## **FEED MY LAMBS CHILDREN’S MINISTRY** ## **Annual Report 2018 - 2019** Feed my Lambs Children’s Ministry (Registered in Northern Ireland as a Charity NIC 105989 and in Kenya as a Society 28773. The process is ongoing in Uganda) is a Christian based organisation which works primarily in Kenya and Uganda but also in Northern Ireland. Our main purpose is to bring the Gospel to boys, girls and young people and to encourage, support and equip those who have a burden to reach out to those in their locality. We are governed by a Constitution which sets out the charity’s purposes. Our base in Northern Ireland is at Dorchester Drive, Portadown and we have offices in Nairobi and Malaba. A fourth office was secured in Western Kenya in early 2019. ## **Our Ministries** ## **Treasure Seekers Bible Lessons** The Treasure Seeker Bible Lessons are designed for children of primary school age. However, very often we encounter teenagers who have a desire to learn from the Bible, have very little teaching and also have limited literacy skills, so the lessons have also been a great help to them. Introduced firstly in Kenya, they are now also being distributed in Uganda. The course consists of 30 lessons in total which consist of a Bible story, memory verse, activity such as a crossword, word puzzle or colouring and also questions regarding the story. The first 15 lessons include the answers and all of the information needed to complete the lessons. Initially a Bible was awarded to children upon completion of 15 lessons, however, it was noted by our workers in Africa that keeping the interest amongst teachers after Bibles were received proved challenging. It was therefore decided to produce a Scripture Booklet which enabled the children to have the resources available to continue with Lessons 16 – 30 and the Bible would then be presented along with a Certificate when all 30 lessons are completed. This is still very much at trial stage and we will evaluate the progress in the coming months The lessons have proven to be very beneficial in both Kenya and Uganda with favourable reports coming from both Churches and Schools. Sunday School teachers have struggled with materials and knowing what to teach and are thankful for some consistency. They also appreciate the fact that children can receive their own Bible, which can of course then be used in Church services and as they grow older. Many Schools in Kenya and Uganda have little in the way of resources to use for Religious Education and teachers have enjoyed having our lessons which have covered some aspects of the curriculum. It has also been noted that our lessons and indeed the Bibles are in English and we have again received positive feedback as the teachers especially feel that this really helps to 1 improve the ability of the child in learning the language. Our lessons are therefore very beneficial from a general educational point of view and not just a spiritual point of view. We have been encouraged over the year with the number of new centres which have enrolled on our programme. In Nairobi, there had been a decrease in the number of Schools and Churches using the lessons. This was due in part to unstable help in the way of office volunteers and workers. We are thankful to Pastor Michael who now oversees the day to day work there and is also assisted by his wife. Under this care, we have seen things stabilise very well in the Nairobi area and centres are gradually increasing. We thank God for this. At the end of 2018 Joyce moved back to Western Kenya and the progress there has been encouraging with opportunities for her to teach regularly in Schools. At the beginning of 2019, Jane began working in our Uganda office. She is finding her feet well and has gained access with our programme into Schools which had previously refused the programme. She continues to be mentored a few days each month by Joyce. We are thankful to the Every Home Crusade/Revival Movement in Northern Ireland for printing and shipping our lessons to Kenya. Due to demand and continual requests; we have made the first 15 lessons available on our website. These can be downloaded and printed by those who wish to use them in countries other than Kenya and Uganda. To date, children’s workers in South Sudan and India have done this. Also, we have had people from South Africa and Brazil register for the downloads although we have had no feedback as to whether they have actually used them. We have received requests from other countries where children’s workers would like the lessons available in their local language. The lessons have been of benefit to children in all of the countries mentioned and helped to further the advancement of their education and religion. ## **Bibles** A small consignment of Bibles were shipped by Every Home Crusade and arrived in Kenya in September 2018. William and Pamela had the privilege of travelling to the depot, Diguna, alongside Pastor Michael and another colleague, David. This was a wonderful opportunity to see first hand how and where the containers are processed. ## **Training** Over the past year we have not held any training on the ground, however online training has been developed. Online training in Child Protection has continued with two more students recently completing the course and receiving certificates. One was from Kenya and the other from South Sudan. Our training consists of 10 Assignments which can be downloaded, 2 completed and submitted online to the student’s own private page. The course is completed at a pace suitable to each student and the assignments are marked by our Trustee in Northern Ireland; Pamela Aiken. Our Child Protection course will help to protect many children as those working with them become more aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse. We have a safeguarding policy in place and all volunteers and associates must be familiar with this and our practices. We encourage volunteers to complete our online child protection training to develop their knowledge further. At the beginning of 2019 Pamela began fortnightly training sessions in Child Evangelism. These are done via Facebook live and this gives those participating the opportunity to join the video link live or to watch back at a later time. There is also the option to complete assignments which have been made available on our website; one student in particular is trying very hard with the assignments and is keen to receive a certificate upon completion whilst a number of others have opted out of assignments but still follow the training sessions. ## **Library** Our lending library operates in Nairobi. The aim of this ministry was to make teaching visuals more accessible to local people. A deposit is paid whereby the materials can be borrowed and this deposit is then refunded when the teaching packs are returned. Progress with the library was slow when it was first established. Over the past year we have seen an increase in those who have registered. One Church in particular have used quite a number of the resources available and have reported that the visuals have really helped to improve the attention of the children listening. They also reported that a number of children had trusted the Lord as their Saviour and they felt that the visuals had helped in the teaching of the message. Another lady has been encouraged by the books on offer to help Children’s workers. ## **Support of local business** In Kenya we have been able to give some small support to a local lady in Kenya who makes rugs/mats. Our contribution was small but she appreciated the purchase of three rugs from her. Another single mother has also received some income from Trustees as they purchased items from her small market stall. Printing of Treasure Seeker Application Forms etc. also provided some business for a local man who runs an internet café and printing service. These areas are not ministries as such, but are simply an effort to support local business when purchases are needed. ## **Christmas Gifts** Our Christmas Appeal in 2018 raised £215 for a friend called David in Kenya who has assisted us by providing transport for William and Pamela during their two mission trips in 2018. As well as medical bills, David also runs a small school so the gift which translated to 3 Ksh 26000 was of great benefit to him. We would put on record our thanks to all who contributed. ## **Mission Trip** William and Pamela Aiken (Trustees) were able to visit Kenya twice in 2018. The first trip in April was just for one week and consisted of many challenges. Difficult decisions had to be made, but the Lord helped. September was very encouraging. The ministry in Nairobi was picking up again after a difficult spell earlier in the year and things continued to progress in Uganda. In the intervening months Feed my Lambs was finally granted it’s PIN number from Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). By the completion of the September trip, registration with NSSF (National Social Security Fund) and NHIF (National Hospital Insurance Fund) was also complete and monthly returns for those working with us have been able to made in the months since. This is the equivalent to PAYE and National Insurance in the UK and it is mandatory for us to pay these amounts each month for those who work with us in Kenya. We thank God for this progress. Annual Returns are now being prepared for submission in Kenya before the end of March as well as other paperwork to be submitted within the next number of days. Annual Returns to KRA must also be submitted and Pamela is currently communicating with those in Kenya who must carry out an Audit of the organisation. Quotations have been received, all of which are very expensive. Please pray that the right company will be selected and that funds will be provided in time for the KRA deadline. All of the above are necessary steps which must also be taken in relation to the renewal of work permits for William and Pamela. Pray that these will also be processed. Dates are currently being considered for a mission trip in 2019. ## **Home Ministry** The home ministry in Northern Ireland is carried out by William and Pamela Aiken. They are responsible for speaking at meetings to raise awareness of the work of Feed my Lambs. Most opportunities are in Churches and consist of general mixed meetings and ladies’ meetings. They have also had opportunity to speak to children about life in Africa. This was helpful in educating the children in Northern Ireland about life in Kenya and Uganda and what it is like to be a child growing up there. It has been encouraging to have new openings in this past year. There have also been opportunities to share at weekend/ week long missionary conventions and literature etc. was distributed at such events. Pamela Aiken is also responsible for writing and producing new materials for use by Sunday School Teachers and Children’s Workers in the areas of ministry among many other tasks. 4 We also are thankful for the opportunity for 5 Day Clubs to be held in 3 areas in Portadown, Northern Ireland in August 2018. This was very encouraging and are planned again for the summer of 2019. ## **Prayer Meeting** A prayer meeting specifically for the work of Feed my Lambs has been established. It runs every other month and is based in Portadown. Attendance has been small but steadily increasing as people become more aware of the new venture. We believe that prayer is the key to all aspects of the work and outreach. ## **Prayer Partners** We are very thankful to have increased the number of people on our mailing list over the course of the past year. These new contacts have mainly been met at meetings where William and Pamela have been sharing about the ministry. We are though saddened that some of our prayer partners have gone home to be with the Lord. Whilst this is sad for us, we know that for them, they are absent from the body and present with the Lord. One prayer partner in particular had been responsible for the provision of a large number of Bibles in the years before his passing. ## **Finances** We believe that “God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supply” and we look to Him to provide what is needed. Income this year was slightly up on the previous year by £314.83 for which we are very thankful. However, our spending throughout this year also saw an increase of £944.85. Overheads, running costs and Government Requirements within Africa eat into the funds currently received and we continue to pray that God will provide for actual ministry to be developed. ## **Income** We have 4 main sources of income. _Church Donations_ - Gifts given from Churches when William and Pamela have spoken and represented the work. These continue to be steady and of a great help in the ministry _Individual Donations_ – We are thankful for the donations received from individuals. We are particularly encouraged by new people who have signed up to give donations monthly by Direct Debit. Little and often makes planning for ministry much easier. _Clothes Collection_ – We continue to accept donations of good condition clothes and items such as bedding and curtains for re-wear and re-use. Feed my Lambs receives funds for these items which can then be used in the ministry. The organisation who pay us for the items, then ship them out to countries to help provide business and affordable items for 5 local people. We have seen first hand how items such as these are distributed and used abroad. In the financial year ending April 2019 we received £619.98 (approx. Ksh 80597). _Gift Aid_ - Gift Aid continues to bring in additional income. It is challenging to see new people sign up to Gift Aid but we are thankful for those who have shown an interest in this way of giving. In the financial year ending 2019 the amount received from HMRC for Gift Aid Contributions amounted to £543.84 (approx. Ksh 70699). _Child Sponsorship_ – This is something we have started on just a small scale as we become aware of particular needs. At the time of writing 3 children are being sponsored by people in Northern Ireland who donate a set amount each month by Direct Debit. We are very thankful and this has been a great encouragement to the parents of the children. Please continue to pray that the Lord would provide each month for allowances for workers in Kenya and Uganda; office rent for Nairobi, Malaba and Western Kenya; monthly returns to KRA, NSSF, NHIF; Audit fees; Insurance; Day to day office expenses such as internet and printing; Travel Expenses for all workers; Other expenses for ministry. ## **Appreciation** The Trustees would like to place on record their thanks and appreciation to those who have volunteered; booked us to speak at meetings; used our lessons; availed of our training; donated clothes; gave a donation or allowed us to claim gift aid. Special mention is made of those who have prayed faithfully for the Trustees and the entire ministry of Feed my Lambs. Most of all, our thanks to our Lord and Saviour without whom there would be no message to share. ## **Prepared by** ## **(Pamela Aiken)** ## **On behalf of the organisation and Trustees, namely William Aiken and Joyce Afwande.** 6