Mud, Mud, Mud

During our first rainy season in Kenya, we're experiencing rain every day, usually for 3-4 hours during the nighttime and often having showers during the days.  The mud is inescapable and makes travel difficult even with the 4wd pickup.  Of course the kids love it all.  From our perspective, just think about the impact of handwashing all those clothes!

Soccer Days

The boys from the Grace of God children's home and the surrounding community are really enjoying spending afternoons playing soccer at our field. Thanks again to all those who contributed to the "Indestructable Futballs". They are absolutely a blessing and are holding up well. In fact, we have been able to give out a few of them to other churches, schools, and children's home with which we will be having ongoing ministry.

Construction Update - April 28th

Here's another picture of the house as of Saturday, April 28th.  The roof sheets are up over the girls bathroom and dorm area.  That's Winnie Awino in the foreground.

Sunday Service

Today we worshipped with the members of a local Anglican church. Once again we piled all 25 of our Grace of God family into the Toyota, along with two visitors!  The children sang a couple of songs and recited some of the memory verses we've been learning together.

 Michael and Christina sung "Here I Am to Worship," accompanied by the ukelele.   

 Michael preached from Matthew chapters 18 and 19, while Pastor Tomno interpreted.  Thank you God for the reminder of avoiding the stumbling blocks of pride and the love of money, as we seek to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves!

Progress on the House Construction

It's April 19th. The house construction continues slowly but surely. This week the fundies (workers) are trying to finish building the walls of the center of the house. Next week, iron roofing sheets should be put on to the left half of the house while joists are going up on the right side. Once the roof is on, the process of plastering the interior walls will begin. Thank you Lord!

Just hanging about

Here's a couple shots of some of the kids at the children's home.  The kids are out of school for a couple of weeks right now so we're getting to have some leisure time.  We're taking the opportunity to work around the property like planting vegetables in the garden and finishing up the chicken house.

Fred, Roy, Hillary, Gabriel, Dennis, & Eliud

Brenda, Eunice, and Christine prepping for dinner.

Day of Soccer and Games

On Monday we invited the kids from another community to come over and play soccer against our guys from the Cheptigit area.  We had a total of 70 children including our 17.  It was a great day of fun for these kids who rarely get to travel around much.  We took the opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ with all of them in a group setting.  We definitely believe we have a strong opportunity to lead kids to follow the Lord here in this area.  They are very attentive and eager to learn.

Family Pic

Finally took the chance to get a family photo.  This is outside the hotel.  It's a beautiful setting here.

Wedding Gift ?

While we're living at the Kaptagat Hotel, it's commonplace on saturday's that there is a wedding or wedding party going on here (our kids usually score some food).  Yesterday outside our door, a couple of guys were loading up a male goat to give the bride's mother as part of the dowry.  We found it funny :)

Happy Birthday Kellie

Today we had the great time of celebrating Kellie's birthday.  We've had a wonderful day although quite a bit different than a birthday back in the states with all of our usual friends.  I bought her some sweet Kenyan jewelry.  Happy Birthday Kellie !

Kibera Slum in Nairobi

Thursday morning I had the opportunity to make a visit at the famous Kibera slum - the largest in Africa and most famous.  It is literally located only a few kilometers from some of the wealthy areas of Nairobi.  Words cannot describe the living conditions of the people here.  In addition, there is a very complicated dynamic of why the people are still here while they have opportunities to move.  Still, at the end of the debate, there remain as many as 1 million people, mostly children, who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.  It's definitely going to be in our plans to help spread the Gospel while we're here in Kenya!

Overlook of one portion of the Kibera slum

An everyday sight here in Kenya, babies watching babies

Normal view of the living conditions

Two deaf girls were so friendly

Bye Bye Kimi

We had to say goodbye to our friend Kimi on Wednesday as she flew off to the U.S.  She spent 3 months with us and was a tremendous asset to our ministry.  She spent the mornings at the primary school helping with the kindergarden classes and the afternoons/evenings at the children's home giving them as much love and attention as she could.  We and the kids will dearly miss her!

Easter in Kenya

Footwashing

Our first Easter weekend in Kenya was indeed a blessing!  The children from the Grace of God Children's Centre came over Saturday afternoon to spend the night.  Kimi explained about Jesus washing his disciples' feet, and demonstrated her servant's heart by washing those of the children. 

Next we spent time talking about the Last Supper.  We had communion with wafers and strawberry koolaid.  (Thank you for the drink mix Wendy!) We

completed the evening with a

  viewing of Jungle Book on the    laptop.

 Sunday morning the kids hunted for "Resurrection Eggs," and we talked about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  After a great time of worship through singing and prayer, we watched a children's Bible video about the Easter story. 

The kids hung out and played soccer, looked at photos, drew pictures, played with babydolls, etc. before returning home. 

The Boys Hanging Out

God really used the children and the setting of the day, to renew and grow my love for Jesus.  The lack of our traditional Easter activity and the time with children who aren't as familiar with why we celebrate Christ's resurrection, were so refreshing.  It was a sweet time with Jesus!

The Muzungu Girls

Christina and Abigial continue to love life here in Kenya.  It's full of adventure and opportunity to explore and learn.

Progress on the House Construction

 

Construction of the house continues to progress slowly but steadily.  Currently, they are above the "ringbeam" and are finishing the height of the walls.  After this comes the roof!  Any just in time.  It's begun raining this week and we're sure it will be nearly a daily occurance for the next many months.

PLEASE HELP US FIND SPONSORS FOR THESE CHILDREN

We now have updated information available for sponsoring the kids at the Grace of God Children's Home.  Please visit the biographies and photos on the "Childrens Home" page. 
To sign up to sponsor a child, you will need to visit the organization's webpage at www.graceofgodchildren.org.

Visit with at the Albino Children's Home

This past saturday, we were honored to be able to take all of the children from the GOGCP to visit the albino children living at a primary school close to Eldoret town.  It was indeed an honor for us to spend most of the day playing, teaching, ministering, and just getting to know these children.  There are 40 in total and seem to all be happy in this safe place away from the taunts and hatred of an unforgiving world.