AMCC Here and There

Even though we were only there for 10 short days, we jumped right back into the swing of things. After honoring the Kenyan ways of life and relationship by "popping in" on nearly everyone that was a friend of AMCC and of John, we helped out around the new home.


Here, Maggs uses a panga (machete) to cut napier grass for the goats to eat.


In the meantime, Nick and Rahab catch the goats that were roaming in John's father's farm.


In this picture Nick helps Rahab separate the good beans from the bad ones and other debris such as bugs, stems and pebbles. This is something we have become quite skilled at during the months we have spent at AMCC.


We were happy to discover that AMCC has become a blessing to John's parents. Since the children have relocated, Nancy, Ruth, and Rahab have helped take care of various household chores at the Muhika Farm. They even cook almost every meal for John's parents. Here, Rahab takes her turn to milk the cow owned by Samson and Margaret Muhika. This is one of the many ways that AMCC is able to show thanksgiving and is a blessing to them.


The children on Sunday preparing to take supper.


Erin Marietti donated a laptop to AMCC that she sent to us before we left the states. Here, Maggie gives Ruth, the Communications Officer a lesson on how to use it.


With the laptop, the staff at AMCC won't have to make the 45 minute journey to Thika to write emails. They will save money on the travel and also on the time that they have to pay for to use the internet at a cyber cafe! This is a tremendous gift to AMCC as each staff member will be able to advance in their computer skills and allow them to be more versatile and beneficial to AMMC and the Vision in the future.



Even though John is the C.E.O. of a children's home, he is also a preacher at heart. He's been preaching in fact since 1986 and is often asked to preach at special occasions. The picture above is a group of people who meet every Thursday in Kahawa West near Nairobi. They wanted to start a fellowship where they could learn about the Lord and spend some time in worship and prayer. They asked John to come and teach them once a week. They started with about five a few months ago and their number has grown to over 21.


This Thursday John preached a message to them warning them about the four soils in relation to tithing, or where they are sowing their seed. This was an excellent message as there are many preachers in Kenya who are preaching the prosperity gospel: "If you really want to be blessed, you gotta give till it hurts!" This "gospel" message leads to the poor people giving what little they have so "preachers" can have big houses and fancy cars. This day John challenged the people to find a local widow or orphan in their area (not even at AMCC) and help them with food or school feels rather than to give to a preacher who is well off.




Being able to preach like this is energizing to John. He's a great preacher and well versed in scripture. In the matatu (local transport bus) on the way back, Nick takes this picture as he overhears John asking this girl what her dreams are. After listening for a while, he encourages her that with God, she can reach them no matter what obstacles lie in her way.


Here we see John poking his head between Agnes and Faith on the left. Victoria and Tabitha stand on the right. With the other girls, they hold up the fresh flowers they have picked on the way home from school. Each of these girls are Form 4 or seniors in high school. There are also three other boys, Simon, Dennis, and Joseph and another girl Maureen who are finishing their last year of Secondary School (high school). They've had a bit of a rough time academically during their school lives due to lack of funds and not attending the best schools in the area. Nonetheless and despite these difficulties, a few of them will be 'college material' provided that they are funded. For the others, AMCC is seeking to provide them with some sort of polytechnic school training. Some may even be able to work at AMCC if they so choose.


In either case, next year will be an exciting one. The first seven children to graduate would never have made it this far without the hand of God working through AMCC. Now they will be blossoming into a new life with a strong foundation and real hope. The Board and Staff of AMCC has agreed not to take on new children until these are fully established and functioning as beneficial members of society and for the Kingdom of God. They will have a place to stay until they are on their own. AMCC is dedicated to them for life, and we're excited to see what life will come from each of them!