"Kenya East United" Rocks Thika District!

The Territory’s second "Kenya East United" took place in Thika District on Saturday, June 20th. 30 excited young people ages 18 - 28 from many different Corps came to the host Thika Corps to enjoy snacks, crazy games (group shuffle, 2 truths & a lie, grab that thing), and fellowship.

The theme for “Kenya East United” is "Commitment" and those in attendance learned from discussion and a message what it means to be totally committed to Christ. Each person filled out a "Commitment Card" and signed two other people’s cards, agreeing to call them and keep them accountable to their commitment. Hopefully this will cause the young adults in Thika to keep in touch and to stay true to Christ.

Again, we were happy to see so many young adults there to have fun and to learn from us and each other. Even some officers got involved! God once again blessed our time together and we look forward to “Kenya East United” in other Divisions and Districts!

Come Make History at the Territorial Youth Convention!

For the first time in its history the Kenya East Territory is holding a Territorial Youth Convention. The theme is “Raised Up” from Isaiah 52:13, “See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.” This conference is a chance for all the youth from all over the Kenya East Territory to come together for worship, dancing, fellowship, fun, and growing together as a Territory and as Christians towards what God desires for us. The youth of this Territory will be able to learn from each other, figuring out new ways to make the youth ministry in The Salvation Army more effective moving forward into 2010 and beyond. If you are a young person ages 13 to 35, you are most welcome! Come and make new friends from other parts of the Territory and help The Salvation Army to grow in our ministry to the youth in Kenya!

The Territorial Youth Convention will be held at the Nairobi School in Nairobi from April 13th to 19th, 2010. If you register before December 3rd, the fee for attending is only ksh. 3,300. If you register between December 3rd and March 1st, the fee is ksh. 4,000. Delegates will not be accepted after March 1st. Territorial Headquarters is expecting over 1,000 delegates to attend, so don’t miss out! The earlier you pay, the less expensive it will be, so sign up and pay now to reserve your spot!

Just so you aren’t confused, here are the facts:


TERRITORIAL YOUTH CONVENTION FACT SHEET

Theme: Raised Up!

Dates: April 13th-19th 2010

Site: Nairobi School

Ages: 13-35 years old

Fee:
Before December 3rd – ksh. 3,300
Between December 3rd and March 1st – ksh. 4,000


We look forward to seeing all the youth in the Kenya East Territory come together for this historic occasion!

World Youth Convention Delegates Prepare for Sweden

In July 2010, one thousand young Salvationists from around the world will come together in Stockholm, Sweden for the World Youth Convention to discuss global issues and the challenges of religious diversity and social injustice facing the world today. Twenty of these Salvationist will come from right here in the Kenya East Territory, including your very own TYS, Captain Khayumbi!

The four day gathering, led by General Shaw Clifton, is an historic event that will challenge delegates to be "Raised Up" through a focused study on Salvationism and encourage them to live out their faith in a practical way. They will have the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics, participate in a city outreach and even debate the General’s book New Love that seeks to show how Christian holiness is relevant to every human situation, including the major global issues of the day.

The twenty delegates from Kenya East, who have been selected by territorial leaders and demonstrate a commitment to future service as Salvationists, have already begun the process of preparing for the convention and are currently waiting for their passports to be processed. But they need your help to ensure the success and purpose of the convention!

These delegates have a unique opportunity to present you (Kenya East Youth) at a worldwide event. They are not only charged with the responsibility to deepen their own commitment to Christ but to impart what they learned with you resulting in an action that will help promote justice and peace, alleviate poverty, and serve broken people right here in Kenya. So please beginning praying for your representatives and that God may use this event to change the world for Him.

Your Kenya East Delegates for the WYC 2010 in Sweden are:

Teresia Mwelu Kyalo from Yatta Division
Rosebella Mulelu Mukonga from Machakos Division

Grace Lily Wakio Kinyua from Embu Division
Ruth Mutindi Muteti from Makueni District
Everlyne Ayako Olewa from Nairobi Division
William Kwendo from Thika District
Geoffrey Makau Muema from Machakos Division
Calvin Mwendwa Munywoki from Mwala District
Clorouce Mijide Musasia from Nairobi Division
Erick Mondi Induri from Embu Division
Nelson Murimi Njeru from Kibwezi Division
James Muthama Ngomo from Nairobi Division
Alex Mutua Muthama from Kathiani District
Simon Muinde Kitonyi from Kangundo Division
Mercy Syombua Kalandi from Kangundo Division
Ruth Mukenyi Ngumbi from Nakuru District
Mackinlay Gwaka Mutsembi from Coast Division
Captain Jane Nasirai Sakura from Nakuru District
Captain Luka Khayumbi Shabaya from THQ
Captain Rasoa Poseline Mulwale Khayumbi from THQ

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!