Kevin

For the past few days have been one of the challenging days for my friend Kevin.  Kevin is autistic and lives with his single mother and his siblings in Huruma slums.

In less than two weeks ago, Kevin was assaulted by police officers and ended up losing a tooth and sustained minor injuries. It seems that the police acted unprofessionally when they tried to arrest Kevin for walking away from them. The intervention by neighbors and people who know Kevin in Huruma prompted the police to leave him alone but they had already assaulted him. Inspiration Centre has already secured a lawyer for Kevin and we are  in the process of pursuing justice for Kevin through the courts.

It’s sad to know that those entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the most vulnerable in our society end up misusing those powers against them.

Please keep Kevin in your prayers as we seek justice for him (seated in the first row in front).

Making Dreams come true

The month of April is a significant month for most students in Kenya. Students normally get a four week break from school. This means having a lot of time on their hands and sometimes getting into trouble. Our ministry however had a different plan this year. It was time for our annual Art Camp!

 

Our long term partners, Bear Valley Church from Colorado, sent a team of five people led by the Bryants for a period of one week. The church also supported the entire camp financially. The students were divided into different classes; Dance class led by Max and Teresa, Culinary class led by Jenn, the Craft class led by Jon and Maddie, Painting class led by Debbie and Photography class led by Godfrey and Leylah.

 

 

Jenn and Maddie leading one of the sessions

Leylah awarding certificate to one of her students

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our 2016 theme was “My Body, God’s Temple.” The teachers had to use their Art form to teach the students the layout of the Old Testament Temple; from the Outer Court to the Holy of Holies as explained in 1Kings 6. It was also a time for learning about our value to God, and important physical/emotional boundaries. Our temple is special! The camp lasted five days and was hosted at Word of Life Camp in Ukunda. The students had free afternoons to enjoy swimming in the Indian Ocean. For most of our students, it was their first time to visit the Coast part of Kenya. We wanted this camp to be unforgettable to our 50 students and more than 10 teachers. Secretly, the Bryants and Inspiration Centre had conspired to have everyone fly back on the  last day of the camp. This was a once in a life time experience for kids who are used to seeing poverty, pain, brokenness and  hopelessness. They were given a different lease and perspective on life.

students enjoying the plane ride

Max and Teresa’s dance class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From her book “A Return to Love,” Marianne Williamson states that “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frighten us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

 

Debbie’s painting class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for being part of our ministry. If you wish to be part of our long journey, feel free to get in touch with us through our email: inspirationcentremathare@gmail.com.

 

Taking the lead

2016 started very well especially in our education department. Our 2015 K.C.P.E (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) candidates did very well; they led in most of the Primary Schools in Mathare. All of the candidates are so happy to be freshmen in various high schools in Kenya.

On the other hand, Jaime

Willow Creek Church

was invited to Wheaton College as the Artist in residence for four weeks. Jericho and I tagged along to support her and experience the winter season in Illinois. We thank God for the opportunity to meet new friends, Churches and old friends.

Jericho smiling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to support any of our programs, you are most welcome. Any donation given is tax deductible for those in the United States.

Write a check to Street Psalms and in the memo write Inspiration Centre. Mail it to:
1121 Tacoma Ave S.
Tacoma, Washington 98402
Or
You can give through our online website:
http://www.streetpsalms.org/donate
Make sure you choose Kenya Inspiration Centre on the drop-down menu in the select box.

Or

If in Kenya, you can write a check to INSPIRATION CENTRE and mail it to 77244-00611 Nairobi.

 

 

Being a missionary

Being a missionary has always been attributed to a Western ideology of sending Christian brothers and sisters to the “world” to preach the gospel of Christ. Unlike myself; coming from Mathare slums in Nairobi, my wife Jaime and my son Jericho, this definition has entirely changed. We have been privileged to serve along the poor, the rich, the unpreached, the unreached, the republicans, the democrats, the Caucasians, the Africans, the Latinos and even the Natives. It’s amazing how the gospel of Christ cuts across our ethnicity, our race and our different affiliations. Our visits throughout the United States have been wonderful. They have brought joy, tears at some point, laughter, challenges and hope. We have been able to meet some of the amazing people who love God from the bottom of their hearts. We managed to visit seven different Churches and three different organizations. The following are the Churches and organizations we visited; Evangelical Garifuna Church (http://evangelicalgarifuna.ny.us.mennonite.net/), King of Glory Tabernacle (http://kingofglorytabernacle.ny.us.mennonite.net/), Dabar Tabernacle of Deliverance (http://www.dabartabernacle.net/), Heart of Junction (http://heartofjunction.com/), Denver Community Church (http://www.denverchurch.org/), Bear Valley Church (http://www.bvchurch.org/), South Park Community Church (http://soparkcc.org/community.html), Denver Rescue Mission (http://denverrescuemission.org/), Fletcher Miller School (http://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/) and Mile High Ministry (http://www.milehighmin.org). God is using these Churches to make a difference in my community, my ministry and my Country Kenya. As always, I am grateful for all the support you give us!

As I prepare to get back to Nairobi, I know a lot of people will be asking me how people live in America, what kind of food they eat, if money grows on trees or if I will be bringing them with me on my next trip. The most important thing is that I have been able to share the gospel of Christ with everyone I interacted with.

If you would like to support any of our programs, you are most welcome. Any donation given is tax deductible for those in the United States.

Write a check to Street Psalms and in the memo write Inspiration Centre. Mail it to:
1121 Tacoma Ave S.
Tacoma, Washington 98402
Or
You can give through our online website:
http://www.streetpsalms.org/donate
Make sure you choose Kenya Inspiration Centre on the drop-down menu in the select box.

Or

If in Kenya, you can write a check to INSPIRATION CENTRE and mail it to 77244-00611 Nairobi.

For the first time

The feeling of the wind carrying you weightless, high in the sky. The power of ocean waves embracing your entire being.  Experiencing God’s creation for the first time is priceless. This year’s camp was mostly college students and young adults. And for many, the first time going to the beach, snorkeling or taking a plane flight.Our 2015 art camp was in beautiful Diani, on the South Coast of Kenya. Sessions focused on Leadership, but there was plenty of time to enjoy scenery not found in the slum. We sat around one night, sharing our highs and lows. Then Jaime shared about Peter walking on water. The journey of a leader starts with a step of faith. God made leaders out of all of us on this trip. Through faith, it was possible to see God’s handiwork underwater, and high in the sky.  Thanks to the Denver Rescue Mission, through Steve Walkup, for supporting the camp and leading some sessions on what it means to be a strong Christian leader. Thanks also to Bear Valley Church, who donated their unused flight credits. But most importantly, Thank you God.

For more pictures, here is the link on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Inspiration-Centre/183437321767058?sk=photos_stream

If you would like to support any of our programs, you are most welcome and any donation given is tax deductible.

Write a check to Street Psalms and in the memo write Inspiration Centre. Mail it to:
1121 Tacoma Ave S.
Tacoma, Washington 98402
Or
You can give through our online website:
http://www.streetpsalms.org/donate
Make sure you choose Kenya Inspiration Centre on the drop-down menu in the select box.

4 more girls rescued

It has been one year since Our ministry in conjunction with our partners from Heart of Junction rescued three girls from prostitution in 2014. In 2015, the team has managed to add four more girls raising the number to seven girls. We are happy for the new opportunities for these girls to redefine themselves, be loved, be educated, be housed, be fed and most important; be introduced to our Savior Jesus Christ.

Ahead lies many challenges because these girls have been through tough and worse part of their early lives; but your prayers, encouragement and support will see them through!

Saying goodbye to Grandpa

It has been quite a while since we posted any updates. A lot has transpired at Inspiration Centre. Jaime, Jericho and I managed to get back to Kenya safely.

We have more than 70 students who are getting direct help to go to school and colleges. 4 more students will be joining high school in February 2015. We are very excited with what God is doing in our ministry. We are also grateful to all our partners who have really extended their financial support to either through the sponsorship, our ministry in general or towards our building project.

2015 didn’t start well though, we lost our grandpa; Rev. Michael Okonji. Michael was a great man who played a father figure in my life.

He was a man who feared God and encouraged me to serve God in whatever I chose to do in life. Having lived 84 years, we still had tears to shed as we came to terms of losing him.

Thank you all for your prayers, encouragements and financial support.