April Update

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!

-PHILIPPIANS 4:4



Our hearts are encouraged once more at the sight of these new photos received early this week. The photo above shows the overall progress of the building project, as well as the headmasters of the school, volunteers, the local pastor Job, and other helpers. The walls are up. The roof is complete. We are now waiting for proper doors and windows. And in five weeks a small group of three (James, Quincie, and Seth) will be in Chwele, Kenya for four weeks. The team will bring along school supplies, clothing, games, and other needed material. The teams hopes to serve in any possible way, possibly by beginning the vegetable project, adding to the interior of the classroom, and/or general relationship-building with each of the students and staff.

PLEASE PRAY that Father would continue to guide every step of this process. PLEASE PRAY for the children of West Special School; may they be lights in their village and in their families. PLEASE PRAY for Wycliffe and Evelyn as they further serve faithfully and selflessly. PLEASE PRAY for the travel and provision of the team as they prepare and arrive in Kenya early June.

Thank you for all the support. Let us press on. Let us look up. Let us love Father. Let us praise Him. Amen!

Do what you can, not what you can't.

Do you want to support these children? Do you want to help build their walls? Do you want to give school supplies? Do you want to donate Bibles? Do you want to pray for help to be found? Do you want the heart of Jesus to be known by these kids?

I urge you to send a simple email to westspecialschool@gmail.com

Are you capable of gathering school supplies for the team going out in June? Do you have the resources to provide financial help? Do you want to help but don't know how?

Once again, please send a simply email to westspecialschool@gmail.com

All emails will be responded to immediately.

For His glory...I pray that you get involved.

The Queen of Kenya, Evelyn outside the school.

Wycliffe:

Evelyn and her two generous sisters:

Mid-Feb

The hard work continues and we're now ready for the roofing! Soon the children can have school there. This will bring the school onto their own new property and give them a much better chance for being registered as a school. God has been faithful this far.

Summer Plans

[KENYA, JUNE 2011]

James and Quincie have finalized their travel plans for the summer, including a month-long stay in Chwele, Kenya to serve West Special School (and everyone involved) in any practical way.

In the Western Church today there seems to have been a shift away from proclaiming the Gospel alone towards righting social injustices. Although this in itself is not bad, the Gospel message attached to it has been weakened. The message has often been compromised for the sake of meeting physical needs/wants/desires, rather than keeping the main thing the main thing (Jesus Christ as Saviour; our desperate need for Him). Everyone involved in the project will be certain to maintain the real objective of the project - to proclaim His name, bringing the love of Jesus to those most rejected by their people group. Social injustice must be addressed, but only for the sake of the Gospel... let us never forget that, friends. I suppose we will be doing a most controversial thing of being used to give a school in one hand and Bible in the other. We have to say "Sorry, world, we've found a Saviour to serve and a purpose to pursue."

This project has taught us a lot so far, but wait... remember it's not about us in anyway. It's not about the children or even a fight against injustice. It's Jesus. Done deal. The story of West seems to be a little like the story of Nehemiah from this end. Coming up for a year now, after the first visit, so many have been supportive of the vision; with much enthusiasm at first sight, and then behold - no more. So many came and so few remain. Maybe that's just a lesson of life; the reality of a broken body in desperate need of unity. Do what you can with what you've got and that leaves very little room for stress or worry... thank God.

Keep your eyes open my beauties... there is way more to come. The walls are not built yet people!

A Special School...that's for sure!

Photo taken: November, 2010.

Well, the photos & videos have arrived from Martyn, and we are extremely thankful for his time & effort into this project. The photo above shows the students, volunteers, headmasters, and everyone in Chwele involved in the project. The building is currently where they hold classes each weekday, but hopefully not for much longer. The progress of the new building site continues, and we are hopeful & prayerful.

New Photos

Students and some staff standing on the new site of the building project. Progress is impressive.

















Volunteer staff and local pastor, Job, help in the beginning stages of the building project.