You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:5, 7a

Despite heavy clouds and pending rain, excitement and singing brightened the mood as we gathered for morning devotions at the Project 24 (P24) Children’s boarding facility at Othoro in western Kenya. Today was the start of a two-day Catechism Club that brings together orphaned and vulnerable children from all five children homes of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya (ELCK).

The Catechism Club is a joyful celebration that allows children to share their knowledge of God’s Word through songs, dramas of bible stories, recitation of memory work and fellowship. This twice-a-year gathering plays an important part of the ELCK’s effort to bring up orphaned children in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Bringing children up in the church makes P24 different from other popular child-sponsorship programs.

Four of the Wolf boys (John, Ian, Sean and Angus) travelled this month to join this event, renew acquaintances with the children and meet with many of the pastors, bishops and workers who encourage and care for these children.

Local pastors and chaplains play a key role in growing the children in the Lord. Pastor Paul, who serves as chaplain for the children at P24 site in Lenkishon, makes regular visits to the clans and extended families of orphaned children of that site, sharing salvation and hope through Christ. Last year he baptized over fifty children and family members. The outreach and impact that this P24 site (and the others) has on the community has even been recognized by the local chief and county government.

During this month, we received a special visit from Rev Dr Brent Smith of Mission Central. Together with the site manager of P24 Lenkishon and Bishop of ELCK Central diocese we saw clan homes, the school and local church that help the P24 children.

May God protect and care for these children.

John Wolf is the Africa Region Project Manager for the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. He and his family, with the support of LCMS churches like Saint John’s, are serving in Kenya. Please keep them in your prayers! We encourage you to follow their family blog, www.hereiamsendmesendme.blogspot.com, which is also where you can sign up to their mailing list and make donations.