Graduation services were recently held at the two schools in Kenya that are supported by our CLC Project KINSHIP. Twenty-six eighth graders at St. David’s, Etago, completed their final year on the hillside campus. Some two hundred miles northeast, nine eighth graders were the first graduating class of Emmaus Hill Lutheran School in Moi’s Bridge. It is our prayer that the foundation in Christ that they have been given will guide them in their endeavors in their secondary education and beyond.
St. David’s, Etago, was started in 2003. Over the past fifteen years, KINSHIP has been blessed with volunteers and funding to build classrooms and provide support to St. David’s. During that time, enrollments at the school have been as high as three hundred students. The 2018 school year saw 158 students daily learning to become future citizens and leaders of Kenya, as Pastor Enosh and the staff of St. David’s strengthen the students’ educational foundation with the wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In 2009, Anna Sagala was visiting Phoenix, Arizona, when she became acquainted with the pastors and members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School. With her newfound friends and a burning love for her Savior, she returned home to Moi’s Bridge, Kenya, with the goal of building a church and starting a Christian school for the children of her community. With the assistance of the members of Holy Cross, Anna and her family were able to add a new class each year to the newly formed Emmaus Hill Lutheran School. This year’s graduating class is Emmaus’ first. Holy Cross was able to send a missionary to the Moi’s Bridge area for a period of one year. Subsequently, and with the Lord’s blessing, the school grew to such an extent that Holy Cross asked the synod to take over its support. In 2016, KINSHIP assumed the administrative oversight of the school. Members of Holy Cross continue to support the school as a group sponsor.
This past summer, a Mission Helper team spent six days in each of these communities. Training was provided to the pastors and teachers through classes on the Law and Gospel by Pastor Paul Nolting of Grace Lutheran, Valentine, Nebraska. The six team members interacted with the students and provided Christian inspiration to all they met. Students of both schools as well as staff members of St. David’s used song and verse to express their appreciation, both for their Christian education and for the visit of the mission team.
Although these two schools are about two hundred miles apart, their goal of strengthening the educational foundation of their students with the never-failing Word of the Lord is the same. We thank the Lord for giving our synod the opportunity be part of these educational programs as well as for the sponsors and volunteers who assist in this Christian education process with their prayers and support. It is our prayer that the Lord continue to strengthen not only the graduates of these schools, but also all the children who sit at the Savior’s feet to hear of the saving knowledge of Christ’s love for all.
Theodore Quade, Jr., is the principal of Messiah Lutheran School in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He also chairs the CLC Project KINSHIP Committee.