Muhoroni and VTC

After breakfast Wednesday, we loaded up for Muhoroni Orphanage, near Muhoroni Town, which is south of Kapasbet.  Mohoroni is in sugar cane country, and Muhoroni sugar is one of the largest sugar producers in Kenya.  Their factory is within sight of our orphanage.  Here the area is very poor, despite the cash crops.  Much of the land is owned by the sugar company and so those people who do live here can just barely grow enough maize to support themselves.  Our place, however, is a beacon of light in a dark world.

The place looked very good, though empty, as the kids were all in school.  The only ones there were two high-school students that Thomas Alwala had arranged to stay behind so that we could interview them for the video Matt is producing.  These two kids were really sharp, and their testimonies of God’s provision for them will astound you.  These interviews have really been uplifting for us to hear.  So many times we see the happy faces of the orphans at our places, and we forget the very hard lives that they have led.  The fortitude that they have and the gratitude are truly inspiring!

While Matt was setting up for one of the interviews, I took a moment to play fundi (repairman) and worked on a bent window frame with Brian, one of the students.  I could do this kind of thing forever, I love making broken things work again.  While we were discussing the broken window, Susie had a great idea that I think we can do without much trouble.  All of our places have maintenance needs, small things that happen to so many buildings inhabited by kids, that need to be done.  It’s enough to keep a full time fundi busy.  Susie suggested that we have a Training Center graduate become our traveling fundi to help out at these places.  Brilliant 

After lunch we packed up and started the journey down to the Vocational Training Center.  We decided to detour to Kisumu for a quick Nakumatt stop, but we still arrived well before dark.  They were ready for us at the VTC, and we shared a great meal before retiring.

Today we spent the day touring the place, and Dirubi orphanage and Matt continued his filming.  He was collecting footage of all the skills that are being taught, and we also did three more student interviews and one of Thomas.  Good stuff, I cant wait for you to see it.  This afternoon, Francis and Stephen played football (soccer) with the kids, even though a light rain was falling.  Nothing would stand in the way of a good football match!

At 6, we went over for evening devotional at the VTC.  I got to hand out the individualized books that Becca Yocham had made of the student’s personal stories.  She had them write don their stories while we were here in June and then printed up books with their stories and pictures, providing pages for them to continue to write the story of their lives.  They were very happy to have them and we got a great group picture.

Afterwards, we went over to Dirubi Orphanage and shared in their devotional time.  Matt got to experience the great Dirubi choir and was completely blown away.  They are so talented!  Then there was dinner, including some of the giant avocados and fantastic local pineapples.  So good.  As I write this, Susie is holding one of her question and answer sessions with the kids, while Stephen translates 

Tomorrow we will see Sondu feeding station, before driving up to Kerich for a night at the tea hotel.  Be Blessed!