Kitui visit

Last night we arrived in the rural town of Kitui. We stayed at a nice hotel called Talents Hotel. It was only built in 2009 and so everything is still fresh. The owner, Michael (a Christian) was extremely helpful. Our purpose for visiting Kitui was to meet Enoch & Eunice who run a children's home. Actually, a better description is that they have 2 children of their own, they have adopted 3 more and then have also taken in 8 street kids. By any standard they are extremely poor but God has given them both a generous heart to share what little they have with these children in so much need. We were able to present them each with a gift pack containing various age appropriate items such as clothing, toys, lollies, etc. We also hosted the entire family for lunch at the hotel. While some of our team joined the children for games after lunch on the soccer field behind the hotel, a few of us met with Enoch, Eunice and their pastor (Ps. Reuben) to discuss their needs and explore possible ways to assist them to be more self sufficient. I wish I could share with you the joy expressed on their faces when we said that we would pay the school fees for all the children for one year - pure joy! To finish off the day a few ladies from our team took Eunice grocery shopping. To say that our team was impacted by this family would be an understatement. Kenya Help will continue to keep in contact with Enoch & Eunice and also seek God's guidance as to other ways that we might assist them to better provide for the extended family. Please pray for Enoch & Eunice as they continue to answer God's call to nurture these children.

It is great to be back here again! God has been faithful in providing all our needs to be able to get here. It has been great weather to do soon maintenance work as well as painting the Sunday school rooms. Today we will be going to kitui to see a lady who has been looking after about 13 street kids. We hopefully will be able to build a chicken pen for her.

Feels like home!

It's so nice to be back in Kenya again (for Linda & me, it's our 3rd visit in 3 years). Everyone is so friendly and hospitable. As I came thought the airport visa entry, upon seeing my multiple previous visas, I was greeted with "welcome back". This first week Linda & I have been staying with Smiler & Mercy & ofcourse their 3 beautiful children. We have welcomed into their home as though we we're memmbers of their family. Tonight, as we prepare to have dinner we were visited by Mercy' sister, Pauline asking when we would visit them for coffee saying that Smiler & Mercy were hogging the guests. Tomorrow we leave their home heading to remote town of Kitui to visit a children's home. Leaving will be hard.

Finally!!

Finally I can write on the blog! We had some tecnical difficulties. Today we finished painting and finished fixing the building. Louise is feeling a bit sick and tired, but hopefully will be well soon. Joey had a case of food poisening but is sleeping and slowly recovering. All of us are a bit tired and hot and getting frustrated at some point. Luckily we are having a rest day on saturday, which means swimming, reading, cards and other games, sleep and just having fun. The people are very friendly. Already we have several friends helping us, some who we meet last time. They are Ben, Stella, Victor, Kelly, Maish and others.

And so the adventure begins!

The team arrived bright and early Saturday morning - it was great to see them 'bright-eyed' (well....red-eyed might be a better description?!) and bushy-tailed and ready to go.

After dropping all the luggage at Lifespring we headed to Java House (where else?!) for breakfast, then it was off around the city on Pete's 'Magical Mystery Tour'! Really just an attempt to keep everyone awake! Everyone survived day 1, albeit under a fog of exhaustion!

A lack of access to reliable internet has limited blog posts, but hopefully some of the others can give their take on the last couple of days soon!

The 'real' work starts tomorrow, with painting and plagyground repairs on the agenda....

Waiting for boarding call

Well, we made it through check in and customs with only a few minor holdups. Everyone is so excited, especially the younger ones, some of whom are travelling overseas for the first time. It's less than 30 minutes until the boarding call. Next stop Bangkok!

A 1st for the Davie's

We are packed and there is still over 12 hrs before we have to leave! Never happened in this house before! 6 people, 6 bags (plus some added extras) all ready for our big adventure.
After a few calls from team members and a last minute trip to the shops I think the team is all ready to go tomorrow.

Getting re-acquainted!

We've been in Kenya for 5 days now - wow it's flown. We've had a great time catching up with friends and today was church at Lifespring - fantastic.

The team are going to have their work cut out for them when they arrive - the 'To Do' List grows on a daily basis, but the priority for the first few days will be the playground. It's looking a bit old and tired, but it's been used by thousands of children over the last 3 years, so that's to be expected.

The night before the night before....

"Two more sleeps, two more sleeeeeeeeeps!"
Makena is a bit excited and has made sure everyone she talked to today knows that it's only two more sleeps until we leave for Kenya.
"Packin' Mum?"
Has been Keama's refrain each time I add to the numerous piles of 'stuff' that have been materialising around the house over the last couple of weeks.
Tonight some of them disappeared into suitcases.
25 kilos down, 67 to go!
We are excited to be heading 'home' but unlike the piles, the list of things to do seems to be getting longer instead of disappearing.
Doesn't feel like we'll be ready in time.

It is hard to believe that in 21 days we will be heading to Kenya! The Davie's still have a few things to tick off their list.... a few i's to dot and t's to cross (sorry Steve I have to).

Samantha and Ryan had the perfect end to school term - immunisations!