STARS Newsletters

October 26, 2015 Letter

As we approach the end of 2015, I want to thank you for supporting the STARS with your gifts.  Below are highlights for 2015, our 13th year, as we seek to fulfill our mission, “educate one, change many.”

10 STARS have graduated from college. We invested in them as hopeless orphaned children ready for high school. Now, they are young adult professionals in teaching, pharmacy, engineering, environmental health, human resources, and skilled trades.

By educating one orphan, we are changing many. Our STARS have achieved academic excellence and student leadership. But not just for themselves. They have also tutored and counseled other orphaned students, cared for widows and others in need, and started entrepreneurial ventures benefiting their communities.

I am returning to Kenya at the end of November. I will mentor and encourage the STARS. I will be encouraged, because they are ready to provide needed support for worthy orphans to attend high school.

Now, we support 4 in high school and 3 in college, and more will go in 2016. Through 2015, our support provided 355 years of education for orphans.

I could share story after story on a number of STARS. However, for this letter I will highlight stories of two STARS who recently graduated from college to show how our investment has transformed lives.

Humphrey graduated as a high school teacher of geography from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He is a temporary teacher, as he waits for teacher registration. He believes, “Education never expires… school is the best gift. Without it, doors are closed. All the challenges and troubles I underwent are gone. … I would like to transform my community … to support needy orphans …” He also is helping our Kenyan partner, Pastor Joshua, to prepare for my visit.

Faith here holds her degree and wears her graduation “academic honors sash” earned studying environmental health from Benedict College, USA. An active student leader, you see her with only one of many awards. She wants you to know, “My journey to success was enabled by STARS Children Africa from the USA and Saint Luke’s Ministry in Kenya. They found me, strengthened me and encouraged me; and for that, I am able to be the person that I am today.” We supported her 4-years of high school and international journey to start college. She is now pursuing a PhD in environmental health at Penn State University through a 3-year graduate fellowship.

Thank you for supporting these precious STARS and continuing to journey with us as we see the vision to see Africa transformed through its orphans become a reality.

God bless you,
Ken Prussner
President

STARS Update
April 12, 2014

Congratulations supporters of the STARS! We met their educational needs of $1,500 by mid April.

Beldine, Gordon, Moses and Steve during the usual April break can study and better prepare for professional licensing and final exams to graduate after the term ending in August.

Beldine wrote, “…as candidates, we will report back for April tuition on April 15.” Steve emailed, “tuition…will last for only two weeks.”

Beldine is in Children’s Education doing practice teaching.
Steve is in Pharmacy Technology, as an intern.
Gordon is in Pharmacy Technology, as an intern.
Moses is in Pharmacy Technology. He learned: “Dispensing, Distribution of medicines, Professional Audit/drug classification, Procurement of drugs, Counseling controlled drugs, Hospital administration, and Dispensing ARVs (Antiretroviral) drugs.” His assessment stated: “He is honest, hardworking, well disciplined, determined and works under minimum supervision. He has good communication skills as well excellent consultation skills where necessary.”

I receive emails from them and their fellow STARS saying to you, their supporters: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. “We love you.”

As we enter the Passover week leading up to Easter, God bless you,

Ken
Ken Prussner
President

Charles Graduated
Letter # 16 October 26

Charles (receiving scroll and in graduation robe)

has been awarded a Diploma in Mass Communications on October 19 from Eldoret Aviation Training Institute in Eldoret Kenya.

He is the first of the STARS to graduate from higher education. You helped him with donations, prayer and volunteering.

He knows you helped him. He emailed “Having people to stand with me … ascend to greater heights of education is God’s doing. … sincere appreciation to you all for accepting to be used of God and be a blessing in my life … for school fee from high school through college… thank you for… advice and prayers, these have kept me hopeful…”

Charles’, eldest of three siblings, parents died while a primary school student. With no relatives and poor neighbors, all struggled to eat; Charles had to sleep outside at times. He finished primary eight, although he had to dropout and start over. Schoolteachers told him about Pastor Joshua, St Luke’s Ministry. Partnering with STARS Children Africa, a supporter of orphans in high school, the Ministry mentored Charles during school holidays.

God bless you,
Ken
Ken Prussner
President

OCTOBER 2012 NEWS

On 13 August, Verena and I traveled together as we did 18 months back to be with STARS and their mentors.  Verena’s schedule allowed her 6 days; I stayed 10 days. Below are Verena’s comments.  Then, I invite you to learn from the ‘post-visit’ email of Christine, who is studying human resource management.

Verena: “In early 2011, when we first met Christine, she was quiet, perhaps even a bit shy. Just prior to our departure from St. Luke’s, she stood up and gave a short but poignant speech, giving us a glimpse of her leadership potential. This time, that potential was even more evident.  When Ken shared it with me, I smiled at the woman that Christine is becoming, and I am proud to support STARS Children Africa that his helping her on her journey.”

Christine:  “I say thanks to the Almighty God for making me reach this far and I hope and believe that He, the giver of everything will continue doing so and being with you and your families. Below is my August experience during our brother Ken Prussner and sister Verena visit to Kenya with Missionary Joshua Atieno, Madam Abigael Atieno, and the family of St Luke’s Ministries at large.”

Tuesday 14 August 2012

This was the long awaited day and all STARS assembled at ST Luke’s Ministries ready to receive our visitors. We gave God glory upon seeing our visitors at St Luke’s Ministries with our beloved Dad (Pastor Joshua). After a warm and joyful welcome, we called it a day.

Wednesday 15 August 2012

All the stars arrived very early at St Luke’s ministries to share with our beloved visitors including our spiritual dad, Pastor Joshua. The day’s topic was covenant (i.e. an agreement between two or more parties). I learnt that the covenant binds us three parties (G STARS, St Luke’s Ministries & STARS Children Africa). It highlights the duties of the parties involved. From the discussions, I realised that it was essential to have the covenant to prepare us as effective team players and leaders.

Thursday 16 August 2012

The day’s topic was comforting one another. Everybody needs to be comforted in different ways. From all the seven sub-topics we discussed, I learnt that “being rejected by relatives opens an opportunity to bless multitudes,” this was said by our spiritual dad, Pastor Joshua.

Friday 17August 2012

God prepared this day to visit widows where brother Ken, sister Verena, our spiritual dad and stars visited two widows and did community work. I realised that visiting widows’ comfort them and we hear some of their stories. They feel loved when visited, more so with people they don’t know (not relatives).

Saturday 18 August 2012

Biblical concept of entrepreneurship. I realised that it is not the way we usually view it since even Jesus was an entrepreneur. We saw various Bible verses, which have this concept. Every individual is an entrepreneur only he/she has not realised this. We as STARS have known this early enough so we need to practise this to transform the society.

Sunday 19 August 2012

We worshiped at St Luke’s and the topic was troubles. We are encouraged to not run away from problems instead we find a way of overcoming them. In the afternoon, our sister Verena left.

Monday 20 August 2012

Sharing of experiences. All STARS had a chance to share their experiences. We shared both positive & negative encounters. Most STARS highlighted what they encountered.

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Discussions with each of the GSTAR on individual budgets.

WEDNESDAY 22 2012

STARS future plans. This day the high school STARS highlighted their future dreams while

GSTARS highlighted individual plans of transforming the society. I noticed that the STARS have bright dreams, and these can only be achieved if we pray over them and be united as one family.

Thursday 23 August 2012

Brother Ken had to leave us, so we assembled at St Luke’s to say bye and wish him well. We also talked about his prophecies for each one’s growth. He observed my change in public speaking since I used not to be free enough to share with others. I thank God for driving away fear (F-false, E-evidence, A-appearing, R-real)

We all said bye to brother Ken Prussner and the day ended well.

I therefore would like to say thanks to:

“Our Almighty Father who made all to happen the way the Holy Spirit planned. Brother Ken Prussner & Sister Verena for their continuing love to us and pray that God will plan that we meet again. Thank you & God bless you.

Our spiritual parents Missionary Joshua Atieno & Madam Abigael Atieno who have played a big role and are always ready to be with us despite the many duties they have in the society. May God bless you.

The STARS and St. Luke’s family for being ready to participate in everything that came across depending with the day’s activities. It’s my prayer that God help them to continue with that heart. It was from all the above mentioned individuals that I learnt so many things from sharing’s, experiences and participation.

Have a blessed day.” – Christine

Sincerely,

Ken

Kenneth Prussner, President