Photo of the Day
December 30, 2011 by Micah
Students at the ELI school in Bukavu, DR Congo. (Photo: Micah Albert)
Archives for 2011
Guardians’ Day at the Ilula Children’s Home
December 21, 2011 by Holly
Guardians’ Day is an annual event at the Ilula Children’s Home and greatly anticipated by the children, for it is on this day that they get to see their extended families. Grandmas, aunts, uncles and cousins travel great distances to come and visit our children. In years past, it was only a one-day event. Now, since the children are older, they get to return home with their families for a two-week Christmas visit.
The time spent with the families is essential, as it gives the children the opportunity to begin building relationships with the various family members and to know and understand the place from which they come. Additionally, it allows the children to secure any inheritance left to them by their deceased parents. In Kenya, children will lose their rights to the land if they do not stay in contact with the extended family. More than anything, we want ensure that these children have a support system in place when they leave the Children’s Home.
For the Ilula parents and staff here at Empowering Lives International, Guardians’ Day is bitter sweet. While joy filled our hearts to see the children embraced by their loved ones, tears filled our eyes as we watched them leave. The Children’s Home is now quiet and seems a different place. We are anxious to see our children again and to hear all their Christmas stories. Until then, please pray for their protection during these two weeks, that God may bring them back safely and with smiles on their beautiful little faces.
- By Jonah Chepsat
Sustainability Plans at Kipkaren Children’s Home
by Cathy
- Children’s Home mango ‘shamba’
- Sustainability is an important concept within our organization. In all areas of empowerment we seek to create pathways where our work can generate resources for continued ministry health. Even at the Children’s Home, where our ministry is more helps oriented, sustainability is important.
- On a recent Saturday afternoon I followed the Kipkaren Children’s Home Director, John Busienei, to look over all the different sustainability plans underway. It was truly exciting to see plans in action and future plans, all with the goal of providing either food for the children or sources of income to purchase some of things needed by the home not covered by donor gifts. (more…)
Mole Patrol at the Ilula Children’s Home
December 5, 2011 by Holly
It was in the early morning when Obed came running for me, calling my name. I quickly came out of my house, not knowing what I might find. I saw Obed and then I saw the living creature hanging from the wire, struggling to escape – a large brown mole. Obed is a 14 year-old boy who loves trapping these animals. As he told of his experience, his voice was full of excitement, his hand eager to show me the fury animal.
Kenyan moles are very different from the ones found in America, as they are over a foot long and weigh three to four pounds. They cause a lot of damage both in our kitchen garden and fruit tree orchard, destroying much of our crop. To help reduce the number of moles in our area, we now pay the children 30 shillings (about 30 cents) per mole caught.
We asked Kenneth, an older boy of ours, to teach the other children how to make their own traps using sticks, green sisal ropes, a wire and a hoe. After the training workshop, Obed went home and began work on his own traps. I snapped this picture of him as he was setting one of them, anxious to see if it would work and as I found out, it certainly did! As a farmer and father, I was proud of Obed’s accomplishment; I know he is saving his earnings to buy his own ewe. He is a hero to me. May he continue to develop his talent. As for the moles, over 30 of those nasty animals have been caught this year. I pray our success continues, as we begin our second planting.
- By Paster Lucas Rono
Christmas Comes Early to the Ilula Children’s Home
by Holly
The season of giving is an important time for the Ilula Children’s Home, as it receives many needed supplies from the local communities. Banks, companies and distant relatives of the children bless the home with clothes, food and holiday treats. On Saturday the Children’s Home received over 60 visitors from the Cooperative Bank Eldoret Branch who brought with them large bags of beans, rice, sugar and cooking oil.
The children rejoiced with our guests in great celebration. Speeches were made, songs were sung and many bible verses were recited. The visitors were very impressed with our children and even inspired by their poise, joyful spirits and knowledge of the Bible. The day ended on a very special note. Each child received a bottle of soda, biscuits and a lot of candy. We really thank God for allowing Christmas to come early this year to our Home.
- by Nixon Kiprotich
Cultivate Winter Issue has been Published
November 23, 2011 by Micah
Check your mailbox this week for our newest edition of Cultivate Magazine – it’s hot off the press. It’s full of great stories, images, writing, and great ways for you to get involved this holiday season and help those that ELI serves in Africa. Click here to see the magazine.
Ukweli Chapel Baptism
November 22, 2011 by Micah
As a pastor and one of the fathers at the children’s home, it was a proud moment for me as we came together early Saturday morning for the baptism of 13 children. It was day long awaited by the children after many months of baptismal classes, study and prayer. The day had come and with it, many dark clouds and a cold wind. All of us felt the damp chill in the air as we walked 3 kilometers to the place where the baptism was to take place, the Marura River. I knew the water would be very cold, but I also knew the heart of the children. It wouldn’t matter to them. We finally got to the river and the children and I removed our socks and shoes and I rolled up my pant legs. This was the moment we all had been waiting for, especially for a boy named Derick. This young man has been through many trials, but his heart now belongs to the Lord and his focus is on his walk with the Lord. I took Derick’s hand as we entered into the icy waters of the river. In front of his peers, I asked him if he believed in Jesus as his Saviour. He looked up at me and smiled, eyes full of happiness, and confidently said, “Yes”. My heart was overjoyed to hear that simple word. Hearing it, I knew what it meant for Derick – it meant eternal life. A smile quickly appeared on my face and I said, “Then I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in accordance to the Holy Scriptures.” He held my hands tightly and I immersed him slowly into the river. He arose, his face beaming and as I suspected, unaffected by anything other than warm delight he felt in heart. Tears filled my eyes as I congratulated Derick and applauded this milestone in his young life. I was proud of all our kids; it was a day that will not be forgotten.
- by Jonah Chepsat (Father & Pastor at the Ilula Children’s Home)
Get Ready for Love in Action…November 27-December 11
by Katie
Advent begins this Sunday, November 27th and we want to help you prepare to focus your heart on the coming of Christ! Here is what you need to know:
1) Register: Register you and your family for Love in Action on our website at www.empoweringlives.org/action. By registering, our staff will be able to send you updates and innovative materials to use along the journey.
2) Download the Advent Devotions: Every day, create special time with your family and friends to walk through the Biblical narrative of the Christmas story. Each day includes a passage of scripture, devotion, discussion questions, and an opportunity to meet and pray for an ELI staff member or child. Click here to find the Advent Devotions.
3) Check out the website www.empoweringlives.org/action to equip yourself with some amazing resources to enhance the journey:
- Ideas for Families with Kids
- Info Packet for Families and Individuals
- Menu Ideas
- Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
4) Share your experiences on ELI’s facebook Event Page called Love in Action- The Advent Experience: To join the event, go to the Empowering Lives International facebook fan page (not Friends of Empowering Lives group). On the left-hand side column click the calendar icon that says Events. You will see the event called Love in Action- The Advent Experience. Click “join” and you will be able to dialogue with other participants and share what the Lord is teaching you.
We look forward to journeying with you in this adventure. May God be honored in our sacrifice, and may lives be empowered. For more information or if you have questions, please email Katie Cook at katiecook@empoweringlives.org.
Samro Pre-school Graduation
November 15, 2011 by Micah
Eager to graduate from pre-school, seven children marched to the stage, wearing their navy blue graduation gowns and caps. Before receiving their certificates, they entertained the audience with various songs and poems that encouraged the candidates to value good character and to live successfully. One of the graduates, little Irene, stood before the crowd with hands clasped before her and further encouraged the candidates to have no fear. Moved by her message, cheers and applause immediately filled the air. After that, the graduates’ names were called one-by-one for them to come forward and receive their certificate of completion and a brightly colored tinsel necklace. Parents stood proudly behind their children as the awards were given, presenting them with flowers and words of praise. The ceremony concluded with a message to the parents to love and invest in their children and to appreciate all the good work that the Samro School had done for their children.
-Prisca Kosgei (Mom at the Ilula Children’s Home)
