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.

June 2011

In response to Martyn's visit, Wycliffe and some others began to build on their own land. They have been working relentlessly for almost 2 months. Foundation is down, several walls are up, and their progress continues at a steady pace. Classes begin again next week.

The Father has been faithful in providing the strength and resources to make this dream become reality. We intend to support them through the entire building process, and after the school is completed. We are committed to serving and loving and praying for the people involved, and the community surrounding.

This June a small team of 5 or 6 will be visiting West Special School. Our primary goals are to help build the school, build relationships, and provide any supplies we can possibly give. We will also focus on community outreach including sports ministry, Bible-teaching classes, and discipleship making. The majority of us will remain in Kenya for 4 weeks, besides our friend, James (Vancouver, BC), who is willing to stay for 6 months to oversee, project manage, and continue to be physical support for Wycliffe, Pastor Job, and their families.

It is obvious that there is a need for practical supplies like Bibles and academic tools. We will gather these items and take them with us in June. If you would like to partner with us, please email at westspecialschool@gmail.com

If you are a student and would be interested in seeking permission to have your school help raise school supplies, that would be very efficient and effective. If you have a child in school, it could be possible for you to be in contact with their principle to present this idea to them. For any other ideas, questions, or concerns, please email.

If you are a member of a church congregation and would be interested in financially or prayerfully supporting this project, please email. It is possible for you and your church to do a Bible fundraise, a financial fundraise, or even a school-supply-drive. For any other ideas, question or concerns, please email.


SEE MATTHEW 25:31-46
Thank you for your interest and concern for these children in need. And most of all, thank you for your love for the Father. For in fact, He did first love us.

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Martyn's Visit & Report

Back in November Martyn Ryan visited West Special School to gather information to help further the project. Below I have included bits of his research and observations:

"Arrived and met Evelyn, Wycliffe and Pastor Job. After a meal and polite chat we were taken to the school. This is a single run down classroom, which previously probably operated as a shop. Children were sat at desks quite well behaved and seemed pleased to see their visitors, but one single room which is relatively cramped is inadequate."

"We did video type interviews with most of the children, with Wycliffe talking about the children. We also videoed interviews with a supporter of the school, who is the owner of the property they rent, plus some parents and teachers."

"We went to one of the children’s own home and met with his parents.
We also had a meeting with a number of officials at the local Education Offices, which was particularly useful, and clarified the schools current position. We also were taken to the land they have purchased. "

"Such children are generally not cared for properly by their parents as they have no prospect of being a wage earner at the end of the day. In a number of cases they have been abused and/or left on their own for long periods of time."


Immediate Attention:

"The school needs to move, and either has to put up temporary buildings on its new land quickly, so it can continue, OR move into more adequate premises, which the local education authority would find acceptable, and enable it to move forward to registration. Any new premises do not need to have accommodation facilities, just basic school facilities. Assumed they would stay in these premises while building on the new school took place."

"Teaching aids and resources are poor. You should immediately start sourcing these from western special schools that are probably throwing such items out. Software specifically for the deaf and mentally challenged all need sourcing. These would be useful in the new premises again before building work starts. All of these such items could be brought by individuals in extra suitcases when they visit during 2011."