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