This report comes in lieu of a newsletter in order to thoroughly update our supporters on the project in Tuwani with more detail as to what your prayers and dollars are accomplishing. A newsletter in online format with columns from Caleb and Eva, a spending report, and more news will follow in July.
What a wonderful team came to Kenya with us this year, perfectly designed for the unique challenges and blessings encountered. Joining Bob and I for 2 ½ months were, Caleb and Eva Senecal and their two boys (our grandsons), Jediah, 2 ½, and Henry, 1, Caleb’s sister Hannah, and Ian McAlister. Don Roach, our home church pastor, also came for three weeks in February to help launch the Bible School, long a dream of the Graceway leaders and a vital next step for the project. You can read more about the team in our February newsletter or in the blogs posted on our website, www.africaconnect.org.
We feel incredibly privileged to have our partners in Kenya; Pastors Peter and Sarah, Apollo and Rose, David and Ruth, Eric and Helen, and school Director Job, are dear friends and surely family. Through the past seven years, we have shared the deep blessings, the victories and tragedies, the struggles and the lessons. God has forged a unity that is not easily broken. Our hearts are with them and with our kids in Kenya, and we are so grateful for their inspiration to us and their faithfulness to the work. Graceway Harvest Chapel is going through a major transition this year with Pastor Peter Siakama stretching his wings to concentrate on mentoring leaders locally and speaking internationally. He is passing leadership of the local church to Apollo Juma, a loving and diligent servant and effective teacher and administrator, who is currently working in the public school system. His wife Rose is our school secretary, and also teaches and leads worship. Apollo hopes to make the transition to full time to devote himself wholly to the transformation of Tuwani and beyond. We are excited to be working with both Peter and Apollo now!
NEEMA CARE CENTRE/GRACEWAY VICTORY ACADEMY: Now numbering 170 students to
tal, the school continues to develop in every area. The 82 children in the Preschool and 88 in the new Primary section (Grades 1-3) are thriving, enjoying two nutritious meals per day, complete with fruit and vegetables 2-3 times per week. For many of the kids, these meals are their only source of food. Thanks to the 6th grade class of Lee Elementary, the baby class received uniforms and backpacks quickly, and the rest of the preschoolers received their uniforms before we left. However, many still need backpacks, socks and shoes, and because government subsidized mosquito nets are no longer available, the cost has been prohibitive up to this point. We still hope to be able to buy them, even if only for the baby class.
The well dug last year is supplying clean water, and the water tower was moved and connected to the well to provide for a constant supply, even in dry season; this also cuts down on utility bills. The preschool was painted, classroom floors were repaired, and bulk food purchased to last until harvest season.
We are delighted with our present staff. They are unusually invested in the vision for the school and for Tuwani, viewing it not just as a job but as a ministry of love. Teaching children from the slum means extra duty – the boundaries between teacher and parent sometimes becoming blurred. They handle it graciously and also make themselves available to the guardians and parents past hours, often visiting the homes and staying late for school and ministry functions. As a result, the parents are becoming more involved, the children of the school excel in their exam scores, and they are ecstatic to be in this loving and secure environment. This school year we have added 3 new teachers and an additional cook and watchman, which brings the full time staff to fourteen. We have also hired part-time literacy and tailoring teachers.
The Primary section was instituted in 2010 with Grades 1& 2 in an adjacent building. This January, our Kenyan partners leased a roomy plot across the street, and by the time we arrived they had erected a “temporary” tin structure with plenty of light, ventilation and room to expand. They desire that the primary school be self-sustaining through increased parental and community participation; however, this will likely be a long-term transitional process. The preschool has always been, and, God willing, will continue to be free, relying on full Western support. However, at the primary level, we find it important that the parents take more responsibility to help with their child’s education, so we charge tuition fees, but will accept work on the compound in exchange. Though no child is turned away, this change was not initially well received. Some parents took their children elsewhere; however, through much patient instruction by the church and school staff, we are seeing the adults begin to accept and even become excited about their role – they are beginning to take ownership! During the transition, Africa Connect is attempting to cover the extra costs of food and salaries, but it has been difficult. It is primarily through Americans sponsoring the most needy primary students that the school was erected and sustained thus far – thank you so much! We love these children and recognize their potential to be world-changers. For many, the options if they leave the school are heart wrenching. We still need more sponsors. If you would like to help, it’s just $200/school year!
Our five girls at Pathfinder are doing very well; some of them becoming leaders in the school. We are so grateful to their sponsors who sacrifice to make it possible for them to have this opportunity.
With more students, more staff, and a 50% rise in the cost of living in Kenya, (therefore a rise in salaries and operations), our budget for running the school has increased around 30% this year (about $450 -$500 per month). Maize has tripled, and we expect food prices to continue to rise this year.
PARENTS & WIDOWS: Great inroads were made relationally and organizationally this year highlighted by 1) the Parent’s Chai, hosted by Caleb and Eva to introduce themselves to the community and further honor the parent’s role in the school, and 2) the formation and training of a Parent Representative Board, which have a very active and important function in Kenya. LuAnn also ministered to the widow’s group, which is now growing under the teaching of Apollo and Rose.
KENYAN MUSIC/PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION: On May 27th, our kids competed for the first time in a very highly regarded educational venue. They swept away the competition at the municipal level, and on June 6th moved to the district level, competing against hundreds of schools. Again, they placed 1st and 2nd in three out of five categories, and 3rd in the other two! Now, June 26th, they are going to the Provincials, representing thousands of schools – and if they win, they go to Nairobi for the Nationals, performing before the President of Kenya!
We are very proud of these kids, but not so surprised. What a statement they have made! In each contest, people were shocked at their poise and dignity, asking, “What school are these children from?” ”It must be a top school!” When they find out that these are “slum kids” they just can’t believe it. What an impact it has had on their lives, on the staff, and how it has inspired the whole Tuwani community! Please pray with us for the remaining funds to pay for their transport and food in order to continue competing.
MEDICAL: Since beginning the on-site monthly school clinics last year, the incidence of illness in the students has declined and their general health is noticeably improved. With fewer trips to the District Hospital, medical costs have dropped and we no longer need a Health Aide/Social Worker on staff. The Community Clinics are continuing at Graceway as funding is available, usually three per year. In one day, hundreds from the slum are diagnosed and treated by medical staff hired from the local Government Hospital. Our next clinic will be in August and will cost about $500, medicine being the main expense. We hope to bring medical volunteers from the States over on future trips to help with these clinics and to extend the reach of our medical arm to the needy villages which have little or no access to doctors or medicine. If you are interested in this aspect, please contact our Director of Health Initiatives, Sue Choquette, at (413) 243-3645, smcthebuglady@aol.com. She has tremendous vision for this and experience in the field.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EMPOWERMENT: There was great forward movement in this area this year, a very necessary part of stabilizing the project and encouraging self-sustaining income among the parents. We call this project “Empowerment” rather than “Microbusiness”, because the immediate goal in this case is not a return of income, but rather providing the tools needed to train the parents and church members in a practical vocation or business. For many, it creates an alternative to prostitution, making illegal brew, or other negative sources of income. However, the plan does involve creating a business in the future as a means of supporting the school as well as the participants.
A Tailoring class was begun late last year, with the purchase of a sewing machine, and was held in a classroom after school. Seeing the success of this class and the immediacy of the benefits to the students, we decided with our partners to further develop the class into a tailoring school. With the help of $1000 in donated seed money, they purchased two more sewing machines, tables and supplies, and hired Helen, an experienced tailor (who is also in the widows group), to teach. Many single parents and some of our school staff are participating, and the number is increasing rapidly as word gets out about free training. Also, our need for school uniforms provided training “material”, as well as a low-cost way to meet a need of the school! In order to establish the classes at a better time for the parents, and to also create secure storage for the machines and other church and school equipment (computer, printer, soundboard, etc), we have rented a storefront next to the school for about $72 per month. This will also provide much needed office space for administration, so the teachers can use the former office for meetings with parents and class preparation.
Caleb Senecal and Ian McAlister really enjoyed getting to use their skills in a practical way during this trip. While Ian was busy fixing every broken item that came along (and there were many!), Caleb began a Carpentry workshop using some of the Primary funds to build desks for the third grade; however, he also used that as a means to train a few qualified Tuwani men in the use of power tools. This skill will increase their own business and also provide carpenters for the future needs of the school.
AGRICULTURE: With guidance from Tanui from Love Mercy, Ian and Caleb joined a few parents to dig up 
the back area of the school compound as a demonstration plot for a garden. This will serve as a demonstration plot for Tuwani to see what a variety of healthy food can come out of a small space, and also as a supply of veggies for school lunches! We hope to lease a larger plot to grow more food.
OUTREACH: What a fruitful time sharing the Gospel and reaching into lives with the unfathomable love of God! We estimate between 600-700 professions for Christ during this 3 ½ month trip, and it continues as we write. Job, Apollo, David, and others, gave us the necessary leadership and support to go as one team into new areas and to further develop initiatives from prior years. It is their selfless vision, fervent love, and tireless labor that enables this outreach to continue through the year.
One of the most fulfilling activities for the team was doing Home Visits in the Tuwani slum, which we were able to do 2-3 days per week during February and March. Each team followed the children whose homes were being visited. Each team was accompanied by at least one teacher or staff member who would interpret for us, and together we would better acquaint ourselves with the family situation. Not only did these visits give us insight into the needs of the students’ families, but they also gave opportunity to share the vision of hope for Tuwani and information about programs being offered. The response has always been very warm, and the hosts never ask for a handout. To be able to love, encourage, pray, and weep with these people, and to receive the same from them, is the ultimate of all the things we experience in Kenya. This is God’s heart.
As we walk throug
h the slum, surrounded by kids, we draw attention, but no longer as strangers; we are now “Mama Leah” and “Baba Bob”, and all the team are often called by name, not just “muzungus.” Many opportunities for evangelism rose out of this. Bob became very bold and effective speaking to the young men in particular, challenging them to rise up to love, protect, and serve the women and children of Tuwani as they were meant to do. One well-known thief and ganja dealer repented, brought his large stash to the church the next day, and has been attending Graceway since. Bob even spoke spontaneously in a slum pool hall, which resulted in every one of them praying out loud to receive Christ and become a real man with purpose! At least one is now being discipled by Pastor Apollo. We are very excited that the Graceway leaders are fervently continuing and expanding this outreach, as well as others.
The team thoroughly enjoyed some adventurous Friday nights travelling (over terrible roads) with Job or Apollo into villages, near and remote, to show “Tumaini”, the “Hope” video in Swahili. Many dear people responded to the offering of salvation clearly and creatively expressed in this movie. These same villages are also the sites where branches of the Bible school are being planned using the IBS material introduced this year. This means any convert can quickly be taught how to read and understand the Bible for themselves. Please pray that we can obtain Bibles for these hungry people.
We were also privileged to speak to 500 young men at St. Joseph’s Boy’s School in Kitale, one of the premier secondary schools in the nation, by invitation of Eric, who teaches literature at St. Joseph’s and is also a pastor at Graceway. LuAnn opened briefly and sang a Swahili song, then Bob spoke about his experiences growing up poor, without a father, and shared the wisdom and the love and acceptance he has discovered in God his true Father. The response seemed very deep and real, with over half the boys present raising their hands to know this Father personally. We plan to return, per request of the students.
MT. ELGON RELIEF: In April, Caleb, Ian, and Hannah were able to go to Kipsigon, high on Mt. Elgon, to deliver maize seed donated by Western Seed to the widows who were victims of previous tribal wars. AC also assisted with providing medicine for a clinic on Mt. Elgon through our partner, Mark Ndiema.
One thing deeply impressed on us this year was this: If any of the humanitarian and community development projects are going to thrive beyond the work of AC and become sustainable in the lives of individuals, families, and as a community (which is true success), there must be a fundamental change in the mindset and motives of the receivers. We are battling decades of colonialism and dependency on Western handouts, discrimination and oppression, entrenched tribalism, drugs, alcohol, and despair, and a vision that rarely glimpses beyond daily survival. We believe this battle can effectively be won only through being “transformed by the renewal of the mind” (Rom 12:1, 2) – by teaching the Word of God, and instructing others how to teach it. The Bible teaches us how to love, think, and live in every area of life. We also have been impressed that this battle is not one of months or years; it will demand our lives.
IBS TRAINING: That said, we and our Kenyan partners believe starting a Bible School is the most imperative task at hand. We are initially using the Inductive Bible Study method, developed into a course by Intensive Care Ministries especially for leaders in the developing world. This non-denominational course teaches church leaders, and anyone else, to understand, to effectively study, create messages, and lead small groups from the context of the Bible itself, when other resources are scarce or unreliable, which often is the case in Africa. There is a predominance of errant teaching, manipulation, and confusion in the name of Christianity, and often it is the poor who are most affected. This has been a deep concern of ours for years, and we are so thankful for Don’s ministry to these leaders. His humble and loving example, as well as clear and objective presentation, was incredibly well received. We are also thankful for his friendship and ministry to us as a team while in Kenya. Please come back Don!
The first session of the IBS training was held in April, with 35 leaders representing several different villages and church backgrounds. The followup sessions will be in August and December, with plans for the first graduation next January when the AC team will hopefully be present! This will rapidly spread as the leaders take it home to their own church members where people are hungry to learn.
Thank God for all He h
as done! And thank you for all you give!
Blessings,
Bob and LuAnn Herring
, for the AC team in America and our team in Kenya.
Kenyan partners to spread the Gospel to Tuwani and many surrounding villages, showing the “Hope” film in Swahili. This drew large crowds and led to hundreds of people receiving Jesus, a highlight for all of us!
nal strategic grain reserves are completely depleted and now the government has resorted to the importation of maize, the main staple food for the country. There are also fears that the newest consignment is a genetically modified maize (GMO), food that Kenyans had never had before. ..This therefore means that we need proper planning for the school. Scarcity of rainfall and an uncontrolled market that gives unscrupulous dealers leeway to hoard maize are factors to bring fear in the country. Generally we lack policies to ensure food security in [Kenya}”
Each woman got a half-kilo each of two different varieties of maize, and for the women who were selected but not present, their seed was given to chosen friends to deliver, with a note made on the list for accountability. The whole distribution of all 500+ lbs of seed took less than an hour, with everything in such good order that we couldn’t help but be happy along with them. They would each come forward as their names were called, accept their packages, and do a little dance and shout, while the others cheered and hollered and sang with happiness for them. When it was all over, they swept up any little spilled kernels from the dirt floor and saved them too.