Matt at the feeding program in Kambi Teso Children's Home #6 is getting built
Right now I am sitting in the Nairobi airport where the air is hot and humid (sorry I didn't get this posted until two weeks after I wrote it). It always seems that way as I pass through here, but when you've been enjoying a much more temperate climate in Eldoret, Kenya, with highs in the low 80s year round, and you're flying to Portland, with a current high of about 45 to 50 degrees, the air in the Nairobi airport seems downright stiffling.
It has been a whirlwind tour the last twelve days in Africa and far too short. Nevertheless, it has been good as the Open Arms board has been able to map out a plan for the future of the Open Arms Village and how we can proceed as we add new children, new homes, and new ministry opportunities to the village. After a busy w
eek with board meetings, the weekend seemed rather slow, as we were able to go swimmi
ng with the children in Upendo House on Saturday down at the river. Matt took on the role of a crocodile chasing after the children in the swimming hole as they giggled and screamed to get awa
y. Sunday was a memorable day as the village participated in another guardian's day at the village where relatives, extended families, and friends of the children were invited to come and visit. Matt was asked to speat at the church service, as 53 children, about 35 staff members, and about 50 to 60 visitors and guardians from the community enjoyed the festivities. About a dozen adults responded to an invitation to become Christians, and all of the adults responded to a re-commitment to help oversee the welfare of the 53 children at the village.
eek with board meetings, the weekend seemed rather slow, as we were able to go swimmi
ng with the children in Upendo House on Saturday down at the river. Matt took on the role of a crocodile chasing after the children in the swimming hole as they giggled and screamed to get awa
y. Sunday was a memorable day as the village participated in another guardian's day at the village where relatives, extended families, and friends of the children were invited to come and visit. Matt was asked to speat at the church service, as 53 children, about 35 staff members, and about 50 to 60 visitors and guardians from the community enjoyed the festivities. About a dozen adults responded to an invitation to become Christians, and all of the adults responded to a re-commitment to help oversee the welfare of the 53 children at the village.The newest member of the Open Arms Village, Agnes, arrived just three days before Guardian's Day, less than 2 years old, living on the streets of Eldoret and all of her life thus far, a
nd now a recent orphan. She is adjusting well to life at the village, but she is having a difficult time sleeping through the night. Nevertheless, she is smiling, happy, and eating well.
nd now a recent orphan. She is adjusting well to life at the village, but she is having a difficult time sleeping through the night. Nevertheless, she is smiling, happy, and eating well.On Monday, Matt and David went into town to do a little shopping and get haircuts (a haircut in Eldoret is a much better deal - about $4 - and they do a good job). While we wre waiting at an appointment, Matt noticed the clock on the wall had a brand name of "Sicko". Must be a poor knockoff of Seiko but they didn't consider the awkward English translation (a quick Google search didn't reveal any web page that "Sicko" has for any clock manufacturers).
David also informed Matt of a few other strange and serious developments in Kenyan culture while they were admiring the Sicko clock on the wall. Recently, David recieved a letter from a pastor who called himself a "Minister to Road Carnage" (apparently the matatu drivers in Kenya have been getting worse and more lethal with their driving skills). On a much more serious note, David and Matt discussed the treatment of street children in Eldoret as a particular policeman in Eldoret has been on a recent rampage to eliminate the population of street children through any means possible, including shooting children, throwing battery acid in the faces of children, using whips, police dogs, and other means of intimadation and torture. Fortunately, a national journalistic team will feature an expose of the policemen's injustice hopefully ending his career as a policeman.
I just boarded the plane and the air conditioning feels wonderful. Looking forward to an uneventful flight and a warm hug from Cheryl when I get back to Portland.
Until next time,
Matt
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