Esther's Uniform

 

 

May 27, 2013 (Monday) In Kenya there are so many obvious needs around me and they all could use help in some way.  In memory of my sister, Debbie, I wanted to be able to take care of a very special need today. 

 

 

I worked all day at the children’s school.  Before I left the village I heard of a woman who had been robbed during the night several months ago.  She had been in the hospital for four months because they had attacked her with a machete and almost cut her leg off.  Her husband had died a few years earlier and had left her to raise their six children alone.  This woman cannot work because of her injuries and faces many challenges.  She was without food and had not been able to feed her children for the past four days.  She had nothing in her humble little home.  Before the day was over we delivered maize, cooking fat, potatoes, salt, sugar, tea and charcoal to cook with to her house. With a big smile she said “God has remembered me.”

After talking with the parents of the children my eyes have been opened to the daily struggles they face. The green gardens and the tall maize tell me that they have plenty and that is so untrue.  They don’t own this land but only rent a very small piece of it for a home.  Hunger is a problem here and children cry themselves to sleep at night because of lack of food.  When asking if they have ever gone to bed hungry it was a matter of fact “yes, of course.” If there isn’t any work there isn’t any food.  They know and their children know the pains of hunger.

May 28, 2013 (Tuesday) Today’s newspaper headlines are “Kenya Hit by Nationwide Power Failure.” We did sit in the dark last night but that’s not unusual.  The power here is constantly going on and off.  Candles and matches are placed in various places throughout the room. We didn’t realize that the all of Kenya, the whole country, was lighting candles at the same time.

May 30, 2013 (Thursday) Once again we travel the roads dodging cows, donkeys, head on traffic, motorbikes, people and pot holes.  There is a saying here that goes like this: You know you’re in Kenya when you ride on the side of the road because it’s smoother than the road!  Sometimes we are driving in the road and sometimes we’re driving in the road beside the roadJ 

My driver, Moses, doesn’t like to spend money of fuel.  His tank is always on empty and every hill we come to, even the smallest of hills, he shuts the car off and we coast as far as we can before he turns it back on.

The children are seated and in class when we arrive.  Everything seems to be running in a smooth and orderly fashion.  We notice that a few are missing and hear that several have scabies and have been sent home. 

The school is open from 8 am to 3 pm and sixty children are being taught.  Aggie, our teacher and her two helpers are doing a terrific job.  Those within the village are singing louder now as they walk their paths. They know God has heard their cry.

It’s time for me to say goodbye to some very dear friends.  Mama Rhoda is a woman of strong faith and she has such a big heart.  She has been a widow for years and works hard to see that her children are cared for.  Her family and responsibilities increased when she welcomed four orphans into her home.  Even with the hardships she faces she continues to reach out to those around her.

 

The trees overshadow the dirt road and we travel ever so slowly through the pot holes on the way out so that we don't leave any car parts behind. Up ahead a mama waves at us to stop.  Beatrice is Esther's grandmother and her guardian.  Beatrice was walking to school to see if there was room for Esther.  We were leaving and it was my last trip to Taito for some time but we had "one" extra uniform.  We had Esther's uniform!  We had room for one more.

May 31, 2013 (Friday) It’s a quick look around my room to make sure I have everything and then it’s time for hugs and goodbyes. 

 

 

The little guy didn’t disappointment me. He gave his Auntie Linda a nice smile and then there’s my friend Calvin who loves a “big” bowl of popcorn in the evening.  I think we bought all the popcorn they had. The last time I went to buy some they were sold out!

 

The wheels are rolling by 8:30 and we are on our way to Nairobi.  I have a seat up front which allows me to stretch out my leg and to have a view of all that is going on around us J  Doc Cathy was traveling today too and was quick to give help any time I needed it.

The Great Rift Valley is beautiful to travel through. The volcanic mountains line the sky around us and enclose the primitive life style of the Maasai.  Large numbers of Zebras are grazing on both sides of the road and their confident attitude isn’t shaken as we ride by.  We pass by gazelle’s and baboons sitting near the edge of the road.   A quick glimpse of a couple rhinos makes the trip! 

We cross over the equator line and soon the country life is left behind and the big city is ahead.

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.