NEMBU GIRLS

On 13th of October, the AYES Team was invited to give a talk to Form Four Students of Nembu Girls who were preparing for the exam and life after school. We covered topics such us College and University life, Dating and Sex, Responsible Freedom and discovering one's Personal Life Center. At the end of the whole day sessions, some of the girls wrote about their experience on our Gratitude Book.
Essy Sherry
This was an experience of a lifetime and i have been inspired and have grown mentally, spiritually and emotionally. May you reach out to more young people for you will change this generation Y. Thanks for standing in the gap and harkening to God's call for you. You are blessed and much more is yet to come.

Nancy Nduta
The sessions were interesting and beneficial to me and I believe to many others too. Keep up the Spirit and God bless You.

Perpetua Atieno
The sessions were very fabulous and life teaching. God bless you and the Team

Zahra Rachael

The sessions were very encouraging to the Youth and it is also very much up building. The sessions were superb and very intriguing as it has personally made me a great person. Keep it up and be blessed.

STATEHOUSE GIRLS

The Girls with Dominique George

Over the past five weeks, AYES has been having Personal Leadership Sessions at Statehouse Girls Nairobi every Sunday afternoon. The Topics covered ranged from Self Awareness, time management, Living purposeful lives, Relationships with each other, parents, dating and sex to Social-Emotional-Physical-Mental Fitness or the 4D Renewal. The students highly appreciated the sessions.

With the Youth Chaplain

Dominique George, the Personal Leadership Speaker and Archdiocesan Programs Coordinator was with them throughout the five sessions. The Archdiocesan Youth Chaplain, Fr. Edwin Hunja, made sure that he was there every Sunday, even though for a few moments, despite his heavy schedule.

With Dominique George

Colette Inviolata, the leader of the group had this to say, 'Wow! The sessions were exquisite, just perfect for a confused teenager to draw essential life-skills from. I'll forever miss the sessions, for you've truly left a mark in me and in all the students who attended the sessions that cannot be erased by any force but death. May the Lord God guide you in your path of enlightening young people'

Laureen Janet said, 'Words don't describe everything and many have said it. The amount of gratitude as enormous as it is, can't be quantified. You are a blessing to many including me. A great inspiration and an amazing teacher. What I have learned should definitely make me change the world in my own way. God bless you abundantly  and may the Blessed Virgin Mary watch over you always! Thank you!
These are but some of the many comments the students wrote on our gratitude book. From the Archdiocesan Youth Educational Services, we feel doubly blessed and want to thank the students since we also learned a lot from them. The lessons and fond memories will remain forever. May God bless you all with His Choicest Blessings.

The Chaplain giving Communion during Mass

A group Photo

And some fun

THE STORY OF ROSE

It all started when I was in Class 8 when Dad and Mum broke the news that Mum was suffering from breast cancer. I couldn’t believe it at first and kept on thinking about it. I got sick and was admitted for two weeks. I just had to live with it. When I was doing my Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (K.C.P.E), Mum was admitted at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital for an operation. Her breasts had to be cut off.

After some days, her hair started falling off and so, she had to shave it all. She couldn’t bear it, she really loved her hair but there was no option. She was a very prayerful woman and never lost hope. What hurt her most was that she had to young children. One in Pre-unit and the other in class one. One day, during the Visiting Day at my school, I remember her coming with my grandmother, my Dad and my siblings. She couldn’t even walk upright. She kept on staggering and saying that her head was aching. We didn’t even have fun though she really tried to keep on smiling.

When they went home, I couldn’t concentrate and I failed terribly in the final exams of that term. On the closing day, both my parents came to pick me up. On reaching the car, I went straight to the front seat to greet my Mom. Her eyes were red, she looked pale, she couldn’t walk though she still managed to wear a smile and ask me about school. My Dad looked different too. He was stressed and my results made him really upset. First, we had to take Mum for Chemotherapy while pushing her on the wheel chair. As Dad went to speak to the receptionist, we were left talking with Mom. She told us things that we couldn’t understand. “The work of God is in seven days and soon, it will come to be known. You know I looked like you when I was young. When you grow up, tell your children about me. Know that I love each and every one of you equally…” She said.

My brother was already at home from school by the time we arrived. We took Mom to her bedroom and prayed earnestly for her. After a week with her, she started losing her mind and say strange things. She could even occasionally forget who I was to her and tell me that she didn’t know me. She was immediately admitted to hospital. She stayed there for a week and then insisted on going home. It was on a Thursday when she arrived home at around 10:30Pm. Along with her was a gas full of oxygen, a wheelchair, medicine and diapers for adults. I freaked out and couldn’t bear any more. She then called us her children to the living room and told us, “You know there will come a time when I won’t be here anymore and when you come home and find that I am not here, just know that I am in another country preaching the word of God” we were all puzzled and when we asked for an explanation, Dad told us not to insist.

A Mass was arranged at home for her and it was going on well when she got another attack. She would talk strangely and call the Priest names. The following Tuesday, my Mom insisted that my elder brother and I go to my grandmother’s place. We received a lot of encouragement and comfort from our cousins there.  On the following Thursday, my Aunt came from visiting Mom and we gave her and grandma a bit of privacy by moving out. We could hear them crying and praying. On the Friday morning that followed, our grandfather took us home with a pastor. My Aunt picked us and after we reached home, she parked the car behind the house.

First, they prayed and I could tell that something was not right. They finally broke the news. Mom had passed on the previous night at around 10:30PM. We cried hysterically. I had never seen my brother cry that much. On going into the house, I met Dad and though he tried to be strong for us, in the end, he broke down too. But we had to be strong for the younger ones. That was also the time that I really came to know and experience God. A friend of mine walked with me throughout the way until my faith increased. Now we are growing in strength after a whole year of missing Mom.

It hurts me that we had so many plans for the future and that people talk happily to me about their Moms where as I have nothing to say other than memories.

WARM THOUGHTS..

We all experience at one time or the other, an "Eloi, Eloi Lama Sabachtani!" moment. Times when we ask God, "why have you forgotten me?' We often do experience also, if we let ourselves, the forgiveness of God or His consolation and warm embrace of encouragement and friendship. This is Rose's experience from the Eloi moment to a better and stronger friendship with Christ. Read the Story of Rose and be inspired as I was inspired too. Keep those comments coming on our Facebook page Joe Ayes or send an email to archdioceseyouthoffice@gmail.com.
Have a wonderful and blessed time.

To all Our readers

What is the story of your heart? What experiences are you going through or have you gone through that you would like to share with the world. Send your story of hope and Courage, your story of Pain and Triumph and we will post it on this Blog for all to read and learn. Check tomorrow for a new story of hope and Courage.

Remember to Check the Old posts at the bottom of this blog in order to know about our programs and other postings.

Have a Great Sunday and an awesome week!!!!

GREETINGS!!

Greetings from the Archdiocesan Youth Educational Services!!! Please send your comments and sharing about our blog and we will deeply appreciate.
We do hope and pray that you are all of great health and enjoying God's blessings

I thought the Lion will serve to remind each of us about the Lion that lies within us, ready to roar and make meaningful its life on this side of the river

AYES

MARY'S STORY OF COURAGE AND HOPE

(The story of Mary in her own words)

The Lord tells us in Jeremiah 29:11; ‘I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘Plans for welfare and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.’ The only thing you have to do is to have faith in God and trust in Him.

I come from a family of four children. I am the first born child. I was the first grandchild in our extended family. It was a real surprise because out of seven children, my dad was the last born. All the other grandchildren from his brothers had all died and when I was born, they told mum that there was no way I would survive. After sometime, I was attacked by a disease that was not easy to treat. My mum almost lost hope thinking that I would definitely die. My dad and my relatives rejected me too. My mum looked for help everywhere and finally God helped her and she was able to find treatment for me.

After nine years, my dad started drinking. We always had chaos in the house when he was around. In the month of December, my mum and dad divorced and left my sibling under my care. We started a hard life without our mum. One day, something terrible happened.

My dad brought six of his co-workers at home. They were all men. This is the day that totally changed my life. It took away all my pride. I was sexually abused by the six men. I really didn’t know what happened next because I lost consciousness. In the morning, not knowing what to do and having no one to tell, I decided to clear the mess while feeling all the pain. After some days, I realized that I had a wound around my private parts and it was really painful. I was having difficulty walking. I decided to tell my Aunt who took me to the hospital for medication. The doctor said that I had contracted an STD. That was very painful for me but my Aunt was able to make sure that I got the best medication without telling my dad.

After this incident, I was unable to accept myself back. I was even unable to associate well with my friends and those around me. I have always blamed my dad for everything that happened to me and I hate him with all my heart. Even though mum came back, I did not have the courage to tell her about the incident. Even after she came back, our house still had a lot of drama.

I couldn’t bear to see my dad abusing and beating up my mum. He would even beat us and throw us out of the house at night. He would some time come and pour the food we had cooked. Bear in mind that for us to find food was a real problem. My dad used to curse me every day and say that I would never succeed in life. My parents would always separate every year almost as a routine and I would be left to take care of my siblings.

After clearing Standard Eight, I passed well and I was admitted to a well performing high school. My dad refused to take care of my schooling and refused even to allow me to go to school. With the help of my mum and uncle, I secured a sponsorship. I am now studying under the sponsorship of a Good Samaritan from Netherlands.

Of late, I have been very sickly. I have Asthma, Ulcers and a bladder infection. My dad refused to pay for my medication and said that I could just be sick and die since all people must die one day. For now, the biggest problem am facing is rejection from my relatives. My dad is very sick and my relatives have rejected my family because they already got what they wanted. I believe that the Lord who cured me and enabled me to pass through all this is the same Lord who is going to cure my father. I do believe and trust that the Lord is still with us. I do still have a lot of difficulty forgiving my father and the men who raped me. I know God is going to help me.

Though we feel rejected, God tells us in John 6:37; ‘I will not reject anyone who comes to me.’ This is a promise by the Lord who is always faithful in all his promises. I give all the glory and honor, praise and worship to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit who has enabled me to pass through all this and to be strong. I earnestly pray for all those who will read this to be blessed in the Mighty and Holy Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Read Psalms: 136:1-3, 121 and 119:145-176

STORIES OF COURAGE AND HOPE

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

I usually go around schools and colleges talking to Young People and sharing with them the skills of facing life and listening to them. Many have come up with their own stories of Courage and hope and sometimes I am overwhelmed by how much pain some have gone through and are still going through and yet, they don't give up. With their permission, I have reprinted their stories of courage while changing their names to conceal their Identity.

The story here is of a student in Secondary school called Mary.  Read her story and send your comments and sharing on face book "Joe Ayes" or even on the Blog.

The Seventh Power...

The Power of a Clean Closet

Ever heard of the saying, 'Skeletons in the Closet or Cupboard?' I am sure you must have. The saying is used to signify a hidden scandal that someone has committed and has kept it hidden from the people and walks around in a mask as if nothing has ever happened. Such skeletons more than once do come alive and either eat you from the inside or someone lets them out and they eat you both from the inside and outside. What if you never had any skeleton? What if you chose to exercise your power of conscience and chose to do the right things however difficult they are and then do those things right? People with a clean or empty closet feel so much power in everything that they do and experience genuine joy and cheerfulness. Clean your closet if it needs to be like Zaccheaus in the Bible. Go for a good confession and exercise the power of a clean closet. You will experience the pure joy of a loved and forgiven child of God.

GREETINGS....

Prayerful Wishes....

The Archdiocesan Youth Educational Services (AYES), takes this time to wish all friends a strong health, powerful spirit and high quality relationships!! May God grant one and all His choicest blessings, as a pledge of Love and Peace...

5th and 6th Powers

5. Power to be Grateful and Optimistic

Cynics and pessimists see an obstacle in every opportunity. Optimists and great people who exercise the power of gratitude see opportunities in every obstacle. They see challenges to prove their worth instead of problems to bring them down. You can choose to count your blessings or wallow in frustration of yearning for what is not yours. Concentrate on being a person of worth, on being more than having more. As Mother Theresa said; you can complain about the darkness or you can light a candle. Learn to see all that God has blessed you with in form of health, family, friends, talents, opportunities and faith plus many others. Enjoy priceless wonders of nature which will cost you nothing like watching the sun set or walking  in the park. Open your eyes and see light or close your eyes and curse the darkness. Exercise your power and reclaim your SELF!

6. Power to Give

Success in not defined by how much you get but by how much you give. At the end of your life, no one will care about how much is in your bank account or what car you drove but how much you changed people's lives for the better. Those who will remember you for your account or your car will most probably be fighting over it; your memories all gone from their minds. Yet you have the capacity to change that. By taking time to uplift others, you actually receive back much more in terms of personal happiness and even material benefits. Selfless service is one of the hall marks of Christian discipleship. Christ never asked us anything that we can't accomplish because He knows we have the to power to do it and that is the only source of our happiness. Learn to share and give to those who are less fortunate and treat people with respect and experience transformation in your life. Enjoy!

INSPIRATION!

As I write the 5th and 6th Powers for Superior Performance which you need to unlock in order to experience pure life, this is my view at the Holy Family Basilica. Pure inspiration and natural beauty! What inspires you?

Awesome....

Beautiful...

Pictures from Fr. Edwin's Graduation day

Youth Welcoming Fr. Hu at St Paul's

Chakula Kiasi tu!

Time to enjoy some food...

CONGRATULATIONS FR. HU!

With his family and friends

Warm Greetings.......

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Wishing you all the very best and God's Choicest Blessings and Consolation on your lives....

7 Powers...Continued

3. Power to Create your Kingdom

It is a power you've got to create your sphere of influence. You don't have to live your life supporting other people's kingdoms, living other people's dreams and goals or living up to other people's expectations.  When you do any of that, you surrender your immense power to create your own unique kingdom. The catch here is to sit for a moment and rediscover your passion. What do you love doing? That is your kingdom. The purpose of life is a life of purpose. Living without a clear mission to accomplish is giving your power away and failing to create the kingdom that God planned for you.

4. The Won't and Will Power

Will you become your best self or will you not? The power is in you to decide. It is not about where you come from, what kind of family you are from or what country you swear allegiance to. It is your decision to rise from your throne of uniqueness and invoke the power vested in you by God and decide where you want the ship of your life to head and make sure it gets there. Will power involves waking up in the morning whether it is cold or not and pursuing your dreams like an angry rhino. Whether it is shaping up your body or doing some challenging job or waking up early when it is chilly outside and the rest of the world is sleeping, it is all about which power you invoke, which muscles you stretch and how far you are willing or not willing to go. To be your best self and experience unimaginable happiness; invoke your WILL POWER!!

7 POWERS FOR SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE

I believe that all humans have unlimited power that God endowed them at the moment of creation. God does not create junk. Each of us is willed and loved by God. As the sons and daughters of the creator of a universe where billions and billions of stars exist, each thousands if not millions of times larger than our own planet, we are simply power-full. The creator loves each of us above and beyond any of these. He did not simply say, 'let there be a man and a woman' NO! He took the time to create. He got 'dirty' if you want to say and put his own breath into the human being. He took time before he created and wanted a creature that looked like him and since God is spirit, then the image must be inside of us where through self awareness, we can bring it out and witness the magnificent power of God working through us. If we get in touch with this spirit of Superior Creativity, then we too shall become brilliant in our fields.

I was giving a talk yesterday to the State House Girls Secondary School and I shared with them the 7 Powers which I believe each human being who has walked or is walking on this lovely and unique planet of our has flowing in his or her life veins. The first two are listed below. The rest are on the way...

1. Power to Create and Re-Create

It is in each one of us to create our own world. The question is, do you believe so? Do you believe that where you come from or whatever circumstances surround you or the physical challenges you have are not excuses for a life of mediocrity? Destiny is choice and not fate.  Emerson said, “What lies behind us and what lies in front of us pales in comparison to what lies within us.” Whatever mistakes may have happened in the past, you have the power to re-create. Don't let your past lie in the future, that is not where it belongs. Winston Churchill said it so well, "Sure I am that this day we are masters of our fate, that the task which has been set before us is not above our strengths; that its pangs and toils are not beyond my endurance. As long as we have faith in our own cause and an unconquerable will to win, victory will not be denied us." Need I say more?

2. Power to Make Your Vision Real

The quality of your life ultimately boils down to the quality of your thoughts. You have the power to vision greatness and make it real in your daily life and you have the power to visualize failure and prove it as you live your days. The beliefs we choose to fill our mind ultimately manifest themselves in our life. The catch is, we have the power to choose our beliefs. We can choose beliefs that elevate us to MasterClass or we can choose those beliefs that leave us frustrated, dissatisfied and empty. What do you choose to believe?

TRUTH-BUILT AND TRUTH BOUND

Today, the AYES team animated the Parochial School with which they share the same building. The focus today was "Knowing Myself, Making Difference." Class 6-8 took part in the one hour session and expressed appreciation for the session.

Winfred Njoki and Penuel Gathecere, the head girl and head boy, described the session saying, 'The session was good, fun and educative."

It is not possible to make a difference in the world if you don't know who you are and are not in control. Self awareness means that one gets to know who he or she is, all the blessings that God has  given him or her and stating what one wants his or her life to stand for, what he or she wants to accomplish and the contribution that he or she will make in the world.

Socrates would say, 'A life not examined is not worth living.' We at AYES can only hope that the Students of Parochial School, Nairobi have taken time to reflect on the lives and are now capable of being masters of their lives.

As one famous pundit said, 'I do not know the formula for success, but I do know the formula for failure; follow the crowd' He who does not know himself or herself, cannot but identify himself or herself with the mindless and thoughtless crowd.