Help for the Helpless

Experiencing the Nyumbani Institute was heartwarming. It is the first Hospice for HIV Positive Orphans in Kenya. It was founded in 1992 with three HIV+ orphans and presently has 101 kids. The youngest we held is six months and the oldest I visited with is 17. Her name is Elizabeth and she has lived at Nyumbani for ten years. Her body is very petite but occupies a realistic spirit. Ellen and I plan to write to her. It is obvious she is struggling with full blown AIDS.
The young boys rushed to Colman as an invite to play soccer. They even had a dog that was pretty good at the game!
We did another short VBS with school children this afternoon. Once again I learned all children are the same they just come in different packaging. I've made many friends that I will never forget. How fortunate to have spent time with kids!

Potholes

What an adventure!! Our safari was quite eventful. Even though we did not see as many different animals as we would have liked, we did see unbelievable sights. Our roads trips were very exciting. Plainview has no potholes like Kenya!!!
We are on the countdown to return home. Two more full days and we will start the trek to Texas.
Tomorrow we will visit another school, visit an AIDS orphanage, and mix with the students here. So much to learn!!

Worship and Avocados

Sunday was a very restful day. We attended Banana Hill Baptist Church. The service lasted two hours and then we were served tea and cake. Experiencing worship together was exciting and heartwarming.
Now for some trivia. There is a large avocado tree in our backyard. While exploring the many plants and flowers in the huge yard I discovered it. DH has told me it was here. What a surprise to get under a tree with hundreds of avocados!!! I felt like a kid exploring a new world.
Today we attended chapel and then moved to the construction site. The work is at a point we would be more in the way than helpful if we tried to do anything. We did write a message including the name First Baptist Church with the scripture, II Corinthians 9:12-15. The cornerstone we wrote on will be below ground level by Wednesday. The workers that were near were curious about what we were doing so Stan told them the purpose for our writing the message. Two of the guys wrote the scripture down. How fortunate we are to be here at this time! The building is progressing quickly.
Tomorrow morning we leave for the safari. I am charging batteries!!

Beads, Animals, and Contrasts

Today we took a trip that involved KUZURI BEAD FACTORY. It is a place where single mothers from the slums can come and make a living. They make jewelry out of pottery beads as well as other pottery. The tour of the factory was fascinating.
We visited an elephant orphanage and a giraffe shelter. Feeding a giraffe was a new experience for me! Riding through Nairobi and through the countryside is very unbelievable sight. So many people-everywhere. The weather today was perfect. The sunshine was a very welcome change.
The grounds around us are so beautiful. Kenya is a country of great contrast. We’ve had a very busy schedule so having a free afternoon tomorrow will be a welcome change. To post pictures I have to have Stan’s computer- maybe tomorrow.
I still can’t believe I’m here.

Children and more Children

Today we visited The Nest which is a sheltered place for children whose moms are in prison. We were loved and hugged by many sweet children. The Nest is an amazing place. Ellen held one little girl for a long time. The little girl not only wrapped her arms around Ellen but her legs as well. The need for attention is very great; however, the workers are wonderful. We experienced amazing singing and dancing.
The afternoon was spend visiting a public school. One classroom had 79 second graders. There were no lights. The children (all 600) were happy to add the five soccerballs to their collection of ONE.
So many needs. My pictures will tell the story much better than I can.
By the way, our two suitcases are being held by customs because of the soccerballs that were in them. We will go to Nairobi tomorrow and try to explain. Soccerballs are so treasured here that customs thinks we are planning to sell them.
We are tired but in awe of the experiences we have witnessed.

Ground Level

Tuesday- What a day! We spent several hours "helping" at the construction site. It is amazing to see men doing such hard work by hand. Every stone has to be hand cut and finished. We saw men mix concrete, pound rocks into various sizes, bend steel rods into various shapes, and measure with crude instruments. You could sense the seriousness of their efforts. The men either walk or ride a bicycle to work. The location of the dining hall is beautiful.
We had the opportunity to met the architect, Professor Bernard Otoki Moironao (in the middle) and the contractor, Mr. Kubai Maingi (on the right). All team members "helped" and spent time with the workers.
The weather is perfect and the grounds are lush and covered with flowers. The temperature is cool.
I already know why I am here. To see, to learn, to experience, and to love.
By the way, we have all but two of our suitcases. Those two are in Nairobi and should be delivered by tomorrow.

We've arrived!

After thirty-six hours, we arrived!! (Our luggage-all our luggage did not.) The trip was very tiring but we arrived safely. Brackenhurst Conference Center is beautiful. It is very cool here and we will be glad to get our jackets (and underwear). Stan and Charles will go back into Nairobi this evening to hopefully collect it. The word is, it is on the "next" flight.
The people are very gracious and seem excited to have us here. We have a schedule made for us by Grace, Charles' wife. Tomorrow we will start the day at the construction site. I am eager to start taking pictures. Please continue to pray for us. We have not felt scared, just wide-eyed.