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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, June 24, 2006 at 3:22 P.M. (Limuru time)
WEEK ENDING JUNE 24TH:
Malaria hit a significant number of children this week. The children developed fever, vomiting, headache and high body temperatures. They were all diagnosed with Malaria when they were taken to the hospital. Malaria is easily treated if diagnosed early enough and we have no serious cases.
Learning went on well up to Thursday. On Friday Teacher Stella who was the teacher on duty and had therefore arrived at 6.45 am as required came into my office at 7 am just as I was going to class. I teach mathematics from 7-am in the morning and I always arrive at the office at 6.30am. She told me that she had been called back home because her father whom they had taken to hospital on Thursday night had turned serious. At 7.50am She telephoned and told me that she found the father had died. This hit everyone at School due to the Stellas friendly nature and they also have a Sister in class four at Grace. Stella is the senior in a family of five and the only one having a kind of employment. If you have been reading Grace Journals; Stella has won US Green card lottery and she is supposed to be going to the US next year. Our prayer is for Gods strength and comfort at this time of grieve and to provide for Stella to enable her to process her travel documents and provision of Air ticket.
Today Saturday, we have launched a Children support group for children living with HIV/AIDS at our Church Community Presbyterian Church (CPC). I confess that I did not know that we have so many children in our midst who are on HIV/AIDS medicines. It was emotionally devastating to hear a five year old say that she takes three kinds of medicine in the morning and two in the evening. The goal was is to bring these children together because they attend public schools and they are discriminated by both teachers and their peers because they take medicine. We need them to know and talk to others who take medicine like them. We are doing this partnership with Kijabe Mission Hospital, which gives HIV/AIDS medicine to these people for free.
We continue to invite your prayers and support as we walk along with the ones who are hurting, discriminated and socially ostracized just as our Lord did and commanded us to do.
Gods blessing for the week ahead.
Samuel.
| Author: Samuel Wambugu
Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 7:04 P.M. (Limuru time)
WEEK ENDING JUNE 17TH 2006:
The Week began on a tough note for the administration. Grace School has been operating on a Provisional registration. This means that the School was not an examination center and we have to seek a Center to register our pupils when they get to Class 8 and they have to sit or a National Examination in order to proceed to High School. We though that we now have basic facilities to qualify for a full registration and went ahead to apply for inspection. The Ministry of Education gave us excellent recommendations. On Monday it was time to be inspected by Public Health Inspector. This fellow was very harsh and literally looked for any reason to deny us the registration. He made 11 notations which we had to fulfill before he could give his recommendations. We complained immediately for it was evident that he needed us to bribe him. In His defense, he argued that our School has a very high standard that one even thinks it is a High School and that is why he applied strict rules. We agreed with him only into areas. The Kitchen that we have is small and dirty and we do not have a dining hall and we lack good water storage. After long discussions we were passed for registration and requested to do a Kitchen immediately if we are to continue the feeding program.
On Wednesday a parent with a son in class five sent a bitter letter to the School complaining that we are giving her son a lot of work than he is able to cope with. The teachers were very annoyed because they have tried their best to help this particular child who never finishes his work either at home or school and always seems absent minded. I used my counseling skills to make the teachers see the big picture. This mother is a Schoolteacher providing for a family of five. This particular is the baby with an age gap of 10 years with the one that he follows. We saw that it is likely that there are salient issues that we do not understand. We invited the mother to come next week so that we can talk with her over the issue.
On Thursday there was a support group for people living with HIV/AIDS. The Doctor from a Kijabe and two other health workers were also present. This group has been having problem of a venue. They meet fortnightly and they require a place to do their meeting. We have a few of our Church members in this group. After discussion with the Medical team I agreed to allow the meeting to be taking place in our church. They requested me to offer Pastoral services to this group. While I recognize that the group is very needy Physically, Spiritually and emotionally due to the prevailing stigma, I am hesitant to make a full commitment at this point in time. There are resources both human and materials which are acutely lacking.
On Saturday 24th the Church in conjunction with the Mission Hospital will launch a Children Support group. These are children who are also living with the HIV virus and they have not been having a support group. Pray for us as we venture into this challenging ministry that the Lord shall always guide, strengthen and provide. We need toys, Balls, Candies and lunch for these children. You are welcome to partner with us in prayers and tangible support. You can send your support through your church or write to us and we shall tell you how you can do it.
God bless.
Samuel
| Author: Samuel Wambugu
Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 12:18 A.M. (Limuru time)
WEEK ENDING 10TH JUNE:
The week at Grace School went on normally without incidents. Brian who was hurt last week has now recovered. The weather becoming chilly and the children have to come put on extra clothing to stay warm. July and August are the coldest months with temperatures dropping to below 50 degrees Celsius.
I (Samuel) was remaining with one Site visit on behalf of Presbyterian Committee on SDOP. I did this on Wednesday and Thursday. I have compiled the report and sent it to them. It was an eye opening experience for to see the depth of poverty in some parts of our country as well as the devastating magnitude of the endemic HIV/AIDS.
I spent Monday with the church group living with HIV/AIDS. One of my prayer as I took over as the Pastor of Community Presbyterian Church is to start a ministry to the HIV/AIDS people in our Church as well as in the immediate community. This ministry has become very appreciated that on Tuesday a Doctor from Kijabe Mission Hospital came to Grace School just to thank me for what we are doing. Kijabe Hospital is supplying the medicines needed by these people and they highly appreciate any one who can partner with them to provide for Spiritual, physical and emotional needs of these people. We hope that the Lord in his grace will use us to this end. We are developing an elaborate program that will address these needs as Church Program. You are welcome to think with us of anyway we can assist these dear ones. Do you know of an organization that is addressing these needs? I will again be meeting with the group on Thursday 15th. If you have any encouragment, word of prayer to this group of 25, I will gladly pass it to them.
Samuel.
| Author: Samuel Wambugu
Saturday, June 03, 2006 at 11:28 A.M. (Limuru time)
WEEK ENDING June 3, 2006
The weather is turning to be an issue of concern. Our normal weather seasons are two because we do not have the winter and the summer extremes. They are long rains mid March to early June and Short rains that comes in Oct-Nov. This year the rain came in as expected in Mid-March in heavy torrents but subsided by Mid April. It is now chilly and dry. The amount was adequate but the distribution was very poor for crops. We are closing our fingers that the Lord of mercies will send some rain out of the normal routine to redeem the crops. We hate to go through another experience of famine.
The week was short and busy. Thursday was a public holiday in Kenya - there was no School. It is the day Kenya attained internal self government from the British in 1963. Miriam and me were very busy on Monday and Tuesday preparing the report of my site visits for the Presbyterian Council on SDOP. I have already done six and I am remaining with 1 to do next week. It has been a very strength draining exercise which was very satisfying to now see that the needs these people programs are addressing are very essential to the well being of my Kenyan community. I felt humbled to note that the Lord had chosen me to be an agent of his grace to these needy people.
A sad incident took place in School Wednesday. Grade two children returned to their class after playing football ( Not American) chasing each other. Brian skidded and was badly hurt on the face by the edge of a desk. Teacher Jackline was there and rushed him to hospital. It was an agonizing wait for the public transport to take Brian to hospital. A school van could have been very handy at this time. Keep praying with us that the Lord will one day supply us with a van.
Have a blessed Pentecostal weekend. May you experience the vitalizing presence of the Holy Spirit.
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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