State of the Nation
With our time getting shorter here before returning to the US, we’ve not been able to spend as much time updating everyone with the specifics of the ministry. We apologize for keeping you in the dark as so much is changing here. Let me take this time to give you a “fly-over” with the various projects and ministries taking place during this important stage in Only Servants Ministries life. (We encourage you to write us questions and interact with us on these areas. You’re part of us and we enjoy your inquiries)
Livingstone Guest House
We’ve recently enjoyed a couple from NC that spent several days with us here. They were such a blessing as they simply wanted to come and volunteer with us as we worked with the Saint Boys, Chicken Projects, and other ministries. Their son Miles has stayed with us for a couple more weeks and will be helping us to create another video update for everyone to see the changes on-going here. (It should be available when we return stateside)
Thomas, Zippy, and Noah are all doing well. They continue to solidify themselves as our family here. Watching Noah take on the duties of manager for Ebenezer Farms has been so encouraging. Thomas and Zippy are in a new place that gives them more room and they are closer to us. Livingstone House is a great place for us all. (And our friends, the Austins, are doing well as they draw a tiny bit closer to the end of their adoption process here.)
**We are unable to show baby girls face since she is not legally adopted yet
Saint Boys
We started our new program with the Saint Boys (Street Boys of Kawangware) at the Hope Center in Kawangware Slum. Deo Nangoli, our national leader in Kawangware, along with John Karuna interact, teach, play games, take meals, lead devotions, and build relationships each day with 10 young men. They are doing an exceptional job. The boys recognize the genuineness of their actions and are receiving them well.
Right now we are constructing their own multi-purpose room there on the Hope Center Campus. This room will serve as a classroom, game room, conference area, office, storage facility, and other needs for the project. This will give the boys their own facility to grow comfortable with. We have raised the funds to build 80% of it, however we still are looking for another $600 to out-fit it with desks, chairs, shelves, games, and other needs for it to be fully functional.
Miles and Daniel
Ebenezer Farms
Who would have ever imagined we’d be involved in raising chickens? This whole project continues to point to a promising future for our national partners. The chickens are growing at a rapid pace here in our control. They are approaching 4 weeks and in another 2.5 weeks, should be ready for market. In fact, a new batch of 120 chicks are arriving today into our early development wing (it’s a fancy way of saying we’re putting them into the right side of the tin chicken house).
Thomas working at the chicken house. He usually sings to them and gives them frequent "pep talks" about getting fat and "making us money".
Noah Chagwi has agreed to serve as manager for Ebenezer Farms. He will oversee this chicken house and the development of the projects at our national’s sites. There is no one better than him. He is so careful and experienced with raising poultry and our partners have found confidence in his direction.
This past week, Noah spent time with Pastor Vitalis in Kasarani developing his chicken house. He is the first partner to have an Ebenezer Farm plant project. With the aid of investors (which we seek for all future plants for our partners) Vitalis has the funds to construct a proper chicken house, purchase the needed resources, order 2 rounds of chicks and all the feed, meds, and other sundry items needed for the first 2 months of his project. Noah created a handbook for every partner and we have had them come here to the house for a short tutorial on basic poultry care. Noah has been great. They ask great questions and he gives easy-to-understand answers.
Noah is a gifted associate.
We will give more updates soon. I will also spend more time speaking specifically on the recently-conducted “Mobile Body” church training we conducted in Kibera for our partner’s church members. It was an encouraging time to say the least!
Now,… ASK QUESTOINS! GET INVOLVED! Or else I’ll just start blogging about Star Wars all the time. (which I can certainly do)
3 comments:
That is a lot of catching up!
Hope you have an awesome week!
Thanks for the great update! We LOVE it. We are thrilled with how things are going for Ebenezeer Farms, as well as the Saint Boys. We can barely wait to see these in person. Have all of the first batch chickens stayed healthy and growing? And I guess my main question about the Saint Boys is basically the same--is the first batch of boys staying healthy and growing?
Whew! I'm all misty eyed. There is so much joy evident in the smiles of the "Saint Boys". And the men with those chickens! Priceless. It's always great to hear about how everyone is doing and pictures are the icing on the cake. Thanks so much.
Post a Comment