Leadership Development Programme

Last night we had the great privilege of meeting Leadership Development students and graduates. These exceptional formerly sponsored children are supported through university and provided with leadership training.

Its so hard to know which of their stories to share with you. There's Jonathan Agunda now working as an auditor with Ernst & Young who has recently audited the Central Bank of Kenya.

Then there's Fred Ndegwa (pictured on the left) who works for the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Kenya's interests in South East Asia. Fred told us, "God has a plan for this country and this continent. He's been waiting for a generation that is going to turn them around for His glory."

I must mention Jimmy Mbugua. He recalls the hopelessness he felt before he was registered but his project director told him, "Poverty is only in the mind." Jimmy testified,

"If it hadn't been for Compassion I would never have met the social worker who prayed for my salvation for 9 years. I probably wouldn't have become a Christian and would have ended up like my childhood friends. Many of them are in their graves or in prison... You never know the difference your letters make. Please pray for your children and write to them as often as you can. You never know you might be nurturing the next President of Kenya."

It's very difficult to imagine that these young people were just like the small kids we've seen in the projects. Janerose was one such child. She is actually from the rural community we visited on project day, where girls can be grandmothers by the age of 22. She told us,

"Compassion is everything to me. They enabled me to have dreams. They changed me from nothing into something. God is moulding me to be a leader in my community and in my church. This country is lacking leaders of integrity. The Kenyan Leadership students have such vision. We are going to mould and change this country."

Janerose never owned a pair of shoes until she was registered with Compassion. She was the first child ever in her family to go to school. Her mother gave her up and she was raised by her alcoholic grandparents. By the grace of God Janerose is now reunited with her mother and both her mother and grandparents have become Christians.

Compassion's Leadership programme started in 2001 with just 20 students. This year they expect to register 80. Just imagine what the future holds. After all, "Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?" (1 Corinthians 5:6) Give them 20 years and they will transform their nation. I doubt even that will satisfy them.

Clare (Compassion)

Project Day

Today we visited a rural project 220 kms east of Nairobi. No-one had ever visited this project before, probably on account of the 4 hour journey from the city!

The project is short on classrooms and we took our seats in the welcome shade of a mango tree as the project director explained the benefits of sponsorship.

It was fascinating to tour around the compound afterwards and see the project workers in action teaching arts and crafts, brickmaking, agriculture, music, tailoring, home economics and computing - all designed to equip the children with the ability to earn an income.

The 7-9 year olds expertly demonstrated how to weave a mat from maize stalks that could then be sold in the market. 90% of the project children's parents are subsistence farmers so the agriculture class was invaluable in teaching them skills they could employ at home, like how to plant a banana tree so that it would thrive.

The importance of these vocational skills came into sharp focus during the home visit to a 15 year old sponsored lad, Evan. The burden of caring for his entire family had fallen on his small shoulders.

His grandfather was very elderly and frail, whilst his mother and younger brother clearly suffered with mental disorders. Please pray that God would strengthen Evan as only He can and enable him to support his family. We know He is able to do immeasurably more than all that we can ask or imagine.

We won't be able to post a message tomorrow as we're flying up to the Masai Mara for some much needed rest and recreation. Catch you later....

Clare (Compassion)

Thanksgiving to God

For half our group today was a day to cherish as they were introduced to their sponsored children.

Initially the 12 Compassion children were really quite shy and reserved but the group games after lunch helped bring them out of themselves.

Learning more of the children's home lives was hard to bear at times. They had travelled from all over Kenya to be with us staying in a guest house last night.

One child was asked if all the children had stayed together in the hotel. His reply revealed that he had never had a bed to himself before. He was incredulous that every one of the 12 children sharing the room had been given their own bed to sleep in.

We were reminded of the verse the Country Director, Sidney Muisyo, shared with us this morning, "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:11) Indeed there was much to give thanks for.

Ibrahim Odhiambo is a case in point. Though he's only been assisted by Compassion for 6 months, the changes in him are unquestionable. Prior to entering the project his case file records that he didn't speak and that his behaviour was unsociable and aggressive.

The little boy in the green combat outfit was unrecognisable by that description today. Moreover, all the health problems identified upon registration have now been resolved; only the scars from his boils remain.

Clare (Compassion)

Beauty for brokeness

Driving through the rift valley in our 4x4 land rovers this morning we sight zebra, gazelle, ostrich and giraffe.

We are on our way to visit a Compassion-assisted church in a Masai community.

I will never forget the visit we made to the home of Bernard Ndilai, a 14 year old sponsored child. I'm wearing the beautiful beaded necklace his mother took off and gave me. The generosity of the poor never ceases to amaze me. They have next to nothing and yet they desire to bless you.

Bernard's father has gone to be with the Lord but we met both his wives - Grace Natana and Maria Kingasunye, who between them have fourteen children.

Each mother lives in a traditional circular Masai hut that the women built themselves from wood, cow dung and ash. Each took a month to construct. Stepping inside from the bright sunshine it is completely dark. We hear a goat in one part of the home and begin to make out the living area with an open fire in the centre and a bed covered in animal skin.

There are flies everywhere. I can't help noticing them crawling all over the small children's faces. Bernard looks so smart in his blue school uniform. Its hard to believe this is his home.

Grace and Maria's family are a living testimony to the transforming power of the Lord Jesus. Through Compassion's ministry they have come to know Him and broken free from alcoholism. Bernard's brother, Kimanchoi, aged 19, is also sponsored through Compassion. Thanks to his sponsor he is well on his way to becoming all God created him to be. He's studying Business Administration at Kenyatta University in Nairobi.

We share a precious time of prayer before departing. Together we recite the Lords prayer - us in English and Grace and Maria in their native tongue. Outwardly we look very different but in Christ Jesus we are one.

Clare (Compassion)

Kibera slum

We've just returned from our visit to Kibera, the biggest slum in Africa. 1 million souls call this place home. Ive witnessed poverty in several parts of the world but never seen anything like this.

As far as the eye can see there's nothing but shacks made of corrugated iron, wood and mud, open sewers and misery. Typically, people live 10 to a room without electricity, kitchens or toilets. Residents use "flying toilets", excreting into plastic bags and discarding them on the street. Everywhere you look rubbish is piled high.

Advocate Martyn Legg reflected,
"My heart is broken. I see a father, he cannot work therefore his children cannot eat... Have I in my absent way, endorsed the way that he must live?"

Back from our community visit we sat in the worship area at Kibera Church of God and examined our hearts. It was tempting to give in to hopelessness but we recalled what the children had sung to us earlier, "God will make a way".

Jesus told us, "the poor will always be with you. Therefore I command you, be openhanded towards the poor and needy in the land."

God reminded me that too often we think the little we can do is so small that we might as well not bother. Whats the point? What difference can I make? God is very clear. Think of the story of the feeding of the five thousand or the widow's mite. When we give what little we have but we do it in faith, God will perform miracles with it.

Clare (Compassion)

Light in the darkness

Hi everyone

Sorry we didnt get the chance to post last night. We didn't arrive until late and were in need of our beds!

This morning dawned overcast but that couldnt dampen our spirits. We were off on our first project visit to a Child Survival Programme working in partnership with Deliverance church in Kiserian. The Child Survival Programme provides holistic care to expectant mothers and children from 0-3 years old. We arrived to a welcoming party of 50 or so mothers and children dancing and singing praises to our Lord in Swahili. It was a beautiful sight.

Our tour culminated with two of the mothers sharing their testimonies. Mama Rispa's daughter entered the programme poorly nourished but was a picture of health today. We will long remember her words, "The Child Survival Programme has come to me as a light in the darkness."

Leaving the project we travelled by minibus to visit the homes of some of the mothers and babies. The mothers we met couldn't wait to share the difference Compassion is making in the lives of their families. Before we could even say thank you for inviting us into their homes they were hugging us and talking excitedly.

One mother proudly showed us the nutritious meal she had prepared of spinach, peppers, onion, eggs, carrot, avocado and banana. Just a little knowledge had equipped her to provide a healthy balanced diet for her children for only a few Kenyan shillings. The project had also taught her to make detergent that she could sell generating an income.

What impacted us more than anything though was her prayer request. In the dingy surroundings of her tiny rented home she asked us to pray that God would enable her to learn more about him. May the Lord bless her mightily for her selflessness and for seeking to honour Him above all else.

Clare (Compassion)