STIGMATIZED!

THE PLIGHT OF CONVICTS LEAVING PRISON, having served their Sentence, and also of those completing community Service or Probation for some Petty crime committed is often overlooked. It is said that as many as 80% or more find their way back to Court, and even Prison within 18 months! WHY should this be so? For the majority it is because they were unable to find employment. Fingerprinted by the Police, and with a Record, it is rare for a prospective employer to have either the compassion or faith to risk employing such. At least in prison there is 'something' to eat, somewhere to shelter from the elements......one thing leads to another. Of course there are some who are purely and simply set upon a life of crime and anti social behaviour. BUT there are many others - a majority in fact who, - if they could find the means, - would want to 'go straight' and keep away from crime. The little Graphic above declares how ones 'finger-prints, can find you out - for good or bad. For example Many Employers now insist on any one seeking to work with them obtaining a Police Certificate of Good Conduct. This costs Ksh.1,000/- and is only given if your finger prints are not on Record as evidence of your involvement in any previous conviction. HOW might these people be helped in a State that has no Welfare Benefits, a huge Unemployment Problem, and a failing Economy? Indeed the situation is so acute that, as was seen in 2007 during the Unrest, many were willing to 'murder their own grandmothers for a shilling'! REAL hunger can push people to the limit and over.

In June 2009 a Revolving Fund was begun. It was implemented through discussion between myself and the District Probation Department with whom I have worked and assisted since coming to Eldoret in the early '70s. So far about Ksh.70,000/- has been put into the Fund.

The idea is that small amounts up to a maximum of 10,00-, can be loaned interest free to any young or old first offenders on Probation or having served a Prison Sentence who may wish to set up a small business. Funds so loaned are used to buy equipment or stock to assist in setting up such business, and agreed to be paid back by monthly installment within a fixed period of time.. funds thus repaid will be given out again in further loans.

SO FAR we have seen some FOURTEEN assisted in this way. They have managed to see their efforts rewarded and their business enterprise succeed and many have already repaid their loan in full. Thus we can see that this fund proving money so invested is well spent. Not only does it inspire and encourage those in need individually, but it also is contributing to the reduction of crime in our society. We are pursuing this and hope to encouraged more to put some money into it so that many more can be lifted out of poverty and temptation to rob and steal.

The general JOY and SURPRISED happiness this adventure has caused in quite amazing. It is seen how a VERY LITTLE aid can achieve so much when there is a willing heart and a will to work hard. We are the FIRST to augment such a Scheme in this area of society. We may also be the first partnership between government and the private sector that has seen productivity toward the general good.

The UG CHILDREN'S SERVICES FORUM discussed the Tax Problem facing Joshua and Miriam Mbithi's ministry and how it will probably affect the rest of us. Considerable concern was demonstrated. Joshua and Miriam are STILL being pressed to pay Ksh.11 million in back taxes on donated income for the last TWO years only! Legal advice is now being sought, and we are believing that there will be a solution forthcoming.

YESTERDAY we had the Public Health Inspectors in to check us out. Part of the requirement for Re-Registration of the Society. They were very impressed and gave us a clean bill of health. Thus our Application is now complete, and will be sent off to Nairobi next week. A costly enterprise, but glad it has now come to an end - just wait for the result in patience!

TOMORROW I shall be speaking at our Sunday Fellowship, and DARYL will be Leading the Meeting. He continues to be seen clinging to the Cross once more, and we continue to pray for him that the Holy Spirit will provide him with all he needs to overcome himself and the Enemy. JESUS is all the Strength we need. A broken heart and humble spirit is all HE needs to impart that Strength mightily within us.

We are continuing to study the Letter of Jude together, and have gone on looking into the need to STRUGGLE to hand on to our Faith - our Salvation. Jude progressively reveals himself as a man sold out to the SIMPLE GOSPEL and the all important need to WITNESS to it and about it.

So many in our world are of a different ilk. If we have faith it is often without any witness - without any ACTION to demonstrate it. Jesus was always a 'demonstrator' - speaking and DOING the words and actions of GOD alone. He did nothing of Himself. Much harder now in this present degenerate generation of self centred souls. We are now almost overwhelmed by our necessary comforts - or at least in the pursuit of obtaining them.

This generations is in fact reminiscent of Haggai's. in which the people's thought was far from caring for the Temple of God, so taken up with their own homes and affairs were they. Haggai 1v2-10. The world-wide recession, and the current awful constrictions coming upon The United Kingdom and other nations must surely be the result of national neglect of God worldwide. Where are the Men and Women of God standing up to call the Nation to Repentance? Are they afraid to speak - to go against the tide - to be a Mighty Minority for God? Are they without the heart of God, caring not the Lord was Crucified, caring not for those He died? Where are the Voices proclaiming the Message, the GOOD NEWS that Satan would cover up, make souls blind and deaf to? There is a need to SOUND THE ALARM, a need to ROUSE up the sleeping church of God, to RALLY ROUND the Banner. Lets get ready and GO for it. This is the character of JUDE. He says if you don't have this spirit burning in you it is possible you are not doing the Will of God, and even though you have the 'label' and the 'name' you may not be SAVED in that Great and Terrible Day. You may be living in empty life - you might be a Cloud without water! Ah! Woe is me if I am deceiving myself. OPEN my eyes, UNSTOP my ears Lord God, in Jesus name, for I would do YOUR Will and not my own. Let me stop and examine mySELF - let me truly know and and reconfirm my belief that I AM Born Again into that NEW life that Jesus ever holds out to me and daily supplies to me. WAKE ME UP to renewed FAITH in the Good News, the ONLY news of Joy and Happiness that can motivate a difference in my life.

God Bless you all, and be uplifted and encouraged, for if God IS for you, WHO and WHAT can succeed against you.

Lovings in Jesus

John and Esther