Friday, November 12, 2021

TRIP TO KENYA

Vivian and I are anticipating our trip to visit the children and members of the two churches in Kenya. Much has changed since the last time I visited in 2019.

1.   The dormitory has been completed.

2.   A vegetable garden has been established.

3.   A water irrigation system with rain collection and tanks has been built and installed.

4.  Both of the two churches have had to construct larger buildings because of all the people who are attending. There are now about 700 members in the two churches.

5.   A good beginning has been made on the construction of a school building on the orphanage grounds.

6.   In addition to all of this, God has provided funding for the daily needs of the children, food, clothing, bedding, and all the rest.

7.  God has also provided funding so that the kids all have been able to attend school while they await our own to be completed. This is no small cost - $15,000 to $20,000 per year.

It has been amazing for me to see what God has accomplished in this short time – all of it by His mighty hand. There will be much for us to see and do, and many people to meet. The schedule for our visit is in the photo below. Thanks for your prayers for all of these events with many people, and thanks for your prayers for our safety and health.


Joel’s letter below:

*************************

Dear Beloved Dad, Mum, Church and friends,

Greetings in the precious name of Jesus our Lord and Savior. We are humbled once again when we remember how great your help that you have donated for the children in Log Orphanage Kenya, which has brought hope to them. We as the church and staff we are praying for your all who have taken your time and resources to support these children. We appreciate your efforts to help may God provide for your needs also.


We have made the cost estimates for the forthcoming your trip for overseas. We trust God will send you to Kenya and see what God is doing through your hand of support. Welcome Kenya in near future of two weeks to come.

Dad we have received new cost of fuel which has made everything hard because here fuel is what mostly used and even food cost is increasing daily but we trust all will be well we request your prayers.

Below is the trip report and budget.

Hotel Cannas Kisii – Bed, breakfast and Supper: Ksh. 5000 daily x 13 nights = Ksh. 65,000 ($650)

Car hire from airport and return – Date 1 and Date 14 Ksh. 28,000 ($280)

Car hire 12days from hotel to the church: The owner of the car is letting us use it without cost, but the fuel costs will be Ksh. 2500 x12 = Ksh.30,000 ($300)

Mask 10,000 ($100. This will purchase 500 masks. There are about 700 church members, and these masks are for those who do not have money to buy their own)

Covid-19 test Ksh. 14,900 ($149. This is the required PCR test needed for Vivian and I for our return flight to the US. We also need one before we depart for Kenya, and we have arranged that here)

Food budget for members – 12 days x 3700=Ksh.44,200 ($442. I am not certain of the details of this expense, but we will be having a noon meal at the church at least on some days, and many people will have walked quite a long distance to attend. Like Jesus told his disciples, “We need to feed the people so that they do not faint on the way back to their homes”)

Miscellaneous –  Ksh. 50,000. ($500)

Total = Ksh. 242,100 (About $2,421.00)

We thank all who donated for the garden. It is serving the orphanage better. May God bless you all. We are in a period of replacing old vegetables and planting other species (see picture attached).


We are humbled for everything you are doing for the work in Kenya. May God reward you and all with you. Keep praying for the school building. We look to God for the provision. Keep for the churches in Kenya to have Ekegusii Bibles.

The orphanage also has needs like blankets, mattress and bedcovers. Thanks for your prayers and help which have made us to this far may God protect you all. We request your prayers for the food and school fees.


Finally, all leadership thank you and all who are behind the Log Orphanage Kenya also children are happy and humbled for the provision receive their thanks giving. God bless you all. Really appreciate all your work and love God blesses you once again.

Yours Son Joel and Log Church/Orphanage Kenya

Sunday, November 7, 2021

REPORT FROM KENYA

The trip for Vivian and I to visit the orphanage and churches in Kenya is still on, but I must say getting the covid test results so close to the time when we begin the flights both there and also on the return are making everything difficult. We are healthy, but it all contingent on what the results are at that time.

Vivian and latched on to this verse for our trip there: "Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you" (1 Thessalonians 3:11).

Here is this week's letter from Pastor Joel:

*********************************

Dear beloved Dad, Mum, Church and Friends,

We praise God when we remember you and all across who are praying for the work of God in Kenya. May God bless you all, we are praying for the trip daily, and your protection from any harm.

The progress on the school building continues, brick upon brick

Thanks for those who provided food it came in time. May God bless you all, keep praying for the trip
and what it will take to happen. The help you sent were able to do the budget as shown below.

Food budget Ksh. 476,810.

Maize =558.5kilogram, one kg =Ksh.260 x558.5=145,210

Cooking oil =60 litres,one litre cost Ksh. 360x60litres=Ksh21600.

Sanitizer 29litres, one litre @ 150=Ksh.4400

Vegetables 160 kgs. 1kgs =Ksh. 160x160kgs=Ksh.25700

Unga ngano/baking flour 188. kgs One kilogram =Ksh.140 x188 kgs=Ksh.26,300

Salt 38Kgs=3800

Sugar 156.8kgs. 1kg=ksh.160 x156. 8=Ksh.25100

Beans=400kilogram,one kgs cost Ksh. 300x400kgs=Ksh. 120,000

Soap 20Kilogram,1kg @150=Ksh.3,000.

Rice=479Kilogram,one kgs=Ksh. 200x479kgs=Ksh.95,800

Transport cost Ksh.5900

Others.

Workers appreciation Ksh. 10,000

Bedsheets and bed covers Ksh. 13, 190

Thanks for help may God bless you all. Food will last for 19days from 1St November to 19th November 2021.

This photo from my 2019 trip to Kenya

We are here to thank all who have been donating towards school building its our prayers you keep praying for it to continue, we trust God will provide. Thanks.

We thank God that we received government officers from the department of construction and they recommended the work. Also, they are in charge of children home facilities and now they gave us new instructions on how we are supposed to separate girls from boys in different buildings. We are humbled to report of the member has given us the room free of charge for the stay of boys. Now we are separating boys and the current dormitory will be used by girls only. Now the boys will occupy the room which were using that time you came before having this dormitory.

The pictures of church we have attached of Nyakembene church it's growing and another picture is for the outreach. Thanks for your prayers.
The new, larger church building at Nyakembene

The churches are growing from one level to another. Welcome Kenya, we trust God will send you safely. The trip budget and programme we will send on the next email. Kindly keep us in prayer God to give us wisdom to raise this generation as the great army of God for the gospel.
Nyakembene outreach

Thanks. We request your prayers once again kindly mention us daily in prayer as we pray for you. We really covet your prayers. Be of good courage. We love you and may God keep you all in good health. God bless you all, we look forward hearing from you beloved. Thanks.

Yours Son Joel and church/orphanage Leadership-Kenya

(Images of receipts below, Click READ MORE):