We kinda needed an easy day. Unfortunately we didn’t get it. This kind of work, seeing orphanages and loving on kids may not seem all that hard, but those who have been here will attest to how physically draining it is just riding in a vehicle over roads like this. The road to Uriri wasn’t bad, but we did a 45 minute torture test to the Glasscock feeding station that belonged in a “Toyota Tundra” commercial! The old van would never have made it, thank God for the new LandCruiser.
Uriri is a great place. They have 90 orphans and 5 widows here, well 4 now. Unfortunately one of their widows who had been sick passed away yesterday. That cast a somber note over the whole day, but the kids were still happy and healthy. There is something about a well run orphanage that you can just “tell”. I’m not saying it was perfect, but the way questions are answered, the casual easy confidence of people who know each other well and have nothing to hide is obvious.
Uriri is in sugar cane country. Some time ago we bought them a cane crusher to help make some money to offset the orphanage costs. They have proven to be very successful and resourceful people. Earlier this year, a generous donation allowed us to buy them a lorry (truck), and it has enabled them to double their profits. There are great pics of this operation in the album below.
We met with their board, which had great things to tell us. They didn’t just name off requests for money one after the other, they were full of praise and good ideas. Afterwards we set out for the new Nanna Glasscock Feeding Station. We took Kennedy Chandi, our WBS worker for this area, to guide us. I knew we were in for an adventure when he said to Francis, “turn left here”, and there was no road, just a path between two cane fields! We wound around so many times I didn’t know which way was up. Eventually we came to a clearing and there was a feeding station, clear as day.
There were really great people there; the whole church turned up. With the orphans and other community folks there were well over 100. We prayed together, ate lunch (again), and took pictures. They even gave me a really great hat. I’m saving it for Gary Glasscock; it looks like him. On the way back to Kisii we stopped and bought soapstone souvenirs at our usual place. Susie really loaded up, I can’t imagine how we will get it all home. Oh well, if I told you how little we spent on well over 50 lbs of these handmade pieces, you wouldn’t believe it.
Tomorrow we hit Ongoro, and depart for Nakuru for the night. Thursday we are planning on dropping back by the IDP camp with some gifts. That should be really fun!
3 comments:
These are undoubtedly the sweetest faces on earth!
As always, beautiful words and pictures. I don't envy you the ride but am grateful for your vehicle to get there in. Thanks for modeling the Glasscock hat! Kennedy had told me of the widow's death and funds for the funeral are already promised to him and the widows children will remain in the orphanage. Another gift today for IDP camp will help pay for the latrine there so you should make them very happy at Kikitemo. God bless the rest of your trip.
I've just had opportunity to catch up on all your messages and the wonderful pictures. Those pics give a glimpse of the people whose lives are being changed by God's mercy. Isn't it wonderful that HE has called us to join HIM?
Frances
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