Junior Soldier Day of Renewel at Hardy Corps and Others

Sunday, May 24th was Junior Soldier Day of Renewal for the Kenya East Territory. This means that Corps all across the territory either publicly renewed the promises of their existing Junior Soldiers, enrolled new Junior Soldiers, or both. Before enrolling or renewing their promises, the Junior Soldiers go through an extensive class that teaches them about God, Jesus, and The Salvation Army. During their public declaration, the Junior Soldiers recite and sign a promise:

"Having asked God for forgiveness, I will be his loving and obedient child. Because Jesus is my Savior from sin, I will trust him to keep me good, and will try to help others to follow him. I promise to pray, to read my Bible and, by his help, to lead a life that is clean in thought, word and deed. I will not smoke, take harmful drugs or drink alcoholic drinks."

This day is a great opportunity for the Army to grow in Kenya. By investing in Junior Soldiers, The Salvation Army is investing in its future. Maybe these kids will one day be the next Territorial Commander, or even General!

Reports are coming in of great Junior Soldier Renewel Sundays at Kithimani, Munina, and Ndalani Corps in Yatta Division and at Corps in Makueni District among many others!

We had the wonderful opportunity of spending Junior Soldier Day of Renewal with the Hardy Corps in Nairobi Division. Not only did they enroll 10 new Junior Soldiers, but they also dedicated 4 babies and enrolled 7 Senior Soldiers. The Hardy Corps does not even have an officer, but a Sergeant-in-charge, Everline Senagi. This shows how great of a job Everline is doing at the Hardy Corps. It is growing quickly, adding new Soldiers in all three phases of life: newborn, children, and adults! It is so good to see this Corps thriving and growing so much.

Continue sending in your reports of the Junior Soldier Day of Renewal at your Corps. We look forward to seeing the work God has done throughout the territory on this special day!

April DVBS is a Success!

The month of April is a month where kids all over the territory enjoy being home from school and spending time with family and friends. This is also a time where they get to take part in a fun program at their Corps, Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS). This past April was no exception. All around the territory Corps were full of young people learning, singing, playing, and having a great time at DVBS for a whole week.

The theme for The Salvation Army's Daily Vacation Bible School this year incorporated the Kenya East Territory's theme of "Moving Forward." The daily lessons were:

DAY 1 - Moving forward means growing spiritually
DAY 2 - Learning and relying on the Scripture
DAY 3 - Be prepared in season and out of season

DAY 4 - Perseverance and forgiving
DAY 5 - Fix your eyes on Jesus
DAY 6 - Standing by and for one another

Many young people came to the mercy seat and committed themselves to Jesus throughout Kenya East. We praise God for what he has done in the hearts of all these kids!

Reports continue to come in of successes at corps all over the territory. In Coast Division, at Changamuse and Magongo Corps, at Kauti Corps in Kathiani District, in Yatta Division at the Kisiiki, Thokoa, Masinga, and Ndalani Corps, at Embu Corps in Embu Division, in West Nairobi, the Kangemi Corps, and Corps in Makueni District all had great weeks of DVBS, just to name a few.

The Kabete Children's Home in West Nairobi District had the unique opportunity to participate in DVBS as well. It was a great time, the kids were able to sing, dance, play games, do crafts, and learn about what Jesus has done for them. By the end of the week the kids were able to quote from memory five different Bible verses that will help them remember that God is holy, forgiving, love, faithful, and good. It was a blast!

Pray for the children and young people who made decisions to follow Jesus at these DVBS's and continue sending in reports about how it went at your own Corps. We look forward to hearing about it!

Young Adult Ministry Kicks Off in West Nairobi

The first ever young adult meeting, "Kenya East United" took place in West Nairobi District on Saturday, May 16th. 45 young people ages 18 - 28 from eight different Corps came to the host Kabete Corps to enjoy snacks, fellowship, worship, games, and discussion.

The theme for the meeting was "Commitment" and those in attendance learned, among other things, what it means to be totally committed to Christ. Each person filled out a "Committment Card" and formed relationships with two other young adults that agreed to call them and keep them accountable.

We were so glad to see so many young adults there to have fun and to learn from us and each other. God blessed our time together and we look forward to bringing the young adult ministry to other districts and divisions in the territory. Look for yours coming soon!

Nairobi Youth Invade Machakos!

The youth from Nairobi Division really know how to have a good time! On the first weekend of May, eight buses of over 400 young people from Nairobi Division headed to Machakos for a much anticipated youth seminar. We all arrived excited to see what the weekend would bring.

The weekend started with an opening ceremony featuring a great devotion by the TYS Capt. Khayumbi. Then the lessons started immediately. There were lessons about different topics in The Salvation Army (being a Soldier, Corps Cadets, etc...), about practical living (purity, stress management, etc...), spiritual development (a whole body witness, discipleship, etc...), and knowing the truth (about marriage, drug use, etc...). We were excited to teach and the young people seemed excited to learn about these things and to put them into practice. On Friday there was also a little Gospel Dance mixed in to give everyone a taste of what was to come.

As the lessons came to a close on Saturday the contests/talent portion of the Seminar began. There were swimming races, a youth choir contest, a talent show featuring outrageous dramas and poetry, and seemingly most importantly, Gospel Dance competitions. Everyone involved glorified God with thier talents, be it swimming, singing, acting, or dancing. We were so impressed.

The eventful Seminar came to a close on Sunday with a convicting message bringing many youth to the mercy seat for prayer. The last thing that had to be done was handing out the trophies for the different events. The final results by Corps were:

Swimming (many participants)

First Place: Nairobi Central 95 marks
Second Place: Quarry Road 90 marks
Third Place: Nairobi Central 85 marks

Youth Choir (6 participants)

First Place: Quarry Road 88 marks

Second Place: Mathare 85 marks

Third Place: Laini Saba 82 marks

Junior Gospel Dance (10 participants)

First Place: Mathare 95 marks
Second Place: Quarry Road 89 marks
Third Place: Mashimoni 86 marks

Senior Gospel Dance (12 participants)

First Place: Quarry Road 90 marks
Second Place: Mathare 88 marks
Third Place: Makadara 86 marks

Overall (22 Corps)

First Place: Quarry Road 425 marks
Second Place: Mathare 371 marks
Third Place: Dandora V 234 marks

On our way back to Nairobi as we passed some buses full of Salvation Army kids we realized how fortunate all of us were to be able to go to Machakos and be gratiously hosted and have such a good time. We pray that God will help all who attended to keep whatever committments they made and live as true disciples of Christ!

Corps Cadets Celebrate Easter Together

On Thursday, April 9th, young people ages 13 to 25 came from all over the Kenya East Territory to attend Corps Cadet Camp. They were joined by a team from THQ as well as Divisional Youth Officers from nine different Divisions and Districts. It turned out to be a weekend the delegates will not soon forget!

On Good Friday the Corps Cadets received deep insight into the Passion of Jesus through lessons and discussion. Then on Saturday they learned how to effectively do Corps Cadet lessons so they could go home and continue learning. We really appreciated the Divisional Youth officers who lent a helping hand everywhere the whole weekend. They taught lessons, helped with games, chaperoned the delegates, and generally were good role models for the Corps Cadets to emulate.

There was also some recreation to break up the lessons. Delegates were able to stretch themselves and compete in crazy games. They also were able to watch a movie, and have great fellowship through devotions and meals with new friends they had never met before. The meals we had at the Camp’s host Nairobi Girls Center were delicious!

Unfortunately it all had to end. The Camp came to a close on Sunday, April 12th with an Open Air meeting and Easter Service at The Salvation Army Quarry Road Corps. The delegates performed a Gospel Dance routine they designed themselves, and gave testimonies about how God has worked in their lives. We were all sad to have to say goodbye and watch the delegates go home but they went with a better knowledge of God and many new relationships that will help them stay accountable to the decisions they had made. Everyone looks forward to Corps Cadet Camp 2010 and hope to see even more Salvation Army Corps Cadets there!

For information about Corps Cadets contact your Divisional Youth Officer or Territorial Youth Secretary Captain Luka Khayumbi.