Darlene and I have worked with teenagers and college all our careers, from Roswell and Portales, New Mexico, to Redwood City, California, to KCITI in Nairobi and finally in street ministry here in Nairobi. And we have never had a better youth group to share life with. These young people have slept on the streets, some for as long as 5 years, and they are cooperative, courteous and competent. They are studying English and Math and Bible for the first time in their lives, they are learning skills so they can get jobs later, they cook their own breakfast and dinner, they work on the farm each weekday, they live peaceably together in dorms (for the most part), and they make us proud when we go out somewhere in Nairobi.
Here the kids stand in line waiting for their food when we went to see Prince Caspian at the Village Market, an upscale shopping center in Nairobi. Darlene has read the Narnia Chronicles to the kids, and Philip Kariuki re-stated it in Swahili. They read it dramatically and the kids loved it. Five of the Team members, all of whom read Prince Caspian in the past month, went with us. The kids were so well-behaved; I'm sure the staff at the theater would never have believed they had been street kids.
Here they are putting mustard on their hot dogs. Kimani had never seen mayonnaise before; I don't think he used any. Each kid got a soda and popcorn along with the hot dog. They took their food into the theater and quietly and happily talked softly as they ate. Darlene and I gave our food to various people, who were happy to get it. They were so polite, but they did react with laughter to Reepicheep and with happy surprise at Aslan's first roar. And they carried their trash out and put it in the bin outside the theater.
Joseph Nderitu, one of our new students who came off the streets in March, smiles happily as he waits for Prince Caspian.
Two young ladies in California, Sabrina and Lauren, gave us the money we used to take the kids to the theater. Sabrina saved her allowance and plastic bottles. Lauren played her violin with the case open at soccer games and gave her allowance as well over a period of months. We are grateful for other young people who bring happiness to our kids in Nairobi.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Administrator's Report: 26 June 2008
Greetings. Here is a report from Ann Mwangi about some things happening in Eastleigh with the young mothers. Be blessed.
MOTHERS' PROGRAMME:
a) There has been improvement in the feeding of the children especially for Kelvin, Bryan and Purity after they visited the clinic on Tuesday and they had good kilos (Kilogrammes). As for Mutua he has declined (reduced in weight) because he had been exposed to cold and at times he is not changed immediately he wets his clothes. It has been hard to convince the mum (Catherine Ndunge) to keep him warm. As a result Mutua had a chest infection, and he has so far been treated. Catherine the mum also is left (lagging) behind in education while others are catching up very fast. At times it's difficult for them to understand but their interest of wanting to learn is great.
b) We have been having morning devotions. The experience of it for the mums is something new. As it started Kennedy and Anthony told them the purpose of it is have a fellowship together and share different things they have learned about the word of God. Each student and team member has his or her day to share. As for the mums they are revising and doing much homework on what to share at the same time asking for Jane's help during the day or my help too. At one time we had to teach them how to pray from the guideline of the word of God. Everyone of them is expectant of their day to share. At one time it was Catherine's day to share; the whole day she was memorizing on what to share then she remembered she had watched a movie on the gospel of John. She narrated like five stories and it's just only she forgot the rest, for she was ready to tell it all. As she was talking to us she was almost acting she was so much in to it.
This makes us feel that they are interested in knowing learning the word of God.
GIRLS IN SKILLS TRAINING
Greetings. Halima and Patricia are among a group of students who have been attending a local skills training
school where they have been undertaking hairdressing and beauty courses. When Halima started she was a little afraid because she was not confident with her English but she has grown and adjusted well and now loves schooling. They are both working hard and hope to get good grades when they finish. The course takes 6 months. We thank you for helping them acquire this skill.
From Francis Mbuvi.
MOTHERS' PROGRAMME:
a) There has been improvement in the feeding of the children especially for Kelvin, Bryan and Purity after they visited the clinic on Tuesday and they had good kilos (Kilogrammes). As for Mutua he has declined (reduced in weight) because he had been exposed to cold and at times he is not changed immediately he wets his clothes. It has been hard to convince the mum (Catherine Ndunge) to keep him warm. As a result Mutua had a chest infection, and he has so far been treated. Catherine the mum also is left (lagging) behind in education while others are catching up very fast. At times it's difficult for them to understand but their interest of wanting to learn is great.
b) We have been having morning devotions. The experience of it for the mums is something new. As it started Kennedy and Anthony told them the purpose of it is have a fellowship together and share different things they have learned about the word of God. Each student and team member has his or her day to share. As for the mums they are revising and doing much homework on what to share at the same time asking for Jane's help during the day or my help too. At one time we had to teach them how to pray from the guideline of the word of God. Everyone of them is expectant of their day to share. At one time it was Catherine's day to share; the whole day she was memorizing on what to share then she remembered she had watched a movie on the gospel of John. She narrated like five stories and it's just only she forgot the rest, for she was ready to tell it all. As she was talking to us she was almost acting she was so much in to it.
This makes us feel that they are interested in knowing learning the word of God.
GIRLS IN SKILLS TRAINING
Greetings. Halima and Patricia are among a group of students who have been attending a local skills training
school where they have been undertaking hairdressing and beauty courses. When Halima started she was a little afraid because she was not confident with her English but she has grown and adjusted well and now loves schooling. They are both working hard and hope to get good grades when they finish. The course takes 6 months. We thank you for helping them acquire this skill.
From Francis Mbuvi.
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