For the first time in Embrace history, Kenyan Embrace staff, in partnership with a team ofvolunteers from Canada, organized and conducted a reunion camp for boys and their parentsor guardians.The vision for this camp, summarized in its name, aimed to create a space forthe boys and parents to “Re-connect,” while being exposed to the gospel, which many parentsheard for the first time.
Over the course of the 3-day camp, boys and adults participated in Bible lessons anddiscussions, as well as a variety of different activities and sports.Adults had the uniqueopportunity to partake in workshops such as soapmaking, sewing, construction, and weldingthat taught them useful and transferable skills that can help them with running a smallbusiness.
Boys participated in a variety of play-and-skill-based activities that encouraged teamwork, cooperation and a fun time with friends they had made at embrace and hadn’t seen for a while. Team building games for both boys and adults were a highlight, witnessing parents and admitted it was their first time engaging in such play with their child. On the final evening, amidst farewell speeches and expressions of gratitude, adults and boys were invited to embrace and pray over each other, culminating in a powerful time of prayer, intercession, and worship.
We fervently hope and pray that this camp serves as the catalyst for the growth and development of healthier, stronger, Christ-centered relationships within otherwise fractured families. This was all made possible through God’s faithful guidance and provision, alongside the dedication of individuals united by a shared desire. We eagerly anticipate making this camp an annual tradition, extending its reach to more Embrace families, offering them the gospel and the opportunity to re-connect.
During the same week as the reunion camp, a team from River City Church located in Sacramento, California hosted a VBS camp for our boys currently at Embrace. They conducted a series of engaging activities, Bible lessons, and educational sessions. With the goal to demonstrate the profound impact of replying on God and His word. The boys thoroughly enjoyed there time.
On January 19th, we celebrated a very exciting and special birthday – 3 years of Embrace a Street Child in Nairobi! We were honoured to welcome a multitude of guests, including pastors, neighbours, government officials, and representatives from partnering organizations. All of them came to participate in the celebration and encourage our team and boys. Our special guest was John Miruri. He was placed home in January 2023. He traveled back to Embrace to encourage boys with his testimony of how God has used Embrace to rescue him from the streets and give him the start to a better future. We treated the boys to a pool trip as a birthday present, which they enjoyed. For most of them, it was their first time swimming in a pool.
As we look back on these 3 years it’s impossible not to say PRAISE GOD. We continually get to witness God’s love and care for these boys, toward all the staff and missionaries. This is truly his work, we see this through the changes only He can make in the hearts of people, also through His constant provision with financial support, physical and spiritual protection.
As well as the building of relationships with other organizations and local government officials. We thank God for his continued faithfulness towards Embrace throughout all these years.
Since the beginning of the year we have been able to successfully reintegrated Austin Ochieng, Erick Mukono, and Brian Gitonga back into their families. Additionally, after fervent prayers, we found a placement for Nesta Gichuki. He has been at Embrace for quite some time due to challenges in tracing his family and upon finding relatives they were unwilling to welcome him.
But Praise God, Nesta was placed at Ukwili Home of Hope, where we had already provided refuge for three other boys with similar backgrounds.
Moreover, we secured school placements for John Muiruri, Brandon Gakung’a, and Brian Mwangi. Despite coming from broken, neglectful families, our prayers were answered, enabling us to send them to boarding high schools. This accomplishment is particularly significant for Brian Mwangi, who had been at Embrace for a prolonged period with no viable placement in sight. However, his dedication to studying and tutoring at Embrace paid off when he achieved high marks on the KCPE exam, allowing him admission to his current school. Despite losing crucial years of his educational life on the streets while his peers were in school, by God’s grace, Brian was able to persevere and start on his educational journey from high school. Although we secured a sponsor for Brandon, we continue to seek support for Brian and John. The high cost of high school education in Kenya makes financial assistance essential, as the families of these boys are unable to afford it. We trust that God will continue to provide.
During the Holy week of Easter, we reenacted the events leading to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, day by day, as they happened, starting with Christ’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. Through these series of skits, we portray these events to help the boys visualize the stories they have heard and read about. Our aim is for these skits to leave a lasting impact on the boys.
To celebrate Christ’s resurrection, Embrace gathered together with a few guests. The boys participated by sharing memory verses, singing songs, and sharing their personal testimonies. Pastor Michael delivered a message, sharing the gospel with us, and the staff presented a skit that portrayed the gospel message.The celebration concluded with a delightful lunch and a group game for the boys to enjoy.
In the month of March we conducted an outreach to Ruia street base. Our hope was to make connections with the boys and also the officials in those areas. We experienced a great turnout, with many boys joining us for the day. During the event, we shared information about Embrace’s mission and the gospel, played games, and enjoyed lunch together. Unfortunately, the boys were not ready to come to Embrace on the same day. However, we remain hopeful that continued street work in that area will eventually encourage their willingness to join us.
Embrace Please pray for God to open doors for boys who have been at for an extended amount of time due to careless and neglectful parents and family. Thank you to all our partners who support Embrace prayerfully, financially or in any other way. May God Bless you, your families and churches!
God is at Work Shadrack has been part of Embrace since the very beginning, even before our doors officially opened. We started working with him during the early outreach days, spreading the word about the center. We’ve prayed over his case for many years, and now, after three long years, we have finally seen a […]
Dear Embrace partners, we are excited to share with you our latest ministryupdates and prayer requests. Life at the Center Our boys have opportunities to try a variety of new experiences during their stay at Embrace. To encourage academic development, we organized a Spelling Bee for the first time at Embrace where boys practiced spelling […]
Staff Trip Before the end of year busyness set in, our team had the opportunity to go on a staff trip and spend a few days away from Nairobi to rest, fellowship and experience new adventures. Comprising missionaries, day and night caregivers, counselors, social workers, cooks, guards, and support staff, the Embrace team encompasses a […]
Juja Park Day In August, Embrace had the opportunity to go on a small field trip. All the Children’s homes from around our area came together for a day of games and different competitions. The event brought together approximately 750 children representing 30 different children’s organizations. This was great for the boys to go and […]
