Netting distribution in Peroni!!!

Les, Simone, Paul, Job and I went to Peroni to distribute the rest of the nets. Peroni school is in Tanzania. Jim started the center there. They have 160 children. All the children sang a couple songs for us before we distributed the nets. Les had a great demonstration that she had us do while she was explaining how to use the nets and why they are important to use. She started by letting them know that mosquitoes will make them sick. She went on to demonstrate how to use the net by taking it out of the package and opening it up. Then we all held a corner of the net. She showed them to keep the net touching the floor so no mosquitoes can get in. Then she had Paul and I go under the net posing as the mom and dad under the net. She had two school children come under the net posing as the parent's children. Then Simone acted like she was a mosquito to show them that the mosquito cannot get the family under the net. However, if a section of the net is open the mosquito can get in. We demonstrated that by having Simone (the misqueto) go under the net and sting us. It was a fun illustration. The children will remember it because it was amusing to them.

Saying goodbye...

I spent today saying goodbye to many of my friends. Bena and a friend of hers came with me. We started by dropping off some mosquito nets to Injili. Then we went to Bomani and said farewell to all the folks there. Ann sends her greetings to all my friends and family. She is so sweet. I let her know that she is loved by everyone at Fox River that has met her and that she is a blessing to everyone that comes to that center. She has a way of making everyone feel loved, welcome and happy to be there. I told her that she is one of the main reasons that I love going there. She got teary eyed and excused herself momentarily. She spent some time encouraging me and as always she asked how her elder sister is doing (Pat). After that visit we were off to Vipingo. I said my goodbyes there.

Once we were done visiting the centers, we stopped at home to pick up a friend named Lillian and went to Tumaini (orphanage). As always, it was a joy to spend time with the children. They are so happy, even with the rough backgrounds they come from. It amazes me every time I see them. They are a family to each other.

When my goodbyes were final at Tuamini, I dropped Lillian off and Bena’s friend. Then Bena and I went to Tuesday night Bible study. Duncan gave a wonderful message about walking with God. After the message we all went into small groups to pray. When our prayers were done, I said goodbye to my friends at Bible study. It has been such a blessing to get to know everyone there.

My final destination was right after Bible study. I met with a wonderful friend named Ninah. We sat, ordered dinner and had a great conversation together. It is a night I will not forget. I met Ninah the first year I was here in Kenya. We had limited communication; however, I feel as though I have known her for a long time and talk often. We click very well. I am grateful that I had the opportunity spend time with her before I go home.

1/2 Mosquito net distribution!!

A couple weeks ago my friends sent money to me from a fundraiser they did to get mosquito netting for children here in Kenya. I was able to purchase 84 nets for single sized beds with that money.

I talked to Allen and Jim to see where the best place for the mosquito nets would be. Allen said that Injili had a baby die recently because of malaria. The area is affected with mosquitoes that cause malaria. He recommended that nets be distributed to Parents that have children 6 months and under because they are most susceptible. Jim recommended that the nets be distributed in Peroni which is anther center he started.

In addition to the 84 nets I ordered, my friend Les had family sized nets to distribute as well. We decided to combine efforts. We planned to give 80 nets to Injili and about 84 nets each to Peroni. She took 40 nets from her bunch of nets and I took 40 nets from my bunch nets for Injili. We decided to hand out the nets after the outreach at Injili on Saturday.

We had another very successful outreach on Saturday. A group of members from Nyali Crossroads and some other friends of mine headed out to Injili on Saturday morning. The staff at Injili came to volunteer for this event in addition to the Crossroads group. I thought it was really cool that we had exactly the amount of volunteers we needed for the event.

We had about 190 children there. The day went very smoothly. All the children were able to play games, learn songs, listen to a lesson, do art work and eat snacks. At the end of the outreach the children sang the songs they had been learning throughout the day. They knew the songs very well. We handed out a flyer for them to give to their parents at the end of the outreach. The flyer invited the parents to see their children sing the songs at church on Sunday. The children were to give the flyer to their parents.

Before the outreach ended, many parents began to pour in the church. These parents were coming into the church in hopes to receive a mosquito net for their young child. When the children were singing the songs they had learned in the church, the adults were waiting for the net distribution to start. One of the Injili workers named David did a closing message for the children and dismissed them orderly.

Allen and Les went in front of the church and explained the two types of mosquito nets that were being distributed. They explained how to use them and wash them. Les made sure it was clear that these nets are very important for their health and their children’s health. Les and Allen distributed the nets one by one as the adults thanked them for bringing the nets. There were still 19 parents that did not receive a net. Les had them write their names down. She plans to drop off extra nets to the ones that did not receive.

There were so many babies that came with their parents. I am thrilled to think those babies can now sleep under netting that could literally save their lives. The parents were so thankful for the distribution.

In addition to the successful distribution of nets and the successful outreach event, there is one more piece of great news. The Sunday after, the attendance jumped from 390 to 562. There were 4 salvations during that time. GOD IS GOOD and He is at WORK!

There is another amazing outcome of the mosquito net fundraiser. All the nets came with a free geometrical set. When I saw that I immediately thought of my friend Lesley. She came to Kenya from America to teach at a Primary School. She will be here for one year. Teaching is very challenging for her because there are many students in her class. One of her biggest concerns has been teaching math class. She has been wondering how she would teach geometry without the geometrical sets. This has been a burden on her heart since she came here.
Lesley and her husband Chris came to visit this weekend and help out at the outreach. When they arrived I asked Lesley how many students she has in her class. She replied, “85.” I then informed her that there were 86 geometrical sets for her and her students.


We both got chills and were so excited when we found out that the number of free geometrical sets that were with the nets, is the exact number she will need for her class. I received 86 sets, she has 85 students plus she needs one for herself. I ordered 84 mosquito nets because that was the limit of what I could order from the monies raised. They gave 86 free geometrical sets. I am just amazed at the precise work of God through his people.

Les and I will go to Peroni on Wednesday to distribute the rest of the nets.