Illula Closing Day Ceremonies

Samro School closed for the end of the year vacation on November 20^th 2008. The Ilula kids were very happy to close school for December vacation as it is one of the longest holidays in the year. They are excited about the fact that Christmas will be celebrated soon. On that day, the children ensured that they were very smart (well dressed) because their parents were to be present for the closing ceremony. They even went to school earlier than usual because of the excitement.

Kevin, Ruth, Elias and Edison (above) from the orphanage were the happiest kids as they were graduating from Top class to join grade one next year. They were very happy to wear the graduation gowns with the other children from their class. Parents with children in Top class had bought them gifts to congratulate them for their hard work and for graduating from Nursery to Grade 1. The orphanage parents were among those who presented gifts to their children.

The children from the orphanage performed very well in their examination. Dennis Kipchirchir became position 6 in middle class. Elias Kibiwott who was graduating from Top class led his siblings by becoming position 7. Emmanuel Kipchirchir became position 1 in grade 1. Raymond Kipkogei became position 1 in grade 2 while another child Nicholas Kibet became position 3. Irene Jepleting and Benson Kiptoo became positions 1 and 3 respectively. Gideon Kiplimo, Linda Jemutai and Adam Kipngetich became positions 1, 2 and 3 respectively in grade 4. In grade 5, Thomas, Hellen and Sharon led that class. In grade 6 Beatrice Jebet and Edward Kigen emerged positions 2 and 3. Evans Kiprono, Vincent Ngunzulu and Hillary Kipngetich became positions 1, 2 and 3 respectively in grade 7.

All the other children in the various grades performed well also. Samro School kids had entertainment to present to the parents/guardians and other invited guests. The grade 4 kids moved the whole crowd to singing and dancing when they performed their song “The Importance of Education”.

The children are now home helping their parents with various activities and resting after having a busy school term. They are looking forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and the New Year. They are very thankful to God for the protection, guidance, knowledge and wisdom he gave them throughout the term and year in school. The grade 7 kids who will be joining grade 8 next year are so excited that next year they’ll be candidates!

Illula Evangelism Outreach

Praise God! Last week here at Ilula, we had a one week evangelism at a place known as Kamwago, Chepkorio division in the Keiyo district. Ukweli Training and Development Centre had organized one week evangelism and the AA team and the Children’s home joined them in sharing the word of God.

The Ilula kids’ Tumaini choir were part of the team that went to Kamwago over the weekend. They ministered to the people through testimonies, songs and dance and memory verses. Most people were moved to tears every time the children sang or shared their testimonies of how God has changed their lives completely.

Above, some of the Ilula Tumaini choir kids’, Hellen, Beatrice, Alex, Victor, Gideon and Dickson.

One child Gideon Kiptanui who comes from Chepkorio shared his testimony of how God has been good to him since he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and since he was brought to the orphanage. Gideon shared how his parents had died when he was still very young and didn’t get to know them. He was left under the care of his grandmother who struggled hard to ensure that Gideon got food and went to school.

Gideon thanked his former teachers back at home very much for teaching him and assisting him emotionally, socially and financially. He thanked his grandmother and the neighbors for being there for him. Gideon thanked ELI for its vision and mission of empowering the poor and oppressed so that they may know, serve and worship God without hindrance. Gideon still remembered very well the very day that he was being picked to be brought to the orphanage by Mr. Rono (Director Ilula Children’s Home). He shared how he ate Chips and sausage at Eldoret town before proceeding to Ilula (though he didn’t know the names of the food at that time.) He shared of how he only knew one language Kalenjin when he arrived at the orphanage but can now speak in English and Kiswahili fluently. He had not known the importance of education at the time he was back at home and could sometimes stay home without any good reason. He said he now understands the importance of education and his dream and vision is to become a member of parliament in future. As Gideon was sharing his testimony, many people were seen sobbing and thanking God for Gideon and the ELI ministry at large. Gideon is in grade seven and is among the top 3 students in his class.

Gideon

Mercy Chesang shared in her testimony that she still remembers very well how her mother died from being struck by lightning. She thanked God for the wonderful parents at the orphanage who are taking care of her and her siblings.

Chesang

The Tumaini choir and the ELI Ilula team was a blessing to the people of Kamwago, Lelboinet, Samich, Chepkorio and Keiyo as a whole. People were taught about Dairy cows and the need and importance of practicing Zero grazing. They were motivated to work hard in whatever they did and above all to Love God with all their hearts, souls and might as the bible says in the book of Deuteronomy 6:5.

The AA team throughout the evangelism period visited the alcoholics to encourage and persuade them to do away with alcohol and drugs and to give their lives to Jesus. Although it was very cold throughout the week, the evangelism was a success and many people turned up for the meeting. As we were coming back to Ilula, many people were promising to put in practice whatever they had learned and that they will come for 3 days training at the Ukweli Training and Development Centre. They were very thankful for the mission and for reaching out to them. Asante!

By Caroline Kiptoo

Ilula Children’s Home Secretary

Ilula Report (October)

~by Caroline Kiptoo

ELI Founder/International Director Don Rogers arrived at Ilula last week on Wednesday 8th and was welcomed by the children and staff at Ilula. The children were very happy to have him home and wanted to know more about how their friends Joshua and Nathaniel (Don and Amy's sons) were doing. They were very happy to receive letters from Joshua’s friends in the US.

The children did their mid-term exams last week and are awaiting their results. Most of them are certain that they did well and are hoping for the best. We have 10 children from the children’s home in grade 7 and they are working very hard so that they may get promoted to grade 8 next year. Most of them are excited about joining grade 8. Let us continue praying for them that God may help them do well in their studies and future endeavours.

The children spent time at their small gardens over the weekend weeding and planting vegetables. They are very happy and proud of their gardens and what they produce. They also had inter-wing soccer competition and the western wing won both the boys and girls.




Ilula Vs Kipkaren Sports Competition

Moi Day (October 10), is a day that has been dedicated for visiting the sick and the poor here in Kenya. On that day, the Ilula and Kipkaren staff had volleyball and soccer competitions in Ilula. It was a day full of fun as all the staff members from both sides and the children had really awaited the day.

The weather was favorable for the sports. The matches began with volleyball men and Kipkaren men won 2 sets to 1. Volleyball women were won by Ilula 2 sets to nil. The climax of the day was when the men teams from Kipkaren and Ilula played soccer. It was a very exciting game and Kipkaren won 4 goals to 2.

The children from Ilula cheered both teams. The Kipkaren Children’s Home Director was very impressed about the activity and commented, “This should continue!” Pastor Lucas Rono, a parent at Ilula Children’s Home, was one of the organizers. He said that the games were fun despite the fact that each team was fighting for the trophy. He went on to say that everyone was contented with the results and appreciated the efforts of Kipkaren and all the players that participated.

Don was the guest speaker and in his speech, he appreciated the efforts of all the participants for making the occasion successful. He thanked the organizers of the games and commented that, “This brings unity and fellowship to know one another as ELI family.” He challenged the staff members from the book of 1st Corinthians 9:24. He went further to encourage the staff members to search on spiritual matters and that they should not lose hope because of defeat. Don reminded the staff members of having love, hope and faith in whatever they do. In general, he commented that the day was very good. He shared a story about himself as a runner one time that made the staff members motivated and encouraged to finish the race in whatever activity they do.

Thank you, again

Ilula turned 5!

Ilula Children’s Home celebrated their 5th anniversary on Sunday September 21st. It was a wonderful time as the children and staff members joined the community members in celebrating God’s love and goodness.

Every family had a chance to present a song and memory verses. Some of the older kids represented the rest in sharing their testimonies. The children really made people laugh through their testimonies and everyone was thankful to God for what he has done, what he is doing, and what he is yet to do in the lives of the Ilula kids.
Leonard Kiprop 13 from Kosgey family was among the children who gave their testimonies. He thanked God for what he has done to the children’s home and to himself. He made the crowd laugh when he said “I came here when I was speaking in soprano but I am now speaking in bass.” Leonard is one of the children who talks less and likes working in his small garden. He has planted beautiful vegetables and strawberries and all the other children admire his garden a lot. Leonard shared about the talents that God has given them. He said he wishes to be an electrician or technician in future because he is very good in fixing broken radios, repairing bicycles and watches. People were so amazed at what Leonard can do. He was very thankful to ELI fraternity that gave him the opportunity to explore his talent.
Kevin Serem 13 and from Kosgey family too talked a lot and made the people to laugh. There was a lot of applause when he finished sharing his testimony. He thanked God because of getting a chance to be admitted at the orphanage as he was among the last children to be enrolled. He shared how he had arrived with a deteriorating health but after getting medication, his health improved greatly. Kevin was very thankful to ELI for providing for their food, medical, education and the loving care they receive from their parents. He shared how it is very easy to be taken to hospital here when one is sick unlike back at home where it was hard for them to go to hospital when they were sick and if at all they had to go, the hospital was so far. There were problems of getting medical fees back at home which forced them to resort to herbal medicine which were so bitter and could not heal them. He mentioned the herbal medicine in Kalenjin (sakitiek) which made the people to laugh even more.
Gabriel Kiptanui 13 from Rono family said he has benefited a lot from ELI and said that it is God who has worked through ELI for him to succeed in various fields like academics that he is doing very well, health wise, spiritually and even physically. He thanked the parents for taking good care of them teaching them the word of God and that he is born again now. He thanked them for taking good care of their clothes and other emotional issues. He was very happy that he has parents to take care of him after losing his own biological parents. He gave special thanks to Babu and Gogo (Mr. and Mrs. Rono, children's home directors) for providing them with guidance and counseling. He thanked all the other staff for playing a big role in their lives.
Gideon Kiptanui from Kiprotich family thanked God for the effort ELI is doing for them to be well catered for. He appreciated the good food that they get. He commented that they cannot fit into the clothes they brought from home now and the ones they were given when they arrived. He thanked the assistant parents for ensuring that their clothes are clean all the time.

Mr. David Kosgey talked on behalf of the parents and he shared that it was very tough for them when they started. They had to do all the work from bathing the children, serving them food, cleaning their rooms and gazebo to giving attention to every child. He was thankful to God that now the work is much better with the assistance from the children who are now grown up and have been assigned some responsibilities.

Mr. Laban Rono the Director Ilula children’s home commented “This far, the Lord has provided and taken care of us.” He thanked ELI as a whole for providing finances and support to the home. He said without them, it would have been hard to care for the children. He commented on the growth of the children since they arrived to date that they have grown tall, they have added their weight and some of the boys have broken their voices. In the side of education, he extended a big thanks to Samro School for providing good education to our children. He also thanked them for their school fee which is much better compared to other schools. The director thanked the community members who have played a big role in supporting the orphanage especially during the post election skirmishes early this year. The community played a big role in providing security to the home. He advised the children to respect every person from the community because they are part of us.

Mr. Samuel Teimuge the Ilula Children’s home board chairman appreciated the entire home for their efforts all the time in taking care of the children. He commented on a lot of changes in the children physically, spiritually, emotionally and academically. He went further to thank the children for their hard work and respect they had towards their parents, teachers and the elderly and towards themselves. He appreciated the work the children are doing in their small gardens in planting vegetables and other crops. He showed the people some of the healthy vegetables the children had taken to church from their own gardens. He motivated the children on what they want to be in future. He gave a good example of John Rono who is well known and a friend to the kids that is now studying at the university to become an engineer. He urged them to pursue their careers.

The climax of the celebration was marked with the cutting of the cake which was done by Mrs. Angelina Rono with the help of the house mothers. Mrs. Rono commented on the children’s development that there is a great change!

Health
A few children were taken to the hospital last week and are now fine. The sewage at the children’s home which had polluted the environment was sucked and the children and parents especially at the western wing are now enjoying the fresh air.

Visitors
Mr. Daniel Ndungu a visitor from Eldoret town visited the children with 1 bale of wheat flour and 25kgs of rice. The children were very happy and thankful to him for his continued support. Mr. Ndungu has been visiting the children severally with different gifts. Another visitor called Sharon visited the children and brought them some clothes.

The AIC Kenya Bishop visited the orphanage. He was actually coming to meet a group of pastors who were having a meeting at the Ukweli Training Centre. It was a big surprise for him to find a large group of children singing for him at the round about. He appreciated what ELI is doing and promised to send some food to the children. He was especially encouraged by Vincent Ngunzulu’s testimony of what God had done in their lives.

School bags
The grade 2, 3, and 4 kids from the children’s home received new school bags. They were very grateful for the bags and promised to work harder at school.

Games Competition
The Ilula staff continues to prepare for the volleyball and soccer competition between them and their colleagues from Kipkaren River. They look forward to the competition early next month. The Ilula kids seem so excited about the competition and they can’t wait to see their parents play that day. They have been encouraging them and motivating them everyday to put more effort in their practice.

News from Congo and Sudan

Click on these pages to see a full-screen version of the newsletter.

If you'd like to sponsor one of our kids in the slums of Bukavu, Congo, or in Southern Sudan, please contact Diana at our Upland office.

Kipkaren News: September 22

~Report submitted by Emily Rop

The children are doing well, busy preparing for their mid-term tests.

Saying good-bye to Jane
The children and the entire home were happy seeing off Jane Sawe who was going to a Teachers Training College after completing high school. Jane has been working in the children's home kitchen for the past two years. She is one of the first orphaned children to be taken care of by Empowering Lives.

Jane said “I thank for giving me a chance to serve with the orphans. I was served also: I was able to share my heart with them and give them encouragement and hope in Christ who is the the author and perfecter of our faith.” She continued to encourage the children that God has provided a home and loving parents. The day was colourful and full of compassionate love. Everyone imagined how Jane could be today if it were not God to touch the hearts of other people to support Jane through Empowering Lives. People shed tears of joy for what God is doing He is a father of the fatherless.

Visiting the sick
Last week, our children had an opportunity to visit a sick neighbor. Betty has been sick for a long time and the children were able to assist her to do laundry, cut her grass [with machetes], fetch some firewood and water, and pray for her healing. I thank God for the compassionate hearts our kids have.

Washing machine
Nowadays, even the assistant parent have time to visit the needy since we have been given a washing machine. For the past two years, the assistant parents have been doing the children's laundry by hand. Having a commercial washing machine is not only saving them time, but it's especially good on their backs and their hands.








Staff activities
The staff of Kipkaren have been busy preparing for friendly matches between them and the staff of the Ilula Children's Home early in October. It will be fun to see them compete and to see who will take the trophy. Also, our staff had an opportunity to be taught how to use fire extinguishers. We use open fires for cooking, and paraffin lanterns whenever the power is out. It is important for us to know how to put out a fire.


Visitors
Our children were visited by students from a nearby secondary school. They had an opportunity to interact with the students, and the students blessed them with different gifts like soft drinks, biscuits and bars of soap. The students promised to pray for our children.




Bereavement
We had a big challenge two weeks ago. Our director, John Busienei, lost his sister through a tragic road accident. Fifteen people from Bush's village lost their lives, four of them were members of the same family. Our children felt for their directors. Some children went to console them in their home through singing and praying with them. Despite these challenges, God saw us through. His mercies were new every morning. Glory and honour be to his name.

Health We haven’t had any major problems recently except common colds. The kids are growing well. They are going on practicing new songs hoping to make a recording sometime.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

More news from Kipkaren

~by Emily Rop
Children's Home Admin Assistant

This week, our children were ending the youth camp and they are ready to resume for their studies. Some of our children aged 12 years and above had a wonderful encounter during the camp time, they had an opportunity to interact with other youth from different places hence they felt part of the community. They stayed for five days in the camp. When you'd run into them while they were at camp (which is hosted at the training center next to our children's home) they were very excited!

Some committed their lives to Christ, nine of them were baptized and truly their lives are transformed.

One of them named Linus Kipkoech testified and said that he will never miss another camp because the teachings about how to overcome temptations and forgiveness enabled him to forgive his uncles who took their property and some of the cash their parents had left when they died, and they were taken to an aunt's place where they could not go to school nor wear good clothes yet the uncles were using their money to educate their children. Since his parents died, Linus' heart has been wounded, especially when he remembered his uncles. After the camp he no longer holds any bitterness in his heart rather than to pray for them and he said let the will of God be done.

Healthwise, the children are doing well. Juli and Michelle, our nurse practitioners, did general examinations on all the children and she was amazed on how our the children are doing growing strong and healthy. We thank God for his care and protection. This month of August we didn’t have many cases of malaria.

Our maize is now ready for harvesting. The children roast it in the evenings as they share their live experiences and past stories with their parents . Our children did commendable work of transplanting trees about two thousand and we still have another four thousand which we intend to transplant as we are looking for market for the remaining so that we can sell and get some income.

Our director whom the kids call Babu and Koko (grandfather and grandmother) came back from their leave. The children put a ribbon on the gate then the directors had to cut it as they entered the compound. The children sang and hugged them as they shed tears of joy! You could see the children felt a sense of belonging and the orphaned spirit is not seen any more.

The kids are back to school and their spirits are very high promising to work hard as they continue to trust upon the lord to remind them whatever they have learned.

Kipkaren News

~by Emily Rop
Children's Home Admin Assistant

It is with great joy that we share what the lord has done at Kipkaren children’s home this week. We are doing well. God has been gracious and merciful to us all. We thank God very much for what he continually does in the lives of our children, we have seen children develop in all aspects of life spiritually, academically emotionally and even physically.

This week the school has closed for August holidays, our children this time round improved so much both in position and marks in their respective classes.

Teachers are doing commendable work in training and guiding them to be good future leaders who will lead and show good example to people they will get opportunity to serve in future. You could not imagine how this kids were when they first came. Some were 10 years old and they had not seen a classroom before! They had been looking after other people's cows. One of those kids is Victor Nyukuri, who is now in class two, and Justus Kiplagat who is in class one. Both boys can now express themselves, read and write. It is amazing and we thank everybody who is contributing for their upkeep.

This week we had visitors from Califonia: David and Judy Blackford. They have been a blessing unto our children and entire home. They prayed, counseled and encouraged our foster parents following the post election violence, some of our foster parents came from the community that was most affected. We thank God that now peace is restoring and the evicted families have started to settled.

The Children’s Home directors went for their annual leave and the kids are missing their granny night where they could share stories, riddles and songs together . They will be back on 24th of August and Mr Ezekiel Moiben has been in charge of the home during their absence.

Holiday
The children are enjoying staying with their parents, assisting them by doing daily chores like weeding flower beds. During this time, they have planted one thousand trees and are aiming to plant another three thousand before the school reopens. Parents too have the pleasure in helping them do their evening studies seeing them one by one thus learn their strong and weak points.

Educational Tour
Beside helping their parents at home, the children wish to go out to see wild animals, visit other children’s homes at least to get new ideas. Finances are an issue, though we are trusting God to provide for future trips as to break the monotony of staying in the same place from time to time.

Spiritually
Our children are growing spiritually. This is evidenced from the testimonies and sharing they give. They have very powerful testimonies they have started sharing their past experiences without fear. They also confess that since God has provided a home for them they don’t feel any pain any more in their hearts. They have kept on presenting choirs in the church during presentation time. We are for the idea of recording these songs so that we can sell and get a source of income but so far finances is an issue at the moment we are trusting God for a sponsor to support us in recording and producing these songs.

News from Ilula

~by Caroline Kiptoo
Children's Home Admin Assistant

Bwana Asifiwe! Praise God! It has been a successful and busy week for all of us at Ilula this week. Glory and honor to God for seeing us through and for answering our prayers. The Lord has continued to guide our paths. The children are home for August vacation and are enjoying every bit of it. During their end of term II exams, their performance was above average in general. Their languages especially English has improved a lot. Most of them can now communicate fluently in English. They will be going back to school on Monday, August 18th for extra coaching for two weeks.

Birthday Celebration
There were 3 children celebrating their birthdays in the month of August. The celebration was colorful! The three children and some staff members celebrating their birthdays in August joined hands in cutting the cake and ensured that at least every person tasted it. Pastor Dave and Judy who were visiting Ilula from Kipkaren were part of the visitors who made the party a success. Judy encouraged the children to celebrate their birthdays and be thankful to God for everything he has done in their lives.



Visitors
Pastor Dave and Judy from the US who had been at Kipkaren visited Ilula Children’s home early last week. The children were glad to welcome them with a bunch of flowers at the round about. The visitors were so happy to meet the children and they looked forward to interacting with them, getting to know them and playing with them. Dave and Judy also conducted a one day seminar with the house parents on having Visions. The parents benefited a lot from the seminar. They also spent most of their time with the children cheering them at the field during soccer competitions, playing with them and taking meals with them. They left on Tuesday to go back to Kipkaren. As they bid goodbye to the children and staff, they encouraged the children to love one another as God loves us. They were happy to have been a blessing to the children and staff and to have also received blessings at Ilula.



August Vacation
The children have had lots and lots of activities to do since they closed school two weeks ago. They have been very busy cleaning their rooms, gazebos and the compound ensuring that everywhere is clean all the time. They have also been helping at the kitchen garden to weed and plant more kales. The older kids have been working on their small garden beds behind their houses weeding and planting more crops. One child who loves gardening a lot was blessed when he received some water melon, pepper and cucumber seeds from his sponsor.

The kids have also been participating in sports. There was inter-house competition in soccer between Chepsat family Vs Kiprotich family and Rono family Vs Kosgey family. Every family cheered their team and for sure it was a success. It is quite encouraging that the Ilula children understands and appreciates that at the end of every game, they are all winners. Despite the fact that in a game there are winners and losers, the Ilula kids appreciates that we are all winners. One child said “At ELI, we are all winners!” isn’t this great? Praise God!



VBS which is normally conducted during the holidays started yesterday August 14, 2008. Edna one of ELI’s staff who is concerned with the Children’s Ministry led the VBS. The children are enjoying it very much and are learning a lot. They are being taught bible stories, memory verses, missionary stories and new songs. They will have a chance to present what they have learnt in VBS on Sunday at church.

This week at Ilula Children's Home

~ by Caroline Kiptoo
Ilula Children's Home Administrative Assistant

It’s a pleasure once again to share some of the activities that have been going on in Ilula this week. The Lord has continued to be good to us and has protected our children from sickness especially being a rainy season. No children were taken to the hospital this week.

Dedication & Opening of New Gazebos
The two new gazebos were dedicated to God and officially opened on Monday 28th July. Ribbons were cut by the director, assistant director, parents and children representatives to officially open them. The children were very excited to finally use their own gazebos. They moved in the same evening and served their food from there. The children’s home director Mr. Laban Rono encouraged the parents and children to take good care of the gazebos. He told them to maintain cleanliness as usual and to ensure that the tables and benches were taken good care of. He went further to encourage those families that remained in the older gazebos to appreciate and continue praying to God for funds to be found so that theirs could also be renovated and be put iron sheets like the new gazebos and to be painted too. He thanked the families for the good work they have been doing and living together in harmony and encouraged them to continue with the same spirit of togetherness. He reminded the children that as much as every family will be using their own gazebo, we are still one family in Jesus Christ.

The children are very happy to share family time together in their gazebo. Mrs. Mary Chepsat (one of the parents) said, “It is now very easy to serve food to my children, to monitor them as they feed, to help them do their homework as they will be in one place and to take good care of my family as a whole.”

At the Kosgey family, Priscah shared that her children are rejoicing and thanking God for being in their own gazebo. She reported that her children have already come up with a duty roster on who is responsible for cleaning the gazebo, cleaning the tables and those helping to serve food. Priscah said that they are training them to do some of the activities by themselves as they will be going for their annual leave soon. They want them to be responsible children.

One of the Kosgey children that were excited the most about every family using their own gazebo is Apollo Gitahi. Apollo (9 years old) requested his parents to be the leader of their gazebo and promised to work hard to ensure that everything is in place. Apollo is now the leader in charge of cleanliness at Kosgey’s family. Apollo’s mother Priscah was amazed at Apollo’s determination to be a leader despite the fact that he is still young and there are other older children at her family.

Games Kits
All the children now have new games kits given to them at Samro School. They came home yesterday rejoicing and praising God for the games kits. They said they will be wearing them during inter-house, inter-wing and inter-home competitions. They are now putting more efforts in the various sports games and can’t wait to meet their siblings in Kipkaren River Children’s Home for their next match. The younger children at Ilula are trying to emulate the actions of the older children. For example one of the boys Edison, was trying to jump very high in high jump so as to beat his older brothers. Every time the bar was lifted he wanted to try and jump over it like his brothers did.

The Needy
Ilula children have a big heart for the needy and sick people. As the Kosgey family’s children were watching news on TV recently, they saw a young child with a heart problem who needed a lot of money to undergo heart surgery. One of the children, Hellen, challenged her parents about what they would do about it. Her parents replied they would pray for him and at that moment they all believed and prayed to God to heal the young boy. After the prayer, Hellen seemed not to be satisfied and requested her parents whether they can contribute some money to help the child. We thank God because our children are concerned and care about other needy people and the less fortunate.

Duties and Responsibilities
Day by day, Ilula children improve in their duties and responsibilities. One area they have really improved in is the area of marking their clothes so that they don’t get lost. One boy Vincent had found it very hard to knit his name on his clothes. It was not until he received his new games kit that he ran to his mother’s house to ask for a needle and thread to mark his kit. His parents were very proud of him as he did the job perfectly though it was his first time. All the parents have observed a great improvement in time keeping from the children. They have noted that the children have learnt to be where they are needed at the required time. They have also improved greatly in the side of personal hygiene and general cleanliness. One parent reported that children ensure that they are clean before going to the gazebo.

Food
The children enjoy the delicious meals prepared daily for them by the kitchen staff. One of their favorite foods is githeri (mixture of cooked maize and beans). As I was visiting with them one lunch time, I noticed most of them enjoyed eating githeri. Some went to an extent of picking the maize in their plates first then finishing with beans. They normally have githeri 3 times a week. On Tuesday, they were very happy to eat green beans and maize. Mr. and Mrs. Chepsat had harvested their beans and blessed the children with some. The green maize was purchased from town.

Baptist & Hillside
It was so sad to lose one of the cows Baptist early last week after suffering from pancreas injury. The children were very sad to lose one of the cows that gave them milk. Just one day after Baptist died, Hillside calved. The children were all smiles when they heard the good news. One child said, “Thank God that Hillside has calved! Now we can get enough milk.”

Thank you for caring about our children at Ilula. Please let us know if you have questions, or if you would like to sponsor one of our children.

This week at Kipkaren Children's Home: An accident at the bridge, the blessing of a washing machine, and more

~by Emily Rop
Kipkaren Children's Home Secretary

We opened Kipkaren children’s home in the year 2006. We praise God for his grace, mercy and love since it was started. The home has been running well though with some challenges. For two years now, assistant parents have been washing clothes for 24 children by hand. That means that they stand bent over and doing hard scrubbing every day! We have been praying for a washing machine.

On 15th of July 2008, our prayers were answered. We receiced a commercial washing machine! Our children sung to welcome the machine, they were very happy you could see them jumping around and talking much about the machine, something they had never seen before! They stretched their hands to touch the machine and they slowly escorted the car to the administration block ceremoniously while singing and praising God for the gift.

We really thank God for every person who contributed to purchasing the machine in one way or the other. In a week's time, the assistant parents shall be able to enjoy the device and let their hands to heal out of the scars they acquired during their dedication to wash for the 24 children. They really showed God's care to the fatherless by working tirelessly.

Local Visitors
Last Sunday, 20th July, our children had a wonderful time with students from a high school named Kapsabet Girls who visited us to encourage the children, love and share with them the joy of the Lord. They encouraged the children about education and made friendship with them. They worked around the home and school you could see our children happy, felt loved and finally they blessed them with different gifts: bars of laundry soap, toilet soap and tissues. They visitors also promised to continue praying for us. Our director Busienei appreciated them and he said a true church is the one that looks after the orphans and the widows.

The Bridge Broke!
Normally once a month we visit a nearby church with the children from our home, which is across the Kipkaren River. The bridge was build by one of the ELI teams to assit the community and the children who are going to our school. Without the bridge, the children would have to take a detour of travel 5 miles on foot to reach the school!

Last Sunday, after visiting the nearby church, our children had to cross the bridge to come back to the home. On reaching the bridge, children crossed in groups, the first group crossed with Mr Matekwa who is a foster parent. When they were in the middle of the bridge, one of the bridge cables snapped with a huge sound! They fell down flat on the bridge! Though the bridge didn't collapse into the water, the children's legs were dangling off the edge and everybody was scared. After a minute of confussion and suprise they came back to their senses and supported one onother off the bridge. Glory be unto God that no one fell into the river! It is our prayer that a permanent bridge be build for easy transportations. Many people have lost their lives by crossing this river.

Health
This week we had many children diagonised with malaria though we thank God for the healing they are improving very much. Being rainy season, malaria is very common in this area. Despite of all this challenges the children are busy preparing for their end term exam. Also, one of the girls had to go to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital to get a filling. At the moment, she can smile without any fear of embarrasment or pain. We look forward to the day when our clinic's dental wing can open so the children can receive dental care locally.

We thank God so much for changing the lives of our children spiritually, academically, and even physically.

Beatrice: Our first athletics and drama competition

It was in the month of May when our teachers informed us that we would go to Kipchoge Keino Stadium for athletics. We were as happy as a king in the palace. We started our practice because practice makes perfect. Our games teacher, Mr. Kogei, took us for cross country training, and we ran throughout our village of Ilula. It was hard but we had to do it.

We did our practice for about three weeks then it was time to go for the competition. We were to meet other schools from the zone. We were very excited to travel to town. We were six children from my family (Rono family) who were to go for the competition. Our parents ensured that we were smart and ready to go. We prayed before we left for school that morning and they gave us some pocket money.

After finishing our Friday assembly and devotion, we boarded the car to Kipchoge. Our father Mr. Nixon was driving us and we enjoyed as we saw many things on our way. We met other students from other schools and there were bigger children than us. The long races started followed by the short races and the other activities.

After everyone had participated we waited for the results. We were very happy to learn that two of our students were to proceed to the district level: Joyce and Rose. We jumped up and down thanking our Almighty Father for enabling us to win. We came back to school very happy.

In the month of June after the athletics we started getting prepared for drama festivals. We prepared poems and shahiri. Some of them were entitled “Pesa” (Money), “Mwalimu Fidhia” “Donda Ndugu” and “Maritha”. The one about money was saying that money is not a very big thing and that we should not boast about it. I presented a solo verse in “Maritha”.

Our music teacher Mr. Edonga Ekai trained us on how to recite poems. He didn’t want to inform us where we were to go but he promised us that if we practiced well, he shall tell us. A list of names of those who were doing very well was read and I was glad I was among the group.

We presented at the zonal, district and two pupils managed to go to the provincial level. Hillary and Fridah went to Kericho for four days and they tried their best.

We thanked God for enabling us to reach the provincials. We are praying that next time we shall get to the national level.

Scophia: The day we went to Kipchoge Keino Stadium

It was on a Thursday evening and we had prepared the school team and they were practicing hard. They knew that practice makes perfect. We had prepared ourselves because on Friday we would face tough competition.

On Friday morning, I was so excited because I was among the team traveling to Kipchoge for athletics. I woke earlier that usual, took a shower and wore my best uniform. After taking my breakfast, I walked to school. At the assembly we prayed for those going to Kipchoge that they may have a safe journey and that they may participate well.

We reached the stadium faster that I expected. We went round the field where we were going to run. There were so many students from various schools who had come for games. After sometime, we were all assembled at the field to be told what to do. There were many big boys and I was so scared of them I thought if you could step on them by mistake, they would beat you seriously.

My team was the first to run and so children representing all the zonal school lined up to run. We ran as fast as we could but the race was tough. During the short races, one of the runners was disqualified as he was a trained runner.

Rose Jepchirchir was participating in walking race. She was in first position all through until when she heard the bell. Rose did not understand that she had one more round to go so she stopped and the two students behind her overtook her. She never gave up but continued and she became position three. Joyce Jerotich also managed to be among those who were to continue to the District level in the long races. We were given glucose then we ate lunch and came back to school happily.

I thank God for enabling us to participate in games. I am praying that next year we are going to get to the national level in athletics and make our school famous in the country.

Hillary's thoughts on sports and speeches

On 23rd of May, our school was going to compete with other schools in Eldoret [in athletics]. We did not have enough time to practice, and we had not even competed against any other schools.

We went right to the stadium (Kipchoge Keino Stadium), participated, and waited for the results. Some of the sports we participated in were in 3000m, 8000m, high jump, long jump, walking race and javelin.

When the results were out, some of our students were able to proceed to the district level and the others did not, but we never gave up.

Came the drama festivals, we were ready to participate in it again. We had composed and recited many poems both solo verses and group verses. I was presenting public speaking in “umuhimu wa Amani” (The importance of peace) and another one on HIV/AIDS.

We performed at the zonal and when the results were out some of the children were to proceed to the district level. Our school which was a little known became famous and by now it could be known in the whole province.

Thank God I was able to make it to the provincial level at Kericho with my sister Fridah. We came back to school and polished where necessary. The public speaking topic that I managed to present in Kericho was the one on HIV/AIDS.

We traveled to Kericho and met many schools with children in different uniforms. When it was my time to go to the stage to perform, I stood in front of the adjudicators and I was really shivering but before my presentation, I prayed twice to God to give me the courage to do well. I tried my best and when the results were out, I was position 10 overall.

I thank God for that and for the far he had brought me. I never gave up and I hope next year I am going to proceed further to the national level. I know that it was just a trial as it was my first time and I took the first positions in the zonal and district level.

I am expecting even better results next year!

This week at Ilula Children's Home

~ by Caroline Kiptoo | Administrative Assistant
Ilula Children's Home

We thank God for his love, care, provision and protection upon our lives in Ilula Children's Home. Everyone is doing well and all the children are healthy. No one has been sick this week and we praise God!

It has been a busy week for the children as they are revising for the end of term II exams starting next week. The older children have also been helping a lot with laundry in the evening after school because our washing machine is broken. They have known how to wash their clothes and are willing to help the assistant parents do the washing. The younger children help with chores like washing their rooms, corridors, brushing their school shoes and picking their clothes from the clothes line.

The nursery school kids had an exciting week as they received games kits from school on Wednesday. They were very happy and they want to wear them all the time. Brian, Kelvin, Edison, Ruth, Caleb and Carole made sure that they passed by the office to show me their new games kits. They are so excited! We have 8 children celebrating their birthdays this month. They were happy to have a joint party and to celebrate with the NewSong team while in Ilula. Diana Jelimo who is being sponsored by Dan Perrine was among those celebrating their birthdays. She was very happy to celebrate in the company of her sponsor.

Our children are very concerned about their education and their future lives. They would like to be doctors, teachers, pilots, engineers, surgeons, artists etc. They are working hard in school and get encouraged by seeing other people who have made it in life. For example, this week Virginia Rono (Laban Rono's daughter) graduated from Jomo Kenyatta University in Nairobi. Our children were happy, encouraged and challenged to work harder when they saw Virginia arrive home in her graduation gown. They hugged her and congratulated her for the good work. Some of them even tried to fit in Virginia's gown. Many children were heard afterwards saying, "I want to work hard so that one day I can wear a gown like Virginia's".

Chepsat's and Rono's children can't wait to move in to their new gazebos. They are so excited and makes sure that they visit their new gazebo's 3 or 4 times a day. They do so especially at lunch time from school to see the progress of the gazebos and whether there is any new thing which was not there in the morning. Every family shall be able to have their own gazebo where they will be taking their meals, devotions and family time together. The kids are very curious to know when they will move to the gazebos.

The Ilula children enjoy sports/games very much. They like playing volleyball, basketball and soccer. They normally play after finishing their duties every evening and during the weekends. They say they want to retain their trophies they won last year in Kipkaren Children's Home during this year's competition. Dancers continue every evening with their practice. They normally present at church on Sunday's and during other function.

The western wing children harvested their carrots and black night shade this week. They sold them so that they can buy seedlings to plant other crops. It is a rainy season now and the children are preparing their small farm beds for planting. They get encouraged and motivated when they harvest the crops they planted themselves. The eastern wing continues to take care of their rabbits and hens. They feed them 3 times a day and have a duty roster to ensure they are attended to everyday.

The children enjoy spending time with the intern Alwin. They like playing with him, working with him and hearing stories from him. One child said, "I like our new intern, he is very strong and above all loves Jesus and he teaches us the word of God everyday".

Two of our children Hillary and Fridah represented Samro School in the Kenya Music Festivals. They went to Kericho (provincial) for 3 days. Hillary was presenting public speaking while Fridah was doing a solo verse poem. Although they did not make to the National level, they are encouraged that it was a good trial despite being their first time. All the children are determined to get to the Nationals next year.

It has actually been a successful week in Ilula. Praise the Lord!

Moving Forward

by Ilula Children's Home Director Laban Rono

At llula Children's Home, we have been kept by God who has been our security and refuge. We have been praying and have been prayed for by a lot of people in Kenya and outside Kenya. We thank God for the safety that He provided to all of our children and the compound. It was a blessing also to see the District Commissioner come to our aid when he gave us four police officers to take care of the home during the day and night times.

Children were asking questions about their siblings and relatives during the troubled days. The home parents have done a lot of counseling and guidance to assure them of peace coming back in the country and the safety the government is providing to the people of Kenya.

One of the children who was helped a great deal was Hellen (12). Hellen was so relieved when her two sisters reached the orphanage after traveling from their aunt’s home over 30 miles away. They had come to enquire as to how Hellen was doing and if she was safe.

Hellen (on left) with Brenda and Scophia

Hellen was only nine when she arrived in 2004 with her only brother Edison. He was three. Hellen had Tuberculosis (TB), which she contracted from her dying mother. We thank God that it was the type of the TB was not contagious. Hellen could not play, run, do manual work or even wash her own clothes. Her health was bad and she seemed sad quite often.

On completing treatment, Hellen improved and she became happy and social. She joined grade 2 that time with a performance ranging between 50 to 60% mean grade. She has since then improved from being among the last five in exams to among the top five.

During the end year exams in grade 4 in November 2007, Hellen was ranked 6th position out of class attendance of 32. She managed to score total marks of 414 out of the possible total of 500! Her former negative attitude towards education has changed and is now very positive and hard working.

When children are doing Bible devotions in their family or in Sunday school, Hellen takes the role of leading and even teaching the other children by helping the adults. She can read and speak English and Kiswahili fluently, something she could not do when she arrived at the home. Hellen can now run, jump and do all sorts of chores happily. She is good in basketball and soccer.

Of recent, she has composed two songs and learns four memory verses from the Bible every month. She gets some mild chest pains during some cold weather and she is advised to wear heavy clothing that time. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up and upon completion of her schooling. She appreciates all the care and help she gets from the orphanage. She says she thanks and prays for her sponsors’ every day.

Become a child sponsor

Would you like to be a part of changing a child's life by sponsoring one of the ELI orphans in Kenya? There are several children in Ilula and Kipkaren who need partial or full sponsorship.

Contact Diana Hom to find out about current needs at any of our children's homes.

How you can help

Please check out the ELI blog for how you can help during this time. There is great need for additional support due to prices having skyrocketed as a result of the unrest, as well as ELI having provided assistance to internally displaced peoples.

Update from Laban at Ilula

Things have gone bad ever since the outcome of the elections. There is tension all over. Houses
were burned even as close as 600 meters from the children's home. Gunshots from the security forces were heard trying to stop mobs that were causing all that was going on.

We have been trusting in God though the situation has caused fear and anxiety among the children as well as adults. There have been up to 200 people taking refuge at the children's
home. We have no security as the government cannot provide now. They concentrate mostly
on those in makeshift camps for those displace and urban centers to take care of property
from damaging and looting.

Thank you for your prayers!

Don Rogers and his family were here that time and they managed to get some organised flight to Nairobi. They are safe, planning to fly back to US on the 11th. They were able to purchase some food for Ilula and Kipkaren in Nairobi and sent it by plane to Eldoret. We received the food on the 5th with Kipkaren staff who drove through numerous mob roadblocks to Ilula.

Shops and banks have not opened yet. Schools and colleges have been pushed to reopen on the
14th& 15th Jan.

The Red Cross was here yesterday promising to bring food today for the displaced people
and include the children. We hope they will do something though we are told the organization is really stretched with the magnitude of the problem.

We will keep you updated of our situation. Keep praying for us for God's protection on us.

It's a miracle that no child nor adult became sick at all from the start of the unrest. [We would not have been able to get anyone to the hospitals.] Also, hospitals are busy with the wounded and medicine is scarce now.

The grace of the Lord has been sufficient for us. We had wonderful prayers and encouragement with staff yesterday and the Lord moved mightily to give us more courage and strength to go on trusting and believing in GOD'S MERCIES AND DELIVERANCE for his children people and our nation KENYA.

Please keep praying.

Everyone here greet you and appreciate your concern. Things are cooling down at least a bit.

News from Laban at Ilula

This is an excerpt from an e-mail from Laban. Please check out the ELI blog for more news from Don and Amy.

God has been with us keeping us safe from the insecurity around. Your prayers are the source of our courage and faith in God who will bring the calm and peace we so need in our country.

Violance is reducing in many parts of the country with so many people displaced. There is need
for humanitarian aid and resettlement. Our major prayer request is for our leaders in government and opposition to agree and communities to go back to normal life as before.

Shops and business are still at standstill. Food is scarcely available. The children, parents and my children are all here. We have been hoting upto 200 children and women from the community since the unrest, but most of them have gone back to their houses or to the makeshift camps.

We have faith God will bring all these to an end soon.

Jesus the saviour answers prayers.

God bless you all.

Laban