July 2002

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ from Rubate College at the eastern base side of Mt. Kenya.

God is doing many and great things at Rubate College for the students and people who live in the villages around the college. When I first arrived at Rubate College there wasn’t any water or electricity. Living in Kenya makes one to appreciate the availability of these things.

Three years ago when I came to Rubate the students had to "fetch" water twice a day from a nearby river located about three kilometers from the college. They had to walk down a steep hill and climb up with a jeri can filled with water on their backs.

A borehole was dug shortly after my arrival at Rubate. The borehole provided a source of water that enabled us to get water on the compound rather than go to the river, which was especially to do in the dark. The borehole is a blessing to the village people as well. During the drought of two years ago, the borehole enabled the farmers to get water to feed their families and livestock. Water was carried in barrels to my house before the installation of the borehole. Now the water is piped into the house from water tanks built outside of the house. This enables me to get water anytime I need it.

Last year the college got electrical power from the power company. Until then, the college’s generator, which ran two to three hours in the morning and three or four hours in the evening was the sole source of electricity at the college. When the generator broke down we had to use other sources of light, such as flashlights, candles, and lanterns.

This year’s graduating class will be the ninth class of primary teachers to be certified. The students not only learn to be teachers but Christian teachers who will carry the gospel of Jesus Christ in primary classrooms throughout Kenya. The Presbyterian Church of East Africa is committed to keeping the light of Jesus Christ alive in Kenya. The church is helping to build a Christian foundation in Kenya by training teachers. This is the commitment of Rubate College. As each modern convenience is added to the college, such as water and electricity, the way is made easier to train committed Kenyan Christian teachers.

Marion L. Strain

The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page 37