Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,

Thank you so much for your continued support through prayer and sacrificial donations to ROCK Ministries! It has truly been miraculous how God has provided month-by-month through your obedience to the promptings of His Holy Spirit. Often, we can relate to the disciple Andrew who said to Jesus, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9) There was a great crowd gathered, but Jesus took this little offering of faith with joy and multiplied it to feed over 5000 people! May this newsletter be a testimony of the power of God working through the faith of His people!

We have long been talking about starting animal projects, and now the money has come in for the purchase of two cows! One was purchased last week from a local farmer who was able to pay his child’s school fees using the money from the purchase. He decided to keep the second cow, however, so more prayer and patience is needed. We trust that the farmer will soon agree to sell the second cow as promised. These cows will not only provide milk for the children’s home and school but also provide a means for supplementing the finances of the ministry.

Two more ROCK young adults are heading off to trade school! Molly will begin a course in September regarding Tourism and Hospitality. and Tom has already settled into his course in Agriculture. Moses continues his course in Plumbing and is doing well in school; however, recently he learned that two of his friends were killed in a bar fight. Please continue to pray for each of these young adults as they face the temptations and challenges of the world. Teresa and her husband, Victor, were able to meet with Moses, pray for him, and encourage him. Our eight secondary students and eight primary students from the ROCK children’s home will have a one-month break in August during which our Kenyan board will be connecting with all the children to reassure them and spend time with them. We are so appreciative of this amazing team of godly men: Dr. Ajevi, Pastor Musonye, and George Phillip.

For the last couple weeks there have been many protests in Kenya resulting in a number of deaths and damage to property. The parliament building was burned during riots over a new tax bill. On June 26^th the Kenyan President William Ruto said that he would not sign this tax bill into law as it had caused thousands of protesters to mob the parliament building and had brought about several days of chaos in the country. Another public outcry occurred over proposed pay raises for members of Kenya’s cabinet and parliament. It has been decided that these raises will not take place at this time, but many are calling for the president to step down. Please pray for wisdom for the Kenyan president and other officials as we all continue to pray for our own government and upcoming election.

Thank you to all who contributed toward the laptops for Malava Christian Academy! The 4^th grade class is shown here gathered around a laptop for their Science and Technology class. These laptops have been so beneficial to both the students and teachers! In January 2025, 5^th grade will be added to the school. We are continuing to raise $100,000 for a building. www.newhorizonsfoundation.com/project/single-project/2713/

As mentioned in the last newsletter, the two male dorm parents for the boys’ dorm had to be let go. God provided Mark, a single young man who is also one of the preschool teachers, to step in to care for the boys. He has been used by the Holy Spirit to bring peace to the boys’ house and spiritual counseling. Currently there are only four boys in primary school living in the house as the other boys are off at secondary school and trade school. Their names are Fred, Franklin, Joseph, and James. We are thankful that God has provided for their needs. Please pray for ROCK Ministries as we go forward that the children will be protected from harm, that the Holy Spirit will give discernment with each hire, and that the staff and students of the ministry will grow in their knowledge of Christ’s love and “be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:19) Mark will soon be graduating on August 9^th with a Certificate in Psychology.

We are so very grateful for each one of you. Some of you began supporting Elaine over 20 years ago. You have continued to support this ministry through the many changes over the last four years since her dementia diagnosis. Thank you so much! Some of you have only recently started partnering with us in this adventure. Thank you!! Our vision statement will remain the same as we continue this journey together. ROCK Ministries International's vision is to become a source of hope, healing, and restoration for families through the knowledge of Christ’s deep love and the empowerment of education.

Please use the link below to watch a 15-minute video that tells the story of ROCK Ministries International including Elaine’s humble beginning in Lake Elsinore California, her calling and move to Kenya, the establishing of the Children’s Home in Malava, the opening of Malava Christian Academy, and the hopes and dreams for the future.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=zInERjjvXRs

Grace and peace,

Kyon and Cindy Yi

Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,

Thank you so much for your continued partnership with ROCK Ministries! This ministry would not exist without your Spirit-led support. Today I spoke with a donor who had discovered that their recurring donation had been cancelled accidently in September. I believe there was a brief season when the donation button on the website might have glitched for a few weeks and donations did not go through. Please check with New Horizons Foundation, Cindy Yi (me), and/or your bank statement if you are concerned that your donations might not be up-to-date. Grateful!

Please pray for the 278,380 people displaced in Kenya due to severe flooding. Over 291 people have lost their lives throughout Kenya, about 181 have been injured, 75 are still missing, and over $35 million in damages have occurred throughout the last two months.

We also would appreciate your prayers for Teresa, the director, as she is having to let two staff members go due to gross misconduct even after several previous warnings. This is such a difficult task and must be handled very sensitively. Every staff member’s position has recently been reviewed by the Kenyan board members, and we believe that God is helping to develop a more unified team.

Kyon and I have been working on a short video that tells the story of ROCK Ministries International. In the next newsletter we hope to share a link where you can access it. We begin the story with Elaine’s desire to reach the children of gang families in Southern California and end with the direction God seems to be taking ROCK in the future. I’ve included an excerpt here that succinctly describes what the ministry is about and what ways people can be involved. We are so grateful for YOU and your partnership with us already!! (Donation link for general fund: www.rockministriesinternational.com)

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There are two facets of ROCK Ministries International which both share the same location in Malava, Kenya: the children's home and Malava Christian Academy. Currently there are 16 children under the care of the ministry at the home with ages ranging from six-years-old to 21. The children’s home maintains a family atmosphere and meets all the needs of the children including emotional, spiritual, social, educational, and physical all the way through young adulthood. In addition to the 16 children, several young adults receive assistance with trade school or university as they continue to receive encouragement and emotional support even as they are being launched into independence. However, there are big changes coming. Regulations in Kenya are changing in regards to children's homes and, Kenya is looking into adopting a foster care system. ROCK Ministries International will continue raising the 16 children currently in our care but will also look for how God would have us serving children and families in the future. One possibility is to become a Child Rescue Center, a home for children to be placed immediately while a foster home match is being made.

In 2018, Malava Christian Academy began on the campus property as a preschool with three levels. Grades one through three were soon added and now, in 2024, grade four was added as well with the current registration being 118 students. The end goal will be to offer education from preschool through form 4 (12^th grade), by continuing to add one grade each year. All of the staff for both the children's home and school are Kenyan and many of them have been hired from the local community. All of them have a passion for education and a desire to see these children succeed in life. Malava Christian Academy was recently fully accredited by the Department of Education having just met the minimum standards necessary as we do not yet have a designated school building. The vision for ROCK Ministries International - to become a source of hope, healing, and restoration for families through the knowledge of Christ’s deep love and the empowerment of education – will remain the same.

The ministry is funded by donations from loving individuals, primarily friends and family (many of you 😊), and a few churches that Elaine had established relationships with over the years. Recurring monthly donations meet about 50% of the $8500 monthly budget which includes salaries for 20 staff members. The other 50% God provides through surprise gifts and our family’s own personal donations. We are inviting people to partner with us in order to raise that monthly percentage. We are also inviting people to donate to specific projects along the way. Two immediate projects are 1) the purchase of two cows in the amount of $650 each to be our first step towards subsidizing donations from the west and 2) an actual school building in the amount of $100,000. In the future more animal projects (chickens and pigs) will be introduced to help subsidize donations and tuition as well as be a part of a Family Strengthening Program teaching trades to parents. Farming will be included in this program and, eventually, a bakery. We were able to add another 1 ½ acres of land to the ten originally purchased when we came to visit in 2022, so the land has sufficient space to one day have a clinic as well if God does not return before this time. (Donation link for school building: www.newhorizonsfoundation.com/project/single-project/2713/)

Elaine’s heart was passionate about Jesus and deeply impacted by His Words found in Matthew 5:34-40. “…Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

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We are so very grateful for each one of you! Just yesterday, while finishing up this letter, I received a text from a friend here in Alaska who wants to purchase the two cows for the ministry. I sent a message to Teresa last night, and she said, “Ameeeeeen!!!! Soooo grateful for the donation!!!” She has had an eye on two calves being raised nearby and has planted a special grass on the property in faith. Every dollar donated is received with gratitude to God and thanksgiving for you our partners in this amazing, God-given ministry.

We love you all!

Kyon and Cindy Yi

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that You established Your faithfulness in Heaven itself.’” (Psalm 89:1-2)

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“’Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,

Kyon’s trip to Malava was a productive and fruitful visit. He met with the architect who showed him the plans for a five-room school building. The estimate is for about $80,000 and, God-willing, will be built before we add grade five in January of 2025. We have maxed out our three huts and multi-purpose hall. If interested in giving to this project, please go to www.newhorizonsfoundation.com/project/single-project/2713/. God has given us great favor in the community, and Malava Christian Academy currently has 118 children in attendance.  We are grateful that all the previous trials stemming from rumors being spread by an employee let go years ago have been cleared up, and ROCK Ministries is moving forward.

The last day of school before Easter, the students celebrated a Cultural Day where dances and plays were performed along with Bible skits. These were to celebrate the many cultures represented among the children and staff and to show that there is unity found in Christ. ROCK’s vision statement “to become a source of hope, healing, and restoration for families through the knowledge of Christ’s deep love and the empowerment of education” includes breaking down the walls that so often divide and restoring the joy found in celebrating cultural differences.

Some dear friends from New Hope Uganda, Denis and Jennie Mutaka, came with their four children to spend Easter weekend with Kyon at the ROCK Ministries property. They have a big heart for the orphan, and for the family, and have gained wisdom over the many years at New Hope. They blessed the ministry so much Easter weekend, sharing their gifts and talents. Denis preached, the family participated in the services, and Denis and Jennie joined the board meeting scheduled the Monday after Easter. Their input was invaluable. At Denis’s recommendation, Kyon and I will be meeting with the founders of New Hope (Jennie’s parents) to ask some questions about ministry structure in preparation for growth and change. In July, Denis and Jennie have agreed to return and spend time training and equipping the staff on the subject of Biblical Manhood, Womanhood, and Family, a much-needed subject often confused by cultural practices.

Kyon enjoyed spending time with Teresa and Victor, the staff, students, and ROCK kids. He walked the property with Denis to talk about the future plans for the use of this beautiful ten-acre property that God blessed Elaine with over 20 years ago and the new 1 ½ -acre addition we were able to purchase in 2022 that included a house. A fence now surrounds the entire property. Thank you for continuing on this God-adventure with us as the school expands, the children’s home transitions into a possible Rescue Center, and as we look forward to starting up the family strengthening programs in the future. We are still in need of people to commit to helping meet the $8500 monthly budget and/or to give a one-time gift to the school building. We move forward unafraid as we boast not in man’s riches but in the kindness of God as seen through the hands and hearts of His people. We have been so blessed by all of you and by Teresa Boyani, ROCK’s director, and the team of dedicated Kenyan staff. We are all working TOGETHER for the glory of God!!  Eternally grateful, Kyon and Cindy

Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,

Kyon and I received this adorable picture from ROCK’s director, Teresa Boyani, the other day with this note: “The joy of nurturing the little ones and guiding them to grow on a firm foundation in Christ, then hear them say ‘When I grow up, I would like to be a pilot and fly up there in the sky.’ Deep, sweet thoughts.” ❤️ Malava Christian Academy has three preschool classes referred to as Lighthouse Preschool. It is through your prayers and financial support that the school is growing year-by-year expanding ROCK’s influence in the community. If you would like to contribute to the school building fund, check out www.newhorizonsfoundation.com/project/single-project/2713/.

Teresa attended a four-day training recently for current Charitable Children’s Institutes (orphanages) to be updated regarding what programs will be needed in the future as Kenya shifts to a foster care structure. Changing from an orphanage to a Child Rescue Center for children is the possible direction ROCK Ministries International will take. This will allow the ministry to care for children while authorities handle emergency situations and carry out investigations. Also, having programs for strengthening the parents, and the entire family unit, such as the animal (poultry, pigs, cows), farming, and business entrepreneurship projects are all being considered for ROCK’s future. These are exciting days as God is shifting the focus of the ministry from individual children to the entire family unit and beyond. Please pray for wisdom!

Kyon will be flying out of Anchorage, Alaska, this Saturday morning (March 23^rd) at 1:30am to begin the approximately 45-hour journey to Nairobi. We are so excited for this visit albeit strange that Mom (Elaine) will not be there. How precious the memories are of our visit in 2022 when we had gone to assess what her personal needs were. Now Kyon goes to assess the needs of the children, staff, children’s home, and school. We anticipate with joy the future of the ministry as God is clearly leading and guiding. The emphasis now will be to continue nurturing, loving, and caring for the 16 children still in the home as well as growing the school and laying a good foundation of policies, procedures, and people under the lordship of Christ.

This has been such an interesting journey for our family over these last four years since becoming more involved with ROCK in March 2020 due to Mom’s dementia diagnosis. Our family’s adventure has, in several ways, paralleled the ministry’s as we have walked the road of adoption and fostering. It has been a painful journey at times, and heart-breaking, as we observe the destruction caused when one is trapped in the lie of addiction, but we cling to the Holy Spirit’s truth found in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” So, we do not give up and keep on loving those God puts in our path from Alaska to Kenya. Teresa, her husband Victor, and the staff on the ground there at ROCK Ministries International in Malava have this God-given passion as well.

As we begin this new adventure of raising money for the school building, of changing our status as an orphanage to a possible rescue center, of providing training for parents we know that His grace is sufficient and that without Him we can do nothing, but with Him we can do all things. “The poor and needy search for water, but there is none… But I the Lord will answer them… I will make the rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys… so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this.” (Isaiah 41:17-20)

Grace and peace, Kyon and Cindy

Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,

On the third Sunday of every month a very special gathering takes place on the ROCK Ministries International campus at Malava. All of the staff from the school and children’s home, along with their families, gather together in the multi-purpose hall to join the ROCK children that are not away at school for their weekly services! A time of Bible study and fellowship follows for the staff. You are all included in this gathering in spirit through your prayers, gifts, and partnership!

Your partnership has allowed Joshua, who has been with us since around five years old, to follow his dream of becoming a chef at a technical school where he started at the beginning of February. We are so proud of him and pray God’s blessings over his life as he is launched into adulthood at 21-years-old. We also continue to support Moses at Kisumu Polytechnic as he undertakes his certificate in building technology.

There are still eight primary children who reside on campus as they attend Malava Christian Academy (preschool through grade four) or the local primary school down the street (grades five through eight). This year we have eight boarded in secondary schools within about a two-hour radius from the Malava campus. Your partnership helps us pay their school fees! As orphanages slowly phase out and the foster care system adopted, please pray as ROCK Ministries International seeks God’s guidance on how we can better come alongside children, their families, and the communities that surround them. We look forward with anticipation!

In the meantime, Malava Christian Academy is growing and thriving! This is one way the Lord has led Teresa Boyani (director) to expand ROCK’s ministry outward to the community. Grade four was added this year and, God-willing, grade five will be added next year; but we have no more room and need to build an actual school building!! Currently there are 118 students. There are several ways you can help. If you would like to give specifically to the building fund, here is the special link to do so: www.newhorizonsfoundation.com/project/single-project/2713/. Also, please share our story through the website: www.rockministriesinternational.com. When people go to the contact page their email comes directly to my email address, and I love responding by encouraging people to sign up for the monthly newsletters. Lastly, I have started a Facebook page (ROCK Ministries International) and Instagram page (rockministriesinternational) to which I hope to make weekly posts, keeping people connected with the heart of the ministry. Thank you for your help in building a school in Kenya!

Kyon will be at Malava from April 25^th through April 4^th connecting with some dear friends over the Easter weekend, Jennie and Dennis Mutaka with New Hope Uganda, as well as encouraging the staff and finding ways that we can better support the ministry. Meetings will be help with the Kenyan members of the board, architect, and lawyer. Discussions will cover the school building to eventually hold preschool through form four (grade 12), upcoming animal and farm projects, and ways to equip and encourage the growing number of staff. We cannot thank you enough for your support through all these years!! Grace and peace, Kyon and Cindy

Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,

On behalf of the children, staff, and board members of ROCK Ministries International, Kyon and I would like to say THANK YOU for your intercession through prayer and your sacrificial giving throughout 2023. It has been a miraculous walk of faith this year for all of us, but God has again revealed His compassion, kindness and love. We would like you to hear from our director, Teresa Boyani, who selflessly leads the ministry and guides the staff on the ground there at the children’s home and school in Malava, Kenya.

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In the year 2023 we thank God for His faithfulness because, indeed, we have experienced His love and mercies and therefore can identify with the hymn, “great is thy faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see, all that I have needed thy hand has provided, great is thy faithfulness…”

We thank God in the year 2023 ROCK Ministries was able to support 26 children in education at different levels, four in college (inclusive of fees, accommodation, and upkeep), seven in high school (all in boarding schools; provided supplies, fees, pocket money, and transport), 12 at primary level (seven of them in the home and five in the community staying with their parents/ guardian). Then we have four at preschool level (two in the home and two staying with their grandmother because the parents died). All the children in primary and preschool we provide all the school supplies needed, uniforms and pay their full amount of school fees.

In the children home we took care of 16 children, providing them with shelter, food, medical, education, spiritual nourishment, and guidance. This number is already included in the above paragraph because besides being in the home we support them in education. In the home the kids have daily evening devotions where there is a session of praise and worship, sharing of the word of God and prayer. Then we have Sunday services held in the multipurpose hall, some Sundays we have our staff ministering and other Sundays we invite ministers from outside.

In the school (Malava Christian Academy), we enroll children from the community around. We have a total of 115 children in the school from the preschool level to Grade Three. As we purposed to grow a class per year, in 2024 we will be launching the Grade Four level and this means the population in the school is growing every year. The children in the school have daily devotions in the morning with their teachers and Wednesday lunchtime devotions with all the staff. The pupils in school pay for their stationery and supplies and Rock Ministries supports in ensuring their teachers receive their dues monthly.

In the year 2023 Rock Ministries has provided employment to 21 employees who have been able to support their families and develop themselves because of the opportunities they have at ROCK. We had a staff retreat for the first time this year where we had the staff and board members have some team building and capacity building activities besides fun and having a meal together away from the work place. Looking forward to having the same every year.

On the other hand, as an institution ROCK extended its boundaries by acquiring an additional 1.5 acres of land which we believe will be of much importance as we continue to grow and develop the school and the different projects that are already being discussed: dairy farming, poultry keeping and pigs project. Fencing around the entire property with concrete posts, barbed wire and chain link has been done except for one side which will be completed in the coming year. Renovation on the current mud hut classrooms and houses is currently being done since the children are on holiday. Ensuring there is furniture and fittings ready for the Grade Four class before the year 2024 academic calendar, which starts on the 8th of January 2024.

Touching and impacting the lives of children with God’s love is our mission and a joy, thanking God for all who have supported us to be able to count these mile stones and even more that words cannot express. When we see the children being able to accomplish and achieve what they have this year because of the opportunity that was availed to them, our hearts are filled with joy and our prayer is that these children will be able to see and recognize God working in their lives as He says, “For I know the thoughts I have for you…” We are just His vessels. May God continue to use us to fulfill His purpose and will.
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Together we rejoice, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE!” (Is. 9:6)

Grace and peace, Kyon and Cindy

Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,

We have just experienced Easter together, and how much we have to celebrate as believers in Christ! I love this quote from Tozer’s book The Knowledge of the Holy. “Give us minds to admire that perfection of moral wisdom which found a way to preserve the integrity of Heaven and yet receive us there.” May God help us remain in this spirit of adoration throughout the year, and may He help us continue to share the amazing news of God’s grace and favor with those around us!

The first term of the school year ended this week and the parents were given the opportunity to visit with the teachers to discuss the progress of their children. Favour, Nadia, Victor, Levine, Pgaviinael, and Natasha are the super cute kids featured in the left photo representing the “baby class”, the youngest of the preschool classes.  The children will be off for two weeks, resuming school on May 8^th. After going through the COVID years of 2020 and 2021, how grateful we are to have the doors of schools open again! Please pray as some of the surrounding schools have had to close their doors again due to a bacterial infection that has caused paralysis and brought death. Pray for wisdom as research is being done to discover how to eliminate this bacteria and find a cure for those who are sick.

A handful of our children in secondary school have already arrived back home for the holiday from their various boarding schools. Most of these schools were established by churches and missionaries and have Bible as a school subject!  From left to right are Molly Kidera, Cynthia Alice, Tom Cheto, Gideon Rhema, and David Beckam. Tom and Molly are candidates who will be sitting for final exams (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) in November. Gideon and Cynthia are in Form 2 and David is in Form 1. The preschoolers in the home attend Malava Christian Academy on campus, and the primary students take a short walk down the road to the local primary school, so it is like a family reunion when the secondary students come home!

All the children will be helping the house parents with the household responsibilities during this short break; however, the maize has already been planted in the fields surrounding the children’s home and school, including on the land of the property recently purchased. There is always a lot of activity happening at the children’s home and school every season!

Please check out the website at www.rockministriesinternational.com if you have not done so yet. We recently added a donation button for those that need a Canadian tax receipt and will soon be adding a donation button for those needing a tax receipt from the UK. We are still learning how to update the blog, but soon each upcoming newsletter will be posted there along with other updates, stories, pictures, and videos.

Grace and peace,

Cindy

Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,

Thank you so much for transitioning with us to New Horizons Foundation. As the website is being developed, the board has put thought and prayer into the different statements defining this ministry. Our MISSION – to share the transforming love and favor of God with the children in our care by nurturing them (providing physical, spiritual, and emotional care) and empowering them through education to discover their God-given gifts and purpose as contributing members of their communities and ambassadors of Christ’s love. Our VISION – to become a source of hope, healing, and restoration for families through the knowledge of Christ’s deep love and the empowerment of education. Thank you for making this possible through your prayers and financial donations.

School is in full swing! Classes one through three are sharing the multipurpose hall. The preschool classes continue to meet in three huts adjacent to the hall. The need for an actual school building is great as the Department of Education has stated that the current classroom arrangements do not meet the standards required. We are trusting God for the approximately $60,000 necessary for a building to accommodate preschool through grade six. If you would be interested in making a donation specifically to this project, you can do so at the project link shown below. You will be given the option to donate to the general fund or school building fund.

In preparing the information for the website the board also had to grapple with the question of why ROCK Ministries and Malava Christian Academy – The structure and stability we are able to provide by having the children’s home is vital to the success of the children in our care… The addition of Malava Christian Academy has been a step taken to not only meet a need in the community but expand this influence beyond the walls of the children’s home. There continue to be so many vulnerable children among us that need to be cared for, empowered, and shown the love of Christ. We have witnessed the impact of a loving, caring, and safe community on children and their families, even the families of our staff, and are excited to be able to continue to support this vision, and expand this ministry, increasing ROCK Ministries International’s influence as a source of hope, healing, and restoration for families in Malava, Kenya, and beyond. (Website available around April!)

And this all started 20 years ago by a woman who felt the call of God to leave everything behind because her heart was broken.
Grace and peace, Kyon and Cindy