He Suffered with Us

Daylight Partners,

Our friends in rural Kenya know that this world we live in is a brutal world. This life we live is not easy. As we’ve learned, our friends–the children and families of Daylight Center and School–are not unfamiliar with suffering. They have lived hard lives: surviving with little food, digging several feet below dried-up river beds for water, protecting their cattle from those who would steal and kill. It’s hard for me to grapple with the struggles that so many in this world face, like those who live nomadic lives in rural Kenya.

As we remember the death and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this weekend, what strikes me as remarkable is not only that Jesus died for us but that Jesus–the God of the universe who became human–suffered with us. As we honor Christ’s death, we look to our sisters and brothers around the world with whom Christ suffers still. As we celebrate the life of Jesus resurrected, we find hope amidst a pain-filled world that God is working to make all things new.

We are grateful–incredibly grateful–to be a part of God’s work at Daylight to bring new life and restoration amidst suffering. And we are grateful for you, our partners in this work.

As we celebrate Christ’s life, death and resurrection, may we remember others still suffering, and call God and each other to be faithful to the work of restoration.

He is risen. And making all things new.

Andrew Ulasich
Board Member

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Rascals, Daydreamers, and Tri-lingual Students

Daylight Partners,

A reflection from Allison and Maia Raney’s recent trip to Daylight.

Mostly, our days were spent at the school teaching 5-6 classes each day, including music classes outside! We learned some great songs from the kids and video-taped a music program.

The kids at Daylight are so fun to work with. One of the teachers asked me how kids in America differ from kids in Kenya, and I told him there are many similarities. Each group of students includes a few rascals, a few studious, a few daydreamers, a few quick-witted smart alecs, etc. I think kids are kids wherever they are in the world, the differences being the cultures in which they are raised.

For all of these kids (and teachers), English is their third language behind 1, their tribal language and 2, Kiswahili. Some kids are fluent in all three languages, some two and some are just learning their second language. I am humbled by the amount of information these teachers are able to give the kids and how quickly they pick it all up.

Allison Raney
Children’s Choir Director
Lynnhurst UCC

Read more about Allison’s trip to Daylight with her daughter, Maia.

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Making the Most of Daylight

Before the advent of electricity, Daylight Saving Time was established to make the most out of the daylight.

With 200 students, our ideal operating budget is $96,000 per year, but last year, we made due at 60% of this budget with $57,373.46.

For the past few years, we have been saving as much as possible at Daylight Center to make the most of our resources:

  • Our teachers have made tremendous financial sacrifices to serve at Daylight, rather than earn a competitive wage at other schools.
  • Two years ago, our generous supporters purchased 8 acres of land. We use some of the land to plant and grow corn.
  • Last year, the children at Edina Morningside raised funds for 2 dairy cows.

These are just a few examples of how Daylight has saved in grocery and tuition costs. But with a recent 15% increase in other grocery costs, and desire to retain our wonderful teachers, we need your help to continue to make the most of Daylight; to continue to give these students the best nutrition and education we can.

Help us close the 40% gap in our budget.

Our goal: 40 new financial partners, or current partners to increase their regular donation.

Please, if you are a current supporter, increase your regular donation.

If you have been following Daylight’s progress but have not committed to regular financial support yet, please make a commitment today. $15 per month feeds 2 students. You can set up a recurring donation online.

Thank you!

Rachel Finsaas
US Director of Operations
Daylight Center and School

 

P.S. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward 1 hour tonight! As you do so, think about the students at Daylight and how Daylight is propelling them forward in life.

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Election Violence in Kenya Today – Keep Praying

Today was the presidential election in Kenya. Polls officially closed at 5:00pm local time (9:00am EST).

In our last update, we explained that after the last presidential election in 2007, an estimated 1,000 people were killed and 600,000 people displaced due to election-related violence.

Today’s reports say violence occurred in three or four towns in eastern Kenya and that police officers were targeted in those attacks. At least 15 people are reported dead.

There is a long history of distrust among Kenyan people when it comes to government. Corruption in government has been a popular allegation, especially since the 2007 presidential election. But even before 2007, rural areas of Kenya have been marginalized and excluded from security interventions by government. During colonization in the early 20th century, the British even tried to give away a large section of desert land to Uganda, but Uganda declined.

In recent years, the government has made steps to assist marginalized areas of Kenya. In 2010, President Kibaki signed a new constitution that states a percentage of the country’s revenue will be distributed to marginalized areas of Kenya. These are positive steps to repair the damaged relationship between government and rural, nomadic people, but we expect it will take time before the nomadic people can trust its government.

Please continue to keep the Daylight staff and students, and the whole nation of Kenya in your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks as election results are announced.

Thank you,

Michael Kimpur
Nathan Roberts
Rachel Finsaas

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