The Rogers' Family Neighborhood

Amazing day. 7 men in our rehabilitation program have found new strength,  forgiveness, hope,  in Christ. It was a true joy to be a part of this special ceremony today.

How do you plant and grow 250,000 tree seedlings in a year? This past week at ELI Training Center in Ilula the land was fenced and prepared to begin the project and yesterday a special seminar on the subject was brought to our Ilula staff, 13 men now in rehab at the center, and over a dozen from Semit – a village where soil erosion is destroying the environment.

Today 13 men met again as part of a month long journey out of their addictions to alcohol and into a new life of freedom and purpose. Soon I will be able to provide more details about their specific lives and stories. For now we are asking you to join us in prayer – along with their families – for transformation that only God can accomplish in such cases. Our staff are prayerful, diligent, and consistent as they counsel, care, and guide this group of men through these days of detoxification and learning here in Ilula, Kenya. We appreciate you and your prayers during the journey.

Alfred Kirwa Yego came today to encourage the children in the race. During his talk with the kids he said “I encourage you all to pray always and put God first. Stay focused and committed to succeed in life.”

Today was a truly amazing day for ELI in Kenya. Over two hundred children and friends from the community and other organizations joined together at the Ilula ELI Children’s Home and Training Center for a special Race and Fundraiser that will help to bring a fresh water well to this entire ministry area (Training Center and Children’s Home as well as local primary school “Samro” where the children from the home attend). This annual event is called The Watoto (Children’s) Water Run.

Attending our event today to encourage and cheer on the kids was Alfred Kirwa Yego and Eunice Sum – Kenyan middle distance runners who specialize in the 800 metres. Alfred is best known for winning the gold medal in the 800 m at the 2007 World Championships. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Kirwa_Yego. Eunice is also a world champion runner. The race was amazing and the children ages 10 and under ran a 4Km race which was followed by a 10km run by the older kids in the Home and community.

Jeff Bates is an intern with ELI for 6 months and has helped spearhead some fundraising events for ELI (through eracepoverty.org) over the past three years to help us THIS YEAR cross the finish line of raising enough money to DRILL THE WELL! People in the local community have also held fundraisers and together we have now reached our goal! The drilling will take place now within the next three weeks and within a month we will have fresh flowing water available to all the children, our ministry efforts and crops! Celebrate with us this team effort and God’s blessing and favor. DonR.

Please take a moment and reflect on the photos and thoughts of these friends who have helped by serving with us here in Africa. http://empoweringlives.org/photo-contest

Today I had the privilege of talking with Julius Kipngetich- a former alcoholic – now sober for over three years because of Gods power he gained through a one month ELI rehab program. Today he cranked his wheelchair over 15 miles to attend a special workshop at our training center here near Eldoret Kenya on income generating through Bee Keeping.