Category: Uncategorized
April 17, 2012 by Cathy
Destruction to the roof of the Kemei Girls' Dorm at Kipkaren Children's Home
On Thursday afternoon, a huge storm to arrived in Kipkaren. We have been eager for the seasonal rains to arrive but this storm packed quite a punch! Near the end of lunch, it started to rain. My husband and I were thankful we were inside and thought the storm would stop in a few minutes like most afternoon showers do. Quickly the light showers escalated to torrential rain, loud thunder, very close lightning, and freakishly high winds. It blew our heavy wooden doghouse over with ease. Several of our windows blew open and it was a struggle to get them closed with the high winds. While this was unusual we thought all was well and prepared to wait out the rains.
Interior damage to the girls' dorm
A few minutes later Veronica Busienei, the wife of the Kipkaren Children’s Home director, came to our door to let us know that the large tree behind the Kimei girls dorm had broken in the high winds, falling on to the dorm, breaking part of the wall and roof. Thankfully, the six girls inside weren’t badly injured. Faith was hit on the head by something (branch, debris?) and has a small lump but is otherwise okay. The other seven Kemei girls were in the gazebo finishing up lunch when the tree broke.
Kemei girls enter their dorm to look at the damage
While the rains continued to fall those of us at the children’s home gathered at the dorm to assess the damage. A major section of roof, ceiling boards, and bricks were damaged. Water entered the dorm and quickly a team went inside to inspect the interior. Outside several large branches obstructed the yard around the building. Pastor Peter Maru knew of someone nearby with a chainsaw so they were called to assist in branch removal. A few beds, under the hole, were disassembled and removed, and the dorm swept free of water. Within a short time all was cleaned up.
It was a BIG tree that fell on the girls' dorm!
We are thankful that this happened at lunch, rather than at night. All the girls are safe, which we thank God for.The Kemei dorm is currently being repaired by the contractor who helped construct the structures six years ago. While the dorm is being repaired we’ve divided the thirteen Kemei girls up to sleep among the other 3 girls’ dorms. We did have a long, heavy rainstorm on Monday night but the repairs underway seem to be holding up well. In a day or so the hole should be sealed, ceiling boards back in place, walls repainted, and furniture returned to the dorm. Please pray that the Kemei girls will be able to rest easy in their dorm once they are able to return. Generally the Kipkaren Children’s Home is a place of great safety and peace. That was disrupted for a few moments but the goodness of God continues to prove itself to the children – they know that their lives are in His hands and His love and care can overcome any circumstance that life brings.
Roof repairs began on Monday afternoon.
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March 31, 2012 by Cathy
Prayer and ground breaking ceremony
On March 29th a team of ELI leaders and visitors gathered below the SACDP classrooms on the ELI Kipkaren Training Center campus. The reason we gathered was to pray for land where construction has begun for a new dining hall and kitchen. This new building will provide space for the many teams, interns and visitors to have their own space for meals and meetings. For many years the library of the training center has been operating as a dining hall, taking away valuable learning space from the SACDP students when visitors are present. We celebrate the beginning of this new construction and the expanded space it will provide for our many training center activities.
It is our prayer that God will bless those who contributed toward this project. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I have good plans for you says the Lord.” For sure, we have seen that He has good things for us – He is just releasing them at the right time! All in all, we appreciate and hope for a good future at our training center.
Tobias checks building plans as foundation construction begins
By Dorcas Rutto, ELI Kipkaren Training Center
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March 16, 2012 by Cathy
Every Friday the SACDP students leave the Kipkaren Training Center and go out into various villages to put their lessons into practice. As they near the completion of their second term of study, the students are eager to share the innovative agricultural practices they’ve learned with local farmers.
On March 16th, six teams from the training center ventured out with different tasks ahead of them. Read on for an idea of all the ways these students are impacting communities with practical skills and encouragement:
Mama Edna's students boil banana shoots before planting to prevent disease
Arusei’s Farm
Madam Edna and five students arrived to complete the banana planting they’d begun on a previous visit. Arusei appreciated the help they’ve given. “I’ve never seen banana suckers inserted in hot water before.” Placing banana suckers in hot water before planting destroys the nematodes that hinder banana production. This team also helped to plant a vegetable garden containing kale and cowpeas which will bring a nice income for Arusei in a few months.
The bee hive is almost ready to be hung among the forest trees
Mama Naomi Gets Bee Hives!
SACDP instructor Nashon and six students assisted Mama Naomi to construct three beehives. These were hung in a forested area where bees like to congregate. Mama Naomi was very thankful for this gift. In the past she has been unable to make changes on her farm because of expensive labor costs. Because the students came as volunteers the bee hives are such a great gift. “This project is going to fetch me more income to cover my house expenses. I look forward to selling lots of honey!”
This chicken house will provide protection and health
Joseph’s Chicken Coop
Five SACDP students, along with their teacher Mr. Dan, arrived at Joseph’s home one final time to complete a local chicken house. This will increase egg production because chickens that are fed in a contained area are healthier than those that range for their food. Joseph is delighted that his hens will also be protected from dogs and cats; in the past he lost many chickens to predators but now his chickens have a good home.
"God's Blanket" is doing a good job of providing seedling with moisture
Vertical Gardens for Joan
Six students arrived at Joan’s small farm to inspect the kale they had planted earlier. The vertical gardens are doing well and look like a healthy crop will be harvested in a few weeks. The maize planted using the “Farming God’s Way” technique has begun to germinate. The terraces prepared for napia grass are ready for planting. Joan said, “Now I can plant maize all year long using Farming God’s Way. As long as I have things to use for mulching to create ‘God’s Blanket’ I can create a cool environment to help the growth of my maize!”
Isaac Rutto's students look over the raised beds
Small Space Farming for Stephen
Mr Isaac Rutto brought his five students to Stephen’s farm to demonstrate the power of vertical gardens. Learning about farming in a small space will help him grow kale with an anticipated BIG harvest. The two vegetable beds that the students had planted in a previous visit are almost ready for harvest. Soon Stephen will be eating cowpeas!
A vertical garden constructed by Madam Teresa's students
Jonah Bett Congratulates Students
Madam Teresa and her five students received lots of congratulations from Jonah Bett for all they’ve done on the farm. Construction of a local chicken house, vertical gardens, establishing a nursery for kale seedlings, and banana pruning have helped greatly. All projects were completed well. This farmer was pleased to learn so many new things that he can apply easily, especially in the dry season.
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March 10, 2012 by Cathy
Joan (Kipkaren Children’s Home), Faith and Truphena (Ilula Children’s Home) are students at Ndalat Gaa Girls Secondary School. It is common for boarding schools to invite parents several times throughout the year for special functions – visitation days, prize giving day, thanksgiving day. On Saturday we were called for a special event – Mothers Day! As Form 1 students (freshmen), Joan and Faith were eager to see familiar faces from home. Truphena, a Form 3 student (junior), was more eager to get a hug and fresh news from home.
Mothers Day began at Ndalat Gaa a few years ago for girls and their mothers to gather for a day focused upon idea exchange and encouragement. We first were involved in grade level discussion groups where mothers gave advice about becoming young women – especially in the areas of career and self-conduct. Then, the girls asked questions of the moms, enabling them to elicit advice for life’s concerns. We closed this time by praying for the girls.
The mothers gather to pray for the Form 3 girls
Next we entered the dining hall for a celebration of all things feminine. The girls danced and sang with great energy, welcoming their mothers and important women from the community. After a series of speeches, one from a woman aspiring to become a member of parliament, we ended the day with a gift exchange. Joan, Faith, and Truphena presented us with encouraging notes and we gave them some much anticipated items – treats from home! It was a blessing to see for ourselves that the girls have settled in well at school and are following God in all things. It was a wonderful way to celebrate being a mother!
Form 1 girls sing for the mothers and guests
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March 9, 2012 by Cathy
Chopping veggies for salads and soups
In preparation for their three month attachment with other institutions, the Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development Program (SACDP) students had a day of cooking. Using fruits and vegetables from the demonstration shamba (farm), the students learned how to prepare many different kinds of food. Bread, scones, cakes, pasta, vegetable salads, fruit puddings and soups were all part of the learning taught by Madam Teresa.
Winnie mixes cake batter
This was a nice activity for the students as they will have many opportunities to teach farmers how to use their produce in innovative ways. We hope that this home economics lesson will even assist in generating some income for people in different communities.
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March 4, 2012 by Cathy
Seven kids celebrate their February birthdays together
As is our tradition, Sunday devotions at the beginning of the month are a little bit special. After our regular time of praise, testimonies, and bible study we take time to celebrate the lives of the children born in the preceding month. Seven kids at the Kipkaren Children’s Home had a birthday in February so the entire Home showered them with song, blessings, new clothes and CAKE! This monthly event is one we all look forward to…it’s a special time of recognition, prayer, and fun that all enjoy!
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February 26, 2012 by Cathy
Kipkaren Children's Home attended AWANA *
Sixteen kids from the Kipkaren Children’s Home were selected to participate in an AWANA Club outreach on February 26th. It was a huge event, held at a local primary school. Our kids were glad to join others from different schools and churches, all sharing a common mission of reaching other children in the area with the Gospel message. Singing, dancing and story telling were just a few of the ways all in attendance experienced the Gospel message. Our children were excited to have played a part in helping others trust in Jesus. AWANA is a great ministry!
Our children participated at AWANA through praise dancing and singing.
*AWANA is an acronym that stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed, based upon 2 Timothy 2:15
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February 11, 2012 by Cathy
This afternoon we were blessed to have visitors at the Kipkaren Children’s Home. More than FORTY churches from the Nandi Region sent representatives to visit our children and bless them in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Upon their arrival they were welcomed by our children with songs and dancing, because our kids love visitors! Many of our children are from the Nandi Region so they were also eager to welcome those they recognized as friends.
One of visiting pastors preached a sermon, stressing why people should support orphans. Some choirs sang for us and we also sang for them! Then the churches blessed the children with different gifts. Many chickens, ten 90 kilo bags of maize, sacks of beans, several pumpkins, and donated clothing were placed in a huge pile before the children. We thank Almighty God because our children have never lacked for anything due to the generosity of His people. We depend upon Him for all things. As our children grow up they understand the importance of giving to the needy, having faith, and depending upon the Lord in everything they do. Through such visits our children have felt the love of others. Thank you Nandi Regional churches for the practical demonstration of your love toward orphan and vulnerable children!
By Noelah Moiben, KK Children’s Home house parent (Moiben Family)
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February 2, 2012 by Cathy
Yesterday we had a wonderful evening devotion held in the Matekwa family gazebo. We gathered to pray for the ten children who will soon leave to join high school.
Felix, Brian, Festus, Charity, Bilha, Carolyne, Esther, Ebby and Sharon were prayed over by their parents, brothers and sisters. We thank God for seeing them through their primary education and enabling them to do well on their national exams in November 2011.
Babu (grandfather), Gogo (grandmother), and all the house parents gathered with the kids from the children’s home. Praise and worship songs were sung with intensity and spirit, followed by a devotion about being successful for Christ. Each of the house parents were given an opportunity to give advice on how each student could be an ambassador for Christ while away at boarding school and how they might represent Kipkaren Children’s Home for those yet to know Jesus.
Before closing Babu prayed and anointed each student. We really felt the Holy Spirit’s power moving in a mighty way. Let the name of the Lord be praised as our beloved children are sent to be Christ’s ambassadors at high schools!
By Edna Kemei, Kipkaren House Parent
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January 30, 2012 by Katie
Hillside pre-schoolers giving their offering.
As the Community Engagement Coordinator for ELI, I have the privilege of encouraging others to play a part of God’s Kingdom work around the world. It is so beautiful to see the body of Christ at work, sharing each other’s burdens, and working to be the hands and feet of Jesus. This past Fall I was able to share the story of a child at our ELI school in the Democratic Republic of Congo with the preschoolers at Hillside Community Church in Rancho Cucamonga.
With pictures and stories, the kids and I journeyed through a day-in-the-life of Aganze Babike, as he walked to the ELI school, ate his lunch, played during PE, did his chores at home, and helped take care of his siblings. The Hillside kids learned that Aganze, like many children in the slum community in Bukavu, DR Congo, often suffer from malnutrition, as their parents have a hard time providing consistent food. A majority of them receive their only meal of the day at the ELI school. According to our ELI DR Congo director, it costs five cents for each meal we serve to the kids. I encouraged these precious preschool children to know that even though they live far away from Africa, they can still make a genuine difference in the lives of children in DR Congo! I passed out cups, and invited them to collect change to support their friends like Aganze. Three months later, I was blown away to find that the preschool children at Hillside raised almost $1,000! Wow!
(more…)
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