Brook of Faith Fieldtrip
The kindergarten and first grade students at Brook of Faith Academy recently got to experience one of the most memorable and thrilling parts of life as a young student . . . a field trip! Contagious joy filled the air as these precious children traveled to Eldoret for a day of exploration, excitement, and educational experiences.
The first stop was a visit to the Eldoret Airport, where the students were mesmerized by the sight of airplanes landing and taking off right before their eyes! This experience sparked curiosity and wonder among their young minds, providing them with a glimpse into the fascinating world of air travel. Next, the group made their way to Terit Resort, where the children enjoyed a variety of recreational activities. From launching down slides and ziplines, to swinging as high as they could and jumping in a bounce castle to their heart’s content, this part of the trip was an absolute favorite! Their adventure continued with a visit to Rupas Mall, where they enjoyed a delicious lunch that left them all beaming with happiness.
As the day came to a close, the students returned home, their hearts full of excitement and their minds buzzing with new discoveries. Special bonds formed between the children were evident in the laughter and smiles that filled the air the whole way home! Stories were shared late into the night, cementing the life-long memories of a truly amazing day.
"I had such a great time on this trip! I loved the delicious food at Rupa Mall and going on a zipline for the first time. I even got to see a plane landing! It was so cool! I am incredibly thankful to God for this incredible opportunity. Thank you so much for your support and for helping to make outings like this possible!" - Owen Kipchirchir (KK-161)
Prayer Requests:
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That God will encourage, uplift, and guide our children throughout the rest of this school year
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For bonds throughout our Children’s Homes to be continually strengthened after such a special trip
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Continued health, safety, and JOY for the entire ELI family
We recently welcomed 16 orphans into the Homes! These children who were once facing a bleak future now have the incredible gift of education and are experiencing the love and support of a family! Watch this video to see the celebration and smiles on their faces as they were embraced and welcomed into their new home.
Forever Family Reunion
The college students and young adults from our Children’s Homes enjoyed a memory-making, heart-endearing, soul-restoring family reunion! Plans were made, invitations were sent, and preparations were carried out in anticipation of welcoming these young adults back home for a few days.
Throughout this special reunion, everyone enjoyed an extended time of fellowship and reconnection. Contagious smiles and tears of joy filled the room as they began to catch up on one another's lives. There was singing, dancing, games, praising, and a general sense of rejoicing that never ceased throughout the gathering!
The highlight of the occasion was the sharing of stories, where many came forward to testify about their journeys through college and beyond, including both the triumphs and challenges they have faced along the way. This intimate sharing culminated in a powerful prayer asking for God’s direction in every area of life.
As the reunion continued, the value of being a forever family was strengthened and fortified. Seeing these young World Changers, who came to the Children’s Homes so many years ago feeling shy and uncertain, now returning as blossoming young adults, was a reminder of the indescribable blessing of being part of our ELI family and the truth that “children are a gift from the Lord.” (Psalm 127:3).
When it came time to leave, many hugs and thank yous were shared, confirming this time together would indeed become a treasured memory of family connection for all!
Ringing in the New Year!
Happy new year! Our Children’s Homes had an amazing time celebrating all that 2023 had to offer and anticipating the exciting opportunities that 2024 will bring. It was a truly unforgettable day full of fellowship, celebration, and the unexpected joy of rain (seen as a sign of blessing in Kenya)! The children had so much fun receiving their new Christmas outfits, playing games, sharing a delicious meal, and dreaming about this next year together. Their joy radiated through the contagious smiles on each of their faces! A joy enhanced by the generosity of their sponsors.
As they praised God for the gift of another year, they dedicated 2024 to Him, acknowledging there is new hope each day because of His amazing grace:
Our prayer is that He may nourish us with the bread of life throughout this year! As His word says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” May He always be by our side, guiding us as we see His name glorified and His people empowered!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- For our children to return to school feeling refreshed and prepared after their holiday break.
- For God to continue guiding, protecting, and uplifting our ELI Children’s Home staff.
- For this next year to be full of continued transformation for families and communities across East Africa!
A Sweet Reunion: Celebrating Our Graduates!
The past few months have been full of excitement and festivity at our Children’s Homes! With holidays, birthdays, graduations, and more, we have been in continuous celebration of all God has done in the lives of our children. One of these celebrations was for 14 of our college graduates who have officially crossed one finish line and find themselves at the starting line of independence. In order to support this new chapter of their lives, our ELI team was able to award each of them a stipend, which will be a vital tool as they navigate adulthood and all that comes with it.
It was such a blessing for our team in Kenya to welcome their kids home after spending time away at college. Tears of joy and contagious smiles filled the room as these young adults reflected on how far they have come, and expressed their goals and desires for the future. Some have even secured jobs in their desired field, which is a huge accomplishment! We trust and believe that God will continue guiding their every step as they continue to reach their goals and change the world for Christ.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6
In addition to receiving stipends and spending time catching up with one another, our graduates also made sure to spend intentional time with their younger brothers and sisters in the homes. Special gifts were given, fun games were played, and pure joy was evident as the eldest siblings set a beautiful example of what hard work, a foundation of faith, and following your dreams can do!
We are so incredibly proud of these young men and women of God who have gone above and beyond what the world ever expected of them. Praise God for the blessings He has bestowed upon each of them! As their ELI forever family, we can’t wait to see where God leads them next!
PRAYER REQUESTS
- For God to guide, protect, and empower these young adults as they continue to navigate a new season of independence
- For our House Parents to feel an overwhelming sense of joy and accomplishment for raising these children to love the Lord and follow their dreams
- Continued health, strength, and JOY for our entire ELI family
This Christmas, we wanted to share a special gift with you—heartfelt messages from the children at the ELI Children's Homes. In these touching videos, our kids open their hearts to share what worship means to them, show how they worship, and they end with singing "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him" in English and Swahili. Their innocent voices and love for Jesus Christ remind us of the significance of this time of year and the profound impact your support has had on their lives.
There is no one else like you in the entire world! Never has been and never will be. Isn’t that amazing? Each one of us has a unique God-given design. This truth is nurtured at our Children’s Homes as our house parents approach each child as fearfully and wonderfully made with unique gifts and talents. In doing so, the children are experiencing a renewed sense of confidence in their abilities, and assuredness in their identity as truly special children of God!
One of the ways we nurture these individual gifts and talents is by forming specific interest groups, such as sewing, baking, or farming, that each child can choose to be a part of. This platform has enabled them to express themselves and nurture their creativity and interests, fostering their emotional, intellectual, and personal growth. This journey has been nothing short of exhilarating as we guide the children to unleash their imagination, acquire new skills, and forge meaningful bonds!
Recently, the farming group embarked on an exciting agricultural project. Using innovative approaches and teamwork, they have planted an amazing range of vegetables, and even established tree nurseries. Each beautiful plant and every abundant crop serve as evidence of their passion and the fruitfulness of their hard work! This is just a glimpse of what happens when a child is given the opportunity to put their interests into action. What a blessing it is to see them beaming with joy and pride!
We are so grateful for the incorporation of these groups, as they have created a space where our children feel loved, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. When we pursue our passions, not only do we find personal fulfillment, but we also honor God by utilizing the gifts He has bestowed upon us! Thank you for journeying with us in empowering these children to be the World Changers God created them to be.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- For each child in our Children’s Homes to remain steadfast in their faith and identity as a beloved child of God
- That God will continue to guide our house parents in encouraging, uplifting, and raising each of their children
- Strength, protection, health, and JOY for the entire ELI family
Unveiling Joy: A New Playground Arrives at both Children’s Homes!
The day our Children’s Home families have been waiting for has finally arrived—new playgrounds have been built, just in time for the children’s break from school! The journey to this moment has been one full of excitement, anticipation, and big ideas led by one of ELI’s dedicated partner families, Jennifer and Matt Moore, partnering with Sam, a structural engineer from Kids Around the World, as well as some of our college young men who returned to the homes to help the team install the structures. Now, the vision God gave them has come to fruition and is making an incredible impact on the hearts and lives of the children!
Imagine the twinkling eyes, delighted giggles, and the energetic laughter echoing through the air from the time construction began. Now, with each game played and every adventure experienced, these young World Changers are weaving bonds of friendship, understanding, and unity. Physical fitness also takes center stage as they hop, skip, and jump their way to stronger bodies and happier hearts! As if the playground itself wasn't enough, our Children’s Home was also blessed with a breathtaking garden, lovingly crafted by one of the team members, Jennifer!
We celebrate this incredible milestone and the generous people who made it possible. It has been an exhilarating journey witnessing the kindness of the Lord as He pours His love and blessings upon us through His people.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- For this playground to continue being a place of laughter, fun, and special memories for years to come.
- That all involved on the construction team will feel rested, restored, and proud of their incredible hard work.
- Continued health, safety, and abundant joy for the entire ELI family!
Worship with us!
What a privilege it is to worship our Heavenly Father together, no matter where we are, who we are, or what language we speak. Our Kipkaren Children’s Home put together this beautiful music video, which serves as a reminder of just that—He is worthy of our praise, always! Take a moment today to pause, rest in His presence, and delight in this joyful song from our ELI family in Kenya.
Making Streams in a Wasteland!
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” - Isaiah 43:19
Equipping our children and staff to be confident and compassionate World Changers is a huge priority within ELI. Because of this, group counseling sessions have been taking place regularly in our Kipkaren and Ilula Children’s Homes! Not only does this provide an opportunity for our ELI family to gain a greater understanding of who they are as God’s children, but it creates a safe environment for each of our staff members, house parents, leaders, and children to receive the support and guidance they need.
In these sessions, led by our gifted counselors Linet and Veronica, topics such as depression, anxiety, and anger are discussed—allowing those in attendance to wrestle with difficult feelings and grow in their ability to understand and overcome them, forging refreshing streams through the challenging wasteland.
Through prayer, fellowship, scripture, and a dedication to prioritizing mental health, we are seeing our ELI family thrive! Our children are able to ask for help when they are struggling, our house parents are growing in their ability to provide that help, and our staff are seeing God at work in mighty ways.
We are so thankful for our faithful counselors, who are bringing a whole new perspective and awareness to ELI. This world may be full of uncertainty, anxiety, and fear . . . but we serve a God who freely gives us hope, peace, and JOY!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- That God will continue encouraging, uplifting, and guiding our children, house parents, and staff
- For bonds throughout our Children’s Homes to be strengthened through our counseling program
- Continued health, safety, and JOY for the entire ELI family!
Worship with us!
In the life of a believer, Easter is one of the most important holidays where we celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This year, our Ilula Children’s Home celebrated this holy day by coming together as a family to play games, share a delicious meal, and praise God together. It was such a blessing to have our college students and children’s home alumni join the celebration as well!
Our Ilula Children’s Home Choir also spent time in fellowship together by recording a song in the Children’s Home recording studio! Peter Maiyo, one of our treasured ELI team members, produced the incredible video below, and we are so excited to share it with you.
We invite you to worship along with us as we lift our voices and remember God’s never-ending love for His children!
Prayer Requests:
- For these children to continue using their gifts and talents to worship the Lord
- That many lives will be touched by the precious voices of our Ilula Children’s Home Choir as they spread God’s love through music
- Continued health, safety, and JOY for the entire ELI family!
- Continued health, safety, and JOY for everyone in our ELI family
GOD-GIVEN GIFTS
Our children’s individual talents and interests are getting the opportunity to shine! As the house parents identify the individual talents amongst their children, they are able to recognize and appreciate each child’s unique design and provide tailored support that enables each child to thrive.
In order to give the children a chance to hone their skills and embrace their passions fully, music, baking, farming, sewing, and athletic groups have all been formed at the Children’s Homes. These groups meet regularly to provide an environment that nurtures their talents, gives opportunity for growth, and incorporates FUN!
Since this approach has been implemented, we have seen strengthened relationships between the children and their house parents, a deepened understanding of God’s unique design for each child, and a new appreciation for personal development.
It is evident that each child has a unique set of talents and abilities. As our children explore these God-given gifts, we are committed to supporting them every step of the way so they can continue to shine!
PRAYER REQUESTS
- That bonds between the children and house parents will continue to grow.
- For each child to recognize their God-given abilities and use them to glorify Him.
- For continued health, safety, and JOY for our ELI family!
Christmas at the Children’s Homes was a day our ELI family will never forget! From singing Christmas carols and dancing their hearts out, to eating a delicious family meal and receiving precious gifts, every child was so thankful and full of joy. Watch the video below to get a glimpse of this celebration that YOU helped make possible!
Guardians’ Day – December 2022
Guardians’ Day is always one of the most highly anticipated events at the ELI Children’s Homes as the children’s extended biological family members, or guardians, travel to the Children’s Homes for a special celebration. And after nearly a year of being apart, these precious children were not only able to reunite with their guardians, but spend the Christmas holiday with them as well!
Before traveling back to their guardian’s homes for 4 weeks, the children gathered with their guardians to share what God has done in their lives over the past year, celebrate with songs of praise, and share some of their favorite memory verses. The guardians were so thankful to see how their children have continued to grow and thrive in their faith, education, and talents!
As the day ended and the children were preparing to leave with their guardians, these special encouragements were shared among the group:
“God has been so faithful throughout the journey of raising these children. Some have graduated college, some have been baptized, and some have overcome severe medical issues—God has had a hand in all of it! For these guardians to have time with their children is a special thing, and we pray they will spend time encouraging, uplifting, and bonding with them.”
- Noela Moiben, Kipkaren Children’s Home Assistant Manager
“I thank the Children’s Homes for accepting me and my grandchild. May God continue to keep you safe and give you the strength and wisdom needed to raise these children who have been bestowed upon you.”
- Esther Chepkemboi, guardian
“I am so thankful to ELI for taking care of these children, including my own grandson. As I age, I feel good knowing that he is in good hands that God has sent. I am praying that He blesses you in abundance!”
- Lewis Milimo, guardian
“Thank God for this day! It has been a long journey, and now we are together with our guardians. For my brother and sisters, as you go, be of help to your guardians and also get to know your relatives!”
- Branton Kiplimo, Kipkaren Children’s Home child
Treasuring these words of encouragement and the memories created this day, the children and their guardians began their journey home with full hearts. We know God was watching over them every minute, and we continue to pray over the time they spent together!
- That bonds were strengthened and precious memories were made while the children were with their guardians
- For God to continue encouraging, uplifting, and protecting the guardians at their homes
- For the guardians to embrace their role in the ELI family as they together ignite these young World Changers!