What's Going On and What Have We Been Doing?

Sorry, it has been a very long while since our last blog update!

As we look forward to returning to Australia for 6 weeks, I thought it would be good to give a brief rundown of what we have been doing here in Kenya the past few months.

Southern Cross Association of Churches:

Pastors meeting in Kisumu (near Lake Victoria)

I have spent quite a bit of time connecting with Pastors from around Kenya. As we prepare for a big conference in May, we have been trying to get organised for that. I spent a few days in the western part of Kenya, connecting with many pastors and hearing about the challenges they face on a daily basis. The relational network of Southern Cross can be a real blessing to these pastors and we are hoping to be able to support these men and women of God in an increased way when we return.

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Kibagare Academy School Building:

The building project has been a very big challenge for me. Progress has been slow but we have finally completed the foundation and retaining block work and work has started on the wood structure.

At times it is difficult to see why something is such a massive struggle but God knows the outcome of our persistence and obedience and ultimately He will be glorified through this whole process! AMEN!

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First Joy Academy:

Joan entering information into the school database.

Both Fiona and I have spent a lot of time at the First Joy school helping out. I have written a computer database to help with the administration of students. Fiona has been working with Joan (the school registrar) to help to set up a filing system for all the student information.

I have also been teaching basic computer skills to the teachers, who then use this information to teach their pupils.

As is the case with many schools here in Kenya, they struggle to get enough funding to do even the basic things that we in developed nations would expect from an educational institution. There isn't the government funding that we see in more developed countries. The teachers work tirelessly to provide the best possible education with the little resources they have, but the school even struggles to pay their wages, they sometimes receive as little as 8000 shillings (about AU$112) a month. The school is very diligent in feeding the kids both morning tea and lunch as often this is the only food they receive in a day. When the kids eat, they are more attentive in class and ultimately get a better education.

We have been able to provide some books and blocks for the kids to read and play with which they absolutely loved!

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Computer lessons with the teachers.

Students enjoying their new books.

We really want the school to become more self sufficient and as such are hoping to be able to raise funding for them to be able to get water at the school. This will not only help with hygiene and drinking/cooking water for the students but also be a source of income for the school as they can sell it to the surrounding neighbors.

Please keep them in your prayers as we need a miracle to see them prosper as we believe they should.

Family Life

We are all doing really well and settling into life here in Nairobi.

Zoe has been really enjoying school at Rosslyn Academy (an international school) and has made many new friends. Pippa has been having a lot of fun doing home schooling but we are hoping that she will be able to attend Rosslyn soon also. Lucy is growing up fast and loves Peppa Pig (an english cartoon). She has asked if Suzy Sheep (from Peppa Pig) can come for a play. The big girls have made some really good friends in the estate where we live. It is very secure so the girls can safely walk to their friends houses.

We have been blessed with many new friendships too. We have had the challenge of not only getting to know the Kenyan culture but also the different cultures of the friends we are making from all over the world. We regular have to check if they understand us even though we all speak English. We have some very different sayings in Australia!

We are really looking forward to arriving back in Australia this coming Sunday and look forward to seeing all of our family and friends. If you want to contact us while we are home, here's how you can get in touch:

Email: theschopfs@gmail.com
Anthony (mob): 0402 320 835
Fiona (mob): 0412 822 241
Skype number: 9468 0447 (you can call us for the cost of a local call)

Bless you,
Anthony, Fiona, Zoe, Pippa & Lucy