Our Crossing Kids offering each week is dedicated to our partnership school Pistis in Nairobi, Kenya. You can read more about our partnership here. Below is some information, a few pictures and a letter we received this week.
New space
You may remember that we were asking everyone to pray that we would be able to purchase a 40-foot steel container, which in Kenya are often converted into buildings used as shops, houses, classrooms…Our container that you helped us to purchase has arrived! We are working to prepare the ground for it, fix it up, and start using it.
When the new term starts, every single seat in the classrooms will be occupied! This means that we want to build cubbies for the kids in another of the classrooms very soon, so there is room to expand. Some of our boys are getting very big and are starting high school. It will be good to allow them their own space. Right now, we have two learning centers. The Doves include the 1st through 3rd graders. The 4th through 8th graders are together in the Eagles. We are hoping to divide the kids into smaller age ranges–1st and 2nd together, 3rd through 6th together, and then 7th and up together.
Music Lessons
Music classes started in January. The kids are really enjoying one-on-one lessons in keyboard or guitar. We’re also praying for a guitar for the school and a drum set. Having the container will give us the space to turn one of the classrooms into a music room.
Most Recent Letter from Pistis (dated April 19, 2012):
Dear Crossing Kids, and those who love them:
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, can I say once more how grateful all of us at Pistis are for the loving-kindness of The Crossing Kids?!
We started the term this week, and there has been such a flurry of activity, thanks in large part to your generosity.
As you can see in the pictures, construction is nearing completion on 5 new toilets–adult-sized, since some of our big kids are teenagers now.
AND a new learning center for the 11 oldest kids is finishing up this week–that’s the white room with all the newly-built “offices” that look like individual learning cubbies.
AND, a covered, enclosed outdoor area is also nearly finished, where the kids can eat, play when it’s raining (phew–just in time for rainy season).
AND, thanks to your generous gift to the Byerly family, there is a new piano, and 6 children are now taking piano lessons (others are studying guitar).
AND, the electricity was re-wired, with new lights that work (a very much-needed improvement)!
AND the rooms are all much easier to use, since the extra supplies and things have been moved out to the new container that you helped us buy.
It is just thrilling to see all that Mrs Njuguna and her team have been able to accomplish in just a few short weeks. None of this would have been possible without your help. Please do pass along our very warmest and heart-felt thanks to all the kids and their parents. We love you. We pray for you weekly. We ask the Lord to bless you bountifully.
Blessings, peace and love,
Christi Byerly, on behalf of Pistis school
