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The Grace Journal is a place where Rev. Wambugu, and perhaps occasionally others of the Grace Ministries staff, will summarize the work of the day or week. We want you to feel that you are an active part of our work and our lives, and hope that this on-going journal of our activities – our joys, our sorrows, and our day-to-day work – will help to bring you more closely into our world.
God bless you for your interest and your support!
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Author: Samuel Wambugu
Saturday, February 25, 2006 at 3:20 P.M. (Limuru time)
WEEK ENDING 25TH FEBRUARY 2006.
This was an extraordinarily busy week. The School schedule went on without any interruptions.
MONDAY-TUESDAY:
I attended Presbytery meeting. The Presbytery allowed the calling of our present pastor Rev. Paul Kinyanjui to his home church from 1st April 2006. Community Presbyterian Church-Limuru presented their call to me to take up the Pastoral responsibilities of Limuru Church. I have been reluctant to take on extra responsibility on top of what I have. The congregation however prevailed and I succumbed to their demands. I will therefore be taking over Pastoral responsibilities of our Church from 1st March 2006. This will be mean significant adjustment on my schedule.
WEDNESDAY:
Teacher Jennifer auntie who had died the previously week was buried. We sent Teacher James and Eunice to represent the School. We also gave little financial help towards funeral expenses.Jeniffer is an orhan and the senoir among three siblings.
THURSDAY-FRIDAY:
Dr. Ruth Cook the wife of Rev. Cecil Cook the Head Chaplain at Fort Sanders hospital paid us a visit. Ruth is teaching a three month short course at African University of Nazarene in Nairobi. We felt honoured by having Ruth spend the night at our home. On Friday she interacted with teachers, pupils and even had an opportunity to visit some parents. Ruth might be available to share her experiences with anyone/group or church that may be interested to hear the work of Grace School.
SATURDAY:
We had a parents-teachers meeting. The parents turn up was over 95% and indication that they were really interested to talk with us about their children. The meeting was very fruitful and cordial. Parents had many questions to ask because we have not had such a meeting lately. They complimented the teachers for their wonderful work and suggested that we try to have such a meeting every term.
The country remains still very dry and we continue to ask for your prayers.
Samuel.
| Author: Samuel Wambugu
Saturday, February 18, 2006 at 11:13 A.M. (Limuru time)
Week ending 18th February 18, 2006
The weeks temperature remained very high with no signs of rain. The afternoons were uncomfortably hot for learning. Children fell sleep and teachers continually woke them and sent them out of the room briefly.
I have started teaching a class from 4-5p.m. This was prompted by low academic level of our grade five. This class has children whom teachers are not happy with their intellectual level and requires more help. This means that I teach 7-8 in the morning and 4-5 in the afternoon.
Jennifer one of our new teachers and an orphan lost her aunt whom she was staying with. We have to stand with her during this time of grieve and as she adjusts to take over the responsibility of looking after her aged grandmother and her two siblings. It will be tough on Jennifer being the only source of help in her family. The salary they receive at Grace School is a peanut and not always guaranteed.
A family from Fairmont Presbyterian Church sent a gift of $ 200 to be used towards the feeding program. This is very welcome gift in the light of the prevailing famine in our Kenya making the price of food commodities very high. We are always thank God for moving his people to intervene just as we are about to give up.
We are planning and looking forward to a parent-teachers meeting on Saturday the 25th. Be in prayers with us. Parents/guardians are necessary partners in bringing up the physical, spiritual and mental nurture of these children.
Samuel.
| Author: Samuel Wambugu
Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 6:09 P.M. (Limuru time)
WEEK ENDING 11TH FEBRUARY 2006.
The learning went on well through out the week. There were however three incidents of parents coming to do a follow up of child mishandling in grade 2. The teacher responsible to this class is a new employee. She joined us from another School and therefore qualified and experienced. The expectation of relationship between Pupils and Teachers at Grace School seems to be foreign to her. Jane has talked with her a number of times especially beating of children which we regard as extremely serious. Her class is big with 20 children and Jane swamped her with Teacher Jackline. The new teacher went to class 3 with 12 children and Jackline went to class2. She is on a three months probation and if she will not change , we shall have no option but to terminate her services.
Wednesday:
Children screamed with joy when finally the school got Electricity after along struggle. We stood our ground that we are not going to use unethical means of bribing for us to get Electricity connection and yet we paid a lot of money. It is unfortunate that those who solicited for bribe from us have been disciplined by the Electricity Company. Corruption is a social problem in our country which the government is determined to eradicate.
Weather: The temperatures continues to be very high over 37 degree Celsius. This is causes the problem of thirst in the presence of water shoratage. We are gradually feeling the effects of famine. Food is available but twice the normal price. It is difficult to continue with the feeding program on a daily basis unless the Lord provides more money. We are currently providing a meal a day with tea at 11 a.m.
On Friday and Saturday I was out attending a meeting organize by the Ministry of Education. It involved all Education delivery stake holders on how best to cover the required curriculum.
Pray with us for rain to come. The government has warned that the situation is likely to worsen by April when they will start Electricity rationing.
MAY THE LORD HAVE MERCY ON OUR COUNTRY KENYA.
Samuel.
| Author: Samuel Wambugu
Saturday, February 04, 2006 at 09:24 A.M. (Limuru time)
WEEK ENDING 4TH FEBRUARY 2006
The week was a very busy one.
MONDAY:
I went to the power people to follow about the installation of our electricity meter. This is the only item remaining for our full connection. After being pushed from one person to another, I became angry and candidly told them that I will not yield to giving any bribe however much pressure, delay or intimidation they will apply. This did not please them and they vowed to never connect us. Giving bribes for services has almost been accepted as a norm.
WEDNESDAY:
The power people came to Grace School. These were the same people I had a confrontation with on Monday. They said that our meter deposit need to be increase and the meter board was too small. They did not have the courtesy to explain a lay person like me what that means and the implication, but I understood it to be a form of further frustration. I went to the Power Headquarters that afternoon and by Gods providence I met their boss who became very annoyed when he heard my story.
THURSDAY:
We had a meeting with the fellows that were giving me trouble in their bosses office. I was allowed to tell my story that I narrated and even the way they had asked for a bribe. When they were told to respond, they concurred with all that I had said.
The boss took the courtesy to apologize for the trouble I had gone through and assured us that by next week we shall be fully connected.
The reason for telling this story in a graphic manner is for the people of God to remember that we are called to transform the word and not to conform to it to the glory of God. This means taking risks and sacrifices and we should be ready to do it.
The week was gloomy all through. The Lord used his people to give and send messages of encouragement without knowing what I was going through. A family from our Church that is currently living in Boston sent us $ 200 and requested that I take photographs with brief narration of children with critical needs to see if she could get people who would be willing to support them. We also received 400 Euros from my cousin a young girl working with African Union in Brussels. These encouraged us very much to know that those who know us very well appreciate and supports what we are doing. We see the hard of God in all these. In both frustrations and blessing there are always lessons to be learned.
We are experiencing water shortage and we are using donkeys to get water for School. The School has no van that it can use to fetch water from us far as 5km as the dry period continues.
Have a blessed week.
Samuel.
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Please know that your donation can help, not only to save the life of a child in Limuru, but to guide that life in such a way as to loosen the stranglehold of despair and death that threatens so much of Kenya's population. Thank you, in advance, for your compassionate support!
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