TLC Children's Trust So much has happened since our last proper news update. We have sent a couple of brief updates and some of you will have seen some of these things on Facebook but some supporters do not follow on Facebook, so this is for their benefit and is more detailed than the brief updates. It also includes information about an important change we are making.
We hope that you will enjoy the pictures we have included in this newsletter
CHRISTMAS Was a time of rejoicing and praise. The children each received a gift of clothes and shoes as their Christmas present, also gifts for the staff and their children. Together they had a day of celebration, lovely food and singing and dancing.
To view a short video please CLICK HERE
NEW YEAR.
Again, a special time with a special meal and time to relax, thanking God for the past year and committed the coming year into His hands.
Once again lots of singing and dancing.
BACK TO SCHOOL.
The new school year in Kenya starts in January so once again a hectic and stressful time sorting out school fees, uniforms, schoolbooks and a host of other things but thankfully God was gracious and supplied all that was needed. The head of the private Christian junior school wrote to us saying:
We are beyond grateful for your incredible generosity in covering the entire year’s school fees for the Home of Peace children. Your massive support is a huge weight off our shoulders and means everything to these kids for the whole year. Your trust in God’s work here is inspiring, and we’re blessed to have you partnering with us. Your investment in these children’s lives will yield fruit for eternity. Thank you for demonstrating God’s love so tangibly. We pray for God’s abundant blessings, protection, and guidance over you both.
EASTER.
It never stops just as we started recovering from Christmas, New Year and New School Year Easter arrived. Praise God again the children were able to celebrate with a special meal and some treats. The funds were provided by a gift from a sponsor and a gift from one of the management team at Home of Peace
DANIEL.
The news on Daniel’s cancer recovery is very good, and he now only needs to visit the hospital for a check-up every 3 months.
FLOOD
A couple of weeks ago there was major flooding in our area. The press reported that 112 people lost their lives, buildings were damaged, roads destroyed.
Praise God, Home of Peace did not suffer any significant damage. Nobody was injured and apart form losing electricity we are not harmed. We managed to provide electricity using our generator.
The main road to Home of Peace was very badly damaged but Pastor Erick Owino organized for the local church community to get involved in sorting out the problem with the road that we need to use for everything. Without that road we would have been cut off from shops, medical facilities, schools and everything else
A New Chapter at Home of Peace
Marilyn had flu at Christmas and it carried on for three months, but she had to continue working for Home of Peace as she allocates all the money for everything. This was made more difficult because of Christmas and the start of the new school year at both the junior and secondary schools. Because of this she has developed ME also known as CFS and needs to rest. This is in addition to her fibromyalgia and her ongoing problems with her damaged stoma. She suffered from ME / CFS about 30 years ago when we were running a Christian Counselling Ministry and we did a lot of research and we were able to help many other Christians who were struggling. Marilyn was able to return to work after 5 months.
After sixteen years of dedicated service, we are entering a new season of leadership at Home of Peace. While our mission remains unchanged, the day-to-day management is shifting to allow Marilyn to prioritize her health. Despite facing chronic health challenges for many years, Marilyn’s vision and faith have transformed Home of Peace into one of the most respected children’s homes in Kenya. She is not retiring-and will continue to oversee the ministry and provide guidance-she is just handing over the daily operational reins to ease the physical toll on her strength and get some much-needed rest.
We are overjoyed to announce that Pastor Erick Owino, our “African son” and long-time purchasing manager, has stepped into the role of Senior Administrator of the Management Team. Erick’s journey is a beautiful testament to God’s grace; once a street child himself, he is now a qualified minister who lives right next door to the home. He will ensure that the culture and care at Home of Peace remain as strong as ever. With Erick’s deep understanding of the local language and culture, we believe the daily management of the home will be more effective than ever before. He will lead a management team of four managers These are our wonderful nurse, our dormitory manager, our social worker, and our general manager and It will also include is our trainee social worker.
As this transition takes place, our own roles remain steadfast. Ray will continue to manage the finances with the same rigorous oversight, ensuring every penny is used to bless these children. Marilyn will still allocate all funds to ensure that they are used correctly.
However, the last two months have been financially tight, and we truly need your support.
Please pray for Erick and his new management team, for Marilyn’s strength and recovery, and for God’s continued provision. We are so grateful to have you walking alongside us as we continue this vital work.
KEY CHANGES
• Marilyn: Moving from daily operations.
• Erick: Appointed as Senior Administrator.
• The Mission: 100% the same providing a loving, safe, Christian home for children in need.
ONGOING NEEDS.
The world is in a state of international chaos at the moment and as a result everything costs much more than it did even a couple of months ago.
On Sunday, Ray was preaching at a local church, and the conversation turned to what it costs to keep Home of Peace running. When he said an average of £6000 per month the person he was talking to was horrified. But he pointed out that is approx. the equivalent of 2 months average salary in the UK. Note average. Many earn more. That means we feed, cloth, educate, provide medical care and everything else for 56 children and 20 members of staff for the average monthly income of 2 people in the UK. We think we are doing amazingly.
Things are difficult. We have the age-old problem that prices are going up both here and in Kenya but because our cost of living has increased, sadly many supporters have had to either reduce or stop their monthly support. So, we are receiving less money at the exact time we need more.
We send money to Home of Peace on the 8th and the 22nd of every month.
Today we were £2,000 short and have had to tell them it will follow asap.
Please pray this is very urgent.
God bless you,
Ray & Marilyn