A Kenyan Birthday- June 3, 2013

Blog written by Leanne Chesser

What a blessed and wonderful way to spend a 24^th birthday!

After a peaceful nights rest and some more eggs and sausage for breakfast, we started on our journey to visit the “field children” in the town of Tharaka which is the poorest area in Kenya. As we drove, you could tell the vegetation was changing, it was becoming drier and drier the further we drove out. During this hour drive, we drove by Kenyans picking tea leaves from these green, luscious bushes on the sides on the mountains. We arrived at the school house field where we were meeting the children. As we walked down the tall grassy land behind the school, the children were singing and their guardians were up dancing and doing this amazing trill sound! “We are as happy as receiving a calf" said the women! Once introductions were made we went straight into story time, crafts, and recreation. These children lit up at the sight of their pencil bags filled with supplies. They especially loved the cross necklace in which we put on their necks expressing that Jesus loves them! How great is it that though miles apart and such different cultures that we still pray and worship God and except Jesus as our Lord and Savior?

Once we finished with the VBS portion of the day, we handed out bags of food for the children and their guardians in which they only receive every 3 months. Could you imagine only receiving food for you and your family every 3 months? After the food was given to every child, all the children gave their sponsors a hand-made gift. These gifts consisted of hand-woven bags, a horn, a walking stick, and other various items. This completed our time with the children and we were off to have lunch in the school house. Before doing so, we were given a tour of the primary school. This school house contained only a few classrooms and these rooms only had a chalk board and wooden, benched desks. There were no windows, there was no electricity, and the materials they were using had been handed down. This was a difficult thing to take in for the teachers in the group. Before we left for our ride back, we used an outhouse in which we had to go in a hole…yes a hole! We are no longer in Marietta, GA!  

We ended our day at The KCK house in which we had to say our tearful goodbyes. These were not sad tears for we know we will see each other again someday and that the Lord has blessed us with this wonderful time together. This was also a joyful time for which some of our team members were introduced to the children they were called by God to sponsor during this trip. Before we went back to Thuchi Lodge, Humphry had us stop at his home. As we walked into his backyard, he presented us with a beautiful gift…each members name painted on a rock! This was so special as we already feel that we will be leaving a piece of us here in Kenya with all the children and their caregivers but now we can truly say we have a piece of us in Kenya! We headed back for our Kenyan meal and group time to collect our thoughts on the day. God is doing amazing things with each of the team members and the children here in Kenya. Keep us in your prayers continually!  Bwana Asifewe!