Continuation of March 31st

I forgot to mention a couple of things while in Wachara. Life for Children built a small building where the machine works are to grind the maze into flour. Attached on one side of the building are tree branches forming a rectangular shape and this is where they have church. Just down the road before the village entrance is where Life for Children have some land where they will build a church that will also operate as a clinic and a kinegarten. They have another eight acres where they will plant crops to feed the people and cut down on their expenses allowing for more opportunity to serve the orphans.

Michael wanted us to see the water pond. Just to observe it there is just a body of calm water that is reflecting the beauty of the near by tress. Then he explains this is where all the bathing, washing, and drinking water comes from.

We stopped by a small market on our way back to Kisumu. Here we learned about the fishing for talapia in Lake Victoria.
What happens is the people fillet the fish and that is sent overseas and they are left to eat the bones. They can't afford the fillets. The fish monger takes the intestines of the fish and melts it down for the oil. She then fries the fish bones in the oil and then sells them. I don't know about you but I can't help but think they are getting the scraps off our dinner tables. So much is wrong with the picture here, the poverty conditions in which these people live in day in and day out. We Americans would not survive this very long.

It is now Easter and I'm at the Germany airport for the thrid leg of my trip home. It is cold here.

Back to Africa:

Friday April 1st.

Today we went back to the first village and spent more time there. They prepared a meal for us of chicken, cabbage, and ugali. Again we eat with our fingers and tried to be as gracious as possible. I introduced Joseph to the mp3 player. Joseph is being sponsored by Erik Carter's Sunday school class. He enjoyed listening to the music. This came about when he asked about being on an airplane and being bored. I have some great pictures for you Erik.

There is a common practice in Africa that when you say it is time to leave it can actually take another hour. Us non-Africicans where having a hard time dealing with this. But reality is the joy in spending more time together and having a slower pace of life.

Most of the orphans sleep in a small space on a bambo type mat. Robert explained that at VBS in August they give out as many mattress as possible. The guardians sleep on similar surfaces. The children performed songs and dances for us again. The Africian music is so beautiful. They also gave us their names and what class they are in. Eveyone talks so quietly here but I will try and get the sound on the movie of this increased.

We went to the workshop where several of the women from this village makes pots. I purchased several to use as silent auction items. While there one the woman's son came. He appears to have CP and what a blessing he was to my trip. He has a wheel chair that needs to be replaced. I have sent Michael some information so hopefully he can get a better one. Otherwise his mobility is on hands and knees. His name is Runix, I could be spelling this wrong. He is a very smart and a joy to be around. I have a picture of him with the women who made the pots. He uses sign language a little and asked if I was flying away. I said yes and he made the sign of a cross indicating he would be praying for me. Tears filled my eyes as my heart was humbled.

One of the pictures shows the tools they use to shape the pots and then decorate them. Al and I will work on getting the pictures on the blog site. Please be patient with us as we do this. Basically they start with a lump of clay and then scoop out the inside and shape the pot. They use this rough textured tool to decorate the pot. Outside is a big burn area in the lawn and this is where they fire the pots. The people of Africa are amzing and resourcful due to their circumstances. I am in awe of them.

The saddest experience and one that I am having trouble dealing with was meeting the street boys. These are orphans that have absolutely no one looking out for them. They stay in groups mostly and spend their day sniffing glue and some also drink. Their ages vary and Life for Children is trying to build a relationship with the younger ones. The older ones are too violent and are involved in major crimes. I was impressed that even these children are polite but I had to be on more guard around them. Please pray for these precious children who have been forced into a situation beyond their control. And now they are only trying to survive the best they can. Oh my heart is so broken and I cry silent tears inside.