Water Update.

Email form 25th Feb - Sent from Susan Cliburn (Missions on the Move)...

"I just got off the phone with Jeff. The ground at the school seems to be to hard. They were only able to get down 6' after drilling all day. Please pray for the Lord to give direction and insight for the decisions that must follow! They (everyone) have decided that water is a priority. The monies that we were sending for land might have to go towards water the goal is still both! We serve a great and mighty God who is able to do more than we could ask or imagine.. So please pray for the impossible...for with God all things are possible!!!"

Email from 28th Feb - Sent from Susan...

"Things are going better today! They are continuing to dig for water and have gone past the hardpack. They will continue to dig throughout the night. They were able to get the rocks and the foundation should be finished tomorrow. The engineer was on sight today and was pleased to see Jeff. They would like to get the floor finished before he has to leave. Wycliffe has not approached the neighbor again about land but might try before Jeff & Tim leave."

February News

On Monday Jeff and Tim, from Missions on the Move, will be Kenya-bound. There have been many generous givers in Canada for which reason Jeff and Tim are able to make a visit to West. During there visit they will begin the water project. We don't know what will come of this, but we are asking God to give us water. Essentially they will begin drilling into the earth to find any water that could eventually become the main source for the school. Additionally, Jeff and Tim will be delivering and overseeing the funds to lay the foundation for the on-site house. Once this building is complete, Wycliffe (Kutete) and Evelyn will have a home nearer to all the children making life more convenient for them and the students. Then we can begin building the dormitory project, [hopefully this summer]. Pray for Jeff and Tim as the travel. Pray for water. Pray for a quick completion for the on-site house.

With us, a King stood.

In February of this year it will have been two years since we traveled to Kenya for the first time. As we prepared for our journey we neither had expected nor ever imagined that what we would discover in the village of Chwele would become such a massive part of our lives. In March of this year it will have been two years since meeting Kutete, Evelyn, the children. I, Quincie, can still recall the stirring in my heart when we stepped inside that small shed. I remember the sounds, the smells, their faces, their joy. I had never seen the face of Jesus so clearly. He was there. He was in the room. With us, a King stood. As I reminisce with such delight, I can't help but to be quieted once again. Quieted with utmost thankfulness before the Lord. Quieted with awe at the marvel of His work.

Today I am so thankful for you, West Special School. Thank you for allowing Jesus to look so beautiful through you.

Those reading, I would plead with you to ask God to give you the faith He wants you to have. James and I are witnesses of something nearly indescribable; nevertheless, I am making such an effort to communicate what we've seen because it is in God's character to be faithful, and He's searching for ways, through us, to show the world what He does best.

Thank you Speech and Communication class!

I (James) was gobsmacked this evening as I walked through the door on my way back from some football (soccer). My wife handed me an envelope that was personally hand delivered by our professor earlier in the day with $500 in it! Yes, you read that correctly, $500. This is massive for the school.

Our class had been 'competing' in our final persuasive speech project for the prize that would be the accumulation of the class's efforts in fundraising. The class itself went well beyond any other previous class and what could have been expected. They gave handsomely and with our professor's kind donation on top we are now well on the way to a new dormitory. Sadly, many other ministries did not make it and the prize had to go to one. I am partly regretful that they did not receive such a large amount but at the same time we must rejoice that West Special School will soon have place for all the children. Passivity can never be an option in missions.

This new donation of $500 is another landmark in the roller-coaster story of West Special School. So many for so long had reject school and it's moments like these that remind us all of God's provisions. I shall declare from my 5A Jenkins apartment that the Lord has not forgotten about us. He has been faithful thus far!

On behalf of the children, myself and everyone involved, a massive thank you to the Speech and Communication class!

Memories...

This first photo was a trek into the caves of the foothills of Mt Elgon with some friends. It turned out to be the most grueling walk of my life and made the 3 peak challenge feel like a walk in the park.

In the middle of the photo is my dear friend Pastor Job Matimbai. He is one of the Kenyan Dream Team keeping the school going. He is a gentleman of integrity.

These two men with me are just as wonderful as Job. Jacob on the left is a deaf pastor and helped build the school. Julius Juma on the right in a teacher who has served the school without pay for 2 years. He is now being paid and God has blessed his faithfulness. I miss them today.

Kutete (Wycliffe) and Evelyne. These two complete the dream team. Kutete, a legal genius with a heart of commitment and justice is still fighting away. Evelyne is full of faith and joy and loves the children as if they were her own. I think they make a wonderful couple. And just in case you are wondering... that elephant-brain looking thing is a Jack fruit.

Summer 2011

West Special School from Endë Photography on Vimeo.

THANK YOU Ende Photography!

November 2011

Lots has been happening over the last few weeks. Since we have a severe lack of time on our hands let me list a few off so you have an idea where we are and what the needs are:

- Medical center is being constructed very soon. This will serve the community and the children.

- In need of charity status or affiliation.

- Drawings for the on-site house have been completed.

- Bricks have been baked for the beginning of the house.

- Plans are being drawn for the dormitory.

- Jeff and team from Missions on the Move plan to go out in late January/early February. One of their goals will be to drill for water.

- Evelyne is studying for her teaching certificate.

- The new teacher, George is doing a fantastic effort and teaching well by all accounts.

- Still looking for one more teacher to assist Julius.

- We are taking the 'no-fuindraising' rule at Moody Bible Institute to the authorities in question to get it changed and allow West Special to be fundraised for.

- The children really need this dormitory.

- We are in need of more land @ £2,500 p\acre.

- Kenyan inflation means that our £'s and $'s go much further so now is a good time to give.

- We still have 10 more US calendars to sell at $25 each.

- I (James) will be presenting the project to my speech class in 2 weeks to compete for the $100ish prize for the school. There are about 30 us of competing so the chances are slim but I am willing to put the work in for it.

- The team of Mothers are getting excited about next summer. It will certainly be a good one.

That is about it at the moment.