June Mission-Part 2

This entry will conclude our report on the June Mission.

Another high point of this Mission was the invitation CML received to attend and participate in two different programs held at Kanga Primary School. These two events; Kanga Primary School Education Day and the Kuja Zonal Education Day, were attended by students, parents, teachers, administrative staff and various District Education Officials.

This was a wonderful opportunity for us to speak to all stakeholders involved in the learning process and at the same time show our support for local students. We were also able to present the Kuja Zonal Education Quality Assurance & Standards Officer, Madam Huldah, with a copy of the Josh McDowell’s “Youth Counseling Handbook”. For now, until we are able to provide more copies, this handbook will be shared amongst 14 Primary Schools located within the Kuja Educational Zone.

The June Mission also marked our first time of ministering to students at the Primary School level. Receiving a warm reception, we were also challenged to present topics in a new and engaging manner that would meet the needs of, and appeal to the younger students. While we were greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm of the younger children, we also realized that the teaching sessions for them can be rather challenging because of their relatively short attention span compared to that of their older high school counterparts. To improve our effectiveness in ministering to these young ones, we are hoping to blend our teaching sessions with some skits or dramas to make the message more appealing through illustrations.

Another first time event for CML during the June Mission was the official launching of an Income Generating Project for a small group of local community women. In Kenya, and specifically in Nyanza Province, women are among the most affected and vulnerable groups in terms of poverty and HIV/AIDS. This new initiative is part of CML’s long term Entrepreneurial vision to provide skills learning opportunities and assistance to vulnerable members of the rural communities we serve.

The 15 ladies participating in this Project will have an opportunity to learn skills that will enable them to financially support themselves and their families while at the same time provide a time of fellowship amongst themselves and their neighbors. Learning to make jewelry that can be sold in the local markets and in the United States is just the beginning and we believe that over a period of time, additional skills will be incorporated in the program. To ensure project continuity and growth, these pioneer trainee participants will in-turn be involved in training other interested community members.

In addition to the ministry activities and joyous time of fellowship with students and teachers, CML also celebrated another special event that took place during the June Mission. Denise and I have announced our plans to wed! Having worked together for over a year and a half, we want to share our commitment and passion to serve God and His people, not only in ministry, but also in life as a couple. With the wedding to be held in Kitere sometime before the end of this year, we will soon post the date and remaining details. It is our hope and prayer that our families, friends and co-workers will be able to join us for this blessed event.

We thank God for a successful Mission, the CML volunteers and for your continued prayers and support. We look forward to the upcoming August Students' Camp and future Missions.

Blessings!

June Mission -Part 1

June was a busy month for CML
and saw many "first-time" events.....


The Mission of June 14th to June 30th consisted of a 7 person Team that included 3 "first-time" CML missioners: Rachel Vineyard (a University student from the US) , Amanda Smith (an American missionary now living in Kenya) and Peter Murgor (from Nairobi).











In addition to the new-comers, William and Denise were joined by Alex and Thadeus from Moi Institute of Technology (MIT).


Small but committed, the Team was focused and active during the 16 day Mission, and gave glory to God for all He allowed them to accomplish and
for His continued favour with the students and school staff.






Some of the Mission events and activities included:

• 12 in school ministry sessions - including 4 "first-time" ministry sessions in local Primary schools
• 2 meetings held at Kitere Glory Community Church, providing local women with information about family planning and basic health care issues
• touring of school facilities
• "first-time" invitation to Education Day held at Kanga Primary School and attended by 14 Kuja Zonal Schools
• providing medical care for a young girl that had 3rd degree burns to arm and head
• giving Bible Study materials to Kanga Boys Christian Union (CU) group
• launching of a new Income Generating Project for local women of Kitere community
• receipt of donation sponsoring 5 students (see "Student Sponsorship Opportunities"blog dated April 27th 2008)

It continues to be the prayer and vision of CML to share the transforming message of Jesus Christ with the youth in this rural area, and to facilitate their spiritual, emotional and physical development. Towards this end, we have committed to building relationships, discipling and mentoring the youth from the 12 schools we partner with in the Rongo District. What a joy and blessing it was on this Mission to "see" some of the fruits of the past 18 months labour and to hear how God is working in the lives of these young people.

We heard some wonderful stories and testimonies from the boys at Kanga Boys school of how they are now encouraging and mentoring others and were privileged to be able to pray with them as they allow God to lead and direct their paths.


The June Mission also included some new "first-time" teaching sessions. Amanda spoke to the youth at Owiro Akoko Girls and Ulanda Girls about "Music". Giving Eph 4:29 and Phil 4:8 as a guideline for determining which music is wholesome and edifying to the listener, Amanda made the point that 1) music was created by God 2) music is powerful 3) all music has a message and 4) each young person should ask themselves if the music they are listening to is beneficial to them.













Rachel had the unique opportunity to speak as an "age mate" (someone around the same age) to the youth at several schools and was given full attention when she spoke about"Love". Reading from 1 Cor 13 for God's definition of what real love is, she went on to discuss the 4 types of love that we as humans experience
during our lives:
1) Parental / storge love
2) Phileo / brotherly love
3) Eros / romantic love
4) Agape /God's love

Other sessions included topics such as Self-Esteem, HIV/AIDS, Relationships, Discipline, Drug & Substance Abuse, Academic Excellence and Our Identity In Christ.