Tag Archives: God’s Glory

Coming down to the end….

Posted on by
Reply

…or perhaps the beginning, however you want to look at it!

God willing the kids will get to move into their new home, C4KK Children’s Shelter, this weekend!  Much continues to get done this week (ok, much SHOULD get done this week, you never know with Kenyan timing, arrival of supplies, workers who show up to work or any number of circumstances).  Painting SHOULD continue this week once the paint is delivered…not really understanding this one.  We asked the store owner for the paint, he said he’d get it from Nairobi and now it’s been 3 days and still no paint.  He has the sale already, what’s the deal!?  The dressers for the kids’ rooms SHOULD be here Wednesday or Thursday.  The curtain lady SHOULD get us an estimate early this week.  The well diggers SHOULD finish the job this week.  A lot of should’s but I’m leaving it to the Lord to motivate workers, shop owners, etc. to get done what He wants done.

The fundi’s are also working on building a room under the tank stand for Roman and another small shelter for the night watchman (so he doesn’t have to stand in the rain).

One thing that is coming to an end is the matching donation time…October 31st is the last day for your donation to be matched.  So far we are at around $6,600 of the $10,000 which can be matched.  If you feel lead to assist please visit our secure donation partner here and choose “Children’s Shelter (C4KK) and Farm Project” under the allocation drop down box.

Please keep C4KK in your prayers….workers work, supplies are delivered, estimates are fair and God will bind satan in all he attempts to frustrate, sideline, stop or slow down.  May God’s glory be shown throughout this project and people say “wow, look what God has done for His children!”

I’m back :)

Posted on by
Reply

Well, I wasn’t exactly gone per se, just didn’t give you the blog post you deserved after the long day yesterday.  I’m home today so after checking out Facebook and Google+, changing a few things on the blog site (I added a Goggle+ button to the right…put me in your circle!!!) and basically staying in the cool house and out of the sun I will now update you…aren’t you thrilled!?

Guess I need to first tell you we had a great visit with our friend, Charlotte, last week.  She is one amazing lady and I am so blessed to know her and thankful she squeezed in a 2 day trip to Tala before heading back to the States.  One night as I was making dinner (fried chicken, potatoes and carrots) the gas went out of the stove, ok no problem I figured I’d just use the electric part of the stove (many stoves here are both gas & electric).  Once the burner was heated up and boiling the potatoes….you guessed it, electricity went out!  Luckily everything was close to being done and I was able to finish it with what heat was left on the burner!  Thankfully Charlotte is used to this type of event happening (as she was all over Africa the past 4 months or so and in much worse conditions!)  Charlotte you are certainly a trooper :)

She came to visit C4KK and helped do a bit of painting:

She met Ann:

 

And we got a photo together in front of the shelter:

 

During the week we were also given a gift of a lorry of sand…certainly a blessing since most steps in construction uses sand in some way or another!

that's C4KK Children's Shelter in the background

Think that brings me back to yesterday!  We began painting the rooms with the first coat of white paint:

before the first coat of paint

 

After 1 coat of paint - the stones you see won't be painted as eventually a ceiling will be installed.

 

Robert, the guy helping to paint, needed to express his creativity a bit rather than just white walls!

The new kitchen table was painted, the legs only, the builder put on the green veneer…this will be a great work surface and the bottom will definitely hold 90kg bags of beans, rice and flour!

The doors will get a second coat of green next week, but they already look great!

main entrance to the shelter

 

latrine doors - glass will be cleaned off next week too, we have to wait until the putty that was used to install the glass is dry.

 

The well was worked on some more…they are digging a “basin” to hold more water…I understand it but can’t really explain it, hope you understand or ask Chuck, he can explain it!

Roman is pulling up a bucket filled with dirt that is being dug from the well.

 

Then I spent the better part of the afternoon watering the shamba (garden)…thanking God for the gift of water and watching the soil soak in the refreshing, life-giving water to grow strong, healthy vegetables and fruits for the kids!

And I only did half the shamba! Whew!

 

Please keep in mind the matching donation until October 31st (up to $10,000)!  You can click here to donate (choose “Children’s Shelter (C4KK) and Farm Project” from the allocation drop down box and your donation will be automatically matched)

C4KK Children’s Shelter is becoming and will be a home for our kids very soon with your help!

C4KK Children's Shelter

Water & Paint

Posted on by
Reply

No we are not mixing our paint with water, even though we have our own water now!  Simply the two mediums we worked with today.

Must say the windows are looking very nice so far!

Proof that I am painting! Ok, Chuck painted my name but doesn't the window look nice?

The outside frame and doors will be a dark green color…can’t wait to show you that!

They have also pumped water and Ann says it tastes very good….so during the day water is pumped into jugs for the kids to use and drink!  Chuck says the water is pumping at 40-45 liters per minute!  The well digger is coming Monday to continue digging farther and expanding the area to have a “natural basin” for the water.

the pump is submersed in the well and you can see the pipe and hose used to bring water up from the well and fill the containers.

Yeah for water!

Please remember we have a matching donation going on right now until October 31st up to $10,000!  This will help with the water (tank, tank stand, etc.), building and electrical at C4KK Children’s Shelter!  Any help you can give is appreciated. Thanks and God bless.

 

 

 

Matching donation time!

Posted on by
Reply

<perkiest cheerleader voice>

Give us a “G”

G

Give us an “O”

O

Give us a “D”

D

What does it spell?

GOD. ..Yeaaaaaah God!

Yes I’m excited about this bit of news.  We have someone who will be matching donations up to $10,000!!  This match will continue until October 31!  That in itself is exciting but let me tell you why it is for me.

It was a frustrating week or so (now that it’s past one can always look back and say “it wasn’t that bad” but going through it, it was frustrating).  Jobs not being completed, shoddy workmanship, bad attitudes (oopps, that one is me!) and wondering why am I here.   It seemed to be along the lines of “isn’t there anyone willing to help us with this project, someone who will take pride in their work, someone who will go the extra mile?”  And those thoughts led to “why am I here”.  As I was painting, a glitch came to our attention and I, at first, got a bit perturbed but then it came to me…”Commit thy works unto the LORD…”  Proverbs 16:3 (King James Version).  I’m here because this is where God has me and that means with the people who live here too.  I’m painting windows so God can look through them at His children.

That was a long explanation as to why I’m excited about the matching donation and I guess I really haven’t given an explanation yet!  Well, the frustrations were piling up when we got the call about the matching donation.  God’s timing is ALWAYS perfect and this came at a time when my spirit needed lifting.  And it’s not even the amount that excites me (ok I admit, it does!) but the fact God moved someones heart and they listened.  When will I ever learn that God will always come through to lift my spirit at the exact time I think it can’t be lifted instead of wondering “why”?

If you are considering a donation, now would be a good time :)   The funds will go towards the building, well and electrical for C4KK Children’s Shelter.  So come one everyone, let’s get this match matched!

Filling up

Posted on by
Reply

Even before the doors are open C4KK Children’s Shelter is filling up quickly.  16 kids are ready to move into the shelter the minute the construction is finished, which will leave space for 8 more children.  Those 8 spaces are already on “reserve” waiting for the necessary arrangements to be handled.

As things progress towards opening day I can see how this will be a home for these kids, not a shelter.  Although it will be a shelter for them against the elements (a roof over their heads), against hunger (they will have food to eat), against slave labor (yes they will have chores but like all families they will also have time for play and study) and against the feeling of being alone (God’s love will be shown to them in the fact they are there).  All this happened and continues to happen because of God’s provision through your support, thank you my friends.

Please take a moment to meet a few of the kids who will be joining our family and are in need of sponsorship.

 

Yea it’s water!

Posted on by
Reply

Water has been hit in the well at C4KK Children’s Shelter!!!!  Praises and thanks went up to the Almighty for His precious gift of water.  Roman (who has a tendency to drink water from anywhere, including the river) took the first drink and said it was delicious!  They were worried it might be salty, but no saltiness at all…another thanks!

But first <cue suspenseful music> let me show you what else is happening at C4KK.

This is the back of the building where finishing work is being done on the wall

The nursery is growing and the cabbage, tomato and eggplant will soon be transplanted

Security is considered “armed and dangerous”!

And now for the finale……..WATER

The need for the pump, tank and tank stand are still a need (check out those items here)

 

Please join us in thanking God for this blessing for His children…please consider a donation to help the water project continue at C4KK Children’s Shelter.  Thanks everyone and have a blessed weekend :)

Remember?

Posted on by
Reply

You can read more of our testimony here:  From beginning to beginning series here

This post is actually a reminder to me, and hopefully to you, of how very much God loves each of us.  It goes back to 2008/09  when we were back in the States and one of the issues Chuck and I needed to discuss was the need for a CT or MRI (according to my oncologist I should have one every 6 months for 5 years after cancer surgery) but because we no longer had health insurance we would have to come up with the funds ourselves.  Chuck talked to some friends who offered to help us with the cost, but I told him I would pray on it and let him know.  Well, I did pray on it but basically put my trust in what Chuck had told me earlier – God has taken care of the cancer and it is no longer an issue.  I told Chuck not to worry about it, I wouldn’t need the procedure (but I didn’t tell him I still had the reminder card from the doctor for the CT/MRI because I just wasn’t sure).  When will I learn to put my total faith in God not man, even my husband?  That was a question God would help me answer in 2009.

During the first few months of 2009 God began opening doors and opportunities for us to speak with different churches, groups and clubs around the United States, one of which was Agape Christian Center in New York City.  They gave us a place to sleep (in one of the basement Sunday school classrooms!) and we spent a week evangelizing with them in various parks in the area.  Now, I could tell you some interesting stories but that would take me off topic (besides you can read those here in previous blog posts).  But one thing that occurred at Agape was a personal experience, once again, with the Living God – the God who loves each of us so intimately it’s hard to comprehend.

It was an exciting week of evangelism but we didn’t have an opportunity until the end of the week to sit down and talk with two of the pastors (Pastor Jesus and Pastor Guno).  During dinner Pastor Guno sat next to Chuck and before they had a chance to get to know each other Pastor said he had a word for us from the Lord.  At this time I hadn’t met Pastor Guno and he had not heard our testimony (cancer, living by faith, going to Kenya – you know, that testimony).  He told Chuck whatever it was with the bowel area that she (me, Tammy) is concerned about tell her it’s over.  The Lord has healed her and it is no longer an issue.  Chuck was a bit confused because he thought since I had told him I didn’t need the procedure (CT or MRI) that it really was over, but he kept that to himself until we could talk about it further.

And talk we did!  Chuck first asked me if I felt it really was over (before telling me what Pastor Guno said).  I told him I thought it was but it seemed to be a nagging thought in the back of my mind.  I was assuming it was over merely on the fact Chuck said it was, not on all the miracles God had performed during that 9 day ordeal and hadn’t quite come to the belief stage yet.  I told him of the reminder card and that I just wasn’t sure…until now.  It took a stranger to reveal to me God’s healing power, faithfulness and love and I knew without a shadow of a doubt God had healed me – me, He healed me!

After Chuck told me what Pastor Guno said I started to cry.  How could I have doubted God?  How could I have doubted God had told Chuck it was over?  How could I not see how very much God loved me?  How could I not accept His healing and give Him my life?  How could I continue doubting His faithfulness?

I felt a weight lift off me and an acceptance of what had happened in my life – God had allowed cancer to be a part of our lives in order to get our attention, He gave us a choice and the grace to accept His offer and He gave us the encouragement and affirmation we needed in His perfect timing.  After returning home the first thing I did was get the reminder cards for the CT/MRI and shred them.  God had spoken and my ears were finally open to hear His whisper.

 

 

She did what?!

Posted on by
Reply

Recently I was talking with Ann (house mom for C4KK Children’s Shelter-coming soon!) about how exciting it is to see the building coming along and moving date getting closer and closer…God willing!  We talked about her having her own room.  You could hear the excitement in her voice as this is something she hasn’t had for years because she has shared a room with up to 4 children.  She is looking forward to having a small space to herself.  I remembered she had a wooden bed where she was before (where she was kicked out of the “other” orphanage, one we shall not name) and asked her if it was stored at a neighbors so it could be brought over once she moves into her room.  Here’s a look at her room with the new floor:

Ann told me she had a bed BUT since the owner was not supporting them she used the bed for firewood.  Yes you read that correctly, they had a little food at the home but no way of cooking it.  She saw no other alternative (they had already used the fence posts for firewood) but to use her bed to help feed the children.  After she burned her bed she was given another bed to use from the orphanage owner’s church.  But when the owner came to the orphanage and kicked her out he told her to leave the bed since it was his. As for now she is sharing a room with 2 girls and they have 1 bunk bed and a couch (at least we call it a couch…you are basically sitting on the wooden frame) for them to sleep on.

With the shyness of a little child she says “but you know mum (that’s what everyone around here calls me) a new bed would be nice to go with the new room I’ll be moving in to.”  “We will have to wait and see about finances” I told her.  Then she says “the bed I’m looking at is 4500/ ksh.”  Which is approximately $57 USD.  It kind of made me laugh as she has apparently been looking at beds and daydreaming about the one she wants!

I tell you this for a couple of reasons:  1) Ann made a decision to sacrifice her comfort for the sake of the children, 2)  She never complains about her current situation of sharing a room,  3) it’s neat to see her excitement and the kids’ as they watch their new home being built and knowing they won’t be kicked out of this one, and 4) as we move closer to “move in” day items such as a bed, dressers, rugs, curtains and much, much more are needed to make this a home for the children and Ann…which in turns means funds are needed.

Please prayerfully consider helping with any of the above items.  (You can do that through our website’s donation page.)  C4KK Children’s Shelter is going to be home to these kids, a place they can feel safe and wanted.  A place where their needs will be met by a faithful God and a place which shows God’s glory on a daily basis just by the fact it is there!

 

Extended vision

Posted on by
Reply

As plans move along and construction continues God extends our vision to fall more and more in line with His vision.  We, of course, are only moving as God leads and as He provides but this is what we are seeing for the property at Caring For Kenya’s Kids (C4KK).

C4KK Children’s Shelter continues to be under construction:

roofing is now complete!

Yes the roof is complete, now for finishing plastering around the edges to block up any holes at the roof line.  Then onto flooring and other construction type stuff (glass for windows, electrical put in, etc.)

Clothes line poles were cemented in last week.  The “trench” will be filled in with hardcore material so as you walk along this path and you won’t be in the mud hanging clothes!

More of the roofing.  The door to the left is the entrance into the shelter which is now covered by a roof and the latrines (being used for storage during construction) are also roofed!

Now for the extended vision part:

A new driveway is being made which is closer to the actual building in anticipation of the “extended vision” aspect.

At the left, bottom of the photo is where the cow and pig shed will be located.  Then a wall will separate the property and on the other side of the wall will be a church and a secondary school.  As I mentioned, we are moving with God’s leading and providence…as He provides we move.  There are so many aspects of C4KK Children’s Shelter, animal enclosure, water tanks, pump for well, furniture for the shelter, labor for construction, cows/pigs, garden supplies, etc. which need funding…feel free to choose your favorite and visit our website to donate online!  Just mention in the comment box which project you are helping with…thanks for any and all help you feel led to give.  It’s all appreciated :)