springs of hope

AFRICA
Where to start? There is so much to say, yet I am not sure words or pictures can give a true vision of
Kenya. All at the same time, it is by far, the most breathtaking and devastating place I have ever
experienced. I went to visit one of my oldest friends, Molly. She, her husband, Joe and 14 year old son,
Elijah have sold everything they own to build an orphanage…for facts and figures, please visit:
www.springsofhopekenya.org…At the moment, the building should be completed by the end of this year.
Work is all done by hand and very slow, but they are getting there…
Each day I spent in Nakuru was different. Molly and Jo do many outreaches to the local “mamas,” street
kids, and hospitals. Besides feeding and clothing these people, they are working to build the community
by getting the kids off the streets and into school as well as supporting the growth of small businesses.
Most of these people are surviving with barest of necessities, if any at all. Although the need seems
endless, I realized during my trip that it does not take much to make a large difference….one human being
at a time. Simon, for instance. A very special 14 year old boy that touched my heart among many. Given
up by a family that did not want him anymore, he has lived on the streets of Nakuru for over a year. Many
street boys (about 90%) succumb to sniffing glue to ease hunger and stay warm…Simon has not-he
admits trying it but did not see it as an answer…He wanted to go to school, become a minister, and help
fellow street kids. We had many lunches throughout the course of my stay and he is an incredibly gentle,
smart, well mannered boy. Even after living a very hard life, there is still a softness and strength to him.
During one of our lunches, he saved half his meal so that he could give it to another homeless child.
Pretty amazing from someone starving themselves. This is only one of many examples and I found him
very inspirational. What broke my heart, was seeing this boy lose the light and hope in his eyes. I learned
a lot from Simon and it was shockingly easy to help him….A meeting with the headmaster of Davis
Academy and basically a check…$850.00 paid for his tuition, clothing, supplies, room and board for the
entire year. Watching this special little person (again, one of many) come off the streets and go to school
was one of the best days of my life. The smile and rekindled sparkle in those eyes was worth every penny
and more. He did much more for me than I did for him and it will be my honor to keep his tuition paid
each year until he graduates.
I don’t feel I can write an ending about this trip because I think it only the beginning….What I can say is
that can you imagine being a child and living on the streets? Can you imagine your parents dying or not
being able to take care of you? Being sick and not knowing if you were going to be able to eat today,
tomorrow, or the next day? No family, no school, no clothes, no bathroom or shower? Can you imagine?
Seeing it was hard to believe and an easy choice to write a check.
To be continued…

Elijah came home yesterday for the weekend.
He loves the school and has already made many new friends.
This is an answered prayer thank you Jesus.
All he talks about is school we couldn’t be happier.
I am just getting over Malaria once again I take precautions but still get sick but at least I know the symptoms.
So can have it verified
We have had an interesting week Wednesday we were to attend the funeral for Robert.
The young man that recently died the family is still trying to raise the funds to retrieve his body from the morgue.
This poor family who have nothing must come up with this enormous amount of money (for Them)before they will release the body.
Corruption here is everywhere it makes me sick.
Today we sent the final amount to the elders brother so prayerfully this matter is over.
Anyways the funeral did not happen but something amazing did a women we meet decided to give her life to Christ.
Right in the middle of a dirt road but it went a simple prayer of salvation to a deliverance.
Six of us were praying over her it was a powerful moment.
The name above all names Jesus liberated this women freed her from bondage
It was a first for me and Molly I knew at that moment why we where here.
Please pray for a very close friend of ours her name is Monica Kerubo she is 42 with AIDS.
If I had more time I would go into her life story it is tragic she is in the local hospital in the AIDS ward.
Ward 12 its called the condition of the facility is gross falling apart and these are the most vulnerable to diseases.
And the way they treat them is sub-standard just pray for her she is a beautiful woman that has a very hard life.
Kenya is never boring life and death decision are made every day But Gods grace is sufficient.