God is good! All the time!

Partners in Christ –

As is read my last post it was very evident that I only had about 8 hours sleep in the the last 48 hours. I have proof read this post and hopefully it is better.

We have been blessed beyond measure. Every time we travel outside the United States we am reminded that we are so spoiled. We are given so much, always want more and often waste what we are given.

The Kenyan people are very friendly and helpful. It is amazing that the Kenyan children, and almost any other children that live in constant poverty, are so happy with absolutely nothing. They are content with the most basic of games or toys (sticks and rocks). They will play for hours without complaint and without thinking that there is something else better to do. The children almost always have smiles on their faces and are longing to be loved. With 102 children and only 15 adults to give time and emotion, there is a huge need for hugs, kisses and loving words. Each morning there is a mob of children grabbing our legs, pulling our clothes, reaching up saying, “Beba, beba.” Translated means, “hold me, hold me!” Of course to me they say, “Beba Babu, beba Babu!” Which means, “Hold me Grandpa, hold me Grandpa!” I guess the grey hair as earned me that name of respect (haha).

Each morning the children wake up by 6:00 am and are given or take baths. By 7:00 am about 90 children are seated at the table waiting to eat. The other 12 or so help pass out the plates of food. Generally a few slices of bread with a little jam and a cup of uji (porridge made of ground milo, sugar and water). By 8:00 am all children have eaten and are brushing their teeth and cleaning up the MESS! It is a mess. If you can imagine 16 babies in high chairs, another 50 that are under the age of 5 and another 10 or so that are infants requiring to be fed. By 8:30 the school age children are in class and all the others are outside playing. This continues until 12:00, lunchtime. The eating arrangement from breakfast is repeated and naptime follows for all the non school age kids. The older students have free time for one hour and then return to school. School ends at 3:00 and the soccer games, tag, playing on the swing sets begin. This is the time that we have a lot of interaction with the older children. sSupper (dinner) is served at 6:00 pm. Almost all meals include either rice or some kind of corn meal. Most of the vegetables are grown on their own farm. Squash, beans, green beans, greens, and many other that I am not sure what they are, but with a little salt, it makes a meal. By the time supper is over it is dark and it is bedtime, alleluia! The children are exhausted and the adults are too. We are staying at the “home”. The rooms are comfortable, no AC no fans. It does get cool in the evenings.

Jacob, my brother Mark and I have worked on a few projects. We re-screened the baby’s room. It is a small room that the infants stay in while all the other children are outside playing. The previous screens did not keep any of the insects out. We organized and repaired one of the storerooms, dug potatoes, and we are going to pour a slab that will be used for a generator that was donated. Christa and Madison have spent the bulk of each day helping with the children that are not in school; holding babies, coloring, and singing songs. Katelyn is in the classroom helping the teacher and helping the students with their lessons. She is a natural teacher. Josh has been giving water to any of the surrounding people that come to receive clean drinking water. The water well that is owned by the home is very strong and has been tested and is excellent drinking water. There are approximately 200 people that come daily to get water from Rehema In-Step Children’s home.

Please continue to pray for our group. Mark has been diagnosed with Malaria and is not feeling well. Katelyn has not felt well, but we believe the travel and time change is the cause. All else is going good. We feel at home here and know that God is using us to love the children.

In Him - CCJMKJ