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 
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
This is one of those posts that is necessary once in a while to do what God told us to do at the beginning of this ministry….tell people the needs…He would move who He wanted to assist us.
Saved By God’s Grace has several “paths” you can explore, walk down and pray about to see how you can be a part of what is happening in Kenya. Then, depending on where God is leading you, your passion, or both, we have a secure, online donation process for you. Or perhaps you are good at putting together events to raise funds for a specific need/project. We welcome any and all help you can give.
If you are interested or your curiosity is peaked…take a stroll with me down these paths…
Our first path is Child Sponsorship:
Caring For Kenya’s Kids (C4KK), our Kenyan NGO (non-governmental organization, similar to US’s non-profit organization), currently has 9 children remaining who are ready and eager to be sponsored. We have three which are secondary students ($70/month sponsorship) and six who are in primary ($40/month). Your sponsorship helps pay for the child’s food, shelter, clothing and educational fees (you may have heard Kenya has free primary education but it is far from free and you must pay to attend high school). Sponsorship of all the children would be a HUGE blessing for the ministry as the burden to provide the necessities would be covered and funds which come in beyond sponsorship could be used for projects around C4KK Children’s Home (like continuing to improve the facility, keeping the shamba going, getting a computer teacher to come in once or twice a week, giving the kids meat to eat a couple of times a week or a myriad of other such projects). Sponsoring a child is an on-going commitment and you will be receiving letters from your child often (which they love to write) and you can write them back at any time (which they love to receive).
If this seems to be your area of interest please visit our sponsorship gallery by clicking the above link or tell others who may share your passion for children and share a sponsorship to help lessen the expense (a secondary student sponsorship of $70 could be split into two $35 donations).
Our second path is building a mission home through our Stack the Stones fundraiser:
It is becoming more and more apparent Chuck and I are supposed to be with the children at C4KK Children’s Home. Currently we drive approximately 15 miles to and from C4KK on a daily basis (except Sunday) which takes its toll on using precious gas (we literally spend approximately40% of our personal funds we receive on driving to and from the Children’s Home) and limits the time we spend with the kids because they arrive home from school at the approximate time we leave to go home each day. There is much we would enjoy doing, and believe we are called to do, with the children (evening Bible study, help with homework, craft projects and simply being “Mom and Dad” to them all). We are building our permanent home on the property to allow us to be with the kids as long as God calls us to stay…which is looking like a life-time endeavor.
In addition, the second floor will be a mission home which would house groups who would like to come visit the kids at C4KK. They would have a safe, secure place to stay, assist with the project, and it would be convenient working with the kids as it will be only 50 yards from the Children’s Home. It will also serve as a revenue source as the mission groups will pay to stay in the home and local groups will use it as a weekend retreat house….still relying on God, but more self-sufficient instead of continually looking toward donors for everything.
If construction projects are your thing, please visit our website (by clicking the above link) for more details, or perhaps consider holding a fundraising event…we welcome your comments, ideas and help!
Our third path is a sustainable project for C4KK Children’s Home:
This is the ground breaking of a hand dug well, thanks to a generous donor who kick started this project. This well will water a commercial shamba (large garden) which will be planted (when funds are raised) on 1.5 acres of land…this land is part of the 3.25 acres owned by C4KK and currently houses the Children’s Home and a small shamba for the kids. This large shamba will allow the planting, harvest and sale of spinach, cabbage, sukuma (like kale), ho-ho (peppers) and tomatoes (all of which are in demand in this area) year round, even during the dry seasons when many people do not plant because they do not have access to water to keep the plants going.
If self-sustaining projects are your passion please click on the link above and you will be directed to our secure, online donation site. There you can choose “Children’s Home (C4KK) and Farm Project” from the allocation drop down box and write “well” in the comment section to donate to this sustainable project.
Our fourth path is school fees:
As I mentioned earlier education is not free and unfortunately many of the secondary (high) schools have raised their fees this year by as much as double for Term 2 and Term 3. Before the Children’s Home was occupied we were able to use the on-going funds which came in to cover school fees. However, with the rise in school fees and the Home now sustaining 27 children (and all the expenses involved with feeding, clothing, medical care, etc. for them) the “regular” funds are no longer able to cover the fees (of both the children living at C4KK and those outside the Home which Saved By God’s Grace has been assisting since 2008). Chuck’s recent newsletter stated “We anticipate needing around $3,700 by the end of April in addition to the regular funds we receive to run the home.” We are still short approximately $1,000 as of this blog and need your help. If we don’t receive the funds over the next 1 1/2 weeks the children will have to be told we can not assist to keep them in school…what they will do we do not know…I am not looking forward to those conversations.
If education is a hot button for you, perhaps you can help with a one-time donation for this cause. Simply click on the above link (this will take you to our secure, online donation site) and choose “Children’s Home (C4KK) and Farm Project” from the allocation drop down box and write “school fees” in the comment section.
As we approach the end of our second year living here in Kenya (May 5) we have learned to trust in the Lord for His providence. We simply move forward with His strength at the speed He brings provision. Is it easy living day to day, not knowing if the funds will be here to send kids to school or move closer to the kids? Absolutely not, but we (as Christians) were never told life would be easy…but with God’s strength we continue on day by day.
We are so grateful to you for listening to these requests for help. If you are unable to financially help, please consider lifting this ministry up in prayer for God’s will to be done. We would also ask that you tell others about our kids in Kenya and direct them to this blog where you will usually see our daily life with the kids. It isn’t easy asking for help from friends, family and even strangers, but I’m thankful God hears our pleas and will move hearts for His glory and purpose.
I woke up this morning asking God (ok, first I thanked Him for the day and whatever comes from it) to use me however He needs me to work today. Yes I am called, as we all are, to show God’s love to those around us. But the place and way in which we do that will be different for each person. Not only do I pray that I show God’s love to the kids at C4KK, but also that I am showing God’s love through my words on the blog. Yea I know sometimes my blog posts are “menial” issues but even through the day to day menial issues that come up I can still pursue His will for each and every decision, thought and action.
By no means have I perfected this. Each day, for me, calls for a repentant heart for those times I don’t show His love and fail at being a Christ-like example to those around me. Some days are better than others and only when I’m in Heaven will I be perfected. So until that day I will continue to thank God for today, ask for His guidance and forgiveness, lean on the Holy Spirit for strength, and seek Him.
Chuck had mentioned in the recent newsletter of a big financial need and if you didn’t want to hear about it you could stop reading….I’m saying the same thing here! We are simply expressing the need and letting God move and fulfill His purpose and work.
As C4KK Children’s Home grows we feel God leading us into another adventure…moving to the property of C4KK Children’s Home. The idea is a two-story building with our personal residence on the bottom floor and a mission home on the top floor. We have had organizations ask us if we have a place for groups to stay, so with a mission home C4KK would also be receiving revenue from these groups and provide them a safe and convenient place to stay. For groups specifically visiting C4KK the mission home would provide the group daily interaction with the children without travel time.
Ok, so now for the financial part. The ground floor will run approximately $50,000. With each stone equaling $100, that means 500 stones need to be “stacked” on the property.
A church in Michigan, First Baptist Church New Baltimore, has kicked off the fundraiser by “stacking” 50 stones! Thank you!
If you feel God prompting you to get involved, whether through holding a fundraiser or donating please visit our “Stacking the Stones” page on our website for more information, a secure link to donate and to watch the stones stack up! If you can think of any unique ways on a personal, community, church or other organizational basis who would be willing to help, we would love to hear your opinion. We realize this is a large project but we do believe it is time to make this move. Thank you for any and all help.
It was quite an exciting morning at our home. I walked into the kitchen and thought a worm was in the corner. Then I noticed a pointed tail, unlike any worm I’ve seen. Upon further examination, with a broom, I discovered it was a snake! It was very aggressive too, striking at the broom and cup (which I eventually covered him with). Wouldn’t you know it the one night Patches (our cat) decides to stay away at night and we get a snake!
Anyone have a clue as to what type it is?
Then I’m kind of in a mental state now because our daughter, Tarrin, is leaving for India in a few hours. I’m excited for her and know she loves the Lord above all else and He has her covered in His grace, love and mercy but as a mom I’m a bit apprehensive about the whole trip too. I know firsthand (as many of you do) the fight satan will put up to stop her from spreading God’s love to the people in India. Yes God loves her more than I could ever imagine and I pray for God’s will to be done through her and on this trip, but I wasn’t there to help her prepare, pack, talk out jitters, etc…..but what a wonderful opportunity for her to rely on the lover of her soul! Please keep Tarrin in your prayers as she begins this new adventure, walking the path God has laid out before her.
Yesterday I gave you a look into the “glamorous” life of a missionary….it continues today. But today I have photos!
Woke up this morning to no cat poo…yeah! But woke up feeling extremely tired. Not sure why but as the morning went along I felt nauseous and had a headache. I laid down for a bit and the nausea faded and once I got up and moved around the headache left too. So I decided to head up to C4KK with Chuck. Just before leaving he got a phone call from Bosco saying the water pump wasn’t working. One more thing to add to the list of to-do’s today.
We made it to C4KK and I began setting up my computer and ready to start the day when I heard a cricket. A few days ago Bosco had to rescue my desk from being overrun with crickets but they weren’t by the desk today. I kicked a shoe box that was on the floor and this is what greeted me:
Sorry the photo is a bit blurry but I wasn’t in the mood to stick around and have one of these yucky critters jump at me or on me!
Once the plague of crickets was handled Chuck went outside to check on the pump situation. They had to pull up the pump to check it and found out the pump was not working for some reason.
Doesn’t sound too bad, right? Wrong! Finding someone to fix it is another issue altogether. A few calls later and we found someone in a nearby village (Ruai) who can work on the pump, but he’s in Nairobi today. He agreed to come back to Ruai after hearing the pump was for a children’s home, but the question is when exactly. He’ll call a friend, that friend will call us and then Chuck and Bosco can go to Ruai with the pump and see if he can actually fix it. So I have no idea when we’ll be leaving today. Luckily the crickets have moved along and I don’t have to fight them…so far today.
As I came back into the office I found a group of kids in Ann’s room. They were discussing who needed their hair cut. Good time to talk with the primary girl students about their hair. I had mentioned to one girl she needed her hair cut. She shook her head and said she didn’t want it shaved. I let it go but figured she didn’t want it shaved because she wants to get braids or a weave or straightened during school break. Ann and I agreed the primary girls are too young to have any of that stuff done with their hair. Let’s see who gets shaved or who stays “shaggy” as they call it!
Then Chuck took the boys over to the neighbors to hand draw water…no pump repair yet. Today was supposed to be cleaning day but with no water it will have to be put off until the pump can be repaired. They’ll draw enough for drinking and cooking, it’s definitely not an easy job. Here’s a photo of the kids coming back from drawing water….they love riding in the truck!
It is now 5pm, electricity has been going on and off throughout the afternoon, sun is beating in on my computer (needed to shut a curtain but that stops the wind flow), the pump repair guy hasn’t even called yet and the kids have hauled in all the water jugs…enough water to last the evening and into tomorrow (no bathing tonight). Found out the repair guy is still in Nairobi. Trying to work out a time he can come tomorrow, meaning we’ll be here tomorrow. Someone asked us once about a Sabbath….we normally get more “sabbath-like” moments rather than full days! This isn’t a 9-5 job but kids’ lives and each and every day things need to be attended to, fixed, purchased, etc. Yes we are working on “self-sufficiency” but there still needs to be hands on help.
Ah yes, another glamorous day in Kenya!
Our last blog post brought you up to date on painting, now it’s time for construction.
The basic construction of the shelter is pretty much finished except for a few leaks that need to be repaired. The inside still needs furnishings, cupboards and other items that are coming slowly by slowly. This is when I wish we had a Home Depot like store…one stop shopping would be wonderful!
Therefore, this blog post will deal with outdoor construction.
We plan on getting a few “local” cows to fatten up and sell, helping to raise funds for the grade cow we hope to get once the animal enclosure is complete. Here’s where we plan on keeping the local cows for now. You can see there is lots and lots of grass where they can graze right on our property.
Chuck had to check out the strength of the pen!
Before bringing in the little cows we had to saw off a few pointed poles
I've been told (by my loving hubby) if I'm right-handed I'm sawing incorrectly...I say whatever works!
seems I'm a bit confused as to why it isn't sawing through! But notice I've changed my hand grip.
But Chuck comes to the rescue and in just a few quick saws he finished the job!
A small room is being built and another (smaller) water tank will be placed on top. This room is planned for a nightwatchman to live on the premises and the water tank will be for watering the special grass for the grade cows and giving the animals water.
I am looking towards the location of the planned animal enclosure with the watchman's room in the foreground.
Last but not least we got a crank for the well. This is so the diggers can finish the well.
installing and taking a test run for the well crank
As you can see much is being done at C4KK. We thank God for the strength, rest, peace, discipline and all else He continually showers upon us each and every day.
Can’t blame the holiday rush for my not being on the computer much (there is NO holiday rush here), it’s basically frustrations building and just not wanting to be on the computer. I’m afraid of saying something I really shouldn’t say in the “heat of the moment”…so without saying much here are a few photos of what’s been up the past few days.
more dressers were brought in for the kids
secondary students are now out of school until January
Bella hangs out on a rainy day
There is much more happening but that will wait for another blog post….hoping to write a few today. Until next time!
It’s been raining lately and that’s a good thing, a very good thing! The shamba is growing, we’ve expanded the existing shamba and have more vegetables planted:
The rain also helps keep the dust, that is ever present here, down. But the soil (called “cotton soil”) around C4KK is very difficult to drive in once it gets even a drop of water on it. It changes from a powdery type dust to a clay/quicksand type soil. Sticks to everything and is very slippery. If you walk in it you’ll gain about 10 lbs and be a few inches taller from it sticking to your shoes! It actually reminds me of the mud treatments you can get at salons! But for the truck it makes it hard to drive in…you slip and slide across the road and have an inch of mud caked on the tires.
The past few days the guys have been digging where the water tank stand will be placed:
Then on Wednesday the water tank stand was delivered:
small truck...large stand!
an awkward piece of equipment!
it fit!
This next picture reminded me of our son, Justin, who had boxing matches in our backyard in Phoenix…I think he would like this “boxing ring”!
we just need some boxing gloves!
Lastly I saw this bug…I only saw it because it jumped at me, otherwise I probably would have walked right by it.
Chuck and I have been cleaning windows the past few days and now the glass is so clean it doesn’t look like there is glass in the windows! We are in the process of getting estimates for curtains, painting the rooms with a second (and then third) coat of paint, painting the veranda walls and outside areas…working to get the kids and Ann moved in soon!
Please remember we have a matching donation (at the time of this writing we are 1/2 way to meeting the match!) until October 31st up to $10,000…if you’d like to help, please visit our donation page and choose “Children’s Shelter (C4KK) and Farm Project” from the allocation drop down box and your donation will automatically be doubled! Thanks in advance for your support – both financially and prayerfully.