Sammons Experience in Kenya
Baby Hope has arrived! It is the statement of the year and has meant so much to us in this season in so many ways. In the most literal sense we invited our newest daughter into this world just a few weeks ago and have given her the name Hope Noell. She is a blessing and a gift. Thank you to all who were praying for her and Rebekah during these past months.
Hope has also been our experience here in Kenya. We have been in the midst of family transition, moving transition, job transition, language transition and other transitions since we have hit the ground. They have been challenging and good and have taught us both about the culture and our God and we have been learning to trust in His hope since our decision a year and a half ago to come to Kenya. We have been so blessed by the hope that we find in the students that we have come to know and the staff that is shepherding them. Each face at Rohi is full of hope, hope that is found in their Savior, and hope for a better life on earth and for eternal life in heaven, a real and genuine hope. It is an amazing experience to be surrounded and uplifted by such a hope even in places where it should never be found.
The dump in Nakuru is home to poverty and disease of every kind; its grunge and grim seem to permeate every home there. Yet, there is hope. On Christmas Eve, our family visited with our sisters in Christ that live there and we were so blessed by the joy and hope that they had in the midst of struggle. What a gift for us as a family to be surroundrd by such hope in a place considered disastrously hopeless.
Being here at Rohi has given us the opportunity to bless the people of Kenya with the hope that we are surrounded with, the hope of heaven. Please pray that we would be effective in our ministry to the students and community around Nakuru this year.
Rohi Updates
The beginning of the year was very good. The children in both schools counted another year in their school life. After a long festive month, the students looked ready and eager for what the year has for them. The primary school was peppered with new faces of students who reported to Rohi for the first time. The new students were given a warm welcome by the teachers and their fellow students. According to Pauline Muthoni, a new student, “Rohi is a good place to be. There are different things in the school from my previous school.”
The excitement of the month was the bus. The small kids in the primary school were trying to compete with each other to be the first to see the bus. Some of the kids had seen the bus during the holiday, while others had not seen the bus until school opened. The way they stared at the bus and, of course, touched the bus would tell you that this is a great treasure.
A number of construction projects are taking place at the High School. The Boys’ Dorm has been constructed to the ground floor. The masons are waiting for the slab to cure. Meanwhile, a shed, which will work as dining for the kids, is under construction. And at the beginning of this month one classroom was converted to a science lab.
Philip Vose spent two weeks visiting Rohi in December. His brother Ben, an intern who has been at Rohi for three months, just returned to California on January 30. During his stay Ben was instrumental in the community development. Together with his brother they worked on a video ‘Homes on a Hill.’ The video outlines the lifestyle of people living in the dump.
SPONSOR UPDATES
So far 40 new students have started the school year and we are still in need of many sponsors. If you would like to have another child or you know someone that would, please contact the Rohi office.
Letters to students need to be at Cornerstone Fellowship by Sunday, February 28th. Please make every effort to write to the child(ren) you sponsor. Remember, this is part of the commitment of being a child sponsor and something the children really look forward to.
Applications for the June 21-July 5 trip, led by Dave and Kimberly Shields, are due February 7th. For the High School trip, July 10-24, applications are due March 7th. For more information contact the Rohi office.
The 4th Friday of every month you can pray for Rohi and the nation of Kenya at the home of Eric and Mary Walker at 7pm. Children are welcome! For more information you can contact the Walkers at ericmarywalker@yahoo.com.
Prayer Requests
Pray for the on-going construction of the High School Boys’ Dorm.
Praise God for the new children in the Primary School.
Pray for God’s guidance in the year 2010.
Pray for the High School to be registered as an Exam Center.
Pray for the heath of the students and staff.
