Saying good bye to the last
of our summer visitors…
We completely enjoyed these friends and family
that brought us yummy treats, sweet fellowship and much needed assistance. It’s hard to say goodbye but we’re praying some will return in January,
Lord willing.
Pursuing adoption procedures full force since
our three-year residency requirement
is fulfilled…
We’ve known little man, who was abandoned as a
baby, since he was three; he turned five last May and has lived with us full
time since Christmas. We are FINALLY
collecting the remainder of our documents and planning to travel to Nairobi as
soon as possible. There we’ll meet with
the agency and apply for our “good conduct certificate” (which pretty much
means we haven’t broken any laws while living in Kenya.) PLEASE continue to pray that this laborious process remain
uncomplicated and timely. Family
permanency in the life of a little one is priceless.
Finding a decent “local international” school for all three kids to
attend and not loose our sanity in the process...
Certainly the most trying conundrum we’ve
experienced while living here. Kids’
education is important. Since ours were
adopted from USA child welfare, we have to yearly prove they are enrolled in
school. Finding a school that meets our
needs, our standards (for academics and safety), and wouldn’t financially
bankrupt us… well, it’s been… nicely put – DIFFICULT! Trying to meet teachers and see classrooms in
two schools took over a week. Suffice to say, the kids started school! YEAH JESUS! They seem happy and here’s the bonus - they can
come home for lunch daily and we aren’t bankrupt!
Continuing ministry with the widowed/single mamas…
After the school hunting fiasco, we can
somewhat relate to what our mamas deal with when searching for a school their
children can attend.
We survived the following process:
We paid application fees to the bank which meant standing in line for an hour; then
back to the school to stand in line for another hour so we could speak with the
headmaster; when we finally received the acceptance note, we had to pay tuition
which meant another trip back to the bank and another hour in line; we returned
to the school yet again and stood in line to present the bank slip to the
headmaster; then we stood in line to collect the course books.
After all that, we headed
back into town to, guess what? Yep. Stand
in line to order uniforms where a polite argument ensued with the sales
person because we didn’t want the uniforms to fit the kids exactly. We wanted them a little large so we wouldn't have
to do this ordering uniform thing again during the school year because the kids
will grow out of the “fine-fitting” uniforms. We won the polite argument. We
gathered our uniform shirts, shorts, skits, blazers, socks, shoes and paid our
bill. We’ll need to return in a day or
five to pick up some of the “larger” items because they were not in stock. We’ll
probably have to stand in line. We finally drove home to sort books and iron
all the uniforms.
Ugh. But it’s a grateful Ugh.
Thanks to all who prayed us through.
Although finding a school was
cumbersome, time-consuming and made us slightly “testy,” it was relatively easy
compared to what the widowed/single mamas endure to find a school. Overall, the
various school administrators treated us quite courteously. We were highly
welcomed to attend any school we chose. But our mamas and their children are
not so readily welcomed. Here’s Anne’s
story…
The sun peeks over the sad slum called Abunga
casting shadows through the cracked door.
Anne wakes early and sets cold ugali on the stool for the children to
eat after they return from collecting jerry cans of water. Anne starts out, walking to the matatu stage
to find a ride into town. She’ll use precious shillings on public transport to
take her to schools where she’ll strive to present her oldest son as a good
candidate for admission. He’s bright, scored well on his 8th year
finals.
Each administrator throws her the same lame response of uncertainty.
The last one looks down his long prejudiced nose, starring at her torn cloth
shoe. She tries to hide her foot behind
the other and shows him her son’s grades. The man doesn’t make a commitment; he
offers a vague, “Maybe. Come back
tomorrow.” But Anne knows she
can’t. She has a small business to run
and hungry children to feed, a cooking fire to tend, water to gather, clothes
to hand wash and hang. As she leaves the
school office, the third one that day, she looks up to see rain clouds have
gathered; large drops start to fall. She thinks of her laundry on the fence
next to her tin house that leaks. Anne feels heaven crying her own sadness.
“Maybe.” She consoles herself. “Maybe tomorrow. Yes Lord. Let my tomorrow
come.”
PRAISE JESUS. Anne’s son was admitted to
a good school but the fees set her back. She’s in debt. We made contact with a relief ministry that
provides food packages and 800ksh stipend ($9.75). We’re praying Anne can
relocate in a better house and continue her prepared foods business.
 |
| Mama Josephine carries the 25 kilo package home on her head. |
If you are impressed to help any of our mamas
with overwhelming school fees, please make a donation on the sidebar and include a
note: "for the mamas." Please pray for them to find good schools
and earn enough money to cover the ever-rising expenses of education.
Breaking news prayer request – As I write this,
our dear friend and co-laborer in Christ, George has been hospitalized. George is a huge part of the
ministry here, especially with the Kajulu village mamas and evangelistic water
project. He suddenly began experiencing severe seizures. He was unconscious in
the hospital while doctors threatened to strike. Currently he’s stabilized and undergoing testing. Please
pray for healing.
Ephesians
4:16 “He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does
its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body
is healthy and growing and full of love.”
We truly appreciate your willingness to help us do this special work so we all grow together in His love.
Asante sana for
your encouragement, prayers and support.
hugs from the
haugers Ooo0o