Big Smiles, Happy Hearts

Tuesday, March 1, 2016 I love the beautiful Acacia trees that dot the land of Kenya. As we travel to Taito I always silently admire one that stands with strength as many rest beneath its umbrella. It becomes a favorite spot for the herdsman to stop and rest as his cows or sheep graze on the little pieces of grass that surround it.

The shepherd life is left behind as we pass a new business up and running.  The water tank is on a stand and the sign is out; “Car Wash.” It really should say “Bike Wash” as the motorbikes stop to have their bike brought back to a shine. Several guys are ready to scrub the red clay like soil off each part of the bike. The ground is wet and white with soapy bubbles.  All appearances say that these guys do an excellent job!

The donkey carts are out and the whips are cracking as they pull their heavy loads down the road. Little guys take command and rule over the donkeys like stringent masters.  

A meat market sits off the road a bit. Its small in size but the front has a large and elongated curtain- less window that exhibits the butchered cow for sale. Refrigeration seems to be missing and the flies feel way too welcomed.

Soon the little village market area is behind us and the distant mountain ranges show themselves.

We leave the main road and head up the steep hill that takes us into the village.  The closer we get to the village the more I hear my name being called.  It has taken some time and a lot of work but they no longer think of me as a “mazungu/white woman” but they call me by name.  The happy tone of their voice and the quick wave of their hand brings a smile to my face.  When I return their greeting by using their name their smiles widen and it brings great joy to their day!

Work on the classrooms continues to go forward and its the topic of conversation in the village. However, those that had spoken defeat over the school are taken back by what they are seeing and have become silent.

The roof is on and the brick foundation wall is in progress. We are pleased that we have gotten this far without the heavy afternoon rains.  Now when the rains come we can still work and stay dry!

The temperature continues to stay around 90 -92 during the day and even the natives are saying “It is too hot!”  It is extremely hot but the winds are picking up…a sure sign that the rains will be here soon. 

Isabelle has a little store at the corner and a soda break is needed.  Warm soda is the choice today and the only choice!  She stands behind the half door which is wired at the top and takes our request. It is a small shop but carries a few of the items that people might need; bananas, sugar cane, tomatoes, onions, cell phone minutes, soda. Isabelle is a business woman and when the shop isn’t busy she is mending clothes with her foot pedal sewing machine outside.

Mamas work diligently under the hot sun to prepare the land for seed. At the end of the day they head for home with their hoe resting over their shoulder. They are tired, hurting and dehydrated from the heat of the day. Language might be a barrier but when you’re thirsty and someone offers  you a soda a "yes" smile quickly appears. It's a small gesture of friendship which will be remembered and talked about.

I love to walk through the villages and visit one on one inside the homes of the villagers.  In 2014 while visiting we came across 8 children that had just lost their mom.  She had been beaten to death with an iron pipe by a neighbor.  The grandmother could not care for these children but still wanted to keep the youngest child. The other seven she released into our care.  They have been living in a safe house which we built for them and are being raised by a native pastor and his wife.

The road we travel is straight, long and very dusty.  It is an area that I seldom travel and from the looks I’m receiving I know they see me as a stranger.  As we get closer the road narrows and then disappears into a small path that leads us to their gate. The fences of nearby homes, made from the mud of the earth, are pushing in on us from both sides.  

The children are expecting us and have been watching and waiting with great excitement. My eyes tried to name each one as they quickly gathered around.  They had grown so much since we last met and their eyes now spoke of the happiness they held inside.

Before I enter the door little Pauline runs and throws her arms around me!  It was a touching welcome and one I wasn't expecting.  She is a happy little girl with a heart full of joy.  She has bonded closely with the pastor’s wife and calls her mama. 

In the evening when mama comes home from work Pauline is right there to greet her. There is seldom a day that she misses wrapping her arms around her mama and giving her a great big hug!

Emmanuel has a gift of making people laugh.  His good nature and easy go lucky personality loves to please those around him.  Laughter fills the room each night as Emmanuel enjoys entertaining everyone before they go to bed. When we first took Emmanuel he was very sick and there were many hospital trips.  He is healthy, happy and strong now but we realize he would have died if he had not been taken from the village and given better care.

Faith remembers more of her past than the younger children. There are stories of beatings and hiding in the corn fields night after night.  The father’s rages brought fear to all of them including the mom. In time he disappeared and has never returned.  Her tender heart still carries a load from the past and sometimes her actions reflect the silent words caught inside.  We pray for inner healing.

Mary has changed the most; in fact when we first met I thought she was her sister Sarah.  When she smiles she just glows.  Her ambitions are high and she loves going to school

Jamin has a quieter personality and he wants to be an engineer. His studies are excellent and he is a top student.  If anything breaks at home he is ready and willing to fix it.

Sarah is outgoing and very personable. I’m told that she visits too much is school and sometimes that causes problems for her. At home she is faithful with her chores and aims to please!  She has a beautiful smile:)

Peter is the oldest and like Sarah he struggles some in his school work because he missed so much schooling in his younger years.  He hasn’t given up though and continues to work hard at bringing his test scores up.  He is very athletic and is the leader of the school team.  Peter is older and trying to find his own way but there is still the need for loving guidance. 

After several tries we manage to get an internet connection so we could do a facetime call with Manley.  Wow, did they think that was wonderful and unbelievable!  They huddled in around me and listened ever so carefully as Manley spoke to them from the USA.

The seven children have adapted well and they have found a home of love and acceptance.  Our time together is short as the night is near and we want to travel back before the sunsets and night falls in around us.

Visiting their home that day in 2014 was not in our plans. But the Lord brought us together just as the grandmother was on her knees crying out to God “Remember me, God, remember me.”   She needed help as she didn’t know how she was going to take care of these children.  As her prayers went upward our feet were already in the path that led to their door.

Today these children are safe, healthy, happy, eating good, going to school and being raised in a family setting under the care of a native pastor and his wife.  We thank God for his goodness and for the seven very happy children that surround me.

Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.