Summary 2018

Dear brothers in Christ, friends and co workers each time we come before the throne of our Lord Jesus we lift you up in prayers thanking for you and asking to bless you all. Numbers 6;24-27

As we are finishing the year 2018, we would like to thank each one of you for being with us all the way through: thank you for your support, prayers and mostly thank you for your obedience to the Lord, without all that we would not be seeing what we see today and what you  hear from leaders or friends. Once again, thank you very much.

Every one of us has some impact in this ministry, none is better than others, no matter of what part you take in this project, all matters, God sees the heart of the giver and we can assure you He is very happy with that.

One year back hardly few kids had support, today this number has changed. We have reached up to 80 kids who have support and who are receiving meal at school every day.

School has grown with the number of kids, in the beginning of the year we had around 100 children, now we are closing with over 120 kids. God is great.

The kids in upper classes received  books and exercises, not everyone can afford buying them, specially in the remote areas.

In April this year God allowed us to finished building the kitchen, as you remember we had to cook under the tree accompanied by wind and sun, which was very difficult sometimes.

The same year we finished the bathroom for our visitors and recently started our own kitchen, hopefully we will be able to finish this soon as well.

In August we hosted the team of voluntaries who sacrificed their time and finances to become part of our project physically. We all have learn from each other a lot. Sometimes it was challenging but none was complaining.

Towards the end of the year we managed to completed the nursery for small children. Before that, the kids were studying from school made of iron sheets.

Also we are in a process of closing the compound, we don't have the gates yet but believing and trusting God for the provision in this project as well. Many people found a shortcut through the school compound, some  bring their animals to grass, and leave mess afterwards.

The school desks were not enough, and we also managed to get more which will help pupils in class 3 and class 4.

So far we had 4 teachers, which was far to less according to the ministry of education. After new year we are planing to add another 2 teachers. The salaries have been also a challenge to us, we do not receive any money from the government, this is our responsibility. W e would like to ask for prayers in this area because we know it is very hard to keep the teachers and fail to pay them at the end of the month.

If they are people among you who would like to support any child fully or to  buy his/her meal please contact us by email henrymirkakalume@yahoo.com or through

Light of the World International Foundation page.

We are about to start new year, as we search for new teachers we ask you to stand with us in prayers for God's provision for their salaries.

Once again thank you for sending us parcels with gifts, every time kids receive presents it make their days, you can see big smiles on their faces what speak for itself - the kids are enjoying.

As every year we did celebrate Christmas this year, all kids received gifts, was so much fun, some games and day ended followed up by a special meal, pillao and juice.

We were able to help to build houses for two families, who's kids are learning from our

school.The houses they stayed before collapsed and they had no other means of living. Thank you everyone for your contribution and help towards those families.

In summary as you see we did a lot. It is only through Gods grace and your help. Without all that nothing would be possible. We would like to encourage you to continue to stand with us in prayers and support as God guides all of us.

Not forgetting our small family we are thankful and happy for the blessing of the Lord, who gave us new born this year. The whole process of delivery went well, baby Lois was born healthy and sound. Thank you for your prayers.

Finishing this letter, we wish you all Merry Christmas and happy New Year. May God's grace be with us all.

Rejoice , because the King of kings was born.

„But the Angel said to them: „Do not be afraid, I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town your Savior was born – Christ the Lord” Luk 2;10-11

Henry Mirka Kalume

September 2018

Dear friends and fellow co workers in Christ

We come before you today with a thankful heart. Again God has been good to us.

Last time we wrote  about camp preparations for the kids with our visitors from Poland, and I want to testify that we all had a wonderful time. Team of 8 people who came sacrificing their time and money in order to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in our small school and left Kenya some weeks ago. All of them went home with a new experience they gained here in Kwademu. I am sure if we were to ask them, everyone would have something unique to say.

We would like  to say also  thank you to those who prayed for us, for the team and all the work which was going on here. Big thanks to the whole team, well done.

Every single person put some impact on the kids, none of them complain even once though the circumstances sometimes were not the best. The attitude they all had I would say it is the same attitude Christ had: humility, servant hood, obedience, patience, love... All what the bible teaches us today especially in Philippians 2: 5-11.

Kids loved it, we did not expected such a turn out. The camp took place during holiday but still most of the kids came back to school eager to learn and hear the gospel.

There was so much going on, kids did so much craft too, played games and had fun . Some parents and teachers came to help translating, cleaning after lessons without their help it would be difficult, but                                             God  took care of every single part.

If you remember well, we also wrote about nursery which we started to build. Now I am happy to say we are done most of it, remain plastering outside, small finishing and paintings in and out.

When I look back I still remember  how we began this ministry, trusting and hoping God for bigger things. Nothing much we had, but His word was our shield and accelerator to keep going.   I have to say without  God's  grace we would not reach where we are today.

Many times we look for excuses saying we can't do this, we are to weak, we don't have resources, we don't know the way, we are afraid of taking the step of faith... simply just to escape from the task BUT I say„ this little we say is much when God is in it”. We must not believe that our resources are too little to serve God for He delights in taking such humble person and uses him/her for His glory. God is ready to use ordinary things to create extraordinary things. Question is - are we ready? 

„God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” 1 Corinthian 1;27

And because He  did things which were almost impossible for human mind, here we are  saying today to you

„Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth

Worship the Lord with gladness,

Come before Him, singing with joy

Acknowledge that the Lord is God...

...Enter his gates with thanksgiving

go into his court with praise

Give thanks to Him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good”   Psalm 100

Mirka and Henry Kalume

Rejoice.

Our beloved friends

Once again, sorry for a long time not communicating with you. As you know we were expecting  baby sometimes in April, and happy to say that  baby Lois came into this World 2 days after due day. All went  very well and sound  though  in the beginning the nurses thought it is going to be a long labor but God who  has been always above all did amazing thing - shown  up and before I realized baby girl was born.
Right now Lois has finished 2 months, grown so fast (I believe all babies do so). For now I am mostly home nursing my little angel, not much movement for me as I would like.
Well there are different seasons in our life, I do believe.
 Hannah is very happy for the fact of being a big sister,  she loves to help around with the baby. Though she is just 5 years old, she thinks she can do all things by herself including bathing her sister.

As I wrote not much movement for me at the moment, but it does not mean school has stop running. Things are in place and kids are still learning, praise the living God.


We had some remaining materials after completing the kitchen so we used them in order to put  the walls for the nursery (as you must know, the youngest kids have been learning still under the shelter). We trust and believe God for the remaining  materials.

In month of August we are expecting  team of 8 people. They are coming all the way from Poland and going to spend time with the kids, teach them and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We humbly ask you to lift them up in your prayers as they are preparing themselves for this mission. May great God provide whatever they  still  missing. We want to bless them as they are sacrificing their time and finances to follow the voice of God.

All in all we give God glory for who He is, let us all be still and thankful not only for the big but also the little things we receive. I would say "Rejoice with the Lord, once again rejoice" Phlp 4: 4

much love
M.H.H.L Kalume

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