Wedding news & upcoming events

With joy and thanksgiving we announce that Denise Marie Davenport and William Okoth Ochieng Aludo were united in holy matrimony on 12th of November 2008!

A simple civil service, held at the State Law Office (Office of the Attorney-General) in the Sheria House, Nairobi marked the occasion of our lawful union as husband and wife and will be followed by a formal service and celebration on Nov 29th at the Glory Community Church in Kitere.

Sharing the occasion with us were family members; Joseph, Tabitha and Susan and our dear friend Laura Dickerson. After the service we had lunch at Savanna Coffe Shop in Nairobi where we enjoyed a wonderful meal.......

...........and introduced everyone to the heavenly cheesecake.

With several Ministry events still upcoming in December, we decided to wait and take a honeymoon either over the Christmas or New Years Holiday....however, we did take one day off this week!

As we continue preparing for the December Students Camp to be held from the 6th through to 13th and the Sports Evangelism Soccer Tournament Finals on December 14th, please be praying for the facilitators, all the participating students and community youth. Also do keep in your prayers those students who are still sitting for their end-year exams, and for the Form 4 and Class 8 candidates who have recently finished their exams in the past week.

We are excited about what God has planned for the CML Ministry and as a couple, we look forward to continued service to His kingdom. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

Blessings,

William & Denise

Chania Boys' Mission- 19th October 2008

On Sunday the 19th October 2008 I went to a mission at Chania Boys' High School in Thika. We had a blessed time of lively Praise and worship led by the Christian Union Praise team. I then spoke to the boys about Peer Pressure- highlighting certain factors that make young people vulnerable to negative Peer Pressure and how to manage peer pressure. They were glad to hear that negative peer pressure is not only a problem to the youth, but that even adults experience the problem, in varied dimensions.

My text Scripture came from Romans 12:2 (The Living Bible):

" Don't copy the behavior and the customs of this world, but be a new and different person, with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you"

I also reminded the boys that they were each created in God's image and that God desires that our character, behavior, speech and attitude should conform to His(Genesis 1:26-27). We should all consider ourselves valuable because we are all individually, and corporately valuable and precious in God's sight (Psalm 139:14-15).

As we strive to live according to the will of God, we would face opposition, temptations and even enmity from those who try to influence us otherwise. This should not surprise us at all because our Lord Jesus Christ cautioned us already (John 3:13).

I encouraged them to have their personal value systems based on conviction and principles founded on the word of God, so that should they encounter negative influences from their peers, they have a basis for saying "no, I will not conform".

As a way of guarding against negative peer influence, I urged the boys to get wise in choosing friends because bad company corrupts good morals (Proverbs 13:20, 24:1-2 & 1 Corinthians 15:33).

I encouraged them to accept and embrace their uniqueness in Christ and not to try to be anyone else’s copy (Psalm 139:14-15, Genesis 1:26-27). Developing a healthy self-esteem is also important in ensuring emotional stability.

We are to set good example in behavior and speech because we are meant to be the salt of the earth influencing the corrupt world (1 Timothy 4:12).

Determine to make godly choices even if they are not pleasurable in the very immediate time(Hebrews 11:24-26).

I cautioned them to watch what they watch and listen to in the media.

The Media, Low Self-Esteem, Lack of Unity in the family, Lack of Parental guidance, Lack of Appreciation & love from home, Mistreatment by siblings/parents, Workaholic parents, overprotective parents, Uninvolved parents are some of the factors I highlighted as possible contributors to young people's susceptibility to negative peer influence. These factors would cause a young person to venture out seeking acceptance, approval and love elsewhere, at all cost.

Aware of the possible anxiety amongst the form 4 candidates who were to start the final exams this week, I also took the opportunity to pray for them and encourage them not to be fearful, but to approach the exams with a positive attitude, having done their part in studying and preparing all the while.

Below are some pictures taken during the mission:

The Praise team leading Praise and Worship....


We all joined in with enthusiasm as the boy skillfully played the keyboard....


They were all actively involved in the celebration....

I also danced and rejoiced with them...




One of the CU Leaders speaking to the students....


The outgoing School Captain addressing the congregation....


It was my turn to minister....


They are not just gullible, like the Berean Christians, they searched the Scripture to confirm the Truth in what I was teaching them....

They paid close attention too....they were engaged....

Then we prayed fervently.....

Thanks for your your support and prayers facilitating the success of these missions.

To God be all the Glory.

Visiting Day at Dede Girls' High School- 4th October 2008

On Saturday the 4th October 2008, before heading to Kitere Technical School for the Primary Schools Tournament launching, we went to Dede Girls' High School to visit Monica and Rebecca. It was visiting day and the girls were very glad to have visitors. Joseph- my Dad accompanied me.

Joseph took a picture of me and the girls....behind us you can see other visitors still arriving...

Rebecca and Monica are both in form two and are part of the more than 11 students who have benefited from the CML Scholarship Program this year. They were particularly glad that we took with us bread and margarine for them to eat. Kids love when you visit and take with you something to eat that is not in their normal school menu. This was like a surprise to them because am known to forget that bit especially when I visit alone....I think Joseph made me remember.

I also took to the girls some of the text books that they had informed us were needed. The text books are part of the initial stock for the CML Library, which is a component of the envisioned CML Resource Center. The students get to borrow from the few supplies of text books and other materials that we have on stock. Due to the limited library resources we have at the moment, priority is so far given to the beneficiaries of the CML Scholarship Program. Otherwise, we intend the library to serve all as many students as possible.

Below are Monica(in red top) and Rebecca... behind them you can see other girls chatting with their visitors...


Monica is a true Sanguine...behind her are some visitors waiting for the students by the administration block...

Below is Joseph waiting patiently in the vehicle...


In a boarding situation, the visiting day serves various purposes:
The students get to talk personally to the parents/guardians. This offers an opportunity for students to share their personal and even academic challenges with the parents/guardians. Students get to receive replenishment of consumable supplies and needed books. Students get to socialize with family members. It offers a break from the monotonous school routine and studies. Parents/guardians get to counsel with and encourage the students.


The sad part is when a student fails to receive an expected visitor. They may get affected emotionally for some days thereafter. Failure to be visited may be misconstrued by a student even if it was due to some genuine or unavoidable circumstances. Rebecca's father, the only surviving parent could not manage to visit because of lack of finances, but thank God Joseph and I were there for her. We even called the dad for them to chat for a while over the phone. She was thrilled.


Many students asked to use my cellphone to find out if somebody was coming or not, and why they were delaying if at all they were on their way to visit. I was glad to have them use my cellphone to connect to their loved ones.


We encourage parents/guardians to visit the kids on the visiting days at the boarding schools. It makes them feel loved, cared for and thought of. The sense of belonging that comes with being visited has an impact on the student's self esteem. They get to feel that the family is interested in them and their studies.


They longed for us to visit for the whole day, but we had to leave after 2 hours because of other commitments. Other parents get to visit for most of the day depending on their schedule.


It was a blessing to be there for the girls.

Primary Schools Tournament Launching

CML officially launched the Primary Schools (under 15yrs) Tournament on Saturday the 4th October 2008. Like the Community Youth Club Tournaments launched earlier on the 27th September 2008, the Primary schools tournament matches will be played over the weekends;Saturdays and Sundays, through to the 14th December 2008 for the finals.

That means there will be at least two matches every Saturday and Sunday till the finals. Every Weekend, the Primary School teams will play first followed by the Community Youth Clubs.

The program on this launching day was not much different from the previous one. First all the people gathered together for a preaching by Pst. Paul Ochieng assisted by Brother Benard Owiyo. The message was "Christ the Power and Wisdom of God" based on the Scripture portion from 1 Corinthians 1;18.

Thereafter, we had a curtain-raising match between Arundo Primary School and Kitere Primary School. It was such a blessing to see these youths exercising their talents in soccer.

Many people from the community, the young and the old, boys and girls, men and women came in large numbers to support the young people. We received complaints from the ladies that they feel left out in the games- they requested CML to facilitate sports programs for the female gender as well.

The main match that day was between Arundo FC and Kanga FC. Once again it was a brilliant display of youthful talents in soccer. The young people surely have potential, all they need is opportunity for exposure and encouragement.

I then presented soccer ball to representatives of the 8 Primary School teams that registered to participate in this tournament. They are to use these balls for their soccer training. Once more, I took the opportunity to acknowledge the donations of soccer equipment from SoccerGrow(http://www.soccergrow.or/), CML'S partner in the Sports Evangelism Program.

In cases where a Primary School representative was not present on the launching day, we personally visited the schools to present the the administration with the soccer equipment. Below is David Atinda-Chairman for the CML Sports Evangelism Committee presenting a ball to the Deputy Head-teacher at Nyaoke Primary School.
Below are other photos from the event:

Many thanks to all the participants and Partners.

Thanks also for your support in continued prayers for the program to facilitate the intended divine impact amongst the youth and the community.

Glory to God!