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.