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Construction

November 30th, 2011

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.

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No rush

November 28th, 2011

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!

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Dealing with water….

October 13th, 2011

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.

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Acronym happy

October 3rd, 2011

C4KK is an official NGO, supported by SBGG in the US!

Let me define:

C4KK – Caring For Kenya’s Kids

NGO – Non-governmental Organization (Kenya’s equivalent to a non-profit in the US)

SBGG – Saved By God’s Grace

US – United States

Chuck nor I are citizens of Kenya so in order to purchase land we registered an NGO called Caring For Kenya’s Kids (C4KK) with the Kenyan government.  C4KK then purchased the land and began building C4KK Children’s Shelter – remember, now until October 31 all donations are matched up to $10,000!  So far we have approximately $4000 matched and it’s still early in the month!!!

(After reaching the donate page (by clicking the above button) simply choose “Children’s Shelter (C4KK) and Farm Project” from the allocation drop down box and your donation will be automatically matched!)

We’ve also set up C4KK website, please visit it (by clicking the button below) to see what projects are in process, future projects, sponsor a child and more.

You will still find the blog right here where you left it, Chuck’s newsletters will continue as before and photos will be posted in the Photo Gallery on SBGG website.  C4KK website will show you the specific projects (progress, needs, plans, etc.) which are on-going here in Kenya.

Thanks so much for all you continue to do for this ministry and the children we are called to help…your donations, prayers and  sacrifices are all greatly appreciated!

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Friendly Friday reminder

September 30th, 2011

Simply a friendly Friday reminder of the matching donation opportunity going on RIGHT NOW until October 31!

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Water & Paint

September 24th, 2011

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.

 

 

 

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Matching donation time!

September 23rd, 2011

<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!

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More painting

September 22nd, 2011

No photos today because I was painting all day!  I really like to paint and I have to say a big thank you to my daughter, Tarrin, for the wonderful iPod speakers…they were used all day to make the day a sing-song type of day :)   So far painting has just been white (interior window frames, window bars, picnic table legs and grills on the doors).  Saturday we’ll be putting the second coat on the white then starting on the green (doors and exterior window frames).  Then it will be onto the walls!  It’s so exciting to see it coming together.

Talked with Charles (the guy who made the tables) about making an “island” for the kitchen.  Ann and I will be meeting with a lady who will make the curtains.  Next week the glass should be put in the windows.  Ann has seen her bed being worked on (thank you donor!) and she said it’s very “smart”.  Negotiations will begin for the dressers for the kids’ rooms.  Water pump is being put together tomorrow (God-willing).  And the list continues as move in day draws closer.

Please prayerfully consider helping with any of the above mentioned items.  We only move ahead with an item when funding is available.  Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

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Another day in pictures

September 21st, 2011

Hope you don’t mind, it’s late and I will be heading to bed shortly :)

The doors are now closing and opening…yeah!

I tried out one of the tables and got stuck to the varnish Chuck had put on it yesterday!  (and no comments on how large this area looks!)

But overall the tables look great.

The entrance way is looking nice too.

Roman and Bosco began sandpapering, chipping and hammering off pieces of cement on the windows to prepare them for painting.

Then Chuck and I began painting.

We also painted the clothesline poles.

C4KK Children’s Shelter is really coming together, thanks God!

Tomorrow is more painting!

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Long day….

September 19th, 2011

Got up at 5:30am to have breakfast before leaving for C4KK at 7am

Arrived at C4kk approximately 7:45am

Tables arrived around 10am:

Charles & Charles (maker of the tables)

 

C4KK workers on the left, plus at the end on the right and Charles (table maker) along with his two workers

 

Looked around the property and watched Chuck do a bit of work:

Moving stone from one area to be used in another area

Saw the progress on the floors & doors which are being worked on (fundi who left the job “complete” apparently didn’t think doors actually needed to open or shut or cement was needed in the floor!)

bad sections of floor were pounded out and new cement was placed

 

the floor looks like an island map :)

The entrance way was worked on and actually finished (sorry I didn’t get a “completed” photo, perhaps tomorrow):

short walls were built on either side of the walkway and plastered then the soil was taken out and stone put in so no one has to bring in muddy shoes!

 

entrance

Left for Ruai around 12:30pm to get supplies and pick up Lewis, who was bringing the pump for the well (still in need of donors for pipes, water tank and water tank stand, if you are so inclined-you can do that here):

The well cistern was plasterd with water proof cement to stop contamination from the ground water.

First stop, Quickmart for a few items we can’t get in Tala (definitely not as supplied as Nairobi but it does in a pinch!)

Then waited in the truck for 3 hours while Lewis was stuck in traffic coming from Nairobi.  You wouldn’t want to see pictures of that!  It was hot and I was getting a bit cranky.

Once Lewis arrived at 4pm we went to get the plumbing and paint supplies which took another 2 hours.  Felt like home though (ok maybe just in name):

After stopping at 3 other hardware stores Midland had what we needed!

Arrived back at C4KK to offload items and left for home at 6:30pm.

Got home, thankfully with electricity, had a shower, made dinner (grilled pepperoni, ham and cheese sandwiches) watched a little Seinfeld then finished this post and went to bed.  Yeah, it was a long day but I guess I was taught a little patience today.  I’m not that great of a student though, but I get to try again tomorrow.

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