THE StAY ALIVE SPIRIT

THE VISION
“…for what good is it for man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul…”Mark 8:36 StAY Alive seeks to be an instrument of God to build the kingdom God based on God’s truth by enabling the people of God to live by God’s standard into the fullness of God to His glory.

and

THE MISSION
"to proclaim the message of Christ through prayers, fellowship, mission and training enabling the youth to mature spiritually to fight as good soldiers of Christ and thus attain the crown when Christ returns."

This is the message that StAY Alive fellowship is ministering to the world. StAY Alive Fellowship exists as the youth arm of the Anglican Church of Kenya, St. Andrews Parish in Zimmerman, Nairobi, Kenya.

THE History / Background
The importance and place for youth in the Church has always been recognized. It can therefore be said that the St Andrews Youth group has been in existence since the inception of the St. Andrews Parish in 1982. However, StAY Alive as it now exists was conceived in the Year 2000. The need to set itself apart by creating an identity a vision and mission led to this move.

The foundation of StAY Alive is based on Faith and deep, consistent Prayer.

Identity: StAY Alive Fellowship means more than just St Andrews Youth Alive Fellowship. A closer look at the motto Get Alive – StAY Alive will give insight as to the identity of the group.

Getting alive is rising up with heads and shoulders high proclaiming boldly what we believe in, while Staying alive is doing so consistently and always improving.

The group runs various activities and programs in order to achieve its objectives. Being a member of this group has really helped me grow in my walk with God and with time, I was humbled to be elected as one of the committee members of this amazing fellowship group. The election came with the appointment to the office of Minister for Fundraising & Development. This ministry has me deal with raising funds to propel our various activities and programs one of them being the StAY Klean & StAY Alive Anti-Drugs & Substance Abuse Roadshow. This event is under the KATAA (Keeping Away Threatening Abuse & Addiction) program, which carries a message against drug abuse.

One of our various ways of raising funds for this event is organizing for walks, (dubbed Operation25 since its a 25km walk) where the members commit themselves into raising a specific amount of money per kilometer covered.
Click here for a glimpse of this exciting event....

This year I would like you to help me WALK the TALK and spread love and a message of DRUGS NI BALAA KATAA BALAA.
I will inform us on how we can join hands in this worthy venture and leave this world we live in a better place than we found it.

Anybody with me in this???

Dirty Shoes in church

I showered and shaved. I adjusted my tie.

I got there and sat...in a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer, as I closed my eyes,

I saw the shoe of the man next to me...Touching my own. I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side....... I thought, "Why must our soles touch?"

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much.

A prayer began: "Our Father"..... ........

I thought, "This man with the shoes has no pride.

They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!"

..."Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on...

The shoe man said a quiet "Amen."

 I tried to focus on the prayer... But my thoughts were on his shoes again.

”Aren't we supposed to look our best...when walking through that door?

"Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended...and the songs of praise began.

The ‘shoe man’ was certainly loud...sounding proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters..... ... His hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear the shoe man's voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering...And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out.......... What the shoe man put in.

then I heard a soft "clink” as when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me.......... To tears, and that's no lie.

It was the same for the shoe man... For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service, as is the custom here,

we must greet new visitors and show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow..... ........and wanted to meet the shoe man.

So after the closing prayer...I reached over and shook his

hand.

He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess.

But I thanked him for coming...For being our guest.

He said, "My names' Charlie..... ..... I'm glad to meet you, my friend."

There were tears in his eyes....... But he had a large, wide grin.

"Let me explain," he said........ . Wiping tears from his eyes.

"I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say 'Hi.'"

"I know that my appearance..."Is not like all the rest.

"But I really do try...to always look my best."

”I always clean and polish my shoes...before my very long walk.

"But by the time I get here........they're dirty and dusty, like chalk."

My heart filled with pain........ ....and I swallowed to hide my tears.

As he continued to apologize... ......For daring to sit so near.

He said, "When I get here........ ..I know I must look a

sight.

"But I thought if I could touch you...then maybe our souls might unite."

 

I was silent for a moment............Knowing whatever was said

would pale in comparison.... I spoke from my heart, not my head.

 "Oh, you've touched me," I said......"And taught me, in part;

"That the best of any man......... ..."Is what is found in his heart."

The rest, I thought ... This shoe man will never know.

 Like just how thankful I really am...that his dirty old shoe touched my soul.

You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.

I respect you, and truly cherish you.

Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell new friends you never
will.


Remember, everyone needs a friend.
Someday you might feel like you have no friends at all. Just remember
this and take comfort in knowing that
someone out here cares about you.....and always will.

WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR ?

Life is not meant to be easy, it has never been and don't just sit there thinking it will ever be. But life has to be lived. The only way we can 'pass' through this life is by knowing how to find Joy and happiness even in situations which seem tough and hard. "Easier said than done" you might say, but possible.
The only way we can find true happiness is by knowing our purposes for creation. "What on earth am I here for?" was i created to live, then die and thats all? Nothing to accomplish? There's got to be something more to life don't you think?
Well, with the many questions that are running through our minds now, we will try and find out what our purposes are in this life and we'll realize just how happy and satisfied we will be.
Keep me posted with the questions and and comments you might have concerning this topic.

Blog Admin,
Kenince

My parents don't understand me. I'm at the lowest part of my life. Can anybody relate to this? Or even help me??

I received a link to this question and thought it might be best for us to start by helping this girl here, we at times feel that our parents don't understand us, but how do we react in such a situation? Lets hear from you.

"I hate having to admit my parents don't understand me. My mom is extremely one sided and only believes what she thinks is right and my dad agrees with her every single time. I met and fell in love with the most amazing person of my life a year ago. Yes I am 18, but he has taught me things my parents never have...like how to appreciate life and be respectful to those who are disrespectful to you, not to be afraid to stand up for what you believe in, how to love someone, being more confident and not letting things get the best of me, etc. I feel like I haven't learned these things from my parents because whenever i get in trouble i get yelled and screamed at. My boyfriend never screams at me when I do something wrong and I actually learn and have so much more respect for him. My parents feel my world revolves around him and that I'm out of control. I was even blamed today for one day being the death of my mother because of her heart problems. How can I emotionally handle this?I've tried talking to them and explaining without yelling but I can't help but react to their yelling by screaming back. My life is so screwed up..and my boyfriend has to listen to all of this. They are even considering making us break up.
Please help, and quick..." Rachael.

Rachael said...

Thank you very much for all your comments and your advices. I have come to a decision and even though I can't share it with you now, I will be back to tell you how it has affected me.

January 28, 2008 1:37 AM