The First Hope Graduates

2015 Hope School Graduates who serve at Made in the Streets

We are proud of these nine - James Mwangi, Ken Atsiaya, Eliza Wangari, Olive Njeri,
Nzioka Okendi, Charles Ndonyi, Jane Kiama, Victor Otieno, Robin Ndunda
who graduate December 19 as part of the first class of 14 in
Hope Online School of Leadership
Paul Oduor is on the left - he has done a wonderful work as our Kenyan leader.
Thanks to Darren Wilson for great work on this ministry.
Darlene hosted us with a dinner of hamburgers and a GRADUATION CAKE!
And ROBIN is Valedictorian! 

HOPE

We are involved with as much as possible, seeking to do as much as we can with our lives.  Not that we do a great deal ourselves, but we serve with some truly wonderful people.  Besides Made in the Streets-Kenya, we are starting to build a Christian Camp in an area just east of Nairobi, where we have 40 acres of mountainous land.  We are also beginning a plan to assist young Ethiopians in Addis Ababa to do a street ministry to the many street children in their city of 8 million. We are friends and supportive of Kenya Widows and Orphans program which operates many orphanages in various counties in Kenya.  We have worked closely with a World Bible School program in Kenya that has touched many lives and opened many new congregations.  We are part of a teaching team that instructs congregations in how to hold Vacation Bible Schools and start Sunday schools (the workers in this program are from Made in the Streets and include former street kids).

One or our most joyful involvements is with the HOPE Online School of Leadership, which we believe has and will have great impact and power in the lives of young Kenyan believers who strive not only to "know" but also to "deliver" goodness and HOPE to others.  Following is an article by Darren Wilson, with a note from Paul Oduor, about the first graduation of HOPE students in December - as well as a look at the current program.  Be blessed as you read....

This time next month, I'll be on a plane headed back to Kenya! I am so excited. This will be my 9th trip since 2008. I'm traveling back this time to attend the first graduation ceremony for HOPE School of Leadership. Many years ago, my good friends Charles and Darlene Coulston planted a seed of an idea in me that will produce its first harvest in December as we graduate our first class of young Kenyan leaders. Its been more work than I anticipated (for me and our students) but it has been well worth it. I couldn't have asked for a better partner than Paul, our Director of Operations in Kenya. He's a dedicated worker and has become a great friend. I fly out of DFW on December 14 and arrive back on the 23rd. Its a short trip this time, but it will be a very special one. The Christmas holidays aren't a particularly easy (or cheap) time to travel, but I am so happy to make the trip for this occasion. The Church of Christ in Childress (Texas) has paid for my plane ticket and taken a great burden off my shoulders. Some of you have also given generously to help make our graduation ceremony an event that will be special and memorable. Thank you, thank you, thank you, all. I'll be sure to take and post lots of photos from the trip. Its going to be an incredible time. Message From Paul Paul does such a good job coordinating, offering encouragement and following up with all of our students. Even through we are an online school, we couldn't do what we do without Paul working on the close, personal relationships with sutudents. He is patient, visionary and wise. He shares this with you all:

It's been two years since HOPE School admitted its first Cohort of 24 students. The journey has been a learning, character development and a discovery period for all of us. Launching into the unknown, the good thing is in the process we have built a community of Christian learners who have embraced servanthood as the ideal model of leadership. We have had our ups and downs, and in the period some dropped out and others remained, in our journey. We believe that it does not matter how fast you finish, but how strong you finish is what counts. Looking forward to our graduation in December and out of the 24 students we started with 14 are on track to graduate. All we can say is ' Thank you for your prayer and support.' We have now 3 Cohorts working towards the 21st Century Christian Leadership Diploma. We have over 60 students in the remaining two cohorts spread all around East Africa. In 2016, we hope to reach all the 47 counties in Kenya, not only to reach the numbers, but to raise a generation of leaders who believe in serving rather than being served, leaders who influence and challenge the 'norm'. Those who lead by example and value people instead of the titles and benefits that come with it. We have made new partnerships and we are looking forward to 2016 where we will stretch our potential and spread the good news beyond our regular scope as they will open new does for us to do exploits. -Paul Oduor Two Weeks To Go We are in the last two weeks of the school term and all of our students continue to amaze. The last weeks of every term are always spent catching up and turning in last minute assignments. I am constantly reminded of and humbled by the great lengths our students go to engage in this type of learning. Even more, however, is that the assignments have such a profound impact on our students' lives. They are working for something much more significant that a passing grade. James, one of our Cohort 1 students who will be graduating next month, sent me a text message earlier this week. Its pretty incredible and reminds me that we're going good work with good people. "Thank you for these HOPE School courses you have given us. I have experienced so much that we read. Its practical and its happening every day. Its happening in the world. I wish everyone in the world can read this Christian Leadership course. These courses have been of great help to me. It has been a great eye opener in my life. I wish you knew what it means to read something and then see yourself in between the lines. Then you see your weaknesses and your personal mistakes. Then above all, you learn ways to correct your own mistakes. Thank you for giving us a pillar to hold on to. Otherwise, we could have given up a long time ago." - James, HOPE School Student Asking For Your Help Each year around the holiday season, I ask family and friends to help fund the HOPE School operating budget for the following year. So far, God has provided in abundance and we've reached our goal every year. We are currently raising funds for our 2016 school year. Our entire operating budget for 2016 is $14,000. That's enough to pay all salaries and support amazing students who want to further their education for an ENTIRE YEAR. If you'd like to support HOPE School for 2016, that would be awesome. If not, please stay in touch and know that I will certainly understand.  If you want to make a donation towards our 2016 HOPE School budget, you can send a check to our parent organization, Made in the Streets. Yes, they are a 501(c)3 organization and your donations are fully tax deductible. Make sure you include a note on the check that your donation is for HOPE School of Leadership. They will be watching for HOPE School donations and will set those aside for us. Mail donations to: Made in the Streets attn: HOPE School of Leadership 409 Franklin Road Brentwood, TN 37027 If you decide to mail a donation, please shoot me an email and let me know. I have some small gifts from Kenya that I'd like to send to donors. I'd be happy to mail one to you as a "thank you" for your support and encouragement.  Thank You! Thank you for reading. Thank you for praying. And thank you for being a friend.  -Darren

Preparing and Praying for Ethiopia

Wow!  Darlene and I had a great visit to Ethiopia - beauty, history, opportunity!  There is beauty in the country - a mountain hike at 13,000 feet altitude, the hearts of young Ethiopians who want to know God as Father and Christ as brother.  There is history - Yeha is an ancient site with a mostly-standing temple built in the same time as King David.  Aksum is the oldest Christian site...and maybe even the place where the Queen of Sheba lived in the time of Solomon.  Gondar has a castle, something you'd expect to see in Europe!  And the history of Christianity is one of slowly moving into traditionalism and rigidity and pharisaic type rules that stifle the heart and soul.  And there is opportunity - many young people are striving for change, wanting a people with whom to study the Bible for what is really there, for closeness to Christ, for joy!  And there are many street kids too.

We are still searching for 60 of the "99" - people who are safe with Jesus, who have jobs and clothing and houses and for whom retirement looks like a good thing - and who know they have been blessed by God and are willing to give $10,000 to further the goals of the street ministry.  Let me know - charles@madeinthestreets.org

Dereje Aleme with three young men who have responded to the Gospel,
and who are ready to serve the Gospel!

NOT A FIGHT

I guess people usually get broken teeth in fights, or running into doors.  I was eating a potato chip, and a huge filling and part of a tooth moved from their proper place.  And a few days before that, I was just standing around, and a part of the tooth on the other side on the bottom back decided to depart from unity.  Chewing with the front teeth is an art, as they have gotten used to biting off things and passing them back.  About 15 years ago, I needed help in Kenya and found Dr. Vinayak with Hollye Conway's help, and he did a temporary.  This time he talked me into renewing my mouth with silver and other amalgamated metals.  I will be shinier than ever.  I do think that was the longest grind time I have ever experienced with my mouth wide open.  Then the nurse took me away for measurements, which entailed her pressing some gummy material over both top and bottom teeth with as much strength as she could muster.  Not only that, but she kept punching something down on the ground-out areas with vigor as the feeling was coming back in my badly numb and misshapen mouth.  Darlene decided not to kiss me when she saw me; she didn't think she could form her lips that way.

And here is Darlene last week with the staff at Java House singing "Happy Birthday" to her.  Francis Ndungu, on the left next to Darlene and a former student of ours, made the cappuccino.  We had a good day together, and we had lunch with Tony Mauldin as well.

Happy Birthday to You

Sorry...no pic of Tony...I had eyes only for Darlene

Kamulu Conversion

We all get excited when young people make a commitment to follow Jesus.  We don't teach our kids a great deal about religion, we don't emphasize what they have to do in worship, we don't talk down any other faith system...what we do is invite kids to know Jesus, to love Jesus, to follow Jesus, to obey Jesus.  When they do, their religion is solid, there worship is sincere and correct, their love for all is developed.

Joseph Karanja graduated from Made in the Streets without making a commitment to follow Jesus. He got a place to live, found and lost two jobs, was arrested for being too interested in a fight that was going on and was not doing well.  Then one of our young people who is involved in a Discovery Bible Study as part of our Into the World Project invited him to a Bible study, and he attended.

So on September 28 he came out to Kamulu and asked to be baptized.  We were all energized when he talked about the Bible study and what it meant to his heart.

Karanja is ready

Made in the Streets has needs that are not in the

budget this year.  Can you help us?  We want to

--refurbish our playground - $2,848

--get new uniforms for kids - $3,491

--buy a stone cutting machine -- $1,600

--furnish Bible office -- $1,000

--furnish counseling office -- $1,000

Thank you in advance,

   Charles Coulston

Into the water

Receptions at Coulstons - Aug 23 & 25

This coming Sunday evening at 6:00 and Tuesday evening at 6:00 -- Francis Mbuvi and Moses Okoth will be with the Coulstons.  So...any street ministry friend in the Fort Worth/Dallas area is invited to either of those receptions.  Call or text me at 817 965-3004 for our address.  We are celebrating 20 years of street ministry and you can enjoy hearing Francis and Moses talk about future plans for Made in the Streets.

Here is a great pic of Mbuvi with "our kids" 

Days of our Lives

Each time we prepare for travel, we find ourselves with strong feelings - we want to go, we want to stay!  Working with the Made in the Streets Team and being with the street kids is a great pleasure, the fulfillment of our hearts' desire.  Whether it is Jackton and Milly visiting graduates and encouraging them to start Bible studies with neighbors and co-workers or talking to Francis about how to lead the ministry or consulting with Wambu on building projects....it is all a deep and wonderful joy.  And they invited me to speak in chapel every day, after the student or visitor who has been scheduled to talk.  I get to talk each day about the "Scripture of the week" - the one we use for the Sunday morning Bible class and the sermon.  I start by asking, "where are we this week?" and many of them say "Luke 7" or "John 5" or whatever it is for the week.  I love telling stories and reminding them of God's will and encouraging them. Today one of the boys wanted to tell me something before chapel. I leaned over close to him, and he said, "I love you."  Makes my day! May you find something that makes yours a joy!

We are going down "Memory Lane" this year, with the 20 Year Celebration of street ministry coming up on August 1 in Nairobi and September 11-12 in Brentwood, TN.  We have been going through hundreds of all pictures and new ones too.  Here is one from 1998, when we helped in the startup of the church in Dirubi, where Kenya Widows and Orphans now has an orphanage and a skills training institute -- and the church continues!

A walk in Dirubi along the Sondu River - and a new church

Life is Good for us...

I can't say that everything goes exactly the way I want...I can't say that Made in the Streets is always successful with kids from the streets....but I can say that we like where we are and what we are doing. Who would have thought it?

Here is a pic of several of the guys among our students...Darlene and I had three groups of these former street kids over to the house...for popcorn, peanuts, chocolate cake, caffe latte (I am the barista)...and conversation!  We had a great time with them all -- so polite, conversational...one group of 12 guys ate a kilo of popcorn.

And here is the wedding of Caroline Wanjiku to Kelvin...whoever that is...actually he's a good guy, but she is ours!  She asked me to officiate at her wedding...normally we try to not to be at weddings -- they start very late and they go long -- but this was our joy!  Kelvin is a youth minister and Caro fits right in to that life.  She is still a hairdresser, and she is still ours!

And this is the church at Kamulu. We love being part of this family. Exciting...fun-filled...devoted to Jesus...I get to teach a Sunday morning class on whatever Francis is preaching on (we plan series together)...this also is OURS!

And here are some of our students doing a drama during worship time. It's about what Jesus says in Matthew 21:42-43, "The stone the builders rejected has become the most important stone." These kids have been rejected, and they dream that God will make them into something special.  And they are OURS!

Of Life at Made in the Streets

I don't write often enough to be a good blogger, or to be someone a person would want to follow.  And I have lots of excuses...here is what has been going on...

...we started the Legacy Campaign Fund this year...we want to find "the 99" - the ones who are safe at home with Jesus.  But these 99 are not content to rest at home; they know Jesus is out there searching for the lost and hopeless one...and they want to be with Him and help.  We want to raise $1 million for major projects at Made in the Streets, including reaching out with this ministry into another country.  We want to show that it is possible and important for a church that sends out missionaries to have a street ministry component in the mission when they are in locations with large numbers of street kids.  We are looking for 99 (individuals, families, home groups, classes) who will give $10,000 each to make it happen.  Darlene and I gave our $10,000 at the beginning, so in total it will make a hundred.  Please consider what gifts God has given you and whether He did so to enable you to give in this effort.

...new street kids have come out to Kamulu in 2015, and 8 more boys are expected here in a week or so. In addition the Eastleigh Team has 43 boys who are younger than our desired age, and a friend in California has given funds that can be used to help these boys get somewhere off the streets - back home with a relative, in another home of someone who cares, in an institution that will give them care - wherever they find people who will be kind to the boys.

...we are planning a Celebration for 20 years of street ministry on August 1 at Kamulu.  A committee is busy making that a reality.  In addition, there will be a Celebration at Otter Creek Church of Christ, Brentwood, Tennessee, in September.  If you are interested in begin at either of those, write me at charles@madeinthestreeets.org for info.

...we have published a new coffee-table picture book that covers the 20 years of ministry.  We plan to give a copy to each of the 99.  If you are not one of the 99, but want a copy, please write me.

...our kids have been on a trip to Western Kenya, getting to see some of the country they never had a chance to see because they grew up in Nairobi slums.  They have been thrilled with the hot springs, with Lake Victoria, with spending the night with various congregations, and begin together with some Team members on a trip...thanks to those who made this possible.

...I am so glad to be doing what I do, working with this Team and these kids from the streets. I'm getting old, but glad to be with the young.

Blessings, Charles

Genesis and Science

I make it a point to check out what is happening in scientific circles, not just because I like science but also to relate it to the Bible.  I think it is amazing how often Genesis comes out right.  The latest example is the news from Planck (check that out -- it's wonderful science!) - that their observations change the date stars were formed AFTER the Big Bang (which starts an expansion in which the universe as we know it is formed, grows and builds up into galaxies, stars, planets, comets and so on).

They have known this for years, but the dating hasn't been clear.  Now they have been able to study the Cosmic Microwave Background in the universe (an "afterglow" that still washes across the universe).  This confirmation fits well with Genesis, which states that God began work on creation with the making of space, earth, light....and not until the "4th day" does God make the stars.  Who can tell how long God held the earth and its newly created couple in stasis, with an "envelope" of protection and air, before creating the rest of the universe.

This leaves a great deal of temporal room for growth of species and the aging of the earth, for a woman to be born who would be Cain's wife, for the emergence of "species" of humans who would eventually give way to the progeny of the created couple, leaving only humans as we know them.

I like Genesis. I like the creation story.  It puts life as we know it in a context easily understood. And I still like science.

A picture from Planck that may be star formation.  

WORK IN THE USA

For the past four years, Darlene and I have spent about six months each year in the USA and six months in Nairobi.  We want the Kenyan Team to do the ministry themselves -- and they are doing a wonderful work!  We had some of these Team members in our youth group in Eastleigh in 1994, and they have matured, expanded their skills and become expert street ministers, teachers and leaders. 

So what do we do in the USA?  

       We spend time with grandchildren.... 

       We visit churches and individuals who support MITS....

       We collect books and other resources to take back to MITS.....

       We write curriculum and other materials for the Team to use....

       We research Scripture and Biblical topics for the Team...

       Here is Darlene editing now....

We are grateful for our many friends in the USA who help with the street ministry - we can't do it without you!  We are grateful for friends in the USA and in Kenya.  What a joy to live the two lives that we do!  

EAST TO TENNESSEE

We had a great visit in Tennessee...maybe the best Board meeting ever.  We added several new people to the Board, who we believe will be very helpful to MITS in the future.  New members are

Paulette Fewell, Larry Hagerman, Steve Henn, Ericka Maple, 

Regan Shafer, Cassaundra Stephens, Amy Surdacki

We also had three members rotate off the Board:  Bob Brannon, Darren Wilson and Paula Frisby.  They have served well - we are grateful to have worked with them on the Board. All say they are not through supporting and encouraging MITS! 

We stayed with good friends Bill and Betty Smith, then Terry and Paula Frisby -- both families are hospitable and love the street ministry.  We had lunch with Josh Graves, the Otter Creek preacher, one day, then with Steve Sherman, Walter Surdacki and Lee Camp at Lipscomb University.  We also had the joy of teaching university classes for Josh and Steve.  We met Chris Soper at The Well Coffeehouse one day, and Brittany Eagleman another day (she is moving to Liberia together with her husband). We ran across Dan Bouchelle from Mission Resource Network at the coffeeshop also.  We had a short but good visit with Kevin and Suzette Wimpy and lunch with them and Bob Brannon and Steve Sherman after the Board meeting. 

I AM RESOLVED

I am resolved....

    *to help Made in the Streets raise $1 Million in 2015

    *to give back $10,000 of our salary to MITS for this purpose

    *to find 99 other people who will give $10,000.  


Then...

    *we can "export" Made in the Streets to another country

    *we can "train" new workers for evangelism and street ministry

    *we can "prove" this form of church planting and ministry is viable and necessary. 

Are you one of the 99? 

Jesus searched for this "1" and brought her back.
Don't you want the poorest of the poor to receive the same redemption that we do?