Kenya Update

	Updates From the Field: Kenya # 35: November 26, 2008
Dear Family and Friends, Happy Thanksgiving! This will be the last update that I will be writing before the New Year, so I would like to say Merry Christmas as well. I leave next Friday for the U.S. for some vacation. I'm looking forward to being "home" for a break. I will be in the states most of December, so if anyone wants to say hello, I will be at my parent's house most of the time! The Bible says to give thanks in all circumstances, and we all know that this is not easy to do. I am trying to apply that to my life as I witness things that break my heart and hurt my spirit. I know God does not enjoy the suffering of man, but I also know that He can use all situations for His glory. I thank God that I was able to see two nursery schools recently that are in desperate need of funding. You often hear me speak of Kibera and our community centre there. That compound is an oasis in the middle of desperate living situations. I was invited to visit two other nursery schools in Kibera in order to see their work there. I was not prepared for what I saw. These schools are meeting in corps halls in the middle of the slums. They have no supplies, no toys, no desks, and very little food. Thank God I was able to see them, because now I can pursue funding for their needs (some has already been given)! Thank God that these corps are trying to provide care for children that would normally be on the streets during the day! I thank God for our vocational centres. Last week, I was the chief guest for graduation ceremonies at Variety Village and Nairobi Girls Training Centre. Through a donor from USA East (thank you), we were able to sponsor the ceremony at Variety Village. It was the first one they have ever had. There were at least two hundred people there, including parents, guardians, sponsors and other family members. The graduates proudly entered in graduation robes made by the tailoring department. I was overwhelmed emotionally as I saw what this meant to these kids. Some of them were abandoned or hidden by their families due to their disability, and this was an opportunity for them to feel proud of their accomplishments in life. The young women at Nairobi Girls are there because they cannot afford or don't have the right grades for secondary school. They sat proudly in black tailored suits as at least 400 people watched them get their certificates. Thank God for graduation that will make people more aware of our centres, hopefully bringing more students and more funding! Thank God for the kids that have had their lives changed! I thank God for Joyce. Joyce is a young woman who is sponsored in her pursuit of an advanced diploma in social work. Her funding has just ended and I was concerned for her future. She sat in my office today and said, "Don't worry for me, Captain. I trust God". She does not know what will happen if her funding is not renewed, but she had no worry or concern. She simply trusts her Heavenly Father to care for her. Thank God that Joyce ministered to me today! Thank God that she has a chance to trust God in uncertain circumstances; this will surely bring her closer to Him! I thank God today for all the blessings in my life, that only seem larger as I see so many without. I also thank Him in every situation I encounter, because I know it will somehow be for good. The verse of the week: "Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" ~ I Thessalonians 5:17,18 There are pictures of the nursery schools, these graduations and our recent commissioning on my web album: www.picasaweb.google.com/armidajoy Talk to you all in 2009! Armida Armida LaMarr Captain Social/Education Secretary Kenya East Territory