Thanks Billie!

Peace Sista!

I was swimming one morning with some girlfriends ... one of my favorite things to do, and Billie showed up (complete with her trademark peace-sign). We got talking about our kids and I told her about my "Kenyan Son". After swimming she asked me to come to her car to "talk to a man about a thing". I was perplexed about her keeping a man in her hot car, but followed her out anyway. Needless to say, Billie is now one of Benson's sponsors and I am truly grateful!

A Thank You Letter to Warm the Heart

Ben's completed his first year of teaching school! Congratulations Ben. We're so proud of you!!!

E-mail: 8.19.10

Hallow American mom,
Hope that you are fine.here we are fine and it is rainy in Kenya and every market has greens.It is two weeks now since we voted in the new constitution.May I take this opportunity2 thank all my donors and everyone has shown concern to my education.It is now a full year.I can not imagine,but all thanks 2 God.
To Deb,when I felt hopeless you gave me hope,when I searched for someone to listen to me, you listened to me.when I felt outcast you made me feel worthy .For every confidence I have ,I give thanks to you.For the joy in my heart ,I appreciate your help.when I needed attension you sacrificed your times.For every help may God reward you 4 sacrificing of time;keep up the good spirit.For making me look worthy,for your advices ;thanks for everything.
I will always be indebted to your assistance I owe you my gratitude.I have successfully completed one academic year and hope 4 next year the best.THANKS FOR EVERYTHING,I SAY.May God bless you.
really this far I first thank God ,Deb,Eric,donors,family,teachers,your friends,relatives.
Say a big hi to Ryan,Autumn,Shawn,Joey and Cody tell them I knowing them as my brothers and sisters is a blessing.GOD BLESS YOU ALL. Miss you very much
BEN.

Letter 5.21.10

It's with a lot of thanks that I write to you  this letter. We have been communicating for the last several months. I am grateful first;

I would like to thank God for the gift of life and keeping us this far. For the last past months my health has been in order and also I have experienced a peaceful environment for studies.

Let me thank you , also because for the last terms I have never been disturbed on the issue of school fees. I have seen my friends being sent out of college, if you ask them why you are told it's issue iwth fees. I have also seen many of my friends falling very sick but are also sent to nearby hospital. In all these statements I just mean it does not matter how god we are, nor how rich we are but what matters in what does God say about my life?

Sometimes we think we can make it on our own but this also brings me back to the story you sent me; that is about we thinking we are building but God has different plans.

I would also like to pass my thanks to your friends, relatives and all those who have seen to it that I am in college. Also the "Quiet Way", need to get how grateful I am. Please tell everyone who gave out his or her contribution towards my education; I say thank you.

I feel also that joy when I read the letters and e-mail you write to me. When I used to feel like I don't have a mother at least you are available for me and truly your advices are motherly, full of love. When my friends tell me about their mothers I also tell them about you.

Last term was a very busy term for us in the college. We had various games and activities that took place. There were several ball games like soccer (football for men and women), netball, handball, basketball. Out of all these games I only did little in soccer. I was very active in terms of cheering. We come to activities like drama; this was my area of interest. I fully took part. I was given a verse in form of a narrative to present before my fellow students in the college before we went out for competitions. I quickly practiced and after one week we went out to other colleges for competitions. Out of 15 colleges that took part I came out as number 4. I knew I stood a better chance of being the best narrator. 

We also did examination in the college which I performed as follows in:

Mathmatics 63%

English 62%

Kiswahili 64%

Information Computer Technology 70%

Education Studies 42%

Physical Education 87%

Science 88%

Social Studies 54%

Religious Studies 78%

Creative (art, music, craft) 76%

This are the results of the first examination which was marked out of 100.

We also did a second test that is last term and it results are as below.

Mathmatics 53%

English 72%

Kiswahili 75%

Information Computer Technology 67%

Education Studies 91%

Physical Education 71%

Science 80%

Social Studies 73%

Religious Studies 80%

Creative (art, music, craft) 67%

The results are also out of 100.

This shows that in the second examination I did better than the first one. I would also like to inform you that when I went home for holidays I did a lot of planting crops since it was a rainy season, up to date. Farmers have every reason to smile!

I am still slower in typing on a computer but as days go on I improve slowly. That is why sometimes I feel like writing you e-mail but because may be I have inadequate time and money to go in time for me to e-mail I should have to get myself in town and some money.

Please get greetings from my friends in college.

My dream is after college I will pass very well and go for higher education about a certificate. I also desire to fly out of Africa and visit other powerful countries in the world that is as I do research in education. I just looked over the blog on the computer and I felt happy to see my name reached by many people.

This yet another busy term in the college. We have a mid-course exam which will determine if I will go to second year class. The second years will also be doing their final examination.

I don't know where you reached on the issue of a laptop; because I thought it might help me learn more of typing. I am sorry I have only attached one photo. This as I am in college.

GODS BLESSINGS

BEN

School Photo

Benson is thriving in school! He looks so wonderful. He sent me this picture this morning and my heart is so full. I am so proud of my Kenyan son! Thank you all SO MUCH for your willingness to give a portion to help a stranger. You have changed the life of one man who will change the life of many.

Benson's tuition is paid until September of this year. We have yet to earn $400 and his tuition will be complete. This is a small miracle for us ... a HUGE one for Ben!

13th January 2010

 

Dear Deb,

It was joyful to me when I received the letter you sent to me together with your photos. I hope you also had a wonderful celebration for Christmas and ushered in the year 2010. I got your letter before Christmas and I would like to thank you for it. It's also wise for me to tell you thank you for the package you gave out through Katie Crofts and Benson Kasue. May you be blessed!

 

I had a nice time during the December holiday and even when we were well coming the new year. Last year was an introductory for me in terms of college education. We were busy in college just to ensure that I catch up with the academic calendar. But all these in the college was good just because somebody sacrificed her money and time, that is Deb. Thank you for maintaining me in the college for the last term that has passed. It's all about what we can do in the presence of Jehovah. 

 

I would also like to thank you for the advices and words you tell me through the letter. It shows that motherly love in you. I would also like to pass my thanks to Eric as you plan for this year may God see you through.

 

You talked of being in hospital under surgery. May God be with you in all seasons. I would also like to pass my greetings to all the brothers and sisters (Ryan, Autumn, Shawn, Joey and Cody). I receive your encouragement words.

 

Last time I had tried sending you an e-mail but it failed. So please also may I have your e-mail address. Mine is benmmbaga@gmail.com. I use this e-mail to keep in touch with Bernadine. Some days back I had not known how to use a computer but as I go and sent e-mail Bernadine, I learn one o two things on computer. But surprisingly I have never studied computer.

 

I enjoy every thing that you had sent in the luggage. All the goodies. The peanuts, cashew nuts and the chocolate. When you asked me on which goods you can sent me I was like which one will you access easily. My desire is that I don't know if you can get a laptop for me. Please? If possible!

 

For the case of communicating with my uncle just use the same address you are going to sent to me. As I had told you in the earlier letter I have four uncles but out of the we have two. That is Mr. Saul who took me to primary school and Mr. Daniel who housed me in his house. But now all of them are old. I really feel like any other cild to be in their family, for all the ups and downs we have passed together.

 

Eric and Deb I am actually very happy for what you are doing for me in terms of the support you are giving me. Together with all your friends and relatives who act as donors. May you please pass my gratitude to them. Sometimes I might even lack words to express my joy but I just say thank you. Actually you have taken me to be part of your family; this encourages me and even the letter that Ryan had written to me gave me encouragement. 

 

In Kenya right from last year it has been very dry. For we went for long days without rain. This has made many families to have inadequate food. For most of the people depend entirely on agriculture as their economic activity. Due to inadequate rain even children have not gone to school since the  food that is derived from the farm is sold and money got to pay school fees. Even this food give the children strength to walk to school daily.

 

I remember when I was in high school I was given a chance by our teacher to present a narrative before our parents. I don't actually remember what I did but most of the people were happy for the narration. It was all about the deadly monster which is HIV AIDS the killer of many people leaving behind nothing but graves and orphans together with widows perishing in poverty. Here in Kenya HIV AIDS has has done more harm to development for the source of labour in taken away by HIV AIDS.

 

Sometimes also, like when we had gone for holiday, I still carry out the teaching practice in schools around. In addition I was also trying to help the church in announcements when they have activities in the field, that is I was trying to newscast the events so far in school that is college I participate in the Christian Union Society where we can share and carry out bible study; thank you for the bible you had sent me. It helps me as in when we are in bible study, when I am in my darkest hour I find a tunnel of light from it.

 

It was my request that in the teaching that is, as I am in college we are actually required to be smart and presentable for we normally have the opportunity to go and stand before young children. 

 

After I had finished the high school I went for discipleship in Northern Kenya. It's here that I learned a lot especially on how to live with people from different backgrounds. I have also had the opportunity even to interact with the people from all all the rest of the world. this centre also helped me improve my relationship with God. For I believed in Matthew 5:33 that we seek the kingdom of God first and all these things shall be added to us, unlike other young Kenyans we choose to go and sacrifice one year praying for our country, friends, schools and relatives. It's also the courage I got in this centre that made me to talk to you, but before imagine I was too shy and naive.

 

This is my phone number 0716 187 219. We can keep on communicating. You can use the P.O. number of college that is:

 

Nabongo Teacher's College

P.O. Box 1173 (50200)

Bungoma, Kenya

 

instead of the 1456 which is a bit far from me. This is the address of my college you can write through it for this two years I am studying here.

 

I sent with this letter my love to you and appreciation for your care and concern. May the Lord bless you with length of days even as you live on this earth may you and the family be covered in the cover of love and may His angels continue guarding you since we communicate or until we meet again. May God bless you through this year 2010. It’s your son in Africa (Kenya).

Ben

Karla Martin

Karla Martin and some of her friends sent a donation to Benson quite a while ago. The Quiet Way Foundation just told me about it and I was thrilled. Thanks Karla. I don't even know you but you went out of your way to help a boy you heard about through the grape vine. That means a great deal to me ... and to Ben! Thank you for your donation.

Benson's package

In November 09, my friend Katie Crofts (travels to Africa a lot) brought Ben a package from home. He was so excited to get it and to see her. He is doing well in school and expressed so much gratitude to us all. Way to go Ben! We're so proud of you!

A happy boy ... man

Documenting the exchange ... thanks Katie. You're wonderful!

Black laptop bag

Cranberry Nut mix

Work gloves

Wirthers Originals

Bible

Colored Pencils

Fruit and Grain Bars

Nutty Chocolate Bars

4 disposable cameras

UNO – game

3 colored paper folders

Watch

Lighter

$20 for supplies

Letters and fun family poster

Jared and Diana

I am so grateful to get another sponsor when it's been quite some time since we sent out our invitations. Jared and Diana Dowdle (my husband's brother's family) sent in a check for Christmas. Now that's a cool Christmas present! Thank you both for your generosity. We are so grateful.