We had a long list of items to complete on our short visit to the village this summer. First, and most important, on 
our list of things to do, was to spend more time with the children at the 
village. We got to spend more nights in the homes of the children, and more days playing football in the field, or spending more time in the new playground with the younger children at the village.
our list of things to do, was to spend more time with the children at the 
village. We got to spend more nights in the homes of the children, and more days playing football in the field, or spending more time in the new playground with the younger children at the village. 
It was also great seeing staff and old friends at the village as well.
Some of them, like Meshack pictured above, we may not see again (at least working at the village, since he'll be retiring in a few months). Others, like Esther, seated next to Maureen, were new friends we got to meet and spend time with at the village. Of course, we also got to spend time with old friends like Ruth Major, from the UK, and new volunteers from the US like Karleigh Vroman and Rachel Gulden.
We also got to spend breakfast at the home of one of our newer staff members, Paula Magoi, visiting her family, and enjoying her hospitality. In addition, she invited us to a friends farm after the breakfast to get more of the local culture and flavor, and also get some new ideas for sustainability and farming at the village. The house was surrounded by 70 acres of fertile farming land including lots of pineapple bushes (I thought pineapples grew on trees un
til this visit), plenty of the usual maize fields, lots of dairy cows, banana trees, avocado trees, mango trees, sugar cane, and a few other assorted vegetables and
fruits. We purchased plenty of avocado for the whopping price of 6 cents each, and pineapple for 25 cents a piece. In addition, the farmer gave us plenty of free sugar cane as a gift to the children at the village (Cheryl and I also tried chewing on a little sugar cane ourselves...very chewy but sweet).
Of course, the time and the hospitality at the farm exceeded Western standards as we were fed and treated to lots of food and fellowship. We left the village at 9AM and expected to spend only about 5 to 6 hours visiting the farm, but we were not back until 6PM 
and we were thoroughly exhausted.
til this visit), plenty of the usual maize fields, lots of dairy cows, banana trees, avocado trees, mango trees, sugar cane, and a few other assorted vegetables and
fruits. We purchased plenty of avocado for the whopping price of 6 cents each, and pineapple for 25 cents a piece. In addition, the farmer gave us plenty of free sugar cane as a gift to the children at the village (Cheryl and I also tried chewing on a little sugar cane ourselves...very chewy but sweet).
Of course, the time and the hospitality at the farm exceeded Western standards as we were fed and treated to lots of food and fellowship. We left the village at 9AM and expected to spend only about 5 to 6 hours visiting the farm, but we were not back until 6PM 
and we were thoroughly exhausted. 
The next Sunday, we were asked to lead the Sunday service, and we were treated to some new dances and new songs at the village in addition to being given the opportunity to speak to the village children and staff. After the service, we had lunch with the families and then we organized a prayer dedication service for the village, the children and the staff. We began organizing this event several weeks before we arrived, as we decided to 
plan a day of prayer to provide healing, restoration, and dedication for the children at th
e village, especially those who have been abandoned, abused, neglected, battered, and broken before they came to the Open Arms Village. It was a wonderful time of prayer and healing for the village, that helped lay a foundation for the future. 
We also got to visit a neighboring school in Eldoret to give us some fresh ideas for the future growth of the school at the Open Arms Village. In addition, we were able to spend a full day interviewing 
prospects for our next children's home, and also a children's counselor that is needed at the village. After a full day of interviews, we had to begin to say goodbye to all of our friends, and especially the children at the village as we prepared to have a little fun and relaxation at the end of our time in Africa. We'll share a little more about that in our next blog.
prospects for our next children's home, and also a children's counselor that is needed at the village. After a full day of interviews, we had to begin to say goodbye to all of our friends, and especially the children at the village as we prepared to have a little fun and relaxation at the end of our time in Africa. We'll share a little more about that in our next blog.Matt and Cheryl Tallman
