Kukhu (ku-who) – Luhya language for “grandmother”.

We visited three kukhu’s today.  All have been assisted through C4KK Benevolence and Joseck wanted us to visit, see what had happened on the ground and to assist with another jigger treatment.  The poverty which hit me today was like ripping out my heart.  I think I’ve seen a lot but then another scene plays out directly in front of me and there is so very little I can do.  My prayer each morning is someone will see Jesus in what is being done through this ministry.

Grandma Jerita is a sweet soul.  She has malaria and was in bed when we got to her house but she insisted on getting up to visit.  As she entered the sitting room she stopped and began praying.  She expressed her thanks to God for what C4KK Benevolence had done.  We met her granddaughter, Doreen, who is in Form 4 so your prayers for her success are appreciated.  I impressed upon Doreen to take care of her grandmother and to learn the wisdom her old soul has to offer.  Grandma Jerita is 91, bless her soul!

Grandma Jerita’s home received a new roof recently.

We also visited Grandma Eunice.  Eunice has had a stroke (at least that is what the doctors are saying) and basically lays in bed all day.  Her daughter, Beatrice, quit her job in another village to come and look after her mother.  Please keep this family in prayer, Beatrice has three children (one is a baby, another in class 3 and another in Form 2) and is unable to provide for their schooling (we are looking into this situation).

This last kukhu broke my heart.  Ruby is a beautiful ‘young’ lady at 70 years old and her husband, Okemi, is over 80 (they aren’t really sure).  Ruby is unable to walk due to the jigger infestation in her feet.  While Catherine (Joseck’s wife) was cleaning her feet I asked how she went to the bathroom?  Ruby told her (in Luhya) that she would crawl on her hands and knees to just outside their door and go in the bushes.  Okemi also has jiggers.

To get to their home we had to park the truck and cross this bridge….at least the locals call it a bridge.  I was able to finally cross with much coaxing and Chuck in front literally pulling me across.  Then a young child practically skipped across this same bridge, ahh youth!  That is Okemi’s home in the background.Don’t these faces just ooze wisdom and beauty!?
But to see the conditions of their feet and to hear no one in the area would or could help simply broke my heart.  These elders deserve respect and to be taken care of.  While Joseck was assisting Okemi he did a bit of preaching to those standing around, telling them the commandment of honoring our parents.

We are also having a group come to their home and dig a toilet near the rear entrance so Ruby can get to a toilet a bit easier.  Praying the jigger treatment will work, however with such a severe case it will take much time.  We also went to the market and purchased a new mattress, blankets, shoes, clothes and inner ware for both Okemi and Ruby.

That is her toenail. Catherine was able to clip the other toes but we will be returning with a sharper instrument to cut the big toenails.

Chuck spreads insecticide around the home (2 rooms) and could see the jiggers crawling on the floor.

Okemi gets a shave

Those are wasps nests in their sleeping area. We are going back tomorrow with Doom to get rid of them.

To the left is their bed (3×6) of which we bought a new mattress and will deliver tomorrow. To the right is where they cook their meals.

This is where Ruby sits all day until she crawls outside to the bushes to go to the toilet.

Okemi’s foot

They are a beautiful couple and I teased Okemi (through Joseck’s interpretation) he was a handsome man but he had to make sure to tell the young ladies he was Ruby’s!  To which he replied, I’m too old!

After our visits we went into the market to purchase those items we will be delivering tomorrow to Okemi and Ruby.  As we made our way to a parking space Catherine told me to stay in the truck so she wouldn’t be over charged for the items….that’s what comes from having white skin.  But we were able to get many of the items (we’ll get the rest tomorrow) and now the day is coming to an end.

Please remember this ministry in prayer and to become a partner with us allowing us to continue helping more widows, orphans and marginalized please consider starting a monthly donation to C4KK Benevolence.  You can do that easily by visiting our website’s donation page.  Thank you for your assistance and may God bless you.