The Rogers' Family Neighborhood

The Hillside team has been here for today the second day. So FULL and so good in so many ways.

What a special welcome the Children’s Home and ELI Training Center gave to the team! Such wonderful testimonies and songs from the children. Hard to describe in words the moving fellowship that was shared.

Kenya power came yesterday and after two months of working with them – they finally put in the power poles and line so that the building NOW today has electricity!!!

The team assembled the many pieces of new equipment and we have had some very good times of fellowship during meals getting to know the ELI staff and the impact of the Training center and overall ministry.

The workshop building is coming along so well and the team has so many good ideas that we are implementing as we now bring the final designs to the equipment placement and electrical systems.

WOW – Hillside has blessed us so greatly!

Tomorrow we begin moving the equipment into the building and making final adjustments on the table saw, planner, drill press, sander, and other pieces. Truly a miracle to see what all is taking place and dreaming of the lives that will be trained and transformed as a result in the future.

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We celebrate the safe arrival of the five man team sent from Hillside Community Church (Rancho Cucamonga, California). They received a warm and musical welcome from the staff and children from the ELI Children’s Home in Kipkaren River, Kenya and ELI Training Center and were so encouraged to see the progress of the new workshop building! Tomorrow is assembling and positioning of much of the workshop equipment together with ELI staff and some of the older children. God is good!

We all know how important clean water is. I JUST received word that the Well Drilling Rig that ELI has purchased has now passed Mwanza, Tanzania! It should arrive at our Training Center in Kalamela before the end of the day. Pray for this journey.

86 women who are brewing and selling alcohol here in Kenya because of poverty arrived for a week of training here at ELI center (Ilula) We are believing for many transformed lives this week (Nov. 11-15)! Please pray.

Tomorrow is Monday. Though it is hours away as I sit here Sunday night – I have such a sense of anticipation for what God has in store for this week as we serve here at the ELI Training Center in Ilula, Kenya. Would you kindly take a minute and say a prayer for these three things specifically: 1. Tomorrow – 40 brewers will arrive for a week of training. I called them “brewers” because that is what they call themselves BUT they are women – created by God and have a much greater purpose than that of brewing an illegal and dangerous brew that they sell in their communities. We will be teaching them new skills for business – alternative vocations as we also share Christ. 2. Around 20 teachers from two schools will be on campus to learn how to adjust their teaching methods to include critical thinking in their classrooms. ALI team along with ELI missionaries Mark and Cathy Lessig will be the lead teachers. Third – The High School children in grades 11 and 12 will all be coming to Ilula Children’s home as we hold a special Career Day – talking about life after High School and building vision into their lives to combat the fears that can so easily capture young hearts. Thank you for standing with us as we empower lives together. It is going to be an important and powerful week, and we need God’s strength, wisdom, guidance through it all.

On days like today words are simply inadequate. Our ELI staff have been working with and training 30 Kenyans for 9 months – today they graduate to return to their villages as change agents. It was an amazing Spirit led celebration. I’m excited – I’m overwhelmed – I’m blessed.

Every December/January our ELI Children’s Homes Directors, parents and the ELI Kenya leadership team begin looking for opportunities (openings) at high schools for our Form 1 (Freshman) students. Once the grade eight exam results come out in December there are immediately visits to schools and then interviews for positions. This past January was no exception. As an ELI family we rejoiced when each of our Form 1 students were accepted and settled into new schools.

Yesterday I had the privilege of joining one of our parent’s at the Children’s Home here in Ilula on a "surprise" visit to two secondary schools where our high school students are attending. As I sat and talked with the Head Teacher of one of these schools yesterday I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving. I sensed God’s spirit at this school which has over 400 secondary school girls who come from all over Kenya. My heart is full and encouraged and once again overwhelmed by God’s incredible provision!

Please pray for our high school students as they are away at their various schools. Continue to pray for quick resolution to the teacher’s strike that is taking place throughout Kenya right now. We have some of our students that are still home and not back in school. We are asking God for miracles!

Heading today to our other training center location in Kipkaren River. God has been so good to us and we have an amazing staff – Training Center and Children’s Home there. Looking forward to meeting with our Children’s Home director to discuss the construction of the Young Men’s Launch House – meet Mark Lessig and Peter Maru about the 20 acres of trees and vetiver grass we plant to propagate – To see the progress of the new Training Center Dining Hall (nearing completion) and other exciting things God is calling us to. God is so good and we thank God for each of you who stands with us in the ministry to see lives empowered. Don Rogers

Jambo,

The rainy season is here. Everyone is planting and we have had an amazing week of trainings and interactions with community and Children’s Home.

I just took some photos yesterday that shows the joy and fun that the children are having learning and making simple things in the temporary work shop in Ilula. Looking forward to a more permanent and equipped room sometime in the near future where friends from the USA can also come and teach our kids woodcraft : – )

Today we finished a four day training for some pastors and students from a BIBLE school. Some were from Ethiopia, Burundi, and Uganda, others from Kenya. It went so very well. They were so challenged, encouraged, and impacted by the time. We used the training hall throughout and the dining hall for meals and some of the meetings. This was possible (Dining Hall and Training Hall) because of Hillside Community Church and your special care. We are so grateful.

Looking forward,

Don