As you know, although we are not physically present in Kenya any longer, we are still intimately involved in the ministry there. We have regular communication with them so that we know how to pray and how best to continue to partner with them in the Lord’s work. As we enter this season of Thanksgiving and celebration of our Lord’s birth, please remember our brothers and sisters throughout the world who do not enjoy the blessings that we know as commonplace. Remember especially the Giryama people of Kenya’s coast, those people we love so much. Here is Duncan Ziro’s most recent note concerning the work in Kenya. He jumps around a bit from subject to subject, but I think you can follow it:
To Jaime & the brothers there in the US,
I want to give you a few highlights of what we are doing here in Kenya. We appreciate your love and support.
There was a women’s seminar at Uzima Christian Training Center – Malindi. It was on 30th to 31st of August 2007. Nine women from Kilifi District attended the seminar. After the seminar these women felt the desire to teach those who missed the opportunity to attend Uzima Seminar. Mama Esther Kasiwa - the Women’s leader in Kilifi District called for a one day seminar. This seminar was aimed at educating other women. They shared on challenges women whose husbands are not believers face. The seminar was on 22nd September 2007 at Kibarani church of Christ. A total of 14 women from Mkoroshoni, Tumaini, Wayani, Kilifi Town Church and the hosting church Kibarani, attended the seminar.
Each woman brought 30 shillings for food, and water. Esther Kasiwa requested MCRC to help them with 300 shillings to add to their 420 shillings which we did. The women who attended talked about how they can help their husbands in providing for the family. Some of the suggestions were to start small businesses, help one another acquire tailoring skills and then contribute to buy cheap sewing machines.
In Kaloleni there was a youth leader’s workshop on 22nd September 2007. This was organized specifically for the youth leaders. The purpose of the seminar was to motivate youth leaders to become more committed and take the responsibility of nurturing others to Christian maturity. They were also taught on how to deal with their fellow youth. A total of 10 leaders attended the workshop. Fredrick Kaingu and Ngowa facilitated the workshop. What really motivated Fredrick to call for this workshop was what we observed during the August Youth seminar. Some of the Youth leaders who attended were shy and could not even take responsibilities like leading small group discussions.
The “Watoto wa Yesu” children’s class is doing very well. Every Saturday the kids come anticipating something new from their teacher Mr. Nelson Katsuki. During the week children pass by the library to ask one or two Bible questions they didn’t understand at school. Nelson cheerfully shows them where to find the right books for their questions.
Apart from the Watoto wa Yesu children’s program, we have the Miziji Bible study every Friday from 3PM to 4PM. (By the way “Miziji” means roots.) We meet at the office extension room. We have been studying the book of James. Our aim is to be deeply rooted in the word of God. We bought some Bible study materials from Bible League (they are in Kiwsahili). These study materials go for 30 shillings a copy. God is blessing us every week.
Last week but one I went to Kaloleni to check on the construction work going on. The fundis [builders] are nearly through with the plastering. This week they have been working on the floor. We hope that God willing by the end of this week everything will be ready.
Mrs. Johnson Ngala is a member of Tumaini church of Christ. She is also the wife to the Tumaini church of Christ leader Mr. Johnson Ngala. The husband worked as a mason till the devil struck. His right hand was pierced by a poisonous thorn plant which resulted into his hand being unable to hold anything. He even eats and does everything else using his left hand. The couple has a daughter who developed some complications forcing her to be operated. When the hospital bill came they were required to pay 7,605 shillings [$120]. That is when the wife opted to asking help from friends and church members. When she came to MCRC, she had managed to get only 400 shillings [$6]. That is when we decided to help her with 1000 shillings [$15].
Umwenga newsletter is back and Wilfred Kaingu is the editor. His is pure voluntary work. We did give him some 300 shillings [$4.60] in August because we needed him to help us facilitate the Vijana a Masihi youth seminar and he did not have money for transport. He is a very good teacher especially on development issues. We still need him to facilitate more workshops on development and self-reliance, which I personally feel it is one area people here need to be taught.
Esther Kabibi from Ganze did her high school through the help of an NGO called Plan International. She did very well. She has a Mean grade of B. Her desire is to do medicine. If Esther succeeds to join a University and study medicine, she will be the first girl from her area to have gone that far.
So there is the latest from Duncan and our other faithful brothers and sisters serving in Africa. Please continue to pray for them all as often as you think of them!
