1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world. Status Report, March 13, 2009:
***I received the short message below on March 8th but waited to upload it until I confirmed the names of the two students who received full scholarships! Praise the Lord for this answer!! Now we need the school fee funds for two more students. I am surprised they haven't been sent home yet for lack of payment so time is short. Please pray. Thank you so much.***
Hello Sis, Thanks for prayers. Below are the students who have already received scholarships for the whole year. Praise God!
NAME: Chepkemoi Beatrice and Chelangat Maureen
Pray for me as i prepare to visit them on 20/03/2009
Pray also for these two students: Chelangat Caroline and Chepkorir Gladis that God can meet their school fees and other supplies.
God bless,
Love to all.
Brother Thomas
Status Report, February 21, 2009:
We still wait for school fee needs to be met for all 5 children, 2 of whom are waiting action on their scholarships. One student has been promised the scholarship funds by letter though the funds have not yet been paid. We have not heard back yet from the other student scholarship application. Pray these funds come through.
These two students are boarding students who were allowed to check in on the goodwill of the schools & the promise of payment.
Of the remaining 3 orphans, two of them are attending day school again on the promise of payment but one child still needs school clothes. Children must have the proper clothing to attend school or else they are sent home. Three children still need various items such as pens and school uniforms. One child os still in need of everything (school fees, school uniforms, regular clothes, school shoes, pens, school supplies, mattress, blankets, soap, and other toiletries, etc.)
We would appreciate your continued prayers for these remaining needs.
**********************************************************************************
Hello saints,
Two more orphan children under the Missions of Hope, Kenya have been accepted to start school today, Monday, February 16, 2009. Here is a brief email from brother Thomas dated today's date (February 16, 2009).
Thanks for prayers, the two children have been admitted today. They will be day scholars until we get funds for the school accommodation i.e mattress, blankets, towel, bed sheets, box,school uniforms. One [orphan] has not yet been admitted.
If you can help in paying for the school fees and these additional expenses mentioned by Thomas please contact me URGENTLY.
ANY amount you can send will help one of the 5 students with something related to their education. The deadline for school fees to be paid is in 3 weeks. However it is NEVER a good idea to wait until the deadline. Like any person who needs to spend money these folks need to know in advance that they have the money so they can purchase and prepare what needs to be done well before the cut off date.
The competition for school placements is fierce and if one child who is accepted cannot attend or cannot pay the fees by the due dates, they are forced to give their position up to some other child who can. (That is the simple reality of this kind of school system when the people are poor).
In Kenya, there are inadequate school openings for all the students who need them. This is partly because last year, the Kenyan government decided to subsidize and pay for school fees for all primary children. This meant many more could go to school because they did not have to pay tuition, though they still had to buy school uniforms, shoes and supplies (a hardship for many). The school subsidy was a good thing. Unfortunately, there is no corresponding increase of school seats opening at the higher grade levels at this time. In other words, there are more students than there are school spaces to accommodate them.
If these orphans can get a position in a good school and complete their educations they will be able to provide for themselves in future. But the cost for the villagers in providing the school fees and the miscellaneous items for the boarding schools is too great. I pray you can help at least 1 of the 5 students soon with some or all of their needs (as some of these needs are already met).
For more information on these children and their school needs please read:
http://www.mychurch.org/blog/378672/These-Students-Need-Sponsors
Fee Payment Schedule
The school year is for a total of 9 months with 3 terms (3 months each) per year. Half of a full year's payment is needed up front. The remaining half can be paid in 2 parts if needed.
Minimum due January 2009. (Students are accepted over a period of several weeks so payment schedules are staggered)
1 student- 14,075. 00 (Kenyan shillings)
5 students 70,375.00 (Kenyan shillings)
A payment would then be needed again about 3 months later (march/april 2009). we have opened an account to try and set aside money for these students to help us plan ahead. we really need your help and we gratefully accept what u can do to help these kids.
We can receive funds through Money Gram or Western Union. If u want to send funds through international bank to bank transfer we can also receive funds that way as an account has been set up at the Barclay's Bank in Kericho, Kenya. Pastor Jonah also has a mailing address but we do not recommend post as it is very slow and insecure. Cheques can get lost in the mail and will also take months to clear the banks in both countries.
If you can help or need more information please contact Joyful Servant directly for more information.
Let me end by saying what I always try to say, that is that your faith and giving is between you and God alone. He leads each of us with his gentle and loving spirit into truth and into the places we should walk when we seek his purpose in our lives. He also desires that we do not give by compulsion or out of necessity but that we give cheerfully as we purpose in our hearts (2 Corinthians 9:7).
I am honoured to be a part of these missions to Kenya. If the Lord leads you, I pray you would join with me in supporting these missions of hope to orphans and widows.
God bless you much, xoxoxo.
**************************************************************************************************
Follow this blog
