COVID-19 RESPONSE UPDATE
We reported a few days ago that our learning centers have been closes in compliance with government mandates to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
We have redeployed money normally used to buy food for our lunch program to buy bulk staples that are being distributed to the families of the children we serve.
Food distribution began Monday morning. Please continue to pray for these children and people who were vulnerable long before the challenges of COVID-19
SHEPHERD'S LITTLE LAMBS RESPONDS TO COVID-19
LOADING SUPPLIES AT THE MARKET
A few days ago, Kenya’s president closed both the schools and the country’s border to limit the spread of Covid-19. Therefore, both of our learning centers are closed for an undetermined amount of time until schools reopen.
We wanted you to know that we have been closely monitoring this situation and have taken the following steps in response:
Money normally used to buy food for our lunch program is being used to buy bulk staples that are being distributed to the families of the children we serve.
All staff will continue to be paid for the duration of the closure.
Teaching staff are developing educational tools that will be distributed to the children for use at home.
The mission trip to Kenya that was scheduled for April, has been cancelled. A new date will be set once travel bans are lifted.
If you currently support Little Lambs financially, Thank you! If you would like to begin giving or increase your giving, please CLICK HERE for ways to give. Your generosity is needed now more than ever.
We are fully aware that none of this has come as a surprise to God. He’s got this! We do ask you to pray for our children and staff as they navigate this situation in a context that is already challenging!
Resting in God’s Grace,
Shepherd’s Little Lambs Board
UNLOADING SUPPLIES IN KIJABE
SUPPLIES STORED AND READY FOR DISTRIBUTION ON MONDAY
LET SOMEONE WALK A MILE IN YOUR SHOES
THE SHOE DRIVE IS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
PLEASE STORE ANY ITEMS YOU HAVE COLLECTED
THANK YOU!
You can’t walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, but you can make it possible for someone to walk in your shoes.
Little Lambs is collecting new or gently used gym shoes and new packages of underwear and socks for poor children in Kenya. Sizes range from pre-school through high school.
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
NEW CANOPY OVER WORK YARD
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!