Here are three little orphan children. Believe me, there are thousands. But I cannot help thousands. I will not let what I can't do, stop me from doing what I can do.
But the truth is that it will be a miracle if I can build and maintain an orphan home. HOWEVER, I serve a great God and here I am willing and able to do some crazy thing on the other side of the world and be insanely happy about it. How does God do that? What makes me happy to brave the cockroaches, the tummy disturbances, THE HEAT, and the cultural mistakes I make daily. Jesus. The answer is Jesus. Everything is Yes and Amen in Jesus.
I was speaking with a student today. They just praise me and praise me. Does it affect me? No. and that is the Lord. When I was younger, I would have wanted this kind of praise. But I've learned from Jesus coming into Jerusalem. The same people that praise you will shout crucify.....it is no measure of you. Our judgment comes from the Lord. and the Lord is able to make us stand before Him during the judgment through Jesus Christ.
Honestly, I am already coming to love these children with a relational love. I have loved them from the beginning with a God love that is not my own. But I can't meet their needs yet. I am staying focused on the computer lab and the hospital. But today God has already proved that He will move mountains to meet these needs. it is coming through Anita. Some people that know Anita. They saw her facebook and they are sending 2500 to build the orphanage. Hallelujah! God has shown Himself to care for these little ones who are forgotten by many. (and again I say there are so many more.)
i have to stop to say something.
there are people who were giving to Titus, but when they learned that I was here doing a work in the community, they stopped giving to him. I am horrified. If they could COME HERE and see how gigantic the need is...they would never be mistaken about the importance of their giving. Someone was sending him monthly giving and stopped. it really makes me want to fall down and cry. it is so horrible here with death all around and so many petty thieves that you can hardly keep anything. someone came into the compound last night and stole the kale planted for the preschool children! JESUS! Restore the food to the children! many of those children come from very destitute homes. It is terrible to see the condition of some of them. Oh it could be worse. I hear it is worse in Burundi. well, I'm thankful I am not called to Burundi because I can barely stand some of the suffering and stories here.
Anyway, I know the Lord will provide, but it takes people and there has been very little giving. I can only tell you about the need. and friends, I know you are tired of hearing me, but praise God that some of you listen and give. Praise God. He is glorified. Because why would a person want to give money to someone they don't even know who can't even thank them. only God can make a person want to do that. Only God can make a person want to give. On our own, we won't give. on our own, we only take care of our family and our friends. Through God we not only take care of friends, but He can enable us to take care of enemies! so i know He will move on hearts to give.
I pray the hospital gets financial support. Once again, God is moving through Anita mightily. She has a friend who is gathering medical supplies so quickly that they are overflowing her house. We are going to have to figure out a way to get them to me so we can ship them. And then we will need shipping funds AGAIN. and so I will ask for them again.
But we have the students working towards programming. God will provide programming contracts and they will learn to operate on an international scale.They will make the money for their community. They are so eager, so excited. they are so diligent. they work so hard. I pray they are able to come up to speed when the time comes. I've encouraged them to work on
character. Character is key. You need integrity. They are focused on Jesus and praying daily. They pray for us and it is so precious to hear. They call us mom and dad. Dad Steve and Mama Stephanie. I am pouring everything I know into them and loving them and training them. They will be ready. Our team here has been excellent at teaching them and Steve will polish them and they will shine for Jesus and their community! It is so exciting!
AFter Steve comes and when I'm home, I'll post more about them as individuals. The one who wrote me the good email and I had it posted was Jackson. Jackson comes from a family of 14 children. He is very poor. You would not know it. He bears himself well and he is such a good hearted young man. He is tall (that tends to work in people's favor) and I am teaching him to lower his voice because it is a bit high for a man and he speaks too quietly and with an airy voice. It's a good way to speak for being a man of God in Kenya. it doesn't work for being a business man in India or England or something.
so I'm working with them to lower their voices, raise up their heads, speak loudly and be bold. so many people will criticize you for being bold. Let them live their little lives and bless them and forgive them! Someone is always around to criticize, but what does God say?
I am so thankful that God has taught me to listen to HIM. When I was young, anything someone said could sway me one way or the other. Seriously. But I know what I'm doing here. I know why. I know that I am not to think small and I am not to be afraid. Jesus constantly says to me, "Don't be afraid, only believe." and it has become almost natural to me lately to have no fear. It is so wonderful to be free from fear. (those cockroaches set me back. and it has given folks a good laugh since cockroaches are just a fact of life to them and they can't imagine my silly fear.)
OH my back is starting to hurt. and my neck. and I should go to bed. but i'm so happy to get photos on here. I will post one more orphan before sleeping. How I love these little precious ones. How I love my computer students! How I love my TGD team! How I love my Cornerstone Family! How I love it here. but i miss steve and can't wait until he comes next week. and I can't wait until jesus comes! I praise Him that He is working through me and I marvel at it. How amazing. Stupid wimpy weak me actually doing great things in God--oh how I have loved Him all along and this makes it all the sweeter.
Friday, July 02, 2010
JULY 1ST BLOG
Everyone wants to know....what happened at the police station? Well, we sat at the Golf Hotel for 2 hours. Now, I am doing so good with African time and it was not that I was impatient or in a hurry. Instead, I was anxious about the meeting with our lawyer. I am in another country prosecuting a person. I am not happy about it. I just feel it is my duty. I have to talk to myself with conviction because I used to be unable to handle confrontation (not anymore! I still don’t like it, but I am not willing to let things slide either. Problems only grow if you run away.) There are other things I could be doing, yes, but this must be done. So I sat. and sat. I was able to get so many things on facebook and on my blog. and I sat. and I sat. and I sat. and by the time we were at one hour and fifteen minutes, I just blurted out, “I could have ordered some food!” it takes nearly an hour to get any food at Golf Hotel restaurant, but now I would have had time to eat it. I came on an empty stomach because I had been sick in the night.
Well, let me stop and tell that part. Titus and Rose were in Nairobi for i don’t know what, they said personal business. So me and the boys were at the house. Rose sent Willington, an 18 year old boy who does security, to come sleep in the house while they were gone. He slept out on the couch. At about 2am or something, I ran to the bathroom and sounded like the fireworks show. (just in time for July 4th! a preview!) I guess I was pretty embarrassed because I’m not thrilled with natural body sounds anyway (I’m an American and we like to pretend we have no bad sounds or smells.) But what can you do? I went back and took little pepto bismol chewables because it did not in any way seem anything like the illnesses I have had here. Well, by the time morning comes, we are on the second round----zoom to the toilet! Success! another round of fireworks. I went for the immodium this time. That was why I did not want to eat food before the police station. When you walk in the building, you are just over the women’s prison and some spot designated as the CHOO (toilet.) You can really smell it. I suppose I would really reduce my crime load if I had to stay in that jail cell stinking like a latrine. UGH. I didn’t want to actually have to VISIT the CHOO. Sometimes when you are in a difficult situation, it can make your stomach act up. I wasn’t taking any chances. I mean, fireworks can be dangerous at a police station, right? (but let’s pretend I didn’t talk about that.)
I was getting so hungry and eager to get this over with and working on Godly patience. But I asked Walter, what do you think they are doing? He said he thought we should just be patient. But within a few minutes he asked if I had the number to call the man we were working with. I did not. But I knew Wycliffe had sent him his phone minutes...so he would have the number. Walter started working on getting that number. Before long it was 2pm and he reached the officer who told us to come on over. We get there and Mango has not even come. He sent a text saying he was at a wedding in Kisumu (than why didn’t he tell mr. officer yesterday! they had an appt for noon.) He said he would be there on Monday. What? are you SERIOUS? TOLD A POLICEMAN THAT HE WILL COME LATER? I didn’t think that was allowed. But he’s a lawyer, right? with no charges, he probably cannot be brought in. So the man had us fill out a report and gave us a number for it. We went and photocopied our reciepts and communications. We gave them a letter outlining our history with him. We explained what he had not done and how he came for more money claiming non-existent late fees.
Tomorrow, Titus is supposed to go and tell how he was a witness to what has happened. He was there when Steve gave 60,000 kenyan shillings. The lawyer has not returned his calls. The crazy thing is that the big detective head guy said that our lawyer has done other things. they have him on the books. but they haven’t really been able to get him. They hoped they could get him this time. They told us some of what he had done--stolen a cell phone from a parliament member?! No wonder he doesn’t come when the police call him. I feel satisfied that we are doing the right thing. I need conviction to pull me through. It wore me out. I went and got some chocolate.
GREAT NEWS FROM ANITA! I am rejoicing with Jesus! I may have the story wrong because we are talking internationally and the signals are rarely clear. but someone from another church called her after seeing her repost my recent photos. I posted the orphans on Facebook, plus others. They just happen to have $2500 for an African orphanage. WHAT? Praise the Lord oh Jerusalem, Praise the Lord oh Zion! (one of my little happy songs. ya gotta hear it!) This church has three sisters who go around sharing about orphans in India and getting sponsors and building orphanages. They have had very faithful givers, people who are very reliable. That is so important because if I take this on, it has to be walking on water. We spend our money on the computer lab, building and even the clinic.....it is not like we are Bill Gates or anything. (oh but maybe soon! right? I can believe for anything! God is so good!) But I cannot take on supporting 20 + children every month in a household and sending them to school and to the doctor. but I am willing. I also really want to create a maternity hospital that focuses on birth and early childhood along with some general care. they are desperate around here.
Our employee, Walter, had his wife in the hospital and she needed an operation for an ectopic pregnancy. But then they left the gauze in her body! Her pain increased rather than decreasing and they gave her another operation and found the material. They told him it was a case for legal action, but he does not have the money to even do anything because his exorbitant hospital fees when his son was in the hospital. Even now, his son does not run and play but lays limp like a 3 month old baby. He is over 5...I keep forgetting to ask, but he needs healing. They are not even close to paying the hospital fee, but he has to send them money every month.
Every day there is a death. yesterday, a 6 month old baby was thrown into a field near here. The day before that, the man who runs Jakomat (grocery) was shot by burglars. Today, while riding down the road in the SUV, the pickup truck passed us going the other way. It was full of people hanging out the back. I said, “What are all those people doing in there?” and Pastor Joseph told me they were coming from the morgue. A man had been in the hospital sick and had gotten poor treatment that led to his death.
Also, Pastor Steve’s wife was in the hospital. She had an ear infection that turned into a fever. NOW WHY SEND HER TO A HOSPITAL? That is just scary. But they kept her overnight. I’m so thankful to know Dr. Kennedy. So thankful. and I’m thankful for prayer warriors doing battle for me. God bless you abundantly! I know He will. You are doing the work of the kingdom.
okay, bugs are flocking to me. I’m in the office after dark. Ugh. Time to go to bed.7:45. lights out.
Everyone wants to know....what happened at the police station? Well, we sat at the Golf Hotel for 2 hours. Now, I am doing so good with African time and it was not that I was impatient or in a hurry. Instead, I was anxious about the meeting with our lawyer. I am in another country prosecuting a person. I am not happy about it. I just feel it is my duty. I have to talk to myself with conviction because I used to be unable to handle confrontation (not anymore! I still don’t like it, but I am not willing to let things slide either. Problems only grow if you run away.) There are other things I could be doing, yes, but this must be done. So I sat. and sat. I was able to get so many things on facebook and on my blog. and I sat. and I sat. and I sat. and by the time we were at one hour and fifteen minutes, I just blurted out, “I could have ordered some food!” it takes nearly an hour to get any food at Golf Hotel restaurant, but now I would have had time to eat it. I came on an empty stomach because I had been sick in the night.
Well, let me stop and tell that part. Titus and Rose were in Nairobi for i don’t know what, they said personal business. So me and the boys were at the house. Rose sent Willington, an 18 year old boy who does security, to come sleep in the house while they were gone. He slept out on the couch. At about 2am or something, I ran to the bathroom and sounded like the fireworks show. (just in time for July 4th! a preview!) I guess I was pretty embarrassed because I’m not thrilled with natural body sounds anyway (I’m an American and we like to pretend we have no bad sounds or smells.) But what can you do? I went back and took little pepto bismol chewables because it did not in any way seem anything like the illnesses I have had here. Well, by the time morning comes, we are on the second round----zoom to the toilet! Success! another round of fireworks. I went for the immodium this time. That was why I did not want to eat food before the police station. When you walk in the building, you are just over the women’s prison and some spot designated as the CHOO (toilet.) You can really smell it. I suppose I would really reduce my crime load if I had to stay in that jail cell stinking like a latrine. UGH. I didn’t want to actually have to VISIT the CHOO. Sometimes when you are in a difficult situation, it can make your stomach act up. I wasn’t taking any chances. I mean, fireworks can be dangerous at a police station, right? (but let’s pretend I didn’t talk about that.)
I was getting so hungry and eager to get this over with and working on Godly patience. But I asked Walter, what do you think they are doing? He said he thought we should just be patient. But within a few minutes he asked if I had the number to call the man we were working with. I did not. But I knew Wycliffe had sent him his phone minutes...so he would have the number. Walter started working on getting that number. Before long it was 2pm and he reached the officer who told us to come on over. We get there and Mango has not even come. He sent a text saying he was at a wedding in Kisumu (than why didn’t he tell mr. officer yesterday! they had an appt for noon.) He said he would be there on Monday. What? are you SERIOUS? TOLD A POLICEMAN THAT HE WILL COME LATER? I didn’t think that was allowed. But he’s a lawyer, right? with no charges, he probably cannot be brought in. So the man had us fill out a report and gave us a number for it. We went and photocopied our reciepts and communications. We gave them a letter outlining our history with him. We explained what he had not done and how he came for more money claiming non-existent late fees.
Tomorrow, Titus is supposed to go and tell how he was a witness to what has happened. He was there when Steve gave 60,000 kenyan shillings. The lawyer has not returned his calls. The crazy thing is that the big detective head guy said that our lawyer has done other things. they have him on the books. but they haven’t really been able to get him. They hoped they could get him this time. They told us some of what he had done--stolen a cell phone from a parliament member?! No wonder he doesn’t come when the police call him. I feel satisfied that we are doing the right thing. I need conviction to pull me through. It wore me out. I went and got some chocolate.
GREAT NEWS FROM ANITA! I am rejoicing with Jesus! I may have the story wrong because we are talking internationally and the signals are rarely clear. but someone from another church called her after seeing her repost my recent photos. I posted the orphans on Facebook, plus others. They just happen to have $2500 for an African orphanage. WHAT? Praise the Lord oh Jerusalem, Praise the Lord oh Zion! (one of my little happy songs. ya gotta hear it!) This church has three sisters who go around sharing about orphans in India and getting sponsors and building orphanages. They have had very faithful givers, people who are very reliable. That is so important because if I take this on, it has to be walking on water. We spend our money on the computer lab, building and even the clinic.....it is not like we are Bill Gates or anything. (oh but maybe soon! right? I can believe for anything! God is so good!) But I cannot take on supporting 20 + children every month in a household and sending them to school and to the doctor. but I am willing. I also really want to create a maternity hospital that focuses on birth and early childhood along with some general care. they are desperate around here.
Our employee, Walter, had his wife in the hospital and she needed an operation for an ectopic pregnancy. But then they left the gauze in her body! Her pain increased rather than decreasing and they gave her another operation and found the material. They told him it was a case for legal action, but he does not have the money to even do anything because his exorbitant hospital fees when his son was in the hospital. Even now, his son does not run and play but lays limp like a 3 month old baby. He is over 5...I keep forgetting to ask, but he needs healing. They are not even close to paying the hospital fee, but he has to send them money every month.
Every day there is a death. yesterday, a 6 month old baby was thrown into a field near here. The day before that, the man who runs Jakomat (grocery) was shot by burglars. Today, while riding down the road in the SUV, the pickup truck passed us going the other way. It was full of people hanging out the back. I said, “What are all those people doing in there?” and Pastor Joseph told me they were coming from the morgue. A man had been in the hospital sick and had gotten poor treatment that led to his death.
Also, Pastor Steve’s wife was in the hospital. She had an ear infection that turned into a fever. NOW WHY SEND HER TO A HOSPITAL? That is just scary. But they kept her overnight. I’m so thankful to know Dr. Kennedy. So thankful. and I’m thankful for prayer warriors doing battle for me. God bless you abundantly! I know He will. You are doing the work of the kingdom.
okay, bugs are flocking to me. I’m in the office after dark. Ugh. Time to go to bed.7:45. lights out.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
KEEP SCROLLING THROUGH! I'VE POSTED TONS AND TONS
I KNOW, it may be hard to read it all. but you can scan through the pictures. I've also included our brief paragraphs of the orphans which will be on the website our people here are creating. Because of the legal stuff we've all had to do, we've been unable to transform that site! www.TGDonline.com is going to be even better and the donation part made easier.
another old post on my computer but need to paste it here
Today is Monday. I woke up and decided to write. i was sick in the night. it scared me. had to run to the bathroom. i texted Steve and Donna Rohwer to pray for me. I was able to settle in and sleep, Praise God! I was very thankful to wake this morning and feel okay. I went ahead and took an antibiotic because I’ve had this throat and chest cold continuing to plague me somewhat.
It is around 5am. That will give me some time to eat and get ready before my meeting. I need to see the preschool children, the computer students and the construction workers. I don’t get time to do it due to the schedule of visiting all the churches. There are so many! Anita and Medine have gone to a church every single day except when Anita left and we went to a funeral.
Still, when I woke this morning, I had a message in my heart. I was thinking, okay....maybe You want me to go to the church today. but I’ve got to slow this visiting schedule to be sure I get my work done for TGD. I appreciate Stanley and Joseph for all the work they have been doing. They are a joy to work with. Both are servants of the Lord and to the people. Joseph has really worked to represent the orphans and to check on their welfare. The church tries to do what it can for the orphans. Sometimes they take them to the doctor but then the family never buys the medicine for the child.
The four girls at Ebulechia church are living in the homes with widow Mama Violet and widow Mama Phanice. They each get 50 from my children in support of Mary, Brendah, Shaline and Morphine. Those girls don’t really even know me, but I sure love them. and I appreciate Mama Violet. She speaks good English, too, which sure helps when you are trying to communicate.
I think one of my qualifications for the workers with me in my home here must be English competency. I really want to be able to communicate and the barriers are high. True work is more than greetings and short phrases. It takes understanding.
I wrote a blog yesterday listing many of the words I know in Swahili and Luhya and it did not get posted to the internet. The connection was lost. We all know how frustrating that can be. But I am getting along well and impressing the people. They get great joy when they hear me. When I began in the church yesterday (the one like a catholic church, probably angelican,) I heard the pastor gasp in delight. He was surprised. and I am able to continue on for a few sentences which creates smiles over the audience. They know I’m trying. They appreciate it so much. Oh we have so much to learn in America. When someone speaks English poorly, they get disdain--as if we are the french and above everyone else. But here, when I speak in their language, they embrace me and it lightens their mood and it creates a bond between us. It encourages me to persist.
I gave 2 pairs of shoes to Willington, a worker for Titus and Rose. He comes in each day and helps the boys get ready for school. Then he helps them with homework afterwards. His feet looked the right size. I offered them to him in the name of Doug and told him to pass them along if he found they were not comfortable for him. I saw him wearing them today. Praise God. House workers only get paid about 26 dollars a month, so the shoes will bless him for a long time. Thanks Doug!
I am going to give the sewing project to the widows at Joseph’s church. Perhaps they can sell them for 100 shillings or something very low and reasonable? I will talk with Rose about it. Or it can be a practice project. The widows at Ebulechia are very industrious, though. They took a project of chickens and grew to gain a goat. Now the goat is pregnant. I think I am missing some other step that was in there, too. I really admire Joseph’s church. They work for the widows and the widows work! They work for the orphans. They work to educate children in a small free school using only a chalk board! I bought them chalk the other day. They need chalk desperately. They don’t have books and the children don’t have notebooks or writing utensils. But they are learning.
I reviewed a video of Cynthia, an orphan I took to the doctor yesterday. OH it was awful. you can barely even see her and several minutes of the video were just dark as if it were sitting face down. it has the audio, so maybe I can use it somehow. but I’ll have to have skill. At least I got a good video of her on the way to the doctor. I asked her if I could take a video of her. She was so sick, poor baby! How my heart ached to comfort her. We aren’t close, though, she doesn’t know me. I can’t just push myself onto her, but I loved her and talked to her and I’m glad I could get her medicine. People are dying from malaria all around us. It is depressing. Old, young, and in between. Horrible. They need nets. But even I find that some nights I am sick of messing with the stupid net. It was such a joy at first, like being a princess in a special fortress! But now it is something that I have to fight with every time I want to check the time or go to the bathroom.When I’m flopping around in bed, I get it caught on a foot or hand. Makes me crazy, so I throw it off. Not a good plan. I try to remind myself---do I want to lay in the hospital like those women I prayed for yesterday? I need to put up with the inconvenience. But I’ve been here over 2 weeks. There is plenty of inconvenience and I find myself starting to look for any way to minimize it.
I got a good video of the roads. It is hard bumping around on these roads each day. We go way back sometimes and it is just a chore if you are not feeling well. On a strong day, it is fine. You can handle it. but with the heat and the constant jarring jostling, you just want it to stop. You start to wonder, “how much longer?” but we keep going. sometimes two hours.
TODAY IS MONDAY!
HOW COULD I TYPE THAT THE OTHER DAY WAS MONDAY! TODAY IS MONDAY!
Today was a busy day. I woke before 5 and laid in bed. I thought about where I was and what I needed to do. I considered not going to the churches today. I had a 9am meeting with Pastor Titus and Pastor Steve--we were meeting the health and sanitation officer. ( i think i have a mosquito bite.) So I woke early and began to get ready. I ate some cereal--the chocolate puffs. they are not my favorite but their taste is familiar. I am needing that now. I have reverted back to an “eat more” mentality that I wish I could shut off.
But i was sick in the night. bad. serious runs. I ran to the bathroom. I immediately prayed. I took some immodium. I did not have a panic attack like usual, which was a tremendous and unusual blessing. One other time I had the same problem and it was also without a panic attack. I’m grateful for prayer! I hate this weird quirk of my physiology and want to be healed of it! I also went ahead and started on the antibiotics because I have had this voice issue and in case it is not allergies. and just to kill any bug. But truly, it seemed miraculous to have only one brief bout and to be able to return to sleep after such an event!
So in the morning, I decided to get up early and get ready. I went and got my two tubs of water. Today I did not even want to bother with warm water. I blow dried and had put my hot rollers on to heat earlier. So I was completely ready for the meeting by 7:30 and had one hour to do other business. I went and had an interview with Pastor Juma, Henry Juma. He is now our foreman. Then i had another interview on camera with Clement, a man who was without a job until Trinity work arrived.
I took some pictures of the workers and then went up to the computer students. I talked to them about how to carry themselves professionally. You will see from some interviews with them that they are timid. you cannot even hear them. This has to change. It is time for them to come up higher. They can do it with encouragement and training. They need to be prepared for jobs around the world. They need to work on their English but mostly their presentation. I’m eager to work with them again.
I took some candy to the children before Titus was ready to leave. They see me and get so excited. They love their pictures taken or a handshake and a smile. They all shout, Welcome to our school! in unison. I make them all sit and they hold out their hands and I go around and bless them. I only made it to the first two classrooms and had pastor Steve finish the third while I got my stuff. We had a very good meeting with the officer who was a smart and interesting kind man. He laughed and joked. He will be inspecting for sanitation and building requirements. I am eager to exceed international standards. In fact, he said what they needed was a place for birthing mothers. What? You got it! My very heart indeed! and he mentioned that they don’t even have a nappy (napkins are diapers) and Anita and I want to work on that very thing!
Oh there is so much to say. We also went to a Muslim hospital to pray for one of the church members. A boy of three is urinating blood. When we got to the hospital, they would not let us through the inner gates to get to the family. We were turned away. Two mamas came out. We laid hands on them, embraced them, and prayed for them. They appreciated us. We went on to a new church led by Pastor Ken, a young man with a sweet wife with a lovely booming singing voice. It is called Kisumu Kidogo, small Kisumu. Medine began and told wonderful stories I had never heard about how God called her to prison ministry. She was praying, ‘What do you want me to DO!?!” and she banged her fist on the bed at God to tell her RIGHT NOW---and the phone rang. Well, she never answered during prayer but it seemed timely, so she answered. The voice of a woman she did not even KNOW told her to be at the prison at 9am monday morning. She asked, Who is this??! and the woman said, I don’t know you but God told me to call you. She said, “I suppose God gave you my number?” Yes, He did! and she hung up. Medine didn’t want to go to the prison. she didn’t like them. she tried not to go on monday but God just pressed her and pressed her, so she went angry. she stood in the parking lot and told God he had 10 minutes. she was down to the last minute and even counting the seconds on her watch. in the last 5 seconds, God told her PLAINLY, “you are not in the jail, you are in the parking lot.” she looked down. yep. she was in the parking lot. so she went to the door. when she had one foot on the first step, the door opened and a large lady said, I’m the one who called you now come inside. Well, they did a Bible study. Medine did not believe in healing and there was a large black man who had been in the war when his tank blew up. He lost his hearing (in at least one ear, I can’t remember) but the woman told Medine to pray for him to be healed. she didn’t want to and told the woman she didn’t know how. the lady said, Just say be healed in Jesus’ name. so medine started to pray and the woman said WAIT, God wants you to spit on your fingers and put them in his ears. Well, she thought that was gross, so she just barely touched them to her tongue and the 6’4” man bent over for the 5’ woman. She prayed. He shouted and picked her up and twirled her around! and then he even kissed her! she was shocked and said, No! You can’t hear! and somehow she just kept insisting it was not true, but it was true. and she told many other amazing stories, like one where she was smuggling Bibles into China. One where she was gathering coke cans to buy bibles for India, one where she was hit by a tree and died and went to Jesus but came back to life. It was great. She was sharing the promises. It was amazing. and so then they had her pray for people and I did, too. We laid hands on the sick and prayed. I can’t say we saw any immediate miracles. I admit I am discouraged that God has not done more miraculous healings. How come He healed my headache and He healed my stomach? why won’t He heal the malaria and the sickness or blindness here? Medine prayed for one guy’s foot that was broken and then he could walk on it and he got saved. so that was amazing. that’s the only one I know of besides my migraine. I think we heard some other smaller testimonies and some people have gotten well, but people have still died, too! like the guy steve went to pray for..... he died as they walked in. (had not prayed) and then I went to his funeral. He was a good Angelican. Actually, he had just become born again five days before he died! wow! thank God!
Well, we went to lunch. I got some cute pictures but i’m not very good with this intense camera. but it sure takes nice pictures if I can get it right! so I will keep it up. I love you guys! if only I could share with you from my heart! if only I could share with you from my mind! if only I could bring these people to you or you to them (it would be easier for you if I could bring them to usa! it is HOT here!)
then I preached. I was going to speak on 2 corinthians chapter 4. However, during Medine’s talk I felt VERY impressed to do Matthew 20 where Jesus says, What do you want me to do for you? and I felt it was a Word to this small group. So i told them to ready 2 corinthians 4 later and I told them some stories from my own life--about how God answered prayers I asked of Him and How He showed Himself to me.
well, we were winding up when Titus comes along. He has a man with him. it was incredible. He asks us to give this guy just some few minutes of our time and he comes out with major blessing! It was the same message as me but totally different in African Man Preaching Style (I LOVE IT!) I wanted to wave my scarf. I wanted to jump up and down. I was shouting Amen even with baby Precious Marion in my arms. I had to get off the front and go into the audience so I could face him from the back and wave my hands without being a disturbance. He was awesome speaking the word of God over us. He was saying God is with you. Speak to the mountain. Ask anything in my name and it will be given you. Oh it was a faith filled message filled with the glory of God. He started off saying stuff about the Lion of Judah. Oh, he said he was a LION. He said God is with me. but he was talking about provision in God and you know, I can get so weighed down with the size of what I am asking God to do, but I just received this message FOR ME! God was speaking to me! I know God was saying to ME that He would do it! It comes from His heart! It originates in His Heart and He will carry out His Kingdom. Hallelujah! I jumped and shouted. It was a rousing Glory to God event!
Praise God for His Word and His Promises. I am so encouraged. He spoke over me prophetically, too. He said Apostolic Ministry. Now, an apostle plants churches. that is crazy serious. I cannot imagine planting churches, but I receive any and all God has for me and I say YES and AMEN. He prayed that I would get none of African diseases and we would be comforted on our return flights. He is coming again in two weeks and how eager I am for this man to preach the Word and bring me close to Jesus and to encourage me to trust Him at His Word and not to look at circumstances.
TODAY IS TUESDAY
Right now I am in the computer class. The students are supposed to review what they have done so far. They are working on Microsoft Visual Studio. They are working on creating a database. They gave it a name. They imported an image after resizing it.They wanted to learn how to make it so on a website someone could click on the picture and they would get information about the program. Then the message would display. They want the application to connect to the database. Frank is asking the students to explain bit by bit. They use regular language trying to say what they do and then he rephrases it so they know what the right way to talk about the subject. For example, when they say “made the picture smaller,” Franks says, “We resized the image.” another phrase, “We define the fields.” They talk about the database and the tables. Frank sits at the front of the class with a laptop in front of him but the students have a separate computer that they all look at together with the screen facing the students. Behind Frank is a white board with diagrams. There are signs on the wall showing “increment and decrement operators” --whatever that means! And another chart, Visual C#types and value limits.
He is saying they are at a design phase and he is explaining that term.
You know, it does seem that they are a long way from providing services for a company. God speed them. Quamba Tu--translates to “Just Praying” which means this comes about by prayer and praying to God repeatedly so until He answers.
My goodness these students need computers! how thankful I am that they have already begun learning! Now I cannot imagine if they were only at square one on the first day that Steve could get the computers together. One serious problem is that we will only have one floor ready. ONE FLOOR! and we need TWO. We need to be ready to set up the computer lab immediately with the wiring and electricity. Do the students get opportunities to work on this computer alone? How could they advance by sharing?
We have gone over several concerns with the hospital. I see now that I must go view the good hospitals in the area. There is a good hospital in Eldoret and there is a good one in Nairobi. I think I should fly Joseph with me to Nairobi rather than have him take a bus. Definitely. I will ask Steve for clearance. When I get to Nairobi, Walter has a brother there who can drive us around. There is a good hospital there and we can get pricing information and learn from them. We have so much to consider, it boggles my mind. We have prayed for so many with malaria complications. It is terrible. Little babies and pregnant women and old ladies. Men get malaria as well, with alarming frequency. Pastor Steve had malaria when we came last time. Titus had it while we were gone. One of his children had it and Sheila and Rose got Typhoid. Now I have taken one of my very few little children in for Malaria after seeing her one day, she came down sick that evening. It is terrible.
Joseph is on me about getting an ambulance. He tells me how good it would be for all the distant church members to only have to pay for the gas of the vehicle. They could call them and get picked up for only the price of gas. But a CAR? Very expensive. If I had the money for a car--i would be buying an autoclave, an incubator, a baby warmer, a surgical suite, a generator, a doppler, suction machine, drugs for the clinic and more. I am building an orphanage without the money--so I do not have time for an ambulance. I am right near our TGD building so the orphans that we are caring for will be certain of medical care immediately. They are near all levels of schools. The preschool is here at the church compound, the junior high and high school are across the main road. Only five minutes or less walking time door to door. They will be well positioned. If God sovereignly brings me a CAR, then I will give Him glory and bless His name. For now, I do that anyway, but I cannot yet imagine going as far as an ambulance. I am already so far out of my comfort zone that only God can save me. He has the cattle on a thousand hills and the universe is His creation. He has all riches and can bring me everything I need. He controls the atoms and holds the world together; the world that was made through Him. Therefore, I am in good hands. The children are in good hands. God is doing a mighty work here among His people. He gently cares for those who have young. He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. A bruised reed He does not break and a smoldering wick He does not snuff out. He daily bears our burdens. He will fulfill His purpose for me. It is God who works in me to Will and to Act His good purpose. He is able to make all grace abound to me so that in all things and at all times having all that I need I will abound in every good work. I know this work is good. I know this work is God, therefore, I am anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, I present my requests to God and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
It is around 5am. That will give me some time to eat and get ready before my meeting. I need to see the preschool children, the computer students and the construction workers. I don’t get time to do it due to the schedule of visiting all the churches. There are so many! Anita and Medine have gone to a church every single day except when Anita left and we went to a funeral.
Still, when I woke this morning, I had a message in my heart. I was thinking, okay....maybe You want me to go to the church today. but I’ve got to slow this visiting schedule to be sure I get my work done for TGD. I appreciate Stanley and Joseph for all the work they have been doing. They are a joy to work with. Both are servants of the Lord and to the people. Joseph has really worked to represent the orphans and to check on their welfare. The church tries to do what it can for the orphans. Sometimes they take them to the doctor but then the family never buys the medicine for the child.
The four girls at Ebulechia church are living in the homes with widow Mama Violet and widow Mama Phanice. They each get 50 from my children in support of Mary, Brendah, Shaline and Morphine. Those girls don’t really even know me, but I sure love them. and I appreciate Mama Violet. She speaks good English, too, which sure helps when you are trying to communicate.
I think one of my qualifications for the workers with me in my home here must be English competency. I really want to be able to communicate and the barriers are high. True work is more than greetings and short phrases. It takes understanding.
I wrote a blog yesterday listing many of the words I know in Swahili and Luhya and it did not get posted to the internet. The connection was lost. We all know how frustrating that can be. But I am getting along well and impressing the people. They get great joy when they hear me. When I began in the church yesterday (the one like a catholic church, probably angelican,) I heard the pastor gasp in delight. He was surprised. and I am able to continue on for a few sentences which creates smiles over the audience. They know I’m trying. They appreciate it so much. Oh we have so much to learn in America. When someone speaks English poorly, they get disdain--as if we are the french and above everyone else. But here, when I speak in their language, they embrace me and it lightens their mood and it creates a bond between us. It encourages me to persist.
I gave 2 pairs of shoes to Willington, a worker for Titus and Rose. He comes in each day and helps the boys get ready for school. Then he helps them with homework afterwards. His feet looked the right size. I offered them to him in the name of Doug and told him to pass them along if he found they were not comfortable for him. I saw him wearing them today. Praise God. House workers only get paid about 26 dollars a month, so the shoes will bless him for a long time. Thanks Doug!
I am going to give the sewing project to the widows at Joseph’s church. Perhaps they can sell them for 100 shillings or something very low and reasonable? I will talk with Rose about it. Or it can be a practice project. The widows at Ebulechia are very industrious, though. They took a project of chickens and grew to gain a goat. Now the goat is pregnant. I think I am missing some other step that was in there, too. I really admire Joseph’s church. They work for the widows and the widows work! They work for the orphans. They work to educate children in a small free school using only a chalk board! I bought them chalk the other day. They need chalk desperately. They don’t have books and the children don’t have notebooks or writing utensils. But they are learning.
I reviewed a video of Cynthia, an orphan I took to the doctor yesterday. OH it was awful. you can barely even see her and several minutes of the video were just dark as if it were sitting face down. it has the audio, so maybe I can use it somehow. but I’ll have to have skill. At least I got a good video of her on the way to the doctor. I asked her if I could take a video of her. She was so sick, poor baby! How my heart ached to comfort her. We aren’t close, though, she doesn’t know me. I can’t just push myself onto her, but I loved her and talked to her and I’m glad I could get her medicine. People are dying from malaria all around us. It is depressing. Old, young, and in between. Horrible. They need nets. But even I find that some nights I am sick of messing with the stupid net. It was such a joy at first, like being a princess in a special fortress! But now it is something that I have to fight with every time I want to check the time or go to the bathroom.When I’m flopping around in bed, I get it caught on a foot or hand. Makes me crazy, so I throw it off. Not a good plan. I try to remind myself---do I want to lay in the hospital like those women I prayed for yesterday? I need to put up with the inconvenience. But I’ve been here over 2 weeks. There is plenty of inconvenience and I find myself starting to look for any way to minimize it.
I got a good video of the roads. It is hard bumping around on these roads each day. We go way back sometimes and it is just a chore if you are not feeling well. On a strong day, it is fine. You can handle it. but with the heat and the constant jarring jostling, you just want it to stop. You start to wonder, “how much longer?” but we keep going. sometimes two hours.
TODAY IS MONDAY!
HOW COULD I TYPE THAT THE OTHER DAY WAS MONDAY! TODAY IS MONDAY!
Today was a busy day. I woke before 5 and laid in bed. I thought about where I was and what I needed to do. I considered not going to the churches today. I had a 9am meeting with Pastor Titus and Pastor Steve--we were meeting the health and sanitation officer. ( i think i have a mosquito bite.) So I woke early and began to get ready. I ate some cereal--the chocolate puffs. they are not my favorite but their taste is familiar. I am needing that now. I have reverted back to an “eat more” mentality that I wish I could shut off.
But i was sick in the night. bad. serious runs. I ran to the bathroom. I immediately prayed. I took some immodium. I did not have a panic attack like usual, which was a tremendous and unusual blessing. One other time I had the same problem and it was also without a panic attack. I’m grateful for prayer! I hate this weird quirk of my physiology and want to be healed of it! I also went ahead and started on the antibiotics because I have had this voice issue and in case it is not allergies. and just to kill any bug. But truly, it seemed miraculous to have only one brief bout and to be able to return to sleep after such an event!
So in the morning, I decided to get up early and get ready. I went and got my two tubs of water. Today I did not even want to bother with warm water. I blow dried and had put my hot rollers on to heat earlier. So I was completely ready for the meeting by 7:30 and had one hour to do other business. I went and had an interview with Pastor Juma, Henry Juma. He is now our foreman. Then i had another interview on camera with Clement, a man who was without a job until Trinity work arrived.
I took some pictures of the workers and then went up to the computer students. I talked to them about how to carry themselves professionally. You will see from some interviews with them that they are timid. you cannot even hear them. This has to change. It is time for them to come up higher. They can do it with encouragement and training. They need to be prepared for jobs around the world. They need to work on their English but mostly their presentation. I’m eager to work with them again.
I took some candy to the children before Titus was ready to leave. They see me and get so excited. They love their pictures taken or a handshake and a smile. They all shout, Welcome to our school! in unison. I make them all sit and they hold out their hands and I go around and bless them. I only made it to the first two classrooms and had pastor Steve finish the third while I got my stuff. We had a very good meeting with the officer who was a smart and interesting kind man. He laughed and joked. He will be inspecting for sanitation and building requirements. I am eager to exceed international standards. In fact, he said what they needed was a place for birthing mothers. What? You got it! My very heart indeed! and he mentioned that they don’t even have a nappy (napkins are diapers) and Anita and I want to work on that very thing!
Oh there is so much to say. We also went to a Muslim hospital to pray for one of the church members. A boy of three is urinating blood. When we got to the hospital, they would not let us through the inner gates to get to the family. We were turned away. Two mamas came out. We laid hands on them, embraced them, and prayed for them. They appreciated us. We went on to a new church led by Pastor Ken, a young man with a sweet wife with a lovely booming singing voice. It is called Kisumu Kidogo, small Kisumu. Medine began and told wonderful stories I had never heard about how God called her to prison ministry. She was praying, ‘What do you want me to DO!?!” and she banged her fist on the bed at God to tell her RIGHT NOW---and the phone rang. Well, she never answered during prayer but it seemed timely, so she answered. The voice of a woman she did not even KNOW told her to be at the prison at 9am monday morning. She asked, Who is this??! and the woman said, I don’t know you but God told me to call you. She said, “I suppose God gave you my number?” Yes, He did! and she hung up. Medine didn’t want to go to the prison. she didn’t like them. she tried not to go on monday but God just pressed her and pressed her, so she went angry. she stood in the parking lot and told God he had 10 minutes. she was down to the last minute and even counting the seconds on her watch. in the last 5 seconds, God told her PLAINLY, “you are not in the jail, you are in the parking lot.” she looked down. yep. she was in the parking lot. so she went to the door. when she had one foot on the first step, the door opened and a large lady said, I’m the one who called you now come inside. Well, they did a Bible study. Medine did not believe in healing and there was a large black man who had been in the war when his tank blew up. He lost his hearing (in at least one ear, I can’t remember) but the woman told Medine to pray for him to be healed. she didn’t want to and told the woman she didn’t know how. the lady said, Just say be healed in Jesus’ name. so medine started to pray and the woman said WAIT, God wants you to spit on your fingers and put them in his ears. Well, she thought that was gross, so she just barely touched them to her tongue and the 6’4” man bent over for the 5’ woman. She prayed. He shouted and picked her up and twirled her around! and then he even kissed her! she was shocked and said, No! You can’t hear! and somehow she just kept insisting it was not true, but it was true. and she told many other amazing stories, like one where she was smuggling Bibles into China. One where she was gathering coke cans to buy bibles for India, one where she was hit by a tree and died and went to Jesus but came back to life. It was great. She was sharing the promises. It was amazing. and so then they had her pray for people and I did, too. We laid hands on the sick and prayed. I can’t say we saw any immediate miracles. I admit I am discouraged that God has not done more miraculous healings. How come He healed my headache and He healed my stomach? why won’t He heal the malaria and the sickness or blindness here? Medine prayed for one guy’s foot that was broken and then he could walk on it and he got saved. so that was amazing. that’s the only one I know of besides my migraine. I think we heard some other smaller testimonies and some people have gotten well, but people have still died, too! like the guy steve went to pray for..... he died as they walked in. (had not prayed) and then I went to his funeral. He was a good Angelican. Actually, he had just become born again five days before he died! wow! thank God!
Well, we went to lunch. I got some cute pictures but i’m not very good with this intense camera. but it sure takes nice pictures if I can get it right! so I will keep it up. I love you guys! if only I could share with you from my heart! if only I could share with you from my mind! if only I could bring these people to you or you to them (it would be easier for you if I could bring them to usa! it is HOT here!)
then I preached. I was going to speak on 2 corinthians chapter 4. However, during Medine’s talk I felt VERY impressed to do Matthew 20 where Jesus says, What do you want me to do for you? and I felt it was a Word to this small group. So i told them to ready 2 corinthians 4 later and I told them some stories from my own life--about how God answered prayers I asked of Him and How He showed Himself to me.
well, we were winding up when Titus comes along. He has a man with him. it was incredible. He asks us to give this guy just some few minutes of our time and he comes out with major blessing! It was the same message as me but totally different in African Man Preaching Style (I LOVE IT!) I wanted to wave my scarf. I wanted to jump up and down. I was shouting Amen even with baby Precious Marion in my arms. I had to get off the front and go into the audience so I could face him from the back and wave my hands without being a disturbance. He was awesome speaking the word of God over us. He was saying God is with you. Speak to the mountain. Ask anything in my name and it will be given you. Oh it was a faith filled message filled with the glory of God. He started off saying stuff about the Lion of Judah. Oh, he said he was a LION. He said God is with me. but he was talking about provision in God and you know, I can get so weighed down with the size of what I am asking God to do, but I just received this message FOR ME! God was speaking to me! I know God was saying to ME that He would do it! It comes from His heart! It originates in His Heart and He will carry out His Kingdom. Hallelujah! I jumped and shouted. It was a rousing Glory to God event!
Praise God for His Word and His Promises. I am so encouraged. He spoke over me prophetically, too. He said Apostolic Ministry. Now, an apostle plants churches. that is crazy serious. I cannot imagine planting churches, but I receive any and all God has for me and I say YES and AMEN. He prayed that I would get none of African diseases and we would be comforted on our return flights. He is coming again in two weeks and how eager I am for this man to preach the Word and bring me close to Jesus and to encourage me to trust Him at His Word and not to look at circumstances.
TODAY IS TUESDAY
Right now I am in the computer class. The students are supposed to review what they have done so far. They are working on Microsoft Visual Studio. They are working on creating a database. They gave it a name. They imported an image after resizing it.They wanted to learn how to make it so on a website someone could click on the picture and they would get information about the program. Then the message would display. They want the application to connect to the database. Frank is asking the students to explain bit by bit. They use regular language trying to say what they do and then he rephrases it so they know what the right way to talk about the subject. For example, when they say “made the picture smaller,” Franks says, “We resized the image.” another phrase, “We define the fields.” They talk about the database and the tables. Frank sits at the front of the class with a laptop in front of him but the students have a separate computer that they all look at together with the screen facing the students. Behind Frank is a white board with diagrams. There are signs on the wall showing “increment and decrement operators” --whatever that means! And another chart, Visual C#types and value limits.
He is saying they are at a design phase and he is explaining that term.
You know, it does seem that they are a long way from providing services for a company. God speed them. Quamba Tu--translates to “Just Praying” which means this comes about by prayer and praying to God repeatedly so until He answers.
My goodness these students need computers! how thankful I am that they have already begun learning! Now I cannot imagine if they were only at square one on the first day that Steve could get the computers together. One serious problem is that we will only have one floor ready. ONE FLOOR! and we need TWO. We need to be ready to set up the computer lab immediately with the wiring and electricity. Do the students get opportunities to work on this computer alone? How could they advance by sharing?
We have gone over several concerns with the hospital. I see now that I must go view the good hospitals in the area. There is a good hospital in Eldoret and there is a good one in Nairobi. I think I should fly Joseph with me to Nairobi rather than have him take a bus. Definitely. I will ask Steve for clearance. When I get to Nairobi, Walter has a brother there who can drive us around. There is a good hospital there and we can get pricing information and learn from them. We have so much to consider, it boggles my mind. We have prayed for so many with malaria complications. It is terrible. Little babies and pregnant women and old ladies. Men get malaria as well, with alarming frequency. Pastor Steve had malaria when we came last time. Titus had it while we were gone. One of his children had it and Sheila and Rose got Typhoid. Now I have taken one of my very few little children in for Malaria after seeing her one day, she came down sick that evening. It is terrible.
Joseph is on me about getting an ambulance. He tells me how good it would be for all the distant church members to only have to pay for the gas of the vehicle. They could call them and get picked up for only the price of gas. But a CAR? Very expensive. If I had the money for a car--i would be buying an autoclave, an incubator, a baby warmer, a surgical suite, a generator, a doppler, suction machine, drugs for the clinic and more. I am building an orphanage without the money--so I do not have time for an ambulance. I am right near our TGD building so the orphans that we are caring for will be certain of medical care immediately. They are near all levels of schools. The preschool is here at the church compound, the junior high and high school are across the main road. Only five minutes or less walking time door to door. They will be well positioned. If God sovereignly brings me a CAR, then I will give Him glory and bless His name. For now, I do that anyway, but I cannot yet imagine going as far as an ambulance. I am already so far out of my comfort zone that only God can save me. He has the cattle on a thousand hills and the universe is His creation. He has all riches and can bring me everything I need. He controls the atoms and holds the world together; the world that was made through Him. Therefore, I am in good hands. The children are in good hands. God is doing a mighty work here among His people. He gently cares for those who have young. He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. A bruised reed He does not break and a smoldering wick He does not snuff out. He daily bears our burdens. He will fulfill His purpose for me. It is God who works in me to Will and to Act His good purpose. He is able to make all grace abound to me so that in all things and at all times having all that I need I will abound in every good work. I know this work is good. I know this work is God, therefore, I am anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, I present my requests to God and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
letter from agnes....did I post this yet?
Dear Lord,
I am happy to say you are worthy for what you have done to me. You gave us life,which is good I really bless you .
I thank the Almighty for bringing mama Stephanie and Steve into my life. They have been such a blessing in my life. I am studying computer programming which is good.The computer has made us to be literate. I know we will be useful in future especially to the community and our family as a whole.Mama Stephanie and our beloved dad Steve are family.
I am looking forward to seeing the hospital and the TGD computer lab. It will be so good once the building will be through and everything proceed. When we get sick we wont have to go for a long distance since the hospital will be within.
My prayer is I get a job one day and be able to take care of my children and family. I also have the heart of helping the needy God willing ,I will take care of the orphans,widows those who can’t make both ends meet. Let us all rejoice and give thanks to the Lord.
Sarah and Dough were good friends I really enjoyed their stay here. They were very social and free with people. Let me hope they will come again.
Mama and Dad are rely working hard.I give glory to the Lord for giving wisdom and knowledge to them for everything that they are trying to come up with. My prayer is that the container arrives safely and wow! what do you think will happen next?
When it comes to life experience I have rely hard it rough. I was once married but life was hell. There was no food for me and the children. My husband was a drunkard he thought about nothing but himself. I had to go begging for food and clothing from door to door.We used to eat sugarcane and call it a day it was horrible.I then decided to come back to my parents. Thats when TGD come up I know it will do more good.
God bless you so much mama and daddy you are marvelous. Keep it mama don’t give up we are behind you and we are praying for you. Have a nice time and lets meet.
Sincerely yours,
I am happy to say you are worthy for what you have done to me. You gave us life,which is good I really bless you .
I thank the Almighty for bringing mama Stephanie and Steve into my life. They have been such a blessing in my life. I am studying computer programming which is good.The computer has made us to be literate. I know we will be useful in future especially to the community and our family as a whole.Mama Stephanie and our beloved dad Steve are family.
I am looking forward to seeing the hospital and the TGD computer lab. It will be so good once the building will be through and everything proceed. When we get sick we wont have to go for a long distance since the hospital will be within.
My prayer is I get a job one day and be able to take care of my children and family. I also have the heart of helping the needy God willing ,I will take care of the orphans,widows those who can’t make both ends meet. Let us all rejoice and give thanks to the Lord.
Sarah and Dough were good friends I really enjoyed their stay here. They were very social and free with people. Let me hope they will come again.
Mama and Dad are rely working hard.I give glory to the Lord for giving wisdom and knowledge to them for everything that they are trying to come up with. My prayer is that the container arrives safely and wow! what do you think will happen next?
When it comes to life experience I have rely hard it rough. I was once married but life was hell. There was no food for me and the children. My husband was a drunkard he thought about nothing but himself. I had to go begging for food and clothing from door to door.We used to eat sugarcane and call it a day it was horrible.I then decided to come back to my parents. Thats when TGD come up I know it will do more good.
God bless you so much mama and daddy you are marvelous. Keep it mama don’t give up we are behind you and we are praying for you. Have a nice time and lets meet.
Sincerely yours,
old notes posting much later....
Stephanie Rivers
Trinity Global Development
June 3, 2010
TGD Board meeting
Our desire is to see the body of Christ prosper. Steve opens the meeting and explains what we are going to do. He has a power point. Sarah, Steve and I sit together. Anita and Pastor Steve sit together. Titus, Walter, and Frank sit together. We are sharing power point.
Steve describes his motives. The Lord spoke to him about the body of Christ. His brothers and sisters struggling. Our mission statement registered with the U.S. government and the Kenyan government. It is a 501c3 and an NGO. These are the operating parameters.
Henry joined us as we were talking about accounting. Over time we will add more board members.
My battery was so low, I stopped recording.
I spent the night with a very sore throat. When I napped in the afternoon, the pain returned. We had our TGD meeting with Pastor Steve there and Henry. We forgot to mention the missing payments to the widows in March. We will give another payment somehow to the widows.
I want to buy Mary a dress. Jane and Vivian need to go to the doctor. The little orphan girl at the preschool has not come because she is sick. Paul did not come today because he was sick. I need to get them to the doctor. Jane needs a dress.
I want to go ahead and get a house built for these children and get them into my care. I had only minimal interest in the orphans though. Right now I can only think of eight people who are interested in sponsoring orphans and that is only at $25 a month! That is no way to run an orphanage. I may just have to take care of them all myself--through Steve.
There are several problems with having them in the homes. They just don’t get prioritized at all. They don’t always get to go to school. I know several of them: Paul, Ben, Benjamin, Emmanuel, Mary, Morphine, Shaline, Brendah, Jane, Vivian, and Lillian. I want them to live with me. There are 19 in total. That is so many children! and schooling for each one is about 180-250 dollars. There will be medical bills. There will be clothing needs. There will be daily food for a house of 20+.
I do love these children. I have had Mary, Morphine, Shaline, and Brendah on my heart this whole time since January. The weight of it. So heavy. and I feel so helpless. so many needs. But 19 is not that many! God has called us to care for the orphans. I want to help them. I want to see if Violet can come be a house mom--or someone like that. Someone who can come and work in the house when I am gone. The three pastors will oversee the administration. I feel they are men who are very trustworthy. Joseph has even worked for these children with no funding. We bought him the motorcycle and he used it to serve his pastorate more fully. He began to organize education for those orphans in his church.
Today Steve bought a motorcycle for Walter and for Frank. They will be instrumental in getting TGD Services up and running. With TGD Services, the people here will work as contract programmers. Their profit will fun the TGD clinic and computer lab. We are concerned about electricity costs, but the center will be like no other in Kenya. Even the premiere university program was nothing compared to the languages they are learning here. TGD Services is going to be amazing and the hospital--even with used equipment--is going to be a wonder to see. Doctors will come from around here to rent our equipment and treat their patients at our facility. They just don’t have things we take for granted.
Today Doug got a chance to talk to the children at the school during the TGD meeting. He took some excellent pictures. Oh I love these children! I let Doug and Sarah pass out cookies today. Steve did candy yesterday. We have another three days worth of cookies and another day of candy. Plus, we are going to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches one day, have chicken on another day, and maybe hard boiled eggs another day. We want to see some protein here. We can add a day of beans and rice. I will be staying a while, so we want to do more than just pass out cookies. We bought them a soccer ball and some badminton rackets. I wish I could find baby dolls that are black. Ladies--please sew some beautiful rag dolls for these precious children!
Trinity Global Development
June 3, 2010
TGD Board meeting
Our desire is to see the body of Christ prosper. Steve opens the meeting and explains what we are going to do. He has a power point. Sarah, Steve and I sit together. Anita and Pastor Steve sit together. Titus, Walter, and Frank sit together. We are sharing power point.
Steve describes his motives. The Lord spoke to him about the body of Christ. His brothers and sisters struggling. Our mission statement registered with the U.S. government and the Kenyan government. It is a 501c3 and an NGO. These are the operating parameters.
Henry joined us as we were talking about accounting. Over time we will add more board members.
My battery was so low, I stopped recording.
I spent the night with a very sore throat. When I napped in the afternoon, the pain returned. We had our TGD meeting with Pastor Steve there and Henry. We forgot to mention the missing payments to the widows in March. We will give another payment somehow to the widows.
I want to buy Mary a dress. Jane and Vivian need to go to the doctor. The little orphan girl at the preschool has not come because she is sick. Paul did not come today because he was sick. I need to get them to the doctor. Jane needs a dress.
I want to go ahead and get a house built for these children and get them into my care. I had only minimal interest in the orphans though. Right now I can only think of eight people who are interested in sponsoring orphans and that is only at $25 a month! That is no way to run an orphanage. I may just have to take care of them all myself--through Steve.
There are several problems with having them in the homes. They just don’t get prioritized at all. They don’t always get to go to school. I know several of them: Paul, Ben, Benjamin, Emmanuel, Mary, Morphine, Shaline, Brendah, Jane, Vivian, and Lillian. I want them to live with me. There are 19 in total. That is so many children! and schooling for each one is about 180-250 dollars. There will be medical bills. There will be clothing needs. There will be daily food for a house of 20+.
I do love these children. I have had Mary, Morphine, Shaline, and Brendah on my heart this whole time since January. The weight of it. So heavy. and I feel so helpless. so many needs. But 19 is not that many! God has called us to care for the orphans. I want to help them. I want to see if Violet can come be a house mom--or someone like that. Someone who can come and work in the house when I am gone. The three pastors will oversee the administration. I feel they are men who are very trustworthy. Joseph has even worked for these children with no funding. We bought him the motorcycle and he used it to serve his pastorate more fully. He began to organize education for those orphans in his church.
Today Steve bought a motorcycle for Walter and for Frank. They will be instrumental in getting TGD Services up and running. With TGD Services, the people here will work as contract programmers. Their profit will fun the TGD clinic and computer lab. We are concerned about electricity costs, but the center will be like no other in Kenya. Even the premiere university program was nothing compared to the languages they are learning here. TGD Services is going to be amazing and the hospital--even with used equipment--is going to be a wonder to see. Doctors will come from around here to rent our equipment and treat their patients at our facility. They just don’t have things we take for granted.
Today Doug got a chance to talk to the children at the school during the TGD meeting. He took some excellent pictures. Oh I love these children! I let Doug and Sarah pass out cookies today. Steve did candy yesterday. We have another three days worth of cookies and another day of candy. Plus, we are going to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches one day, have chicken on another day, and maybe hard boiled eggs another day. We want to see some protein here. We can add a day of beans and rice. I will be staying a while, so we want to do more than just pass out cookies. We bought them a soccer ball and some badminton rackets. I wish I could find baby dolls that are black. Ladies--please sew some beautiful rag dolls for these precious children!
ORPHAN NOTES UNFINISHED
CATHERINE
Mary Barasa
Brendah Masitsa
Shaline Obieba
Morphine Musindalo
Dianah Anyiso
Evangeline Were Lumbasi
Ben Amuko
Noel Luchiko
Paul Wesa

Benjamin Tsuma
Emmanuel Olunga
Vivian Mutambi
Lillian Maina
Jane Lulibitsa
Cynthia Nakhungu
Daisy Nabisino
Sharon Mukoya
Gladys Makokha
Frieda Mutika
Abednego Omukoko
Silas Indeche
Trophosa Ambunya
Orphan’s Name- Daisy Nabisino
Daisy is an orphan who stays with her mother in rental houses at Shianda Market. She is 9 years old and the last born in her family. She goes to school at Mukambi Primary School and she is in grade 3. In school Daisy performs exceptionally well because she sometimes in the top 5.Her favorite subject is Mathematics.Her dream is to become a High School teacher.
Her mother’s name is Phaice Kakai and her dad passed on in 2004, March.She has two siblings whom they stay together with her mother.
Daisy is in deep need. She lacks most of her basic needs e.g clothes, mattress,blanket,shoes,socks,mosquito net e.t.c. She also needs good shelter and food.She loves eating Ugali, meat, chicken and cowpeas.
Daisy is a hardworking girl because she assists her mother in washing the dishes,cleaning the compound,cleaning the house and she also takes care of neighbors‘ children.
Healthwise,Daisy has good health but sometimes she feels headache,stomach pains and has an ear infection.
Daisy is a Christian and she goes to Shianda Cornerstone Church with her mother.She attends SundaySchool Service where she sometimes leads praise and worship.
Orphan’s Name- Cynthia Nakhungu
Cynthia is a total orphan who stays with her grandmother,Hellen Ayungu at Ikoli village. She is 12 years old and has two siblings,one aged 8 and the other 5.Since she is the oldest, she takes care of her siblings.
She goes to school at Shiakhulo Primary School and she is in grade 5. Her best subjects are Math, Science and Agriculture. She is active in school and plays legball. After school her dream career is to become a doctor in future. She is particularly interested in helping women have babies.
Cynthia is hardworking too. She helps by washing utensils, sweeping the house and fetching water from the river.
Cynthia”s living standards are poor.Her grandma takes local brew and doesn’t look for food for the children hence they go to bed on empty stomachs often.She even goes ahead and givse the children the brew which contributes to their poor health because they feel dizzy, get headaches and stomachaches. Cynthia hopes to move from her grandma’s home and find a place that will be conducive to school so she can concentrate on her studies and live well.
Cynthia lost her dad in a crude way which was unexpected.In 2007 there were clashes after general elections.People were fighting all over and there was a lot of blood shed so Cynthia’s dad was murdered.
Cynthia goes to Makunga Cornerstone Church.She is good at reciting poems and drama. She appears to be a very bright girl with great potential.
Emmanuel Olunga.
Emmanuel is very cute and very cheerful. Even though he overheard this family members saying they didn’t want him and wanted him to live somewhere else where he could be cared for, he ignored it and remained cheerful. He was gregarious and enjoyed the camera. He was very playful and energetic. This boy has a lot of potential due to his good strong nature. He has no brothers or sisters. He is 7 years old and in class 2. His parents have been gone for 2 years. They died from AIDS. Jemima is his maternal aunt. She is not receiving any help from the church and cannot care for him. Emmanuel likes beans and rice. He loves to play football. Even though he does not have AIDS, he is insulted by friends and lives in a bad environment. He needs a place he can be accepted and encouraged. He lives with several children ages 17, 14, 12, 5 and 1.
Orphan’s Name- Benjamin Tsuma
Benjamin is a total orphan who stays with his grandmother,Regina Nafula at Ituti village. He is 3 years old and he hasn’t started to go to school yet due to poor financial status and also the school is far away from his home. He has neither brothers nor sisters.His parents died when he was 11/2 years.
Benjamin’s favorite food is rice and beans.he likes drawing and modeling using clay.His grandmother does a lot for him to survive. She prepares him food and also clothes him.
Benjamin and his grandma fellowship at Ituti Cornerstone Church.
Orphan’s Name - Paul Wesa
Paul is a lovable boy who is a total orphan and stays with his elder brother,Christopher in their father’s land.He lost his mum in a tragic accident which really affected his father who suffered a heart attack and died eventually. He is eight years old. He is in class one. He is much bigger than the other children and the setback and time without schooling has put him behind. He is trying, but he struggles. He needs shoes and clothes. He doesn’t ask for these, but it is obvious that he has needs. For many visits, he never smiled. Now he smiles occasionally.
Orphan’s Name- Ben Amuko
Ben is a total orphan who parents succumbed to AIDS.He is six years old and he is in pre-unit.He stays with his grandma who consumes local brew and therefore she doesn’t give proper care to Ben. Sometimes he does not get enough food and sleeps on an empty stomach.He has a sister but she is married.
In school, Ben is not so good in class but he keeps trying. He is not talkative.He likes playing with other boys,he is also good at drawing and painting.
Ben requires basic needs like shoes,uniform and other school stuff.
Noel Luchiko
Noel lives in the same home as Ben Amuko and both have the same situation. Her father died of AIDS and the mother left her with the grandmother to remarry and the man doesn’t want her. She is in pre-unit and is 6 years old. She is very adorable. She enjoys math and skipping rope. Her grandmother is handicapped and cannot care for Ben and Noel. She depends on brewing and gives the children brew to make them sleep when they are hungry. She frequently misses school. On many occasions I went to visit her at the school and she was absent.
Orphan’s Name- Sharon Mukoya
Sharon is 13 years old and stays with her aunt.She was born out of wedlock and has never seen her mom. She is in class 7.Her best subject is Science and she would like to become a nurse in future.She doesn’t miss school which is good.
She helps at home by sweeping,washing dishes and taking care of the other children
She goes to Shianda Cornerstone Church.She reads the Bible. She was barefoot at school on the day we met her there. We picked her up on another day as she was walking a long way to the road to meet someone on the main road who had told her they would give her a ride home. We took her to the meeting place to save her some time and effort. She was thankful.
Orphan’s Name- Dianah Anyiso
Diana is 13 years old and stays with her aunt,Praxidia. She is in class seven and likes reading story books.She wishes to become a lawyer in future.Her favorite food is Ugali. She lives with three other children in the home, ages 19, 17, and 9. She goes to the Cornerstone Church in Muhaleri. She wanted people to know that she needs school fees. She has been without food and without clothes and she has no peace with her guardian. She is eager to move somewhere where she can be sure to get an education. Her uniform costs about 3500 ksh or $50. She needs clothes, shoes, books, and transport.
Evangeline Were
Evangeline is 14 years old in Class 7. She stays with her Aunt Maureen. She loves Ugali and playing football. When asked what she wanted people to know about her, she stated that she needs school fees, clothes and food. She lives with three other children in the home, ages 6, 3, and 6 months. She doesn’t have to take care of the children much. Her main jobs are fetching water, collecting firewood, and washing clothes.
Freida ---FRIDAH
Frieda lives with her aunt and she is 9 years old. She has been an orphan since 2004 when her parents died of HIV (2004.) She lives in a home with seven children and resources are very scarce. She is in abject poverty. She is in grade 4 and does well in school. She loves football and singing. She enjoys her Kiswahilli classes. When she grows up she wants to be a teacher. She has no school uniform, which is a cultural taboo here. She does not even have a blanket to sleep on.
Gladys
Gladys has a mother who appears to love her very much and Gladys loves her mother, Hilda Luta. however, Gladys father died of a chest problem in 2004 and left the mother destitute. Gladys is the last of four children in the home but the only one attending school. She is very bright. She was always in the same white dress every single visit and every time I saw her. The mother has older children who have taken everything from her. The other children living with Gladys mistreat her and she desperately wants to be educated. She enjoys singing, talking poems, and English. She wants to be a high school teacher. Every time I have visited, she has really enjoyed and participated in church and was so vocal during praise and worship. I met her on my first visit. At that time, she had a ringworm evident on her scalp. She has not been to the doctor for it even once. Her scalp deteriorated until she lost most of the hair on the top of her head. She kept her head covered, but she sleeps in the dirt at night with her siblings in a tiny space with dirty rags.
Gladys patiently endured painful treatment in order to get better. She did not complain about injections nor the painful scraping of her head. She consented to having the puss wounds on her scalp lanced. Once the treatment began, though, she was screaming in consolably. it was pure torture. After about 30 minutes, I suggested we stop and give her a break. The doctor suggested we stop completely and bring her back another day and sedate her. We gave her serious tranquilizers and she remained completely coherent. Any one of us would have passed out. The doctor gave her enough to knock out a grown man. She still consented to treatment knowing the intense pain she would have to endure. It was sickening. Still, she screamed and whipped around still careful not to knock the doctor away. Even when I thought she would die, she consented to still another wound to be lanced. She begged the doctor to go slowly. She was panting with fear and exhaustion. and then the screaming began. After all that, we could not send her home with open sores to sleep in the dirt! I kept her with me and purchased bedding and washing materials and treated her morning and night. I taught her to wash herself and keep her hands clean all day. She was very compliant and eager to take care of herself properly. She even learned not to litter! She would just throw her food scraps out the car window or out of the window of Titus’ house! She learned to gather it together nicely and not to push sugar onto the floor from the table. Gladys is really smart and sweet. She is very motivated. I pray she can have a good life.

Jane
Jane lives with her grandmother and nine children in the home (Also Vivian and Lillian.) She has a fungal rash on her neck that is untreated. (I purchased the needed medicine and she healed nicely.) She is a beautiful girl, but her health is not good. She is frequently sick, has headaches and has chest problems. She wants to be a nurse. Science is her favorite and she is in the 8th grade. She has no brothers and sisters. She enjoys playing netball. She would like to have shoes and clothes and live in a good place. She is eager to get her education. Her grandmother cannot afford the costs. All of the children were dressed poorly on the day that we stopped by. Her jobs are fetching water, sweeping house, cleaning the compound, and collecting firewood. She has a birth certificate. (That was an interesting piece of information that she was proud to tell me.)
Lillian
Lillian would like to be a driver when she grows up. This answer created snickers in the children sitting around her listening but she was sure. She doesn’t know her birthday. She does have a sister who is 9 and wants to stay with their grandmother. But she wants to go to school and she would like to have shoes. She enjoys football and learning Kiswahili. Her health is good. She lost her father in 2009 and her mother left her behind when she remarried.
Vivian
Vivian became an orphan in 2006. She was sick on the day I visited. She also had a scalp condition similar to the fungal infection that Jane had on her neck, but Jane’s was much worse. She has not been able to see the doctor and the condition is worsening. When she grows up, she would like to be a pilot. She is a natural athlete who is very good at running. She is 13 and in class 7. Her favorite school subjects are Swahili and English. She was born out of wedlock and lost her mother to HIV. Her chores are fetching water and washing clothes. When asked what she wanted people to know about her, she asked for school fees. She really wants to go to school.
Abednego
In Kenya, Abednego is called a double orphan. He has neither parent. He lives with the brother to the father--his uncle. There is only one other child in the home. He is 11 years old and in class 4. That means he is behind. He should be in 5th of 6th. His father died of AIDS. His favorite subjects are Swahili and Math. He loves to play football. He has rashes sometimes but never goes to the doctor. I asked him what his problems were in life and he said that he needs clothes. I asked him what he would want people to know about him and he said he wants to be a businessman or a doctor.
Mary Barasa
Brendah Masitsa
Shaline Obieba
Morphine Musindalo
Dianah Anyiso
Evangeline Were Lumbasi
Ben Amuko
Noel Luchiko
Paul Wesa

Benjamin Tsuma
Emmanuel Olunga
Vivian Mutambi
Lillian Maina
Jane Lulibitsa
Cynthia Nakhungu
Daisy Nabisino
Sharon Mukoya
Gladys Makokha
Frieda Mutika
Abednego Omukoko
Silas Indeche
Trophosa Ambunya
Orphan’s Name- Daisy Nabisino
Daisy is an orphan who stays with her mother in rental houses at Shianda Market. She is 9 years old and the last born in her family. She goes to school at Mukambi Primary School and she is in grade 3. In school Daisy performs exceptionally well because she sometimes in the top 5.Her favorite subject is Mathematics.Her dream is to become a High School teacher.
Her mother’s name is Phaice Kakai and her dad passed on in 2004, March.She has two siblings whom they stay together with her mother.
Daisy is in deep need. She lacks most of her basic needs e.g clothes, mattress,blanket,shoes,socks,mosquito net e.t.c. She also needs good shelter and food.She loves eating Ugali, meat, chicken and cowpeas.
Daisy is a hardworking girl because she assists her mother in washing the dishes,cleaning the compound,cleaning the house and she also takes care of neighbors‘ children.
Healthwise,Daisy has good health but sometimes she feels headache,stomach pains and has an ear infection.
Daisy is a Christian and she goes to Shianda Cornerstone Church with her mother.She attends SundaySchool Service where she sometimes leads praise and worship.
Orphan’s Name- Cynthia Nakhungu
Cynthia is a total orphan who stays with her grandmother,Hellen Ayungu at Ikoli village. She is 12 years old and has two siblings,one aged 8 and the other 5.Since she is the oldest, she takes care of her siblings.
She goes to school at Shiakhulo Primary School and she is in grade 5. Her best subjects are Math, Science and Agriculture. She is active in school and plays legball. After school her dream career is to become a doctor in future. She is particularly interested in helping women have babies.
Cynthia is hardworking too. She helps by washing utensils, sweeping the house and fetching water from the river.
Cynthia”s living standards are poor.Her grandma takes local brew and doesn’t look for food for the children hence they go to bed on empty stomachs often.She even goes ahead and givse the children the brew which contributes to their poor health because they feel dizzy, get headaches and stomachaches. Cynthia hopes to move from her grandma’s home and find a place that will be conducive to school so she can concentrate on her studies and live well.
Cynthia lost her dad in a crude way which was unexpected.In 2007 there were clashes after general elections.People were fighting all over and there was a lot of blood shed so Cynthia’s dad was murdered.
Cynthia goes to Makunga Cornerstone Church.She is good at reciting poems and drama. She appears to be a very bright girl with great potential.
Emmanuel Olunga.
Emmanuel is very cute and very cheerful. Even though he overheard this family members saying they didn’t want him and wanted him to live somewhere else where he could be cared for, he ignored it and remained cheerful. He was gregarious and enjoyed the camera. He was very playful and energetic. This boy has a lot of potential due to his good strong nature. He has no brothers or sisters. He is 7 years old and in class 2. His parents have been gone for 2 years. They died from AIDS. Jemima is his maternal aunt. She is not receiving any help from the church and cannot care for him. Emmanuel likes beans and rice. He loves to play football. Even though he does not have AIDS, he is insulted by friends and lives in a bad environment. He needs a place he can be accepted and encouraged. He lives with several children ages 17, 14, 12, 5 and 1.
Orphan’s Name- Benjamin Tsuma
Benjamin is a total orphan who stays with his grandmother,Regina Nafula at Ituti village. He is 3 years old and he hasn’t started to go to school yet due to poor financial status and also the school is far away from his home. He has neither brothers nor sisters.His parents died when he was 11/2 years.
Benjamin’s favorite food is rice and beans.he likes drawing and modeling using clay.His grandmother does a lot for him to survive. She prepares him food and also clothes him.
Benjamin and his grandma fellowship at Ituti Cornerstone Church.
Orphan’s Name - Paul Wesa
Paul is a lovable boy who is a total orphan and stays with his elder brother,Christopher in their father’s land.He lost his mum in a tragic accident which really affected his father who suffered a heart attack and died eventually. He is eight years old. He is in class one. He is much bigger than the other children and the setback and time without schooling has put him behind. He is trying, but he struggles. He needs shoes and clothes. He doesn’t ask for these, but it is obvious that he has needs. For many visits, he never smiled. Now he smiles occasionally.
Orphan’s Name- Ben Amuko
Ben is a total orphan who parents succumbed to AIDS.He is six years old and he is in pre-unit.He stays with his grandma who consumes local brew and therefore she doesn’t give proper care to Ben. Sometimes he does not get enough food and sleeps on an empty stomach.He has a sister but she is married.
In school, Ben is not so good in class but he keeps trying. He is not talkative.He likes playing with other boys,he is also good at drawing and painting.
Ben requires basic needs like shoes,uniform and other school stuff.
Noel Luchiko
Noel lives in the same home as Ben Amuko and both have the same situation. Her father died of AIDS and the mother left her with the grandmother to remarry and the man doesn’t want her. She is in pre-unit and is 6 years old. She is very adorable. She enjoys math and skipping rope. Her grandmother is handicapped and cannot care for Ben and Noel. She depends on brewing and gives the children brew to make them sleep when they are hungry. She frequently misses school. On many occasions I went to visit her at the school and she was absent.
Orphan’s Name- Sharon Mukoya
Sharon is 13 years old and stays with her aunt.She was born out of wedlock and has never seen her mom. She is in class 7.Her best subject is Science and she would like to become a nurse in future.She doesn’t miss school which is good.
She helps at home by sweeping,washing dishes and taking care of the other children
She goes to Shianda Cornerstone Church.She reads the Bible. She was barefoot at school on the day we met her there. We picked her up on another day as she was walking a long way to the road to meet someone on the main road who had told her they would give her a ride home. We took her to the meeting place to save her some time and effort. She was thankful.
Orphan’s Name- Dianah Anyiso
Diana is 13 years old and stays with her aunt,Praxidia. She is in class seven and likes reading story books.She wishes to become a lawyer in future.Her favorite food is Ugali. She lives with three other children in the home, ages 19, 17, and 9. She goes to the Cornerstone Church in Muhaleri. She wanted people to know that she needs school fees. She has been without food and without clothes and she has no peace with her guardian. She is eager to move somewhere where she can be sure to get an education. Her uniform costs about 3500 ksh or $50. She needs clothes, shoes, books, and transport.
Evangeline Were
Evangeline is 14 years old in Class 7. She stays with her Aunt Maureen. She loves Ugali and playing football. When asked what she wanted people to know about her, she stated that she needs school fees, clothes and food. She lives with three other children in the home, ages 6, 3, and 6 months. She doesn’t have to take care of the children much. Her main jobs are fetching water, collecting firewood, and washing clothes.
Freida ---FRIDAH
Frieda lives with her aunt and she is 9 years old. She has been an orphan since 2004 when her parents died of HIV (2004.) She lives in a home with seven children and resources are very scarce. She is in abject poverty. She is in grade 4 and does well in school. She loves football and singing. She enjoys her Kiswahilli classes. When she grows up she wants to be a teacher. She has no school uniform, which is a cultural taboo here. She does not even have a blanket to sleep on.
Gladys
Gladys has a mother who appears to love her very much and Gladys loves her mother, Hilda Luta. however, Gladys father died of a chest problem in 2004 and left the mother destitute. Gladys is the last of four children in the home but the only one attending school. She is very bright. She was always in the same white dress every single visit and every time I saw her. The mother has older children who have taken everything from her. The other children living with Gladys mistreat her and she desperately wants to be educated. She enjoys singing, talking poems, and English. She wants to be a high school teacher. Every time I have visited, she has really enjoyed and participated in church and was so vocal during praise and worship. I met her on my first visit. At that time, she had a ringworm evident on her scalp. She has not been to the doctor for it even once. Her scalp deteriorated until she lost most of the hair on the top of her head. She kept her head covered, but she sleeps in the dirt at night with her siblings in a tiny space with dirty rags.
Gladys patiently endured painful treatment in order to get better. She did not complain about injections nor the painful scraping of her head. She consented to having the puss wounds on her scalp lanced. Once the treatment began, though, she was screaming in consolably. it was pure torture. After about 30 minutes, I suggested we stop and give her a break. The doctor suggested we stop completely and bring her back another day and sedate her. We gave her serious tranquilizers and she remained completely coherent. Any one of us would have passed out. The doctor gave her enough to knock out a grown man. She still consented to treatment knowing the intense pain she would have to endure. It was sickening. Still, she screamed and whipped around still careful not to knock the doctor away. Even when I thought she would die, she consented to still another wound to be lanced. She begged the doctor to go slowly. She was panting with fear and exhaustion. and then the screaming began. After all that, we could not send her home with open sores to sleep in the dirt! I kept her with me and purchased bedding and washing materials and treated her morning and night. I taught her to wash herself and keep her hands clean all day. She was very compliant and eager to take care of herself properly. She even learned not to litter! She would just throw her food scraps out the car window or out of the window of Titus’ house! She learned to gather it together nicely and not to push sugar onto the floor from the table. Gladys is really smart and sweet. She is very motivated. I pray she can have a good life.

Jane
Jane lives with her grandmother and nine children in the home (Also Vivian and Lillian.) She has a fungal rash on her neck that is untreated. (I purchased the needed medicine and she healed nicely.) She is a beautiful girl, but her health is not good. She is frequently sick, has headaches and has chest problems. She wants to be a nurse. Science is her favorite and she is in the 8th grade. She has no brothers and sisters. She enjoys playing netball. She would like to have shoes and clothes and live in a good place. She is eager to get her education. Her grandmother cannot afford the costs. All of the children were dressed poorly on the day that we stopped by. Her jobs are fetching water, sweeping house, cleaning the compound, and collecting firewood. She has a birth certificate. (That was an interesting piece of information that she was proud to tell me.)
Lillian
Lillian would like to be a driver when she grows up. This answer created snickers in the children sitting around her listening but she was sure. She doesn’t know her birthday. She does have a sister who is 9 and wants to stay with their grandmother. But she wants to go to school and she would like to have shoes. She enjoys football and learning Kiswahili. Her health is good. She lost her father in 2009 and her mother left her behind when she remarried.
Vivian
Vivian became an orphan in 2006. She was sick on the day I visited. She also had a scalp condition similar to the fungal infection that Jane had on her neck, but Jane’s was much worse. She has not been able to see the doctor and the condition is worsening. When she grows up, she would like to be a pilot. She is a natural athlete who is very good at running. She is 13 and in class 7. Her favorite school subjects are Swahili and English. She was born out of wedlock and lost her mother to HIV. Her chores are fetching water and washing clothes. When asked what she wanted people to know about her, she asked for school fees. She really wants to go to school.
Abednego
In Kenya, Abednego is called a double orphan. He has neither parent. He lives with the brother to the father--his uncle. There is only one other child in the home. He is 11 years old and in class 4. That means he is behind. He should be in 5th of 6th. His father died of AIDS. His favorite subjects are Swahili and Math. He loves to play football. He has rashes sometimes but never goes to the doctor. I asked him what his problems were in life and he said that he needs clothes. I asked him what he would want people to know about him and he said he wants to be a businessman or a doctor.
ORPHAN NOTES UNFINISHED
CATHERINE
Mary Barasa
Brendah Masitsa
Shaline Obieba
Morphine Musindalo
Dianah Anyiso
Evangeline Were Lumbasi
Ben Amuko
Noel Luchiko
Paul Wesa

Benjamin Tsuma
Emmanuel Olunga
Vivian Mutambi
Lillian Maina
Jane Lulibitsa
Cynthia Nakhungu
Daisy Nabisino
Sharon Mukoya
Gladys Makokha
Frieda Mutika
Abednego Omukoko
Silas Indeche
Trophosa Ambunya
Orphan’s Name- Daisy Nabisino
Daisy is an orphan who stays with her mother in rental houses at Shianda Market. She is 9 years old and the last born in her family. She goes to school at Mukambi Primary School and she is in grade 3. In school Daisy performs exceptionally well because she sometimes in the top 5.Her favorite subject is Mathematics.Her dream is to become a High School teacher.
Her mother’s name is Phaice Kakai and her dad passed on in 2004, March.She has two siblings whom they stay together with her mother.
Daisy is in deep need. She lacks most of her basic needs e.g clothes, mattress,blanket,shoes,socks,mosquito net e.t.c. She also needs good shelter and food.She loves eating Ugali, meat, chicken and cowpeas.
Daisy is a hardworking girl because she assists her mother in washing the dishes,cleaning the compound,cleaning the house and she also takes care of neighbors‘ children.
Healthwise,Daisy has good health but sometimes she feels headache,stomach pains and has an ear infection.
Daisy is a Christian and she goes to Shianda Cornerstone Church with her mother.She attends SundaySchool Service where she sometimes leads praise and worship.
Orphan’s Name- Cynthia Nakhungu
Cynthia is a total orphan who stays with her grandmother,Hellen Ayungu at Ikoli village. She is 12 years old and has two siblings,one aged 8 and the other 5.Since she is the oldest, she takes care of her siblings.
She goes to school at Shiakhulo Primary School and she is in grade 5. Her best subjects are Math, Science and Agriculture. She is active in school and plays legball. After school her dream career is to become a doctor in future. She is particularly interested in helping women have babies.
Cynthia is hardworking too. She helps by washing utensils, sweeping the house and fetching water from the river.
Cynthia”s living standards are poor.Her grandma takes local brew and doesn’t look for food for the children hence they go to bed on empty stomachs often.She even goes ahead and givse the children the brew which contributes to their poor health because they feel dizzy, get headaches and stomachaches. Cynthia hopes to move from her grandma’s home and find a place that will be conducive to school so she can concentrate on her studies and live well.
Cynthia lost her dad in a crude way which was unexpected.In 2007 there were clashes after general elections.People were fighting all over and there was a lot of blood shed so Cynthia’s dad was murdered.
Cynthia goes to Makunga Cornerstone Church.She is good at reciting poems and drama. She appears to be a very bright girl with great potential.
Emmanuel Olunga.
Emmanuel is very cute and very cheerful. Even though he overheard this family members saying they didn’t want him and wanted him to live somewhere else where he could be cared for, he ignored it and remained cheerful. He was gregarious and enjoyed the camera. He was very playful and energetic. This boy has a lot of potential due to his good strong nature. He has no brothers or sisters. He is 7 years old and in class 2. His parents have been gone for 2 years. They died from AIDS. Jemima is his maternal aunt. She is not receiving any help from the church and cannot care for him. Emmanuel likes beans and rice. He loves to play football. Even though he does not have AIDS, he is insulted by friends and lives in a bad environment. He needs a place he can be accepted and encouraged. He lives with several children ages 17, 14, 12, 5 and 1.
Orphan’s Name- Benjamin Tsuma
Benjamin is a total orphan who stays with his grandmother,Regina Nafula at Ituti village. He is 3 years old and he hasn’t started to go to school yet due to poor financial status and also the school is far away from his home. He has neither brothers nor sisters.His parents died when he was 11/2 years.
Benjamin’s favorite food is rice and beans.he likes drawing and modeling using clay.His grandmother does a lot for him to survive. She prepares him food and also clothes him.
Benjamin and his grandma fellowship at Ituti Cornerstone Church.
Orphan’s Name - Paul Wesa
Paul is a lovable boy who is a total orphan and stays with his elder brother,Christopher in their father’s land.He lost his mum in a tragic accident which really affected his father who suffered a heart attack and died eventually. He is eight years old. He is in class one. He is much bigger than the other children and the setback and time without schooling has put him behind. He is trying, but he struggles. He needs shoes and clothes. He doesn’t ask for these, but it is obvious that he has needs. For many visits, he never smiled. Now he smiles occasionally.
Orphan’s Name- Ben Amuko
Ben is a total orphan who parents succumbed to AIDS.He is six years old and he is in pre-unit.He stays with his grandma who consumes local brew and therefore she doesn’t give proper care to Ben. Sometimes he does not get enough food and sleeps on an empty stomach.He has a sister but she is married.
In school, Ben is not so good in class but he keeps trying. He is not talkative.He likes playing with other boys,he is also good at drawing and painting.
Ben requires basic needs like shoes,uniform and other school stuff.
Noel Luchiko
Noel lives in the same home as Ben Amuko and both have the same situation. Her father died of AIDS and the mother left her with the grandmother to remarry and the man doesn’t want her. She is in pre-unit and is 6 years old. She is very adorable. She enjoys math and skipping rope. Her grandmother is handicapped and cannot care for Ben and Noel. She depends on brewing and gives the children brew to make them sleep when they are hungry. She frequently misses school. On many occasions I went to visit her at the school and she was absent.
Orphan’s Name- Sharon Mukoya
Sharon is 13 years old and stays with her aunt.She was born out of wedlock and has never seen her mom. She is in class 7.Her best subject is Science and she would like to become a nurse in future.She doesn’t miss school which is good.
She helps at home by sweeping,washing dishes and taking care of the other children
She goes to Shianda Cornerstone Church.She reads the Bible. She was barefoot at school on the day we met her there. We picked her up on another day as she was walking a long way to the road to meet someone on the main road who had told her they would give her a ride home. We took her to the meeting place to save her some time and effort. She was thankful.
Orphan’s Name- Dianah Anyiso
Diana is 13 years old and stays with her aunt,Praxidia. She is in class seven and likes reading story books.She wishes to become a lawyer in future.Her favorite food is Ugali. She lives with three other children in the home, ages 19, 17, and 9. She goes to the Cornerstone Church in Muhaleri. She wanted people to know that she needs school fees. She has been without food and without clothes and she has no peace with her guardian. She is eager to move somewhere where she can be sure to get an education. Her uniform costs about 3500 ksh or $50. She needs clothes, shoes, books, and transport.
Evangeline Were
Evangeline is 14 years old in Class 7. She stays with her Aunt Maureen. She loves Ugali and playing football. When asked what she wanted people to know about her, she stated that she needs school fees, clothes and food. She lives with three other children in the home, ages 6, 3, and 6 months. She doesn’t have to take care of the children much. Her main jobs are fetching water, collecting firewood, and washing clothes.
Freida ---FRIDAH
Frieda lives with her aunt and she is 9 years old. She has been an orphan since 2004 when her parents died of HIV (2004.) She lives in a home with seven children and resources are very scarce. She is in abject poverty. She is in grade 4 and does well in school. She loves football and singing. She enjoys her Kiswahilli classes. When she grows up she wants to be a teacher. She has no school uniform, which is a cultural taboo here. She does not even have a blanket to sleep on.
Gladys
Gladys has a mother who appears to love her very much and Gladys loves her mother, Hilda Luta. however, Gladys father died of a chest problem in 2004 and left the mother destitute. Gladys is the last of four children in the home but the only one attending school. She is very bright. She was always in the same white dress every single visit and every time I saw her. The mother has older children who have taken everything from her. The other children living with Gladys mistreat her and she desperately wants to be educated. She enjoys singing, talking poems, and English. She wants to be a high school teacher. Every time I have visited, she has really enjoyed and participated in church and was so vocal during praise and worship. I met her on my first visit. At that time, she had a ringworm evident on her scalp. She has not been to the doctor for it even once. Her scalp deteriorated until she lost most of the hair on the top of her head. She kept her head covered, but she sleeps in the dirt at night with her siblings in a tiny space with dirty rags.
Gladys patiently endured painful treatment in order to get better. She did not complain about injections nor the painful scraping of her head. She consented to having the puss wounds on her scalp lanced. Once the treatment began, though, she was screaming in consolably. it was pure torture. After about 30 minutes, I suggested we stop and give her a break. The doctor suggested we stop completely and bring her back another day and sedate her. We gave her serious tranquilizers and she remained completely coherent. Any one of us would have passed out. The doctor gave her enough to knock out a grown man. She still consented to treatment knowing the intense pain she would have to endure. It was sickening. Still, she screamed and whipped around still careful not to knock the doctor away. Even when I thought she would die, she consented to still another wound to be lanced. She begged the doctor to go slowly. She was panting with fear and exhaustion. and then the screaming began. After all that, we could not send her home with open sores to sleep in the dirt! I kept her with me and purchased bedding and washing materials and treated her morning and night. I taught her to wash herself and keep her hands clean all day. She was very compliant and eager to take care of herself properly. She even learned not to litter! She would just throw her food scraps out the car window or out of the window of Titus’ house! She learned to gather it together nicely and not to push sugar onto the floor from the table. Gladys is really smart and sweet. She is very motivated. I pray she can have a good life.

Jane
Jane lives with her grandmother and nine children in the home (Also Vivian and Lillian.) She has a fungal rash on her neck that is untreated. (I purchased the needed medicine and she healed nicely.) She is a beautiful girl, but her health is not good. She is frequently sick, has headaches and has chest problems. She wants to be a nurse. Science is her favorite and she is in the 8th grade. She has no brothers and sisters. She enjoys playing netball. She would like to have shoes and clothes and live in a good place. She is eager to get her education. Her grandmother cannot afford the costs. All of the children were dressed poorly on the day that we stopped by. Her jobs are fetching water, sweeping house, cleaning the compound, and collecting firewood. She has a birth certificate. (That was an interesting piece of information that she was proud to tell me.)
Lillian
Lillian would like to be a driver when she grows up. This answer created snickers in the children sitting around her listening but she was sure. She doesn’t know her birthday. She does have a sister who is 9 and wants to stay with their grandmother. But she wants to go to school and she would like to have shoes. She enjoys football and learning Kiswahili. Her health is good. She lost her father in 2009 and her mother left her behind when she remarried.
Vivian
Vivian became an orphan in 2006. She was sick on the day I visited. She also had a scalp condition similar to the fungal infection that Jane had on her neck, but Jane’s was much worse. She has not been able to see the doctor and the condition is worsening. When she grows up, she would like to be a pilot. She is a natural athlete who is very good at running. She is 13 and in class 7. Her favorite school subjects are Swahili and English. She was born out of wedlock and lost her mother to HIV. Her chores are fetching water and washing clothes. When asked what she wanted people to know about her, she asked for school fees. She really wants to go to school.
Abednego
In Kenya, Abednego is called a double orphan. He has neither parent. He lives with the brother to the father--his uncle. There is only one other child in the home. He is 11 years old and in class 4. That means he is behind. He should be in 5th of 6th. His father died of AIDS. His favorite subjects are Swahili and Math. He loves to play football. He has rashes sometimes but never goes to the doctor. I asked him what his problems were in life and he said that he needs clothes. I asked him what he would want people to know about him and he said he wants to be a businessman or a doctor.
Mary Barasa
Brendah Masitsa
Shaline Obieba
Morphine Musindalo
Dianah Anyiso
Evangeline Were Lumbasi
Ben Amuko
Noel Luchiko
Paul Wesa

Benjamin Tsuma
Emmanuel Olunga
Vivian Mutambi
Lillian Maina
Jane Lulibitsa
Cynthia Nakhungu
Daisy Nabisino
Sharon Mukoya
Gladys Makokha
Frieda Mutika
Abednego Omukoko
Silas Indeche
Trophosa Ambunya
Orphan’s Name- Daisy Nabisino
Daisy is an orphan who stays with her mother in rental houses at Shianda Market. She is 9 years old and the last born in her family. She goes to school at Mukambi Primary School and she is in grade 3. In school Daisy performs exceptionally well because she sometimes in the top 5.Her favorite subject is Mathematics.Her dream is to become a High School teacher.
Her mother’s name is Phaice Kakai and her dad passed on in 2004, March.She has two siblings whom they stay together with her mother.
Daisy is in deep need. She lacks most of her basic needs e.g clothes, mattress,blanket,shoes,socks,mosquito net e.t.c. She also needs good shelter and food.She loves eating Ugali, meat, chicken and cowpeas.
Daisy is a hardworking girl because she assists her mother in washing the dishes,cleaning the compound,cleaning the house and she also takes care of neighbors‘ children.
Healthwise,Daisy has good health but sometimes she feels headache,stomach pains and has an ear infection.
Daisy is a Christian and she goes to Shianda Cornerstone Church with her mother.She attends SundaySchool Service where she sometimes leads praise and worship.
Orphan’s Name- Cynthia Nakhungu
Cynthia is a total orphan who stays with her grandmother,Hellen Ayungu at Ikoli village. She is 12 years old and has two siblings,one aged 8 and the other 5.Since she is the oldest, she takes care of her siblings.
She goes to school at Shiakhulo Primary School and she is in grade 5. Her best subjects are Math, Science and Agriculture. She is active in school and plays legball. After school her dream career is to become a doctor in future. She is particularly interested in helping women have babies.
Cynthia is hardworking too. She helps by washing utensils, sweeping the house and fetching water from the river.
Cynthia”s living standards are poor.Her grandma takes local brew and doesn’t look for food for the children hence they go to bed on empty stomachs often.She even goes ahead and givse the children the brew which contributes to their poor health because they feel dizzy, get headaches and stomachaches. Cynthia hopes to move from her grandma’s home and find a place that will be conducive to school so she can concentrate on her studies and live well.
Cynthia lost her dad in a crude way which was unexpected.In 2007 there were clashes after general elections.People were fighting all over and there was a lot of blood shed so Cynthia’s dad was murdered.
Cynthia goes to Makunga Cornerstone Church.She is good at reciting poems and drama. She appears to be a very bright girl with great potential.
Emmanuel Olunga.
Emmanuel is very cute and very cheerful. Even though he overheard this family members saying they didn’t want him and wanted him to live somewhere else where he could be cared for, he ignored it and remained cheerful. He was gregarious and enjoyed the camera. He was very playful and energetic. This boy has a lot of potential due to his good strong nature. He has no brothers or sisters. He is 7 years old and in class 2. His parents have been gone for 2 years. They died from AIDS. Jemima is his maternal aunt. She is not receiving any help from the church and cannot care for him. Emmanuel likes beans and rice. He loves to play football. Even though he does not have AIDS, he is insulted by friends and lives in a bad environment. He needs a place he can be accepted and encouraged. He lives with several children ages 17, 14, 12, 5 and 1.
Orphan’s Name- Benjamin Tsuma
Benjamin is a total orphan who stays with his grandmother,Regina Nafula at Ituti village. He is 3 years old and he hasn’t started to go to school yet due to poor financial status and also the school is far away from his home. He has neither brothers nor sisters.His parents died when he was 11/2 years.
Benjamin’s favorite food is rice and beans.he likes drawing and modeling using clay.His grandmother does a lot for him to survive. She prepares him food and also clothes him.
Benjamin and his grandma fellowship at Ituti Cornerstone Church.
Orphan’s Name - Paul Wesa
Paul is a lovable boy who is a total orphan and stays with his elder brother,Christopher in their father’s land.He lost his mum in a tragic accident which really affected his father who suffered a heart attack and died eventually. He is eight years old. He is in class one. He is much bigger than the other children and the setback and time without schooling has put him behind. He is trying, but he struggles. He needs shoes and clothes. He doesn’t ask for these, but it is obvious that he has needs. For many visits, he never smiled. Now he smiles occasionally.
Orphan’s Name- Ben Amuko
Ben is a total orphan who parents succumbed to AIDS.He is six years old and he is in pre-unit.He stays with his grandma who consumes local brew and therefore she doesn’t give proper care to Ben. Sometimes he does not get enough food and sleeps on an empty stomach.He has a sister but she is married.
In school, Ben is not so good in class but he keeps trying. He is not talkative.He likes playing with other boys,he is also good at drawing and painting.
Ben requires basic needs like shoes,uniform and other school stuff.
Noel Luchiko
Noel lives in the same home as Ben Amuko and both have the same situation. Her father died of AIDS and the mother left her with the grandmother to remarry and the man doesn’t want her. She is in pre-unit and is 6 years old. She is very adorable. She enjoys math and skipping rope. Her grandmother is handicapped and cannot care for Ben and Noel. She depends on brewing and gives the children brew to make them sleep when they are hungry. She frequently misses school. On many occasions I went to visit her at the school and she was absent.
Orphan’s Name- Sharon Mukoya
Sharon is 13 years old and stays with her aunt.She was born out of wedlock and has never seen her mom. She is in class 7.Her best subject is Science and she would like to become a nurse in future.She doesn’t miss school which is good.
She helps at home by sweeping,washing dishes and taking care of the other children
She goes to Shianda Cornerstone Church.She reads the Bible. She was barefoot at school on the day we met her there. We picked her up on another day as she was walking a long way to the road to meet someone on the main road who had told her they would give her a ride home. We took her to the meeting place to save her some time and effort. She was thankful.
Orphan’s Name- Dianah Anyiso
Diana is 13 years old and stays with her aunt,Praxidia. She is in class seven and likes reading story books.She wishes to become a lawyer in future.Her favorite food is Ugali. She lives with three other children in the home, ages 19, 17, and 9. She goes to the Cornerstone Church in Muhaleri. She wanted people to know that she needs school fees. She has been without food and without clothes and she has no peace with her guardian. She is eager to move somewhere where she can be sure to get an education. Her uniform costs about 3500 ksh or $50. She needs clothes, shoes, books, and transport.
Evangeline Were
Evangeline is 14 years old in Class 7. She stays with her Aunt Maureen. She loves Ugali and playing football. When asked what she wanted people to know about her, she stated that she needs school fees, clothes and food. She lives with three other children in the home, ages 6, 3, and 6 months. She doesn’t have to take care of the children much. Her main jobs are fetching water, collecting firewood, and washing clothes.
Freida ---FRIDAH
Frieda lives with her aunt and she is 9 years old. She has been an orphan since 2004 when her parents died of HIV (2004.) She lives in a home with seven children and resources are very scarce. She is in abject poverty. She is in grade 4 and does well in school. She loves football and singing. She enjoys her Kiswahilli classes. When she grows up she wants to be a teacher. She has no school uniform, which is a cultural taboo here. She does not even have a blanket to sleep on.
Gladys
Gladys has a mother who appears to love her very much and Gladys loves her mother, Hilda Luta. however, Gladys father died of a chest problem in 2004 and left the mother destitute. Gladys is the last of four children in the home but the only one attending school. She is very bright. She was always in the same white dress every single visit and every time I saw her. The mother has older children who have taken everything from her. The other children living with Gladys mistreat her and she desperately wants to be educated. She enjoys singing, talking poems, and English. She wants to be a high school teacher. Every time I have visited, she has really enjoyed and participated in church and was so vocal during praise and worship. I met her on my first visit. At that time, she had a ringworm evident on her scalp. She has not been to the doctor for it even once. Her scalp deteriorated until she lost most of the hair on the top of her head. She kept her head covered, but she sleeps in the dirt at night with her siblings in a tiny space with dirty rags.
Gladys patiently endured painful treatment in order to get better. She did not complain about injections nor the painful scraping of her head. She consented to having the puss wounds on her scalp lanced. Once the treatment began, though, she was screaming in consolably. it was pure torture. After about 30 minutes, I suggested we stop and give her a break. The doctor suggested we stop completely and bring her back another day and sedate her. We gave her serious tranquilizers and she remained completely coherent. Any one of us would have passed out. The doctor gave her enough to knock out a grown man. She still consented to treatment knowing the intense pain she would have to endure. It was sickening. Still, she screamed and whipped around still careful not to knock the doctor away. Even when I thought she would die, she consented to still another wound to be lanced. She begged the doctor to go slowly. She was panting with fear and exhaustion. and then the screaming began. After all that, we could not send her home with open sores to sleep in the dirt! I kept her with me and purchased bedding and washing materials and treated her morning and night. I taught her to wash herself and keep her hands clean all day. She was very compliant and eager to take care of herself properly. She even learned not to litter! She would just throw her food scraps out the car window or out of the window of Titus’ house! She learned to gather it together nicely and not to push sugar onto the floor from the table. Gladys is really smart and sweet. She is very motivated. I pray she can have a good life.

Jane
Jane lives with her grandmother and nine children in the home (Also Vivian and Lillian.) She has a fungal rash on her neck that is untreated. (I purchased the needed medicine and she healed nicely.) She is a beautiful girl, but her health is not good. She is frequently sick, has headaches and has chest problems. She wants to be a nurse. Science is her favorite and she is in the 8th grade. She has no brothers and sisters. She enjoys playing netball. She would like to have shoes and clothes and live in a good place. She is eager to get her education. Her grandmother cannot afford the costs. All of the children were dressed poorly on the day that we stopped by. Her jobs are fetching water, sweeping house, cleaning the compound, and collecting firewood. She has a birth certificate. (That was an interesting piece of information that she was proud to tell me.)
Lillian
Lillian would like to be a driver when she grows up. This answer created snickers in the children sitting around her listening but she was sure. She doesn’t know her birthday. She does have a sister who is 9 and wants to stay with their grandmother. But she wants to go to school and she would like to have shoes. She enjoys football and learning Kiswahili. Her health is good. She lost her father in 2009 and her mother left her behind when she remarried.
Vivian
Vivian became an orphan in 2006. She was sick on the day I visited. She also had a scalp condition similar to the fungal infection that Jane had on her neck, but Jane’s was much worse. She has not been able to see the doctor and the condition is worsening. When she grows up, she would like to be a pilot. She is a natural athlete who is very good at running. She is 13 and in class 7. Her favorite school subjects are Swahili and English. She was born out of wedlock and lost her mother to HIV. Her chores are fetching water and washing clothes. When asked what she wanted people to know about her, she asked for school fees. She really wants to go to school.
Abednego
In Kenya, Abednego is called a double orphan. He has neither parent. He lives with the brother to the father--his uncle. There is only one other child in the home. He is 11 years old and in class 4. That means he is behind. He should be in 5th of 6th. His father died of AIDS. His favorite subjects are Swahili and Math. He loves to play football. He has rashes sometimes but never goes to the doctor. I asked him what his problems were in life and he said that he needs clothes. I asked him what he would want people to know about him and he said he wants to be a businessman or a doctor.
old old old posting copied off a document
Stephanie Rivers
Trinity Global Development
June 3, 2010
TGD Board meeting
Our desire is to see the body of Christ prosper. Steve opens the meeting and explains what we are going to do. He has a power point. Sarah, Steve and I sit together. Anita and Pastor Steve sit together. Titus, Walter, and Frank sit together. We are sharing power point.
Steve describes his motives. The Lord spoke to him about the body of Christ. His brothers and sisters struggling. Our mission statement registered with the U.S. government and the Kenyan government. It is a 501c3 and an NGO. These are the operating parameters.
Henry joined us as we were talking about accounting. Over time we will add more board members.
My battery was so low, I stopped recording.
I spent the night with a very sore throat. When I napped in the afternoon, the pain returned. We had our TGD meeting with Pastor Steve there and Henry. We forgot to mention the missing payments to the widows in March. We will give another payment somehow to the widows.
I want to buy Mary a dress. Jane and Vivian need to go to the doctor. The little orphan girl at the preschool has not come because she is sick. Paul did not come today because he was sick. I need to get them to the doctor. Jane needs a dress.
I want to go ahead and get a house built for these children and get them into my care. I had only minimal interest in the orphans though. Right now I can only think of eight people who are interested in sponsoring orphans and that is only at $25 a month! That is no way to run an orphanage. I may just have to take care of them all myself--through Steve.
There are several problems with having them in the homes. They just don’t get prioritized at all. They don’t always get to go to school. I know several of them: Paul, Ben, Benjamin, Emmanuel, Mary, Morphine, Shaline, Brendah, Jane, Vivian, and Lillian. I want them to live with me. There are 19 in total. That is so many children! and schooling for each one is about 180-250 dollars. There will be medical bills. There will be clothing needs. There will be daily food for a house of 20+.
I do love these children. I have had Mary, Morphine, Shaline, and Brendah on my heart this whole time since January. The weight of it. So heavy. and I feel so helpless. so many needs. But 19 is not that many! God has called us to care for the orphans. I want to help them. I want to see if Violet can come be a house mom--or someone like that. Someone who can come and work in the house when I am gone. The three pastors will oversee the administration. I feel they are men who are very trustworthy. Joseph has even worked for these children with no funding. We bought him the motorcycle and he used it to serve his pastorate more fully. He began to organize education for those orphans in his church.
Today Steve bought a motorcycle for Walter and for Frank. They will be instrumental in getting TGD Services up and running. With TGD Services, the people here will work as contract programmers. Their profit will fun the TGD clinic and computer lab. We are concerned about electricity costs, but the center will be like no other in Kenya. Even the premiere university program was nothing compared to the languages they are learning here. TGD Services is going to be amazing and the hospital--even with used equipment--is going to be a wonder to see. Doctors will come from around here to rent our equipment and treat their patients at our facility. They just don’t have things we take for granted.
Today Doug got a chance to talk to the children at the school during the TGD meeting. He took some excellent pictures. Oh I love these children! I let Doug and Sarah pass out cookies today. Steve did candy yesterday. We have another three days worth of cookies and another day of candy. Plus, we are going to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches one day, have chicken on another day, and maybe hard boiled eggs another day. We want to see some protein here. We can add a day of beans and rice. I will be staying a while, so we want to do more than just pass out cookies. We bought them a soccer ball and some badminton rackets. I wish I could find baby dolls that are black. Ladies--please sew some beautiful rag dolls for these precious children!
Trinity Global Development
June 3, 2010
TGD Board meeting
Our desire is to see the body of Christ prosper. Steve opens the meeting and explains what we are going to do. He has a power point. Sarah, Steve and I sit together. Anita and Pastor Steve sit together. Titus, Walter, and Frank sit together. We are sharing power point.
Steve describes his motives. The Lord spoke to him about the body of Christ. His brothers and sisters struggling. Our mission statement registered with the U.S. government and the Kenyan government. It is a 501c3 and an NGO. These are the operating parameters.
Henry joined us as we were talking about accounting. Over time we will add more board members.
My battery was so low, I stopped recording.
I spent the night with a very sore throat. When I napped in the afternoon, the pain returned. We had our TGD meeting with Pastor Steve there and Henry. We forgot to mention the missing payments to the widows in March. We will give another payment somehow to the widows.
I want to buy Mary a dress. Jane and Vivian need to go to the doctor. The little orphan girl at the preschool has not come because she is sick. Paul did not come today because he was sick. I need to get them to the doctor. Jane needs a dress.
I want to go ahead and get a house built for these children and get them into my care. I had only minimal interest in the orphans though. Right now I can only think of eight people who are interested in sponsoring orphans and that is only at $25 a month! That is no way to run an orphanage. I may just have to take care of them all myself--through Steve.
There are several problems with having them in the homes. They just don’t get prioritized at all. They don’t always get to go to school. I know several of them: Paul, Ben, Benjamin, Emmanuel, Mary, Morphine, Shaline, Brendah, Jane, Vivian, and Lillian. I want them to live with me. There are 19 in total. That is so many children! and schooling for each one is about 180-250 dollars. There will be medical bills. There will be clothing needs. There will be daily food for a house of 20+.
I do love these children. I have had Mary, Morphine, Shaline, and Brendah on my heart this whole time since January. The weight of it. So heavy. and I feel so helpless. so many needs. But 19 is not that many! God has called us to care for the orphans. I want to help them. I want to see if Violet can come be a house mom--or someone like that. Someone who can come and work in the house when I am gone. The three pastors will oversee the administration. I feel they are men who are very trustworthy. Joseph has even worked for these children with no funding. We bought him the motorcycle and he used it to serve his pastorate more fully. He began to organize education for those orphans in his church.
Today Steve bought a motorcycle for Walter and for Frank. They will be instrumental in getting TGD Services up and running. With TGD Services, the people here will work as contract programmers. Their profit will fun the TGD clinic and computer lab. We are concerned about electricity costs, but the center will be like no other in Kenya. Even the premiere university program was nothing compared to the languages they are learning here. TGD Services is going to be amazing and the hospital--even with used equipment--is going to be a wonder to see. Doctors will come from around here to rent our equipment and treat their patients at our facility. They just don’t have things we take for granted.
Today Doug got a chance to talk to the children at the school during the TGD meeting. He took some excellent pictures. Oh I love these children! I let Doug and Sarah pass out cookies today. Steve did candy yesterday. We have another three days worth of cookies and another day of candy. Plus, we are going to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches one day, have chicken on another day, and maybe hard boiled eggs another day. We want to see some protein here. We can add a day of beans and rice. I will be staying a while, so we want to do more than just pass out cookies. We bought them a soccer ball and some badminton rackets. I wish I could find baby dolls that are black. Ladies--please sew some beautiful rag dolls for these precious children!
posting from my own computer --written earlier...
Saturday PM
My days have slowed a bit. I took last Saturday off and I took this Saturday off. But then some things came up.
I meant to just pray and read my Bible all day long. I wanted serious spiritual and emotional preparation for Sunday and I wanted God to see my deep intentions by my actions. I wanted to prove my heart. I wanted to invest in the Kingdom.
I spent a few hours in the morning worshipping after worshipping for a few hours before falling asleep last night. I have music on my IPod and music on my IPhone and I had them both charged up. I used some little battery operated speakers that Laura won at a sales conference--they work great! I also used my headphones. I went into the sanctuary to pray throughout the room and worship. It was amazing. What a great way to start a day. I wish I had my own large church sanctuary at home! It made me consider putting in TGD chapels wherever we have a building so that our people can begin each day in prayer together and in worship. Then maybe I should give the workers some tea in the morning and maybe bread with butter (they like margarine sandwiches.)
Then I had to do discuss finances with Henry (who was at work early and working all day, as usual. After that, I arranged with Rose to get someone to buy the remaining foodstuffs at the market so I could feed the orphans who were coming. Transportation is too difficult for some and too costly. I am prepared to pay for them to all come to church--this special meal is an opportunity to get current photos and to get them prayed over. I want them blessed.
I love trying to find good things to do for people. I love sharing out of my abundance. I just get so much joy out of everything I do here! oh and then the electricity went out today for hours. HOURS. Hours and hours. I need so much electricity!
I have a fan. I really love the sound of fans. It calms me. Steve always had to have a fan on him in the night and now I am so used to it that I hate to go without it. I hear my breathing like its booming through a speaker. Every wiggle and creak disturbs me. I love the fan. Then there are all the things I need to charge. Plus a blow dryer and hot rollers needing power. There is the FRIDGE! i have milk and coke in there and often some meat. (oh when I get home I want to eat vegetables. like Pappadeaux steamed broc! my own carrots. some frozen micro corn. HEB steam in bag green beans. Fajitas with onions and green peppers! LETTUCE AND TOMATOES! I could eat tomatoes here but they worry me. I eat some fruit--oranges, pineapples, and an occasional watermelon. Tomorrow I am having chicken thighs, rice, chapati (tortillas), oranges, corn on the cob, tang drink (i found something here with vitamin C! mostly the drinks are expensive juices or cheap fruity watery sugar drinks or sodas. We’ll have some candy for the kids. I will make sure they give me all the trash! There is a terrible problem with littering here. People just walk along and throw stuff down. Hence, trash piles all around.
In the little town areas, they dig holes and throw all their trash into it. but the ones I saw were not deep. and think about how much trash we make! even they do, too! (not anything like me....drinking bottled water every day! horrors! it really makes me think about the environment here!)
okay, i’m off to pray. Love and blessings. I’m like a college kid.....”Send money!” The needs are so great here but the ability we have to help is also great. Are you spending on yourself? or helping the poor? and what is your percentage of giving? If you are in debt for yourself, go into debt for eternal things. you will always pay yourself first but go buy something else. Give more. You have plenty! You don’t even need all you have and you are paying so much money to maintain it all. Live a life of love. Take up your cross. Remember the orphans and widows in their distress and keep yourself from being polluted by the world. Will you repent? Would you rather harden your heart against Jesus? What does Jesus ask of you? Sure, I have needs right now. but you know, your eternal state is far more important than the earthy work I’m doing. I pray you love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself.
Sunday JUNE 27
The apostle came today. I was prepared. I had communion. I had annointing oil. I had the pots of dirt. I had washing bins prepared for washing hands before communion and I had towels. I had the orphans coming. Turned out there were 11 out of 22. I had a big meal prepared for them which Anne and Doreen cooked, served, and cleaned. Sometimes I can tell people help me because they hope to be paid (I cannot fault anyone for that! They are DOING something--not just asking for a handout.) But I am always thankful for helpful people and I try to be one. sometimes circumstances don’t permit us to help someone that we love! even in the USA, you want to help someone, they live across town, you are not up to date on their daily life, then you discover they went through something terrible and didn’t even tell you. You long to have been there for them....but even as you think back, maybe that was when you were overwhelmed yourself! I hate that. Really hate that. and I love when I can help someone. Even small things that might go unnoticed. It is just good to be a blessing to people instead of bringing them down. Certainly we all have so many things worthy of criticism--and I am so thankful for my friends who not only put up with me--but even AFFIRM me. (thank you and I love you!) I try not to criticize, but we do need to correct each other. If you love me, you will correct me. I will know if you are trying to do the right thing. Even if I don’t take your advice, I know it is risky to tell someone anything contrary to whatever they are thinking. How many times have you allowed someone to cut down her husband? Even me! Sure, you can listen to burdens, but we need to steer that towards something beneficial and teach each other to bless. Prayerfully, we can say something like. I thank God that my dog is going to learn how to only go potty OUTSIDE! I am working on this myself. Oh please correct my mouth! NO! I do not need a pity party and neither do you! How about you come to Kenya and see how good you have it. Seriously. I am not likely to put up with ANY whining! While I am here, anyway, my whining is practically nil. Stop thinking you are so important. Start thinking of others. Put others needs at the same level you put your own. Can you imagine? Jesus said so! He wants you to obey! and you know what? I always want to be corrected in Jesus. I always want to be guided to what the Word of God says.
Let’s not be like everyone else. Let’s go higher. Let’s be like Jesus. Let’s look to Him as our standard. Let’s only look at Him. Don’t look away when someone laughs because you are looking at Him as your standard. Just keep looking at Him. Where are they headed, anyway?
I was in the sanctuary yesterday praying. Undoubtedly, people saw me and watched me. There are windows everywhere here for ventilation. I worshipped openly and extravagantly. Surely some would think it was just for show! Some people don’t have worship in their heart and they cannot imagine you mean it. They assume you are just a show off wanting attention. Oh my Lord Jesus who is worthy and amazing! If they knew Jesus, they would get out of their chair, off their couch, out from the computer and dance! They would sing! They would shout! but they don’t really love Him. They just want to do other things. Don’t let them deter YOU! Let them do their other things! You go to Jesus!
Today people were called upon to ask for prayer. You know, if you are afraid to go up in church, then how can you stand against the world? In the church, going up for prayer is normal and accepted. So if you cannot go with the flow of Christians, how do you go AGAINST the flow of the world? I seem like such a crazy woman to some people.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 30TH
I have blogged on the website. I blogged on Monday and then got on today with yesterdays writings and wrote some today. My mind goes blank because it is always just thinking of WHAT I HAVE TO DO NEXT and to remember what I have done is less available in my memory.
One thing I did not blog yet was my first difficulty with Immanuel and Sammy. I usually enjoy their energy and am not bothered when they are playing near me. I like talking to them and reading English or Swahili together. Today I saw Immanuel playing with the metal bowls for the building. I called to him and he ran around the building with it. So I figured I better go down and check on him and ask him to stay away from the building materials (for the 10th time, but I know how boys can be.) As I came down, I saw Sammy on the metal rods with special wire ties in his hands. Now I need those ties. And he can be hurt playing on the rods. I told him to put it down and he threw it and ran away. I went inside to tell them that I have asked them to stop playing with the building materials. I explained kindly that if they did it again, I would have to tell their father. I have not really chosen to “tell on them” because they have usually listened when I’ve told them to stop this or that, please. But Sammy refused to speak to me. I had Anne translate just to be certain and still he ignored me with his back to me. So then I wanted him to turn around and tell me he was sorry. He would not do it. Finally, he did say he was sorry in Luhya (because I didn’t understand it.) and I asked Anne what he said. But he would not turn around and look at me. He was not in any way sorry or repentant. He was mad and embarrassed and refused to be respectful even though I was respectful. So of course, I had to tell Daddy. It just would be so much easier if we as children of God would repent to one another. What lessons could we avoid if we were repentant!?! I take this message to heart myself and tonight I will seek God regarding where I may need to repent in my heart and in my actions.
Also, I had visitor today. OH MY GOODNESS, have I mentioned that two women came by to meet with me. They had a need. Well, I am inundated with people coming to me “with a need” and so I was kind but maybe a little too polite. I was waiting for the sob story (but truly there are so many terrible stories) Then it turned out they wanted prayer because they were barren. i felt so horrible. oh my goodness, I can pray for ANYONE ANYTIME! but all of a sudden I had no faith, NONE. Because I had been hardening my heart a little so that I could deal with the onslaught of compassion that threatens to pull me under the waves. Now I needed to extend serious spiritual energy to God and towards these women? Oh Jesus help me. At first, I threw my head down into my hands and covered my mouth as I came back up saying I cannot pray! I have no faith! Then I could not even believe i said such a thing! and out loud! I repented quickly. I focused on God (He has all the power anyway...so what does it matter about me?) and I believe in the power of God and the prayers of the saints. So I prayed. God bless them. They cannot be too fond of me. I grieve over my behavior. That surely needs repentance.
But also, today one of the early workers at the preschool came. She really wants to work at the preschool. She must send me an email or a letter every few months. I have told her---we do not own Cornerstone Preschool! You have got to work it out with Bishop Titus. But she seems to think she can tell on Titus and get him in trouble with me. Ha! I don’t think so! I’ve seen plenty of disgruntled Christians who think they are leaders trying to tell other people what to do--and getting angry for disobedience. Therefore, I am not the least bit moved. And those people often spread rumors or gossip and try to bring people down. I want to work with BLESSORS! I want to BE a blessor! (blesser?) Blesser! I want to bless even the ones who accuse! I want to bless even the ones who want to lord it over! So what could I tell her? I greeted her. I knew what she was here for. I let her do the talking. I made her uncomfortable, yes, but I knew her motives because she has written to me over and over telling me how Titus won’t let her run things and now even won’t let her work there. Sorry. I am in agreement with him and bless him. He is doing good work all over this community and even if he is getting things wrong sometimes (as I am) we are together in our vision for good work and we will not be dismayed by any weakness in ourselves or others (Titus, if you are reading this. Aren’t you glad I mentioned about the boys to you before I wrote it on a blog?! ha ha! and also, you know whom I mean and I think we just continue to pray blessings for her. I am sharing with everyone so they understand some of the controversies here.)
She wanted to know, also, about the orphanage. I explained we have no orphanage if no one supports it. I cannot support the orphanage out of my own funds. I need committed givers. Until God moves on hearts to give generously, there is no orphan project. I am laboring with Pastor Joseph and Catherine and the programmers to get these children profiled, photographed, videoed, written about, and posted on the web. That’s all I can do! I have to stop at 20-22 children even though pastors want to add this one or that one and people frequently tell me , “this child is an orphan” and then tell you the story.
Doreen works for Titus in the house. She also works for the school....I have mentioned this. I went with the apostle to bless the widow who has agreed to move for $3500. He kept saying things on Sunday or praying, “God worry the person who won’t work with the servant of God.” and just other things implying that they were fighting against me and it would not go well with them. WELL! I only want to bless! I’d be a crazy ungodly woman who would DARE try to steal away a widow’s home by pressuring her or undercutting her price. So I told him later, “Come with me to meet her and please pray blessing.” and so he did. I got to meet Doreen’s husband, Brandon, who works for me on the building, but I tend to be watching my step when I go outside and they are usually up on the roof a little far from the walkway. It’s so bright you have to squint and you need to know a person well before you can tell who is who. I have never seen him even though I have begun to recognize so many of the workers. Right after I met him, though, I saw him out there. That was Sunday. I have seen him every day since. Cracks me up. Anyway, meeting his mother (the widow) went wonderful and she received the blessing. I appreciate her. She seems to be a wonderful, kind, loving woman. I pray she is a wonderful mother in law. The young girl living with them came into the room with little Sasha, the adorable. Sasha greeted me. (OH YEAH! little sweetheart!) Then the widow told me that this girl was her daughter’s child. Her daughter died just three months after the baby was born. THREE MONTHS! Man, that is hideous. So this girl knows no mother or father. She’s a sweet girl, under 14. Maybe about 12. She attractive and quiet, but always her face is quite open to me. I did not know she was an orphan. I did not know who she was, but I had seen her on the compound over by Evelyn and Wycliffe’s home. She greeted me with friendly smiles. I later found out she lived in the home with Doreen, so I sent her a gift of some pretty flip flop type sandals from Old Navy. I got them for $5 or less. They are gold! I love them! but the sole is very thin and one day I was super duper hot. I put them on because they are so cute. They seemed to heat my feet. FORGET EM! so I figured I’d give them away and I decided on her. Well, I was thankful I had sent a gift now that I found out her story. Makes you just want to reach out, draw the child to you (even though she is as tall as I am) and give them a deep hug in your bosom. All the way from your core into theirs. But I don’t do it. and I try not to pity. But just love them and feel the pain of it for a minute and believe hopefully for their future. I say something aloud that is like a life blessing.
It’s so hard here sometimes. I am not sure I should bring anyone here. I am both too busy and too unbusy. I guess Americans want to be useful. God has seriously taught me how to be useful and how to just BE. I was actually forced to just BE for so many years. It was tough on me, but I am so thankful for it now! It was a real schooldesk for life with Jesus. While I am here, there is so much to do. I work most of the time, all the day through and collapse in bed. I loathe the time eating or dressing because it takes SO LONG. But there are so many times of waiting here. You have to yield to it. My job in Jesus on some days is to wait. and so I wait peacefully. Maybe it is because I am becoming a Kenyan on Kenyan time. That is life here. and I praise God for life here. I spent years feeling unfruitful and God proved to me continually then that my fruit was my intercession and worship. My fruit was Bible study and devotion. My fruit was sitting in His presence. Now, I am bearing fruit that I’ve waited so long for....everything else just pales to me. (not my Vineyard women’s group. I love you women and I will always love you forever!) and my early church life at New Life was such a precious garden for nurture. So many real Christians showing me the way, the truth, the life, the LORD. I pray I have shown Jesus to those who came later. I pray that the people who have known me came away knowing Jesus a little more. Or knowing His Word, or His ways. and I pray we laughed and loved each other. I’m thankful for the time spent in true heart fellowship. All the sisters of my heart, I love you!
I thank GOD for the Word sown in my heart and for His Ways! I praise Him for who He is! and that He enabled me to know Him. Me, a veritable nothing. A true weakling. A whimpering fool. He saved me! He changed me! He continues to grow me! I am just changing and I love it! I love sharing with the students. I have loved sharing at the churches, but having church in the classroom with 20 somethings happens to be THE VERY REASON I WENT TO NORTHWESTERN! It is as if God has given me the college professorship AND given me extraordinary sidekick teachers to do all the work! Oh yeah! I am just the inspiration engine building on the platform of Jesus as a foundation already laid by the workers here. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord. Our God is an awesome God.
I know. I use my exclamations too often, right? Life is an exclamation. Jesus is all caps, exclamations and italics, probably some special colors and fonts, too, with video additions that have closed captioning for the hearing impaired. ( I enjoy reading my movies. and I only watch movies that are not an offense to Jesus and His Word which means no sex- no nudity! and no magic. That does not leave a lot to choose from.)
I am sitting up in the office alone. I should have tried this before. I feel like I am talking to you. But you never say anything! that’s frustrating! what are you thinking? I’d like a conversation. I wanted even to have a fund raising party and that would give people a chance to talk to me as we showed videos and pictures. But I ran out of time and I saved the money--I could not find an appropriate venue large enough but low cost. I miss Steve. I miss the children. I miss the puppies and Lilykins. I don’t know how Sarah is doing without her kitty, KipKip, Kippie, aka April.... We have had so little communication due to cost. We had to put her precious baby to sleep before we came. It was horrible for her but we didn’t want her to suffer alone and possibly die while Sarah was in Kenya. So it was good timing when she took a turn for the worst so that we didn’t accidentally leave her and come home to find her in great pain or having died in great pain. Oh it is sad to think about. She was 13. Most of Sarah’s life.
Kevin has a birthday tomorrow. My baby! 26 years old. Is this possible? I guess it is! I just never can believe I am so old now. I don’t feel old. I don’t think old. i don’t think I look as old as I am. But even if I looked 80--I just can’t believe I’m a person over 40. It feels just the same as 25--yet I know Kevin is my child and he’s a man, therefore, I must be an old person. Ha ha. who cares? not me. I’m sad I am not with Kevin to celebrate HIM! I don’t even know if he’s going to do anything. By the time you turn 26, what is a birthday? It just starts to
My days have slowed a bit. I took last Saturday off and I took this Saturday off. But then some things came up.
I meant to just pray and read my Bible all day long. I wanted serious spiritual and emotional preparation for Sunday and I wanted God to see my deep intentions by my actions. I wanted to prove my heart. I wanted to invest in the Kingdom.
I spent a few hours in the morning worshipping after worshipping for a few hours before falling asleep last night. I have music on my IPod and music on my IPhone and I had them both charged up. I used some little battery operated speakers that Laura won at a sales conference--they work great! I also used my headphones. I went into the sanctuary to pray throughout the room and worship. It was amazing. What a great way to start a day. I wish I had my own large church sanctuary at home! It made me consider putting in TGD chapels wherever we have a building so that our people can begin each day in prayer together and in worship. Then maybe I should give the workers some tea in the morning and maybe bread with butter (they like margarine sandwiches.)
Then I had to do discuss finances with Henry (who was at work early and working all day, as usual. After that, I arranged with Rose to get someone to buy the remaining foodstuffs at the market so I could feed the orphans who were coming. Transportation is too difficult for some and too costly. I am prepared to pay for them to all come to church--this special meal is an opportunity to get current photos and to get them prayed over. I want them blessed.
I love trying to find good things to do for people. I love sharing out of my abundance. I just get so much joy out of everything I do here! oh and then the electricity went out today for hours. HOURS. Hours and hours. I need so much electricity!
I have a fan. I really love the sound of fans. It calms me. Steve always had to have a fan on him in the night and now I am so used to it that I hate to go without it. I hear my breathing like its booming through a speaker. Every wiggle and creak disturbs me. I love the fan. Then there are all the things I need to charge. Plus a blow dryer and hot rollers needing power. There is the FRIDGE! i have milk and coke in there and often some meat. (oh when I get home I want to eat vegetables. like Pappadeaux steamed broc! my own carrots. some frozen micro corn. HEB steam in bag green beans. Fajitas with onions and green peppers! LETTUCE AND TOMATOES! I could eat tomatoes here but they worry me. I eat some fruit--oranges, pineapples, and an occasional watermelon. Tomorrow I am having chicken thighs, rice, chapati (tortillas), oranges, corn on the cob, tang drink (i found something here with vitamin C! mostly the drinks are expensive juices or cheap fruity watery sugar drinks or sodas. We’ll have some candy for the kids. I will make sure they give me all the trash! There is a terrible problem with littering here. People just walk along and throw stuff down. Hence, trash piles all around.
In the little town areas, they dig holes and throw all their trash into it. but the ones I saw were not deep. and think about how much trash we make! even they do, too! (not anything like me....drinking bottled water every day! horrors! it really makes me think about the environment here!)
okay, i’m off to pray. Love and blessings. I’m like a college kid.....”Send money!” The needs are so great here but the ability we have to help is also great. Are you spending on yourself? or helping the poor? and what is your percentage of giving? If you are in debt for yourself, go into debt for eternal things. you will always pay yourself first but go buy something else. Give more. You have plenty! You don’t even need all you have and you are paying so much money to maintain it all. Live a life of love. Take up your cross. Remember the orphans and widows in their distress and keep yourself from being polluted by the world. Will you repent? Would you rather harden your heart against Jesus? What does Jesus ask of you? Sure, I have needs right now. but you know, your eternal state is far more important than the earthy work I’m doing. I pray you love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself.
Sunday JUNE 27
The apostle came today. I was prepared. I had communion. I had annointing oil. I had the pots of dirt. I had washing bins prepared for washing hands before communion and I had towels. I had the orphans coming. Turned out there were 11 out of 22. I had a big meal prepared for them which Anne and Doreen cooked, served, and cleaned. Sometimes I can tell people help me because they hope to be paid (I cannot fault anyone for that! They are DOING something--not just asking for a handout.) But I am always thankful for helpful people and I try to be one. sometimes circumstances don’t permit us to help someone that we love! even in the USA, you want to help someone, they live across town, you are not up to date on their daily life, then you discover they went through something terrible and didn’t even tell you. You long to have been there for them....but even as you think back, maybe that was when you were overwhelmed yourself! I hate that. Really hate that. and I love when I can help someone. Even small things that might go unnoticed. It is just good to be a blessing to people instead of bringing them down. Certainly we all have so many things worthy of criticism--and I am so thankful for my friends who not only put up with me--but even AFFIRM me. (thank you and I love you!) I try not to criticize, but we do need to correct each other. If you love me, you will correct me. I will know if you are trying to do the right thing. Even if I don’t take your advice, I know it is risky to tell someone anything contrary to whatever they are thinking. How many times have you allowed someone to cut down her husband? Even me! Sure, you can listen to burdens, but we need to steer that towards something beneficial and teach each other to bless. Prayerfully, we can say something like. I thank God that my dog is going to learn how to only go potty OUTSIDE! I am working on this myself. Oh please correct my mouth! NO! I do not need a pity party and neither do you! How about you come to Kenya and see how good you have it. Seriously. I am not likely to put up with ANY whining! While I am here, anyway, my whining is practically nil. Stop thinking you are so important. Start thinking of others. Put others needs at the same level you put your own. Can you imagine? Jesus said so! He wants you to obey! and you know what? I always want to be corrected in Jesus. I always want to be guided to what the Word of God says.
Let’s not be like everyone else. Let’s go higher. Let’s be like Jesus. Let’s look to Him as our standard. Let’s only look at Him. Don’t look away when someone laughs because you are looking at Him as your standard. Just keep looking at Him. Where are they headed, anyway?
I was in the sanctuary yesterday praying. Undoubtedly, people saw me and watched me. There are windows everywhere here for ventilation. I worshipped openly and extravagantly. Surely some would think it was just for show! Some people don’t have worship in their heart and they cannot imagine you mean it. They assume you are just a show off wanting attention. Oh my Lord Jesus who is worthy and amazing! If they knew Jesus, they would get out of their chair, off their couch, out from the computer and dance! They would sing! They would shout! but they don’t really love Him. They just want to do other things. Don’t let them deter YOU! Let them do their other things! You go to Jesus!
Today people were called upon to ask for prayer. You know, if you are afraid to go up in church, then how can you stand against the world? In the church, going up for prayer is normal and accepted. So if you cannot go with the flow of Christians, how do you go AGAINST the flow of the world? I seem like such a crazy woman to some people.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 30TH
I have blogged on the website. I blogged on Monday and then got on today with yesterdays writings and wrote some today. My mind goes blank because it is always just thinking of WHAT I HAVE TO DO NEXT and to remember what I have done is less available in my memory.
One thing I did not blog yet was my first difficulty with Immanuel and Sammy. I usually enjoy their energy and am not bothered when they are playing near me. I like talking to them and reading English or Swahili together. Today I saw Immanuel playing with the metal bowls for the building. I called to him and he ran around the building with it. So I figured I better go down and check on him and ask him to stay away from the building materials (for the 10th time, but I know how boys can be.) As I came down, I saw Sammy on the metal rods with special wire ties in his hands. Now I need those ties. And he can be hurt playing on the rods. I told him to put it down and he threw it and ran away. I went inside to tell them that I have asked them to stop playing with the building materials. I explained kindly that if they did it again, I would have to tell their father. I have not really chosen to “tell on them” because they have usually listened when I’ve told them to stop this or that, please. But Sammy refused to speak to me. I had Anne translate just to be certain and still he ignored me with his back to me. So then I wanted him to turn around and tell me he was sorry. He would not do it. Finally, he did say he was sorry in Luhya (because I didn’t understand it.) and I asked Anne what he said. But he would not turn around and look at me. He was not in any way sorry or repentant. He was mad and embarrassed and refused to be respectful even though I was respectful. So of course, I had to tell Daddy. It just would be so much easier if we as children of God would repent to one another. What lessons could we avoid if we were repentant!?! I take this message to heart myself and tonight I will seek God regarding where I may need to repent in my heart and in my actions.
Also, I had visitor today. OH MY GOODNESS, have I mentioned that two women came by to meet with me. They had a need. Well, I am inundated with people coming to me “with a need” and so I was kind but maybe a little too polite. I was waiting for the sob story (but truly there are so many terrible stories) Then it turned out they wanted prayer because they were barren. i felt so horrible. oh my goodness, I can pray for ANYONE ANYTIME! but all of a sudden I had no faith, NONE. Because I had been hardening my heart a little so that I could deal with the onslaught of compassion that threatens to pull me under the waves. Now I needed to extend serious spiritual energy to God and towards these women? Oh Jesus help me. At first, I threw my head down into my hands and covered my mouth as I came back up saying I cannot pray! I have no faith! Then I could not even believe i said such a thing! and out loud! I repented quickly. I focused on God (He has all the power anyway...so what does it matter about me?) and I believe in the power of God and the prayers of the saints. So I prayed. God bless them. They cannot be too fond of me. I grieve over my behavior. That surely needs repentance.
But also, today one of the early workers at the preschool came. She really wants to work at the preschool. She must send me an email or a letter every few months. I have told her---we do not own Cornerstone Preschool! You have got to work it out with Bishop Titus. But she seems to think she can tell on Titus and get him in trouble with me. Ha! I don’t think so! I’ve seen plenty of disgruntled Christians who think they are leaders trying to tell other people what to do--and getting angry for disobedience. Therefore, I am not the least bit moved. And those people often spread rumors or gossip and try to bring people down. I want to work with BLESSORS! I want to BE a blessor! (blesser?) Blesser! I want to bless even the ones who accuse! I want to bless even the ones who want to lord it over! So what could I tell her? I greeted her. I knew what she was here for. I let her do the talking. I made her uncomfortable, yes, but I knew her motives because she has written to me over and over telling me how Titus won’t let her run things and now even won’t let her work there. Sorry. I am in agreement with him and bless him. He is doing good work all over this community and even if he is getting things wrong sometimes (as I am) we are together in our vision for good work and we will not be dismayed by any weakness in ourselves or others (Titus, if you are reading this. Aren’t you glad I mentioned about the boys to you before I wrote it on a blog?! ha ha! and also, you know whom I mean and I think we just continue to pray blessings for her. I am sharing with everyone so they understand some of the controversies here.)
She wanted to know, also, about the orphanage. I explained we have no orphanage if no one supports it. I cannot support the orphanage out of my own funds. I need committed givers. Until God moves on hearts to give generously, there is no orphan project. I am laboring with Pastor Joseph and Catherine and the programmers to get these children profiled, photographed, videoed, written about, and posted on the web. That’s all I can do! I have to stop at 20-22 children even though pastors want to add this one or that one and people frequently tell me , “this child is an orphan” and then tell you the story.
Doreen works for Titus in the house. She also works for the school....I have mentioned this. I went with the apostle to bless the widow who has agreed to move for $3500. He kept saying things on Sunday or praying, “God worry the person who won’t work with the servant of God.” and just other things implying that they were fighting against me and it would not go well with them. WELL! I only want to bless! I’d be a crazy ungodly woman who would DARE try to steal away a widow’s home by pressuring her or undercutting her price. So I told him later, “Come with me to meet her and please pray blessing.” and so he did. I got to meet Doreen’s husband, Brandon, who works for me on the building, but I tend to be watching my step when I go outside and they are usually up on the roof a little far from the walkway. It’s so bright you have to squint and you need to know a person well before you can tell who is who. I have never seen him even though I have begun to recognize so many of the workers. Right after I met him, though, I saw him out there. That was Sunday. I have seen him every day since. Cracks me up. Anyway, meeting his mother (the widow) went wonderful and she received the blessing. I appreciate her. She seems to be a wonderful, kind, loving woman. I pray she is a wonderful mother in law. The young girl living with them came into the room with little Sasha, the adorable. Sasha greeted me. (OH YEAH! little sweetheart!) Then the widow told me that this girl was her daughter’s child. Her daughter died just three months after the baby was born. THREE MONTHS! Man, that is hideous. So this girl knows no mother or father. She’s a sweet girl, under 14. Maybe about 12. She attractive and quiet, but always her face is quite open to me. I did not know she was an orphan. I did not know who she was, but I had seen her on the compound over by Evelyn and Wycliffe’s home. She greeted me with friendly smiles. I later found out she lived in the home with Doreen, so I sent her a gift of some pretty flip flop type sandals from Old Navy. I got them for $5 or less. They are gold! I love them! but the sole is very thin and one day I was super duper hot. I put them on because they are so cute. They seemed to heat my feet. FORGET EM! so I figured I’d give them away and I decided on her. Well, I was thankful I had sent a gift now that I found out her story. Makes you just want to reach out, draw the child to you (even though she is as tall as I am) and give them a deep hug in your bosom. All the way from your core into theirs. But I don’t do it. and I try not to pity. But just love them and feel the pain of it for a minute and believe hopefully for their future. I say something aloud that is like a life blessing.
It’s so hard here sometimes. I am not sure I should bring anyone here. I am both too busy and too unbusy. I guess Americans want to be useful. God has seriously taught me how to be useful and how to just BE. I was actually forced to just BE for so many years. It was tough on me, but I am so thankful for it now! It was a real schooldesk for life with Jesus. While I am here, there is so much to do. I work most of the time, all the day through and collapse in bed. I loathe the time eating or dressing because it takes SO LONG. But there are so many times of waiting here. You have to yield to it. My job in Jesus on some days is to wait. and so I wait peacefully. Maybe it is because I am becoming a Kenyan on Kenyan time. That is life here. and I praise God for life here. I spent years feeling unfruitful and God proved to me continually then that my fruit was my intercession and worship. My fruit was Bible study and devotion. My fruit was sitting in His presence. Now, I am bearing fruit that I’ve waited so long for....everything else just pales to me. (not my Vineyard women’s group. I love you women and I will always love you forever!) and my early church life at New Life was such a precious garden for nurture. So many real Christians showing me the way, the truth, the life, the LORD. I pray I have shown Jesus to those who came later. I pray that the people who have known me came away knowing Jesus a little more. Or knowing His Word, or His ways. and I pray we laughed and loved each other. I’m thankful for the time spent in true heart fellowship. All the sisters of my heart, I love you!
I thank GOD for the Word sown in my heart and for His Ways! I praise Him for who He is! and that He enabled me to know Him. Me, a veritable nothing. A true weakling. A whimpering fool. He saved me! He changed me! He continues to grow me! I am just changing and I love it! I love sharing with the students. I have loved sharing at the churches, but having church in the classroom with 20 somethings happens to be THE VERY REASON I WENT TO NORTHWESTERN! It is as if God has given me the college professorship AND given me extraordinary sidekick teachers to do all the work! Oh yeah! I am just the inspiration engine building on the platform of Jesus as a foundation already laid by the workers here. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord. Our God is an awesome God.
I know. I use my exclamations too often, right? Life is an exclamation. Jesus is all caps, exclamations and italics, probably some special colors and fonts, too, with video additions that have closed captioning for the hearing impaired. ( I enjoy reading my movies. and I only watch movies that are not an offense to Jesus and His Word which means no sex- no nudity! and no magic. That does not leave a lot to choose from.)
I am sitting up in the office alone. I should have tried this before. I feel like I am talking to you. But you never say anything! that’s frustrating! what are you thinking? I’d like a conversation. I wanted even to have a fund raising party and that would give people a chance to talk to me as we showed videos and pictures. But I ran out of time and I saved the money--I could not find an appropriate venue large enough but low cost. I miss Steve. I miss the children. I miss the puppies and Lilykins. I don’t know how Sarah is doing without her kitty, KipKip, Kippie, aka April.... We have had so little communication due to cost. We had to put her precious baby to sleep before we came. It was horrible for her but we didn’t want her to suffer alone and possibly die while Sarah was in Kenya. So it was good timing when she took a turn for the worst so that we didn’t accidentally leave her and come home to find her in great pain or having died in great pain. Oh it is sad to think about. She was 13. Most of Sarah’s life.
Kevin has a birthday tomorrow. My baby! 26 years old. Is this possible? I guess it is! I just never can believe I am so old now. I don’t feel old. I don’t think old. i don’t think I look as old as I am. But even if I looked 80--I just can’t believe I’m a person over 40. It feels just the same as 25--yet I know Kevin is my child and he’s a man, therefore, I must be an old person. Ha ha. who cares? not me. I’m sad I am not with Kevin to celebrate HIM! I don’t even know if he’s going to do anything. By the time you turn 26, what is a birthday? It just starts to
Joseph's story in his words....
Joseph’s Story
JESUS PREPARES LEADERS FOR THE FUTURE
Jesus not only sends out His twelve disciples to serve but He reminds them that He intents to reproduce His own leadership in them. As part the preparation process He instructs them on what is coming.
One night before Sunday 27th June 2010, I had a voice in a dream being given instruction about identity and credentials regarding my duties and my spiritual role in the ministry. We had a joint service at our Cornerstone Church headquarter which was contacted by our Bishop Titus Khamala and a guest speaker from Nigeria.
My role in the is to take care of orphans and widows so I had to transport them to the Church headquarter since the day was also special to them.After the Church service,the Nigerian Apostle had a word with the orphans and even anointed them. Mama Stephanie provided lunch for them and by 5 P.M. I was ready to take them back to their homes.
On our way it started raining heavily and the road was almost impassable. At some point we got stuck in muddy and swampy area where roads were severely damaged due to heavy rains. We stayed stack for several hours and looking at my watch I realized that it was 9:24 P.M. I kept hoping that the Lord would send His angels to take charge. Out of the blues a drunkard man passed by and when he saw our truck he quickly identified it as Bishop Titus truck and he said to us “I know you’re Cornerstone family I can’t leave you here to suffer in the cold”. Since the man was from that village he decided to go knocking on his neighbors’ doors to wake up and help pull us out.
The villagers finally managed to pull us out and we opted to use another road that was not so muddy. After several miles of drive we ran out of gas. It was at 1A.M. I grabbed my cell phone and called Bishop Titus but could not immediately find him. I called my wife and told her to find a way to get the word to Bishop Titus. My wife too could not make a call to Bishop Titus and so she called Pastor Stanley, one of the pastors at Cornerstone who went to Bishop’s house and delivered the word. Bishop gave him money to buy gas and have it delivered to us.
Pastor Stanley was riding a motorbike and on his way his motorbike run out of gas, so he too got stuck.As I was waiting for Stanley,two men on a motorbike came by and offered to use their bike to the nearest gas station and buy gas for us. in the meantime Bishop called asking if pastor Stanley had found us since it was running late to 3:00 A.M. Bishop asked me to pray. While praying the two men who had gone for gas called me and said the gas station would be opened at 5:00 A.M
They opted to wait until the gas station opens so that they can just make one trip to where we were. Finally we got the gas and dropped orphans. On our way back we found Pastor Stanley still stuck and assisted him by carrying him on the truck.
What God can do no man can do and His ways are not our ways.After two days I received a call from one of the drunkard men saying he had given his life to Jesus.
JESUS PREPARES LEADERS FOR THE FUTURE
Jesus not only sends out His twelve disciples to serve but He reminds them that He intents to reproduce His own leadership in them. As part the preparation process He instructs them on what is coming.
One night before Sunday 27th June 2010, I had a voice in a dream being given instruction about identity and credentials regarding my duties and my spiritual role in the ministry. We had a joint service at our Cornerstone Church headquarter which was contacted by our Bishop Titus Khamala and a guest speaker from Nigeria.
My role in the is to take care of orphans and widows so I had to transport them to the Church headquarter since the day was also special to them.After the Church service,the Nigerian Apostle had a word with the orphans and even anointed them. Mama Stephanie provided lunch for them and by 5 P.M. I was ready to take them back to their homes.
On our way it started raining heavily and the road was almost impassable. At some point we got stuck in muddy and swampy area where roads were severely damaged due to heavy rains. We stayed stack for several hours and looking at my watch I realized that it was 9:24 P.M. I kept hoping that the Lord would send His angels to take charge. Out of the blues a drunkard man passed by and when he saw our truck he quickly identified it as Bishop Titus truck and he said to us “I know you’re Cornerstone family I can’t leave you here to suffer in the cold”. Since the man was from that village he decided to go knocking on his neighbors’ doors to wake up and help pull us out.
The villagers finally managed to pull us out and we opted to use another road that was not so muddy. After several miles of drive we ran out of gas. It was at 1A.M. I grabbed my cell phone and called Bishop Titus but could not immediately find him. I called my wife and told her to find a way to get the word to Bishop Titus. My wife too could not make a call to Bishop Titus and so she called Pastor Stanley, one of the pastors at Cornerstone who went to Bishop’s house and delivered the word. Bishop gave him money to buy gas and have it delivered to us.
Pastor Stanley was riding a motorbike and on his way his motorbike run out of gas, so he too got stuck.As I was waiting for Stanley,two men on a motorbike came by and offered to use their bike to the nearest gas station and buy gas for us. in the meantime Bishop called asking if pastor Stanley had found us since it was running late to 3:00 A.M. Bishop asked me to pray. While praying the two men who had gone for gas called me and said the gas station would be opened at 5:00 A.M
They opted to wait until the gas station opens so that they can just make one trip to where we were. Finally we got the gas and dropped orphans. On our way back we found Pastor Stanley still stuck and assisted him by carrying him on the truck.
What God can do no man can do and His ways are not our ways.After two days I received a call from one of the drunkard men saying he had given his life to Jesus.
Hi. I'm here at the Golf Hotel waiting on Wambua, Mr Wambua, to call me over to the police station. Right now, our lawyer should be over there speaking with him. I have prayed. I am nervous. I was a little sick in the night although I have not experienced nervousness in my mind or emotions, I realized that I was nervous somewhere because it came out in my body.
Frank is in Nairobi working on submitting our papers for NGO. They looked at the official IRS letter and called it insufficient. HA! That's how I felt when we received it, too!
Walter just got a call and it made me nervous. but it was frank again. they are all doing such a good job. it is so exciting all that God is doing here. I am praying daily for God to send donations. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and he can give it to whomever He chooses. I pray He chooses to promote these young people who are studying programming!
Frank is in Nairobi working on submitting our papers for NGO. They looked at the official IRS letter and called it insufficient. HA! That's how I felt when we received it, too!
Walter just got a call and it made me nervous. but it was frank again. they are all doing such a good job. it is so exciting all that God is doing here. I am praying daily for God to send donations. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and he can give it to whomever He chooses. I pray He chooses to promote these young people who are studying programming!
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