March 2008 Update
We need to apologize for the delay in getting this "Easter Update" out to you, but here it is. We hope you all experienced a blessed celebration of Christ risen among us!
Kennys in Kenya – Easter 2008
In answer to prayer, God is restoring peace to Kenya after the post-election violence that spread throughout the country. Kenya has seen some of its darkest days over these past two months. The government and aid agencies report the deaths of at least 1,500 Kenyans due to ethnic clashes and police response to mass protests. With the leadership of both political parties finally reaching a compromise, many of the 300,000 displaced people are beginning to return to their communities to rebuild their homes and lives.
In Eastleigh, we have been involved in a children’s camp at the Eastleigh Community Centre. Over 100 children sought refuge after their homes had been destroyed in Mathare Valley, a slum neighboring Eastleigh. Up to 75 children at a time were sleeping on mats in classrooms and being fed by the centre. As of yesterday, only 30 children remain at the centre – the other children were reunited with their parents, who with help from the Red Cross are slowly rebuilding their lives. The centre is committed to providing for these remaining children until they have a home to return to. CBM, through The Sharing Way, has released funds to help not only the refugees in the Eastleigh camp but to camps all over the country. We are so thankful to be able to be a part of God’s work of restoration.
We are also very excited to begin a partnership with the Eastleigh Community Centre focusing on urban development within the Somali community. We are in the first stages of this project where we will be mobilizing community participants, gathering information and building capacity for the launch of a new program in 2009. We intend to assist Somali women living within Eastleigh in forming an association of support groups that will help one another overcome barriers to health and economic self-sustainability. The project will focus on helping the most vulnerable households in reaching basic levels of nutrition, hygiene, health, and education. At the same time, we want to enable the family’s primary bread winner to receive practical skills and financial training for them to be able to earn a sustainable income to support their family. We are thankful for the experienced and competent people serving at the Eastleigh Community Centre and The Sharing Way who will be working with us in this endeavor.
In February, we were thrilled to be asked by Rosslyn Academy (the school Tristan and Emma attend) to take part in their Spiritual Emphasis Week. The week focused on the Exodus story. Erica had the joy of teaching the children about the importance of “silver and gold” to the Israelites and taught them a little about beading. Aaron was able to bring in one of our students from Eastleigh who shared the story of his own exodus from Somalia and of all his trials along the way.
Last month, we also had the opportunity to travel to Northeast Province to visit our colleagues working in Garissa and Dadaab. We connected with Mohamed at the TB Manyatta, as well as Rehema at her primary school where we are working with the Carlines in strengthening the existing ministries toward sustainable development. In Dadaab, we now have three new teachers working with the small primary school in the centre of the village. It is an incredibly hot and dusty place, but God has blessed us with some wonderful relationships amongst the people there.
In May, we will be taking part in PRAXIS — a course in integral mission. We are looking forward to having 8 Canadian students join with 8 Kenyan students in learning about integral mission and to be able to share with them in practicum experiences in each of CBM strategic areas of ministry, including Somali ministry in Garissa and Eastleigh.
All the while, we continue to meet with our language helpers two mornings a week. Somali is a difficult language and we are learning very slowly—but we are learning! We are thankful for the deepening relationship we have been able to share with our Somali friends from Eastleigh. All of the important work in emergency relief and long term development is made truly worthwhile by the individuals with whom we are able to share the love and hope of Christ. This Easter we hold on to the words of John’s gospel: “We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us – one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.” It is the grace and unfailing love of God that sustains us in ministry and life as followers of Christ.
We want to thank all of you who have been praying for Emma and her health. She has been doing great with no signs of seizures. She continues to improve in school, especially with her reading. She has been visiting a reading specialist twice a week and we have seen dramatic results. Praise the Lord! She and Tristan are looking forward to summer camp at Camp Brackenhurst this June. This will be Emma’s first time to attend summer camp and Tristan’s second. We have begun the official adoption process for Ava. This is proving to be a long and tedious process and we would appreciate your prayers, especially for patience. Ava is a healthy and active little girl, a perfect addition to our family!
In answer to prayer, God is restoring peace to Kenya after the post-election violence that spread throughout the country. Kenya has seen some of its darkest days over these past two months. The government and aid agencies report the deaths of at least 1,500 Kenyans due to ethnic clashes and police response to mass protests. With the leadership of both political parties finally reaching a compromise, many of the 300,000 displaced people are beginning to return to their communities to rebuild their homes and lives.
In Eastleigh, we have been involved in a children’s camp at the Eastleigh Community Centre. Over 100 children sought refuge after their homes had been destroyed in Mathare Valley, a slum neighboring Eastleigh. Up to 75 children at a time were sleeping on mats in classrooms and being fed by the centre. As of yesterday, only 30 children remain at the centre – the other children were reunited with their parents, who with help from the Red Cross are slowly rebuilding their lives. The centre is committed to providing for these remaining children until they have a home to return to. CBM, through The Sharing Way, has released funds to help not only the refugees in the Eastleigh camp but to camps all over the country. We are so thankful to be able to be a part of God’s work of restoration.
We are also very excited to begin a partnership with the Eastleigh Community Centre focusing on urban development within the Somali community. We are in the first stages of this project where we will be mobilizing community participants, gathering information and building capacity for the launch of a new program in 2009. We intend to assist Somali women living within Eastleigh in forming an association of support groups that will help one another overcome barriers to health and economic self-sustainability. The project will focus on helping the most vulnerable households in reaching basic levels of nutrition, hygiene, health, and education. At the same time, we want to enable the family’s primary bread winner to receive practical skills and financial training for them to be able to earn a sustainable income to support their family. We are thankful for the experienced and competent people serving at the Eastleigh Community Centre and The Sharing Way who will be working with us in this endeavor.
In February, we were thrilled to be asked by Rosslyn Academy (the school Tristan and Emma attend) to take part in their Spiritual Emphasis Week. The week focused on the Exodus story. Erica had the joy of teaching the children about the importance of “silver and gold” to the Israelites and taught them a little about beading. Aaron was able to bring in one of our students from Eastleigh who shared the story of his own exodus from Somalia and of all his trials along the way.
Last month, we also had the opportunity to travel to Northeast Province to visit our colleagues working in Garissa and Dadaab. We connected with Mohamed at the TB Manyatta, as well as Rehema at her primary school where we are working with the Carlines in strengthening the existing ministries toward sustainable development. In Dadaab, we now have three new teachers working with the small primary school in the centre of the village. It is an incredibly hot and dusty place, but God has blessed us with some wonderful relationships amongst the people there.
In May, we will be taking part in PRAXIS — a course in integral mission. We are looking forward to having 8 Canadian students join with 8 Kenyan students in learning about integral mission and to be able to share with them in practicum experiences in each of CBM strategic areas of ministry, including Somali ministry in Garissa and Eastleigh.
All the while, we continue to meet with our language helpers two mornings a week. Somali is a difficult language and we are learning very slowly—but we are learning! We are thankful for the deepening relationship we have been able to share with our Somali friends from Eastleigh. All of the important work in emergency relief and long term development is made truly worthwhile by the individuals with whom we are able to share the love and hope of Christ. This Easter we hold on to the words of John’s gospel: “We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us – one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.” It is the grace and unfailing love of God that sustains us in ministry and life as followers of Christ.
We want to thank all of you who have been praying for Emma and her health. She has been doing great with no signs of seizures. She continues to improve in school, especially with her reading. She has been visiting a reading specialist twice a week and we have seen dramatic results. Praise the Lord! She and Tristan are looking forward to summer camp at Camp Brackenhurst this June. This will be Emma’s first time to attend summer camp and Tristan’s second. We have begun the official adoption process for Ava. This is proving to be a long and tedious process and we would appreciate your prayers, especially for patience. Ava is a healthy and active little girl, a perfect addition to our family!
In Christ’s Love,
Aaron, Erica, Tristan,
Emma and Ava Kenny
To become one of our Partners in Mission,
contact Eileen Moore-Crispin at:
Email: eilenm@cbmin.org
Or visit the CBM website at http://www.cbmin.org/
Email: eilenm@cbmin.org
Or visit the CBM website at http://www.cbmin.org/
Labels: Kennys in Kenya March Update
posted by four_kennys @ Tuesday, April 01, 2008
1 comments
1 Comments:
Hi four_Kennys
Trust you are doing well.
love and prayers
Jane
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