Tag Archives: God’s Glory

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!

Sunday service

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First I must say that yesterday’s service felt soooo good!  It’s been far too long without corporate worship (almost 2 years) and even though some of the songs were in Swahili the atmosphere was Spirit filled.  We are hoping to attend more often but it’s a 1.5 hour drive (one way) to get there, we’ll let God work on that!

True Vine Christian Church is led by Reverend Lewis Wachira, along with Pastor Joseck Angana and Pastor Charles McDonald (yup, my Charles McDonald!)  Yesterday’s service was not only a service, but a fundraiser as well.  Currently the church is renting a school space on a month by month arrangement.  They are looking to find a permanent place to hold service which will also enable them to have mid-week services, Bible studies, prayer groups, office space and much more.

Here’s a look at Sunday’s events:

Reverend Wachira and Chuck at the front of the rented space for True Vine Christian Church

 

Children come early for Sunday School...Reverend Wachira's son, Josiah, has even gone door to door in the area asking the children if they would like to attend!

Service begins around 10:30 and at that time the children come downstairs to join their parents to hear brief announcements and prayer then

Reverend Wachira dismisses the children for more Sunday School

 

Reverend Wachira then begins his sermon.  This week he spoke on 1 Corinthians 12:12-27…we are all part of the body of Christ and the Church and each is given their specific and unique gifts and talents.

The congregation

 

After the sermon Chuck and I were asked to say a few words to the congregation

 

Then it was time to meet the Development Committee for True Vine Christian Church

Let the fundraising begin!

Pastor Joseck recently returned from a trip to the US and kicked off the fundraiser by adding $1 and stating how big God is and how He can work big things for and through this church!

 

While Chuck and Lewis picked up the food for lunch (it was cooked at the nearby home of Pastor Joseck and his wife Catherine) I gave a short, (hopefully) encouraging message to the moms in the group.

Lunch time!

Rice, goat, cabbage and potatoes

 

A few of the children in attendance

 

And of course, after lunch it’s tea time!

Yummy chai!

 

Then we chatted with friends.

 

Shogo (Reverend Wachira's sister) and me

 

And soon it was time to pack up.

Packing up the dishes to take back to Pastor Joseck's home (where we had one more cup of delicious tea!)

 

and head home

One of the nice portions of road in Kenya...now if only the people would move off the highway!

 

Thank you Lewis for speaking the Word of God so beautifully, thank you congregation for your warm welcome and most certainly a thank you to Jesus for making it all possible!

 

Another aspect

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You’ve read here before about Caring For Kenya’s Kids (C4KK) and C4KK Children’s Shelter.  Helping to supply basic needs for orphaned children, widows and employing workers so they in turn can afford their families needs.  Today I’m going to show you another aspect of C4KK’s ministry.  We work with a friend, Ben, a local Kenyan and Executive Director of My Brother’s Keeper, who works with HIV/AIDS victims and those living in the slums.  We help support Ben on a case by case basis in which Chuck gets more detail on the situation, prays about it, asks God’s guidance and then proceeds with support if called to do so.  Here are a few stories of recent situations C4KK has supported.  Photos and captions are Ben’s:

This family had no water to use because there money to buy the precious commodity. I bought them soap and enough water to cook with, drink, wash their clothes and utensils, and most importantly to bathe with. Water is life.

The widow could not believe her eyes. She later told me she never even dreamt of getting good things like the items and food we brought her.

Today during our daily home visits i came across this woman and her baby. She is floorridden, pregnant (5 months), hiv+, has TB, vomiting, with a relentless diarrhea. She told me she had not eaten for many days.

When we arrived at Petronilla's house this morning.

Ben’s team cleaned the one-room home, cleaned mother and child, prepared food for them and the doctor came to check on her.  They brought the love of Christ directly into this mom and baby’s life.  ”She was so hungry and desperately ill even to talk. She murmered something like petronilla or something as her name. Today i get to go bathe them, clean the house and buy them anti diarhea and anti vomit medicines.”

Then bathed her for she had not fellowshiped with water for a very long time and badly needed one.

Feeding baby Mike whom we found eating her mother's feaces as there was nothing to eat.

There is no handshake or pat on the back which can reward Ben this side of Heaven for his love, care and concern for the “least of these”  but you can help Ben continue this work by donating at our secure donation site, marking “other” in the Allocation drop-down box and writing “Ben” in the comment section.  Those donations will be used on a case by case basis for helping these precious children of God.

Chuck will keep you informed on the cases which are supported by reposting Ben’s updates through Facebook.  Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration in helping bring the love of Christ to so many.

Kitchen cupboards…yeah!!

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Kitchen cupboards are beginning to be installed and it’s already looking like a real kitchen!  Ann is overjoyed with the amount of work space she’ll eventually have, not to mention the amount of storage space.  Watching the kids help prepare lunch is a joy….all the talking, working, bumping into each other and just plain family time!

You may think “they’re just kitchen cupboards”, but to these kids and Ann (me too) it’s a show of God’s love and provision for them.  He continues to shower us with His love.  May we continually give Him the praise and glory for not only the new kitchen cupboards, but every aspect of daily life here at C4KK.

Goodbye, hello

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We are saying goodbye to 2011 and saying hello to 2012.  Thought I’d give you a photo recap of some of what occurred this past year.

 

 

That’s the year….now of course I couldn’t show everything but these are highlights.  C4KK Children’s Shelter is a bustling home for 17 kids (so far).  Everyone seems to be settled in quite nicely and loving their new home.  As with all households we have had issues, problems, ups and downs but God has continually given all of us strength to face and work through them all.

For 2012 I pray that our lives will be a shining example of Christ’s love, not only to the kids living here but everyone we come into contact with.  Thank you one and all for your continued support, prayerfully and finacially.

Our God is a great God and this very small photo montage shows me just how much He has allowed to be accomplished this past year.  May we all  follow His guidance into the new year.

Painting

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Thought this blog post would be dedicated to what’s been painted and what’s in the process of being painted.

The gate at the end of the property (this gate is not used to enter the main section of the property, but the section opposite the shelter) was painted with a base coat and now it’s waiting (yes for me) to paint the colors.

walls and gate base coat are finished....now to add some color!

The “main” gate of the property was first painted a nice green by Robert the painter.  I, however, missed a handle while painting but Chuck said “leave it!”  No problem, I can live with one green handle and one white handle!  Then I went on to paint C4KK at the top of the gate and finally Caring For Kenya’s Kids on the main section of the gate.

one more coat on the white...but looks pretty good, don't you think!?

The first day I painted the C4KK and neighbors were stopping by, standing in front of the gate (one for 1/2 hour!) trying to figure out what C4KK meant!

Bosco and Roman wanted a photo in front of the gate!

Here are a few photos of the shelter after all the painting was done.

 

May be painting something on this big, blank canvas!

That pretty much takes care of the painting (at least on the outside…the inside are white walls).  Next time…construction.

Life begins at C4KK!

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Monday began with much to be accomplished and excitement in the air.  The kids had spent the weekend in their new home and were loving it, so of course the next step is settling them in a bit more.  Chuck and I (with the help of so many of you!) went shopping….we purchased sheets, blankets, hot pots, toilet paper, dishes, utensils, rugs, mosquito nets and even a few toys for the younger boys.    Ann and I finished negotiations with the curtain lady….curtains should be completed and hung sometime next week, yeah!  The animal shelter is under construction, building on a wall, which will separate the Children’s Shelter, animal enclosure and shambas from the rest of the property, had started and the clothes line was put to good use.  Ann went with us to pick up her new bed (I surprised her with a set of pink, girly sheets!) and she was like a kid at Christmas seeing her bed being brought into her room along with a very nice mattress (something she has never had before).  I heard her several times, while she looked at her new bed, say “thank you Jesus.”  Yes, thank you Jesus for this blessing of watching these kids’ lives, along with Ann’s, being filled with hope and love.

(you can click on an individual photo to see a larger image)

 

I would just like to express my thanks to everyone who helped (and continue to help) make this a home for our kids.  Seeing them take off their shoes at the entrance, wipe their feet on the rug, walk into their spacious room to change out of their school uniform, come out to the tables to talk and rest a bit then have Ann cook them a wonderful meal in her new kitchen and everyone can eat together at the tables has been nothing short of a miracle.  God has shown His love to these kids in a big way and I pray they continue to see His love through our actions and the support shown by all of you.

Here we go……

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Just to prepare you, this will be a pretty long blog post.  There is so much to show you and tell you about moving day yesterday.  At the end of the photos you’ll also have a chance to read some of the stories about moving day.

Without further delay, well no delay on your part…I think satan was trying to frustrate me.  It took me 2 hours to upload these photos (so PLEASE enjoy) and electricity went out during writing it.  But he can’t cover God’s light!

Before I get into the move stuff, let me give you a few miscellaneous photos:

 

The shamba is looking so good after all the rains...yeah God!

This is how we have to unlock the office door at C4KK....tricky!

A bit of maintenance is done on the latrines...a "digestive" mixture is poured into the latrines.

Now for moving….when we arrived at C4KK our first question to Ann was, “are we going to move you in today?”  She hesitated for just a moment then said “yes, the kids do not want to stay in the apartment one more night.”  So the move was on after lunch and she was packed.  First, though, Chuck and Bosco got the cooking gas refilled and hooked it up to the stove.  Unfortunately the guy selling the gas told us our regulator would work…but surprise it leaked.  When Chuck took it back the guy tried to tell Chuck it’s supposed to do that!!!  I feel sorry for the other people who buy gas from him and believe him.  We got our empty tank back and took it to Tala that night and got the correct tank and one that doesn’t leak!  That means Ann will us paraffin until Monday when we take the tank back up there and hook it up.

Chuck and Bosco working on the stove

While we were getting the cooking gas I saw this sign….is fencing legal!?

Once lunch was done and Ann was (partially) packed we began the move:

Goodbye muddy apartments!

 

Ann continues packing and setting stuff at the door to be put in the truck

Side note:  You are seeing James 1:27 lived out here…Ann is a widow, these kids have no parents (orphans) and Maria, also a widow, will be helping Ann with the daily duties and chores of washing clothes, feeding and taking care of the children.

Maria helps carry out items

Chuck and Kevin move furniture...Kevin was such a big helper!

Bosco (who can tie a knot better than anyone I know!) loads the truck, with Kevin's help of course!

One truckload unpacked, back for another

Bosco was so excited to have everything moved to C4KK that he didn't want to wait for the truck to take this last piece of furniture. He convinces Maria to help! She made it across the road then one of the guys helped.

this is the muddy road they had to cross carrying the furniture!

pulling in with the second truck load!

another truck load is packed

These two, one room apartments are now empty!

and the final load is taken HOME!!!

Now to give you a bit of perspective….

Ann went from this room (sharing a bunk bed with Jacinta and Doris sleeping on the couch)

Ann slept, cooked, ate and sat with friends all in this small room. In the corner at the end of the bed were her suitcases filled with her personal items and the hutch was filled with dishes.

To this….

Ann's new room is hers alone! We are picking up her new bed on Monday. She was overwhelmed by the space and that it was HERS!

The boys slept, studied, changed clothes and ate here (when it was raining and sometimes they ate in Ann’s room)

Bosco packs up the boys room

Now they have room to breathe!  They have a covered veranda where they can eat and tables to sit at to do homework.  Their bedroom is now spacious for everyone to move around without crawling over someone to get out of bed!

The boys got right to making their beds. The "stuff" here is everyone's personal items...that's everything for 7 kids and Ann!

The girls room is the same size as the boys and I told them they have enough room to dance in…that is until the rest of the bunk beds arrive on Monday to accommodate the rest of the girls coming!

Once the boys were gathered together Ann assigned beds.  No more sharing for Daniel and Isaac, they get their own bed!

Chuck hangs a clothes line…no more hanging clothes on barbed wire fences!

not only do they have real clothes lines but they don't have to walk through the mud anymore to hang up clothes!

After everything is brought into their new home, the kids take a rest in their new dining, study and gathering area!

Yeah!!!!

Final picture of the day…I told the kids I would be showing everyone their picture so I wanted them to express how happy they were to be in their new home

Our new home!!!

Now for a few stories….

As Ann and I were leaving the apartments (for the last time) -

Me:  well, Ann, you won’t have to deal with a landlord again.

Ann:  I know, we are going to our permanent home.

While Ann was moving from room to room to get various items Chuck asked her if she wanted to sleep at the apartment that night since things were unsettled.  She gave him a disbelieving look and said “no, no, we’ll stay here from now on!”

Once everything was at C4KK, I saw Ann standing in the kitchen just looking at her stove.  I approached her with a smile and she just said “I have no words” to which I just gave her a big hug.

C4KK has windows all along the building facing the road.  We will be putting up a fence so no one can walk near the windows and look in, but for now no one can seem to stay away from the windows.  So when the Class 8 kids (Jacinta, Doris, Erustus and Edward) were coming home from school they were walking along C4KK’s building looking into the windows.  I went to the door (on the same side of the building) with my “mom face” on and told them to not walk there.  Since they were looking in the windows I asked if they wanted others to walk there and look in the windows…to which they replied “no”.  And I also got to point to a fellow student following them and looking in the windows!  Once I gave them my little speech they began walking by, to the apartments.  I asked them where they were going.  They all looked at me like I was crazy or something…they were going home.  Then I pushed open C4KK’s door and said “karibu” and “welcome home”.  They all looked surprised and shocked but also extremely happy!  They were now home to stay.  A home where no one would kick them out, a home where family is treasured, a home where God’s love will penetrate the walls, windows, beds, floors…every aspect of this place.

I can’t describe the joy I felt as the kids’ belongings were unpacked into their new home or watching Daniel and Isaac exploring the open area of the veranda, going from room to room.  Knowing these kids have a comfortable living area now, a bedroom, a real kitchen, a place to sit to eat or study.  Like Ann I have no words except to thank God for His providence and faithfulness to give these kids a home.