Prayer of the Children

June 12

This morning I was fortunate to have a hot shower! We learned that it was not hot yesterday because the electricity had been going off and the generator is what was powering the building and it could not heat the water. Last night many of us were kept awake most of the night by nearby dogs who couldn't seem to keep quiet. In the states we would never let our dogs bark like that. Since I was up, I decided to make a phone call; it's nice to be able to talk to the people back home every once in awhile. We are all having a little technology-withdrawal! Haha

Before heading to the rescue center, we met with bishop of this diocese. We met him in someone's home and were given coffee, tea, bread and a sweet roll. The Kenyans will usually offer tea when guests arrive, so we have has lots of it!

Today we visited our last Project 24 Rescue Center, Rongo, in the South West Diosces. My first impression of this center was that it was extremely well kept. We walked through the site, saw their offices, school rooms that were basically in a small ton shed, and a few other places on the grounds. They no longer have cows because 2 had recently died from ticks. Rongo also does not have electricity. It is ready to go, but they need certain people to come and turn it on and such. 

The students were all gathered in a main room and welcomed us. They sang a song for us, performed a couple dramatic stories, and recited various verses from the bible. There is no kitchen at Rongo and there are no beds. The students eat and sleep at a nearby church. They do not have beds, mattresses, blankets or mosquito nets. They sleep on mats on the floor. What living conditions! If students get sick, they have to carry them 200 meters to the clinic/hospital that is thankfully that close. Despite these conditions, their faith remains strong through prayer, worship and studies.

We ate at the church as well. We are always given lots and lots of food! Some of it is very interesting and not the best tasting, but it's all about the experience. Each month they receive 1500 shillings, $15, to feed the children. They say they need 3000, $30, to properly feed the children.

After lunch we met with the orphans upstairs in the church. There are 11 in secondary school and 10 in primary. This meeting was actually very heart-wrenching. The students and their leader spoke of their home lives and lives at the rescue center. They also told us about what they would like to do when they grow up, and many desire to be lawyers, doctors, nurses, surgeons and teachers. Many have has parents and siblings die. What got me the most was saying that they don't have enough to give the children anything for Christmas. The conversations definitely made many of us feel uncomfortable as they asked for various items and told us what they needed. A watchman (costs 6,000 shillings a month=$60), cows, clothes, beds, mattresses, blankets, balls and mosquito nests are just a few of the many things they need. They also want a laptop, but they don't have electricity so that wouldn't work too well.

Rongo is also one of the rescue centers that opened without a system in place. A system for upkeep, maintenance, execution of plans, etc. Today I also learned that there are 42 tribal languages in Kenya. Many of the people we have encountered do not speak Swahili, but rather a tribal language.

We were also able to visit one of the homes am orphan could be living in. It would be with her uncle who is also the caregiver for 10 other children. The home was not very big, and from what I saw, was definitely not a place I would want a child living. Children in Kenya go to school for 3 months at a time and then have 1 month off all year round, so during that month the girl comes to stay with him. 

Our devotion tonight was from Luke 15:11-32. This is the story of the prodigal son. Our pastor led us in a devotion on this passage that nobody had ever thought of before. I will be using this as a study during my presentations when I return to the states, so please attend to see what this could be :)