Joy... Joy... Joy

Marc, Alex and the Kenyan mud

     Marc, Karen and I were able to recruit two other volunteers to help us out with Faraja. Alex and Janet were originally stationed at another volunteer site but when they heard about Faraja they couldn't wait to help with our babies. They, like us, instantly fell in love. Because of the extra hands we are able to do a lot more around the house. In terms of collecting water, Marc and Alex are able to fill the water tank by lunchtime. Karen, Janet and I are able to finish the housework before the children even arrive home from school. You might not realize how much it means to have the extra help. When Alex and Janet are not with us the children have to pick up the slack in chores and collecting water. They don't have play time and if water is short they cannot wash themselves. The children have had time to be children these past couple of days. They play games, talk to each other and us, and teach us songs. Two of their favorite songs are "Joy, Joy,Joy" and "Jesus is my friend." I hope to be able to share some footage of them singing with you. When they break out in song for us it takes everything within me not to cry.

Janet playing with Michael

     The children have all been sick lately so we decided teach the children how to be more healthy. Today we mopped and scrubbed the house from top to bottom with bleach and water. We taught the children how to sneeze and cough into their sleeves and to wash their hands with soap after. Its very little things that we believe can save a lot of money in doctors costs and medicine for Momma in the long run.

Karen with Kelvin and Kefa

      Today was Karen's last day at Faraja. We will miss her!!! But before she goes we will all be on safari. Safe Travels back to the US.

A goat giving birth, eating camel, feeding giraffes?!

It has been sometime since we have been able to hit up an internet cafe. I have missed writing.

On Friday I witnessed a goat giving birth on a pile of garbage just about two feet from me. No one around me seemed to notice but i was in awe of the process and a little sick to my stomach at the same time. I frequently pass live stock while walking from place to place.

Karen going a little too far
trying to get her proteins in
Carnivore

Saturday was wild. we decided to venture out to an infamous restaurant called Carnivore, in Karen, a town near Nairobi proper. The idea is to delight in exotic meats until you nearly explode...I was unable to do so and stopped after eating a small bite of the uber chewy camel. thinking about it makes me want to throw up. Marc, Karen and Claire tasted the ox balls. I hear they taste like salty eggs. Go figure.

Sunday was amazing. Marc, Claire, Karen and I decided to go to mass to watch our house momma perform in the choir and to learn more about her church. it was a wonderful experience. The pastor gave a sermon on being thankful and that just sums up the whole experience here thus far. I am so thankful that i am able to be here and I am so thankful for everything I have back home waiting for me. the pastor called us up and introduced us to the congregation and then they made us a special tea to show their appreciation. Kenyan's are so hospitable. If someone had one piece of fruit to her name, she would share it with as many people as she could.

Video 1: Dancing with Issac and his school mates

Video 2: At the giraffe park

Marc making friends at the
monkey park

After church we met up with some other volunteers and headed to an elephant orphanage, went to feed giraffes and went to a monkey park where little monkeys jump on you and try to steal food from you. Was a pretty amazing weekend.

Now back to our babies. Three of them are very sick and had to be hospitalized yesterday. While momma Mora was at the hospital with them it was discovered that she too had to be hospitalized. Marc went to be with her at the hospital and it was determined that she had been having an asthma attack. Karen and I stayed back to run the show. The kids are really opening up to us and despite the sadness of their past they are so full of love and faith and joy.

Morra was released back home today but was exhausted. Marc, Karen and I were perfectly capable of holding down the fort and told her to sleep in, something she hasn't done in years. They are very self sufficient children. The children serve themselves food, build fire to cook, hand wash their uniforms and wash their own shoes. Kefa, the youngest and only over year old, feeds himself and navigates up and down stairs. Michael,who is only about six, knows how to wash and hang clothes. It's remarkable.

Marc, Karen and I also met with Momma Morra to explore possible revenue building opportunities for the orphanage. Some ideas were to sell cards or detergent in town and to possibly start a website of the place and have a mechanism to make online donations. It's all up in the air at this moment but we are hoping to have a plan in place prior to our departure. It's our belief that in addition to our short term volunteer project we can enable them to do something great for themselves long term.

Sending you all hugs and kisses. signing off.