chuck gets more detail on the situation, prays about it, asks God’s guidance and then proceeds with support if called to do so.  Here are a few stories of recent situations C4KK has supported.  Photos and captions are Ben’s:

This family had no water to use because there money to buy the precious commodity. I bought them soap and enough water to cook with, drink, wash their clothes and utensils, and most importantly to bathe with. Water is life.

The widow could not believe her eyes. She later told me she never even dreamt of getting good things like the items and food we brought her.

Today during our daily home visits i came across this woman and her baby. She is floorridden, pregnant (5 months), hiv+, has TB, vomiting, with a relentless diarrhea. She told me she had not eaten for many days.

When we arrived at Petronilla's house this morning.

Ben’s team cleaned the one-room home, cleaned mother and child, prepared food for them and the doctor came to check on her.  They brought the love of Christ directly into this mom and baby’s life.  ”She was so hungry and desperately ill even to talk. She murmered something like petronilla or something as her name. Today i get to go bathe them, clean the house and buy them anti diarhea and anti vomit medicines.”

Then bathed her for she had not fellowshiped with water for a very long time and badly needed one.

Feeding baby Mike whom we found eating her mother's feaces as there was nothing to eat.

There is no handshake or pat on the back which can reward Ben this side of Heaven for his love, care and concern for the “least of these”  but you can help Ben continue this work by donating at our secure donation site, marking “other” in the Allocation drop-down box and writing “Ben” in the comment section.  Those donations will be used on a case by case basis for helping these precious children of God.

Chuck will keep you informed on the cases which are supported by reposting Ben’s updates through Facebook.  Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration in helping bring the love of Christ to so many.

He is back at school!!!

January 19th, 2012

This fiasco is finally over!  That’s all I have to say about that!

Actually it’s been a learning lesson, not only in regards to the school system here in Kenya and dealing with people but also my sanity level :)

The student went back to school with an adult (who also has had run-ins with this school) and was allowed back to school.  He did, however, have to sign an apology note and it was put in his student file.  Remember, this was for forgetfulness….guess I’d have to write a lot of apology letters!

Once the student was in school he immediately went to classes then preps (study time) and wasn’t able to call me to confirm he was in school until 10:30pm last night.  But I was expecting his call so I was just happy he called!

Thank you everyone for the prayers in this time of great stress for both me and the student.  We are grateful for the prayers.

 

Still no resolution

January 18th, 2012

If you’ve been following the blog the past few days you know it’s been difficult to say the least.  If not you can go here and here to catch up.  However, let me fill you in on what happened after yesterdays blog post.  I was able to contact the principal and discuss the situation with him.  He agreed the student “must go back to school” and said he would call the person in charge at the school (the principal is out of the office until Thursday) to allow the student back to school.  I confirmed the conversation with him…the student can return to school that day without his mom going to the school?  Yes.

When I was finally able to contact the student he was elated to head back to school and he headed there immediately after he got off the phone with me.

Fast forward a few hours and at 7pm we get a call from the student saying he was kicked off the school compound, by the same person in charge the principal had called, and told to come back tomorrow (which is today) with his mom.  He was kicked outside after dark, no phone, no money, no provision for him to get home.  The student was able to find a stranger willing to allow him the use of his phone (call us, tell us to call back and hang up so we’ll spend the shilling…which is ok in this instance just an aggravation) and give the student money (which we sent back using a phone to phone money transfer system called mPesa) so the student was able to head home.  Let me explain another thing here….boarding schools require students to arrive on campus for school before 5pm because they don’t want the students out after dark but apparently it’s ok for the administration to kick a student out after dark with no help whatsoever.

It was confirmed by another teacher at the school (to the student as he was escorted off the compound) that yes the principal called the in charge person and was told to kick the student out and tell him to come back the next day with his mom…so basically the principal lied directly to me over the phone the previous day.  I attempted to call the principal, he didn’t answer my calls.  I text him with a request to call the in charge person and allow the student to stay, he never responded to my text.

Now today the student is heading back to school and as of 5pm I haven’t heard if he has been able to stay or not.  He visited me this morning and both Chuck and I gave him a pep talk, encouraged him and told him we would be standing behind him whatever occurs next…you just never really know here in Kenya.

We were told the school has done this with other students and depending on the economic state of the parent they will either have the student admit wrong doing, sign a paper and have that in the students permanent record or accept a bribe.

I would love to go on but I’m afraid I will say something I really shouldn’t.  I told the student this has definitely been a test for both of us to see how we will represent Christ throughout the ordeal and I admit I have failed miserably.  But I continue to trust God and He continues to hold me, even when I fail.  Or should I say especially when I fail.

Secondary meeting

December 1st, 2011

Today we met with the secondary students who are now on break until January.  We have a total of 14 secondary students:

  • 1 student received an A-!!!!
  • 1 student received a B!!!!
  • 6 students received in the C range - those students were encouraged and asked how they could do better.  We are making the students THINK about their performance, how they can improve and what help they may need.
  • 5 received in the D range - we did the same as with the C students but gave them their “term warning”.  Next term must be above C- or discussions will have to begin on what their next step will be.
  • 1 student was a no-show.  Not sure if he didn’t know about the meeting, wasn’t able to make it or just didn’t attend.
  • one student is discussing whether or not to repeat Form 2 – either at her current school or transferring schools.
  • many students complained about teachers – 1 student said their Physics teacher showed up 4 times during the term, another student said an English class had 3 different teachers during the term, 1 student said the teacher taught them but what was taught wasn’t on the exam.
  • found out 1 student changed their grade – had a long discussion about lying, cheating, etc. but told them we would continue helping, there is no need to lie to us.
  • a couple students are having eye problems – trying to figure this one out for eye doctors, etc.
  • many wanted “revision” books to help them improve their grades.
  • one student has resigned as “prefect” (representative) of his class because he says “it’s a waste of time, they don’t do much and I have better things to do, like study”…love this kid!
I was actually Kenyan today in that the meeting was supposed to be from 10-1, we ended up leaving at 4:30.  But I was able to scan everyone’s papers, talk with each student and allow everyone to discuss issues regarding school (teachers, classmates, school policies, etc.).  Overall it was a productive meeting.

Friendly Friday reminder

September 30th, 2011

Simply a friendly Friday reminder of the matching donation opportunity going on RIGHT NOW until October 31!

Grandma loves

September 20th, 2011

During our first trip to Kenya way back in 2008 I met a sweet girl, Susie (not her real name).  Susie had a bright smile every time I made eye contact with her and she never shied away from one of my big hugs.  As a matter of fact she gave as good as she got!  I still see her from time to time and every time I do it’s the same bright smile.  I’m not sure if I’ll see her after this term as it is Susie’s last term of the year and then she will graduate primary school and go on to secondary school.

I recently learned Susie is HIV positive and has been since birth.  What really touched me about her story is her grandmother.  I met grandma on a couple different occasions  and she too always has a nice smile and a firm handshake to greet me.  She doesn’t speak much English so she usually just says “Susie’s grandmother” so I know who she is.  Susie is a “total orphan” (a term used here to say she has no parents) and is being cared for by grandma.  Although grandma is elderly, she comes once a month to pick up Susie (she boards at school), take her to Nairobi for ARV’s then back to school.

The love grandma has for Susie is evident not only in the way she looks at her but in her actions.  Grandma is one of the people I referred to in a previous post where it seems God has breathed His a precious gift upon them both…His love and the ability to show that love to others.

 

Moving along at the speed of….

September 3rd, 2011

Digging on the well continues

They have hit a stone which they call “tobacco” since it is very, very dark in color.  Ken, the guy digging the well, says that may go another 15 feet before they hit water…but it’s getting closer!  Update:  as of today they have hit “wet stone” meaning water is oh so near! 

Which brings me to the point of this post.  There is a need for a water tank, water tank stand, pump and pipes.  Funding for digging is there but for the other items we are at a stand still.

Here are some of the costs for getting the water situation handled at C4KK Children’s Shelter:

15,000 liter tank – $1300

Tank stand – $3200 – this tank stand will be made of metal, hold the 15,000 liter tank (very heavy) and will be 20 feet high.

Pump and necessary pipes – $2000

In addition to this there will be piping the water from the tank to the shelter and that cost is unknown at this time.

A non-water related need is glass for the windows at C4KK Children’s Shelter which is estimated at $100.  Maybe this could be water related…no glass means rain coming in :)

glassless window

If you would like to help with any of the above, or simply donate to C4KK Children’s Shelter please visit our donate page where you can donate online.  It’s easy, secure and tax deductible in the US!  We continue to move at the speed of God…sometimes fast as lightening and other times slow as molasses, at least from our perspective.  But I know that Gods timing is perfect timing however fast/slow we see it!

Meeting was a success!

August 9th, 2011

I must admit I was a bit worried about the meeting (held last Tuesday) with the secondary students.  Saved By God’s Grace implemented a new policy in Term 1 of the 2011 school year stating if a student received a D+ or lower for 2 consecutive terms they could no longer receive sponsorship.  There were 3 students with D+ or lower the first term and received their “warning term”.  I wasn’t looking forward to putting this policy into action this term.

The day of the meeting dawned and the students were supposed to be at Nice View at 10am to discuss their grades.  10 rolled around, no one showed.  10:15 still no one.  I was considering leaving to make a point…when I set a meeting at 10 I mean 10.  Well by 10:30 one student showed up then they started to trickle in slowly so that by 1:30 the meeting was finished.  Now, we had 3 students not show up but 1 had already talked with me about not being there so he was excused.  The other 2 however were a no show and were 2 of the 3 from first term to get a D+ or lower…hmmm coincidence?

For the good news though!  One of the students to receive a warning her first term raised her grade from a D to a C!!!  I was so excited for her because not only had she brought her grade up but when I asked her how she had done it she said she had asked for help and got it!  Now that is an accomplishment for her but also an encouragement to the other students to speak up and ask for help!

I’m still waiting to hear from the 2 missing students and praying for wisdom on how to handle the situation…but hey, let’s be positive and pray they improved their grades, right!?

UPDATE:  heard from both missing students.  1 has not received his grades yet but should get them sometime this week and the other is meeting with me on Tuesday…praying for the best!!

 

Lots accomplished!

July 25th, 2011

Whew it was a busy day but a lot was accomplished.  Spending the day at Nice View I was able to update all the sponsor’s kids photos (those will be going out in email today or tomorrow) along with the students class standing.  I’m sure most of the sponsors will be proud of their child.

I also learned Milky Way (Nice View’s grade cow) had fallen sick on Saturday and they really weren’t sure if she would make it.  The vet thinks the placenta wasn’t completely delivered when she delivered on the 17th of July but seems he was able to help her out and she is now eating.  I’m no vet so I guess it’s really a wait and see game.  The calf is doing well, but will need to have mom start producing milk so she can eat or else they will have to buy milk for the calf.

The kids are all excited as tomorrow is the last day of school for this term.  Upper primary (5th-8th grade) will return on the 8th of August for tutoring but the rest will have the month of August off and return in September for the last term of the school year.

A meeting was set up next week for the secondary students and their guardians.  I’m not excited about this meeting as I may have to tell some of the students Saved By God’s Grace can no longer pay their school fees because of their very low grades.  Saved By God’s Grace has set a policy if a student receives a grade of D+ or lower for 2 terms in a row their fees will not be paid.  Unfortunately a few of the students received their “warning term” last term and we’ll see how many have pulled their grades up to a C- or better.  We will discuss various options with the student, guardian and sponsor but we have to make some hard decisions with the limited resources we have.  I’ll keep the sponsors posted as to which students are affected by this policy (which the students are aware of and signed the policy).

The day is ending here in Tala with overcast skies and windy…looks like it should rain but we aren’t expecting rain until around November.  It makes for very dry and dusty days that even my curtains smell like dust and I look out the window at what seems like smoke rolling by the window but turns out to be dust!

Had a few students give me letters to either sponsors or pen pals – I love it when they remember to do that without prompting from me!

The Photo Gallery was also updated with C4KK photos, Life photos and Nice View photos…go check them out!

 

Are you ready!?

July 15th, 2011

Decided to take this opportunity to get a blog post out…at least while the visitors are still here!  We are at Nice View Academy today and part of the group is entertaining the kids (except poor Class 7 & 8, taking exams) and the rest of the group (nurses) are organizing the store room with all the medical supplies and school supplies they brought with them.  It is truly a blessing to have them here willing to get dirty (it’s very, very dry and dusty here) and to entertain the kids with games, songs and lessons.

Ok it’s been the entire day and I didn’t get to the blog…today perhaps!?

Tarrin paints the bunkhouse with a welcoming sign...and more inside.

Faith Celebration Ministries begins the day on Monday with the entire school!

Robin has her hands full but everyone got crayons!

Mike has a coloring partner!

Tarrin teaches the girls paddy-cake

During break it was photo time

Danni is introduced to her sponsor daughter

Krystylle teaches some dance moves!

Tameira, Josephat and Chuck have an impromptu drum session!

Mike and Julie get some great bargains at Masai Market

The group gets a tour of the property and vision for it

Thanks group for praying over the land.

Rhonda, Lori, Beverly and Jocelyn (the visiting nurses) meet the daktari and prepare for the clinic

The nurses organize all the supplies they brought and also organized the medical store for ease of use!

Rhonda and the daktari check out the microscopes which were dontated by the group.

Tea time is a time to relax and regroup

Jocelyn and Rhonda help organize the store...it was sooo dusty!

The medical clinic started with 8 kids and ended on the second day with over 50 kids! Thanks Lori, Beverly, Jocelyn and Rhonda for ALL your help!

During the medical clinic Ben (and other team members) teach the kids the Cupid Shuffle and some other dance which I am so out it I have no idea what they are! The kids, however, had a great time.

Well that brings you up to today (Friday) and as I write this the group is out with the Class 7 & 8 (who missed yesterday due to exams) singing I Am a Friend of God and the nurses are continuing their medical clinic.  They are having a great time and I think I can speak for both the kids and the group!  Thank you group for your sacrifice of your time and talents and thank you Father for this opportunity and blessing upon the people who were touched by their presence.