After one day of hobbling around on crutches and much prayer from a lot of friends and family, Cheryl was happy to have some sense of mobility but her armpits were getting sore from the crutches so she sat down to do some e-mail on the computer. While sitting at the desk doing e-mail, she heard a pop in her knee, and got up to grab her crutches. While getting up she put a little weight on her left knee and realized there was no pain. From then on she has been walking pain free. In fact, yesterday Matt saw her running across the street. Thanks for your prayers and God's healing touch. Now all Matt needs to figure out is what to do with the crutches; but I'm sure someone we'll need them here in Eldoret.
We spent the rest of the week meeting with teachers who are helping us to get the school started. Lots to do between now and January 4th when we open the school, but we are making progress. In the interim, most of the children are taking some extra tutorial help until Christmas with the help of our new teachers in order to catch up on their classes. Many of the children are several years behind in their education because of their circumstances (many of them missed out of several years of school because of the loss of their parents, a loss of income to assist them with school, or simply because some of them were living on the streets).
On the way back from the village this week to meet with the teachers, Matt got pulled over by a policewoman for the first time. Matt was determined not to give the officer a bribe, but she was determined to find something wrong with the truck. She spent several minutes walking around the truck and discovered the annual inspection sticker had expired. Matt caught some interspersed comments between Swahili and English regarding court dates and jail and decided to call the Open Arms office in Eldoret. One of the staff members talked to the police woman and mentioned that they had the truck inspected but that they had still not received the new sticker. Eventually the officer let Matt go and Matt hopped in the truck only to realize the vehicle wouldn't start. Matt called the Open Arms office again and one of the staff members came out and helped him push start the vehicle; later they realized the battery terminals were dirty and needed cleaning. The problem was corrected; the truck, Matt, and Cheryl are mobile again, and no more officers have pulled over Matt. However, Matt is carrying the paperwork for the inspection report
with him from now on. 
with him from now on. 
Progress at the village is carrying on at a good pace. The 12 children in Home #1 are beginning to make their new house a home. Homes #2 and #3 will be completed before Christmas and Matt and Cheryl plan on spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the Tumaini and Upendo Homes as they enjoy celebrating Christmas in their new homes. Home #4 will be completed possibly before the end of the year and more children can move into the village as we begin a new year at the Open Arms Village. In addition the Visitor Cottages for guests coming from the US and the UK are almost halfway completed with preparations being made to place roofs on all three Cottages before the end of the year so that the Village can accomodate teams and individual visitors as they arrive in 2010. As you prepare for Christmas this year, and complete your busy holiday shopping, as many of you try to stay warm in frigid winter weather, we will keep you informed of our everyday events as we prepare for Christmas. Bear in mind as your hands go numb in this wintry weather that it is 80 degrees and sunny here fo
r Christmas, so consider not only reading our blog but come and visit us in this New Year.
r Christmas, so consider not only reading our blog but come and visit us in this New Year.Blessings,
Matt and Cheryl
Your invitation is more inviting than you know!
ReplyDelete-Michael Barrong