Open Your Mouth, Say Aghhhhhh!

He is finished and on the road to good health!

When you spend some time with the children, you see the smiles, you see them play and dance, you see them working so hard in their workbooks learning- but dig a little deeper and you notice the rashes, ringworm, dull hair, yellowed eyes and other signs of significant disease and deficiency. We worked with the sweet folks at Mercilin Clinic, a short walk from Miracle Victory Children's Center. They gave us a reasonable deal and working with local medical professionals was a pleasure. First step was to de-worm and give Vitamin A to all 148 children at the school, then we processed them at the clinic 5 at a time.

Elizabeth and me in front of Mercilin Clinic

First step is to de-worm and give vitamins

Mercilin Clinic's Dr. Abner and Elizabeth then began to do physical exams on each child after they were weighed and measured for height.

Ben assisted in measuring height and weight

Exam complete!! So happy!

Spending one on one time with the children at the center, going on our fun field trip to the zoo, helping to weigh and measure these precious ones ,told the story of obvious deficiencies in diet. The physical exams revealed desperate medical needs. One child had multiple lab tests run, but in the end the culprit was found to be malaria. It was worth it all to treat these little ones and send them on the road to healing.
I watched as the children exited the doctor's examining room, it seemed to me that they had an extra little lilt in their step! The knowledge that the supporters cared enough to take them to the doctor was evidenced by smiles, clutching tight to their very own bag of medicine and vitamins.
PS The deworm medicine was very effective, many children had "animals" come out of their bodies- they were terrified, but so thankful- their health will improve!!

Here are some pictures of our times in Kenya, enjoy!!


The children's accommodations in Malindi, they loved it!!


Our view at National Marine Park in Malindi


Rukia shows the children a crab!


Discovering God's creation, fish :)


The loved the beach in Malindi!

Malindi- many fun memories!


Church in Malindi


Church


Jeff gives God praise!!


Emily, Rose and Molly


Fort Jesus


Mombasa, at Fort Jesus

UPDATE!! Dreams for the Children of Miracle Victory...Why Kibera?

UPDATE!!! I have some very exciting news! While in Kibera, I got to visit a friend of Brian's, from his time in there ( in 2006-2007).Connie and I chatted about her work and then she asked about the ministry in Kibera. I shared with her about the potential new school and how much it was supposed to cost. She could not believe it would cost so much to build & I agreed with her. She wanted me to meet another building contractor that she greets just about every time she leaves her cute little apartment. We went to talk to Paul Obiah together and he showed us a job he was currently doing. I asked him if he would consider doing an estimate for me. at first he started the typical "mzungo" treatment and asked how much I would pay him. So, I said that my other estimate was free and he agreed to do it for free. A few days later, he presented me with a well organized, neat estimate that was more than 8 million Ks less than the first estimate! I was so thrilled!! The new school seems within reach now at about $90,000, instead of $200,000! And I thank God for directing it all. I know He has a good plan for a future for these children and teachers at Miracle Victory Children's Centre. 

Please keep praying and sharing the vision for the new school!

May God bless you BIG- as they say in Kenya!  :)

DONATIONS MADE HERE!!

The day after I arrived in Kibera, Monica spent the better part of a day negotiating with thugs and Chiefs that rule the settlement. She had to ensure protection of the property and assurances that the "slum lords"would remain our allies and protect our investment. Kibera is so different than any thing we can relate to in the US. We had to purchase 9 mud and stick shacks and then relocate the people living there, paying rent for them in a new place . As an outsider, looking in- I thought why is this heap of dirt costing so much! It is not that spacious, definitely not very attractive, I was not in love with this property at all. So, why should we pursue this? There are 148 children in Miracle Victory Children's Centre attending school, eating meals and snacks, being cared for medically, being nurtured spiritually and physically- within walking distance of the new school site.  Kibera, one of the largest slums in the world, is where our ministry began to some of the neediest children and we remain there to continue ministry. 

We cannot abandon them! Many have already been abandoned through violence, disease (AIDS) and other loss. Each one has their own story of devastation. Our God has been faithful to meet the huge needs and I trust Him to make a way that seems impossible to my own human eyes. He can do more than we can ever imagine or think- He owns the cattle on a thousand hills- He touches hearts to respond- He gives us our passions- He gives us our gifts, provision and our everything!

Please pray with us more than you ever have! 

Below is an architects drawing of a school that would accommodate the 148 children and allow them enough outdoor space to assemble. This also fits the land space that we have bought. The cost for this new school is $200,000- according to initial estimates; yes, you did hear me gasp!! But, with God...all things are possible!

Please share this need with your friends and neighbors! Share it with teenagers, share it with mission-minded folks- or non-mission-minded folks. You never know who God will use to complete this task! It might be an elementary student that wants to have a lemonade stand :) Maybe a middle or high school student would have a kickstarter (raise funds online- SO EASY) There are so many avenues and ways. 

The funds raised in May have been used to do the following:

buy 9 homes to obtain land for building

relocate all families living in the homes

pay rent for those that vacated the area

demolish buildings in order to begin new build

architect drawing

fence area to prevent squatters coming into the area (buy large wooden studs)

pay bribes to settlement leaders to ensure success

pay down-payment to cement company for xx cement during build

You can see that the task ahead is enormous! We really need help :)

Please donate if you can! Thanks SO MUCH!

PS. Yes, we still have our water tank and pipes- they are awaiting the school build to prevent having to re-do this during the mess of construction.

A Day in Kibera

I arrived in Kibera, 2 days after leaving Sweet Union county. Things have changed in Kibera. There is evidence of progress, but it might not be evident to eyes that have never gazed it's streets and tenements.

There is still hope!

The children are a loving and curious bunch. They greeted me sweetly, a few of them clinging to my hands, then one boy began to rub the "muzungo" arm and seemed to count my freckles. I noticed one little boy, with several scabby knots on his little head- was he hurt by an unruly caretaker? or was it just a rambunctious boy that played too hard among the rocks? or was it some type of infestation? I hope to find out more details as we start the health assessments.

Here are some photos that I hope will paint a picture for you- a day in the life of Kibera's people.

Teacher Melvin, leads the children in Friday morning assembly.  The children begin the day outside and they sing and pray. Several children came forward to recite scripture. It was beautiful to see them worship and share the word hidden in their heart.

 Demolition has begun! This is a huge praise report because we can't begin construction without first removing the old mud and metal sheet buildings. And we could not begin that until the very last resident had been relocated. Monica and team had to endure some difficult times in order to relocate the people. It was their responsibility to do so- and some residents had tried to incite a rebellion to keep people from leaving. Even though we legally owned the land, we could not make progress until they decided to leave and go to a new residence. But, praise God- with prayer and waiting on Him to show how to respond - they now are relocated and it is BEGINNING!

New life was begun for this new mom Irene. she gave birth in the clinic across from Miracle Victory! This clinic provides 24 hour medical care. They don't have much in the way of facilities, but they serve their community the best way they can!

Their original delivery room was destroyed by fire and this is the new temporary one.

This is Lillian, she used to be the school cook. She now stays home to care for her child. She has also been kind enough to store books and other supplies in a trunk for the school. I was troubled to hear that many tables, chairs, a chalkboard and other supplies had been stolen from the center. That requires them to daily remove things- such a hassle- and it means they have less to work with than I realized. Why do people steal and sell things that are used by needy children? Our broken world needs Jesus!! Please pray for Kenya. It's complicated, lack of work, lack of sustenance, lack of so much...

Little friends sit together outside of Lillian's home.

Kibera corridor leading to a main "street"

Monica's home, my place to stay for the next month.

Monica and Alice in the courtyard :) 

The needs continue to be huge and overwhelming. But, we serve a mighty and faithful God! Time and again He has revealed His goodness to us and He does not change. We trust God to continue supplying the vast needs.

Pray with us!