On packing day for the secondary students there were many items which were wrapped in plastic bags….you can see the stack of blankets on the left in the photo. Instead of those items just being thrown in the rubbish pile Scholar found a good use for them!
Lately I’ve noticed the kids we work with are “changing” their preferences. I say change but it might actually be broadening their tastes. When ugali was the main food available (ugali is flour and water mixed and cooked until it becomes a cake-like consistency) we told them we just couldn’t eat it, tasteless basically, but they said how very much they loved eating it and it was their favorite food. Also, if they saw Chuck or I drinking our water or soda with ice (ice that we made with bottled water!) they couldn’t believe we could or even would drink cold drinks. They preferred room temperature.
That seems to be changing….electricity is now here at C4KK and it seems they like putting their water bottles in the freezer! Wait a minute, I thought you liked room temperature drinks? And when Ann said they would be having ugali one night for dinner it was like she spoke fighting words. They were getting used to spaghetti, rice and soy for their meals, what was she suggesting…ugali!? Now hold on, you told me that was a favorite food!
I love the fact they are experiencing different foods and cold drinks and I believe as a people we all convince ourselves at times that something we have is the best simply from not having any other option. I see that a lot here with the kids. They are not exposed to the world, let alone the village next door, so their vision for the future is very limited.
Slowly we are teaching them there is a big world out there….encouraging them to open their mind to different experiences, tastes and ideas. I’m praying for a couple of laptop computers to teach the kids, Ann and Bosco how to use them and to see the world through the world wide web. What a thrill it is to hear their questions like “what’s the use of having an email?” or “what does a boat dock look like?” or “how does Facebook work?” and to see their understanding kick in, which sometimes leads to more questions!
Ugali isn’t on the menu much anymore and water bottles continue to fill the freezer and for that I am thankful.
Can’t really say it was a busy day (for me) but full. Here’s a pictorial of the day:
Boy and his dog (Daniel and Viggo). Dan likes to tease Viggo (or maybe Viggo just begs a lot!) with his milk but usually ends up giving him just a little.
Many hands make light work....and there are a lot of hands to help prepare lunch. We had a lesson on cleanliness, anyone who walks into the kitchen MUST use hand sanitizer...at least until we get running water in the kitchen.
Before lunch is served a few of the girls hang out for a bit in their room
We have a full table now (waiting for another table to be delivered today). Last week 5 kids accomplished getting their birth certificates (thank you Lord) and they came back home. Now there are 14 kids - still waiting for 8 more!
After the tables were cleared the kids began responding to letters which were written to them from an AWANA's group in Michigan. They had a lot of fun reading all the letters.
After letter writing we then played Bingo. They had never heard of Bingo before and it was fun to watch their faces as each number was called and they were 'that close' to having Bingo!
As you can see, whatever the task is whether it be letter writing to playing Bingo, they get quite intent!
Naomi contemplates just the right word to put in her letter.
Doreen anticipates yelling BINGO very soon!
That was my Saturday and while I was playing games and writing letters Chuck was working with the electricity guys….maybe I should rephrase that, he was being frustrated by the electricity guys! Hoping to have electricity turned on by today though. But hey, it’s Kenya we’ll just wait and see so let’s say “God willing the electricity will be turned on!”
I was asked recently to take some photos on one day, at a particular time. It shows what is happening or what we see on a typical day at C4KK and I wanted to share that with all of you:
our local thorn bush
Maria does a last sweep of the day
Roman's fire pit for cooking his dinner
One of the kids shoes left outside so they don't track mud into the house
Jacinta and Doris wash lunch dishes...will be nice once the water is piped into the kitchen and they have a real sink!
Isaac and Daniel (far right) hang out with friends
Maria hangs up the wash while Bosco washes up after a long day
The muddy road in front of C4KK
Wash hanging out to dry
Shamba!
There is a typical day at C4KK for the kids…now what I didn’t show was anything Chuck and the crew were working on that day or Ann. At the time I took the photos she was walking with 2 of the boys to Joska for food and that walk is approximately 2 miles one way. But that too is typical.
Things continue to move forward at C4KK. The Class 8 kids came home both Tuesday and Wednesday from school exuding confidence over their exam. They all seem pretty sure of themselves and the “easiness” of the exam. Unfortunately we won’t know the results until mid to late December. But today is the last day for them and I’m praying they do as well as they feel they did.
(from left) Erustus, Edward, Doris and Jacinta
The water tank stand and room is continuing to be built
The larger room will be Romans and the smaller section to the left will be a shelter from the elements for the night watchman
And the “great wall of C4KK” continues rising higher
This wall will separate C4KK Children's Shelter, mission home, animal enclosure and shambas from the rest of the property
Curtains were delivered and hung (sorry I wasn’t there to get photos, but soon) and dressers have been delayed due to vehicle transport issues. However, even with delays and leaking roof issues the kids are loving their new home. One child wrote their sponsor saying “we entered our new home in 29th October this year and we enjoy being in our new home.” Thank you Lord for their new home!
That’s the indication I got yesterday while at C4KK. Daniel hadn’t gone to school yet and he was wandering around the house waiting to be taken to school…just like other kids. Ann was scurrying around trying to get his school stuff prepared…just like other moms. You see? It’s just like your home. The biggest difference is that this is new to these kids. They’ve never had a stable home life, a place where they can claim “this is where I will live”. Watching the kids come home from school and living in this space made my heart swell with thanks. Thanks to God for allowing me the opportunity to see a tiny portion of His plan unfold for these kids. I know it’s just the beginning but oh what a beginning He has given these kids!
Now that I’ve gotten the mushy stuff written, here are some updates on construction.
Beginning stages of wiring for electricity!
The upper portion of the tank stand is being painted while the floor is prepped for pouring. There is another section to the tank stand yet to come.
2 new beds were delivered (more to come) and the boys quickly claimed the new beds for themselves before the other boys arrive! Not to worry though, everyone will get a new, sturdy bed soon...the old ones are very unstable.
Roman pounds down larger stone on the driveway then a top layer will be added for a smoother, mud-free surface.
The floor is poured (here's half of it done). This will be Romans room and then a small shelter for the night watchman to get in out of the rain.
Of course I had to leave our mark!
Ann is loving her new spacious kitchen and this wonderful work station!
just a random bee 
Even though construction continues the kids don’t care as long as they are living here! I know Ann feels the same because while I was talking with her (before taking her picture) she just couldn’t express how happy she is. Remember, before she was living, sleeping, cooking all in one 10×10 room and sharing that with 2 girls! This is certainly a blessing for her and the kids and for me to have the honor of watching God’s love pour out on them in a way they never really expected.
I can really learn a lot from kids…they just KNOW God will come through. A group of AWANA kids in Michigan knew that last April when they raised funds to purchase a cow for Nice View:
and they know it now while they begin raising funds for not 1 but 2 pigs for C4KK Children’s Shelter! I was told they said “we have to get a mommy and daddy pig so they can have babies”! I’ve never met these kids in person but they continue to show me what faith is supposed to be like….a child’s! Thanks kids for your lesson to me and your care, love and sacrifice for our kids here at C4KK!
Just another reminder for everyone….our matching donation is still going on until October 31 (up to $10,000). As of this writing we’ve matched almost $4700! Please prayerfully consider donating during this match time. I’ll even make it easy for you…after clicking HERE to donate securely online, simply choose “Children’s Shelter (C4KK) and Farm Project” from the allocation drop down box and your donation will automatically be matched! Thanks for any and all help for C4KK Children’s Shelter and the kids who will soon call it home!
me – “are you watering the garden?”
child – “nope, I’m irrigating!”
This post is not meant to elicit any type of emotional response or tug on your heart strings, yet if it doesn’t…. It is simply what occurred and what seems to be “business as usual” around here. Yesterday got me mad and I’m just going to tell you what happened.
Two children stopped by Ann’s apartment (Ann is the house mum for C4KK Children’s Shelter). They live nearby in a children’s home whose owner doesn’t seem to care about the kids at all (from not providing food to a run down home to no medical attention). They stopped by for 2 reasons: 1) they wanted Ann to call their guardians to see if anything could be done about them moving to C4KK Children’s Shelter and 2) they were hungry.
In regards to #1, Ann called one of the guardians (an aunt) and was told she couldn’t/wouldn’t do anything because she had “given” the children back to their grandfather and he has no phone so you can’t contact him about the children’s situation. Lord if it be in Your will, please allow these children to come.
As for #2 that one was a bit simpler to remedy, if only temporarily. They told Ann they hadn’t eaten since the night before, at the time it was 4:30pm. These kids had went to bed hungry, school hungry and without the little Ann gave them (leftover spaghetti and corn bread) would continue to be hungry. They said there was very little to look forward to for dinner that night and Ann said “they will eat very little, and not to satisfaction.” Meaning, yes, they will go to bed hungry once again.
Why do I say “business as usual”? We are finding many children are being left on their own, to find food to eat, a warm place to sleep, a safe place to lay their meager belongings, to have someone who will take care of them and not use them as slaves. It makes me angry to see adults push kids from guardian to guardian (a guardian here is simply a person, normally a family member, who says they will take care of the child. But in most cases is looking for the benefit in the arrangement not the care of the child), leave the child in an unsafe environment and once left never to visit or see that child again.
Yes that makes me angry and it should make you angry too. Yet even in the midst of this anger I know there are parents and guardians willing and trying to give the best they can for their child. We have worked with them and believe me, when we do it’s like God has reached down and touched the situation with an abundance of love, grace and mercy. I’m thankful God is moving C4KK Children’s Shelter to completion and the children He brings can call it home. They will “eat to satisfaction” and be shown love and concern over their lives.
Please prayerfully listen to where God is directing you to support (through finances, time or talents) because the Lord, God of all creation, has called each of us to be in His service. I need to open my ears, listen and give my Heavenly Father this anger.
Kevin:
the newest member of the C4KK family
Kevin arrived last Friday with a smile on his face, as is usual for him! He, along with the other kids at C4KK Children’s Shelter, were preparing to begin school on Tuesday. Tuesday arrived but teachers were not at school (read here about the strike). Now the kids are hanging around watching me write this blog post! Wait for it….<giggle, giggle> there, the kids have caught up to my typing and just read what I wrote Here’s what each had to say:
Erastus – “we are happy to see you writing the blog!”
Jacinta – “we are happy to be with mum here.”
Kevin – “we are saying hi to you and God bless!”
And no I did not tell them what to say
Since there is no electricity here this blog post is now finished, as my battery is almost finished.
Sorry this is a day late…I wanted to post it Wednesday night our time so it would be available Wednesday morning your time…but when I got home from the property on Wednesday and turned my computer on it gave me a black screen <stomach churning>. Once I got it to come to life <thankful heart> it then wouldn’t recognize my internet modem <frustration building>. That’s when I took the clue to shut down (the computer that is) and go to bed. Worked on the computer first thing Thursday morning (seems to be back in order but I backed up stuff, just in case!) in between electricity outages and will attempt to post this once again later in the day. As Chuck and I say…nothing is ever simple here in Kenya. But I did find myself calmer than I normally would have been…I just did what I could and knew God was here with me through the situation
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