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2727 SW 119th St
OKC, OK 73170
405-692-4242
Services at:
8:15, 9:30, 10:50a
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Today, I got about 30 photos from Benson (our Kenyan Director). First of all, Benson is a nurse, not a photographer. And he's messed up the date setting of the camera, so don't pay attention to the 2004 dating. I've included one photo of our maize crop. It's been raining for weeks, so we're going to have a great crop. Also in these photos are those of our two university graduates. What a blessing these two girls have been. In January they both start graduate school, where they will earn master's degrees in accounting and their CPA certification. There are also shots of our new "guest house" at the new medical clinic/home. I'll briefly describe each of the attached photos.
1830 is Benson's new house, which is opposite and matches our new guest house
1816 is our 3-acre maize crop
1827 is the guest house
1807 is Doris on the left and Roselyn on the right. Both are orphans. Doris is actually from Tanzania.
1823 is the repositioned gate at Generations Children's home with it's new wall and the new perimeter fence (with concrete posts). Old wooden post were eaten by termites.
1806 is Doris and Benson (our Kenyan Director) at the graduation ceremony.
1822 is the new entrance to Generations Children's Home. Inside the gate is our covered pavillion, and next is the dining hall.
1804 is Doris decked out for graduation
P9211371 is the rig that drilled our new 300ft water well. We've ordered the solar panels in Kenya, and will be placing our solar pump order here in the U.S. this next week.
December is an off-month for schools in Kenya. It's marks the end of the school year. Benson will be using the month to get children ready for the new school year. We've sent the 2012 school budget to Benson. If you haven't paid your child's fees yet (for 2012), please do so soon, as Tom and I have covered all those missing. We've also send a little money so that Benson can do something special for the children for Christmas.
Have a merry Christmas, and thanks so much for what you've done for these children. Bill Lester |
Just to give you an update on our project to drill a 120-meter water well at our children's home (Generations) in Tharaka District, Kenya. Last week we wired enough money to at least get the well drilled (with casing and concrete well topping). We did not quite raise enough to take care of this but Tom and I covered the remainder, since prices continue to rise in their depressed economy. Since receiving our initial estimate two years ago (when we first requested our government permit), the price has risen a third. What had been 6000 Kenyan shillings is now 8,000 shillings per meter. Photos will mark the progress of the drilling. We'll take care of the pump and plumbing next.
While the government survey (and my Okie water witching) showed abundant water at our facility, we need your prayers that the drilling crew finds that water.
Bill Lester
President, Leadership for Life Ministries
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Sponsors, friends, interested persons,
Well, I was told today that the photos that I sent out several days ago, were older ones (several weeks), and did not show any progress on the new Kenya clinic. So here are two shots of progress as of Tuesday 16 Nov. After these stones reach the top of the walls, they will be plastered smooth on the inside. Then the outside surface will be "chisled smooth" for the final surface. This first phase of construction will allow the clinic to transition from the old facility (awaiting for government tear-down), and our home to also move. Benson is really getting excited about this move. And the new facility (clinic/home) will have electricity. Not the 12 volt variety, but real 220 volt kind.
I also included a photo of 52 of our sponsored children's guardians weeding our field of maize. They offer this service in appreciation of what we're doing for their children. Weeding will most often double our crop yield.
For school sponsors; remember tuition ($150 per student) will be wired to Kenya on 26 Nov. So if a check is being sent, let me know, and I'll cover it. And for those who have already paid the 2011 tuition, the children thank you.
Bill Lester
President, Leadership for Life Ministries
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Kenya Update: The foundations are completed and the stone walls are coming up at the replacement Leadership for Life Medical Clinic in Tharaka District, Kenya. Bill Lester says that this initial construction will provide 12 rooms for clinic and home use. These two facilities will be built "back-to-back," thus sharing a common wall. The living quarters will otherwise look like a totally separate facility. The road construction, which resulted in the loss of the clinic, home, and land is progressing as most government projects. There is still no action to effect restitution for our loss. As we haven't been required to vacate existing property, the completion schedule for the new facility makes the move much less hectic. Our sponsored children and the people of the Tharaka District thank you for making this possible. |
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Generations Childrens Home (Taken 2/23/2008) |
Good News From Kenya, Sunday, March 2, 2008: See the pictures!
Dear All,
GD and I got up this morning and decided to take a trip to the airport and see if we could find the missing suitcase. They let GD in , and after walking by his bag (it was wrapped), the helper stopped and said "Let's open this one." Everything was there. We'll now pack a box and send the gifts to Benson. Eight children had their gifts in that bag.
Came back to the Methodist Guest House and then we took a bus, with Sandra, to the YaYa Center where the Massai had their open air market. After about an hour and a half of haggleing, we got everything we wanted. Then another bus ride back to the Guest House. Now for a nap.
We were so sorry to hear about Rick. He was in our prayers during the entire trip. The weather continues to be exceptional. The entire country is excited about the peace treaty. By the time Parliment meets to work out the details, we'll be home, so we expect no further problems during our stay.
Robert, I had a good deal going for your mother. I was offered 68 goats, three cows, and some sugar. When I tried to include a bag of salt, the deal fell through. The chief said something about a family member who wasn't worth his salt. Those being his exact words, do you know what he was getting at? Maybe we can sort it out next Sunday.
We head to the airport in a little over 24 hours. Then home Tuesday evening. Patty, Tell Jessa to have a good, and safe time in Washington D.C. We're all feeling great. Bill |
324 Pictures from the Trip to Africa September 2007
(or double-click on the slideshow to go the web album.)
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All though not an official mission project of the United Methodist Church, Bill Lester, a member of St. Andrew's UMC is a full-time missionary at Leadership For Life (formerly Medics Int'l). Bill Lester journeys often to Africa and has many interesting and amazing true stories he can relate about his travels. Bill is always interested in having you and your group accompany him on one of his trips.
Due to the high incidence of aids in Africa, there are many aids orphans living alone in mud shelters. Bill is now working to find "grandmothers" who will take in the orphans. In return they build the grandmother a stone shelter or house. It is a new program that has worked well. Please pray for Bill and God's work in Africa. For more information please visit the Leadership For Life website or contact Bill Lester or David Johnson to schedule your group's trip to Africa with Bill!
How you can help: sponsor a student to attend school for a year. It is only $125 for the entire year but without it they cannot go to school. Please help Bill help these children. Pray for Bill and his next scheduled trip.
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Trip to Kenya August 2006
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