Mission to Bethel Academy and Glory Community Church

August 20th and 21st were spent doing Ministry at Bethel Academy Primary School and at Kitere Glory Community Church.

On Wednesday the 20th we received a warm welcome at the Bethel Academy school, as we spoke to Classes 6, 7 & 8 on the topics of "Discipline" and "Academic Excellence". This was our first visit to Bethel and we were greatly encouraged by the reception, questions and enthusiasm of the students and staff.

I facilitated in the first session teaching on Discipline. Working with students, we have learned that the word "discipline" is most often associated with punishment. While punishment is certainly one aspect of discipline, we wanted the students to have a correct understanding of the word, it's meaning and its benefit to their personal development.

With that goal, we discussed the root meaning of the word discipline as "instruction for the benefit of the recipient". We then challenged the students to look at discipline from this perspective and to think of it as "doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right place, with the right motive/attitude and for the right reason".

Some simple illustrations to help the kids understand this concept were those of brushing your teeth, not sleeping in class and obeying school rules. We asked them "who benefits when you brush your teeth....stay alert in class and obey school rules?". These simple disciplines do not benefit parents, teachers or school administration although they are the authorities charged with "instructing" the students. The students then had fun reviewing some of the school rules and talking about how each rule benefited either the student individually, or the student body as a whole.

We also discussed God's purpose and goal for discipline. Although several scripture was quoted, Hebrews 12:6-10 sums it up telling us "the Lord disciplines those He loves.....for our own good". In light of this truth, punishment, when given as a method of instruction with love being the foundation, can be received without rebellion and help us develop good moral behaviour.

William then spoke to the students about ways to achieve "Academic Excellence". This was a timely subject since these students were in school that week for "holiday tuition" which is additional learning not within the mandatory school term, conducted during the school holidays.

As a foundation to this session, he emphasized the following truth:

1) God is the ultimate source of true wisdom, understanding and Knowledge

2) God has uniquely gifted each individual with different gifts, talents and even intellectual abilities.

3) A person's value and worth in God's standards neither depends on his/her abilities, gifts and talents, nor in how they make use of the same

4) God's unconditional love is the same both for the high, medium and low academic achievers

He went on to give the students some practical tips including the following:

1) Ask God for wisdom

2) Have a personal study plan and follow it

3) Plan to have adequate sleep and play

4) Don't be afraid to ask questions

5) Be wholly attentive in class

6) Develop a positive attitude towards your teachers, your subjects and the school

7) Actively participate in study groups

8) Have a vision for yourself

9) Embrace discipline

He further encouraged them to believe that God has a plan and a purpose for each of them, and that He has uniquely gifted each individual in a way that will help them accomplish His purpose for their lives.

That evening we attended the Glory Community Church Convention for a night of praising God, testimonies and sharing of the Word. The Convention, which ran from August 19th to the 24th, was a gathering of various churches, pastors and people from the local community and surrounding areas.

Pastors from as far away as Mombasa attended and many people came arriving on foot, motor-bikes and bicycles.

The next morning we attended the 6am devotion and then in the afternoon I conducted a teaching session on the Holy Spirit. Siting that many people are confused about the purpose and function of the Holy Spirit, and that an improper understanding diminishes our ability to access the "power" of the Spirit, I used scripture to answer the following questions:

• "Who is the Holy Spirit?"
• "What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit?"
• "How are we filled by the Holy Spirit?"
• "How does the Holy Spirit manifest in our lives?"

Since most of those in attendance spoke Luo, William enjoyed the opportunity to join me and translate the teaching session. Later that evening we attended the Worship service and were greatly blessed by the singing, preaching and time of fellowship.

Even though this mission trip was very short, we are grateful for the new friends we made and the opportunity we had to celebrate the love of our Lord Jesus Christ with others.

Blessings to all,

Denise

August 2008 Students' Camp

We thank God for a well attended Students' Camp and were greatly encouraged and blessed by all who participated!














Still trying to make up for lost time following the post-election violence, the students in Nyanza Province had only a brief break and so the camp was reduced by a few days. However, what was lacking in the number of days was made up for in content!
















The Camp was once again held at Kanga Boys' High School where we were allowed the use of a large classroom, the dinning hall, the sports field and the bottom floor of the recently completed new dormitory.



























































The first day of Camp opened with William teaching foundational beliefs and principles of our Christian faith in a session called "Who we are in Christ".













He emphasized that a true understanding of our spiritual identity is needed for the young people to know:

1) who they are
2) what their purpose in life is, and
3) their individual value and significance in the eyes of God.


Following the session, we heard a wonderful testimony from George Owallo, who said that attending last December Camp facilitated a change in his life and that he wanted to give his life to Christ!






What a joy it was to pray with George Owallo and Collins Okoth as they surrendered their lives to Jesus!





I then spoke to the students about Self-Esteem. Closely related to the session on knowing "Who we are in Christ", a healthy self-esteem is essential to help young people (and adults) withstand peer pressure and temptations and deal effectively with emotional issues.


To help students understand how self-esteem is formed, I used a visual demonstration with different colored bags representing the 4 types of relationship that influence and mold our opinion of "self", starting from birth into adulthood. These relationships impact both our social & emotional development. Emphasizing that it is only through a relationship with God that we can have a true understanding of our value and self worth, I encouraged them to seek significance in Him and went on to give some practical suggestions for developing and maintaining a healthy self-esteem.


With extended day time sessions, we still scheduled ample time for Praise & Worship, sports and evening sessions that included group workshops, presentations and riddles.


































These kids really enjoy singing and dancing!






They also loved the time spent in small group workshops discussing the "Question of the day"!





Rachel Vineyard, a student of Lipscomb University in the US who spent her summer working with CML, spoke about "Relationships", "Peer Pressure" and "Media". Being a college student herself, she experiences similar moral dilemmas and pressures, so she enjoyed sharing with the students what she has learned about saying "no" to peer & relationship pressures.







Even though she attended the Camp as a facilitator, she was quick to add that she also learned a lot and was grateful for how the students taught her about the unique cultural dilemmas that often challenge them as young Christians. Like the students, Rachel didn't want the Camp to end...she was having so much fun!

























Additional sessions included Academic Excellence, Sexual Purity, Music, Career Choice & Development and Life Purpose.

































There was also opportunity for students' to share personal testimonies.



Some, like Elisha, gave testimonies about how far God has brought them. Others such as Seth and Rebecca, spoke on Christian Leadership and benefits of drinking adequate water respectively.


















Seth, Rebecca and Elisha are just three of the six CML Scholarship recipients that attended the Camp. Also in attendance were Collins, Tilly, Baraka and Maureen. All these seven students expressed their gratitude to God and the American sponsors who have been instrumental in making it possible for their education to continue this year.


We were also encouraged by a powerful message given during Monday morning devotions by Fredrick Kweto. This was Fredrick's first time to attend CML Camp but he testified having witnessed the impact that God has had in the life of his friend Seth through CML. He went on to encourage his fellow students to "not grow weary" in following Christ, realizing that they are on the "narrow path" and may find themselves standing alone for what is right. He echoed the comments given by Seth when talking about Christan Leadership, encouraging us all to keep our focus on Christ and not those around us as we seek to know which direction to take in any given situation.

I feel it is noteworthy to mention that these young men were instrumental in diverting a student strike during this last school term, saving destruction of school property and probably even lives.

We thank God for what He is doing in the lives of these young men and women, and we continue to believe that as transformation occurs first within each individual, they will then "go forward" and impact those around them!



The camp was also specially graced by the presence of three of the teachers that partner with CML in the area. These were Mr. George Kienga Odeka- CU Patron of Kokuro High School, Mrs. Syprine Ogada- CU Patron of Owiro Akoko Girls' Secondary School and Mrs. Susan Adhiambo Owino- a teacher at Koyier Primary School.

Teacher Susan blessed us all in one of the morning devotions with a message from Jeremiah 1: 4-8. - "We serve the God of plan and purpose". She encouraged us to emulate our God by planning and having purpose and goals in everything we do. She also encouraged us never to be afraid while doing whatever God has commissioned us to do, including sharing the gospel with others.

In his address to the students during a session on Academic Excellence, Teacher George inspired us all with a story of personal triumph through perseverance. He also blessed us with the youngest student yet to attend a CML Camp.....his daughter Brenda. Brenda is nine years old and is in primary class 3.























Pictured here with her new friend Rebecca, Brenda kept up with the older students and enjoyed herself thoroughly. When asked how she liked the Camp she said, "the studies were interesting and I learned so many things".
























And of course there was some really good food!



The students never fail to comment on how much they like the mandatory attendance for chow! In the photo is beef stew with ugali, potatoes and 'sukuma wiki'( a kind of green vegetable very common in Kenya)...and yes we use our hands to eat!













As it often happens following a Students' Camp or other ministry event, many of the students want "more". In the absence of a local youth facility, William's small Kitere home has become an impromptu "Youth Resource Center", providing young people with a safe place to socialize, play sports and have small group study/discussions.


Slowly we are accumulating books by authors such as CS Lewis, Watchman Nee and Bonhoeffer that we can "loan" and are also providing access to Bible Study materials and resources like the Strong's Bible Concordance.































Even more important than providing access to written materials, we find this a special time for one-on-one mentoring. So many of the youth have no adult that they can speak freely with or go to for guidance. We thank God for the opportunity He has given us to minister into their lives.

In closing, we want to thank all of our ministry partners that helped make the August Camp a success. Those that prayed for us, those that volunteered and provided hands-on help and those that gave financially. A special thanks goes out to the Women on Missions at Rocky Point Baptist Church, Kanga Boys' High School, Caroline Harris, Donna Smyth (my mom), Rachel and to the ladies from GCM Kitere Church.


Thank you and may the Lord continue to bless you!


Denise Davenport,
for CML.

St. George's Mission

On July 13th Amanda Smith, Denise Davenport and I conducted a Mission at St. George's Girls' School. After doing the introductions, Denise gave a brief word of encouragement, followed by Amanda who then delivered a message about “The Power of Music”.



















Using several popular songs that were known by all the girls, Amanda demonstrated how easily we can be taken in by a “good beat and rhythm” and we soon get to be singing a song that does not represent what we know to be God's truth.

















Having fun with the subject, a good point was also made that we need to be more intentional in our evaluation of the message in the music we listen to.

Following the session, there was time for one-on-one counselling with the students.



















Thereafter, students took the opportunity to pray with each other and the CU Leadership had their weekly meetings.

















We thank God for the passion he has given Amanda regarding this subject and for what we all learned about the purpose and power of music.

I enjoyed taking the pictures.... Glory to God!