I recently arrived from an incredible trip last week to Hope Center-Kenya! Much was to be accomplished during the course of my near three week stay; and working alongside our team in Kenya, I saw amazing things come together and develop. During my time there, we had to make necessary changes due to the economic struggle here at “home”. However, God is faithful ever still and overall, tremendous improvements were made to the ministry as a whole.
Hope Church was an exhilarating place to be a part of in September! Pastor Brian preached a series entitled “Take Off “. The congregation was enlivened to “take off” to the spiritual level the Lord desires for us to reach and experience in our lives. Pastor Darryl from a partner church, Zion, wrapped up the moving series. At Hope Church, we have seen physical growth and improvements, but the most important growth has been the love that the members are beginning to have for their church. Furthermore, Pastor introduced something called Adopt a Window, where the church body will come together as friends or family units and begin to purchase the windows that need to be put into the Hope Center. We are off to a start with six windows so far :). My last week there, it was awesome to feel the presence of the Lord through music as Pastor Brian lead worship; we are looking forward to seeing the leadership that he will impart into each ministry of Hope Church.
Hope Academy enrollment is currently at 385 students. The teachers and staff are elated about the opportunities they have to impact and care for the lives of each and every student on a daily basis, and there is great anticipation for the expansion of the Academy in 2010.
Also on this trip, we had our first “summit” meeting that summoned our leaders to come together, and to plan for our partnerships. The meeting went exceptionally well, and all of our leaders of the different ministry partners here in Kenya, including the leaders of NCS, Vapor Sports, and our country directors for all our partnerships, were in attendance.
Lastly, our preparations and plans have been set forth for the upcoming trip in December. All of the medical plans have been set in motion, and it will be an outstanding week of clinics. In addition, preparations are underway for the coming summer in Kenya. Stay tuned for more info on the trips, and all the great happenings that will surround summer 2009 in Kenya!
Praise the Lord for the great works that have happened in Kenya thus far, for what is happening now, and for what is yet to come. You are an essential part of the World Hope ministry; please continue to keep us in your prayers and consider becoming a part of helping us get over the edge of our financial burden!
J.Derek Janney
Executive Vice President