February/March 2008 Rongo Mission

Finally, students in Western Kenya are slowly settling in for the first term/semester after the long delay in schools opening, due to the skirmishes that affected many parts of Kenya after the December 2007 general elections. As a result, this term/semester is bound to be relatively short given that the Schools have to break by end of March for April holidays.

The schools therefore have to embark on a crash-program to cover the Academic content scheduled for the term/semester. CML is equally facing the challenge to readjust her in-campus programs in tandem with the Schools programs and the needs arising as a result of the effects of the post elections violence.

Consequently, I am planning to travel to Rongo on Tuesday 26th for a 3 week Mission in the areas's surrounding Schools, Colleges and the local community. During the mission, I will be accompanied by the two new CML Volunteers: Peter Paiyineetto and Evans Wagoro. We plan to visit at least 9 High Schools and 2 Colleges in the area.

We expect to accomplish the following during this mission:

- Minister in the Schools' Christian Union(CU) Fellowship meetings
- Conduct in-campus Counseling Sessions with students
- Investigate the Possibility of and organize for the planned Weekend Challenge Mission
- Identify and recruit potential Facilitators for training
- Disseminate information regarding the new CML Programs (The Pen-pall and the Students’ Scholarship Programs)
- Gather information on the student applicants for the CML Scholarship and conduct necessary interviews
- Disseminate April Camp information and collect Students’ commitment forms
- Present December 2007 CML Camp attendees with Certificates
- Establish working relationship with the Schools’ Administration
- Conduct Workshop with Local Community Assembly Pastors/Ministers

We need Kshs.49,000(an equivalent of US$ 700) to cover the costs of Transportation, Lodging & meals, Volunteers' Support and other incidental expenses during the mission.

Your support in prayers is highly cherished. We also appreciate your financial support.

May the Lord's Will prevail. Amen.

CML Launches Two New Programs for Students

CML Launches Two New Programs for Students

As part of CML’s vision to facilitate cross culture learning experiences for students and to provide financial assistance with school fees, we are launching two new Programs; the Pen -Pal Program and the Student Scholarship Program as below. For more information please contact us by email: thechristianmile@yahoo.com

Pen-Pal Program

This Program will enable students from the US and Kenya to learn more about each others’ culture and lifestyle and will also provide Christian fellowship and encouragement.
Parental permission would be required for each student, and all correspondence will be conducted through the CML Ministry and supervised by one of our staff.

Kenyan students that have attended a CML Students’ Camp or other similar Ministry Program will be eligible to participate, and we will provide communication guidelines for all participants.

We believe that this type of supervised personal interaction will benefit the students’ overall development helping them grow socially, academically and spiritually.

If you have a student or youth group that would like to participate in the Pen-Pal Program, please contact me by email for more details and Program guidelines.

Student Scholarship Program

One of the biggest challenges each Kenyan parent and student faces, is how to pay school fees.

With an average income of about $1.00 per day, many families struggle to send children to school.

While the Kenyan government meets most cost for Primary Education (grades 1 thru 8) and a portion of the cost for High School, there is still the expense of books, uniforms and boarding fees etc that parents have to shoulder. High School Education can still cost the parents between $500 to $1,000 per year, per child.

As a Ministry that works with students and schools, this critical need has been brought to our attention. Last year we “unofficially” assisted several students with full or partial payment of school fees, and pray that through this new Program we can “officially” increase that number.

If you are interested in sponsoring a student please contact me by email. Sponsors will receive detailed information on the student including a photo, school name and location, and family background. In addition, sponsors will also be given the opportunity to correspond with the respective students.

December Students' Camp at Kanga High School

We held our second Students’ Camp from the 11th to 16th of December during the schools’ vacation. Once again, The Christian Mission to Learners was in partnership with the Missions and Outreach Team from NPC Buru Buru. The camp was held at Kanga Boys High School which is located in the Rongo District of Nyanza Province.

The group photos- Students and Facilitators

Twelve different area schools were represented with a total of twenty-two students participating, nine facilitators and three local guests attending. The theme for the Camp was “Balanced for Life” with the key scripture verses being 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and 3 John 1:2.

During the six-day camp, students were given the opportunity to develop spiritually and physically through daily participation in interactive teaching sessions, outdoor games, one-on-one counseling and various other small group activities.

Students playing Basketball.....other games included soccer and Badminton

Group counseling sessions: Joel, Peter & Carolyne

Marwa, Daniel, Job & Joel



Tom, Mary & Denise


Isaac & Elisha

Pst. Jeremiah & Suzan

Raphael & William


Students socializing during lunch

William facilitating the session on Spirit, Soul & Body

Of equal (or perhaps even greater value) is praise and worship, in which the students were enthusiastically engaged.

Evans leading the group in Praise & Worship

We are engrossed in Worship, wonderful moments!
It has long been the prayer of CML, that God would use the Camp Ministry to effectively impact the lives of the young people attending, leading them into a closer relationship with the Lord and helping them identify Gods specific purpose for their lives. That prayer was joyfully answered during this Camp when two returning students, Peter Paiyineetto and Evans Wagoro, came forward and took on leadership roles facilitating in some of the teaching sessions.


Peter teaching the session on Sexual Purity

Evans facilitating the session on Media and its effects

Furthermore, CML enthusiastically welcomes their interest in becoming CML Ministry volunteers as they wait to join College or University. We give glory to God for what He is doing in their lives, and the lives of the other students we have had the privilege of ministering to and fellowshipping with.

One of the groups during Bible Study session...time to search the scriptures!

A newly added session called “Small Group Workshop & Presentation” quickly became one of the students’ favorites.

The first day of Camp each student was assigned to a small group and the groups were then given a daily “Question of the Day”.

The questions came from the subject matter covered during one of the day’s teaching sessions, and had to be tackled through participatory group discussions. Each group would then appoint one of their members to present the group’s response to the Question of the Day. The answer presented was to reflect the group members’ opinions and had to be supported by scriptural references.

Following are just 2 examples of questions given:

1) As a Christian believer, how do you strike a balance in choosing your career considering the need for a good income, social prestige (or status) and the desire to honor your parent’s wishes?

2) As a Christian believer, would you distribute condoms to the general public in your strategic fight against HIV/AIDS?

Seth contributing during the group workshop discussions....the rest are actively listening

As you can imagine there were some lively debates regarding the questions and we all had a great time. Most impressive however, were the thoughtful and insightful answers given by these young people. We were all encouraged and blessed by the addition of this session!

The girls discussing their specific challenges

The boys also met to talk about their specific challenges

Other daily sessions covered during the Camp included the following teachings: Who is God - Who is man - Spirit, Soul & Body - Who are we in Christ Self-Esteem - Peer Pressure - Emotional Problems - Relationships HIV/AIDS - Sexual Purity – Media - Drug /Substance Abuse Life Purpose-Academic Excellence -Career Choice & Development –Christian Leadership How to Live a Balanced Life.

Winnie facilitating the Self Esteem session

Isaac teaching on Who is God?

Jumba facilitated the session on Drug & Substance abuse

Amani teaching on Who is Man?

Daniel facilitating the session on Peer Pressure

Muasa facilitating the session on Academic Excellence

The immediate impact of the CML Camp Program is best determined by the students themselves and can be gleaned from their following comments:

"The CML Camp is a noble idea, it transforms many lives. May God help you realize the vision.”

“I am inspired and spiritually nourished. I expanded my knowledge about God and have made new friends.”

“We were provided with everything and lived as a family, not just as people who came to a camp.”

“In fact I was spiritually blessed so much. I use to think I knew everything but I came to realize that I still need to know more about God.”

“I have grown spiritually and emotionally”

“I am very grateful for the organizing of this Camp because I’ve learned many things which I may not have known - God Bless You.”

“I have learned how to keep myself sexually pure and how to deal with Peer Pressure.”

“The CML vision will bring more students to Christ.”

“Thanks for showing concern to this youthful & needful generation.”

We thank all the participants, sponsors and facilitators for the success of the Camp and give thanks and glory to God!

Schools Programs Disrupted

Following the skirmishes that have plagued Kenya after the disputed December 2007 Presidential election results, many learning institutions have not resumed sessions. Parents/guardians fear for the security of students on their way to the schools and in the school campus. For the same reasons, many teachers are unable to report back to their work stations after the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Due to the current volatile situation in the country, we are not able to conduct our schools ministry programs as scheduled in this first term. We will resume business as usual as soon as the situation reverts to normalcy.

For more updates on the post-election situation in Kenya, I wish to invite you to visit the following online webs:

• The Economist (http://www.economist.com/)
• The Nation Media (http://www.nationmedia.com/)
• CNN (http://www.cnn.com/).
• You can also visit Sister Denise’s website at http://web.mac.com/denisedavenport or her My-space page at www.myspace.com/ddkenya for more updates.

We continue to pray for Peace, Security, Harmony, Justice, Truth, Reverence for the Sanctity of Life and Godly Leadership in our country. We therefore request that you join us by keeping the Kenyan people in your prayers.

Let us all remember that God is Almighty and that He was, He is and will forever be on the Throne. Despite the current circumstances, I believe God Reigns Sovereign and in His divine providence, we rest in this assurance; that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). Amen.