The Bible talks about our
responsibility to take care of the Orphans, Widows and the poor over a 100
times throughout the old and New Testament.
During our 16 days in Kenya we would see first-hand why this commandment
is so important, and be inspired by a community that actually did something
with it. The Kenduiwo Children’s home
was formally founded in 2004, by land that was donated to a cause. Over the
past 10 years, this home has become a city on a hill to the remainder of the
community. Through its growth, the home has helped develop a need for a
community and helped foster the growth of a local church.
Pastor David and his Family
are the founders and the back bone of this children’s home. Pastor David is not only a pastor to MANY
surrounding churches, but he is also the head master of a local school as well
as the Director of the Children’s Home. Much of our work that we did was in
direct partnership with him. Currently
there are 52 children who call this orphanage their home.
I was encourage to see that life at the Orphanage in many ways is a step above life in many of the surrounding homes. The children eat roughly 2 meals a day of farm grown fresh food, which is more than the average child in this community. Children are bathed, clothed and sleep in a dorm style living arrangement. The older children and teens, take very special care of the younger children in the home. They would also have basic Bible studies with all the children. When they are home from school, all the children are taught farming on their land, and are expected to keep with daily chores. This is very important to the development of the kids, so that once they graduate from high school and need to leave the Children’s home, it’s a priority that they are trained in a skill that will provide a way of living. The interesting thing about Kenya is that the word Adoption is a very tricky subject. To the Kipsoghese tribe, Adoptions is more or less just another form of selling children. To the Tribe, selling children is not something that is encouraged. So these children’s homes are essential to the local villages, so that when children are in abusive homes or have been orphaned, there is a way of life available to them.
I was encourage to see that life at the Orphanage in many ways is a step above life in many of the surrounding homes. The children eat roughly 2 meals a day of farm grown fresh food, which is more than the average child in this community. Children are bathed, clothed and sleep in a dorm style living arrangement. The older children and teens, take very special care of the younger children in the home. They would also have basic Bible studies with all the children. When they are home from school, all the children are taught farming on their land, and are expected to keep with daily chores. This is very important to the development of the kids, so that once they graduate from high school and need to leave the Children’s home, it’s a priority that they are trained in a skill that will provide a way of living. The interesting thing about Kenya is that the word Adoption is a very tricky subject. To the Kipsoghese tribe, Adoptions is more or less just another form of selling children. To the Tribe, selling children is not something that is encouraged. So these children’s homes are essential to the local villages, so that when children are in abusive homes or have been orphaned, there is a way of life available to them.
Now let’s just put it
bluntly. Over the past 3 weeks, a certain group of Americans left a good chunk
of their hearts in an orphanage on the side of the mountain in Kenya.
It was impossible not to fall in love with these children. Every afternoon the children from the home would walk back from school and just admire all of us hairy white folk! Some would join us in construction, some would play with our hair and others would just sit and stare…. Roughly around 4:00pm a group of us would march up the hill and teach Bible stories and sing songs with the younger children. With the Help of Judy and Vivian the social workers, they would help translate the words we were saying to focus on the stories of the Bible and sing praises to Jesus. Some of the songs we sang were in English, others we learned in both Kipsogese and Swahili!
It was impossible not to fall in love with these children. Every afternoon the children from the home would walk back from school and just admire all of us hairy white folk! Some would join us in construction, some would play with our hair and others would just sit and stare…. Roughly around 4:00pm a group of us would march up the hill and teach Bible stories and sing songs with the younger children. With the Help of Judy and Vivian the social workers, they would help translate the words we were saying to focus on the stories of the Bible and sing praises to Jesus. Some of the songs we sang were in English, others we learned in both Kipsogese and Swahili!
It would often bring instant
tears to my eyes, when the kids heard a song they knew and sing at the top of
their lungs! We would also swallow a chuckle as their accents often sounded
like children from Boston. My favorite
line would be “ Ebaneezah what a wonda you ahhhh!”
Yet at the end of the week,
we had to say good bye. There wasn’t a dry eye leaving the mountain. Though we
often joked about how many children we could take home in our suit case,
reality did set in that the answer would be 0.
I know my biggest struggle was I had to leave and I actually had to
Trust that God would take care of these beautiful children. Trusting God in His timing, not my own …. Is
not an easy lesson to learn. Yet, I must
take encouragement knowing that God knit every child together before they were
born. These beautiful children of God, have always been His. He has a plan and
he has more love then any group of Americans could ever offer these little
ones.
We ask that you pray for the
Kenduiwo Chidlren’s Home. Pray that
their partnership with the missionaries at Tenwek mission’s hospital remains
strong. Pray for the Pastor David and His Wife Sarah. That God will continue to
guide them, as they serve their life with the children’s home.
And to those who helped donate back packs! We are excited to announce we brought over 100 bags with us! They were given to Amy Bemm one of the missionaries at Tenwek. She will be giving the children each a bag this year for Christmas. We promise once they are handed out, we will show you a picture of the children with the bags.
And to those who helped donate back packs! We are excited to announce we brought over 100 bags with us! They were given to Amy Bemm one of the missionaries at Tenwek. She will be giving the children each a bag this year for Christmas. We promise once they are handed out, we will show you a picture of the children with the bags.
Today was a completely different day for our team. We loaded the cars and made the 45 minute drive up the hills to the orphanage. We worshiped at the hill of Hope church which was located in the common room of the orphanage. We were treated as guests of honor and participated in a traditional kipsigis/Kenyan service. In short it was one long sing along. What a blessing it was to worship with the people who sweat along with us all week long. Our own Paul gave the word which was translated by pastor Amos. They ended the service with a thank you ceremony for us and all the work and the medical clinic that our team helped with this week.
Following lunch we had a chance to visit the rest of the orphanage. The kids zoned right in on us. As we toured their dorms and living areas, the kids grabbed our hands, leaned in for hugs and were craving affection. We had a small ceremony to end our time with the kids. The younger kids each claimed their own "favorite" mzungu (white person). For some reason, when I sat down, I was not claimed. I sat alone and watched the kids each being presented. Then little Abigail who was on Lindsey's lap, turned around and made direct eye contact with me, and beelined to my lap. (Insert water works here) saying goodbye to these children might have been the hardest thing of the trip. There wasn't a dry eye on any of us.
For all the good work that was done here, we still leave more broken then when we arrived. Yet through these times we are reminded that God is sovereign . We have to trust that God is in control and as always will provide for HIS children.
Please be in prayer for the Kenduiwo children's home. Great things are happening !
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