April 2018

Dear friends

Taking this opportunity we would like to say big thanks to you for standing with us in prayer and financial support. All in all if God was not the One who brought us together we ourselves would try by our own strengthen and nothing much WE would achieve. Thank you so much for your constant obedience to God who is enabling us to do great work
We want you to know that we are so grateful for each one of you. And „we continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” – 

Colossians 1:9-13

Please forgive us for taking long to communicate, it has been very difficult for me to stick and focus on putting few words together.

Now I am in my last stage of pregnancy, the baby is due any time from now. Kindly remember me in prayers as you pray for safe delivery.

Briefly would like to update you on our progress. As we wrote in the beginning 
of the year to pray for kitchen ( you may remember were still cooking under the tree) God was so faithful and provided all what was needed. Now we can boldly announce that we managed to complete the building, remain to put few shelves inside the store (waiting for our carpenter to come and finish the work).

The kids in grade 1 up till grade 3 received also new books. It is a big deal here for child to have his/hers books. Our God is full of surprises, many things still needed to be done but believing God in his own timing.

Now as we are approaching rainy season, please pray also for us to be able to reach the kids during that particular season. The roads are getting worsen each day, sometimes not possible to move especially on the rough roads like the one to Kwademu.

Pray also for Henry who will have to do most of the work himself now, if possible any volunteer who would like to come for some period of time or even offer some time to do bit of work from the place he/she is (few things on the computer).

We thank you once again.

With much love

Kalumes

New Year update

" Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your path straight." - Prov. 3;5-6

Our dear friends, 
Taking this opportunity, we wish you all the best in this new year, may God's grace goes before you, no matter how hard life can be let us all trust the Lord, for in Him we find joy, hope and all we need.
We thank God for each one of you, without your help and  without your prayers Light of the World would not be where it is now. You are playing the big part in this ministry. Once again, thank you so much.

Our family is doing well, glory to God for his protection. The baby is growing bigger and bigger every day.  Not much left till our little princess poops into this world. Please pray with us for safe delivery and God's provision, as I wrote lately we do not have insurance cover.


Summarizing last year, God was so grateful to us.  We completed to build 4 classes for the kids,  toilets, built 2 rooms and bathroom for our voluntaries. We never expected such blessing at once, but what is impossible for humans, it is possible for our Creator. I, Mirka, have learnt  not to limit our God.

During Christmas holiday, we were able to organize little party for children, there was plenty of food,  - rice and meat (often kids eat that kind of food during special occasions). Some of the parents contributed into that event by helping with cooking. There were also some small gifts for all of the participants.

Not long ago, out of 100 children, less than 15 kids had sponsors who has been supported them thru out. I am so happy to share with you, that today around 70 kids has supporters. Thanks to all of you who put their effort into that and share with these little ones.  Because of  your help and support, the kids eat meals at school. This really helps them to concentrate more, before they were sent homes for lunch, and some of them could come back still hungry as there was nothing to bite or eat.

At the moment we are cooking meals outside under the tree, but it will be difficult soon when the rains start coming in April, that' s why we have started to build  small kitchen. So far we managed to put up foundation and now in the process of building the walls. We still lack funds to complete this project. Anyone who would like to donate toward this particular project, you are very welcome- do it as usual with the note kitchen.

Recently we employed new trained teacher, this also has increased the cost  of the expenses for  school. There were many changes in new system, the government changed the curriculum, so we are no longer going with the old  program. New books are still needed, but for now still waiting for the books to be brought on the market.


The rains we had lately, destroyed the road to the village.  Right now,  we struggle to reach the kids.

Used to we could use the motorbike (boda boda, taxi) but it is has been difficult, riding bike in the hit or rain .  Right now it is impossible for me, Mirka to use such transport. We are praying and hoping for  4WD car, which will help to reach those an-reach.


As you read all, we pray you don't get discourage by the needs, still plenty to do, but let us all "trust God with all our hearts, not leaning on our own understanding".

with much love

Kalumes

Last news

Dear ones

We are sorry for taking long on updating what has been happening here in Kenya. It has been so many things going on in the last 3 months.

As some of you know we went through election time, first in August and second time not long ago. During that time all Kenyan's prayed for peace, and we request to continue to pray for whole Kenya as the situation is not yet clear though the results have been announced. Some people died during demonstrations, half of the population is still not happy with the results, opposition haven't accepted the outcome. We pray for unity and wisdom for all the leaders of Kenya.

Lately I also wrote about Henry's back, he managed to do the scan and went through physiotherapy,

he is still not yet healed completely but doing better than before, glory to God for that.

I have been traveling to Poland alone in month of September, it was a short visit though but very happy God opened the door for me to go. I met new amazing people and I was able to see my family too. Thankful for all that.

Hannah is doing well, she will be breaking for holiday in 3 weeks time. During this year she have learn a lot and now ready to move to the next class after new year.

The good news is that our little family is going to be bigger, we are expecting new member in April 2018. The first of the months were difficult for me, now I am better but can't do much as get tired so easily in this hot weather. Please pray for strength and healthy delivery, also God to provide for all that. To deliver in Kenya is costly (we do not have insurance cover), also to travel to Poland costs a lot. We pray God gives us wisdom and guidance what to do.

The kids in Kwademu are doing fine. I am happy to say we got more sponsors for our little ones. Out of 90 kids over 30 children got donors. God is so good.

(If you are willing to be part of this project and you wish to support a child you are free to ask for more details. )

Soon the kids will be braking for holiday as they are closing the academic year. We are planing to prepare Christmas meal for all children (pillao- rice with meal) during that time and if possible some gifts. If anyone would like to contribute for the presents you are most welcome.

„Know that the happiness we feel when we bring joy to others is the greatest happiness in the world” - Mokichi Okada

We also wrote last time about the bathroom we started to build for our visitors. Glad to share with you we are working on finishing part. Not only that but also started to build another class.

„There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” . - Ecclesiastes 3;1

In all what we do, we appreciate all your support, without you we would not be able to reach so far. May God constantly bless you.

Mirka and Henry Kalume

Update

Dear Friends

We would love to take that opportunity and thank you for standing with us in time of difficulties and time of joy. Thank you for being part of us,

„We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers”

1 Thessalonians 1: 2

So many things happened lately but one of the greatest thing is the change of weather. The days became cooler, in the villages people have water because of the rains. This will also help with harvesting in coming months.

As long I have been living here I never experienced the shortage of food like during THE last dry season. At that time people struggled not only with water but also with lacking food. Unga which is the main food in Kenya was disappearing at shops in few minutes. Prices for milk and sugar went highly up. People in the villages suffered, children were hungry, hardly focusing on studying. Praise God for the rains we had in May and June.

At school we have around 90 kids. They are all small angels, each of them is unique in his/her own ways and each has his own story behind. For example:

Mwanasity is such a testimony. She started schooling when she was a bit older. Right now she is in class 2. Even though she stays very far from school she is one of the first students in her class every morning, the distance it is not the issue. One day I was concerned of her's small brothers who were also studying from Light of the World Academy but suddenly  stopped on coming. On my visit at their home I found out that Mwanasity's mother and her younger siblings were cheesed away from home, and that the father got new wife who already had kids of her own. After some weeks the Father left and move on with her new family leaving the older kids  at home to care for themselves. I was deeply moved. Her older brother does not speak English ,he himself did not finish even primary level. At age of 19 he is already married with one small child, his wife is nearly 16. Mwanasity is living tough life like most of these kids, but i know they also have dreams, hope, like all of us. Mwanasity is so desperate to study, she is a hard working girl. I am learning a lot from them every single day, they make me feel much more humble.

After seeing another parent giving birth to a child in these poverty (the child suffers from early days because of hunger., the mother has no milk to give to the baby) broke me in pieces. I felt so hopeless and emotionally down, spent hours on praying and asking God. And just yesterday I was lifted up, I got hope again.

„I alone know the plans for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Then you will call to me, you will come and pray I will answer” says the Lord (Jer. 29;11)

Our God has plans not only for me but for these little ones and every other newborn too. My job is to point them to Jesus so they would be able to find the right path and when they come closer to God and pray he will answer. Their future is in God's hands. We are just his vessel to guide them and allow God to bless them through us. 

What a wonderful promise we have from the One who created us -We will call him and he will answer.

Back to the project-

We managed to put up another small room and we are hoping this will be a bathroom for any visitors,
voluntaries and also us when we stay at the project side. For now room is almost completed, the next step is to buy things needed for bathroom like sink, toilet, tap, pipes etc and hire the plumber to put everything together.

Power was brought to the side, next step is connection, buying necessary things like wires, sockets,switches etc and hire electrician.

Cristine

Dama

In few days schools all over Kenya will be closed due to coming holiday. During that time let us pray for our teachers (have 4 of them), specially 2 who are finishing their course this year. May God provide their needs as they go to learn and study on their holidays. Dama is doing her diploma in education and Cristine certificate.

I also ask to pray for coming elections, let's pray for peace and wisdom during these days (2 weeks left till elections).

In recent, Henry started to develop pain in his lower back. The medicine and sleeping on the floor are not much helpful any more. Doctor suggests CT scan and therapy. Please pray also for healing and provision in these areas.

In all we want to appreciate God who is giving us grace each day and you our friends who are supporting us in every possible way.

God bless you

„The Lord bless you and keep you ,

The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you

And give you peace” Numbers 6 ;24-26

Give thanks to the Lord

Even if life is hard we shall not forget to appreciate all what God has given to us. Let us not relate to the circumstances we are living in today but remember God who is over all, who's love is sufficient and never fail.

"Be joyful always, pray at all times and give thanks to the Lord in all circumstances for this is the will of God for us in union with Jesus Christ" 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Thanksgiving to God should be one of the most distinctive marks of each believer in Christ. We MUST not allow a spirit of ingratitude to harden our hearts and break our relationship with God and with others.
From one end of the Bible to the other, we are commanded to be thankful. King David declared" Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving" Psalm 147:7. Apostle Paul wrote "Be thankful" in the book of Colossians 3:15.
So my dear what are we thankful for to

day?

Mwanasity

My friends, I want you to meet Mwanasity. She is one of the kids from Light of the World Academy. She is bright and hard working girl. Though she is over 12 years old, she is still in class 2 (started school very late). The reason I am writing about her - because my heart is disturbed. I went to visit her home yesterday. Her 2 younger brothers (age 3/4) stop coming to school for such a long time and I was very much concerned about it. I was deeply moved after that visit.

Mwanasity stays very long distance from the school(neighboring village). Every day she has to walk, when rains she run. I found out her mom was chase away from home by Mwanasity's dad. The younger siblings (4 of them went with the mom), the older kids remained home, including Mwanasity. The Father got another wife who already has the kids of her own. The Father and the new wife plus her kids they left and stay somewhere else, very far from the village. Mwanasity has remain with older sister(class 7) and older brother (19) who suppose to take care of younger siblings. Himself is still young, did not finish primary school, plus his other responsibility is the young wife of his own (young girl 16 years old) and small baby 4 month old. 
If there is anyone OF you who has been also touched by Mwanasity's story and would like to take responsibility of supporting her on monthly base, please inbox or leave a comment. 
Mwanasity is one OF the KIDS who are praying for the miracle in their own life. There are many more.
"Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor" Prov 22:9

Spreading love

To make a different in someone's life you don't have to be brilliant rich, beautiful or perfect. You just need to care.


"Small acts when multiply by millions people can transform the World"- Howard Zinn