Jambo! sana, Everyone,
Another full day for your Mission Team In Kenya! We continue to be amazed by the openness and generosity of spirit that we encounter in all our interactions at BLISS and Kithoka Primary. We started our day with devotions at the Kithoka Polytehnic. The Polytechnic students have always been great singers! We were accompanied by Florence Imathiu, who is the Board of Governors chairperson for the Polytechnic. She encouraged our interaction with the students and teachers during devotions. Our devotions ran long and many were anxious because they were scheduled to be teaching. In Kenya, events do not happen according to the clock but when they are supposed to happen. Hakuna matata! The waiting students and teachers were not bothered a bit. Some of us stayed on at the Polytechnic for the morning and learned about the great progress that the school as a whole has made over the last couple years. FYI...a classroom bulding at the Polytechnic was the first Kenya Project for FUMC in 2004. Enrollment has more than doubled since then and they have some new staff. The gov't is subsidizing their education at last. They are doing well at long last and have an optimistic future. We are excited for them.
BLISS had power today, so it was much easier to teach computer classes. No problem. Kathy Mac brought paper keyboards and other instructional materials that worked well on Monday. So today was a breeze. Many students have never touched a computer, which is not surprising since many homes do not have electricity in the community. So the additional instruction provided by the mission team provides a foundation for the students to develop computer skills.
The craft projects at Kithoka Project continue to go well and is providing an excellent basis for a relationship with the school. The primary children are clearly disadvantaged, and are excited by the opportunity to interact with our group. There are many opportunities for the future. The school is quite poor and does not any food for the students during the day.
We had an opportunity to visit a baby orphanage in Makutano in the afternoon, and to hold and play with the babies and young children there. They were extremely precious little ones, and just soaked up all the attention. The center rescues abandoned and abused babies through the age of 3. The program is run by Ripples International. (Google it if interested in more information.) In addition, they provide counseling for sexual abuse victims and also HIV/AIDS services. Our hearts were deeply touched by these precious little ones!
We also visited the Kithoka Dispensary which is almost ready to provide services after many years of qualification and preparation for operation. We brought 4 tubs medical supplies to contribute to them. The local district hospital is too far away to provide badly needed services in times of urgent needs, such as deleivering babies. The Dispensary will be staffed by 2 nurses and will have a major impact on the community. Many of the organizers for this project come from Mwanika Church, our sister church here in Meru.
We also celebrated Doug's birthday several times today! We even had a cake baked for him at Thiiri Center and had a great time together. Even the Polytechnic students sang Happy Birthday to him this morning. Even though he claimed to be 45, some of us know he has become dyslectic on his birthday.
It has been a long day today and and so are tired at the end of this day. We have been challenged in many ways, though are in great spirits and have enjoyed working as a team together. It was a SPECIAL day! Time for bed!
Lala Salama! (Good night in Swahli)
For all of us in Kenya,
You are in our thoughts and prayers,
Gary
Another full day for your Mission Team In Kenya! We continue to be amazed by the openness and generosity of spirit that we encounter in all our interactions at BLISS and Kithoka Primary. We started our day with devotions at the Kithoka Polytehnic. The Polytechnic students have always been great singers! We were accompanied by Florence Imathiu, who is the Board of Governors chairperson for the Polytechnic. She encouraged our interaction with the students and teachers during devotions. Our devotions ran long and many were anxious because they were scheduled to be teaching. In Kenya, events do not happen according to the clock but when they are supposed to happen. Hakuna matata! The waiting students and teachers were not bothered a bit. Some of us stayed on at the Polytechnic for the morning and learned about the great progress that the school as a whole has made over the last couple years. FYI...a classroom bulding at the Polytechnic was the first Kenya Project for FUMC in 2004. Enrollment has more than doubled since then and they have some new staff. The gov't is subsidizing their education at last. They are doing well at long last and have an optimistic future. We are excited for them.
BLISS had power today, so it was much easier to teach computer classes. No problem. Kathy Mac brought paper keyboards and other instructional materials that worked well on Monday. So today was a breeze. Many students have never touched a computer, which is not surprising since many homes do not have electricity in the community. So the additional instruction provided by the mission team provides a foundation for the students to develop computer skills.
The craft projects at Kithoka Project continue to go well and is providing an excellent basis for a relationship with the school. The primary children are clearly disadvantaged, and are excited by the opportunity to interact with our group. There are many opportunities for the future. The school is quite poor and does not any food for the students during the day.
We had an opportunity to visit a baby orphanage in Makutano in the afternoon, and to hold and play with the babies and young children there. They were extremely precious little ones, and just soaked up all the attention. The center rescues abandoned and abused babies through the age of 3. The program is run by Ripples International. (Google it if interested in more information.) In addition, they provide counseling for sexual abuse victims and also HIV/AIDS services. Our hearts were deeply touched by these precious little ones!
We also visited the Kithoka Dispensary which is almost ready to provide services after many years of qualification and preparation for operation. We brought 4 tubs medical supplies to contribute to them. The local district hospital is too far away to provide badly needed services in times of urgent needs, such as deleivering babies. The Dispensary will be staffed by 2 nurses and will have a major impact on the community. Many of the organizers for this project come from Mwanika Church, our sister church here in Meru.
We also celebrated Doug's birthday several times today! We even had a cake baked for him at Thiiri Center and had a great time together. Even the Polytechnic students sang Happy Birthday to him this morning. Even though he claimed to be 45, some of us know he has become dyslectic on his birthday.
It has been a long day today and and so are tired at the end of this day. We have been challenged in many ways, though are in great spirits and have enjoyed working as a team together. It was a SPECIAL day! Time for bed!
Lala Salama! (Good night in Swahli)
For all of us in Kenya,
You are in our thoughts and prayers,
Gary
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