Bibles, Books and Shovels Update, August 2006
Dusty, Hot and Bothered
Traveling along the Malindi Mombasa Road has never been an easy or simple matter, even for those who
live there. But through God’s grace and mercy, while dodging Matatoos, craters disguised as potholes, goats, and handcarts
transporting water, the visitors from Philadelphia and Baltimore were able to safely, if cautiously, travel to the villages
of Majengo, Porrini, Barani and Kanamai to visit the hungry, the sick and the hurting. Bibles, Books and Shovels, Inc. was
back in Kenya.
As many of you know, Bibles, Books and Shovels, Inc. is a non-profit Christian organization whose primary
ministry is to support 15 children’s education at Glorious Victory Academy (GVA), a Christian private school near Mombasa,
Kenya. We return every 2 years to GVA to bring supplies, conduct outreach to communities and to assess the educational, material
and social needs of the children and their families. We are pleased to report that GVA has faired well over these past 2 years.
Our children have progressed and grown academically, emotionally and spiritually. Thanks to you, the U.S. family of GVA, the
future for these children appears bright indeed. We reported in 2004 that the children and their families were hopeful despite
enormous odds. They are still hopeful: good grades show that the children are meeting their academic challenges and the school
continues to meet the challenges of education in a country where education should be, but is not always, the first priority.
Yet the challenges of illness, hunger and
undesirable living conditions remain. This year, 2 teams traveled to GVA for periods of 3 weeks each
(May and July). While we are pleased with the progress, there is much work for us still.
Old Classrooms were destroyed by rain, but New Classrooms were built.
These 2 years have seen significant construction of new classrooms. But, the recent rainy season brought
significant incidence of malaria compounding an already difficult medical situation. In recent months a medical program has
been established to stabilize this situation. The 15 children in our program have received complete medical assessments, and
this program has been made available to all GVA students with BB&S providing oversight and financial reimbursement to
our local medical staff for these evaluations. A major event coordinated by BB&S during our July visit was a free medical
clinic that diagnosed illnesses and dispensed medication to 57 students, teachers and parents. Through donations from GlaxoSmithKline
Pharmaceuticals, many medications were provided, contributing to the success of this medical clinic along with antifungal
creams, and analgesics and other medical supplies that supporter donations provided.
Clinic “Pharmacy” was supplied with donated pharmaceuticals.
Clinic patients’ were at registration and donated pharmaceuticals vital sign assessments.
The spiritual growth component is well underway through the distribution of Bibles in both English
and Kiswahili languages to Redeemed Gospel Church, located adjacent to GVA, and with Pastor William Meni squarely onboard
to provide guidance and mentorship for spiritual growth to the BB&S children and their families.
English Bibles were brought from the U.S., Kiswahili Bibles were purchased in Mombasa.
Pastor Meni of the Redeemed Gospel church will have a continued presence in Villages.
With the educational physical plant improvements, the medical program and spiritual development aspects
of the ministry initiated, the children sponsored by BB&S are moving forward. This is all made possible through your prayers,
donations and encouragement and the hope that only Jesus can provide.
But the road
ahead still must be made plain. The road may be dusty and hot at times and what we see should bother
us. But it can be fixed. While progress has been made in some areas, there
is much hunger and want for some of the families of the children we support. Bibles, Books and Shovels purchased food for
5 of the 15 families who, without money or employment, are currently experiencing difficulty just feeding themselves. This
food is for short-term assistance only (2 months), as the BB&S coordinators in Kenya will work with these families to
develop ways to enable them to provide for themselves, long-term. This purchase was essential in order to support these families
through this difficult period. When we visited the homes in the villages, some families literally had not eaten for at least
24 hours and others had no food for that night or subsequent days. Christ has commanded that we share his bounty, to feed
the hungry.
Maize, flour, beans, cooking oil and salt for about $150 (U.S.) provides sustenance for 25 children
and adults (5 families) for 2 months.
15 Mosquito nets, replaced for $20 (U.S), l will prevent malaria in the BB&S children.
Because of the recent rainy season malaria has been a problem for which mosquito nets may offer some
relief. Also due to the rain, many homes are in a state of disrepair with no resources for rebuilding or providing alternative
means for adequate shelter. The homes generally are composed of mud and sticks with grass roofs and require rebuilding every
4-6 years. When it rains, deterioration is hastened. Some of the materials for rebuilding are found naturally, but other materials
must be purchased. When there is no money, completion can’t be accomplished. Some homes are literally falling down.
Another urgent situation.
Materials are needed to restore home for this family of three.
The ceiling of living quarters will collapse without “makeshift” support of this beam.
Our visits
this year involved ministering to the whole family, to stabilize communities that will support the growth and development
of our children. In this, we are continuing the mission that has been laid before us: Through the leading of the word of God
(Bibles), we are striving to deal with poverty by empowerment through education (Books), and in
that way build communities for Christ (Shovels). As followers of Christ, we
are to heal the sick, to feed the hungry and provide shelter for the unsheltered. As Jesus would have visited and ministered
to the least of these, our neighbors, we are to do the same.
We return to the U.S. joyful and thankful about what God has done at GVA. We are prayerful about what still
has to be done and we thank you for partnering with us through your continuous prayers, financial support and encouragement
in this ministry to our neighbors in Kenya.
