Muhuroni and Kericho

Well, we were looking for the perfect day in Kenya and I think we may have found it. We set out for our newest orphanage, Muhuroni. This one is on the flat plains were sugar cane is grown. We really enjoyed the short drive as Thomas navigated us through the cane fields to the orphanage. Unfortunately, the kids were all at school, so we were left to explore the new facility with church members and the widows. It’s not quite complete, the plastering was still going on, but the kids are living there. It’s well laid out with an eye towards expansion.

We did meet with the widows, one of them volunteered to do a video testimony. Thomas will translate it for us later, but from his summary, it was amazing. We were also able to met with the church members, about 30 showed up, and we encouraged them to continue to support the orphans as they have done so well in the past. They were all very excited to see us.

We decided to press on to Kericho, rather than wait for the kids to come home for lunch. I’m sure they were disappointed, but the Guthries agreed that it was best to get to see the feeding station and home before dark. (this time) Boy are we glad we did.

We were greeted at Kericho feeding station by literally hundreds of kids, church members and community people. To say they were fired up would be the understatement of the week. We now know how rock stars feel. At times I feared they might overwhelm us with their love and gratitude. In the dining hall, the orphans that we feed (50) sang to us and read poetry. We did our usual introductions, encouraged them to do good in school and answered their questions.

Later, Maureen, Eileen, Leah, Susie, and I interviewed the widows who care for these kids. These two were very good. They had a list of all the orphans and checked it to make sure they were all there. They appealed for more funds to feed more kids. They could do it, they said. They told us their stories and we all cried together.

Meanwhile, the others played games with the kids and even taught them to give the Red Raider guns up sign! All the while crowds of people from the community came to greet the visitors and hear a word from us. They were all very happy and were praising God continually for all He has done for them. They would not leave until I spoke to them, something I do not care for, but I did. There were easily more Kenyans there on the ground in the hot sun to hear a stranger speak, than come to GCR on Wednesday night.

There were so many of them it was difficult to get the truck out of the grounds, and many of the kids chased us down the road. Some of them were running so fast they were keeping up with us at 21KPH! We were so overwhelmed with their love and gratitude. Is was an emotional experience that I doubt any of us will soon repeat.

No breakdowns, this time. We were back in Kericho before dark, time enough to hear Maureen and Francis’ stories about ther lives. Tomorrow Thomas has promised to tell the orphanage story again so we can all hear it first hand.

In the morning we will head out to Lee McGraw and Dirubi and then drive back to Nakuru. It will be our last day with the orphans. Thursday is shopping and departure day for most of us, except Susie and I who are staying until Saturday. Be blessed!