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.

May Ministry Events

May was a busy month for schools and students following a brief one week break. Once school resumed the CML Ministry also went to work with weekly in-school events and even a weekend challenge. Below are just a few high lights:

Weekend Challenge at Nduru Boys’ High School

Held during the weekend of May 23 through 25, the theme for the weekend was “Living a life worthy of Christ” we began Friday night with a blessed time of Praise and Worship, followed by a preaching session with the local church Pastor. Pastor Paul and the brothers from Moi Institute of Technology (MIT), Leaky and Thadeus, were of great help assisting with the Public Address system and leading Praise and Worship.

Saturday morning opened with Mrs. Owyiego, CU Patron at Nduru Boys’ high School, as Master of Ceremonies guiding us through the weekend program. Praise and worship was led by the boys’ team, two brothers from MIT along with two of their colleagues.

The first session, led by the local church Pastor, was designed to encourage the students to live a life worth the calling in Christ. Brother William facilitated the second session on Life Purpose, with an emphasis on fulfilling the purpose for which we were created in order to glorify God. Wrapping up the morning was brother Leaky from MIT who facilitated a session on the basic foundations for living a life worthy of Christ.

Following lunch brother William facilitated a session on Peer Pressure. Items covered included factors which cause students to yield to negative peer pressure, effects of negative peer pressure and how to manage negative peer pressure.

During the Open Question Forum which followed, students asked thoughtful questions reflecting issues and challenges they face as youths. The facilitators responded from a Biblical point of view, after encouraging the students themselves to respond to the questions posed. The team of facilitators included Madam Karen, the CU Patron of Dede Girls’ High School; her husband Mr. Muma who is also a trained Counselor; Mrs. Onyiego; 9 students from MIT; the Local Church Pastor and brother William. Facilitators and students alike were blessed by the effectiveness of the session to address the practical challenges faced by the dynamic youth of today!

Brother Leaky from MIT closed the day after supper by urging the youth to set an example in conduct and speech.

We began our final day on Sunday the 25th of May with Praise and Worship led by the students in attendance, with eleven (11) schools represented. Brother William led our first session of the day by urging the students to emulate the character of Christ Who is our role model. The second session, facilitated by Mrs. Choka, focused on holiness, the character of God. She encouraged the young people to be holy as Christ is holy. Closing the morning was a session led by Mrs. Okeyo, the CU Patron of Koderobara Boys’ High School, in which she challenged the students to live a life worthy of repentance.

Following lunch, the students enjoyed a time of Presentations as they shared songs, drama and poetry. After the presentations the facilitators were officially introduced. we were excited to have eleven (11) CU Patrons from schools represented in addition to Mrs. Ogada whose school was not represented.

Closing the session was Mr. Ezra Choka, the CU Patron of Kangeso High School, with a word of prayer after the heavy rain storm caused so much noise that he was unable to be heard to preach.

Weekend Challenge at St Linus Mixed School

Held on Saturday May 31st, seven (7) schools were represented, with the following topics discussed during an open forum:

Youth Empowerment
The Role of the Youth in the Society
Challenges Facing the Youth in the Society and How to Overcome Them
Career Choice
Abortion

After the students were divided into small groups, each group was given one of the above topics to discuss. One representative was appointed for each group to present the group’s view on the topic. The facilitators then gave presentations on the same topics. Brother William facilitated a brief session giving a Biblical overview on the topics.

Teaching at the Kitere Community Assembly

On Sunday June 1st brother William facilitated a teaching session on the meaning of the church.

Questions addressed included:

Who is the Church?
What is the foundation of the Church?
How does one qualify to become a member of the Church of Christ?
Who is the head of the Church?
Where can the Church meet?

We give all the glory to God for these successful missions!

Update of activities

A brief update of current and upcoming activities. 

The Ministry continues growing and it appears May, June, and July will be busy months as calls from schools requesting Ministry sessions increase (see upcoming events for specific dates). In addition to the high schools we currently partner with,  we are also about to start ministering in Primary Schools, and are preparing for the August Students' Camp.

We are receiving inquiries regarding the New Student Scholarship Program and have had one student "fully" sponsored. We've also had some new donor contributions that helped with the purchase of text books, uniforms and other school supplies.

With this increased ministry activity and growth, and given the decision last year to focus our efforts on the youth in South Nyanza Province, we wanted to report that William is now residing "upcountry" full time. Going back and forth between Nairobi was getting a bit hectic, and although he will be greatly missed by all of us here, we are so excited to see how God is moving in this Ministry.

He will continue to reside at his home place in Kitere and is currently in the process of establishing a small office in the Kitere Glory Community Church. This will allow him to expedite recruiting & training of volunteers and to be closely involved with the nurturing and development of the Partnerships that CML has formed with local schools. Additionally, from his position "upcountry", and mine in Nairobi, we are well suited to coordinate logistics & projects for short- term Mission teams from the US. 

So book your flight and come see what the Lord is doing in Kenya!

In His Service,

Denise Davenport

For CML Ministry 

No Holiday for Schools in Nyanza

The article below was published in the Daily Nation newspaper last week.  

Even though this years extended school term resulted in our having to cancel the CML April Students' Camp, we were able to interact with the students by doing in-school ministry (see the "April Mission" post for details and pictures).

We offer our support and encouragement to all students as they prepare for the second term and pray that peace and stability will continue in Nyanza and throughout Kenya.

No Holiday for Schools in Nyanza Province

By Mangoa Mosota

Schools in Nyanza that were affected by post-election violence will continue with studies during the April holidays.

Provincial Director of Education, Mr Geoffrey Cherongis, said the Government had reached an agreement with head teachers on the matter.
"We have discussed the issue and agreed that learning should continue to recover lost time," said Cherongis. In January, at the height of post-election chaos, learning was paralysed in most schools in the province as teachers and students were threatened. " 

Pupils and students in the region do the same examinations with others in the country. It is important that we cover the syllabus," said the PDE.

Most learning institutions in the region re-opened for the first term after Prime Minister, Mr Raila Odinga, then the ODM leader, urged supporters to stop disrupting education.

April Mission

What a wonderful and busy time we had during our 14 day April Mission trip "upcountry"!

We ministered in 8 schools, held an all day meeting with local teachers, picked up 6 Student Scholarship Application forms, delivered school supplies, planted trees and provided treatment for 20 children with ringworm.

The first Saturday was by far our busiest day, ministering at three schools. Starting at 6am and finishing at 11pm, we went to Kanyawanga Boys' School; where over a dozen young men celebrated their recent Baptism,

Korderobara Boys' School; where we enjoyed sharing stories, teachings and God's word in the great outdoors,

and the Moi Institute of Technology(MIT); where I gave a personal testimony and spoke about  "Prosperity and Success"according to Jesus.

Our Team consisting of William, Tom, Evans Wagoro and myself was also joined by some wonderful teachers during the course of the Mission.

We were grateful for the opportunity to minister at Korderobara Boys' High School for the first time and we want to thank Mrs. Okeyo, the Christian Union, for the warm welcome we received and for inviting us to return next term. We were blessed by the powerful testimony she shared during our session and appreciate the love and compassion she has for her students.

Below is Mrs. Okeyo as she led the boys in a Praise song and then later posed for a photo with Evans, Tom and William.

We also ministered at Owiro-Akoko Girls', Kokuro Boys' and Dede Girls' schools.

Above the girls at Owiro-Akoko listened and took notes. During our session at Kokuro Boys', teacher George Kienga encouraged the boys with a story about the challenges he faced as a student and how he overcame them.

 

Below is William as he gave an informative and encouraging message about Academic Excellence and Life Purpose. 

Evans is speaking from his heart as he teaches about overcoming Peer Pressure. I then spoke about HIV/AIDS.

An open forum followed this session and the girls had lots of good questions!

Our meeting with local teachers was an opportunity to spend some time with the people who know the students better given that they work with them on a daily basis. We started with worship and prayer, led by Evans, a message of encouragement by myself and proceeded to a brief session of sharing the vision and goals of the CML Ministry. We wanted to hear from the teachers what challenges they and the students were facing so that we can be more effective in our ministry. 

An informative and open discussion was held and we were enlightened regarding some serious issues that affect the students. We also listened to the teachers concerns and they gave us some good suggestions and lots of encouragement to continue sowing into the spiritual lives of the youth. Some of the issues raised were the impact of family problems on the students, concealed sexual abuse, improper use of contraceptives, abortion and negative effects of overemphasis on academic achievement. We were asked to address these challenges/issues in our teaching sessions or consider them in separate special topics as we minister to the youths. We were also strongly challenged to consider extending our ministry missions to the younger generation in the Primary level schools. 

Please pray with us as we seek the Lord's guidance on how to address these sensitive issues and challenges in a way that will bring His truth to each subject and will edify His people.

We concluded our Mission with several confirmed ministry dates in May and June, including a weekend challenge at Nduru Boys' High School from May 23rd, 24th to 25th. We have much excitement as we look forward to the next school term.

Thank you for your prayers and continued support.

Be Blessed,

Denise Davenport

For CML

Sunday Ministry Session at St. Georges Girls School

On March 9th Laura Dickerson and I were given an opportunity to minister to the students at St. Georges Girls' School in Nairobi. This school holds a special place in my heart for two reasons; 1) it was the first school I ever visited with the CML Ministry and 2) the girls always hold an awesome student led Worship service! What a blessing joining such enthusiastic girls as they praised God, prayed and gave testimonies.

After worship, Laura gave a timely message “God's Truth About Women”. Acknowledging that many cultures and even some of the Churches founding forefathers taught that women had less potential than men, Laura wanted to assure the girls that God values them equally and that they can excel in all areas of life.

Expanding on the following 5 truths, Laura went on to encourage the girls to continue searching the scriptures to fully understand their value and potential.

1) God formed women and men equally in His image
2) Women and men are equally fallen
3) Women and men are equally redeemable through the life, death and resurrection of Christ
4) Women and men are equal heirs to the Kingdom
5) Women and men can be equally filled with the Holy Spirit

We thank Mrs. Wario and all the students of St. Georges for a wonderful time of fellowship.

In Christ,
Denise