Last update from the team before they leave

7th August, 2009 - Posted by Camille Cotton -

Yesterday, we had morning devotions at the OAI office because we all wanted to see the 2-day-old baby that they took in last night. It turns out it was a little girl and she weighed 4 lbs 6 ounces at birth, so slightly less now since she hasn’t been fed anything since she was born. She was very cold and they got her home, wrapped her up in 3-4 blankets and gave her some food. She slept through the night, but Ruth was up all night making sure she was breathing. She has this tiny little head and super skinny arms and legs. But she seemed very content and happy to be in our arms giving her love. Turns out the mom was 16 and she got pregnant as a result of incest. The 16-year-old mom and her aunt and uncle signed over custody and so all they should have to do is go through the courts to gain legal guardianship. Considering the name Esther Ruth at press time, but not finalized yet.

After devotion time, Brandt, Spencer and Shane headed out side to do some yard work for the office. Hunter got on a computer to create a spread sheet with all the prescription info and inventory of the meds for Rachel. Ann worked on helping sort through baby clothes to find things that might fit the new little baby. I got on the computer to upload some photos and the rest headed to the garage to sort through all the Medical Camp supplies and put it in storage until the next camp in a number of months from now. Then we inhaled a quick lunch before we headed to Kambi Teso again to give the kids their food. Today’s meal consisted of rice and beans, again, smelled really yummy! It is a terrific and spirit lifting sight to see the children running from their homes when they see our bus driving up the road! They chase the bus and run as fast as they can to greet us when we get off! Each one reaching to grab one of our hands, wrapping themselves around our legs leaving each of us with no less than 5 kids attached to us in one way or another. Our entire team was very excited to go again today and see the smiles of all the kids! They line up at the back of the truck, we pass out a spoon to each child that is in the program and they wait their turn to receive their bowl of food! I had a hard time today as I watched about 15 - 20 kids, ranging in age from 2 - 10, standing back, watching the line of children getting food. These children are not part of the program. It is so unfair and seems unreasonable that ALL the children can’t feel confidant that they get food. They have to watch and wait to see if there is any left. It felt like they were standing there asking, “why am I not as special as all those kids getting food?” They are a product of their environment and have no idea, really, why the other kids get food and they don’t, unless there are left overs. Heartbreaking really! I found myself in tears on the bus! As soon as Ann got off the bus, she immediately picked up the little boy she had attached to her yesterday and she brought baby wipes to clean him up. Then she fed him a ginormous bowl of food that even Brandt or any of the boys couldn’t have finished. He sat with his mouth open, waiting for Ann to shovel another bite in! Absolutely precious to watch! Spencer, Shane and Brandt took to the soccer field again and today, only the REAL soccer players made it to the field. Bethany was on worship leader duty today and she led the kids in a number of songs! Rachel and Karleigh took to the other field for a fun game of soccer with the younger group. I got out my nail polish and found a spot around the back of the bus to try and hide and paint a few of the girls nails. However, the word got out and I was swarmed. I had no less than 10 kids all around me, reaching their little hands in, wanting their nails polished! I think in all, I painted the nails of about 30 little girls and at least 5 boys. Anita and Hunter stayed back at the office today as both were involved in big projects for the staff and they wanted to complete them today.

At about 3:30pm we loaded the bus and made the drive away from the Kambi Teso slums. Again, all the kids line the road and wave with huge smiles. All they want is a smile and wave back and their day is made! There was a long period of silence on the bus as we drove away. Each of the team members hearts were breaking and we all were sitting quietly in our seats, trying to process all that we have experienced. Each one asking ourselves, God, what are we to do with all that we have seen? What is expected of us now? There is a lot to think about, but our long journey home will provide hours of contemplation time!

Then we had a wonderful dinner and lots of fun singing and dancing with the Open Arms staff! Ann’s daughter from Texas has been corresponding with a nun, Anna, here in Kenya for a number of years. Ann was able to connect with her, and she and another friend, Edward, came and joined us for dinner! It was very special for Ann to make that connection for her daughter and we enjoyed her blessing song before our dinner! We were able to spend some good time with Levi, hearing his story and Melvin, a Christian recording artist and Morris, the man doing the street ministry. Levi has been amazing support and ambassador for Kenya. He is from here, went to college in the states and is back here working for OAI. He is a crack up too! He has made us laugh and we have created some great memories with him, a few magic tricks and some serious games of spoons! Melvin, has been the worship leader at the Village during our time here as well as at the prison and just an all around character. He too has shared some great memories with us and is doing great work here in Kenya! We are hoping he will come to Oregon and lead our church one day soon. Last night allowed Melvin to really come out of his shell and entertain us! And, Morris, well, I can’t speak about him enough to help you all understand the amazing ministry he is leading here in Eldoret with the street kids. His heart is so full of love and compassion for these kids and they really respect and love him. He is committed to God and serving him through this ministry and it is beyond humbling to witness. I know we will keep him in our prayers as we all were touched by what he is doing to try and save these kids.

We are preparing for our trip home in a few hours and looking forward to our final visit at the Village. It is difficult to say goodbye to these wonderful people of Kenya and I know we all hope that each of you will one day be able to experience something like this yourselves….if only through our stories and pictures and video that we will bring home with us! Again, until we see you in person….Blessings to each of you!

- Shanon, Trip 4 team leader

Posted on: August 7, 2009

Filed under: News Of The World