One baby has died

Christabel reports:
David and I checked on Truphosa today. She is fine. The nurse said that the baby is now in a good condition therefore they are both ready to be discharged.

I also asked the nurse what the abandoned babies would require right now. She told me that at the moment it's only diapers that they need because it's the only thing that they need most that's short in supply. She said milk is provided by the hospital and it's in plenty. Clothes could be of great importance since the babies are in the nursery room but they don't need any clothes until they get out of the room ready for the children's home.

Again she was very thankful for the diapers on behalf of the hospital management which she showed them the diapers we gave them.

We encouraged her to keep on with the wonderful work she is doing by mothering all the babies in the nursery. To her she believes her job is a calling and so she does it with passion and whole heartedly. She handles the babies with good care as if they were her own.

She was so sad today for the demise of one baby in the nursery who was immature, and died in the incubator. Her happiness is to see all the babies surviving and getting out of the nursery in good health. She does all this knowing that she is doing it for God.

We also pray God to continue giving her a good heart as she does this challenging task. May he bless the work of her hands.

The abandoned babies

Christabel writes:

We bought dinner for Truphosa this evening and diapers for the abandoned babies who were in the nursery room. She is fairing on well with the baby too. Unlike yesterday, today I was privileged to have a look at her baby. He is a cute baby and looks nice in the incubator. He has also began sucking milk from her mother little by little though she also still gives him through a cup. This is quite impressive for it shows the baby is making good progress. Frank, David and I decided to name him Jason, a Christian name that means 'he that cures.'

 I also had the chance to speak to the nurse in charge, we had a brief introduction. I introduced myself and told her what I do and what my work entails and the organization as a whole. I then asked her about the babies in the nursery and their stories. First she allowed us into the nursery to have a look at the babies and that's when I got the chance to see Truphosa's baby. I was surprised to see how small the babies were with their ages ranging from days, weeks and a month. The little angels were a sleep and sound in their respective incubators. There were also two babies who happen to be twins there though not in incubators who happened to be among the abandoned ones.

It was so sad, I felt pity for them but then thanked God for their survival. I was interested in knowing their story and therefore sat down and listened to the nurse as she narrated to me the sad story.

 The two angels were born on 2^nd September this year. Three weeks old. They are both boys. Their mother happened to have remarried to their father. Her first husband died and left her with six children. She then decided to get married to another man as a second wife. She later got pregnant and gave birth to the twins. After delivery the woman lost a lot of blood and she turned out to be anemic. The doctors tried their best to save her life but all was in vain, she didn't make it, she died while receiving treatment leaving the two helpless babies behind.

 After her demise, no one was left to take care of the baby. Her husband is not in a position because of the poor life he is currently living in with the first wife who has nine children to take care of. Therefore the hospital management decided to take the initiative of taking care of the babies. The hospital provides them with milk which the nurses give them and also caters for their well-being. So far the babies are of good health.

According to the nurse the babies will remain under the hospitals custody, until when time reaches for them to be taken to the children's home after providing the legal and necessary documents. It's my prayer that these angels find a better place to stay and be well taken care of and grow up to be God fearing boys.

According to the nurse the babies will remain under the hospitals custody, until when time reaches for them to be taken to the children's home after providing the legal and necessary documents. It's my prayer that these angels find a better place to stay and be well taken care of and grow up to be God fearing boys.

The nurse also mentioned that there were two other cases of abandonment. One was a college student who came in, delivered then after she regained her strength back she fled leaving the baby behind. Fortunately they know where to find the mother and they said they are going to take legal action against her. Her child is doing well in the hospital's nursery room.

The other case was of a girl who gave birth to a child that the father was her cousin. They were staying together under one roof. The boy was taken in after he lost his parents and he was helpless and was still in school. So they decided to help him by staying with him, taking him to school and treating him as one of their own. Their kindness turned to be a disgrace to the family. After delivery the girl's mother came at the hospital crying and later vanished with her daughter leaving the child behind at the hospital's custody. The incest child is now in a nursery incubator and being taken care by the hospital nurses.

She also told me of a case of another baby in the nursery whom her mother is currently mad. She said the mad woman came in to deliver and immediately after delivery she went to sleep. Ever since then she has not uttered any word, nor eat anything. At times she even denies to be given medication. So she has just been left their on her on. Her baby also survives on the hospitals milk since the mother has never given her any milk nor dared to see how her baby looks like. The nurse hopes that all will go well for the woman.

 The nurse was overwhelmed with the diapers, she was extremely happy and even lacked words to express her joy. She said they were going to be of great beneficial especially for the two baby boys. It's a great relief to the hospital too for they at times run short of them. She really praised us for the work we are doing to the community by empowering them in so many ways. She knows of many organizations but she has never seen them doing the things we are doing before but to her ours is unique for the miles it has gone by stretching their hands and helping those in need. She really prays to God to open up doors of prosperity to all the donors who sacrifice a lot in ensuring the people in the society have a shoulder to lean on when they are not strong.

Regards,

Christabel

 

fun idea

If I were really crafty--which I am not--then I would make Christmas ornaments for about 60 donors! It would be fun to make felt animals like cows, sheep, chickens, goats, and ducks. Even giraffes, zebras, lions, rhinos, and baboons--you see those in Kenya.

I would like to make ornaments in the shape of the African continent. I love globes with maps of the earth. (I love maps!)

I am going to make very simple ornaments like I did for the Angel Tree at Grace which Christa manned with the help of some of the saints. I have the pictures from David (PRAISE GOD AND THANK YOU!) Headshots from the last distribution day, but I did not send those out--I sent out the photos which included their supply or their sweaters or the gardening. (Still sending those out. Almost done.)

I want to make stickers for the back that say something about your child. I LOVE THESE CHILDREN! I have such particular feelings for each one. Hopes and dreams for their future and a desire to develop their potential giftings. It is hard on me when I don't know them well. Our new Shelton, Ian and Arnold--I met them, but I was focused on Beverlyn, the task at hand, OUR GOD BLESSING through our visit and keeping myself from crying.

So....we'll see what happens. I pray God empowers me to take a project from idea to completion. Come Lord Jesus!

No one has a barn like this that I have seen in Kenya. I am sure there is one somewhere but I have driven seven hours through the country without spotting this traditional barn anywhere. The ANIMALS, however, are in abundance. Including donkeys. (special note: I love roosters.) 

Quick review. FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN! Unto us, a son is given

An email came in and I read through it to find that Trophosa was in labor!
It said this:

Truphosa was taken to the health Centre yesterday after she began feeling abdominal pains. She spent their night there and today the doctor examined her and found out that she had complications. The baby seems to be too big for normal delivery.

She was then transferred to Kakamega General Hospital where is now admitted at the maternity ward. She is supposed to undergo a caesarian operation but then the mother doesn’t have any funds at the moment for the operation. According to the doctor concerned, the operation cannot be carried out before payments.

 I called Frank right away--which I rarely do because of cost. Obviously, I authorized him to pay for anything but not to let them know she had an American paying or the prices get exorbitant. I was anxious. I tried praying but it was that terrible kind where you are all keyed up and your shoulders are up to your neck and you are breathless. I took a deep breath and calmed myself. God will do what He will do--and I will ask Him for a natural birth and a healthy mommy and baby. Some mothers in Africa will be in labor so long and their internal tissues will die. (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hm9vlSCrBs  A Walk to Beautiful, on youtube and netflix.)

 

I was trying to prepare for a retreat--but now more preparations were in order. I emailed, texted, facebooked and called some prayer warriors getting her coverage in line same as I would if my daughters were in labor. And the conditions in Kenya mean she needs far more intervention on the God side than just your average birthing mother in the world. But this is a precarious time for all women and newborns. So I was praying, but I was also very tense. Sure, I'd like to be someone who just says a prayer and rests in God's loving hands. That's not me. I am an intercessor and I beseech God and beg Him and tell Him His promises and I back down the devil with spiritual weapons of faith and love and ---well, I often TRY to back demons down with Peace, but peace is just a tad more elusive to me. I have that deep CENTRAL peace--my eternal destiny is with my Beloved Lord Jesus who cares for everyone far more than I do so I can trust Him in this life but I am looking for that next one when all perfection I long for becomes reality in Him and His Presence.

 

so I was anxious. Titus has lost two children. Frank lost his sweet newborn. Walter's wife had surgery that left her clinging to life and barely coming through. I know statistics. Terrible statistics. And there she is --out of my reach. I can do nothing but wait.

 

and my life is such a WAIT right now. Waiting on processes. Waiting for my house to be sold. The sale fell through for now. My buyer is waiting on his buyer who backed out--so my buyer backed out. It is New York. Nothing seems straight forward there. Twists, turns, plots and sub-plots. We will come through by God's deep love and grace. I am not afraid. But I wait.

 

and I don't know where I will ultimately live....say.....next year. But really, do we ever know the future? Nope.

 

So I threw things in my suitcase, thankful I do this 1000 times and don't have to think about much except the clothes--which is the hardest part anyway. It is a retreat. Comfy? It is a bunch of women. Bring jewelry and heels? I opt for comfy--super comfy. My typical airline clothing: stretch black pants, black and white top, some kind of sweater or jacket. I am without perfect comfy black walking shoes, so I go with tennis shoes. I bring TGD books along because I mean to make a wire to Frank with funds. That never happens.

 

So i get along in the drive--super glad I drove myself. I am kind of a basket case. Singing to Jesus alternately doing spiritual warfare. Following behind Camilla as we drive to nearby Salado. The UT game was going to be in Dallas, so traffic was ferocious. A lighted sign warning that the next 11 miles would take 37 minutes. We inch along and I am singing, focused on Jesus. My God can see her through. Jesus is PRESENT with me and Trophosa. Frank is there. Christabel is there. I feel so good about this. Frank is texting me. I am driving and texting (oh be quiet--i didn't kill anyone--it was a life and death situation there!)

 

Rev. Gary Carnie called me. He is a prayer warrior that God has raised up for Trophosa. It is crazy and amazing and beautiful. Is it a calling on the child? A calling on Trophosa? Great things have happened. I get to see twists and turns of events that scream GOD IS HERE!

 

He has her picture printed out in a daily prayer book and I update him. Drive. Drive. Drive. Sing. Pray. Drive. I review the story.

 

Her baby was due on September 30 but our team could not get the funds and the items purchased and get out to see her until October 9. I was so thankful the baby had not come before we had time to send her supplies.

 

I get the email from Christabel on Friday at noon. I post to Facebook by 12:20 after calling Frank. Saints begin to pray immediately. I text and call for prayer, gathering momentum. At 1:14pm, Frank texts me that she made progress--to keep praying! SHE HAD BEEN IN LABOR FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS AT THAT POINT.

Glory to God that He wills this prayer through His Saints. Two hours after that, she is in the labor room and the team has purchased her cotton wool (gauze) which is in continual short supply at this very main hospital. They use any item available there to clean the birthing mother's bottoms, including the waxy sharp paper that is wrapped around sterile gloves. Packaging! They use packaging!

 

I told Frank to get MORE cotton wool and pass it out to those mothers. Can you imagine? These poor mothers suffering! And he is right there and I am so thankful to do something for the sweet birthing mothers always on my heart. And I am so thankful to Frank. I am so thankful to God. So thankful to donors. I am loving the whole world.

 

and then it is 3:30 and Trophosa has given birth to a baby boy! wooooooo!

 

The baby breathed and sucked and cried! RELIEF JOY CRYING! Wow! This isn't even my baby! I was so overwhelmed. We take a hairpin turn back on a country road and I am crying and trying to pull myself together. We are almost at the retreat. I have just had a baby boy! I have called to him in the spirit to bless him and comfort him. I know the Lord is there with Him. I am really happy. The fight isn't over, but the baby has made it through!

 

and so she is bleeding. He had some asphyxiation. (however you spell it) and they take him to the nursery.

 

Frank reports to me that there are abandoned babies there. Can he buy them some diapers. OH. oh. oh my goodness. Abandoned babies. When I was there, the babies were dead. Four babies wrapped like mummies laid in the other room--a storage room. Now there is excess little children whose mothers have left them. What will happen to them? What should I do? We aren't prepared to do anything. I can't just go swoop them up. I have no homes. We have one home ready for Jayden while he languishes in the government home as a PIECE OF EVIDENCE in the trial against his father.

 

and now? these babies? What do I do?

I am here. They are there. You have to live there six months to bring one home. How could we start an orphanage? it is very complicated. The government would be all up in my face. I have no idea.

 

I authorize Frank to do all he can. He is welcome to serve the needs of those around him. I tell him to look with God's eyes and give generously. He assures me he will do what he can to make the stay of those around him more comfortable. Frank is very compassionate and I know he will enjoy providing for the needy ones there. It is so fulfilling for me because I longed to open a hospital. THEY NEED MEDICAL SUPPLIES SO DESPERATELY! On one hand, they do have plenty of resources available like mosquito nets, HIV medications, there is malaria meds and typhoid meds. There is deworming meds and fungal meds. But they don't even have bandages to cover wounds. They don't have enough antiseptic. The don't have enough antibacterial. They don't have enough antibiotics.

 

oh but the greedy Americans dare to say things like, "Well, you know overuse of antibiotics has led to the trouble we are in." ....um....bet YOU still will use antibiotics but would like to keep the poor people with raging infections so you don't have to fear super infections. WHAT?!? Sometimes I seriously hate all of us Americans. We are sick, sick people. Greedy fat and selfish-comfort oriented. All about finding ourselves, being ourselves, giving ourselves and self-esteem. This is me, too, people. No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. You better be thankful for Christ. In fact, His love is so big and forgiveness so big that He blots out your unthankfulness. But if you love Him, take care of people who need some help. Particularly those who can do nothing for themselves.

 

That young girl in the hospital (Thank you to Frank for inquiring after her, Lisa Wallace for paying her bill, Christa Horst for supplying her) may have been molested. She may now be discarded and abandoned. She has a baby. She may have wanted an abortion, for which she would be despised (I am in no way whatsoever saying killing your baby is okay--only that Jesus knows why people lie, cheat and steal and murder and he loves people who do all those evil things because He paid for their sins already that they could be reconciled to God) but she could not afford that anyway. She now has a baby. Will she abandon the baby? She could have left that baby at the hospital as some mothers clearly did this week. Maybe she just doesn't have anywhere to go to.

 

Of course, she could be an absolute ruthless ho--who slept with anyone she wanted because she doesn't even care about the boys she went after. Maybe she is cold hearted and rebellious to good loving parents--just bad seed. BUT PROBABLY NOT and we do not know what she has encountered in her life.

 

So Jesus looked at the woman at the well. He was LOVING! He told her He was the Messiah. Jesus released the adulterous woman without one stone thrown. Who is this guy? YOUR GOD.

 

and I want to be like Him. And I am thankful for mommies and babies staying together. I hate abortion and adoption because I desire intact beautiful pure families with a devoted mother and father! But we don't have that, do we? So we are going to love through these messes. We are going to live real life with Pharisees and tax collectors and Peters and Mary Magdalenes and all the angels and demons operating with and against us invisibly. We are going to have GOD EXALTED and HIS KINGDOM COME when we love and give and serve and die.

 

So this was a beautiful weekend when we destroyed the power of the enemy and exalted Jesus and came loving with open arms and open hands giving and accepting and chosing. Take that, satan. We have stormed your gates and we will come rejoicing bringing in the sheaves! May the Lord Jesus be worshiped for He is bringing many sons to glory! He is worthy to open the seal. He has purchased WITH HIS BLOOD people from every tribe and language and people and nation.

 

Frank will go around and send mothers home with some food, some supplies. He will offer the birthing mothers some gauze. He will ask women their name, get their story, and they will feel God has come in their time of need. They will give glory to God. It is a beautiful day. It is a GOD DAY.

 

I am very happy, very fulfilled. When people ask me, "What do you do in Africa?" I never know what to say exactly. I am the worst representative. I just want to say, "OH WOW. Great things. It is so wonderful. It is so awesome." and I just praise God. But I really do need to be able to communicate our vision and what God is doing. But let the Holy Spirit describe because I don't even know. We have fun. We love others. We try to be our best. We try to do good things that please the Lord. We try to exalt His name and come in His name and announce that He is doing these things.

 

We just work together in unity for a community that God chooses to bless. I am not good with the jargon of todays non-profit world or the church jargon, but we bring hope. Hope does not disappoint. God put it in our hearts. We bring God's light and hope is birthed and expanded. We point to Jesus and we thank others for joining us, we hold hands and we rejoice! We get so excited! We just enjoy giving! We enjoy blessing! We tolerate the work and the problems and the challenges and just do what we can do.

 

I am trying to make a brochure. And I never know what we should say.

 

But I love Jesus. I know this glorifies Jesus. I know He is behind most of it and I know one day the flesh that I add to this work will be burned up! But I will never be burned up nor any of His Sons and Daughters! So I work in freedom and laughter and pleasure and I discipline myself for all the parts where I whine and kick and have to be orderly. God is good, all the time, in all way. He knows my way and He knows your way and He prospers ALL OF US for our eternal good and I pray He prospers my sweet little Kenyan mommy sisters and their babies, in Jesus name.

 

 

 

 

Christabel report on Trophosa

Frank, David and I went to the hospital to check on the progress of Truphosa. She had left to the nursery room to breast feed her baby and so we waited for her to finish. This was one of her happiest moments in life after having a successful delivery. At the moment the baby is not in a position to suck the milk by himself so she has to milk herself then give him through a small cup.

She said at first she couldn’t do it but after being shown by the nurse how it’s done she is now able to hold her baby and give him the milk comfortably. I didn’t have the chance to see her son but she said he was doing fine and is no longer put in oxygen.

We bought her the items we had bought her i.e. fruits, milk, fresh juice, lucozade etc. to help her regain strength and energy. Right now she isn’t feeling any pain, at least she can walk around without difficulties.

Tomorrow we are planning to buy some stuffs for some of the patients in the hospital who are really in need and also for other babies who are in the nursery and abandoned by their mothers. We hope to spent a lot of time with them and find out their real stories. Encourage them and help where necessary.

 

Agriculture Program

Derrick teaches the children how to raise the bed with good soil, how to make rows, then lay the seed in the rows.

The children get to harvest the kale they will bring home (Maybe it is something else. Sukuma Wiki? Collard Greens?)

Collard Seeds

Paul follows instructions

The beautiful bounty

And the work goes on as our girls pitch in with the heavy work, too.

October Newsletter is out and can be viewed here...

Roof

We would love to see our Kenyan children under a metal roof rather than thatch. Thatch roofs are inexpensive, but they are loved by mosquitoes.

Wedding

Here is a photo from my phone showing the bridal party. It was a beautiful day.

 

New Family!

Steve and Stephanie Rivers join Mike and Janice McGinnis in welcoming the new couple, Mr. and Mrs. Adam McGinnis.

Nicole Wins

 I am so bummed! This was a fuzzy little video of Nicole catching Laura's bouquet. She was on the far edge of the group and when Laura threw it directly over her head to the middle, Nicole LEAPT into the air, diving to her left, for a smooth and perfect catch. It was a great moment and I look forward to the wedding of Robert Belote and Nicole Bates! (My baby!)

Oh Lord Jesus, Be Thou my vision.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Words: Dallan Forgail (8th Century)

Our new upgraded TGD site!

www.tgdonline.com

Kevin has created a new look and easier donations with our site. Check it out!

Psalm 34

1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Trophosa

My heart has been aching for Trophosa.

In January 2010, I was in Kenya and asked my visitor, Todd White, a photographer, to capture the likeness of some of the children there so we could support some of them. Out of 102 photos, I randomly picked 20 after a little prayer and asked Pastor Joseph to find these children. The Cornerstone area of influence is vast and remote, so it entailed plenty of searching and travel. On my return, Pastor Stanley and others took me around to interview the children that I had chosen.

I remember how difficult it was to get to Trophosa's house. The road turned into maybe just clearings and we drove off over large rocks. It seemed perilous by car! But I was patient. We were in the Bush.

As we arrived, neighbors came to see the sight of the muzungu (me.) They stood around smiling and grouped maybe ten feet away, whispering amongst themselves. Someone retrieved Silas and Trophosa.

Trophosa was a young girl of about 13. She was quiet and shy and gentle. Many girls in Kenya are shy and quiet and gentle, but for Trophosa, they were true personality characteristics. She looked up at me with wide, lonely barren eyes. Really, she did not want to be hopeful. When I asked her who she lived with and what she liked to do in school, she answered dutifully. When I asked her what she would like to have, she looked at me so sincerely and very humbly, not quite ashamed, but very honest, with a gulp. "Can I have some food?" Yes. Yes, we will get you food.

and now this sweet baby of mine has gotten pregnant.

and I stood before the Lord in my heart to say, "What to do?" and felt only compassion and a longing to comfort her.

Love covers a multitude of sins.

Mercy triumphs over judgment.

 

¹¹ “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

 

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

⁶ The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. ⁷ Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸ I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.



Now in all these things I cannot say that we have a "policy" of supporting all of our unwed mothers. Rather, every case must be reviewed. I do not think our girls will go get pregnant on the basis of this case. Either they will preserve themselves morally, or they will not. This is between them and the Lord. They lose much by a birth without the father in a land of poverty where women have little identity. The child usually goes to the father's family or to some auntie so the girl can marry someone in the future. This is the land of survival.

Some will question my position on this young woman and others will question when I exclude this one or that one. It is favoritism by the Holy Spirit. If God gives me a motivation to pursue a young mother, then I will. If I sense no calling there, then I won't. There are FAR TOO MANY NEEDY PEOPLE in Kenya for me to bring in each one we meet. It requires choosing which means to some I say, "I am sorry." And I am VERY sorry, for I would love to help everyone in their time on this earth but as far as I am able, I will do for those within my care and will enlarge my capacity to help more.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

⁴ They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
⁵ Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
⁶ And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

⁷ Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.

---

What happens when young girls are pressured to accept gifts in exchange for.......?

On Friday, I didn’t have an exam and so I used that opportunity to purchase some of the basic needs for our sponsored children together with David and Erick. The purchases included under pants, camisals for our growing girls ,bikers, pair of socks for the boys, panties, vests exercise books, erasers, rulers, pen and pencils among others. All this was done just to motivate them in terms of education and also ensure a comfortable stay at their schools.

 

We sorted the things on Saturday with Erick and ensured each child got his or her required items.

 

We also had a guiding and counselling session for our teenager girls. We first showed them a movie known as ’Under Pressure’. It is a movie that talks of how young girls involve themselves in early sex with boys and married men in exchange of money and luxuries such as phones and this is due to peer pressure not knowing the consequences that might befall them after wards.

 

We had them watch the whole movie the first time and started explaining bit by bit to make them understand what was going on. In the movie there was this young girl who was from a humble background while at school she had friends who had phones and so all the time they could tease her and provoke her. Due to that pressure this girl decided to seek advice from a friend who agreed that the other girls were right, not knowing the guy was interested in her, he even proposed to buy her a phone and a few days later he bought her one but the girl refused since she was not ready for that. On refusal to receive the phone the guy went back to his house disappointed to an extent that he did not speak to his wife.

 

We asked them what they learnt from the movie and we had several motivating answers from them

  1. Gladys said that school girls should not have premarital sex with adults.

  2. Fridah learnt that they should only concentrate in education while at school.

  3. According to Elizabeth young girls are not required to have phones in school

  4. Lydia said that students are not allowed to accept gifts from men and people with bad intentions and also strangers.

 

This showed that the girls were really following the movie. As a guiding and counseling team we advised them to do one thing at a time as everything has its own time. Like now it is time for them to only concentrate on education as is the main reason for them to be called students. We encouraged them to keep on working hard for it’s the only key to success in every person’s life. We also made it clear that they be more cautious while choosing friends so as not to end up messing their lives because of peer pressure.

Their closest friends should be books all the time and with that they wouldn’t have any other evil intentions.

 

We also had time with the guardian as a team. Advised them to be close to their children, monitor their progress all the time, encourage them and motivate them to work hard in their studies.

 

Last Monday's Visitation:

Today we visited Gladys, Frida, Daisy, and Vallery at their respective schools to check on their academic progress and individual basic needs.

 

Gladys and Frida are doing great at school. They had just completed an exam that was done on a district level by all the schools in the district. Their school was among the best schools and was ranked position 3 in the entire district. Our girl’s performance was very impressive.

 

Comparing Frida’s previous school performance the girl has improved tremendously. She scored 332 marks out of 500 marks which excellent performance according to the schools standards. Her important basic needs are as follows; Blanket, school shoes school bag, umbrella, mosquito net, casual wears, school sweater, among others.

 

Gladys scored 318 marks out of 500. And this was a great improvement from her previous performance. And she is still striving hard to excel in the remaining exams that will enable her be promoted to grade 8 next year.

 

Their teachers have had several compliments about them because they dedicate most of their time on books thus performing well. They also take lunch from school so as to save time on revision. They are disciplined girls and have great potential.

Their health is good and hygienically they were neat in their school uniforms. Their hair was Kemp.

 

At Daisy and Valery’s school, the girls were doing great. Their teachers were having a meeting but we managed to talk to their deputy head teacher who gave us the progress of the girls. According to him the girls had done exams but their results were yet to be released. So far their health status is good and the girls are always clean. They rarely miss school and are highly disciplined.

 

Valery needs the following; Lantern for her studies, past revision papers, Mattress, Plates, cutlers, cooking pan and water jerrycans.

 

Daisy prefers having a pair of socks, the one she has are worn out, geometrical set, Math and English Aid text books and sandals.

 

The visit was indeed a success!

 

Regards

Christabel.

Combat Costs in the War against Chiggers and Worms

Below is the break down for the medicine;

Albendazole = $7

Castor oil = $6

Hydrogen peroxide = $4

Total cost = $17

Roofs and floors. Cheaper than in America!

Below is the approximate breakdown cost for cementing a floor for one house: These are average estimates. Individual costs may vary regarding the size of the house and the distance covered during transportation of construction material. To some, it may even cost around a half of this total cost and to some it may even be slightly more than this.
 

12 packets of cement @$11 = $132

Transport=$25

I lorry of sand @$38 = $38

Transport=$25

1 lorry of gravel @$63 = $63

Transport=$25

Labor = $40

TOTAL COSTS= $348

Transport

Transportation varies for example: transporting cement from Kakamega Town to Grace and Everline’s home is around $13 and transporting the same to Abednego’s home is around $25.

Exact figures can only be obtained by surveying specific houses and getting individual costs.

Only Evangeline’s house has thatched roof and it will be better if they can have iron roof.

Zainabu Otari’s house is in very poor condition, almost falling; it can easily be blown away by strong wind.

Some of the children have leaking roofs such as Gladys, Lydia not sure of other houses with the same problem. They may just need repair.