Category Archives: Ministry

Information about Saved By God’s Grace

Still no resolution

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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

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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.

Grandma loves

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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….

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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!

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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!

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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!?

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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.

 

 

Yeah for visitors!

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For those of you following the blog for information regarding the group…they have arrived (less one still in Amsterdam and another to arrive tomorrow morning).

From first impressions seems everyone is very, very tired!  Plus a bit of anxiety (what have I gotten into!?) and most likely a lot of questions.  The team is settling into their new home and lunch will be served soon so hopefully getting some food into them will make everyone a bit more comfortable.  Then it’s orientation time and afterwards they’ll be sent to bed!

Please pray for the team members that God’s grace will be sufficient for any and all trials and situations.  May You be glorified in all they do this week.

Moving along

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Just to get this off my chest…I have a cold (started while we were in Nakuru-no I didn’t catch it from the 16 or so people living there…most likely brought it with me so I’m hoping they don’t catch it!)  I’m not very good with being sick, meaning I find it hard to “work through” the illness but with 12 people coming on Sunday I need to get some stuff done.  Yesterday we purchased a lot of the dry food stuff along with paper products and Saturday we’ll be picking up many of the fresh food items for the week.  Arrangements are being made for transport – confirmations I guess I should say, we’ve already talked with the drivers :)   Today, along with a few personal errands, Tarrin and I will be making sure the room is prepared for everyone because that first day will be exhausting and I want them to be able to just crash once they arrive at the compound.

Having things to do while being sick is sometimes how I feel about my spiritual walk…finding it hard to focus and continue on, but I know God is ALWAYS there even when I’m not looking at Him.  When I eventually realize (usually through much prompting by the Holy Spirit) my focus is off and return to seeking God then I find I’m not just “working through” my sluggish walk, but truly enjoying the time the Lord grants me to serve Him.  So sick or not I am enjoying that God has shown me how He wants me to serve at this particular moment. <cough, sniff>