World AID's Day

Thursday this week was World AID’s Day. Some progress has been made in our fight against the scourge of AID’s, and Kenya was commended for managing to reduce the rate of new infections from 10% down to 6%; but, by and large this disease is still ravaging our society!

In the evening news, NTV showed the plight of 2 child-led families – the first was a 14 yr old girl whose parents both died of HIV-AIDs, and whose relatives abandoned them, possibly for fear of the disease. This girl, who is still in primary school, has to bravely look after her younger siblings but with absolutely no means of survival, and as she shared on the TV, many are the nights when they go to bed hungry.

The second was a Std 8 schoolboy who also has to look after his 2 younger sisters, but who is a bit luckier because the neighbors chip in, give them food, and help with rent . . . but he too has no job or income.

Both these pictures were heart-rending because the suffering they are going through is frightening. It is likely that this little girl, motivated by love, will soon discover how to feed her siblings by selling her body . . . and the boy by praying on people through thuggery.

One of the frightening statistic given in the program was that Kenya has 1.8 million HIV-AIDS orphans – the highest number of orphans in any country worldwide since the middle of the last century; and the picture looks to get worse. It is estimated that within the next 10 years this figure will rise to 4 million orphans.

If God were to speak to us today, what do you think He would say? Would it be something along the line of Mt 25:35

“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me.” Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you?’ The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Or maybe James 1:26

“ If anyone considers himself religious . . . he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress . . . “

keeping it real@the Hanyee
All young adiz Its on Friday 9 th Dec. @ the village market .DJ Moz is spinning on the wheels of steel. There is pool, bowling and fuss ball. Come on lets dance to good soul and all. Its from 8pm to midnight. Tax is 300 bob. . Its strictly over 21 Transport will be provided at a small fee. Lets eat life with an even bigger spoon. Register today at the info table. Don’t miss this.

Banns Of Marriage : We wish to announce Banns of Marriage for Mr. Paul Churu and Ms Grace Thiong’o. The wedding will be held on 16 th Dec, 2005 at St. Mark’s ACK Church, Westlands. We also wish to announce banns for Mr. Kiarie Mwenda and Ms. Winfred Mashombo, to be wed at the Kenya High School Chapel on 17 th Dec, 2005.

If anyone knows a valid reason why these couples should not be united in holy matrimony, please let the pastors know.

Tree of Joy : Our “Tree of Joy” this year will supply BATA school shoes to the 40 orphans at Cheryl Children’s Home. Here’s how it works – pick up a “Token” for a child from the Christmas Tree outside. The token will identify name, age, sex and shoe size. List your contact details at the Information Table (so that we know who has what token), and then go buy the shoes at BATA (let’s all buy BATA to standardize the gifts. Bata shoes are also inexpensive, tough and long-lasting. BATA Yaya is giving us a 10% discount). Wrap-up the gift and bring it back to the Tree-Table by Sun 18 Dec. We will deliver it on 25 th Dec.

Internship 2006: Would you like to serve in Ministry for 1 yr full-time maybe you feel God is calling you into ministry, or just want to set aside a year dedicated to the Lord's service well, JOIN THE INTERNSHIP 2006. Begins January. Pick up an application form at the Info Tent for more details. Deadline for application is Dec 7th.

Next week : our youth are leading the service! Come prepared to have a lot of FUN! They’re also asking the adults (if they can) to come dressed the way they used to dress when they were teens – Afro, Flairs and all! Best of luck guy’s.

Concerts : Monday 12 th Dec, at 5:30 pm. Special worship concert here at the tent – a powerful encounter with God through worship! Bring a friend.

Gift for New Believers : If you have recently accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior we have a FREE GIFT for you! Please pick it up at the Information Desk after the service.

Prayer service 25 Dec : Please note – we will not have the pre-service prayer on Sun 25 th of Dec. Our Christmas service will also be shorter than usual (10:30 – 12:00 pm). The same will be true on Sun 1 st Jan. Normal services resume second week of Jan.

ROPES : This, and next week, our Std 8’s go off for their special Rite of Passage initiation into adulthood (girls this week, boys next week). They have been preparing for this for a year. They will go as kid’s, but come back to us as Men/ Women. Pray that this initiation that marks the end of childhood, would launch them into a godly and focused adulthood.

For parents whose children are in Std 8 this coming year (or are 13 yrs old), we will start preparing for next years rite of passage in January. Please pick up your letter on the same NEXT Sunday.