Getting my mind away from Facebook and ON TO OUR BLOG

Facebook had become such a friendly and easy platform, that I actually started neglegting our blogs big time. Of course my time is limited and keeping in touch with all your friends under one umbrella/roof is GREAT to say the least. I also didn't realize that time (or maybe it has not been "invented" yet "that time") that one can share everything written on the blog on Facebook ... BUT NOT VICE VERSA.

Soooo ... I am switching my mind back to the blog (which I enjoyed so much "that time" before I knew about Facebook) ... and hopefully I will get the blog updated in no time.

Nice time (like they say here in Kenya :-)

WE NEED TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP ... SCARY STUFF!!

Reflecting back over the past year or so, I realize we've come to a cross road at the school ... My mind is still not comprehending it, but I know we need to act and act FAST. The property which we rented since January 2005 to house our school, has been sold on an auction. The new owners bought it at a very reasonable price with only one intention in mind ... they want to sell it for a profit. As soon as they'll get a buyer - depending on what the new owner wants to do with the place - we will have to look for another abode. We hope for a miracle before then.

Since my husband has gone to South Africa last year June (2009) to work there, I have been working much harder than usual as I have to now also fill his shoes. Of course we hope, we trust, we pray that this will only be a temporary arrangement, but still ... This is where we are right now. I have not been posting anything on our blog, simply because I have just been so occupied, but I realize that I just HAVE to make time for it as the life of our YASHA kids depend upon it.

We have a lovely 13-acre piece of land in mind which we'd like to buy in order to build the children of YASHA their very own school, but ... we need $258,565 to do it! A lot for someone like me who's parents never really owned property, but I guess for God it's not a big deal :-)

Will you help us ... please? Will you tell your friends to help us? Your family? Your colleagues? Your church family? If all of us can unite, then we'll be able to do it.

Feel free to contact us if you need any additional information - we'll be happy to share with you our hearts.

God bless

Lydia

END-OF-THE-TERM TREE PLANTING CELEBRATION

29th of July 2009 @ YASHA Guest House

We planted 49 trees (7 trees in 7 rows) as a fund raising project. In about 4-7 years we can start "harvesting" the trees and make quite a bit of money for the school.

Working, working, working ...

Great preperations were taking place as each child received a merit bag after the day. Here Anne Cheptoo, the manager of YASHA Guest House is at work the morning of the big day.

At lunch time we treated the kids on hot dogs and sodas. The Nursery School had their own fun time at the YAHSA school premises as we just thought they are too small to control at the guesthouse the whole day. Here Anne and Lydia are posing with the long buns and sausages that are suppose to be sent to school.

On the photo below is Samuel Ouma with our friend from the soda depot as they are busy counting the sodas for us.

The BIG day ...

Students gathering under the tree as they arrived.

Each class had a few trees to plant and we made sure that every student participated.

Lydia planting the 1st tree ... unfortunately the batteries of our camera gave trouble, so we couldn't take more photos. We had a lovely day of fun and games after the ceremony and the students as well as the staff enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

STUDENTS - 2nd Term

GRADE 0 - Tiny Tiger Learning Centre
(Pre-School with Ace and Christi)

Back f.l.t.r. : Tr. Margaret Mwangi (Monitor); Minashe Mwangi; Gabriel, Gabriel; Omondi;
Front f.l.t.r. : Bilhah Wangari; Jonathan Sifa; Daisy ; Tiko and Charity.

GRADE 1 - Petey Peacock Learning Centre
(ABC's with Ace & Christi)
Back f.l.t.r. : Tr. Agnes Mwelu (Supervisor); Victor Mabwa, Nicole Njeri; Faith Nekesa; Pauline; Samson Ndiba; Andrew Otieno; Brian Wanjama and Mr Dixon Kipkemboi (Acting Monitor).
Front f.l.t.r. : Erick Gachoka; Brian Mogaka; Glen Nguyo; Ephraim Igambo; Timothy Venter; Simon Ngige; Stephen Wainaina and Caroline.

GRADE 2 : Ellie Elephant Learning Centre
Back f.l.t.r. : David Ochola; Venter Mwaura; Evans Gachoki; Jeremiah Joe; Steven Aranda; Naomi Kimunto; Ishmael and Mr Peter (Monitor)
Front f.l.t.r. : Ian Macharia; Kelvin; Esther Ikabi; Jeremiah Okwiri; Jasmyn; Duncan Kipchirchir and Valentine.

Grade 3 : Ricky Rabbit Learning Centre
Back f.l.t.r. : John Nyagaka; Sarah Wanjala; Lea Wangari; Melvin Wachira;
Front f.l.t.r. : Beverley Wanja; Keith Kamau; Tr. Minnie Wanjiru (Supervisor); Samuel Njoroge and Cathrine.

GRADE 4 : Zippy Zebra Learning Centre
Back f.l.t.r. : Keith Baraka; Amos Gitau; Shadrack Methuselah and Titus Kipyegon
Front f.l.t.r. : Tr. Carol Chanzu (Supervisor); Maureen Chepchumba; Peter Ndirangu; Paul Thiongo; Anne Nyambura and Mr Joseph Wasonga (Monitor)

GRADE 5-6 : Abbie Antelope Learning Centre
Back : Tr. Esther (Supervisor)
Front f.l.t.r. : Joy Venter; Marvel Mothoni; Jedidah Njeri and Stefanus Venter

STUDENTS - 2nd Term

Baby Care Centre
Mickey Mouse & Teddy Bear Classes

Nursery Department
Tom & Jerry Class (3-4 years)

Barney Class (4-5 years)

Visit to YASHA Learning Centre, Lulukwet - Teret Forest

Thursday, 16 July 2009

Talking of growing from glory to glory ... In less than 7 months we have seen these kids develop like crazy ... We can't wait to see what will happen to them in the next few months.

Mr Dickson, Lena and Gladys in front of the Nursery School class in Lulukwet.
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Reciting one of their scripture verses ...
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Here I am with the rest of the school. (Look at all the lovely art at the back :-)
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We took Richard Kabiru (far left) with us ... He is from Nairobi and is helping us out at YASHA Mission Academy with our Admin. He also is a member of CONGRESS WBN which makes him double family.

In Teret we've also started with a class for the very young ones. They are still in the process of smearing mud on the walls, but by next term everything should be ready. Please pray with us as we're still trusting God for a teacher to help with these little ones.
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Richard standing at the sign board of the school.
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I took them all for a nice cup of tea and mandazi at one of the local hotels in Teret. Wonderful!!!
Here Richard is with Past Richard and Bernard.



Thanks for your prayers and support. Right now there are quite a number of children in Teret without shoes and warm clothes. We have just entered the coldest time of the year and would very much like to provide for those little ones the necessary. Contact us if you would like to get involved in that (yashaministry@yahoo.com).



Shalom ...

The Ward Family from Scotland

8-15 May 2009

Allan, Janette and Mathew (8) arrived in Njoro on the Friday evening after meeting with Enock Mohol, the coordinator of ACE in East Africa, during the morning. Allan spent the weekend with us, but had to go back to Nairobi on Sunday, as he had to work up to Wednesday.

Allan was specifically interested in helping YASHA looking at different options concerning water. He actually wanted Wilco to start digging the well at the Guest House as to look for water, but because of the heavy rains that couldn't realize as it would have been too dangerous for the guys digging. We believe that if we can go 30-40 feet deeper, we might find plenty of water.

This photo of the Ward family was taken after the Sunday morning service at Kingpriest Centre, Nakuru. It was such a privilege having them with us.
We had a Graduation Service as our Sunday School children just finished the Discovery Series. Here Allan and Matthew are taken with Past Erastus and Pauline - Past Maina also got a certificate as to validate our church's relationship with Christian Union.

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Tuesday morning's chapel @ YASHA

Janet brought a powerful message to the staff and students about God's love. She never knew that our song of the month came from 1 John 4:7,8 talking all about LOVE :-)

Janette also gave the school some valuable advice on various issues during the course of the week and the Staff especially were encouraged so much. As a school we had to re-align ourselves with certain ACE concepts that were misunderstood and we truly are grateful for her input in this regard.

Matthew thoroughly enjoyed "school life" as such as he is a home schooler. He blended in real well and made pretty good friends that week.