Author: devadmin

There is no way to sum up our experience at the 2016 Graduation for Panua Cycle 2!  These students are amazing – they are confident, polite, excited, well-spoken and doing great things in their communities already.  To see their transformations from our earliest photos to today, is simply a work that only God can do.  They are thankful and we are, too.

We even had about 20 of our previous 90 from the class of 2013 return to speak at the graduation about their successes and to encourage the latest graduates.  What a joy to see them healthy, happy, successful and giving back to their communities and to Panua.  Along with alumni and current graduates, we had a group of potential youth for the next cycle in attendance, so they were able to see where they can be in 3 years and in 6 years by looking at those who were in the  classes before them. Helping the program “expand” – this is everything we hope for!

Saturday was safari day!  We left before dawn to head out to Lake Nakuru National Park hoping to catch all the animals as they started their day.  Our driver, Sammy, came through for us, taking us on little-traveled roads to catch some of the most beautiful of God’s creation in breath-taking settings.  While the lions eluded us, we saw baboons, impalas, giraffes, zebras and even 3 rhinos, which are often well hidden.  Seemed like all the other tourists we encountered were looking for the rhinos we had seen early in the day.

It was a busy Friday and a restorative Saturday, and the beauty of both days was not lost on us!  We celebrated heartily on Friday with our Panua graduates, thanking God for His provision and their success.  And on Saturday, we soaked in the beauty of the park while remembering the Creation Story, as we explored the place where it took place and saw how perfectly God made it.  What a privilege to share this wonderful place with such a dedicated team!

It was a very moving and inspirational day graduating our current class of Panua youth.  We will be out the door tomorrow morning by 5:45 for a one-day safari, so not much blogging will happen tonight.  Just wanted to offer a few pics of the day so you can get a flavor.  It was spectacular!

The youth were so excited getting ready!

We paraded from the church where everyone got their caps and gowns through town to the graduation venue.  We even had a police escort and a band – so fun!

Some of the entertainment at the ceremony.  There was a group of tribal women singing, chanting and dancing, and they even got David out there, which the kids just loved.  There was also a cool dance group made up of 4 of the graduating youth.

More stories and pictures tomorrow when we return from our day-trip!  Lala salama, everyone!

Today is Day 7 of our Panua Mission Trip. In the scripture Genesis 2 “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing, so on the seventh day He rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done”. After a busy 6 days of visiting with our working group youth and being in meetings, today was our first day that we stayed at our hotel and yes, somewhat “rested”.

Our team began preparations today for the graduation ceremony tomorrow by organizing the caps, gowns, and certificates for 160 youth, while our mission member, artisan David from our sister church in Naples and a talented Panua youth, Zachary, who will be graduating tomorrow, completed our mosaic heart project. How fun to have Zachary learn from David and see the final mosaic completed.

It was a day of laughter, joy, peace and rest as we prepared in excitement to celebrate the graduation of these youth.

We all got to enjoy the warm sunshine kisses from God on our faces and the slower pace of the day. What a great day of reflection for all the blessings He has given to all of us, his children.

At the end of the day I reflected on what a gift God has handed down to all of us. The Panua Partners in Hope has transformed lives both in the United States and Naivasha. We have helped equip and empower so many lives these past 6 years. It is a time for celebration and time for joy.

Smiles – Mia Thomas

It is hard to grasp the feeling of desperation when there is a bright, polished young man speaking his testimony with light in his eyes.

Throughout our trip to each of Naivasha’s communities, we have seen the transformation in all of our youth. Today touched our hearts especially, because we heard the journey of 20-year-old accountant Hannington.

After his mother died when he was 12, he did not let his grief and poverty get the best of him. He stuck together with his older brother and prayed that through their hard work, God would show them a better way of life. Never knowing their father, Hannington and his brother knew that God is their Father and that He would provide.

“When you hear ‘There is someone who can support you, what do you want to do?’ that is like a miracle,” Hannington said.

This miracle Hannington received from Panua is the same reality the youth of the DCK neighborhood pray to receive as a part of the next Panua 3-year class. Even higher in the mountains, the beauty of the DCK area is juxtaposed by the extreme poverty its inhabitants are faced with daily. The terrified faces of 16-to-22-year-olds showed their longing to find a way to work toward a better life for themselves, their siblings and their children.

Luckily Panua is not just a temporary hand-out, but a sustainable way of living to improve the lives of the youth and their communities. Kayole youth Lucy and Teresia have transformed their lives through leveraging their sewing skills. Their new business is located in a building owned by their mentor Lydia. Even after graduation, Lucy and Teresia will continue to profit and service others by making and tailoring school uniforms.

“My vision with Panua is not to only rely on it,” Hannington said. “I want to give back to Panua what they were able and willing to do for me.”

We continue to learn from people like Hannigton, who remind us to delight in the little surprises like a warm hug from a stranger, spotting giraffes on the side of the road, and creating lasting friendships with everyone we meet along the way.

As Panua continues to grow, we look forward to finding not just partners in hope, but also families in hope.

~Kathryn Farr

On Tuesday we met with the Sanctuary Shakers and Karagita Lemonade Life Groups in a joint meeting. The small narrow church in one of Naivasha’s largest slums was filled with joy, laugher, and praise. Together we sang, prayed and shared letters and stories of prayer partners. For me, it was truly a ‘seeing is believing’ moment. Three years ago when I visited, this had been one of the toughest locations to visit – but today, it was one of my best days.

I witnessed complete transformation in the OVCs. 3 years ago they could barely look up to speak their name and share their story with us. Today they proudly stood, introduced them themselves, warmly welcomed us, and presented reports by the chair person and group treasurer. These OVCs now have purpose and direction. They plan to continue meeting with each other even after graduation.

I also had the opportunity to meet Bernard, the youth our family has partnered with for this program cycle. We have been praying for each other and exchanging letters. He asked so many questions about my boys and my husband and I learned more about his extended family and life circumstances. We have truly grown to know and care for each other over these years. My heart is full!

We spent the afternoon visiting OVC businesses. First stop was a delicious lunch at Lilly’s Café (photo). Lilly is one of the program’s graduating OVCs. She runs a successful restaurant and employees three other youth from her neighborhood. We stopped at Stephen’s vegetable stand (photo), Pauline’s clothing stand, Nancy’s Salon (photo) and finally, Lilly’s Salon (different Lilly). It was such a special treat to have a few of the group leaders spend the whole day with us as we visited around town.

What a joy to celebrate these great successes of the Lemonade Life and Shakers groups. They are definitely making lemonade from the lemons dealt to them while they shake up their community!  ~ Loran VanWormer

Today was a day of 1000 little hands.  Each time we arrived at one of the neighborhoods to visit with one of the Panua entrepreneurs, we were greeted by the wonderful smiling children of the village. They are so polite! As they reached up to take our hand they’d say “How are you?” with their native accent. The common answer is always, “I am fine!”  So many children walking with us holding our hands, or, in my case, rubbing my hairy arms, too, as we walked!  Such beautiful, happy children who love having visitors.

Today we visited the KCC neighborhood and distributed sponsor letters to the Panua youth (see photo of Samson reading his letter).  We enjoyed making mosaic hearts with them all. It’s truly been a highlight for them to do this with us. I look forward to putting the full design together next week!

Each morning as we leave the hotel the same awesome young man wishes us off to have a great day. Today, I asked him to teach me the Kenyan handshake because I just could tell it was quite a bit different than ours.  Turns out that it’s a four position shake where the first position which starts up high means “How are you,” then “How is your wife?” (down low), then “How are your children?” (back to high), and lastly, “God bless you” (low). It’s a warming feeling in your heart because you are communicating without speaking. It comes from your touch and your heart.

It was a very hefty schedule today. We visited several Panua businesses – a street vendor, a marketvendor, two welding businesses, two hair salons, and a motorcycle repair business (look closely at the photo!).  All of these businesses are off to a great start. Seeing the sparkle in each person’s eyes was a great experience. You could see the pride of ownership and a genuine feeling of success. It’s wonderful to see how successful these entrepreneurs are becoming with very little investment of money, but a huge investment of hope, direction and LOVE.

The Panua project truly is making a huge difference in these people’s lives and the lives of those  around them.

David Alger

Cornerstone United Methodist Church

Naples Fl

We are happy to be here!  After 30 hours travelling with 16 pieces of luggage checked (full of caps, gowns, diplomas, certificates and signs for graduates), these 8 weary team members were ecstatic to make it to Nairobi, then on to Naivasha for a hot meal, a warm shower and a cozy bed.

We spent our first full day visiting with current Panua youth from the Kabati and Kihoto neighborhoods, and we were able to meet some potential youth from the Viwandani neighborhood.  Their stories of what Panua means to them are incredibly touching.  They worked diligently on our Mosaic heart project and fully embraced cutting and gluing tile, which will be part of displays at the Panua office in Naivasha, our church in Winter Park and at Cornerstone UMC in Naples, FL.

The youth were extremely patient while each was called up to receive their sponsor letter, and returned to their seat to delve into the latest encouragement from their sponsor.  Our team was encouraged hearing all that Panua means to this group as they prepare for graduation.  We also watched the potential youth as they observed the current group and concluded that while Panua literally means “expand” in Swahili, it also means family, support, courage and love.

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By Linda Unger*

Days of torrential rain inundated the state of Louisiana, beginning August 11. Flooding has impacted at least 40,000 homes, and about 30,000 people and 1,000 pets have been rescued from high water in homes and cars. At least 11 people are known to have died in the disaster.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) issued an emergency grant to the Louisiana Annual Conference, releasing 2,950 cleanup buckets to United Methodist churches in LaFayette and Baton Rouge, areas severely affected by the floods, for distribution to affected households.

UMCOR stands ready to release another 2,000 cleanup buckets to go to the most vulnerable places as identified by the Louisiana Conference, as more cleanup buckets are being assembled to meet more needs.

The state of Mississippi also was affected by flooding, and UMCOR has readied relief supplies to go there, when the water recedes.

Read the full article HERE.