Sweet water!

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It’s one thing for me and Chuck to be out of water (I complain but we get by), but when the kids are without water it’s a major issue.  29 kids bathing, washing clothes, cleaning dishes, mopping floors, etc. makes for a difficult time.  Recently the pump went down and was no longer working but we were thankful at least we have a well and they could crank up water by the bucketfuls (and hey with all those kids it can be done!)

We were able to head into Nairobi recently and purchase another pump and this one is heavy duty and can really pump the water!

Bosco heads down into the well to arrange pipes, lower the pump and tie off the electrical.

When something new comes along seems everyone wants to be involved in the action!

Lowering the pump.

“Drilling” a hole in the wall to pass the electrical through.

Sorry but I wasn’t around for the initial pumping but Chuck said it was a gusher!  They were able to fill a 4000 liter tank in one hour!

Next the 10,000 liter tank was delivered in preparation for the tank stand (still waiting on this) to be delivered than we will need to find a crane to get this bad boy up 20 feet!  After the tank is situated and piped (it will be filled via the new pump) then it’s time to pipe the water directly into the home!  This will be a first for many of these kids (and adults!).  If you are interested in being a part of this water system please visit our website to donate towards this project.

Knowing the Lord has blessed the kids with water on site at the home is a relief….they don’t have to rely on someone else to pump water or pay for water or haul it home.  Thank you Father for bestowing this good gift!

Edward’s story

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Let me begin this story back in April 2011.  Edward was suddenly dropped off at a children’s home.  A sad beginning but exactly how Edward’s story with us begins.  Saved By God’s Grace was working with this home  (at that time we were just beginning to see the corruption there).  The owner left them there with no food, no firewood, didn’t send them to school and took the pump they used to get water (among other atrocities).  Saved By God’s Grace was able to help feed them, get them into school and other basic items but none of us realized the plan God had for these children.  Now most of these same kids are living at Caring For Kenya’s Kids (C4KK) Children’s Home…praise God!

Now back to Edward.  Edward was dropped into this home where he knew no one, but the children accepted him readily and made him feel welcome.

Fast forward to May 2012.  C4KK Children’s Home is up and running with 28 children living there.  The corrupt home was shut down and as mentioned earlier, many of those kids are now living at C4KK and they are thriving….eating regularly, going to school, not worrying if they’ll have water, knowing the bed they sleep in will be theirs…they will not be kicked out of the home (that was actually a threat used by the owner of the other home).  Before the children were able to come and live at C4KK the guardians were required to bring necessary paperwork in order to satisfy government regulations and yesterday, Friday, Edward came with all his paperwork!

I wish the story was simply that happy…but seeing Edward so scared, lonely and unsure of what was happening to him once again was sad.  I also admit I was a bit angry.  Let me try to explain what happened while talking with the pastor who brought him.  First odd thing was “David” was listed on the birth certificate as Edward’s father and we also had a copy of his ID but we were told “David” was actually Edward’s uncle because the father did not have an ID…I found that rather odd as many times we see xxxx in place of the fathers name in these situations.  Then as Peter, our social worker, began talking with Edward he said the person on the ID was his brother.  Now I was really confused…is the person listed really the father and they told the boy it was his brother or what?  So that in itself made me angry, but then when I asked why no one in this boys family could take care of him I was told the father (whoever he is) is an alcoholic, the elder brother (or perhaps one in the same as the father) was also drinking, the elder sister left for Nairobi and no one has heard from her.  The next three (primary school age) are living with neighbors near Edward’s home village and Edward is the baby of the family.  So it seemed to me Edward was a throw away kid to this extended family (the pastor told us Edward had been living with him along with several other children).  But no matter how angry the situation makes me I am so very thankful Edward is now home with us at C4KK!

As soon as Edward arrived he was given some food. He didn't eat quickly but he sure did take big spoonfuls and finished it all!

These are the meager belongings Edward came with: 5 shirts, the clothes on his back (all of which were very dirty) and a pair of sandals.

Edward will be nine years old in September and has never been to school, therefore he speaks mainly his mother tongue.  Luckily….actually I don’t put anything to luck, it’s all God,  some of the kids also know this language.  Monday Edward will be taken to school to see which class he will enter and begin his education!  But for now the kids are accepting him as if he was never gone!  They got him water for a bath (not sure when he bathed last), clean clothes and started playing games with him.

Before all the kids arrived from school, I gave Edward some dinosaurs to play with and with the language barrier we simply lined up the dinosaurs!

Edward is now in our Sponsorship Gallery and waiting for a sponsor.  If you are interested please visit the gallery to find out how to begin.

Edward’s first few years of life may have been difficult and confusing for him but he is now where he will be loved, cared for, fed, given medical attention, go to school, have friends and family around who care about him and be told of the love of Christ (both through words and actions).

Feeling aged! (part II)

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You can read part I if you missed it.

This now brings us to Monday.  The plan was to go to C4KK, pick up Erastus and Moses, take them to Tala for a few school supplies then drop them at their new school.  We made it to C4KK, along with a chicken Bosco’s sister gave us on Saturday (I’m not a big live chicken fan, I prefer mine cooked and on a plate, so Bosco “chicken-sat” until we could bring it up to C4KK)

But upon looking around the compound we found a disturbing sight.  The guys who off loaded stone on Saturday did off load but they put it right on top of our barbed wire fence.  All I could think about was all the hard work our friends, Rod and Bobbie and Bosco and Roman had done putting in those fence posts and the guys had no qualms of putting the stone on top of the fence….perhaps on either side would have been better in my opinion!

Ok so that was frustrating but it was time to leave.  We got the boys school stuff packed into the truck and we were off.  We were close to half way to Tala when a lory (a large truck and this one was hauling sand) in the process of avoiding pot holes (which is close to impossible here) was not able to get back into his lane fast enough and hit the drivers side mirror of our truck.  The impact broke the mirror and sent it flying into the truck.  Chucks right arm was all cut up (remember our cars are opposite of those in the US) and I had a few minor cuts on my face.  Thankfully the boys in the back seat were ok.

After impact I touched my forehead and once I saw blood on my fingers I was pretty much done….I’m not good with blood, especially my own!  Much emotion/commotion was happening but suffice it to say the guy did stop (after we turned around and followed him).  Chuck simply wanted the guys license to get his information but he, at first, wouldn’t even get out of the truck and had his window rolled up!  Eventually he came out and we found out he was driving on an expired temporary license (big surprise there…not!)  When we tried to find a number to call police we were given a number of a guy who would call the police for us…what?  We sat for over an hour…no police, no information given and the guy desperately trying to talk his way out of this mess.  At first he suggested WE give him 5000/ksh so he could drop off the sand he had then get more sand and drop that at C4KK!  Are you serious…you hit us and want us to pay you!?  Let me think…..ummmm no!  Then he wanted to make an agreement that he would pay us over time.  Yea right, once you leave we won’t see or hear from you again.  ”no, no, you can trust me!”  He was really making this too easy…ummmm no!  We told him if he could pay for the mirror we’d call it good.  We found out the mirror would cost around 12000/ksh to replace and of course he didn’t have that so the next best thing was to deliver the sand he had to C4KK.  To which he agreed.

Now remember we still haven’t made it to Tala to get the boys school supplies and to school.  By this time it’s around 1:30pm and I’m about ready to fall asleep.  I think the surge of adrenaline finally crashed and I was also ready to crash!  Ann, house mom at C4KK, gave me an uplifting thought though saying the devil had plans but Jesus had overcome those. Amen and praise God He kept us all safe in what could have been a very bad accident.  And I was also able to find some peace in watching some little blue birds (not sure of their official name) before heading back to Tala.

The trip back to Tala was a bit anxious for me, every time a lorry went by my stomach would turn, waiting for impact again.  But we made it safely to town, got the boys school stuff and thankfully Bosco went with us so Chuck dropped me at home and they went to school.  Although the accident wasn’t much of an impact my body was still pretty sore and a headache to boot.  So I was glad to just stay home.

I really am feeling aged but I know this too shall pass (meaning the soreness not the aging part!) and I continue to be thankful for the mercy God showed us throughout this accident.

News to share

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This was supposed to be the second part of Feeling Aged (you’ll have to wait for that, sorry) but we have good, no great, news to share.  God has been and continues to be generous to us.  Not only does He give us the strength each and every day to get up and do what He wants done but He uses people like you all to affirm in us His purpose.

Because of your generous help the last of the secondary kids were taken to school on Monday (a few still have issues with their report forms which we require before it is determined assistance can be given).  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Our prayer is that each and every child attending school because of your help will thank God for this opportunity.

Another way in which God used you to affirm the direction He has us on was in a matching donation challenge for the Stack the Stones project.  We have a $5000 matching donation happening right now…any donation you give towards Stack the Stones will be automatically doubled!  What a blessing we received through God’s people!  To find out more on this project or to donate and have your gift doubled please visit Stack the Stones.

There was also a move in the sponsorship of the children at C4KK!  We are down to four children waiting for sponsors!  The kids have been so excited for themselves and each other for having a sponsor….if you feel led to begin a relationship with one of these wonderful kids please visit our Child Sponsorship Gallery for more information.

Chuck sent out a recent update which has details about these events and more.  This was certainly a more uplifting post than what was planned (the continuation of Feeling Aged involves an accident we were involved in) and I thank God for moving His people to help their neighbor.  Thank you once again!

Feeling aged! (part I)

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Whoa, the past few days have been…hectic?  crazy?  fun?  exciting?  tiring?  Yea, all that and more!

Let me begin where I left off on Friday.  I finally decided to change up the blog and that actually went quite smoothly.  I hope you all like the new layout.

Saturday we were invited to a family gathering at Bosco’s sisters home.  Bosco is the project manager at C4KK and has become a very good friend so we were pleased to be invited.  The gathering was approximately 30 miles away yet during the past 8 years Catherine (Bosco’s sister) has lived there her parents have never seen her home.  And honestly after the ride we had I can totally understand!

We started at 9am with Bosco, Ann (his wife), Stephen, David (his sons) and Coletta (his daughter) along with another of Bosco’s sisters and her daughter squeezed into the back seat of the truck.  Then in the bed of the truck were two of Bosco’s friends and his dad surprised us all by saying he would ride in the bed of the truck too along with his friend!

On the way there we crossed Thika River.  It’s been flooding recently (you can see some of our photos from near C4KK here) and after the waters receded you can see the effects of throwing trash into the river has on the landscape.

As I mentioned earlier the distance is only about 30 miles yet it took us 2 1/2 hours to drive that.  The truck was rocking back and forth, tipping sideways and going through water.  When we made it to the nearest village we were guided by Bosco’s brother-in-law (in the blue shirt and jeans) into the interior…more rocky roads!

We made it to the compound and were shown around Wambua’s (brother-in-law) property.  He has a beautiful view and a very nice shamba (farm)!

After a yummy lunch there was singing….and this family likes to sing and dance!

It was also time for some playing in the dirt!

Then it was time to make the trip back home…my back (hence the “feeling aged” title!) was a bit skeptical about the ride, but we finally made it home safe and sound.  Well, maybe not too sound, I could feel the stiffness creeping in and knew the next day would be interesting.

I remember thinking years ago how the elderly would be cautioned about taking certain trips because of the roads that would be driven and I would laugh….I’m not laughing anymore!

Sunday morning came early as my kids decided to call us, did I mention early?, and wanted to Skype.  I had totally forgotten it was Mother’s Day so we cranked up the computer, turned on the Internet and had a short Skype call (the Internet kept breaking up, not putting the video through well and voices cracking throughout).  The kids did get to tell me happy mother’s day though and it was wonderful to see their faces and hear their voices!

The rest of the day was spent reading scripture, resting and trying to recuperate from the trip the day before.  Yes I was feeling aged but grateful for the opportunity to see a family gathering with their jokes, laughing, dancing and food…although I couldn’t understand most of it, I could understand love.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more Feeling Aged.

New look!

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It was time for a change…hope you like the new blog layout!

I was a bit scared to change it what with the way the internet works around here, but it seemed to go alright!

Please forgive me if some features aren’t “pretty” yet, it is a work in progress :)

Smooth sailing?!

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Praise God yesterday had gone fairly smooth!

In the last blog post I told you about a frustrating occurrence which became even more frustrating after Bosco met us that evening and told us more of the story….principal saying it wasn’t a work day (funny it was opening day of school and the teachers were there), deputy (vice principal) telling Bosco he must not want the teachers to have lunch because he needed their signatures (with these teachers perhaps it takes them that long to sign). I could see the frustration on Bosco’s face which I didn’t like but on the other hand it was nice to see him understanding and seeing how ridiculous the entire situation was.

Yesterday the boy got his letter signed, met the other “transfer” boy, went to their new school and picked up their admission letters!  The other “transfer” boy left this morning for his old school to pick up his transfer letter….praying it goes easier for him than it did with his brother.

Yesterday we also headed into Nairobi for some supplies for the children’s home (the water pump broke so a new one was purchased along with pipes). Normally we anticipate getting one thing accomplished during a trip to Nairobi but this trip we actually got three things done by 2pm!  The ease of working with larger companies who know the value of time!

Today there are several things on the agenda….

1)  the water guy was supposed to be here at 9am to set the water pump, it’s now 10:30am and still no show…update, he showed up at 11:10am

2)  cement was delivered, although it was supposed to be here at 8 but showed up at 9

3)  napier grass is being cut and sold (since our cows are still visiting the bull…no luck on that visit so far)

4)  and there were other things that have occurred during the day which have been quite frustrating but I have a feeling if I get into it they will sound harsh.  I guess I need some cooling down time.

Lord you are the peacemaker and keeper, forgive me for not always living that truth.

PS-however, we did have a cute visitor in the office today

 

 

Kids have returned to school!

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Primary kids went back to school yesterday and with just the little ones back to school it was very quiet around here!

During the past few days the secondary girls all got their hair done (I’m still in the learning process of how they work with their hair!), supplies were handed out and encouragement was dished out in abundance.  Then today was departure day for the secondary students…oops not exactly.

We have two boys who are transferring out of their schools to join their brothers at a school closer to home and better equipped to teach (it was 4th in the District last year!)  Which brings me to the one snafu (so far) with the beginning of school.  One of the “transfer” boys was heading to his old school today with Bosco to pick up his possessions (mattress, foot locker, etc.) and to get his transfer letter which clears him from the school.  He was asked a few days before if there was anything he needed to take with him to make sure the transfer letter went through smoothly…nope he was all set.

Bosco meets him in Tala to head to school which is about an hours matatu (public transportation) ride away and they are off.  We get a call from Bosco saying all the teachers were in a meeting and they would have to wait because each teacher needs to initial the transfer letter to clear the boy.  After a few hours we get another call from Bosco saying the boy forgot a book at home and they won’t clear him without the book!  I won’t go into the frustration I felt or the phone calls back and forth to figure out a solution….they couldn’t find the book at any of the bookstores to purchase and were told they couldn’t leave money for the cost of the book.

Eventually the teacher (whose class the book was for) agreed to let us pay for the book, hallelujah!

Just as I was about to hit publish for this post Chuck tells me the boy will be spending the night at school because three of the teachers basically blew them off…after the meeting Bosco went to one of the three to get their signature, the teacher said wait he had something to do…that something was LEAVE!  The principal wasn’t any help either, he told Bosco either leave the boy or take the boy, he didn’t care.  Yup that pretty much sums up the prevailing attitude of the school system here.  Now the boy will stay overnight, get the signatures (hopefully since they were there all day and couldn’t get all the signatures) then head home. Tomorrow he is also supposed to go with the other “transfer” boy to their new school and pick up their admission letters!

Seems nothing ever runs smoothly, according to plan or on time here and you really have to learn to just accept what you can’t change and roll with the punches.  Saying that however doesn’t make it any less frustrating, but God will work out the details as we continue to follow His lead in helping the kids.

Please pray for God’s will be done in this situation and all we encounter.

Flooding….

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Sorry it’s been a few days.  We’ve had crazy weather, no electricity and non-existent speed on internet.

This is just across the road from C4KK!  The neighbors toilets were underwater.  Thankfully the water receded before it reached the kids but it was a sight to see.

Before everyone heads back to school the girls got in a game of ???.  They didn’t know the name of it but it seemed a lot like jacks but they are playing with stones!

Even Viggo received a present in my mom’s care package!

Today the primary kids went back to school and it sure is quiet here :) and tomorrow the secondary kids leave for school.  That will really make things strangely still around  here!  But the kids are pretty excited to get back to school.  Please keep all our kids in prayer as they continue to focus and strive to do their very best in school.

The Lord has blessed us with both electricity and pretty fast internet (for us anyway) so I’m trying to get things updated but forgive me if it’s a couple days again for an update…you can never rely on either here!

Pleasant surprise!

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We received a care package from my mom recently which included several bags my mom made for the kids.  But it also included Frosted Flakes and Parmesan cheese (the kind in a shaker…not fresh!).  The Parmesan cheese was used that night on the pasta we had and we had cereal the next morning.  I felt like a kid again having Frosted Flakes with toast (a little cinnamon and sugar on top of course)!

It also included several other nice surprises….mac & cheese mix, coffee, stationary, hard candy and much more.  Most were items I wouldn’t have thought of asking for but enjoy having….that’s exactly what my mom sent!  Love my mom’s thought process :)

Now, one item I was certainly happy to see was the pepperoni, although one had blown a hole in the package…darn :(  Can you guess which one is bad!?

We’ve been out of electricity for 3 days now (which also means the water situation isn’t good either) but I’m hoping the electricity is on when we get home tonight to actually use the pepperoni on a pizza.  Love you mom and thanks for the yummy package and great bags for the kids!