WITH GOD AS YOUR #1...

Seth Nyawbcha is the first “lamb” from Nakuru to graduate from college. Seth was the guest of honor at our Nakuru Christmas party, dressed in his graduation cap and gown. 

At the party, he shared his story of how he joined Little Lambs as a boy of 8 years in third grade. He expressed his gratitude for how Little Lambs helped him all the way through high school. He told how hard it was to finish high school well and passing his exams for university. He just didn’t know how that dream could become a reality. That is when God demonstrated His love through friends of Little Lambs who stepped in to make sure he could fulfill his dream of a university degree. 

He also had some encouraging words to the Little Lambs kids. He said, “with God as your number one and hard work, you can realize your dreams”.  He reminded the young ones how blessed they are to have caring people willing to mentor them in the Word of God and take care of their daily needs. 

Seth then gave his dad a chance to talk.  His father delivered his written speech but he had trouble finishing it because he was overcome by emotions. His was a speech of Thanksgiving to Little Lambs for doing what he could not have done for his boys. Seth’s dad was severely injured in a work accident that left him with two broken legs. Even now, he walks with a crutch due to those injures.  

Stories like this are why Little Lambs exists. Every story like this is made possible because of your generosity and God’s grace.

Thank you!!

"KONNECTING" TO KENYA

Last October, a team from Gurnee Community Church in Gurnee, IL visited the Green Pastures location up the hill from Kijabe. They had a wonderful time encouraging the staff and interacting with the children. 

 In April, a team from Immanuel Church, also in Gurnee, IL, will be visiting both locations in Nakuru and Green Pastures. Their focus will be on spending quality time with the Little Lambs staff, the children and a day with the relatives who care for these children. The goal is to build relationships that will span the ocean that physically separates us. 

We are so grateful for the faithful support of churches like Gurnee Community and Immanuel. 

Is your church interested in joining the Little Lambs team? Are there people in your church who are interested in a up close and personal encounter with Little Lambs? Contact us at LittleLambsKenya@yahoo.com for more information. 

 

KPG Version 2.0

Kijabe Practical Garage (KPG) is training ground for young people who have a desire to learn a trade after high school. KPG, a project of Shepherds Little Lambs, was years in the planning and opened for business in 2015.  Recent upgrades to the facility made it more versatile and workable. Upgrades include a canopy over the work yard to protect workers and students from the sun and rain plus a complete rehab of the on-site storage container.  Late in 2019, three young men sat for their government exam in welding and small engine repair - we await the results! 

NEW ROOF TO PROTECT CONTENTS FROM SUN AND WATER DAMAGE

NEW FLOORING IN THE CONTAINER!

THE STORAGE CONTAINER STRIPPED TO THE BARE WALLS AND FLOOR STRUTS

NEW METAL SHELVING UNITS CONSTRUCTED BY KPG STUDENTS AND STAFF

TAKING THE WHEEL BALANCING MACHINE OUT FOR A SPIN

ADDING TO THE FLOCK

Every January we evaluate how many students we have in different age groups and add new children to the program. We usually add 7 to 10 students. This year we stepped out in faith and added 17! 

The average annual cost for each student at Little Lambs is $722. The annual cost of adding 17 more students is over $12,000 to our expenses. Will you consider sponsoring a child to help with these new costs?

Take a look at our new lambs! Click on a picture to set up a sponsorship.

THE TRIALS OF KENYA

As the new year begins, we are reminded again of what happened just a year ago. We are grateful to God that Blasto is fully recovered from his accident. However, the lingering court case still grinds along ever so slowly. Every time Blasto goes to court there are transportation costs and lawyer costs totaling at least $100. This may not seem like much but it is an additional drain on our already stretched resources.

Blast returns to court this Thursday for the fourth time. Please pray that this case will be settled and that justice and truth will prevail.

Please give, if you can, to help with these costs and the ongoing expenses of helping our lambs flourish.

NAKURU NOEL

Seth with some of our current Lambs.

Similar to Kijabe, we all had a wonderful time in Nakuru with the kids, caregivers, a few invited guests and of course with Seth, his family and friends. 

The party started with everyone having a delicious meal, prepared by both the staff members and caregivers. The food and the cake are usually the main highlight for the kids. 

After the meal, a short Christmas sermon was delivered by one of the caregivers from Psalm 121 and she really gave a very nice talk. Then Seth, (a recent college graduate dressed in his graduation gown) being the 'guest of honor', was given a chance to address everyone and he did a good job of that. He gave his story of how he joined Little Lambs when he was a boy of 8 years (class three) and how Little Lambs assisted him all the way to high school. He mentioned what a discouraging situation he was in after finishing form four and passing his university entrance exam but didn't have funds to join university.  God, however, demonstrated His love through friends of Little Lambs who stepped in and have assisted him the entire time he was in the University. He also had some encouraging words to the Little Lambs kids that “with God as your number one and hard work, you can realize your dreams”.  He reminded them how fortunate they are to have caring people willing to mentor them in the word of God and take care of their needs.

everyone is always ready to pose for a picture

Seth's part took the better part of the afternoon, but everyone one was fine with that as he is the first university graduate from Nakuru center. Cake here is sometimes used as a symbol of celebration and is shared with everyone present so Seth did the honors of cake cutting.

 Finally, we distributed the gift bags to the caregivers and, like always, they were very much appreciative.  On that note, we all left for home. I'm attaching some pictures of the party and of Seth and his mom and dad. Merry Christmas to you all! 

Machaa Samuel International Director

The food prep crew!

CHRISTMAS IN KIJABE

A Christmas story from our National Director:

A soft drink is a very special treat for these kids.

Yesterday we had an afternoon of fun with the kids, caregivers, staff, board members and a few invited guests. The kids looked forward to enjoying a great meal so they came early to the center and spent most of the morning in the playground working up an appetite. They must have accomplished this as was evidenced by how much they enjoyed their food and a soda.

Looks like chapati, cabbage, rice, carrots and a little beef or pork. A Kenyan feast!

After a wonderful meal, the kids had prepared lots of Swahili poems, memory verses and songs, all with a Christmas theme. They presented these in groups planned on different age groups. Agnes (board member) also had a short sermon from Psalm 100. Afterward were short speeches from some invited guests and board members all focusing on thanksgiving for what God has done for Little Lambs through the whole year. They also challenged the kids to be Godly and work hard in school. 

Some of our lambs holding their gift bags.

Finally, before sharing the gift bags with the caregivers, everyone had a few pieces of cake. The children who had performed well in school were presented with gifts. This motivates all kids to work hard at school to get one of these. I'm attaching a picture of these kids with their gifts. The final activity was to put a big smile on the caregivers faces as they received a gift bag. 

Thank you all for making it possible for everyone to have a wonderful day!

Blessings, 

Machaa Samuel

Enjoying a special meal together.

Festive Faces!

WE THANK GOD FOR YOU!

Generosity is the most genuine expression of gratitude. Today we want to express our gratitude for your generous support of Little Lambs.

Thank you!

We do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in our prayers. Ephesians 1:16

Please Pray for Mary

We received word this morning that one of our lambs is seriously ill. Mary Ng’endo was admitted to the hospital yesterday and has been diagnosed with pneumonia and TB. She is in isolation and under a doctors care. There are probably more serious circumstances here too, but her grandmother is not willing to share any further details. 

Please pray for Mary’s healing. Also pray that her grandma would engage us more closely in Mary’s care.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE BACHELOR?

Have you seen the Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Development and Education?

Congratulations to Margaret Maina (Blasto’s daughter) on her graduation. Check out the great pictures of the graduate and her proud dad.

Margaret and Blasto

Cake is part of every celebration in Kenya.