We have always loved having visitors from churches in the USA spend time with us. We know that some people are troubled by short-term missions for various reasons, but the many people who come and work with us for 10 days or 2 weeks or a month have been of enormous benefit.
Our ministry is so complex that we can use almost any skill a visitor has, so we make good use of what people know and do all the time at their own work. We have made good use of farmers, Bible teachers, educators, preachers, engineers, woodworkers, businesspeople, accountants, tailors/sewing skills, hairdressers, photographers, law enforcement officers, mechanics, event organizers, graphic artists, cake decorators, computer-oriented folk...there are more, but you get the idea.
And sometimes what is most important is not the skill, but that it is combined with encouragement to our Team and to the kids. And we find that visitors appreciate our Team and find them capable and energetic and loving and God-devoted, and that makes the Coulstons and Conways happy. Because we have poured our hearts and energies into this Team, and we are thrilled to see what they have become.
Maurice Colby of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, wrote me an email this week praising Ben Mwami, our farm manager. He found Ben devoted to the farm, wanting to feed as many kids as possible, ready to accept new ways of doing things...how great!
Time fails me to tell what wonderful things people have said about Francis and Jackton and Moses and Philip and others.
Visitors get to do some wonderful things and have permanent
memories of the difference they can make in the lives of street kids. This picture is a group from Thousand Oaks, California, who spent a week at camp with 9 street boys who came out to Kamulu the following week. And all of them are with us now, most doing great in their studies, several baptized already, and none have had any thoughts about running.
We have a project going on now. We are asking our Team and our students to make nominations for the Team member of the year and the Student of the year. I've gotten several wonderful letters about different people. It makes me rejoice greatly in our students as well as the Team. Nominations cease on Dec 1, and we announce the awards on the 5th or the 7th. So please pray that we can give honor where honor is due.
If any of our visitors from 2008 would like to email me a nomination, I'd love to receive it. And I'll let people know that you honor them.
peace and joy, charles
Mbuvi also reports that Ken Wambugu continues to grow in his ability to deal with students at MITS and in his leadership role. Here is Ken leading communion in the worship period. Ken is now 18, has finished his studies in auto mechanics at MITS, and he has begun to work for the ministry as an assistant dorm supervisor, as a driver and as an assistant auto mechanics teacher. As time goes by, he will become primarily a driver. 
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