Dear friends and Partners,

In our past Newsletters we have highlighted our ministry to the children of Grace School. While Grace School is the hub of our activities, we intend to highlight other ministries that are integral to Grace ministries in this newsletter. These ministries are to the Staff, HIV/AIDS Counseling and Agricultural micro-economic activity.

MINISTRY TO STAFF

I am Mrs. Jane Njenga the Head Teacher of Grace School. I am married to Rev. Paul Njenga and we have three children all boys. Amos is aged 9 years, Peter 7 years and George 5 years. They attend school at Grace School in classes 5, 2 and Nursery respectively.

I joined Grace School in the year 2003. I teach languages (English, Kiswahili) and Science. Grace is no ordinary School. It is a community that believes in a holistic growth of a person. I have grown a great deal as I do my work and interact with my fellow colleagues. This has made it possible for me to advance my teaching career. My children get high quality education and good meals offered at Grace School. This removes a major stress from both my husband and me. I finished Post Graduate Studies and the graduation was held on Friday September 9th. I was doing this study during School break. Grace School enabled this to happen by providing the necessary support to my family and me. On completing the course, the School held a party for me and I was very happy.

This kind of support is given to all members of Grace community; teachers, children, and the children families. Special attention is given to the many orphans at Grace School. HIV/AIDS have affected many young parents with school going children. These parents cannot afford to educate and feed their children. Grace School is a center of hope for many of these children.

I have a prayer in my heart that the almighty God will continue showering his blessing and grace upon this school so that it will continue fulfilling its mission of nurturing these children through education and Spiritual guidance. I believe this is a service to God and I feel privileged to be part of the Grace team. Our toil is not in vain. God rewards those who diligently seek to know and do His will. We are convinced that we are fulfilling his will at Grace School.

Grace has transformed my perception of leadership as I have seen and practiced my role as the Head Teacher. Many thanks to my fellow teachers for their support and Rev. Samuel and Monica Wambugu who have trusted and supported me in all my endeavors. Finally, my gratitude is to the many friends and Partners of Grace. It is because of your prayers and financial support that Grace School is accomplishing its mission. God bless you all.

 

HIV/AIDS MINISTRY AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE

HIV/AIDS scourge has again hit us. We lost Irene in August. Irene was the mother of Caroline a pupil in Class three. Grace School assisted in the burial of Irene and class three children attended the funeral to mourn with Caroline. Caroline has added to the large number of orphans we have at Grace.

PERSONNAL TESTIMONY

Anne and Family

My name is Ann. I am 46 years old. My husband died in 2003 because of AIDS and left me to take care of our two children Mary 5 and George 7. It took long time for me to accept that I was HIV Positive. I went for an AIDS test in January 2004 and my fears were confirmed. I am HIV Positive. I felt that this was the end of life and contemplated suicide. Friends abandoned me and I had no means of sustaining my children and the increased medical bill.

Grace School where my children were attending was the only one that understood what I was going through. It took care of my children, by educating, feeding and clothing them without asking me to pay the required fee. Rev. Wambugu started doing pastoral visitation at our home. I felt a divine visitation to see Rev. Wambugu come and humbly sit, talk and even share the simple meal I had prepared. Whenever he comes, he brings us much needed supplies and prays for us. I have come to realize that God loves me and sickness is not the end of life. I have accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. I have joined Community Presbyterian Church where my faith is being nurtured.

We always thank God for the work of Grace School and the ministry of the Wambugu’s. They occasionary help in paying for my house rent and gives financial assistance so that I can attend my monthly HIV/AIDS Clinic as well as buy ART medicine.

I am very thankful to God and may he continue to bless the work of Grace School.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

SPINACH

Manuree

We at Grace School are celebrating the birth of a young bull by Kate the Grace heifer on 5th September. Kate is giving enough milk for the children, staff, and church. We do have a time of fellowship over a cup of tea at Community Presbyterian Church after Sunday service and Grace School donates the milk. On top of this we still have milk left for sale. We use the proceeds from the sale to buy Kate feeding supplement. It is a wonderful cow and we praise God for the young girl that the Lord moved to give money that bought this animal.

We do have other animals. We have 10 sheep and 40 chickens. All these animals’ gives manure that we use to fertilize our garden. This results in high yield of vegetables, which are used to prepare food for Grace School children and share the excess with the most needy families.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER 2005:
 

		US $
Balance B/W		(1296.00)
ADD INCOME		5064.50
Net receipts		3767.50
LESS EXPENSES		(5940.00)
BALANCE C/F		(2172.50)

 

God in his providence has used Kate Norrell’s wedding gifts dedicated to Grace School and a gift from Korean Church of Knoxville to off set this deficit.

 CONCLUSION

As we enter the Christmas season, let us remember the love of God to us all. We who were poor and unable to secure our salvation, he sent his son Jesus Christ to become our way, our truth and our life.

Samuel, Monica. Teachers and children of grace school.

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