Udom E.L.C.K. Chepareria Rescue Center

Today our day was dedicated to attending the Udom Chepareria Rescue Center in the Pokot region. After breakfast we met with the bishop of the North West Diocese. In this diocese there are 222 congregations, and each pastor serves 6-7 congregations.

After a short drive, we arrived at the rescue center. The moment we walked through the gate the children were singing a song for us. The translation meant "Our guests we welcome you." I have a recording of this that I will post when I get back to the USA. I was blown away by the talent these children have. As a soon to be music teacher, my first impression was "These kids can really sing!" There was fantastic harmony and everything. 

This rescue center opened in 2010. There are currently 22 boys and 33 girls that stay here. The center employees 6 people. There are boys and girls dormitories, but no housing for the staff. Most of the children are between the ages of 13-15.

We were able to look around their location and see the dormitories, kitchen. church building (this was started 8 years ago and they hope to have it finished in the next 5 years) and the school that is a short walk down the road from th rescue center. The dormitories are two large buildings, boys and girls, and inside each is various sections with four people bunked in each section. The mattresses looked incredibly thin. I could not imagine sleeping how these children do.

After the brief tour, we were officially welcomed. The Deaconess, Bishop, managers, elders and a few other people welcomed us. Something interesting we were that they can never promise the children anything because they never know when the money will come. Utensils, sheets and uniforms are the things we were told this place needed most. The children also performed a few more songs for us. Again, I was blown away and words cannot describe how the experience was for me.

Meeting with the children was intimidating at first. We did not know what to expect or what questions to ask the children. For a short while I talked to the girls about their names, ages, and favorite subjects in school. Then we went to the boys area and they were much easier to talk to. We showed them pictures and they loved looking not only at themselves but also pictures of back home. 

The saying that music is a universal language definitely rang true here in Kenya. We decided we could teach them some songs from America. One of our ladies planned ahead and brought a Lutheran Island Camp songbook. What a great idea it was for us to start singing! We sang Tuna Umba (a Swahili song from camp), I've Got Peace, The Joy Song and much more. The children really opened up and participated in the songs and actions with us. After some time, they were able to teach us a song as well. Music definitely is a universal language!

After lunch I talked with James. He is 15 years old and has been at the rescue center for three years. He said that his family has little hope, but is thankful that he has hope because he has been shown the way. His sisters and parents have not been brought to The Lord yet, and he said that when he was young he asked God to help him learn to read and be educated. James would like to travel to the United States and become an engineer or a pilot. Being a pilot was something many of the young men desired to become.

We were at the rescue center from 10 am-3:40 pm. It was a very touching day. The smiles on the children's faces are priceless. Pictures cannot capture their pure joy. As we left, they all led us out to our bus and sang a song to us as we drove away.

Tonight we are able to relax and have some time together as a group. Most of us are up on top of the hill at our place. There is a little hut that we call the "Internet cafe" because it is the only place we can access the Internet. We will have a devotion later tonight.