Derrick updates

Hi Mum,

Yesterday started well by us heading toTruphosa's home taking the Goat and other Christmas Items for her and Jason. We Got Truphosa when she had gone to wash the clothes in the nearest river. When she heard that we are at her home, she came running with a smiling face. She was more appreciative for the gifts and wished blessing to her sponsor. The baby is health and fairing well. She asked some question about going to school showing that she has an interest of continuing with education. We encouraged her continuing revising.

Today, I and Henry gave a word of prayer to Frank and Erick for the angel of God to guide them. We also prayed for you that our almighty creator to cover your way with the blood of Jesus Christ. W e prayed for your luggage to arrive in Jesus.

Yours,

Derrick.

 

Example of some needs in Kenya....

My friends often ask me.....what does my sponsored child need? As most of you know, I am terrible at coming up with that. Sure, I should spout off a list of things you can immediately buy---and the fact is that they DO need so many things. But once a child can be sponsored, their life improves significantly and at a minimum, we ensure their education. A bright mind can take a person a long way and most of them get at least some food. It is difficult to be sure they get enough food....that is a problem. But giving the home food doesn't mean the child gets MORE. There are many hard and difficult dynamics that most of us have the privilege of never experiencing. Our human lives of prosperity are quite hard already. By the time we reach 20, someone has abused us, neglected us, attacked us, criticized us--that is hard on every human being no matter the station of life.

Yet in a world of poverty, there are some challenges that can be overcome with a little boost. Last July, I offered my staff an extra $100 to give to some needy cases around them. They are weighed down with the level of despair that they experience in their community. An opportunity to select someone personally was appreciated and they got together to discuss some needs.

In the end, we went with helping our Guardian's coalition and then 2 children from Cornerstone school each recieved a pair of socks and shoes. That was Rueben and Mercylyne. When I saw her picture, I knew her from five years ago when Eunice was working with about 12 deeply needy children to give them some formal education. In the meantime, her mother has had another mouth to feed. We added her to our family of sponsored children in November. She made it in time for Christmas. What a great joy she is experiencing as she heads into the year of 2014! Makes me happy.

....so I thought I would share the list with you....just to show you.....

Needy cases

Needy: - Sister Carolyn wanjiru

            Esokone secondary school

            Family of 3

            Balance KSh 5000 second term

 

Sylvia: - wants to help her two brothers (5 and 6)

            Stays with the mum

            KSh 6000 school fees

            KSh 1000 for school uniform

            A family of 6

 

Angeline:- help to the  neighbor –Kevin Khalenga(grade8)

            Stays with mother

            Has been out of school due to school fees, lack of  a birth certificate.

            A bright student

 

Musyoka: - needy case neighbor

            Would like to built them a latrine

            Open up a business

 

Derrick Omanni:-needy case –Fridah Omufune

                        Stays with the mother. Father passed away

                        Family of 9(8 children)

                        Dedicate the money to fees.

 

Lawrence: - suggested the money to be used to offset hospital bills for patients who have

                        Been discharged and are unable to settle the bills

 

David/Christabel:-needy case- neighbor

                        Father died. Stays with the mother and step father

                        Mother has a small business that sustains the family

                        Money suggested to be used to expand the business of the mother which

            Will benefit the whole family and especially the kid.

Miriam Mangala

              Her house was affected by the heavy rains which blew one side down.It needs repair which can cost close to $100.She operates a small business of green grocery which she depends on to feed  her children. The husband stays away from the rural home and does not support her,having married a second wife.Photos can be taken to prove the case.

 

 

Eunice doing well in college! Wife and Mother of Three and Teacher at Cornerstone School. God bless her.

I want to thank God who has enabled me to complete my 1st year  diploma course. It is my great pleasure to convey my greetings to you, hoping you are doing well.Please convey my greetings also to Steve .I believe you are doing well there.Here I am fine with my family and have seen God blessing me greatly.

Immediately after we closed the school on 15^th November,I went to the college on 18^th of the same month where we took four weeks up to 20th December.

I have had a very good time at the college during which time we sat for our end year exams and I expect to do well. I have had enough time to do my studies during evening hours after every meals. We had to do thorough learning and several assignments up to Sundays to cover the syllabus. Our lecturers are doing all they can to ensure we are well equipped with the knowledge.

In our 3^rd session to complete 1^st year,I was privileged to undertake the following subjects:

Child growth and development chapter 3

Personality development

Health and Nutrition

Mathematics activities

Science activities

From child growth and development chapter 3,I am now able to know how to deal with pre-adolescent and adolescent children who range 7 years to 11 years(pre-adole) and 11years to 18 years (adolescents) in the school.

From Personality and devepment,I have gained the knowledge to know children behaviors, emotions and how to cater for them.  

From Health and Nutrition,we learned about common diseases in childhood. This has helped me to know the importance of feeding program in school. Children are supposed to be given diet food for proper growth and brain stimulation.

On Mathematics activities, I am now able to know the importance of mathematics in life.This is necessary to encourage children to be able to think and reason logically.

With science activities, we are supposed to teach children about environment and themselves.

I am also working on the Research project which is supposed to be submitted in August next year.

It is my pleasure to thank you for enabling me to gain all this knowledge which I am now able to display it practically. I  thank God who has given me good health to go this far.

I am now at home with my family during this Christmas as I wait for the opening of  schools on January 7^th .

Merry Christmas a little early.....

Brian on his NEW BIKE!

Beverlyne posing in her beautiful new clothes!

Zainabu happily recieves her supply items AND CHRISTMAS PRESENTS!

 

Emily received a package from the USA carried by Mama Anita from Emily's sponsor, EMILY!

 

Judith and Dorcas pluck and cook chickens for the whole celebration.

Christabel holds the wonderful cake made my Frank's wife Cynthia commemorating FIVE YEARS OF BLESSING! Thank you, Jesus, for doing a mighty work in the community through Trinity Global Development donors and Kenyan staff! Frank and Jack bless you!

 

Erick joyfully sorts the items for the children's homes.

Judith and Christabel wrap tons of gifts you have given.

Bishop Titus welcomes our visitors, Ed and Anita, Larry and Cindy. May God protect and prosper them forever.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel. O Holy Night.

. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
The original writer of this haunting hymn remains unknown, but the most widely acknowledged guess is a simple monk or nun. In the early 19th century, an Anglican priest named John Mason Neale was reading an ancient book of poetry and hymns and dusted off this unknown Latin poem, which was complete with music accompaniment.
Neale knew 20 languages, including Latin, and was able to translate this song into English. He lived in the Madeira islands near Africa, where he had established an orphanage, a school for girls, and a ministry to reclaim prostitutes. Neale first played this hymn for the people he served, thought to be the lowest of society. The hymn has remained in popular rotation ever since.

O Holy Night
O Holy Night
A parish priest in a small French town commissioned a local poet and wine commissionaire, Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure, to write a poem for the village’s Christmas Eve mass. Cappeau read through the birth of Christ in the gospel of Luke en route to Paris, and finished the poem O Holy Night by the time he reached the city.
Cappeau turned to his friend, Adolphe Charles Adams, to compose the music to the poem, and three weeks later, the song was sung in the village on Christmas Eve. Initially, Cantique de Noel (the song’s French name) was widely loved by the Church in France, but when leaders learned that Cappeau was a socialist and Adams a Jew, the song was uniformly denounced as unfit for church services. But the common French people loved it so much, they continued to sing it.
The song came to the U.S. via John Sullival Dwight, an abolitionist during the Civil War. Moved by the line in the third verse, “Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother, and in His Name all oppression shall cease,” he published it in his magazine and quickly found favor in the north during the war.
Even though it was banned in France, the song was still popular among the people. On Christmas Eve in 1871, in the midst of fierce fighting between France and Germany during the Franco-Prussian War, a unarmed French soldier jumped out of the trenches, walked into the battlefield, and started singing, “Minuit, Chretiens, c’est l’heure solennelle ou L’Homme Dieu descendit jusqu’a nous,” the song’s first line in French.
After singing all three verses, a German solider emerged and started singing, “Vom Himmel noch, da komm’ ich her. Ich bring’ euch gute neue Mar, Der guten Mar bring’ ich so viel, Davon ich sing’n und sagen will,” the beginning of a popular hymn by Martin Luther.
Fighting stopped for the next 24 hours in honor of Christmas Day. Soon after, the French Church re-embraced O Holy Night.

Excellent Sermon with only the WORD OF GOD spoken. No personal words.....

http://www.historyofredemption.org/
 Ronnie Smith

Died in Benghazi, Libya. He was shot while jogging in front of the U.S. Consulate. He was a Chemistry teacher at the International School. His wife, Anita, and son, Hosea, had already returned to the USA for the holidays. May God bless them and provide for them, in Jesus name.

Let me know if you would like to give to the support of his widow and child. He was just 33.

 

There was a little boy in Kenya. His family was very poor. His parents, both his mother and his father, had been gone a long time. They were both sick at different times but they both died. Now the little boy named Asman lived with his grandfather in a small mud hut. His grandfather, his father’s father, did his best to take care of Asman, but he was sick, too, and very old. Soon, his grandfather was gone and Asman was left to himself.

 But first, God had sent some people to visit Kenya and one woman had seen Asman. God spoke to her about him and her heart went out to him in love and concern. She went back to America and asked another woman to please provide for Asman with her money that she worked for. That was me, Stephanie, and I said I would give Asman her hard earned money by purchasing supplies for him.

My friends in Kenya went around looking for other relatives for Asman. They talked with Asman’s uncle, a very young man and quite poor himself. “Would you be willing to keep Asman at your home? We will give you supplies each month to help you!”

Asman’s uncle worked at a factory for only $26 a month, but he was very thankful for the job in a land where very few people could find work. He tried to keep up his garden by his mud hut. It was his main way of eating. With no electricity and no car, he managed to get enough food to eat and enough seeds or equipment to farm his garden. He worked very hard.

One day, another woman from America wanted to get some goats. “Does anyone need goats?” she asked me. “I know some very poor children who could use a goat!” I said and I told her about Asman. That woman was Mrs. Jerilyn JOYner and she wanted to give some goats in the names of some beloved children:  Sam, Luke, Sarah and Noah. She wanted those children to have the same joy of giving that she has had. She wanted them to feel the happiness as she sent supplies to some other children in Kenya, named Benjamin and Trophosa.

Because God has blessed Jerilyn JOYner to live in the USA and to have more than she absolutely needs—she is able to give to another child who is desperately needy. In this way, her abundance makes up for the one who is going without—but together, God has taken care of all of us! So I knew that Asman could use a goat and I was happy that Mrs. Jerilyn had considered the poor children in her heart. She was giving to JESUS!

Matthew 25: Jesus told a story showing us how God wants us to treat others in need. Later he will say to us in heaven,

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹   When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Jesus shows us that when we give to others WE ARE GIVING TO GOD! We can give to HIM by giving to those in need! And He appreciates our giving because He has planned to use us to care for the ones who pray to Him, “Please, Lord, send me some food. I am hungry and there is no food here.”

Jesus also told us, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”This is a promise letting you know that God will take care of you when you are sure to take care of the poor. You can find it in the Holy Bible, God’s special Word to us, in the Book of Luke. Chapter 6 shows Jesus speaking this promise.

With a new Goat, Asman will have milk to drink and the goat will be able to eat every day by chewing on the plants near their home. Asman will go get the goat water every day from the stream nearby. And when the goat goes poop, Asman’s uncle shows him how to use that poop for fertilizer to make their garden grow. The goat is a wonderful gift, a joy and a friend, for Asman!

And that is not all! Mrs. JOYner purchased TWO goats!

There is a little girl, who also has no parents, and she will get a goat, too!  Her name is Yvonne and she has a terrible sickness that her parents died from. She is taking special medicines that people have given to the poor people to help them feel better and live longer so they will not die quickly from their disease. She lives with a very poor Aunt in a tiny little mud hut, like Asman lives in.

God has given Yvonne a very cheery and happy personality. She is such a delight to be around! Her smile lights up your heart when you see her. She is very thankful for every little tiny gift. She will be very happy with her new goat. Like Asman, she can have milk and she can have fertilizer for a garden nearby. Maybe she can sell the fertilizer to her neighbors! The gift will mean so much to her and if she learns how to raise goats, she may have a way to earn money when she grows up.

In this way, God is glorified. When we use our hard earned money to share with someone who is unable to provide for themselves and just relies upon God to care for them. We become the hands of God to that person. When we give them some of what we worked for, then they are so thankful and in their hearts and in their prayers at night, they thank God for supplying them. He is pleased. He loves all His creation and He takes care of everyone. We get the JOY of working with Him.

He will use the willing heart. He has 1000 ways to help the needy, but let us tell Him that we are available! And we will use the strength He gives us to share with others who do not have as much.

In this way, we change the world into a more beautiful place and we become more like Jesus when we let Him work through us with His perfect, loving God heart.

God bless you, children! For the Lord has called you to Him! When you hear Him call your name, be sure and go to Him and give Him your life. It is a great joy to be living for the King of the Universe!

 

 

Christmas!

Greetings,

 

It is with joy that I report to you on the success of the just concluded Love Feast celebrations last Saturday the 7^th of December 2013. The day began on a high key and maintained the tempo throughout. I am sure you will get insight of the happenings through different staff reports but in summary I saw real dedication and hard work from the staff and all people involved in making it a success. The planning, sorting and purchasing was meticulously done by the leadership team in ensuring each individual child had their items got and packaged. Duncan and Don helped in the Kitchen together with the ladies in coming up with a tasty meal that was enough for everyone.

 

I worked with Duncan, Paul, Brian, Wellington, Judy and Sharon in beautifying the Christmas trees and entrance to the building as well as the picture montage of the entire TGD family in the form of a Christmas tree.

 

Duncan later face painted the children as Christabel and Eric distributed candy, gave them fresh juice and biscuits. The lower primary children were grouped together with Esther (A programming student) who oversaw there play time. The elder children watched an interesting local documentary that told of the dangers of premarital sex and why it was best to abstain until the right time. They later had a session with Pst. Ed and Anita as well as Larry and Cindy. The session was concluded with questions and answers from the students.

 

Later there was a time  for presenting small gifts to people who had outshone the rest in different areas throughout the year. Entertainment followed provided by our sponsored children who danced, choreographed and recited poems. We then broke for lunch and the leaders sat at a round table with Anita and team and enjoyed our lunch together.  We then began the distribution of gifts and monthly items to the children including handing them a picture of their sponsor and ensuring that they knew them by name. This took us to the late hours of the day where we ending the whole day by meeting as  staff and Bishop Titus as well as Anita and team to thank the Lord for the day that was. We encouraged one another, Cut a cake to celebrate 5 years as TGD and Pst. Ed closed the meeting with a word of prayer. It was exhausting for everyone but well worth it and we thank the Lord for the success we experienced regardless of the few setbacks we experienced such as losing chicken and a goat in the process.

 

The pictures will hopefully give you a better feel and experience of the day. Have a blessed day.

 

Regards…

Frank

 

Distribution update

Hi Mum,

Praise God!

I'm so happy to inform you that, we had the following achievements made for the success of distribution day. I thank God for this.

We did the decoration of the TGD centre by designing, mobbing, slashing, gardening and praying to God for making the day successful.

We did the packing of distribution item according to the sponsored children's gifts making sure that they are correctly packed and tacked by the name of the child. I thank my TGD staff for the cooperation toward the accomplishments of this task. May our almighty creator bless them in Jesus name?

I distributed the Goats, chicken's and a rabbit to our beloved sponsored children who were more appreciative by show of their healthy smiling face. Shelton was very happy to receive the rabbit.  May our almighty creator open all the ways for all who sacrificed their resources in them.

I thank God for making me care for 13 Goats for a Month and above which is for God's grace and Mercy. I managed to transport the Goats from my place on a motorbike with the support of Juma, Brian and Paul whereby they reached at TGD centre successful. Actually where good things are, the devils is there watching.  While doing other tasks, One Goat entangled with a rope and within a moment it passed away. I was very sad because of caring for them in a month with all my heart serving Jesus and at the last moment why this. I cried in my heart and let the will of our creator be done as written in the bible.

Gardening went to the farm and pinched different varieties of vegetables including kales, clotolaria, black nightshade which made involved in making the diet of the day. Everybody praised and enjoyed the meal.

We had a session with our high school's student encouraging them to work hard and make themselves busy by embark on study review what they had not understood in school and spend their Christmas time carefully and with a lot of wisdom. They are the one to determine the future and must work hard for their bright future. We asked them to share with us their challenges without any fear.  We also told them to be God fearing.

We were happier to celebrate the 5^th birth day of TGD with Mama Anita, Pastor Eddy, Mama Cindy, Larry, Bishop and our Staff. In the speeches they appreciated God for giving them Mama Stephanie and Steve which is a wonderful couple who has made TGD to stand Firm In the name of our almighty creator. We had closing prayer from Mr. Eddy.

Blessing,

Derrick.

 

 

Pads for girls!

Blessing our Muslim student

Joy!

Sanitary Towels

>
> Yesterday the leadership team met and discussed on the items to be bought for the coming distribution which is also going to be a love celebration day for the TGD family. We then left Shibuli to Kakamega to purchase the items, we bought food stuffs, more items for Christmas and also sanitary towels for the girls in need. We ensured we got all that we needed before the day ended.
>
> Today the day was awesome and full of blessings as we assembled all the girls from the free computer training and the ones of programming class together with the staff ladies and shared a lot of girl related issues before offering them the sanitary towels that were donated to them. We first began by sharing with them about relationships, early sex, its consequences, and hygiene.
>
> On relationship we highlighted the boy girl relationship whereby we made them understand that it's not advisable for school girls or girls at their age to engage in love relationship. Therefore we advised them to be more careful with the way they relate to their opposite sex and try to avoid those with bad intentions.
>
> We made it clear that they are not allowed to have sex with any man until it's the right time which is marriage. We also highlighted the consequences of sex which results into early pregnancies, abortion, infection of sexual transmitted diseases and also diseases like HIV/AIDs among others. We further expanded on each of this consequences just to make them see how precious their lives are and how easily they can be destroyed if not well taken care of.
>
> On hygiene, we advised them to try their best and keep themselves clean no matter the challenges of lacking some of the basic needs that a girl may need. We emphasized on body cleanliness especially during their time of menstruation. The health and nutrition extended on this by explaining to them the importance of self-grooming. They taught them the right sanitary towels to use and how well to use them for those who didn't know.
>
> The leadership also had a chance and gave them words of encouragement and also explained to them about the donation of the sanitary towels.
>
> The girls were really active throughout the session, they participated highly in asking and answering questions, giving comments and suggestions. Two of them gave a vote of thanks and really appreciated God through Candace ustoke for the aid of pads. This was a relieve to all of them as the pads were going to sustain them for almost two months. They really pray God to continue uplifting her so that she may continue blessings more girls in the society.
>
> We gave them two packets each, and the smile that they wore on their faces while receiving them could easily tell how happy and grateful these girls were. May God bless you all for the works of your hands and may his blessings upon you be in abundance. As for Candace May she be blessed for the support she has offered to the girls that has made a big difference in their lives. May she continue with the same spirit as a hand that giveth is more blessed than a hand that recieveth
>
> Regards
> Christabel.
>

How was November?

Christabel reports:
>
> We are grateful to have reached end of the month successfully, May all the gratitude and glory be to our most significant God for his mighty works upon our lives.
>
> So far the month of November has been awesome, beginning with our Grade 8 pupils preparing for their exams which they finished well. The TGD family included this girls in their daily prayers. The leadership went ahead and joined them during their prayer days at their respective schools. We encouraged them, prayed together with them and assured them of God's unending love upon their lives. These were some of their happy moments as they felt loved and cared for. We also ensured that they had all the requirements for their exams and this made it comfortable for them through the examination period. We prayed for their success, we are still praying and we will continue praying that they excel in their exams so as to have their dreams come true next year as they join their desired high schools. May God's favor be upon them.
>
> Schools closed for December holidays. Most of our sponsored children did a good job in terms of academics and this was a result of our library which is well equipped with various books suitable for curriculum taught in Kenyan schools. Our staff used this opportunity to motivate the children and teach them various academic concepts and skills. So far some have been taught about agricultural facts and more will be coming in for computer lessons. This was a way to keep this children busy and help them in their areas of weaknesses. It also prevents them from being idle that leads to temptations. It's our prayer that God guides them and keeps them safe throughout this long festive season until schools are opened.
>
> Another class of programming also kicked off that very month. These are previous computer students who had the urge and saw the need of advancing their computer skills. They came with a lot of enthusiasm and passion to be knowledgeable in programming technologies. Their classes begin at 2:00 PM just after the morning one ends. Thanks to Duncan who tirelessly ensures that these students are well equipped in the various skills regarding information and technology. Thanks to the almighty God who makes all this possible!
>
> The free community Training is also not left behind. It's growing bigger and better. Just after issuance of certificates to the previous graduates, there was another intake, the students enrolled and are now continuing with the packages. The turnout was huge and historical. This shows how TGD is recognized by the community for its great deeds. And so soon shall we have all the youth in the society having computer knowledge.
>
> The coming Christmas just seems to be grate! So far all the Christmas gifts have been bought in preparation to this wonderful day. Items bought so far for our lovely sponsored children were: goats, chicken, clothes, shoes, toys, umbrellas, utensils among others. With these and more our children will be the happiest ever this coming festive season! Not only will they be happy with their gifts but will also be celebrating the birth of Jesus in their lives
>
> Not forgetting the staff's great input in their various responsibilities. They are doing a great job in ensuring the organizations daily activities are kept to the letter.
>
> May God keep the TGD mission and vision alight for realization.
>
> Regards
> Christabel.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Wonderful Brunch and Reception

okay, i don't have any pictures--so you have to trust me--but I went to two beautiful events this weekend. the McGinnis clan did an excellent job again and I barely made it due to an extreme out-of-the-blue tummy attack. Very embarrassing. Then I made it anyway, and everyone had that look, "Are you OKAYYYY?????" ah-hem. "I'm fine!" smile.
But then truly, I WAS fine! I don't know what to say except that either God just did a couple of miracles for me (and I do wish He would have extended that 'fine-ness' to the other hours of those four days Friday through Monday,) or that somehow the distraction managed to keep my mind off my discomfort. I don't know. But I did enjoy myself immensely and wanted to share it here.
One thing I wanted my blog readers to see was the most adorable little party favor I received at Karen's home for the brunch, referred to as the "Cousin's Brunch" which was for those females in the extended McGinnis-Copelin family.

http://www.studiooh.com/default/product_list.php?part_idx=347

check out those adorable little recipe cards! I went straight to the web when I got home to see where I could get a few of these as sweet gifts, too. TOO BAD! I only got the list of where I MIGHT be able to buy them because I can't buy them directly. oh well.

I WILL add photos when Laura gets some to me.

The brunch was at the home of Wayne and Karen. Wayne is Janis' brother. Janis is the baby. So Julie must be the middle. Janis (and Mike) has Elaine, Adam, Michael and Andrew. Then Wayne has Julie and another J daughter. Julie (the sister of Janis) has three daughters. I think Lindsay is the oldest, then a middle, then Popper--or Lynn-Holly. She is named after the actress who played in the movie, "Ice Castles." 

I was thinking that poor Janis has to absorb three new DAUGHTERS as her in laws when her boys marry. And daughters are just more difficult than sons, therefore, I figured I had it easier and I am most pleased with the daughter who joined our family--Myranda, Kevin's wife. But I was wrong about Janis perhaps finding herself unprepared because she raised her children with Julie's girls--and Julie felt like Janis' boys were her own--so both of them will do great with their new additions.

The McGinnis and Copelin clans are wonderful and engaging and beautiful and fun. Tutu is the love name for the Grandpa, Robert or Bob McGinnis, who just lost his wife when she went home to Jesus just about a month ago after 66 years together--he is 88, so he was with her for 75% of his life. I enjoyed talking with him as his mind is good and he is just charming. It gave me some focus so that I didn't feel overwhelmed with all those PEOPLE! yikes! (You know, I always mean to be loving, but faced with a crowd, I just shrink back and try to smile.) Now I wish I had also taken another moment to meet Janis' mom, she was delightful, too! I greeted her respectfully, but her smile was so warm and genuine and she looked me in the eye. It was a sweet connection. I like her already.

I got to officially meet the siblings of Mike McGinnis (Laura's new father in law.) Mike is the oldest, then Kevin, then Erin, then Beth. I also know Brenda is married to Terry, Brenda is the sister of Karen. Brenda told me she is Laura's new favorite aunt. :-)

I am going to write out a family tree to get all these guys down. Then I met several of the children, who are all beautiful and vibrant. They are a close knit family and I am so happy for Laura because her children will identify with all that love and community in their genes. Yay for my grandbabies! whenever hers arrive, anyway.

Now I didn't get to all the great details of the Reception! I will add that, too. There will be photos. I assure you--I will get some photos!

latrines were blown down at Fridah's school!

Hi,
The visitation
team visited Elwasambe primary school where Gladys and Fridah go to learn and Bulechia primary school where Sharlyn, Fredrick, Walter and Brian learn. We found out that fridah's school had befallen with a tragedy of losing their latrines through a strong wind. We had a very strong wind that blew them down. We found them working on other new pits. However, we got to know fridah's academic report which is impressive. She has maintained excellent performance of scores above 300 marks out of 500. She had 332 marks out of 500 in the last exams they sat for. We also took note of her school requirements. Her head teacher said that the school is really looking to her for the best of the school's academics.
We thereafter
checked Gladys' progress. She is doing well in academics as well. The two girls love education with passion. They have chosen it as their savior for their future. She scored 308 marks out of 500 in their last exams. She wants revision books to streamline her studies.
We then left for
Bulechia primary school and met Fredrick. He had 312 marks out of 800 and position 28 in their class of 51. However he is healthy and actively participates in class by asking and answering teacher's questions. Walter had
254 marks out of 800 and position 28 out 51. We also looked at Brian's performance and found out that he scored 231 marks out of a total of 800 marks.
We recorded their school requirements and asked their teacher to work hard and ensure that their academic performance is up to date.
Sharlyn was not
in school. Her teacher told us that she felt unwell and she could not participate in any school activity and because of this, she was asked to stay home and get some treatment before she can be allowed back in school. We therefore visited her at home and got that she is suffering from mumps which totally affected her moods.

Thanks,
Erick.

Progress!

> Yesterday the leadership team went to Kakamega to purchase
> Items for the preparation of the November distribution. We bought some course
> books, story books for our library and some requirements for our candidate
> children that will help them in their final exams. We bought for them
> geometrical set, cardboard and pencils. It was a good experience for us. We also
> bought some groceries and finally transported the all stuffs to our premises.
> Today began on a good note with Oscar being the talk of the
> day. We prepared a ceremonial welfare for his departure to the Air force
> training tomorrow. We converged all of the students and the staff in our hall
> for the event. We began the program at 11:00 am with an opening prayer from
> Jack and then speeches from the students, tutors and finally the leadership. It
> was a joyful event that everyone was happy about. We felt happy for the big
> opportunity our Oscar got. However, we will miss him and his services at large.
> He has been much instrumental to the computer students, staff and even our
> sponsored children. Oscar is mentally and physically prepared for this course. His
> enthusiasm and courage can be seen in his last speech with us. His mind is well
> collected and focused towards getting into their training camp.
> We are so proud of his relationship with religion and we know
> that he is going to serve our nation under the umbrella of our creator and that
> all he is going to do will glorify the Lord. We motivated him so much despite
> the fact that he knows the challenges and technicalities in the course. It is a
> training that needs patience and sacrifice. We understand and believe that God,
> who chose Oscar out of many competitors, will protect him and put His fever upon
> him. We wished him safe journey and well
> in his training. The second last event entailed giving him gifts and presents
> as a way of blessing him. We finished with a closing prayer which involved
> praying for Oscar and finally had a meal together.
> Oscar's qualification into Air force out of his humble background
> is a true miracle we have all witnessed. This tells us that God has big plans
> for His people. If God can be on our side no one can be against us.
> Regards
> Erick.