Helping Single Moms at MITS

Mercy came off the streets to us at MITS, along with baby Arnold (named after Schwarzenegger). She's an orphan. What she wants to do as a job is to work as a secretary. So what the Team decided is that she learns computers well. What she does now is go to Maureen at World Bible School, right on our MITS property, in the mornings. There she learns office work and simple computer work. In the afternoons, she attends computer class.

I was talking with Joel this morning; he says that in his university business classes, he has right now a business computer class. So what he does is bring home the power points and has a special class with Mercy. In my opinion, this is just the best thing for Mercy! Secretarial colleges here still mainly teach filing, shorthand, and not much computer instruction is available. Thanks to people who donate time and resources to be available to someone like Mercy.

This morning in chapel, Arnold made the rounds of almost all of us, shaking hands and smiling. What a different and wonderful life he has (and he delights all of us!). In these days, he and the other children are in our new MITS Children's Centre, taught by Helen and Millie. I think he really has a future!

A CHAPEL TO REMEMBER

At 8:00 AM each weekday Made in the Streets has chapel. One of the Team or one of the students will pick out 5 songs, ask someone to lead prayer and make a short talk, usually a story with a message at the end. Now and then there is a chapel that you want to make into an eternal moment. Or, as Darlene says, she would like to bottle this chapel and take it out now and then and enjoy it.

Thirteen of our students were back from being away 4 days to take the KCPE (the 8th grade exams in several subjects). Before they went other students had written "success cards" and prayed for them. During chapel they started reporting on their experience, and all of them shared. They said words like "I love you all" and "Thank you to all the teachers" and "Thank you for praying" and "It was hard, but not so hard" and "I'm grateful to my sponsor" and on and on. And all of us felt so great! Then the other students started to share, welcoming the 13 back and saying good things about them, wishing them success.

Taking the KCPE is really special, since most of these kids did not get to public school at all, or maybe one or two years, and they have from 1 to 2 years with us in literacy education. To have prepared for these exams is a great achievement.

I love these kids, and this is a moment with them that I could enjoy forever. With their attitude and confidence, they will make it. They will not return to the streets, and they will be able to find work, and they will have families. Praise God for this ministry, and for all those who support it. Pat yourself on the back - good job!

Climbing Mountains

My family and I recently climbed Mt. Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa. It was difficult and challenging to make it to the top. We needed encouragement, assistance and advice to help us succeed in reaching the top of point Lenana. There were times when it was painful, exhausting and joyful. I fell down several times and then got back up again to strive towards the goal of reaching Lenana. We hired a guide to keep us on the right path. We hired porters to help us carry our heavy bags. People have attempted to climb the mountain only to fail, get injured or even die on Mt. Kenya. It is a risky adventure. We could not do this alone.
We needed the right equipment. We needed warm clothes due to the freezing temperatures experienced at the high elevation. We needed flashlights to light our path because the final ascent is done at night. The guide offered advice and feedback so that we could succeed. He offered his walking stick so I wouldn’t fall so often. His experience and skill helped him to help us to succeed. He has walked the path numerous times helping others to succeed in reaching the top. I experienced a lot of pain in my ankles as I climbed. Hollye got some very painful blisters on her feet. Micah’s hip was painful during the trek. Andrew was fighting malaria. Andrew and Micah encouraged Hollye and I not to give up although we wondered at timesif the trip was worth the pain.

We succeeded in reaching our goal. It was an exciting time when we reached the top. There were others who had reached the peak as well and we all rejoiced with one another. There were times when we needed lots of help from others. There were times we needed to hear someone say to us that we can make it. There were times I had to turn and ask the guide if I was on the right path or not. Reaching the summit wasn’t easy, there were lots of challenges but we rejoiced together when we all made it to the top.

A few years ago a climber attempted to climb Mt. Kenya

alone. He got lost along the way and eventually died somewhere on Mt. Kenya. His body was never found. Just imagine the desperation, fear and despair he must have experienced realizing he was all alone and perishing.

Now, imagine yourself a teenager, all alone on the frightening streets of Nairobi. There is no place to sleep safely or eat healthily. The streets are scary with violence and danger all around. Just imagine the fear, desperation and despair these youngsters must feel as they wonder if they are perishing.
At Made in the Streets we encourage kids living on the streets to reach their goals. They need help. The teenagers sometimes fall down and need encouragement to get up. Charles (or “Chizi” – crazy) was living in a broken down truck and going down the wrong path. He spent his days begging and collecting scrap metal in order to buy marijuana and glue to sniff to ease his discomfort. In his high states he was hit by motorist and another time bitten by police dogs. The path he was on was leading to destruction and despair. He needed our help to get him back on the right path. All of the kids living on the streets have experienced terrible pain in their lives. Many have buried

both of their parents. All have been abused. All have been misled by others. There are times when they don’t eat for long periods of time. What they do eat comes out of the trash heap or someone may offer them small amounts of leftovers. It is a very painful existence.

Anastacia was not equipped to succeed. She had dropped out of school and was living in poverty. After the death of her mother, she spent her days in the streets. She needed training and skills to reach her goals.

Made in the Streets equips children with a normal education,
skills to be employed, and the gospel of Jesus. She has completed her education and is now in journalism school studying to become a reporter. She has given her life to Jesus and has been baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of her sins.
Thank you for your part in helping to lead these precious children to the Guide, who will show them the path of righteousness
and truth and encourage them

on their journey to the Mountain of the Lord.

by Larry Conway

MITS Library and News

The following report is from Francis Mbuvi, giving an insight into one day at the Kamulu Campus of Made in the Streets. A few notes are included as explanation.

"Today we had a slow day because it was declared a public holiday.

We had Chapel at 10 AM and it was heavenly singing. Ken Owino shared with us and said we should take care of things as if they were ours. We had one hour in Library -- here are two pics of Jackline, Margaret and

Mwanahawa reading during that time.

(note: The Library is a special part of MITS. Each year when visitors come to work with us, we always ask them to bring some more books that are good for teenagers - to help them grow spiritually, to help them with English, to deepen their skills studies, and so on. We have almost 3,000 books now that the Coulstons have returned with a suitcase full.)

We also had our classes early. I talked with Akinyi and she said that the 4:30 classes were very nice. She said the students enjoyed them and that they learned much. She too said she learned a lot from the things she taught.

(note: Irene Akinyi is teaching the current Bible offering of the 4:30 Classes, which is Personal Counseling. We are teaching the kids how to recognize emotional and spiritual problems and how to develop themselves, with God's help, into secure and stable people. The 4:30 Classes are designed to help the students prepare themselves for life outside of MITS, in a job, in their own housing, in a new church)

We had some time in the afternoon to work in the farm. There was power

today so we had water."

(note: There is severe power rationing in Kenya because of the serious long-term drought the country has been facing. Many rivers can no longer support hydro-electric plants. When we have electricity, we have water, since we have a well that is 300 feet deep and has plenty of water for our purposes. We are grateful to friends in the USA who provided funds and expertise for our water supply.

Normal Life at Made in the Streets

The normal life of Made in the Streets continues.  Chapel was at 8, and we sing songs such as "We love you with the love of the Lord" and "Mansions over the Hilltop".  Most of the Team is in Eastleigh working on the streets -- we are seeking more young moms for the Eastleigh program and identifying new kids on the streets.  

Laurent, our newest Team member, is cooking with his students today, while Joel, Darlene and Millie lead activities with the students at Kamulu.  They cleaned up the property, rearranged the library, read books and will watch a movie in the afternoon.  

We delivered mail after chapel, and Abdi Isaac, Jackie Njoki and Alex Atemai were very happy to get their mail from sponsors!  

John Wambu is building a road - the rainy season is here, we pray.  Skills training continues.  One of our own, Moses Kungu, who finished his training and graduated last month, is cooking lunch together with a few of our kids.  

There is corn in the field, and beans growing, and passion fruit ripening.  

We are blessed in our life together at Made in the Streets.  Thanks for being part of it

Student of the Year at MITS

STUDENT OF THE YEAR - TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR  2008



Friday was a happy day - we are always happy when we can honor someone.  We went through a process of choosing students of the year and a Team member of the year.  We asked students and Team members to write nominations -- not just a vote -- but to write what they appreciate about someone, how they work, the benefit MITS and the students get from this person, and so on.  We received some beautiful tributes!  

The end result was the choice of Ken Wabungu as male student of the year and Jackline Njoki as female student of the year.  

Presentations of a certificate and a "bahasha" (means envelope, and it has cash in it) were made, and Dr. Coulston praised them and shook their hands.  They were obviously pleased.  The bahasha was turned over to the Administrator to be saved for when they leave Made in the Streets.  

  Chosen as Team member of the year for 2008 was Philip Kariuki, who is the supervisor of our literacy education program.  Many wonderful praises were written about him.  He was very surprised to hear his name called.  He was given a certificate, a new pocket version Bible, a bahasha and a poster for his classroom entitled "Footprints".  

 We are very proud of our Team and our Students.  Praise God for people who work well together, who desire to succeed, who honor God and are good friends.

Land Problem Update at MITS

Thanks to all who have written comments and emails in regard to our land problem at Made in the Streets. Francis Mbuvi, our administrator, sought an injunction in high court on Friday to stop anyone from entering the premises at the 20 acres or interfering with MITS life. However, the judge wanted to leave early since it was Friday, so the case was not heard. Francis and the lawyer were allowed to enter all of the MITS documents and the plea, so that the case will be heard on Monday. We will wait until then to pursue other avenues. The people who invaded the land have begun digging a foundation. We are trusting God to be at work to protect our work for the street kids, to soften and change hearts and to make the right way for us.

Life at MITS goes on...Charles and Darlene are almost finished with the house and hopefully will move out of the girls' center by October 10. This week has seen the installation of window glass, painting, spackling, electrical wiring and installation of lights, drainage system and a few other odds and ends. Five of the young men at MITS are painting -- they are doing great work and have such a good attitude. It is nice to give the kids opportunity to earn some money. When they work at MITS or for one of us, we give them half the money now and save the other half for when they leave us, so they will each have some funds to start a new life.

Two girls had a fight today, and one's nose was hurt. We hope to slowly help the kids get anger and physical conflict out of their lives, but it is not an immediate process. That's one of the reasons we are sending Irene Akinyi to Daystar University to study counseling. We want our team to be able to guide the kids in better and better ways. Irene told me yesterday that because of her introductory course, she has already made some changes in the way she deals with the kids. That's good news!

Window glass was installed in the new girls' kitchen today, and repairs were made on their water system. Next week John Wambu plans to go to Eastleigh to make some repairs needed before the Eastleigh Center is approved by the Children's Office in this year's inspection. We have to redo the floor of the main hall and provide more ventilation in the girls' dorm; also we have to put higher barriers on the sides of the toddler beds.

Joel Njue reports that our efforts on behalf of older guys -- 18 and older -- on the streets are paying off. He found a government official working the National Identity Card office who has taken an interest in the young men. Joel and the Eastleigh Team are working to get National Identity Cards for 80 young men, and 21 will be served this coming week. They will present their documents and receive waiting cards; Joel will be informed in a few weeks that the cards are ready, and he will be able to pick them for the young men.

Darlene has begun teaching the Bible classes at the Learning Center, since Irene Mbithe started her maternity leave on Wednesday (Kenyans get 3 months off work for maternity leave). Darlene reports that the kids in all 3 levels are using English in class, with very little need for translation. She is pleased with the obvious progress and with their enthusiasm. She says that every student speaks up, asks questions and answers questions. The class is currently studying the Gospels, and this week has been taken up with the work of John and the baptism of Jesus.

I talked with several of the young people who are taking exams in November and December, and they feel confident they are ready. Several will take the 8th grade government exam (in English, Swahili, Social Students and Religion, Science and Mathematics), and others will take the Level 3 Auto Mechanics exam. One student will take the Level 3 exam in Tailoring.

Thank you for praying for us and for supporting us. Let the hungry and homeless children of the world be blessed.