Struggles still continue

Talking to friends in Kenya today and it's always a mixed bag of emotions. Happy to hear their voices, sad to hear their stories, impatient to be there and thankful for the chance to encourage them.

Our friend Ruth is working from 4am until 9pm at a hotel. For clarification, a hotel in Tala means a restaurant. They open at 6am and serve small food items in the morning like mandazi, which are like donuts, and chai tea. Then they sell fish, chapati, ugali and other Kenyan foods in the afternoon and into the evening. Since food prices are so high they are struggling to buy the food and many people in the area are not working so they don't have many customers.

Ruth had malaria a few weeks back and is still weak from that, plus now she has the flu. But she doesn't have a choice to stay home, she must work to make what she can so she can afford to eat a little bit. Please keep her in your prayers for strength, providence and encouragement.


I also talked with Annastacia and, along with Ruth, I wanted to be sitting next to them talking. I want to be near them so we can pray together, talk and encourage each other.

Annastacia said the children are all doing well but they are missing smokies (sausages) and spaghetti! They haven't had any since we left in November of 2008. I told her we would see what we could do, but I reminded her that food prices are very high and we have to be good stewards of the provision God sends our way. He has been faithful in providing what's been needed to feed the children, however work on the school, search for a bus and other projects have been put on hold until funding is available.

Our prayer here at Saved By God's Grace is that The Change Campaign will bring that providence for Mercy, Eldama Ravine and Nice View not only for the basic necessities, projects to be completed and to be on-site longer but also so they can have smokies and spaghetti once in awhile.

A dream come true...

There was a huge agricultural show in Nairobi while we were in Kenya last year (2008). It's something that occurs every year and many schools try to attend. It reminded me of the 4H fairs I would attend when I was younger.

For many of our students at Nice View and Mercy it was literally a dream come true to attend!

Even the bus ride there was an adventure. Most of the kids had never been outside their village, let alone, seen a big city like Nairobi. So they got to walk around and learn about the agriculture of Kenya, ask questions of government officials at the "show" and of course ride some carnival like rides.

They had such a good time and before going home they all got to eat at an outside restaurant - which again was a first for many of them.

The one thing that touched me as I look through my pictures was this last one of students from Mercy sitting next to students from Nice View Academy.

One of my prayers is that the Lord will continue to provide providence and guidance for Saved By God's Grace so we will know how to move each day in helping the kids at Mercy, Nice View and Eldama Ravine.

Please consider becoming a part of "The Change Campaign". Your spare change can be multiplied by God to help these kids.

"...what is impossible with man is possible with God." (Luke 18:27)

Beautiful country...

This was taken as we walked to Nice View Academy from our home. We got to see the shambas, talk to neighbors and catch up on some local news! This is also where I was "blessed" by two angels! (read about it here)

This is at the Menengai Crater in Nakuru, Kenya. Like the Grand Canyon except green!

We visited our friend Ruth's family in Eldoret, Kenya. Her brother, Mutuku, has a gift for plants and has landscaped his fathers compound beautifully. I could have stayed there in the quiet for hours!

This little guy was just sitting, resting. I think he was on his way home from the market and just needed a rest.

It's all beautiful country that God created, but what I love most is...the beautiful children!

Last day at the Academy

These are sad photos for me because 1) they were taken our last day in Kenya (our first trip) and 2) my hair is way too short!

Since then my hair has grown out and we had another trip (at the end of 2008) to visit the kids at Nice View and meet the kids at Mercy and Eldama Ravine.

Our prayer is to get back to Kenya on a more permanent basis and The Change Campaign is one way of getting us back there. Please visit the website and prayerfully consider becoming a $12/month supporter.

Thank you and have a blessed weekend!

The Change Campaign has begun!

Go to our website (http://www.thechangecampaign.org/) to see how your spare change can help change the lives of our kids in Kenya.

Dinner entertainment!

After taking this video and watching it several times I have come to the conclusion that "kids are kids"! We were waiting for dinner at Nice View Academy and asked if the kids knew any songs. That started the whole thing...someone got a jug to use as a drum, a stick for a drum stick and their voices to sing out loud.

I really miss these kids (and all our other kids at Mercy and Eldama Ravine).

This video makes me so happy because they aren't worried about if they are going to eat. They are simply having a good time while they wait for dinner.

You can be a part of putting a smile on these kids' faces. If you'd like to help feed, clothe, educate, etc. the kids at Nice View Academy, Mercy Child Foundation and Eldama Ravine Children's Village please go to our website and become a monthly supporter.

Thank you and God bless.

Have you written your sponsored child?

We have a pen-pal system set up with a school here in Phoenix so they can write students at Nice View Academy. The program began at the beginning of our school year (Sept. 2008) and the students have written back and forth a couple of times. Today I received another batch of letters and as I read through them some make me laugh and some make me cry and others just make me darn proud!

Here are some quotes from the recent letters:

"It's precious and fantastic because God has given me this chance to write to you and know how you are going on with your life. I'm happy than I've ever felt." Veronicah Wayua

"I does not be excited for the school to end because I like studing very much." Sharon Nthenya

"My favorite thing to do when I am out of school is to help my parents and obey my elders...I have never heard of teepeeing." Philip Kilonzo

"I would like to meet you in person too." Nelly Ndinda

"In Kenya we live peaceful at our home is peaceful." Kelvin Mwendwa

"I am doing well in my studies. Am also very sad of your uncle's first wife mother who died. I don't have nothing to give you except to say sorry about that. I will pray for your family and don't forget to pray for my studies." Josphat Nzisa

"I will pray for your team so that it can win all the game. I will call my friend so that we can pray for you to get a good team. I wish to play." Daniel Gacheru

"I have just got a puppy. Not mine but my fathers. It is not my mum's puppy or anyone in my family." Bonface

"Here in school I am trying to do my best so that I can achieve my goal more so I am not good in maths but I am just trying." Beatrice Mumbua

"God has been my protector and my provider in every situations." Antony Muange

If you are a sponsor please consider taking a few minutes to write your sponsored child. You can send your email letter to sponsoredchild@SavedByGodsGrace.org They love receiving letters and they love responding to letters. What an easy way to make a connection with your child in Kenya!