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.