Friends of Kenya

Athi Church Dedicatiion

2012-01-04T13:19:00.000-08:00

We recently completed our newest church building that is a part of our overall Kenya Evangelical Mission group of churches. The name of the church is Athi and here are a few pictures from the dedication service.

Choir Competition and Miscellaneous

2011-09-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

AMOS STUDIES AT THE COLLEGE AND IS LEARNING TO BE A PASTOR

PASTOR SIMON AND PASTOR SAMMY. UAEM BOOK KEEPERS

Bethel Children's Choir

These are pictures of the choir comepetion in Kenya and a few miscellaneous photos

Athi Church Contruction Continues

2011-09-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

We are very excited to see the construction of our Athi Church coming together! We Praise the Lord!

Athi Church Construction is Underway

2011-05-22T08:48:00.000-07:00

These are pictures of our latest church building for our Athi congregation. The funds for this construction project came from two generous donors from the United States. On behalf of our Mission and our Kenya family -we say thank you and God Bless!!!

Sewing Center Contruction is Underway

2011-05-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

These are pictures from our new Garments of Praise Sewing Center - Praise the Lord!!!!

Miscellaneous Photo's of Kenya Life

2011-05-22T08:31:00.000-07:00

Youth Outing

Basket making at its finest

Our oldest surviving member of the ministry

This Hoyt looking very scholarly

Collecting the days water

Gathering firewood

These are just a few pictures of life as it is in Kenya and what is happening around the ministry of Kenya Evangelical Mission. For more information of the Mission please visit our web site:

http://www.kenyaevangelicalmission.com

Recent Bible College Graduation

2011-01-30T13:21:00.000-08:00

These are a couple of pictures of our Bible College graduates at Evangelical Bible College in Kenya

The ministry continues..............

2010-09-23T22:18:00.000-07:00

Young Pastor wearing one of Pastor Sherman Williams suits

Some of our mechanic school students

A typical house in Kenya

Our mission field -Ethiopian refugees near Nairobi

Our newest church in Kitwii - #26

Our orphans making play dough with their new parents

Lunch with friends

Hoyt and some of the young ones from Victory Church - the one on Hoyt's lap is Shadrach's son

Three of Hoyt and Lois Osborne's sons - Fitz, Shadrach and Oscar

More of Our Kenya Family

2010-05-23T21:22:00.001-07:00

The are miscellaneous photo's of some of our Kenya family compliments of the Gravino's.....wow has the ministry grown!

God's Wonderful Creation

2010-05-23T20:55:00.001-07:00

These are some more of David and Sue Gravino's photos of the animal life of Kenya.

The Gravino's Keep on Going and Giving!

2010-05-23T20:12:00.000-07:00

Dave and Sue Gravino

We are happy to introduce David and Sue Gravino who returned to Kenya in January of 2010 for a seven-month term with two high school girls in tow. The girls stayed three weeks and worked mainly with the Grace Children’s Homes. David and Sue have been teaching two courses each term (David teaches Bible courses, Sue English and Public Speaking) at the Evangelical Bible College. On Sundays, David preaches at various churches. In addition classes at the Bible college, Sue also teaches an ESL (English as a second language) class twice a week for other adults. The Gravino's are personal friends of the Osborne's and are regular supporters of KEM as well as represent the Mission on the East Coast of the US when they are not in Kenya. These are their photo's that we figured everyone would like to see....enjoy!

Lois Letters 3

2010-05-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

GREETINGS TO ALL,

JUST THOUGHT I’D GET A NOTE OUT TO EVERYONE TO TELL WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING HERE. ILOWEE OWENS CAME LAST WEEK FOR A 12 DAY VISIT TO SET UP AN APARTMENT FOR SOME ETHIOPIAN REFUGEES (LADIES) WHO WILL BE COMING TO THE SEWING SCHOOL. WE ALSO HAVE A NEW ETHIOPIAN PASTOR AT THE BIBLE COLLEGE. PRAY FOR ALL CONCERNED AS THEY DO NOT KNOW ENGLISH OR ANY OF THE LOCAL LANGUAGES VERY WELL.

ALL THE SCHOOLS OPENED FOR SECOND TERM THIS WEEK. WE HAVE 8 IN THE BIBLE COLLEGE, 25 IN THE COMPUTOR SCHOOL, AND 7 SO FAR IN THE SEWING SCHOOL, NOT COUNTING SEVERAL OF THE REFUGEES WHO WILL START IN A FEW DAYS.

ALL THE NEW GCH KIDS AND PARENTS ARE DOING WELL. IT WAS A BIG JOB GETTING 25 KIDS READY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

WE ARE DOING WELL ON THE COURT CASES FOR THE GCH (Grace Children’s Home) KIDS. WE HAVE ANOTHER MEETING WITH THE CHILDREN’S OFFICER THIS AFTERNOON. WE HAVE WORKED HARD ON PREPARING 3 COPIES OF FILES FOR EACH CHILD.

WE WERE VERY EXCITED TO BAPTIZE 9 NEW BELIEVERS FROM TALA IN THE LOCAL DAM ON SUNDAY, AND THAT OUR COLLEGE/PASTOR EVANGELISM TEAM LED 20 PEOPLE TO THE LORD WHILE DOING DOOR TO DOOR EVANGELISM DURING THE SCHOOL BREAK. PRAY FOR THEIR GROWTH AND THAT THEY WILL GET INVOLVED WITH THEIR LOCAL CHURCHES.

ONE OF OUR PASTOR’S WIVES WENT WITH SOME OTHER WOMEN TO THE NORTHERN BOARDER OF KENYA WHERE THEY HELD WOMEN’S MEETING AND WERE ABLE TO CONVINCE A NUMBER OF WOMEN NOT TO SEND THEIR DAUGHTERS FOR FEMALE CIRCUMCISION. (A BIG PROBLEM IN THE AREA)

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS AS WE ARE STILL TOTALLY WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION, MAKING MINISTRY DIFFICULT.

WE WERE VERY SAD TO LEARN THAT SUNDAY NIGHT ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF CALVARY CHURCH HUNG HIMSELF AFTER SOME DOMESTIC PROBLEMS. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FAMILY AND THE CHURCH.

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT.

LOVE, HOYT AND LOIS

Some of our Kangundo Church and College Family

2010-04-03T17:23:00.000-07:00

St. Mark's Evangelical Church with some of the members. The church has about30 members.

St. Mark's Church and some members. Pastor James Mulei in purple suit

Victory Evangelical Church choir. Soon it will be releasing its third album

Rev. Titus Kitolo of Victory Evangelical Church preaching in one of the services.

Victory Evangelical Church during Sunday Service. Shadrack Mutisya in the middle. The church has 200 members and above. It is situated in Katwanyaa location-Kangundo

VICTORY EVANGELICAL CHURCH- KANGUNDO

Ebenezer Evangelical Church with Rev. Samuel Uswii third row right. The church consists of about 150 members

This is Rev. Makosi of Calvary Evangelical Church which has hundred members and above.

Pastor Alphonse Senga of Calvary Evangelical Church preaching during a Church service

Church service in Bethel Evangelical church-Kangundo

This is Bethel Church Building in Kangundo. The Church has more than 150 regular members. It is situated Matetani Location in Kangundo.

Pastor James Mulei giving a helping hand in the tree planting

Planting trees at the new St. Mark's Church Plot. Thanks to Betty and her husband for their generous contribution toward the purchasing of the plot

Our new tractor driver Douglas Kioko(front) and his turnboy Alphonse Mutie(back).The driver was saved during the interview for his new job and he confessed to us that he had problem with drinking. He is now doing fine and since then he has never gone back into drinking. Pray for this new baby in the faith.

The harvest is plenty but the workers are few. May you pray to God of the harvest to send workers in his fields. Lots of love from Fitz

Mechanic students helping in making of Chapati for their closing day party

Games time at the College

These are a few postings of our Kenya Church and College family in the Kangundo area

Motorcycle Diaries Part 1

2010-04-03T17:13:00.000-07:00

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?....Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that (even) one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12, 14

This week has been one of visiting prospective children and we have travelled far and wide to see them. The rains have pretty much made distance travel on the dirt roads impossible in the van – so we have a new mode of transportation – motorcycle taxis! I often use them in Thailand and Vietnam – but this has been my first experience here in Kenya. And it is definitely the best way to experience this land and people!

The first trip was to a village only about 25 minutes away – we hopped on the bikes and everyone in Kangundo laughed to see the muzungu (white) woman on a motorcycle. We passed a school with several hundred children in the yard – and every single child screamed and laughed and ran to the fence to see such a sight! God certainly has a sense of humor – sending someone like me who hates to be the center of attention to a place like Kenya! Imagine! We arrived at our destination to meet a 4 year old boy whose mother died from AIDS 3 days after his birth. He sat with his wide eyes staring into mine the whole time we were there. It was enough to break my heart into pieces. As we mounted the bikes to leave, the rain started – just a little at first.... My driver asked me if I was afraid of the rain and was so surprised when I told him no. (what do people here think about foreigners?!?) In moments it started pouring and we were soaked to the skin so we stopped and ducked into a tiny little village tea shop. It was crowded with old men sitting and chatting, but we squeezed into the room and sat with them. Daniel began talking to the men in Kikamba about our work. I remember having a very strong sense that we were there for a purpose – and in time that became apparent. One of the men was a schoolteacher and another a pastor – and they were eager to work with us to find the neediest of the needy children in their area. And just imagine, when the conversation died down, the rain stopped!

On the way back the driver even offered to let me drive the bike! (I declined...) As people kept waving at him and laughing to see him driving with me on the back I told him “You are going to be famous after this” and he said, “Yes, I LOOOOVE it!!” It seems I was not the only one with stories to tell that day....Too funny!

The next day we had a looong drive ahead of us – we left at 9 and returned at 4. We were headed to meet children near one of the more remote churches. It was a sunny day and we set out on the dusty road in good spirits. It is exhilarating to ride on the motorcycle – you experience the scenery and the people in a whole different way. But some of the magic started to wear off when we started on the bumpy part of the road. The driver seemed determined to be first in the group and would just plow straight over the potholes to get ahead. This does not make for a very comfortable ride (to say the least). It became a not-so-subtle form of spinal compression! We drove thru mud and small lakes and then had to walk a half an hour through swampy land to find a 12 year old girl and a 6 year old boy whose mother had just died and left 6 kids behind. They lived in the flatlands – a big difference from the endless hills of the Kangundo area. After finishing their interview we were off again – after a half an hour we arrived at the base of Mount Kilomonbogo. We left our drivers behind and began the long trek to a small 6 year old’s home where he lived with his almost-blind grandfather. He was born in Nairobi and his grandfather didn’t even know he existed until his daughter died from AIDS. We met the boy at his school – he had no shoes and his uniform was tattered and torn. At the school we also met another 6 year old boy and 8 year old girl whose mother and father both died of AIDS. Each one was just as ragged and pitiful as the rest.
The school was incredible – as soon as I walked into the schoolyard all the kids came running. Just when I was in danger of being totally mobbed two older boys with switches came and made them back away (and hit them with the stick if they didn’t move fast enough – these were clearly the playground enforcers!) As I walked they followed me – but if I stopped and turned around they stopped too. It was soooo funny – kind of like in the cartoons. Their faces were bright and curious – I wished so much that I could talk to them. I found that they didn’t understand a word of Nepali.... (my first impulse is always to speak Nepali to foreign children) But children everywhere understand smiles – and they love having their pictures taken. Of course there is always the one who has to trample all the rest of the children to make sure he is in every single picture. Some things don’t change no matter which country you are in! It was fun to spend time at the school with them – but I cringed hearing all the coughing and sicknesses and skin diseases that were probably going unnoticed. I was saddened by eye infections and crossed eyes and disabilities that ought not to go without treatment. But this is rural Africa – not even one child was wearing shoes!

After visiting with one more family and hearing one more extremely sad story, we got on the bikes to head home. I was enjoying everything around me as we cut thru the countryside – the bluest of skies filled with giant fluffy white clouds. The lush green plants in contrast to the red Kenyan dirt. Brightly colored birds and flowers of all colors. It was stunning. But as I pondered the other things we had seen that day – the suffering, the bereaved, the sick, and the abjectly poor, the sadness of it all overcame me. Tears streaked across my face as I wondered how we were going to help all of these children. Every one we have seen so far needs to be rescued – but we can only do it one life at a time. The weight of the choosing feels like more than I can bear sometimes and thinking how to tell someone who has been given a shred of hope that you cannot do anything for them at this time after all seems to be the cruelest of acts.

We had been on a 6 hour bouncy motorcycle trip (by the end of the day I was sure I was at least one inch shorter) gone thru drenching rain, gotten stuck in the mud, trekked thru a swamp and climbed up and down the base of a mountain to find these children. It made me think of the story of the lost sheep and the great lengths that God goes to bring one of his little ones home. May God give us wisdom to know which of His sheep He has sent us out after and grace to comfort those we cannot help.

May you have a blessed Easter Resurrection Sunday as we celebrate the new life we have in Christ because HE LIVES!! But don’t just celebrate the Good News this Easter – share it with someone who doesn’t know it – there are lost sheep around you too today.

ready to hit the road again,

diane

Lois Letters #2

2010-04-03T17:09:00.000-07:00

GREETINGS TO ALL,

FOR THOSE OF YOU FRIENDS WHO HAVE VISITED IN KENYA, WE HAVE ANOTHER VERY SAD NEWS. MAGGIE, OUR BELOVED KITCHEN WORKER FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS, HAS LOST HER HUSBAND. WEDNESDAY NIGHT IT POURED ALL NIGHT AND EVEN THE JUCTION OF OUR STREET WAS LIKE A RIVER. WAMBUA DID NOT RETURN HOME WED. NIGHT, BUT SHE CAME TO WORK THURS. MORNING THINKING HE WOULD APPEAR THAT DAY. BUT WHEN HE DID NOT APPEAR THE SECOND DAY, SHE CAME CRYING AND SAYING SHE HAD TO LOOK FOR HIM. THEY BEGAN LOOKING FOR HIM AND HE WAS FOUND THIS MORNING IN THE RIVER NEAR THE POLICE STATION. WAMBUA HAD BEEN SAVED AT BETHEL EVANGELICAL CHURCH SO JUST ANOTHER REASON WHY WE ARE SO HAPPY GOD CALLED US TO KENYA.

PLEASE PRAY FOR MAGGIE AND HER 2 CHILDREN, TITUS IN 8TH GRADE, AND LITTLE LOIS WHO IS ONLY THREE. SHE HAS ALREADY BEEN ASKING, “Mom, where is our dad?”

I, LOIS, MADE A HUGE MISTAKE BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT HOYT WAS TO GO OFF SOME OF HIS OLD MEDICINE WHEN HE STARTED A SECOND NEW ONE. AFTER HIS RAPID DECLINE AND A VISIT BACK TO THE DR. WE LEARNED THAT TAKING HIM OFF THE OTHER MEDICINE COULD HAVE CAUSED HIM TO GO INTO SHOCK, ETC, SO PRAISE GOD WE DID NOT HAVE ANOTHER TRADEGY. NOW HE IS BACK ON ALL MEDS AS HE WAS SUPPOSE TO BE AND AGAIN MAKING SOME PROGRESS, GOD IS SO GOOD.

WE ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS (WITH DIANE) ON APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOSTER PROGRAM, BUT ARE IN SERIOUS NEED OF MORE FOSTER HOMES. I BELIEVE THEY ARE THERE, BUT WE JUST NEED TO GET THE WORD OUT. WE ARE VISITING A LOT OF HOMES. IT CONTINUES TO POUR, SO YESTERDAY, DIANE, TO HER DELIGHT, AND THE GUYS WENT OUT ON MOTOR BIKES TO MAKE HOME VISITS. SHE ENJOYED THE RIDE REGARDLESS OF A SHORT DRENCHING, BUT I WAS GLAD THAT I HAD STAYED AT HOME.

GRAVINOS ARE OUT ON BREAK FROM COLLEGE TEACHING. BUT DON’T KNOW IF WE CAN REALLY CALL IT A BREAK. THEY HAVE BEEN HELPING IN THE KITCHEN AND ARE BOTH SCHEDULED FOR BIBLE STUDIES, ESL CLASSES, AND TUTORING AND WORK WITH THE GRACE HOME KIDS. THREE GCH KIDS WILL BE BAPTISED ON EASTER SUNDAY. THEY ARE REALLY GROWING IN THE LORD. ONE OF THE MOTHERS WAS SICK ONE NIGHT LAST WEEK SO MESEMBI PRAYED EARNESTLY THAT NIGHT THAT GOD WOULD HEAL HER. IN THE MORNING WHEN SHE WAS WELL HE TOLD HIS MOM HOW HE WAS GOING TO SCHOOL TO TESTIFY HOW THE LORD HAD HEALED HER. A FEW WEEKS AGO WE WERE VISITING ANOTHER CHURCH AND LITTLE VICTOR STOOD IN FRONT AND SAID VERY LOUDLY, “MY NAME IS VISTOR AND I LOVE JESUS”. PEOPLE WERE TOUCHED TO HEAR A SMALL BOY GIVE SUCH A TESTIMONY INFRONT OF THE CHURCH.

KENYA IS VERY GREEN AND LUSH WITH ALL THE RAIN. WE DO GET A FEW HOURS OF WARN SUNSHINE EVERYDAY TO DRY THE LAUNDRY.

WEDNESDAY MORNING PASTOR CHRIS LAID IN BED NOT WANTING TO GET UP AND GO DO CHAPEL AT THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL. HE ALMOST CALLED THE PRINCIPAL TO SAY THAT HE COULD NOT MAKE IT, BUT THE LORD REMINDED HIM THAT HE HAD CALLED HIM TO PREACH SO HE SHOULD GET UP AND FUFILL HIS CALLING. HE GOT UP AND WENT TO PREACH TO THE KIDS, AND 2 HIGH SCHOOL BOYS WERE SAVED. PLEASE PRAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AS PASTOR CHRIS CONTINUES TO MENTOR THEM. JUST A FEW YEARS AGO PASTOR CHRIS WAS A DRUNKARD. THANKS TO YOUR PRAYERS AN GIVING HE WAS SAVED, WENT THROUGH OUR BIBLE COLLEGE AND IS NOW LEADING OTHERS TO THE LORD.

KEEP PRAYING, KEEP GIVING, KEEP SERVING, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. WE WILL REAP IF WE FAINT NOT.

LOVE,
HOLO

Sewing Center - "Garments of Praise"

2010-03-07T16:39:00.000-08:00

Garments of Praise Tailoring institute

Mama Kanini trying up the new machines

Garments of Praise Tailoring Institute students working on the New Singer Machines. The school is the latest addition to the College and admission for more is in progress

Garments of Praise students with their instructor Veronica Mutinda

Veronica - Our Instructor

Students

These are a few pictures of our new Sewing Institute and this is a part of the new UAEM (United African Evangelical Ministries) Garments of Praise. We are so thankful first to the Lord and also for the vision of Ilowee Own and others who have worked hard to make this part of our ministry a reality.

Meet Some More of our Pastors and Churches

2010-03-07T08:08:00.000-08:00

Deacon Nyamweya and family - Kisii

Pastor Joseph Nzuki and family - Trinity Evangelical Church, Kisii

Trinity Evangelical Church - Kisii

Pastor Mose Onchiri and family - St. Osbornes Evangelical Church, Kisii

St. Osbornes Evangelical Church - Kisii

Pastor Boniface and family - Field Director and Pastor of Nyabitunwa Evangelical Church

Nyabitunwa Evangelical Church - Kisii

Pastor Timothy Muye and his wife - London Evangelical Church, Kisii

London Evangelical Church - Kisii

Some of our Churches and Pastors

2010-03-06T20:39:00.000-08:00

Pastor Titus Simiyu and his wife Violet and daughter hope - Field Director for the Bungoma Fellowship and Pastor of Chebosi Evangelical Church

Pastor Joseph Kwatemba and his wife Violet - Tembelela Evangelical Church, Bungoma

Moses and Bilhah Wimalwa - Tembelela Evangelical Church, Bungoma

Tembelela Evangelical Church - Bungoma

Mechimeru Evangelical Church - Bungoma

Pastor Chisanthus and his wife Catherine - Mabanga Evangelical Church, Bungoma

Mabanga Evangelical Church - Bungoma

Pastor Victor Khaemba and his wife Celestine - Makotelo Evangelical Church, Bungoma

Pastor Martin Juma and wife Katherine - Makotelo Evangelical Church, Bungoma

Makotelo Evangelical Church - Bungoma

Pastor Haron and Peninah Wamutete - Mechimeru Evangelical Church, Bungoma

Pastor Gelus and Family - Mechimeru Evangelical Church, Bungoma

Pastor Emanuel and his wife - Kasosi Evangelical Church, Bungoma

Pastor David Wamalwa, his wife Jemimah and Family - Kasosi Evangelical Church Bungoma

Kasosi Evangelical Church

Pastor Benson Barasa and his wife Gladys - Chebosi Evangelical Church, Bugoma

Chebosi Evangelical Church

A Day in the Life of a Kenyan Student

2010-03-06T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone-

Yesterday I was waiting for the rest of my afternoon ESL class and began a conversation with Jane, one of the Grace Children's Home parents. There are five boys of Primary School age living with her and Daniel, so I figured she knew about the educational system in Kenya. She told me what the boys needed to enter school the first time, and their daily schedules. I thought I would send along this information to their US counterparts.

Jane has boys in Standard (grades) 2, 4, 6, and 7. By the way, Primary School goes through Standard 8, then the students go on to high school for Forms 1, 2, 3, and 4. At the end of Standard 8 and Form 4, they take national exams in each of their subjects. Their ranking on these exams determine their next school and type of study.

Anyway, back to Jane and Daniels' boys. When they were taken to their new school after joining Grace Home, they not only needed their past report cards, but each also had to bring a desk (really!) and a bag of cement for a school building project, plus other fees like PTF fees etc. They had to have full uniforms from shoes to socks, shirt, short pants and pullover sweaters. (Girls wear uniform dresses and pullovers, shoes and socks.) Every school has its own color scheme. If they come to school missing any one part, they are chased home until they get the right outfit. By the way, all primary school children, BOTH boys and girls can have hair no longer than 1/2 inch (basically shaved off), but In high school they can grow out their hair again in most schools.

Now for the daily schedules: The boys wake at 4:30 am so that they can bathe (only one bathroom in the house; no shower, just a pan of water to dump over the head. They eat breakfast of chai (tea with milk and sugar) and bread with jam and margarine. They also have prayers before school, then they walk about twenty- five minutes to school and must be there by 6:30, when it is just getting light..

During the morning there is a twenty minute break. If parents pay extra, the children can receive porridge during that break. That is expensive and the Grace kids get breakfast so they no longer get porridge. Lunch is at pm for about a half hour. Parents provide the ingredients and the school cooks the food- githeri- every day. Each student must bring four kilograms (x 2.2 for the pound equivalent) of green maize (white corn) and 2 kilograms of beans per month plus cooking oil and water to cook it in, plus pay a fee for cooking. They have to carry about two liters of water each day which is for cooking, drinking and cleaning the classrooms. Occasionally they also are directed to bring a big piece of wood for the fire to cook the food. So much for Little Caesar's or Chik-fil-A! No snacks are allowed. There is a huge mango tree in the schoolyard, but the students are strictly forbidden even to touch a mango even if it falls from the tree. Those fruits are for the head teacher.

School for Standard 1-6 goes from 6:30-4 pm. If there are games after school, they leave at 5 or 5:30. For Standard 7, they go from 6:30-8 or 8:30 pm every day and a half day on Saturday. The evening classes (with no food until they get home) are considered tutorials or preps. Of course, that is extra money, but is strongly encouraged. For the one who stays until 8, Daniel has to walk up to the school to walk him home. Dark is dark here (it gets dark by 7 pm) and unsavory characters can easily hide in the darkness. So Daniel takes his flashlight (torch to walk Chris home.

So, Americans, are you ready to join your Kenyan counterparts in school? I forgot to mention that the bathrooms in the school are holes in the ground in stalls outside in what Americans would call a string of outhouses, but without seats.. And I also would mention that there might be electricity in school (ask Mackenzie and Keri about that), but it goes off often and erratically. Last night it poured here again most of the night with thunder and lightning, and the stima has yet to return (it is 8 pm now), and we are operating on generator power for now. Classes have about 40-50 kids per class with one teacher per class.

I hope this has been interesting reading for you. The Kenyan kids work very hard in school. See that you readers do likewise and feel appreciative of whatever school you are in .Bye for now-

Blessings - Sue Gravino

In Memory of Ziggy

2009-12-30T05:37:00.001-08:00

I am very sad to report that one of our Kenya brothers, David Musyoki (Ziggy) was recently killed in Nairobi. Please pray for our Kenya family as their hearts are heavy. David was involved in the ministry of Kenya Evangelical Mission and United African Evangelical Ministries.

Keep on Truckin for the Lord!

2009-12-17T09:49:00.000-08:00

MANY ARE STILL GETTING SAVED.

THIS YEAR HAS REALLY BEEN A STRUGGLE, BUT THE PEOPLE GETTING SAVED ARE REALLY WORTH IT. AS YOU KNOW, ROTARY BOUGHT US A NEW 9 TON TRUCK LAST YEAR. WELL THE GUYS NOW CALL IT A MOVING CHURCH. UP AND DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEREVER THEY STOP THEY JUST START WITNESSING TO PEOPLE AND MANY HAVE BEEN SAVED.

TWO WEEKS AGO THERE WAS A TEACHERS MEETING IN NAIROBI AND ONE OF OUR PASTORS WAS INVITED TO PREACH. AFTER THE MESSAGE 2 TEACHERS RECEIVED THE LORD AS THEIR PERSONAL SAVIOR.

OUR PASTORS FROM KISII WERE HERE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, AND ONE PASTOR TOLD THIS STORY. HE HAD GONE TO A SHOP TO BUY SOMETHING AND MET A MAN 79 YEARS OLD SITTING IN FRONT OF THE SHOP. HE ASKED HIM WHERE HE WENT TO CHURCH AND HE THOUGHT A MINUTE AND SAID THAT HE HAD GONE TO CHURCH ONCE WHEN HE WAS 12 YEARS OLD. HE HAD NEVER BEEN BACK. OUR PASTOR TOLD HIM ABOUT JESUS AND HOW TO BE SAVED AND INVITED HIM TO CHURCH. THAT SUNDAY HE CAME TO CHURCH, GOT SAVED, AND SINCE MARCH HE HAS NEVER MISSED A SUNDAY.

HOYT CONTINUES TO MAKE SLOW PROGRESS. THIS WEEK HE WALKED FROM THE BEDROOM TO HIS ROCKING CHAIR IN OUR HOME OFFICE, HE HAS ALSO WALKED FROM THE BEDROOM TO THE LIVING ROOM ALL ON HIS OWN. WHEN HE FIRST CAME OUT OF SURGERY HIS LEFT LEG WAS MOSTLY PARALYZED SO THIS IS BIG PROGRESS.

WE THANKS GOD THAT THE MONEY TO BUY A PLOT FOR THE TALA CHURCH HAS BEEN PROMISED. WE ARE SO EXCITED. PLEASE PRAY WITH US FOR THE FOLLOWING URGENT NEEDS.

MORE MONTHLY SUPPORT. WE ARE AT ABOUT 75% AND REALLY STRUGGLING. DEC. AND JAN ARE REALLY LOW MONTHS AND HARD TO PAY BILLS.

FOUR PASTORS HAVE CHILDREN READY TO GO TO HIGH SCHOOL AND NEED SPONSORS AT $100. A MONTH. SOME OF OUR PASTORS ONLY GET A SALARY OF $40 A MONTH AND THESE LOVELY KIDS WILL NOT GO TO SCHOOL WITH OUT SPONSORS.

HOYT DESPERATELY NEEDS A CAR. WE SOLD OUR OLD BEATER AND USED THE MONEY TO REPAIR THE VAN SO THAT WE CAN AT LEAST GET AROUND, WE HOPE. BUT, ONE VEHICLES FOR ALL OUR MINISTRIES IS REALLY A PROBLEM.

PRAISING GOD FOR ALL OF YOU,

HOYT , LOIS, AND KENYA TEAM

Compassion and Love - It's What We Should Be About!

2009-11-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

“Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion on them....” – Matthew 9:36

When Jesus saw the crowds, He really saw them. He didn’t just see a mass of individuals, He saw individuals. And He didn’t just see their outsides, He saw their inner self, their needs, their heartache and their care. And so it is today – Jesus still sees people – individuals He longs to show His amazing compassion to. I would like to introduce you to a couple of the children that we met yesterday that Jesus has seen and had compassion on.....

Esili is a 9 year old boy from the Mathari slums of Nairobi. His father died from TB 5 years ago. Then Esili and his 6 brothers and sisters watched their mother burn to death in the post-election clashes in 2007. The children spent 2 years in a refugee camp until their aunt found them and took them to live with her, her husband, and her 6 children in this slum. There is never enough food and Esili often falls asleep in class from hunger and weakness.

Moses is another 9 year old boy from the same slum. He was abandoned by his mother when she married (tribal custom) and has moved between 2 aunts over the past 5 years. Moses is introverted, solemn and carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. I honestly have never seen a more sad looking child. Moses has had some kind of fungal (?) rash all over his face and his lips for 4 months. They are quite swollen, but he has not seen a doctor since there is no money to see one. His teacher reports that he also frequently falls asleep from lack of food. Thanks to the world food program each of the boys receive one meal a day at school – but many days that is all they get. His single aunt struggles to keep Moses and her 4 children alive on her $40 per month income.

Next Thursday we will take these two boys to the hospital for a checkup and HIV testing – and if they test negative we will be bringing them home after their exams finish at the end of the month. We are so excited that Jesus saw them and had compassion. We are thankful that He is allowing us to be His hands of love in their lives.

That is how God works – one life at a time. He sees them, He rescues them and draws them to Himself one by one. And that is how we in Grace Children’s Home ministries works too – helping children – with God’s help, transforming lives – one at a time. I truly believe that everyone can help someone. Just imagine how many lives could be changed if we all did something to change the life of another person! I believe that this world would be a very different place....

Thank you so much for joining us through your prayers – they are the power behind all that is happening here. keep it up!

seeking to see,

Diane

A Dedication to the Lord

2009-11-03T17:40:00.000-08:00

“For (these children we) prayed and the Lord has granted (our) petition. So we have also dedicated (them) to the Lord as long as (they) live (they are) dedicated to the Lord.”

1 Samuel 1:27-28

It was the same rutted road that we traveled to church that we have travelled before – but instead of bouncing along the dusty red dirt track, today we slipped and slid in red mud! The rains continue and the Kangundo area has become a lush paradise of sprouting crops - and of course everyone is rejoicing at the goodness of God! Food is on the way!

The rain didn’t hamper the worshippers on this special Sunday... they piled into the church and sang their praises to God in their truly unique African way, and when the rain on the tin roof became deafening, they just turned up their little sound system and carried on and it was good to be there with them. The day’s focus was a child dedication – or more specific to us – the public dedication of our grace children’s home children.

I was marveling at God’s grace as the children were called forward individually and the pastors laid hands and prayed for them and their parents. These are lives completely transformed by the kindness and love of their heavenly Father. What a privilege it is to be a small part of it!

Afterwards we all retired to the pastor’s house where we had a celebratory feast. Next came the gifts from their sponsors.... I honestly have never seen kids more thankful and excited about something new. It was fun to watch them open their sponsor letters and see the faces of their new uncles and aunty's for the first time. This was the initial step in building a close long-term relationship between our children and individuals on the other side of the world.

If you are interested in sponsoring a grace home child please email me (gracechildrenshome@gmail.com for those of you who receive this forwarded) and I will be happy to send you more information. I say this because we are going to be adding new children soon and some will be available for sponsorship. We have already met 2 of them – yesterday I met mutie (sadly his name means “one who is left” – a common name for children whose mothers die in childbirth), a year old boy badly in need of a loving home and there are more to come in the days ahead.

Please continue to pray for us. The pace since I have arrived has been so busy that there is barely time to do the necessary things each day and satan has been working overtime here – a common occurrence when God is about to do something good. The testings and trials are almost too numerous to relate here - but here are a few of our prayer requests I can share:

Lois’s health – she has been sick since I arrived a week and a half ago. God has given strength to do the necessary things each day but the load that she carries – especially as Hoyt is still recovering from his back surgery – is astonishing. I really admire her determination to press on and her sweet spirit as she does so in spite of how she feels.

For Fitz (president of the Bible college) his mother just passed away – and she was not a Christian. To make it more difficult he is away on business and will miss the funeral.

For Francis – the first Christian the Osborne's met in Kenya – who is dying of cancer. Apart from a miracle, the doctors do not give him much time.
For the various ministry challenges they are facing – in a variety of areas.

For Catherine Munyiva – one of our children who is seriously ill with typhoid, pneumonia and amoebas. She went to the doctor yesterday and today – and received drugs thru an IV - she is improving but needs our prayers. We will go back again tomorrow.
For wisdom as we continue to visit children and interview new foster families throughout this week.
For everything in God’s plans to be accomplished in my remaining time here.

Thank you for praying – our loving God hears and answers!

In awe of His mercy,

Diane

God is So Good!

2009-10-31T10:21:00.000-07:00

I received a report from our Treasurer that we received a very generous donation from one of our supporters and these additional funds will help us in paying for Hoyt's recent surgery and other expenses that have been challenging in recent days! This is such a huge answer to prayer!We continue to be amazed at all that God is doing in the ministry of Kenya Evangelical Mission.

We are just thrilled with all that God has blessed us with and we also recognize the faithfulness of His people in sharing out of their abundance so that the Gospel may be spread to all regions of the earth! Join with us in celebrating the blessings of the Lord on our friends in Kenya. We are also grateful in that the Lord has seen fit to provide some much needed rain for that region and we trust it will continue in the days ahead!

One special need and prayer request is that our Treasurer (Joan Choi) who has faithfully served the Lord in this capacity for several years, needs to spend more time with her family and she will be stepping down from her duties as treasurer for KEM. Please join all of us in thanking her for all of her efforts and also for the Lord to send someone to fill her shoes. We pray for God's richest blessings on Joan and her family and trust for His provision for someone to come along side and take over this needed position.

For the souls of Kenya,

Mike & Carol Southwick

Alive and Well in Kenya

2009-10-31T10:11:00.000-07:00

“The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.” – Isaiah 43:21

A thousand apologies for not communicating any sooner – and more apologies to those of you who didn’t receive my previous emails about returning to Kenya. I hit the ground here running and have not stopped since! (except for a few occasional hours of sleep) The week since my arrival has been blessed beyond measure and I want to take this opportunity to praise the Lord for it! The remainder of my flights went well (tho interminably long!) – I was so glad to sweep thru customs into the arms of my Kenyan brothers waiting for me with hugs! Nice to be so welcomed back “home”.

I praise God for Friday which brought all but the two oldest children (who were at school till late) skipping down the path with giant smiles on their faces! How good it was to see them again – healthy, happy and some much taller! I gladly received their loving embraces – no hug or kiss could ever be sweeter! What an awesome day! They sang and recited Scripture passages they had learned. They have even memorized almost all of the books of the Bible (in just 4 months!) I am so grateful for our parents who are doing such wonderful jobs and for the incredible progress in the children in such a short span of time!

The weekend brought Chris and Musembi (our two oldest boys) by for a visit – they are delightful! There were also hours and hours of Lois and I catching up on 4 months of events and business. Sunday was truly a day of praise - we got up early for an hour-long walk to church with the boys– it was so great to be back worshipping with these dear people! The day was perfect – blue sky, red dirt and new little green bean and maize plants sprouting up everywhere– because the rains have come after such a long time of drought! hallelujah! Please pray that they continue until the harvest – but for now there is sooo much to thank God for.

I wish there was more time for me to write – but already it is late and we are leaving at 3:45am to take the two boys’ families to the Nairobi game park for a “safari” and day of fun. I will try to get another installment sent soon to catch you up on what has been happening – There has been so much. It has all been good and we are praising the Lord together.

In the meantime please continue to pray for:

Meetings with prospective foster families

The writing of the foster program agreement and set up of structure and supervision

For the children that we will be taking in this time – we have already met one of them – can’t wait to tell you all about him! – his name is Dannis!

For us to accomplish all that God has planned for us in the short time that we have left (it will go fast!)

Thank you for your prayers – you are an absolutely vital part of all that God is doing here.... I wish you could be here to see it in person! until then, let us keep praising the One who has formed us for Himself – for He alone is worthy.

In awe of His goodness,

Diane

God Answers Prayer!

2009-10-21T13:19:00.000-07:00

“ask and it shall be given unto you....” – Matthew 7:7

Now I am not proposing that verse means you can ask for anything and God will give it – but in matters where He will be glorified by granting our requests it is definitely a promise. Well, we asked, God granted, and now I want to glorify Him for it!

As we wheeled my 4 bags to the check-in counter I was praying. I explained to the agent that the contents of the bags were for orphaned children in Kenya and asked for mercy. She hesitated, spoke to a supervisor, and returned with a big smile on her face. She waived the $400-500 in fees and ignored the fact that all of the bags were up to 4 lbs overweight! Praise the Lord! I was rejoicing and my angel was happy that she could do that for the kids. I almost cried....

Getting all my carry ons onto the plane was a greater challenge. They are guarding zealously against “overhead bin hogs” these days, but again God intervened. An old friend was working at my gate and he allowed it to all go on board with me. Hopefully no one labeled me a bin hog – but, oh well it is all for a good cause. Do you have any idea how much a bag of tootsie rolls or bubble gum weighs?? God also sent a kind man to lift my heavy bags up into the bin for me so my heart is overflowing with gratefulness!

Now only 5 more airports and 4 more flights left before my arrival in Nairobi! Can’t wait! Anyway, just wanted to check in and let you know how much I appreciate your prayers and to share how they make a difference! You make a difference. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Lovingly,

Diane

Diane Clements - Ready Set Go!

2009-10-20T18:14:00.000-07:00

"And You know the way where I am going...." - John 14:4

I'm pretty much ready to go. My bags are packed for my return to Kangundo, Kenya tomorrow morning - but for me even as it is time for expectation of what is ahead, it is also a time for retrospection and remembering what God has done on similar journeys in the past. What I have learned without question is that God knows the way I am going. I may have my ideas and expectations of what will take place in the next month, however my Father is in control and is so often full of complete surprises! But what freedom and peace there is in knowing this and being able to just let go and give Him the reins! His will be done! amen!

Bags are a matter of concern for me... I am allowed 2 - 50lb. bags - and I have 4 (not to mention my 50+ lb carry on - ugh - and an almost as heavy briefcase!). The fees to take the extras to Africa are prohibitive but United Airlines told me to take them and the person checking me in has the ability to reduce or totally waive the fees. So this is your first prayer "assignment" - pray for the luggage "angel" to check me in. Not at all hard for God - so let's ask! I have had the luggage "nazi" before (making me take my bags down to 49 lbs!) so we know which one to ask for. I could not come up with 50lbs. of things for the children that I was willing to leave behind so I just decided to step out on faith - and I am asking you to join me!

And I ask you once again to join me on my travels to Kenya, a wonderful far away land, through your prayers. I will be sending updates as frequently as I'm able to keep you informed. I know I will enjoy writing about being reunited with our beautiful children - about introducing them to their American sponsors and the giving of gifts and chocolates (of course!) - about the outings being planned. But perhaps even more joyful will be the homecoming of up to 12 new children! What an awesome God we serve! I can't wait to report it all to you...

Please keep us in your prayers for:

The check in at 5am (pacific) tomorrow (wed) and related luggage fees

The choosing and welcoming home of the new children

That we will accomplish all of the Lord's will in my time there

The administrative tasks that Lois and i have to work through

The housing/parent situation for the boys in Nepal - still no solution found - still in limbo (time is getting short tho!)

If you would like, you can also pray that I get a little sleep on my almost 2 full day journey - I honestly can sleep anywhere at all as long as I can lay down - but I find it impossible to sleep in an upright position! I know, it sounds ridiculous for someone that travels as much as I do, yet it is as it is. But I always have the faint hope that maybe this time things will be different.....

Thank you so much for your prayers for our Grace Children's Home ministry - you are the greatest blessing that God could bestow on us! Truly if people are praying, then all will be just as it should be! Blessings!

With anticipation of great things,

Diane

Diane Clements (Grace Children's Home) is on the move again!

2009-10-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

“’Cease striving and know that I AM God! I WILL be exalted among the nations, I WILL be exalted in the earth’ the Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” – psalm 46:10-11

The Sweet and Uncertain

This is an email with a mixture of difficult things and exciting things - an odd combination – and yet we can face both with peaceful hearts because of the One who is holding us!

In Nepal, the situation remains unchanged. The landlord is showing a little grace and giving us a few more weeks to move out. Arjun is still trying to find a home for the boys and parents to care for them but so far no success. He is also looking for Christian couples who might want to foster one boy per home – or even other children’s homes that might take them in. In any case, even if they go back to their villages, we will continue to provide monetary support for them. This will give us a chance to continue to have contact and input into their lives. It will also give us the ability to make sure they stay in school and finish their education. I will keep you posted as information comes to me. Please please continue to pray for our 10 precious boys.... that God’s will be done in each of their lives – whatever our good God has chosen for them. He WILL be exalted in their lives – I am confident of that.....

On the other hand, my excitement builds as I prepare to leave for Kenya in one week (Wed. Oct. 21). The mission this time will be to iron out any wrinkles in the existing homes, (there are hardly any – they are doing sooo well!) hammer out agreements and supervision for the foster homes, and then God willing we will be adding children. Lois says that the two family homes are ready to add two boys each – and there are possibly enough foster families ready to add 8 more children – for a possible total of 12 new lives! That would double our size! Incredible... now that is exciting! There also may be opportunity to move our two families to larger homes.... we also hope to take the children on a special outing – possibly to the game park. We would have to do it in 2 batches (girls, then boys) since there are already too many to fit into the van at once. but that will just give us twice the fun! Can’t wait! Add to that the usual playing and eating chocolates.... well, it will be a busy 3 weeks!

Anyway, we are counting on your prayers –for both our Asian and our African ministries. Please pray for Lois and I to work through all the many things we have to talk about and figure out in our time we will have together. Pray for the new children and financial provision for them – I will be needing new sponsors (let me know if you are interested). We will also need the Omnipotent guiding hand of God on all we do! What a joy to be building the foundation of a ministry that I am confident will just continue to grow and change more and more lives – one life at a time!

God is good – even in our trials and uncertainties we can trust Him. May your day be one of peace – as you cease striving and rest peacefully in the palm of His hand – no matter what you are facing in your life today. He WILL be exalted!

Anticipating great things,

Diane

Sewing Center Update

2009-10-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

Ilowee Owens (pictured to the left) one of our KEM board members and faithful servant to the ministry in Kenya has taken on the monumental task of opening our Sewing Center in Kangundo. She has a passion for the people of Kenya and it really shows in her diligent efforts - check out this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0ZbKg37hO4 to get the full picture.

Lois Letters #1

2009-10-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

WE ARE REALLY PRAISING THE LORD THAT HOYT SEEMS TO GET A LITTLE STRONGER EVERY DAY. 2 DAYS AGO HE WAS ABLE TO GET UP, WALK (WITH THE WALKER) TO HIS OFFICE CHAIR AND SIT DOWN WITHOUT HELP!

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE BEEN HERE AND KNOW OUR GARDENER FRANCIS, HE IS VERY ILL WITH CANCER, AND PRETTY MUCH BED RIDDEN. THIS IS VERY HARD ON ALL OF US AS WE LOVE HIM SO MUCH. HE WAS THE FIRST KENYAN WE KNEW, AND THE ONE WHO BROUGHT US TO THIS AREA. ALSO THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW PASTOR JAMES MULIE, WHO ALSO WORKS HERE, HIS BROTHER DIED SAT. AND HAD NOT BEEN SICK AT ALL SO WAS REALLY HARD. THIS IS ALSO THE 4TH SIBLING HE HAS LOST IN 4 YEARS. 2 SISTERS, AND NOW 2 BROTHERS ALL MIDDLE AGED.

MONTHLY GIVING HAS ALSO BEEN WAY DOWN IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, BUT THEY SAY THE ECONOMY IS ON THE WAY UP, SO WE PRAY THAT WILL HELP. WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE GIVING TO SPECIAL PROJECTS, BUT WE NEED MORE MONTHLY SUPPORT. ALSO PRAY WITH US AS THE MEDICAL BILLS ARE $13,000 AND WE TRUST THE LORD TO SUPPLY.

A MAN CAME HERE LAST WEEK ASKING US TO HELP HIM START CHURCHES IN MASII LAND WHERE HE COMES FROM (THEY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WEAR RED BLANKETS AND JUMP). WE HAVE KNOW HIM FOR 15 YEARS AND HE IS A VERY GODLY MAN AND PLANS TO JOIN THE BIBLE COLLEGE NEXT TERM. BOTH THE BIBLE COLLEGE AND MECHANIC SCHOOL ARE DOING WELL, BUT WE NEED MORE STUDENTS FOR THE BIBLE COLLEGE. THE COMPUTER SCHOOL HAS SEVERAL STUDENTS, BUT I’M NOT SURE HOW MANY. WE NEED PRAYER FOR WISDOM AS PEOPLE ARE STILL ASKING FOR CHURCHES ALL THE TIME. LAST WEEK ONE OF THE BIBLE STUDENTS FROM KISII SAID THEY HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE MEETING IN SEVERAL HOMES, JUST WAITING FOR US TO OPEN A CHURCH FOR THEM.

OUR HOME IS A BUSY PLACE SINCE HOYT DOESN’T GO TO THE OFFICE YET; THE OFFICE COMES TO HIM AND THE BOARD MEETS HERE ALMOST DAILY. WE ARE ALSO STRUGGLING AS WE ARE MISSING FRANCIS AND JAMES SO HAVE LESS WORKERS.

ANOTHER GREAT BLESSING IS THAT WE JUST HAD A VISITOR FROM THE STATES WHO IS A FARMER AND HE AND A FRIEND PURCHASED A DRIP SYSTEM FOR THE FARM, A GENERATOR FOR THE COLLEGE, A WELDING MACHINE AND OTHER THINGS FOR THE WORKSHOP. PRAY WE CAN USE THE DRIP SYSTEM TO GROW A LOT MORE AS WATER IS A PROBLEM IN KENYA AS YOU HAVE PROBABLY SEEN ON THE NEWS. WE HAVE NOT HAD RAIN IN MOST OF KENYA FOR OVER A YEAR. THEY ARE PREDICTING ANOTHER EL NINO, SO WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO REPLENISH OUR NATIONAL WATER SUPPLY.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOVE, PRAYERS AND SUPPORT.

LOIS AND HOYT

Hoyt and Lois are home

2009-09-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

I received a call from Hoyt this morning (it was evening in Kenya) and he let me know that he and Lois are now home. His words to me are that he is now not feeling any pain in his back and it appears that the surgery was successful. They appreciate everyones prayers and Praise the Lord for the results. Please pass this news on to those who are interested.
Please continue to pray for the overall ministry, the drought in Kenya continues to be an issue and there are always unmet needs....but God manages to provide just when it is needed.

Craig and Lynn Conley Crash Kenya

2009-08-23T19:43:00.000-07:00

Craig and Lynn Conley

Our Kenya brothers arriving at the airport to pick up Craig and Lynn

Our guys getting to work on cables and wiring for the new computer school

The long awaited container arrived and ready to unload

Some of the trench work preparing for cable and wiring between the buildings

A small glimpse of our Bible College and vocational training facilities

One of Craig's projects was to prepare our computer training center and these are some of the desks/workstations that the students will use.

Our new tractor compliments of Rotary International. The buildings in the back are our auto shop and carpentry classrooms.

Our people hard at work preparing desks for the computer training center

Our new truck compliments of Rotary International

What would a trip to Kenya be like without a few pictures of the animal kingdom....just think, one day we will get to play with these beautiful creatures and no harm will come to either of us!

Leo

They say we are related.....but somehow I just don't think so!

Some of our Kenya children

Our mission field!

Better than a trip to Macy's

Students hard at work

Our Missionaries - Hoyt and Lois Osborne

Some of our staff

A time of fellowship

Church time

Hoyt Osborne no doubt issuing words of wisdom

Hoyt and Lois Osborne

Recently Craig and Lynn Conley visited our mission in Kenya to oversee and complete the container project, and to set up our vocational training centers. These pictures reflect just a small portion of the total of what was completed. Although the container arrived just as Craig and Lynn were leaving, our Kenya brothers were able to secure the container and unload its contents. We praise the Lord for all that was provided and accomplished!

A Little Glimpse of Life in Kenya

2009-07-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

Craig Conley, one of our supporters and K.E.M. Board members is currently in Kenya on a short term missions project to get our training centers up and running. We are running into some additional costs to get things completed and ask that you lift the ministry up before the Lord and ask for His bountiful supply. The people are also in need of rain for their crops.....so pray, pray, pray! Anyway, I received an e-mail from Craig and I decided to post this little excerpt which I found to be a good reminder as to the immense burden that our mission in Kenya bears on a daily basis;

" It is amazing how God is working here… in large and small ways, and how the Mission stands in the gap each day in the lives of the Kangundo people. One example is we had an older lady pass away this week. She is the mother in law of one of the Pastors here…As you would expect, the family has come to pay respects and to console the family, except here, when a family comes they stay with you and eat you out of house and home… it is often a week or more till the funeral can be arranged and a family might be driven to poverty by their extended family. This was happening in this case… the family came to the Mission to request help… they could not afford to purchase a coffin to bury their mother in… and that would mean that we could not have the funeral this Saturday…so their family would stay another week or half week… which would continue to drive them to poverty… so to reach out and be a ministry to the family, the mission paid for the wood for the coffin and had their carpenter build the coffin… this way we can have the funeral on Saturday and their extended family can leave them in peace…"

This is just a little glimpse of what is going on in our mission and how God is at work....please join us as we continue to help our brothers and sisters in the Land of Kenya.

Misc. Photo's of Life in Kenya

2009-07-01T19:07:00.001-07:00

College Life

Lecture time at Evangelical Bible College

Part of the College campus

Our tractor - compliments of Rotary International

A time for fun

The are just a few misc. photo's that help to show some of the various aspects of the ministry and basic life in Kenya. Soon - we hope to have some photo's from Craig's visit and

our new vocational training centers.....stay tuned!

Church Life in Kenya

2009-07-01T16:44:00.001-07:00

These are a few pictures of our Kenya ministry and the results God's blessing and many years of work by the Osborne's and others. These church buildings are the direct result of the sacrificial giving by our supporters and the hard work of our Kenya brothers and sisters. Some of our churches still meet out in the open or in structures that do not keep out the rain when it does rain. Continue to pray for our ministry in Kenya as the needs are great!

Our Kenya Children

2009-07-01T16:02:00.001-07:00

When you see these cute little faces....it makes it all worth it! God is so good!

Our Kenya Family

2009-06-30T22:03:00.000-07:00

These are just a few misc. photos of our Kenya family. Wow the ministry has really grown and God continues to bless doesn't He.

Through the backdoor......

2009-06-29T19:01:00.000-07:00

Diane Clements has returned from Kenya and this is her most recent posting:

“All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your Name's sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.” – Psalm 25:10-11

I’ve been thinking a lot since I got back home... I really didn’t expect it to happen this way – I thought I would go to Kenya, do the work that God sent me there to do, leave it in the hands of others and then return home unchanged. Over the past 8 years, God has firmly planted my heart in Asia – specifically in Nepal with our families there – but I really didn’t think that there would be that same intense love and attachment with the work and people of Kenya. After all, how many places and people and cultures can one person’s heart be linked with?? But before I knew it I was swooped right into the Kangundo family! It seriously took me by surprise just how much I came to love Kenya, my coworkers and brothers and sisters there, and above all, the children He has entrusted to us. It was rather like Kenya snuck into my heart thru the backdoor and caught me unaware. And yet the fact remains – I returned home with a part of my heart truly Kenyan.

But isn’t that just like our God? When we are obedient to His call, then He gives great joy in the act of our obedience – even when we don’t expect it. His goodness is beyond our understanding – highlighted all the more by our sinfulness and unworthiness to even be used by Him. Isn’t He amazing??

Please continue to pray for our homes in Kangundo as they make the many adjustments to this new ministry. Pray for wisdom for Lois as she directs and guides and for the parents as they adjust to their new roles. And even as we are beginning this ministry, pray for the second phase of it. I am confident that these 12 children are just the beginning – there is such an overwhelming need. Kindly ask the Lord for guidance about when I should plan to return and the steps He would direct us to next.

Pray also for the Osborne’s mission – they are facing significant financial shortfalls and a multitude of other challenges – even as Lois battles her diabetes and Hoyt his back pain. Pray for the people of Kenya – there is a serious drought and food shortage – and if rain does not come soon, many people will die. The cost of some food items has increased 300% already!

Finally, pray for God’s provision for our ministry. We have started this work in Kenya entirely by faith – but the costs are much higher than we anticipated. i am not worried – as we trust Him and practice good stewardship – God will surely provide for what He has initiated - He is obligated! People have been asking how they can participate financially. Donations can be sent to:

Grace Children’s Home Ministries
c/o First Baptist Church
1511 Delaware Ave.
West Sacramento, CA 95691

You can mark your check specifically for the Kenya home if you wish. Also, if you are interested in sponsoring a specific child, please let me know via email and I will send you pertinent information.

If you would like me to come and present this ministry at your church, small group etc. then let me know that too. I am hoping to head to the Pacific Northwest in august – if that is any help....

And since many of you on this mailing list have just been added recently, I am going to include a link to a 2005 article on how this ministry got started 8 years ago.

baptistbulletin.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/bb_11_05_pp20-23.pdf

Last, but not least, enjoy the attachment picture of newest family – take joy in seeing the fruit of your prayers firsthand! Aren’t they beautiful?? Yeah they are!! Each one a precious gift from the hand of God!

Thank you for your participation with us through your prayers - knowing that so many people were praying was priceless to us! I am praying that our sweet Father will bless you just a fraction of the blessing you have been to us over the past month. And if He does – get ready to be majorly blessed!

Back in California but still a little bit African,

Diane

Deep sighs and heartfelt thanks to God....

2009-06-24T14:54:00.000-07:00

“The Lord has done great things for us – therefore we are glad!” – Psalm 126:3

A posting from Diane Clements; Director of Grace Children's Home

Deep sigh.... I am sitting in London’s Heathrow airport – finally at rest. I have just completed a 2 ½ hour marathon wrestling match with all of my heavy luggage. Taking it down the street to the underground station, onto the tube, off the tube, up the ramp to my terminal... down to the tube to another terminal and back up again - it sounds kind of simple, but it was anything but. Pushing a heavily loaded luggage cart up and down those ramps and around corners... well, let’s just say that wearing sandals was not a good idea. My toes are seriously battered! I think it would also be safe to say that my particular cart was possessed by some sort of unclean spirit! And then there was my 4 ½ foot long Kamba bow and arrows – nearly poked my own eye out and almost took out a few other commuters with it as well! it was a little unwieldy, to say the least. But I made it – phew!

Enough whining, and enough about me – what I want to share is the last few days that I had in Kenya. Lois and I spent them in a flurry of activity – making sure that we had finished all the things on our “to do” list and had discussed all the possible scenarios and problems that might crop up. I am utterly grateful for Lois – she is so hardworking and loving and kind to everyone. She is also a gifted administrator and she will do very well supervising the homes. She has been doing work just like this for many years already and has a good relationship with everyone involved. I cannot thank God enough for linking us together in this next stage for our grace homes ministry. We think so much alike (well, ok, that could be scary) but I see it as a blessing. A big one.

Friday was our most special day – our family dedication. The backyard of the homes, brightly decorated with balloons and crepe paper, was the scene of our gathering. Benches were set up – we were ready – and so we waited. …and waited. People trickled in over time (Kenyan style) but finally after 1 ½ hours of waiting, we started without one of our families. They had been held up in the marketplace, but arrived shortly after. Almost all of the UAEM board was there – along with other leaders and friends. We had gathered to celebrate what God had done in 3 short weeks and to dedicate it all right back to Him. We sang and Lois, Hoyt and I spoke. Then we prayed – for each family and for each individual child. It was really very special and powerful. Our ceremony ended with cake and juice – a perfect end to a perfect day.

Saturday we piled everyone into the van and bounced over to the Bible College to take advantage of their beautiful flowers for our individual and family pictures. it was a really fun time... the children were soooo excited. They just can’t stop smiling! I am quite spoiled by our children in Nepal – they know when picture day comes that it is all about business and they know exactly what I am looking for – eyes on the camera and big smiles with lots of teeth. But since this was our first try here in Kenya, especially the little ones did not get it! Of course when someone says something funny to make you laugh, you look at them – right? Result: picture of the side of your head, and parents, you should always be looking at your children to make sure they are looking at the camera – right? Oh well. We took a multitude of snaps and finally came up with one that is pretty good. How funny these kids are! Anyway, I am sure that next time the task will be a little easier.

Afterwards the children gathered around me to give me goodbye hugs (mmmm, sweet!) and then they all laid their hands on me and prayed for me while I tried not to cry. It was hard to say goodbye so soon after we had just met. It was just the beginning of a long succession of goodbyes over the next 48 hours– none of which were easy or welcome.

There was the last everything – I think of them as the “last days”, the last church service, the last prayer time, the last supper and the last hug and kiss. Frankly, goodbyes stink. I hate saying goodbye. Finally, on Sunday night it was time for 4 of the guys and I to pile my stuff into the small car and head to the airport. My flight left at 2:30 am – so we left quite late (after 10) since they did not want me to sit around at the airport (bless their hearts). Unfortunately that got them back home at around 2 am – with all of them needing to get up early and work. As a special blessing, we stopped on the way for a breathtaking display of the Kenyan stars (they have so many here!!), the sky was awash with them. I wished I could have just stood there staring into the heavens forever. What astonishing beauty our God has made! Thanks guys for that gift!

Finally, thank you for your prayers and taking yet another journey with me – it was really an amazing 3 weeks. For the readying of the homes and policies, the choosing and preparation of the staff, the researching and selection of the children and for every other detail to be covered and taken care of in that amount of time - right down to the final dedication - truly it was a miracle. And miracles only happen thru the prayers of God’s people. Thank you for your vital part in the establishment of grace children’s homes Kenya – I look forward to keeping you updated on the progress of both our Nepali and Kenyan families.

Two more long flights and I will be home again.... home – it has become a strange word to me – I have so many of them now! I can’t wait to see my grandbabies and give them a giant hug and kiss – African style! I think I am one of the most blessed people on this planet to have a special family on 3 different continents - even though it kinda splits the heart 3 different ways! But who ever said that loving wasn't hard sometimes? God is good.....all the time!

In awe of Him and His goodness (especially in light of my unworthiness),Diane

And then there were nine....

2009-06-23T21:21:00.000-07:00

Latest posting from Diane Clements (Director of Grace Children's Home):

“A Father to the fatherless.....is God in His holy habitation. God makes a home for the lonely.” – Psalm 68:5-6

It was a moment of pure realization and sheer joy – I was squashed into the backseat of a taxi bouncing down yet another red dirt road - dirt which was billowing into the car through the windows that were stuck permanently down! The revelation was related to the 4 precious children packed around me, staring up into my eyes with a mixture of curiosity and fear. We were on our way to the hospital for checkups for our second batch of children when the thought occurred to me “Diane, this is what you were born to do!” My heart was flooded with the sense of privilege that had been bestowed on me. I wanted to go door to door and find more and more children who were in desperation and work at bringing them home too.

All day Tuesday was spent at the hospital – praise God all the children were HIV negative. We discovered an assortment of lung infections, parasites, worms and fungus. One girl, Munyiva, has severe malnutrition. When I took off her dress for her chest x-ray, I audibly gasped (and I am not one to react openly to things). She was completely emaciated in her chest and shoulders and neck. She also has had prolonged, untreated pneumonia – which the doctor said might have contributed to her wasted body. But still... we will keep an eye on her and make sure that she is gaining weight as she gets healthy.

Then Wednesday was our “coming home” day for this 5. How fun to travel to each of their places and pick them up and deliver them to their new families. What a joy! We spent time with each home of relatives – signing the final release papers and making a video/picture history for the children. When at last we arrived to their new homes, they were welcomed with open arms. It was so gratifying to finally see our families completed (for now anyway) and the children gladly settling into their new homes. There wasn’t a single tear or hesitation on anyone’s part – just glad anticipation and big wide smiles.

Please meet our newest children –

Christopher Ndambuki (13), Mary Nthenya (10), and Catherine Munyiva (7) – brother and sisters who lost their single mom a couple of years ago. They had no relatives willing or able to care for them, so a kind neighbor took them in. It was clear that there was not enough food for them – she also was widowed and had children of her own. We were just planning to take the girls, but Ndambuki was so eager to get chosen too that we just couldn’t say no. He is a very bright and engaging young man.

Mutie Kilonzo 7 years – his mother died giving birth to him and his father died about 3 years ago. He was living with his grandmother at a place where they sell changea (local brew) and there were always drunken people around. It was reported that he was abused as well.

Mutuku Musyoka – 5 years - Father died of pneumonia and mother died of malaria. Grandparents also deceased. His guardians (aunt and uncle) work and so Mutuku rather lived on his own – with a river nearby. His safety was a big issue in choosing Mutuku.

Anyway, thank you so much for joining us here in Kenya through your prayers. When I am able (with a good internet connection) I will be sending you a picture of our family – a tangible manifestation of God’s work thru you. Thank you – we would never have been able to get this far this fast without the prayers of all of you.

May blessings, shaken down and running over, pour out into your life because of your sacrifice.....

With gladness,

Diane

It's a boy! It's a girl! It's two more boys!

2009-06-23T21:16:00.000-07:00

Postings from Diane Clements - Director of Grace Children's Home

“It is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes!” – Psalm 118:23

Azure blue skies dotted with great puffs of white hovering over a red dirt road with deep ruts snaking before us - in sharp contrast to the green vegetation that crowded our periphery.... this was the breathtaking scene in front of us nearly every day this past week as we traversed through the hills and over the back roads of the Kangundo area, visiting children and learning their stories firsthand. The 12 local United African Evangelical Ministries (UAEM) churches have been a funnel of dozens of applications of children – every one of them orphaned of both parents – yet so many more than we can possibly take right now. Their situations are all so sad and the process of prioritizing and choosing is exceedingly difficult, but God has clearly led us every step of the way – I think He delights to make His will clear to those who will wholeheartedly follow it.

Yesterday I had the most awesome day – the 3 dads and I took the first 4 children the Lord has given to us to the hospital for their check-ups. First up was the HIV testing – since we will not be equipped (for now at least) to take kids who are positive. When I went in for the result, I saw that one of the test kits had been set aside – and my heart sank to my feet. As I fought back tears, I wondered which child it was..... I was already so sure in my heart that they were all ours....

The nurse took a deep breath and said “congratulations – they are all negative!” huh? I wanted to kiss her! Probably would have been ok – you kiss everyone you meet here anyway....

And so began a complete day of lab, x-rays, and examinations. We thank God that in appreciation for the work we are beginning, the local hospital did it all free of charge. Praise God! We had a variety of infections – pneumonia, bladder, bronchial, as well as ringworm, parasites, amoebas and worms of every sort. All treatable and we have a huge pile of prescriptions to prove it!

And, what a good day with the dads – getting to know them in this setting – watching them interact with the children. This time together made me even more deeply grateful for the parents that God has given. They are amazing – full of God’s love and wisdom, and lots of fun too!

It was difficult to send the children back to their village homes for a few days (none of them wanted to go) until they finally come home - Monday, June 15 - which will be our birthday! That will be the official start of grace children’s homes Kenya! Can you believe it??? I hardly can – it seems unreal.

We hope to have the second batch of 5 in for their checkups next Tuesday – we are just praying that they are all negative too so we can bring all of them home on Wednesday. They also have health issues – one is quite serious.

And now for the best part - meet our first 4 children:

Diana (8) is an aids orphan living with a mentally unstable grandmother (she just spent 3 days in jail for beating Diana’s brother) Diana loved the fact that we share the same name and she kind of glued herself to my side most of the day. by the way they have decided that I will be called “mama Diana” and Lois will be “Susu” (grandma).

Victor’s (7) mother died of a stroke while getting off a bus. Soon after, his grandmother died too which left him with an alcoholic grandfather who would beat him and not buy him food. Victor was in serious need of medical attention and has some hearing loss which we will investigate with an ENT doctor.

Musembi (10) and Musyoka (7) are brothers whose story is hard to believe. Their mother died a few years ago – their father was alcoholic and used to come home drunk. He would beat them and they would have to hide in the jungle overnight for their safety. Last April their father died too and since that time they have been living alone with their 15 year old brother. Both have lung infections and every kind of parasite that you can imagine. Musembi is such a sweet boy – very intelligent – he is obviously a good student. You have to watch Musyoka closely – otherwise he just wanders off. It is clear that he is not used to any sort of adult supervision.

Each one is soooo precious – i can hardly wait to know them better....

So – please praise the Lord with us as we rejoice in what it has pleased Him to do. Pray for the parents – especially the wives – as they adjust to having all these new children at once. Also, continue to pray for this next week – we have sooo much to do before I leave next Sunday. Our goal is to have our entire family at home and settled by Thursday, and then we will have a grace home dedication with pastors and church leaders on Friday afternoon. This week will go fast, I am sure – and then I will be saying goodbye to my newest family, and i know that is going to be so hard.....

But I am refusing to think about that now – too much to do before then! I wish each of you could be here to see the fruit of your prayers firsthand – what a joy it is! There are 9 little lives that will be totally transformed – physically, emotionally and spiritually – forever. How could you ever put a value on that?? And we are sure this is just the beginning!!

Bubbling over with joy,

Diane

Diane Arrived in Kenya

2009-05-30T10:03:00.000-07:00

From Diane Clements - Director of Grace Home Ministries

"The Lord will accomplish what concerns me." - Psalm 138:8

I was pretty happy leaving Istanbul – we were on time and there were only about 30 passengers on the plane. it was great - as soon as the doors closed, everyone scrambled to find 3 seats to themselves so that they could lay down and sleep – ah, blessed sleep! I was still waaay behind – and little did I know just how much I was going to need the nap I was able to get.

It was impossible for the pouring rain in Nairobi to dampen my spirits – I breezed thru immigration and customs – and outside the door was a whole team of Kenyan guys who had come to receive me! I was amazed – after all it was 1:30 am! how sweet! It also proved to be the providential hand of God (He is so good!). We set out on the long trip home in the downpour – picking our way over the ever increasingly potholed roads. Poor Shadrach – the van kept dying from some bad fuel and then about halfway thru the 68 km journey, we got a flat tire. Unfortunately we did not have everything we needed to change it so the guys called back to the mission and asked someone to bring what we needed. When they arrived I went on ahead in the small car with a few of the guys – reaching home at 5 am! We were sooo tired – but the guys changing the tire didn’t get home till many hours later. Little did i know that we had broken down in an area where there are gangs of thieves that attack stopped vehicles and steal them or everything in them – with little regard for life. God’s hand of protection was surely on us the whole night. He also protected the guys changing the tire as we were stopped right in the road! Thank you Lord! I slept until noon (never before in my life!) and spent the rest of the day in a jet lagged stupor... i could barely concentrate as I met old friends and new.... we discussed plans and details but i just could not focus. All it took was a good night’s sleep though and now i am almost myself again.

The osborne’s home is a hive of activity and a haven of good Kenyan hospitality. They have so many things going on and so many people they minister to. the front door literally revolves with their Kenyan sons arriving, receiving advice or funds and then heading back out to work in their various ministries and projects. In the midst of it all there is always time to sit and talk with anyone who has a need or just for friendly catching up. Yesterday Lois, Oscar and I spent the day in Nairobi buying lots and lots of groceries for the coming month (their table is always full to overflowing with people) changing money and buying some supplies for the children’s homes. Now the preparations are underway in earnest. Furniture and other needs have been ordered, the structure of operation has been set up and lists (and more lists) are being made. I have met two of the dads of the families we will start with and I like them a great deal. They seem very excited about this opportunity to serve God by caring for orphaned children.

Tomorrow is our church day – and then Monday will be an important day for us as well as all Kenyans. It is “Independence Day” for the Kenyan people, but for grace homes it will be a get-together of the 4 families who would like to be involved in this ministry. 3 of the families want to come and live in our homes and one would like to foster a couple of children in their own home. it will be our day to get to know one another as well as meet and discuss grace home ministries. we will also be chatting about the visions and goals of our work as well as the day to day details of carrying it out.

In light of this please pray for; a good day of fellowship together on Monday, a meaningful discussion together concerning the work, understanding of God’s will, unity of spirit of everyone involved, the 4 couples who will embark on a new chapter in their lives, the children we will be caring for I still don’t know much about the children – so many have been discussed – but I know when the time comes it will be clear who we are to take in. Until then I will just have to curb my curiosity... I will meet them when I meet them! The Lord has been continually with us – protecting us and guiding us and He is faithful to perform all that He has planned! I am so grateful to be here – seeing His hand working, step by step, and thank you for joining us here in Kenya through your prayers – we appreciate you so much! can’t wait to write the next report of our progress!

lovingly,

Diane

Grace Children's Home

2009-05-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

From Diane Clements:

I praise God for safety as I drove well over a thousand miles and spoke in various churches and schools – for His protection and courage to speak! I am humbled by the generous provision that people have poured out to start our new Grace Home family in Kenya. Surely what God initiates, He will provide for! Thank you all of you who have been so giving and for those who prayed....

In Kangundo, there are duplexes rented, 3 couples desiring to care for children and a list of 17 orphans for us to start with. Whether we will be able to accommodate them all immediately, I am not sure, but I am certainly excited to meet the new little ones that God will entrust to our care. I can’t help trying to imagine their faces, their names...

In order to obtain an inexpensive airline ticket, Diane had a stop in London and then a stay over in Istanbul. Her trip was 3.5 days in all and she left on Monday. We will let everyone know when she arrives in Nairobi and connects with our people in Kangundo. Please pray for safety for Diane and for our new group homes....God is good!

Steer Inc. Approves Kenya Evangelical Mission

2009-05-04T19:37:00.000-07:00

We have recently been approved by Steer Inc (http://www.steerinc.com/). This means that willing farmers who want to participate in missions giving (i.e. Kenya Evangelical Mission) can contact Steer Inc. and they will place a calf with the farmer to raise right alongside of their other cattle. Once the calf is raised and ready for sale, then it is sold and the funds (minus a small administrative fee for Steer Inc.) are donated to Kenya Evangelical Mission. We already have placed our first calf with a farmer in Virginia. If you know of farmers who would be willing to raise cattle, pigs, and other farm animals and even crops....please contact Steer Inc. to obtain details as to how you can participate in this vital part of missions giving. The animals and crops are placed for free and the cost to the farmer is feeding the animals and tending to the crops. If you contact Steer Inc. be sure to let them know you are a supporter of Kenya Evangelical Mission. And remember; "He owns the cattle on a thousand hills....."
Our Shipping container which is full of needed supplies for our carpentry school, mechanics school, and computer school as well as other needed supplies is on its way to Kenya. Let me personally thank all of you who donated funds and supplies for the project. Our thanks also go out to Craig Conley for all of his efforts in seeing this project through from start to finish.
Diane Clements (with Grace Children’s Home Ministries) will be going over to Kenya on May 25 to set up our first children’s home and we are so excited to see this coming together. Please be in prayer for her and Lois, as well as our group home families as they embark on this new exciting ministry. You can reach Diane to find out more about her ministry by contacting her via e-mail; gracechildrenshome@gmail.com
Recently Hoyt and Lois reported that 24 people gave their lives to Christ in a weekend gathering. We praise the Lord for this and recognize this to be our greatest joy as we rejoice when we see new lives embrace God’s love and willingly follow Him with their whole heart and life.
We also praise the Lord for the increase in missions giving from our existing supporters and we have also been blessed with new supporters of Kenya Evangelical Mission. We pray for God’s blessing to all of our friends and supporters.

For the souls of Kenya,

Mike and Carol Southwick

Directors of Kenya Evangelical Mission

K.E.M. Container Project

2009-04-29T21:17:00.000-07:00

This is Craig Conley (our Special Projects Director - hows that for a title Craig) getting a well deserved massage from Joe Riley (former Director of KEM). Craig worked very hard in putting all of the donations together as well as arranging for the shipping of the container to Kenya.

Just trying to make it look like I was working

This is a staged photo op....Joe worked very hard to look busy

Mike, Barb and Carol taking a break for a photo op

Some of the equipment for the carpentry class at the College

Our shipping container....please pray that it arrives safely

Misc. items for KEM

The are a few pictures of the loading of our container that we are shipping to Kenya. A warm thank you to all who helped in donating items and funds to ship these well needed items to our mission in Kenya. These items that are being shipped will help our local mission become more self sufficient by offering training classes in auto mechanics and carpentry as well as provide other equipment in setting up satellite Internet access. Craig will be going to Kenya in June to install cable and wiring for high speed Internet access. Please pray that the container arrives in time so that we can put Craig to work when he gets there.

Operation Sewing Center

2009-04-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

This is one of our latest projects that we are working on. Please pray with us as we continue in our mission to reach the lost souls of Kenya and help them with the basic necessities of life. Be sure to click on each photo/page and it will enlarge it so you can read it.

Miscellaneous Pictures of Kenya

2009-04-01T21:33:00.000-07:00

This is Lois Osborne enjoying a moment of joy!

Hoyt Osborne looking studious!

Our new tractor compliments of Rotary International!

Our Bible College

Evangelical Bible College of Kangundo

The king of the jungle is a little tired

Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world

These pictures were taken by Will and Ilowee Owens....they are some older photo's of our people of KEM, but priceless pictures none the less!

Greetings from the Osborne's

2009-03-30T20:19:00.000-07:00

Hoyt and Lois say hello to everyone!

A Little Gathering At Betty's House

2009-03-02T06:45:00.000-08:00

Ziggy and Barbara teaching us a song

Tom and Betty hosted a little gathering at their house as we prepared for Hoyt, Lois, Shadrach and David return to Kenya. The food and the fellowship was excellent and we all had a great time sharing what God was doing in our lives.

Kenya Evangelical Missions Conference 2009

2009-02-23T18:39:00.000-08:00

Kenya Evangelical Mission area representatives and Board members

Ziggy and friends

Shadrach

Glenn Moeckelmann - Pastor of Campbell Community Church

Shadrach and Mike enjoying a Kodak moment

Our supporters commissioning our Kenya team as they return home

Hoyt Osborne issuing his challenge to those attending the Missions Conference 2009 at Grace Church in Fremont

Joe and Barbara Riley (former Directors of Kenya Evangelical Mission)

Worship - Kamba style

Shadrach and Ziggy

Joe Riley

Mike Southwick, Ziggy and Shadrach

Lois Osborne, Ziggy, and Shadrach sharing some of the accomplishments of K.E.M. with those attending the Missions Conference

Mike Southwick - new U.S. Director of Kenya Evangelical Mission laying out the vision of the future of K.E. M.

The photos are from the recent 2009 Missions Conference in Fremont. We were blessed to have the worship team from Campbell Community Church lead us and the event was filled with fellowship and updates on what has been taking place in the ministry of Kenya Evangelical Mission (K.E.M.)