It was another hot, busy and dusty day, but we thank God for the ability to wake up, breath and serve!
Today the C4KK Outreach team began work on Okemi and Ruby’s new toilet and shower area. We first had to pick up timber, tin sheets and nails for the construction crew (cement, sand and ballast were already on site).
We then delivered everything to the site and the women were a great help…how do they do that!?
Chuck and Joseck just don’t have the knack 🙂
We had purchased a loaf of bread for Ruby (she had requested it yesterday) and who would have thought a simple loaf of bread could put such a sweet smile on a face!? She immediately showed Chuck where to store the bread for later…although once Chuck left the room she got up, gave some bread to Okemi and they had a feast! Yes I said she got up…Ruby is walking!! We praise God for this gift of healing of these two precious souls! Oh and Okemi and Ruby have requested another loaf of bread (done), a pineapple (will do) and some meat (yup, that too will be done tomorrow).
As construction began the realization set in that there wasn’t enough material so we had to make a trip back into town to pick up sand and ballast. Before heading back we picked up lunch for the guys (and ladies).
And as we were traveling back to Okemi’s we drove past a man face down on the side of the street. We weren’t sure if he was dead or alive, but Chuck stopped the truck and he and Joseck got out to check on him.
They found out he had drank so much and simply passed out on the side of the street, all by 11 am. Joseck called the ambulance…now before you say ‘wow, they have an ambulance?’….once Joseck got someone on the line they told him they couldn’t come because they have ‘instructions’, I guess those instructions don’t include actually doing their job. Then they told Joseck to take the man to the hospital….THAT’S WHY WE CALLED AN AMBULANCE. Finally Joseck found out where the man lived and hired a piki-piki (motorbike taxi) to take the man home and drop him there. Joseck told us several people will die simply because they have no way of getting to the hospital….good thing they have an ambulance service (yeah that is total sarcasm!).
I finally got a picture of this house. It’s the only house I’ve seen that has this type of decoration on it. I don’t know the story behind it but I do know there is a cross in the side yard so I’m assuming someone is buried here.
We got the construction material back to the site and construction continued.
To the left is the rear entrance of the house and a pathway is being poured with cement to lead to the new toilet and shower.
Getting the framework ready to pour the foundation of the toilet and shower area
Here’s two of our C4KK Outreach team members, these men work on a volunteer basis (highly unusual around here, as a matter of fact several of the ‘helpers’ expected payment at the end of the day) and are men of God saying they must do this for their fellow man. Please pray they will continue to see God in the works of their hands.
From left-John, Joseck, Albert and Chuck
Normally when we are at a location (and this happens with Joseck too) we will get several people come to the site to ask for assistance, medical care, fix a roof or any other type of help. This man came telling of a swollen leg. We referred him to the doctors we met yesterday and will leave it to Joseck to discern if the man actually does need our assistance or not…sounds harsh but it’s the way we must do things because even those who can take care of themselves will come and say they need help.
Okemi and Ruby got another jigger treatment and their feet are looking good. Okemi told us he and Ruby have been suffering since around 1968 and several times he had wanted to go to the doctors and ask to have his feet amputated. He now says he is being cured! He also said he feels like he’s dreaming and can’t quite come to terms this is actually happening to them. Oh Lord that you may be seen by these two and may they praise Your Name for their healing!
While their feet were being worked on I snapped a quick photo of their bedroom. New mattress, new blankets and a new net. They both said they slept well and their feet are not paining as much…yeah God!
And Ruby was keeping a keen eye on the construction, even while getting her feet worked on.
After Okemi and Ruby were done soaking and they were relaxing waiting for the next step Joseck went out and cleared some more space around the toilet.
Once Okemi’s feet were finished we put his shoes on (reminding him to always wear them!) and Chuck helped him outside to see the construction. Oh what a smile he had!
And I had to leave my mark on the construction site and I pray the Lord blesses not only their home but Okemi and Ruby too, and also all the neighbors who came to see what was happening, may they see Jesus Christ and may He invade their hearts to love their neighbors.
It may be a crass way of ending my posts but I’ll be doing ‘shameless promotions’ of this ministry simply because it’s what God wants me to do. Tell the need and He will move His people to help, and perhaps even those who don’t know Him personally will come to know Him through what is happening through this ministry. Ok, so here’s the link to set up a monthly contribution or one-time donation. Thank you for helping this ministry.