When Words Aren't Enough

In the week since the team returned home from Kenya, I have been asked many times over, "How was it?" I have to be honest with you - that's a really hard question to answer. Not because I don't know the answer but because mere words just inadequate to describe everything I have to say about this trip.

There are no words to describe the million shades of green of the tea fields we pass.

Or what it's like to drive through the hustle and bustle of Chuka Town.

I can show you a picture of Humphrey's smile when he showed us the progress on the technical school, but it just doesn't do the moment justice, standing there with him and beaming at all he has accomplished.

Words fail to describe the joy of being reunited with our sponsor children at Kenya Connection Kids.

And our partners at Tumaini and Huruma.

How could I possibly describe what it sounds like to hear the Kenyan church pray, be it adults or children? Or their praise and worship? There's really nothing I can compare it to that would do it justice.

My point is this - please bear with us when you ask us about the trip. We want to talk about it. Oh do we ever! But sometimes it takes a while to articulate just the right words that will help you understand all the things we saw and smelled and heard and felt there. Longer than the split second we see each other in the hall at church, or the check out line in the grocery store. We'll often give the short reply "awesome," "amazing," "wonderful," because it was. But it was so much more than that. So be patient with us as we try to expand our vocabulary to find the words to tell just how awesome, amazing and wonderful it was. And thank you again, from the bottom of our hearts, for the prayers you wrapped us in while we were there. God heard them and answered every one of them.

Mungu akubariki sana,
Beth

Coming home

We've been shuffling through airports since last night, and between security points and check-ins and moving walkways, our conversations keep turning back to answered prayers.
Every goal, every hope, every fear for this trip has been met by God's faithfulness in a breathtaking way.

Praise, the little boy from the KCK home who's been waiting for surgery to remove a tumor behind his eye, was finally successfully operated on while we here. Emily, who is his sponsor and on our team, got to see him before and after. We were able pray him through the entire process and he's home today and doing great. Praise God!

We had hoped this trip could be more about people than projects, and indeed it was -- in ways that were beyond our planning. We developed new and deeper friendships with ministry partners, children and even alums of Tumaini, who helped fill out for us the full picture of the ministry's impact.

We all had a little fear heading into Kenya this time because of the security situation. While we felt very safe the entire time, our Kenyan brothers and sisters in Christ reminded us that insecurity and increased Christian persecution is the new normal for them, and that it was a profound encouragement that we would come, especially now. We stand for Jesus together as the body if Christ.

So now we are about to board our Atlanta-bound plane here in Amsterdam. As we make this last leg of the journey, please know that the impact of your prayers and support has been felt halfway around the world, in the lives of kids and faithful adults who think of you as family. God is so big, and so is His church. We are in awe.

In Christ,
Abigail

Mungu ni Mwema (God is good)

Beth getting Nancy (manager at Huruma) set up on the laptop we brought her.

Leslie stirs porridge at the primary school. 

Home visit with single father if three Tumaini kids

Jambo! Apologies for not updating the last few days, wifi has been out because of a few power outages, but we're happy to be reconnected after a few days. 

It's hard to summarize the past three days, but here are some highlights. 

Hope at Huruma: We spent all day Thursday here and were thrilled to see huge improvements in the 5 disabled adults who live here. They seemed more engaged and able to interact with us than we've experienced before. We sang, danced, prayed and had heart-to-heart talks with Nancy, the spirit-filled manager of this home. The irrigation system that our 2013 team laid is whirring and watering a garden that is supplying a healthy variety of vegetables to feed the children. A desperately-needed washer/dryer is up and running. There are still many, many physical needs at this home, but the loving care of the Godly staff here is evident in the children and adults who call Huruma home. 

Home visits: The team packed into the back of the small Tumaini van, along with three board members and four Tumaini kids, who took us to visit their homes. It was humbling to see where these children call home, and meet the parents and guardians who aren't able to  care for them without the help of Tumaini. We learned that mental illness is a common root cause of the vulnerability that leads to kids needing to be rescued by the ministry. It was an honor to get to visit briefly with each of these families, share God's love for them and pray over them as a team. 

Friday night worship/Saturday devotions: Tumaini is a place that worships--constantly. Student-led worship happens every Friday night and Saturday morning, and it is a foretaste of heaven. It's impossible to  describe the beauty of their voices singing praises, or the vibrating hum of their simultaneous prayers rising to the rafters in the dining hall. As always, it is the highlight of our time here. 

Time with the kids: Today Leanne preached on the Fruits of the Spirit, and we shared lots of games and a some creative time with pipe cleaners. We also interviewed and photographed ALL 130 kids. An awesome but tiring day. 

Tomorrow is our final ministry day. We will worship first at the church next door to Tumaini, and then go to Huruma to lead worship, and interview/photograph the 70 kids there during the afternoon.

We have felt all the prayers! God has shown us so much, has been so gracious, and has grown us closer to him, to our partners here and to each other. Our hearts our full. 

Bwana Asifewe! (Praise The Lord!)

Abigail 

Thursday morning

Good morning from Tumaini. We're beginning our second full day here today.
We'll be delivering the laptops and tablets to the computer training center today. Anne Wandimi it us up to date yesterday on the progress of the computer program and how they have launched a successful mobile computer training course, where they bring computers to two sites at churches in the community, and offer inexpensive two-week classes to people who could not afford to come to the full course here at the home. Until now they've been transporting large desktop computers back and forth each day of the classes, if you can imagine! When I told her we have brought 6 laptops and 4 tablets for them, she was overjoyed.
God is certainly using Anne and the computer training program to bring light and hope for a future, not just to the kids at the home but for an entire community. Thanks to all who donated laptops and tablets!

More Connections

We headed out early this morning to make the 1+ hour drive to Tharaka for Connection Day. When we were here two years ago, the guardians at Tharaka greeted us with singing. We were hopeful that experience would be repeated and we were not disappointed! They were waiting and sang to us as we made our way to the shade of the tree where Connection Day is held.

After opening with prayer and formalities, the fun was underway! Leanne did another fantastic job talking with the kids about the fruit of the spirit. Notice I didn't say teach because these kids ... they already know about the fruit of the spirit. We sang the Fruit of the Spirit song for them, and they laughed at our singing. Can't say I blame them! After hearing the singing voices of so many of our Kenyan brothers and sisters so far already on this trip, we really pale in comparison! The kids in Tharaka did the same tote bag craft we did in Kirubia.  Again, such a privilege to be able to provide the children with a token of thanks to give their guardians. After the craft were games - which wore the team out but not the kids! It is such a joy to watch Julie run the games for the kids. I don't know who has bigger smiles - the kids or Julie!

Emily and Leslie handed out sponsor gifts, which is always such a treat for the team. Then the children lined up to present gifts to their sponsors for us to bring home. How humbling it is to be given gifts from the children that we're supposed to be helping. It's a beautiful example of the Kenyan hospitality we experience while we're here.

After we left Tharaka, we went with Humphrey to check on the progress of the technical school. The slab of concrete we saw two years ago now is a three-room (and huge rooms at that) school with walls and a roof. Such amazing progress! There is still much work to be done but God has been with Humphrey and his team every step of the way on this journey, and we know God will continue to provide the resources to see this work completed.

Today was a gift, start to finish. We will be wrapping up our time here at KCK in the next hour or so. While we are very sad to say kwaheri to our friends and the children here, we are excited to be our way to Tumaini and Huruma tomorrow. It has been an honor to serve along side Humphrey and his staff the past three days. They are doing the most incredible things here in Kenya to serve Christ through the ministry to the children. It is an understatement to say the team feels blessed to be a part of it. We are so excited to see what comes next for Kenya Connection Kids. Bwana asifewe!

In Christ,
Beth

P.S. Praise has been admitted to the hospital and it appears that surgery is definitely on for Wednesday.  Please lift Praise up in prayer, as well as Humphrey, Pauline, and Praise's doctors.

Making connections

Greetings from Chuka! We arrived here late Friday evening after a busy morning in Nairobi, visiting with some Tumaini alums, buying supplies and beginning a 4 hour ride north. Emily's bag made it thanks to our terrific driver Geoffrey who fought Nairobi traffic to get it at the airport early Friday morning.

Our travel has been uneventful except for a flat tire in the rice mill town of Mwea, halfway between Nairobi and Chuka.  Once again, Geoffrey and David (our other driver) took excellent care of us and we were back on our way.

 We pulled through the gates of Kenya Connection Children's Home to the smiling faces of the 28 kids who live here, along with their amazing caregivers. It was a short but sweet reunion before we headed on to Thuchi Lodge, which is our home away from home until Tuesday.

Yesterday (Saturday) was our first full ministry day, which included a Connection Day program for 70 children and their guardians in Kirubia. Leanne led a terrific lesson on the Fruits of the Spirit and we helped the kids create decorated tote bags to give as a gift to their guardians. It was touching to see the kids get to experience the joy of giving for themselves, and even better to see how much the guardians loved it. We delivered gifts from many of you here, took pictures of your kids receiving them, and chatted with the kids about you and your families.  It's an incredible honor to be this bridge between you and your sponsored child.

In the afternoon we held the same program with the kids at the home and delivered gifts to them as well.  We ate dinner outside with everyone under the moon (and a few swooping bats) and headed home to Thuchi bone-tired but hearts full.

We worshipped this morning at Kiereni Church PCEA, where Humphrey is an elder, and where we've worshipped before. The four elders on our team helped plan worship and serve communion.   It's a joy to be introduced to the congregation not as visitors anymore but as friends. Leslie and Emily were liturgists and we heard an excellent sermon by Pastor Wilfred on "Arise and Rebuild" based on Nehemiah 2.  I'm pretty sure they cut short the service for our benefit -- it was only three hours this time (after an hour of worship planning in the vestry of course).

Right now the rest of the team is helping the kids in the home write notes to their sponsors (many of you!).

Tomorrow we head to Tharaka -- a very dry rural region east of here -- where we will hold another Connection Day for the field kids there. 

Thank you for your many prayers, which we've felt every step of the way. We have seen God's graces and interventions, and are being knit together as a team and with our ministry and church partners here in a tangible way. Mungo ni mwema (God is good).

In Christ,
Abigail

Good morning from Kenya!

We are here safe and sound after a smooth flight yesterday through Amsterdam. Emily's bag didn't make it all the way to Nairobi, but should be delivered today (you can pray!).
We're headed now to meet Grace, a Tumaini alum who is studying Community Development here in Nairobi. It'll be great to share breakfast with her here at the hotel along with two other Tumaini grads -- Peris and Peter (from Huruma). What a privilege to get to see how God has worked in their lives over the years. More on that later.

Thanks for a warm send off and all the prayers. We are grateful for each one of you!

In Christ,
Abigail

Kwaheri!

We’ve all had those times in our lives when we can look back and see exactly how God has been working in our lives to get us to this moment. Through the lens of hindsight, we can see with almost absolute clarity the path He set for us. It’s amazing and humbling all at once.

For me, just hours from our departure for Kenya, I can clearly see the path God laid down to get us to this moment. There were so many reasons why a mission trip to Kenya wasn’t going to happen in 2015.

Too close to the last trip to undertake the lengthy preparation process, not enough people on the team, no men on the team, Ebola.

But God stepped in and said, “I got this.”

He showed us how six (and later, seven) women could be an effective mission team, that it will make deeper personal connections with the children and our partners possible. We watched as the Ebola tragedy ran its course in West Africa without ever coming near Kenya. Most importantly, we’ve watched our church pour out their support for the 2015 Kenya Mission Team.

Eastminster, you put coins in the buckets of Sonflower Sisters. You came out in droves to cook and eat chili, and give generously to the team’s fund for supplies. You brought us laptops, cameras and tablets to take with us. You’ve loaded us up with gifts for the children so many of you sponsor through KCK. And we know that every minute we’re in Kenya, you will be praying for us. It’s so encouraging to know that the love and prayers of our sending church surrounds us every step of the way. And we pray that our time there will be an encouragement to all of you, as well.

Rest easy that it's our merciful, mighty, and gracious Father that goes before us, goes with us, and stands behind us. Kwaheri! See you in two weeks!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

We're headed back!

It's been two years already? 

There are seven very excited missionaries counting down the days to our next trip back to Kenya, to serve at Tumaini, Huruma and Kenya Connection Kids children's homes.

16 days. That's the count.

We hope you'll go with us again through this blog.  These trips don't happen without a whole slew of senders and pray-ers backing us up.  Please pray for safe travel, smooth logistics, open hearts and eyes -- for the team and for those we're going to serve.  We know Jesus goes ahead of us. 


Abigail

What do we do now?

It's a question we've all been asking ourselves, in different ways, since we arrived back on US soil.  What do we do now?  

What do we do with our thousands of uploaded pictures?

What do we do with the sweet voices in our heads, songs we heard sung to the Lord in dawnlit stairwells?

What do we do with the memory of the smell of a slum?

What do we do with our redefinitions?:  Poor isn't what we thought poor was.  And neither is rich. 

What do we do with handwritten notes from an orphan, who tells you she loves you and asks, please come back?  (Mine are still on my kitchen counter, in a little pile, competing for attention with school papers, and bills, and Liam's latest fingerpainting, and unread books).

And then there's the other question ... from all of you.  How was Kenya?  How do we answer that?

Please forgive us if we're doing a poor job.  If we can only stutter something paltry and short like, "Amazing" or  "Powerful."  Or even, "I'm not ready to talk about it." God bless you all for wanting the details.  And man, do we have details!  But they're just too many to choke through a five-second funnel, and trying to seems like an injustice.  But we will want to share — need to share — so please keep asking.  It's just that the stories may bubble up unexpectedly as we readjust.  We may suddenly need to tell you all about little Valentine and her hilarious telephone song, or the way to tell the difference between the 6 Marys at Tumaini.  And we may cry doing it. 

And then, one last thing.  I have a question for you:  Would you join us? 

Most, if not all, of our team now either sponsors a child through Kenya Connection or are monthly donors to Tumaini and Huruma Children's Homes.  Some were already sponsors before the trip.  Others committed to becoming monthly supporters upon seeing the power of these ministries in person — and meeting face to face the souls who have been rescued forever because of them.  Would you join us?

Would you join us in helping Grace and the other amazing kids at Tumaini? 

(That's Grace there with Lillian, who lost her parents just a few months back.  Grace has taken Lillian under her wing and they are nearly always together...)

Or would you join us in being a Kenya Connection sponsor to support one of the kids like these, who receive schooling and monthly support through the field program in Kirubia:

If your answer is 'Yes,' please post your name in the comment section and we promise to set you up. 

And we also promise it will be the best $40 a month you could ever spend.  You will never, ever regret it.

Yours in Christ,
Abigail

Some final thoughts

Here are a couple of post-mission trip observations from one or the more experienced members of the team.

In several cases, the ladies on our team were moved to tears by what they saw, heard and experienced on the trip (ok, a couple of guys got sort of choked up a couple of times too).  My prayer is that everyone at Eastminster would shed a tear for the poor, defenseless and needy in our world.  There is so much suffering and so many people who need our help.  We can never be insensitive to these needs.

The children who live in the orphanages we visited are truly blessed and happy.  They have been removed from the tragic environments they were in and now have a safe, supportive and Christian setting in which to grow.  I was privileged one Sunday afternoon to be invited (they begged) by some of the young ladies from Tumaini to go to the secondary school to hear them sing.  I was not sure what I was going to experience, but it turned out to be a 48 voice, a capella choir lead by a coach with an operatic voice.  When they started to sing, I thought I was in a magnificent European cathedral.  But the point is that the singers came from all the school area and the Tumaini kids fit right in.  They were not second class members of the school or the choir.  Because of Tumaini, they are living “normal” lives.  Thanks to the support of Eastminster and many other congregations, the Riamukurwe Presbytery has been able to provide a place for these children.  Praise God for the actions of the Presbytery and for the love and support they have received.  The money and supplies we are able to provide them is vital, and the love we are able to bring them every couple of years confirms the love of Jesus to the leaders and to the children.  

Babu Tom

Post Mission Trip Ponderings

This blog post written by Beth Hartt

“But Mary treasured up these things, pondering them in her heart.” – Luke 2:19

Upon hearing what the shepherds were saying, Mary gathered their words in her heart to save and reflect upon.  I’m feeling a lot like Mary these days, treasuring up my memories from the mission trip like precious gems, so I can hold on tight and ponder them as time moves forward.  I don’t want to forget a single thing about Kenya.  I don’t want to forget one face, one name, one walk to school, one hug, one song, one tear, one laugh, one study hall, one team meal, one team meeting, one road trip, one prayer – I want to treasure it all.

Now the mission work begins at home.  Please don’t stop praying for the team as we work through everything we’ve seen and heard and experienced, and try to communicate it to everyone here at home.  Pray that the light and love of Jesus Christ shines through us as we adjust back to life at home.  Pray that God gives us adequate words to tell you about Kenya, about the children, and about the orphanages.  Pray that we can convey to you the hope that Christ brings those kids through the work of Humphrey at Chuka, and the board at Tumaini and Huruma.  Pray that we can stoke the fires of your heart, like ours have been, to help in whatever way you can to continue the work of God’s kingdom that is being done in Kenya.  And pray for the children; pray for those precious gifts from God that are thriving in the orphanages at Chuka, Tumaini, and Huruma, having been saved from circumstances that we can’t even begin to fathom.  Pray that they never take their eyes off the hope and light of the world, Jesus Christ.  Mungu Akubariki!

Opening Huruma's new irrigation lines

A video glimpse of the inaugural filling of the new irrigation tanks at Huruma Children's Home. The new irrigation system will allow the home to grow its own vegetables and even sell some for profit. Isaiah 43:19

Kwaheri Kenya

Just returned to bustling Nairobi from a peaceful, two-night safari in Masai Mara, aka Eden! We now are repacking and tonight will board a red-eye to London, followed by an afternoon flight back to ATL. Our bodies are tired, hearts are full and we are ready to hug our loved ones. God is good, all the time ... All the time, God us good.

Bwana Asifiwe! (Praise the Lord!)

Goodbyes and Grace

(Submitted by Abigail McConnell.)

As the days pass here at Tumaini, we feel a growing sadness about the thought of saying goodbye to kids we've spent the last week with.  We've gone from exchanging shy smiles to sharing tight hugs, deep laughter, long talks.  Our time with the children here is less about a Program, and more about doing life together for a little while.  The day usually begins with a misty sunrise walk to school -- a 'date' sometimes arranged the night before in the study room -- and which often includes them walking us back to the gate again, just for a few more moments of talking.  Primary kids come home earlier in the afternoon, around 3:30 or 4.  Secondary kids go until 5:20.  Then there are chores, followed by their supper.  Late nights are spent in two large study rooms until 9 or 10, where we join in to help with math, or writing, or just some one-on-one time. 

As the days pass here, we've seen the Holy Spirit knit together special bonds.  Each one of us seems to have heart-connected with at least one child, many with more than that. Letters are starting to be exchanged (on what little paper the children have available to them).  And again and again, we're asked, when are you leaving?  Do you have to?

Many of you know that I have had a friendship with a girl here named Grace for a long time.  I first met her in 2008, during our very first visit to Tumaini.  This is now our third time here, and I've gotten to watch Grace grow from a sad 14-year-old to a wise young woman of God.  In fact, she is the one who delivered the sermon at Friday Night Fellowship that Mark wrote about in the last blog.  

On Thursday, after being here less than two days, children had already begun asking about when we have to leave.  "In five days? So soon?  Why not stay five weeks?  Or for a few months!" they said.  So later that night, as I sat in the dorm stairwell with Grace, I asked her, "Grace, do you really think it's good for us to come?  Is it worth us being here, if the thought of our leaving again makes everyone sad?"  This is what she told me: "Yes, we are sad to see you go.  But what we have learned is that God is faithful, and that He does not forget about us.  We know that sometimes God comes to us in the form of people.  We know it is actually God Himself who has come to us through you."  

So today is two things. 

One, it's our last day at Tumaini. Just after we walk the kids to school very early tomorrow morning, we'll say goodbye, and we'll pack up our vans, and we'll leave this home.

 And two, it's Grace's birthday.  She has had 6 birthdays here in Tumaini, and, because she is in Form 4 (a senior), it will be her last.  I don't know what she'll do next -- she hopes to be a lawyer, or a child advocate or an evangelist, if her grades allow.  But what I do know is that God is faithful, that He will not forget about her.  And that He will continue to come to other people in the form of Grace. 

Prayers of Thanks

Prayers of Thanks

Last night we joined the children in their large hall for a "Talent Show". However, it was more of a worship time than anything else. Joyous singing and dancing by all the children greeted us as we joined into the crowd of children from many tribes and even nations but of one mind and heart for God. I asked an older girl for translations as each group came on stage to do their song\dance.  The first song was about how excellent God is, Margaret said.  Group after group came up and they were all songs of faith. One particularly moving moment was when a single young boy stood on stage and sang "You Raise me Up" and the audience joined in.  Actually, all the children joined in for every song. However, they sometimes did not always understand the language of a different tribe or if they were Somalian.  The Somalian children knew how to sing the words, but even they have forgotten the meanings since they have been away from their families so long. The children are taught English and Swahili as the national Kenyan languages. This makes the mission trip much more enjoyable by being able to communicate with adults and children. Our team did our VBS song for the children on the stage too. Part of the night was a prayer of thanks by the children. All of them put their heads on the tables and grasped their hands in prayer. So, as I am praying, I noticed a murmur growing through the hall filling it with their thank you's to God. A older child finished with a corporate prayer of appreciation of all that God does for us.
My take from this is that no matter what our condition and circumstances, we can give thanks to God. The children and adults we meet say "God is good all the time. All the time, God is good." Reminding themselves that even in hard times, God is in control and good...all the time. Not just in the good times.
An older child (Grace) stood up and gave a sermon on Ruth and how the Word described in the bible is a lamp for our path, a mirror to show what we are, and a sword to remove what is wrong in our lives. The night ended with different children standing up and providing a favorite scripture and what it means.  God is indeed Good all the time and these children help me remember to always give thanks... always.  God bless you back home, we love and miss you all very much.
Mungu Aku Bariki  "God Bless You"
Mark Shreiner June 8,2013
Today we will do VBS for Tumaini and Huruma children

Friday, June 7, 2013

James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

There are not sufficient words to describe our experience at Huruma today.  We were able to complete the water line project as well as paint the children's dining hall!  Halleuliah! 

When we arrived this morning, we divided into two groups to finish our projects.  Some of us went to shovel the dirt back into the trenches that we dug yesterday, and the  rest of us began to paint.  Those of us who were shoveling heard a great commotion coming from the dining hall.  It seems that the resident rat was disturbed from his nest high in the rafters. As he fell to the floor, all the Presbyterian painters jumped up on the tables!  Unfortunately, the rat was not able to escape without losing his life.  It was for the common good.

Our farewell this afternoon from Huruma was very touching.  The daughter of Nancy, the director at Huruma, made purses for all us ladies.  Grace, the daughter, is starting a purse making business.  She gave us all the purses she had made so far, her first fruits, as a "thank you" for helping the orphanage.  It was such an humbling experience.  There wasn't a dry eye in the room.  They love us so much!

Tonight, we will be worshipping after dinner with the children at Tumaini.  This is going to be an amazing experience.  The children sing, present skits they have written, read scripture, and some will offer a short sermon, and there will be much praying.  We can hardly wait.

We continue to feel the power of your prayers.  Thanks so much for all of your support, and we can hardly wait to share our trip with you!

Blog written by Cathy DuBose

What a day-Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Wow, what a day!!!!  We woke up around 5:30 to the sound of crowing roosters and children talking, laughing, and getting ready for school.  Those of us that had water, some hot and some cold, took showers, but some of us did not have any water.  We gathered at the front of the Home around 6:15 to walk the older kids to Secondary School (our High School).  During this walk to school, you really get to learn about the kids and their lives.  The stories are heart breaking.  These young people have experienced a lot of sadness and loss in their young lives, but they all have such a strong relationship with the Lord and the belief that God has a plan and purpose for their lives.  It is truly amazing.  After leaving the Secondary School, we came back to the Home and walked the kids to the Primary School (our elementary school).  When we got to the school, the kids mobbed us.  They just wanted to have contact with us.  Some were very shy, but some were outgoing and willing to talk to us.  They were so excited to have us there and they wanted to show us their classrooms.  When school started, we had to leave and begin our day.

We met for breakfast at 7:30 and afterwards, we had devotions led by the Parish Minister, Reverend Patrick.  He leads 8 Churches-can you imagine?  We then went on a tour of the Secondary School and the Primary School.  Both schools have seen some improvements over the past 2 years, but there is still so much the schools need.  At both schools, you could tell how the kids were so serious about education.  At the Secondary School, there was a new computer lab.  They also has a home economics class, that both girls and boys take.  Interestingly, the school has a agricultural class and the students are given a little plot of land on the school and are required to come up with a plan for what crops to plant, raise the crops, and then write a paper about it.  Both girls and boys take this class too.  The school has over 400 students, but only about 9 classrooms with wooden desks and black boards.  The Primary School has even more students, with  about 12 or 13 classrooms.  In the first grade class, there were 56 students and one teacher!!  The teacher  sharpened the pencils with a razor blade.  The amazing thing is that these students would sit still in class and none of them were disruptive or disrespectful in any way.  The Principal of the Primary School told us that he had recently given out 50 pairs of shoes to students.  He showed us the list of who got the shoes and believe it or not, the shoes were TOMS!!  Isn't it wonderful to know that shoes actually go to children in need.  Go buy some TOMS-these kids need shoes!!!

After the school tours, we toured the Tumaini facility.  Here the children are housed in dorm style rooms with bunk beds in each room and a bathroom down the hall.  There is tailor shop, where Beatrice makes the school uniforms and other things are made and sold.  The money goes to the Home.  The Home has a garden for food and cows for milk.  Recently, the Home partnered with Africian Presbyterian University to establish an E-Learning Center so students can take their college classes here and the Home recieves compensation for the use of the facilities.  It is a win/win for everyone.

When the tours ended, we ate lunch and then started our work project, which consisted of clearing an area in front of the Church, which is part of the Home, so a cement wall could be built.  We did a lot of shoveling of dirt and clearing of plants.  Before we started to work, Alice, who was in charge of the project, said a prayer.  She said that you have to pray before you work.  After we finished the job, we spent time with the children as they returned home from school.  The young ones get home around 4:00 and the older ones get home around 5:15.  We played games, talked, etc.  Of course, the children have assigned chores and they must complete those chores before they can play and all chores must be completed before they can eat their supper, which is usually between 6:30 and 7:00. We had a lot of fun spending time with the kids.  We then ate dinner and afterwards, met for group time.  When group time was over, some of us went to help the students in study hall.  At 9:00 study hall closes and the children must go to bed.  For those who did not get to take a shower, it was shower time, hopefully, with hot water, and then off to bed.  The next day will start again around 5:30 when the rooster crows and the children start moving about.   We will be going to the Heruma Children's Home tomorrow.  Please continue to pray that we will be a blessing to these children and will accomplish whatever God has planned for us.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Today is our last day in Chuka.  We are meeting more field children at Kirubia for a morning of VBS, crafts and recreation time.  Some of these children and their guardians walked more than 1 hour to get to Kirubia.  We had a great day with the children.  It was great seeing them smiling and hearing their laughter when we played the "over and under" game with a beach ball and when we played the "sitting game" and we all fell over on the ground.  The laughter of these children is music to your ears.  After our time with the children, they received their bag of food that will last them for 3 months.  They were truly grateful for the food.

We left Chuka and headed to Tumaini.  We went around Mount Kenya and stopped at Spinners and Weavers, a place established to help battered women.  Basically, the women are taught spinning and weaving skills so that they can better their lives.  It was amazing watching these women spin the yarn, dye it, and then weave the yarn into beautiful scarves, rugs, shawls, place mats, sweaters, etc.  We got to shop and boy, did we buy!!!  After leaving Spinners and Weavers, we crossed the Equator.  Group picture time there.  An hour later, we finally made it to The Tumaini Children's Home.  It was late when we arrived and supper was ready for us, so we did not get to spend a lot of time with the children.  However, we knew that tomorrow would be a big day with them.  We have the opportunity to walk to school with them, but have to get up early because they leave for school around 6:15 to 6:30.  Hopefully, we will get a good nights rest......

Connection day at Tharaka

Gathering with 30 sponsored children and guardians in rural Tharaka on Monday. Many kids walked 1-2 hours to join us.