Yesterday was one of those days where my heart was really broken. I wrote a couple of days ago about how we took Cyril to the hospital so that she could get the medicine she needed. We got a call from Cyril’s aunt in the afternoon and she said that we should go down and check on Cyril because she wasn’t doing well. The second I pulled back the curtain and walked through the door my heart was crushed. Cyril was laying on the floor on half a mattress just screaming and crying, obviously in pain. The mother was sitting on the ground next to her crying because she was worried about her child. In her other arm she was holding a crying, upset Henry who also wasn’t feeling well. This picture will forever be stuck in my mind; the desperation that a mother feels when she can’t help her child and the pain of a child with disabilities living in the slums with such little resources.

          The hard thing about finding out what is wrong with Cyril is that she doesn’t talk, so everything that you do to help her is guesswork. So we started asking the mother questions. She told us that Cyril started passing out, having seizures and losing her appetite early that morning. Cyril kept grabbing at the back of her said so we asked if she had bumped it when she had fallen down. Her mother said that she was going to feed the new baby and Cyril stood up and passed out, hitting her head on the way down. All of this happened for such a simple reason: food. The medicine for malaria is very hard on the system and needs to be taken with good meals. Cyril’s mother tries, but she can’t afford to give her children three balanced meals a day. So we did what we could and brought them some small things to eat for the next few days. When we went back to the house that same day Cyril had calmed down and looked like she was feeling better. Only God can provide a solution for problems like these so please remember to keep Cyril and her family in your prayers. 

It is encouraging to see how much people still think about, pray for and support the people they have met here when they go back home. Joy instantly comes to the kids faces when they receive a gift or greeting from the ones they love in America. Just knowing that they are remembered is enough to bring the biggest smiles to their faces. This week we got to pass out and go into town and buy a few things from some friends in America and these kids just couldn’t contain their excitement. Even when the kids get a new pair of shoes, knowing that it came from their American friends makes them that much more excited. 

Selina with her new doll from Jade. 

Her little brother Chris grabbed it up as quickly as he could.

John with his new cars

The happiest I have ever seen Chris

Baby J.J. with his new dinosaur outfit from J.J.

The girls were so excited to get their dolls.

It's hard to tell in this picture, but I promise they were excited.

Selina and Jennifer trying on and getting
 measured for their new school shoes.

Ester and Lucy trying their new shoes on too.

On their way home with a bags full of soap, shoes and new backpacks.

       Today we went down to visit Cyril and Henry to see how they were doing. We went to their house and the neighbors told us that they had gone to their grandmother’s house and told us how to get there. Their grandmother is also very sick. She has chronic malaria, which won’t go away without a proper diet, which is hard to come by when you live in Shimo. Cyril’s mother looked exhausted so we asked how she was doing. She told us that she walked all the way to her mother’s house with Cyril, Henry and the new baby. All three of them have to be carried and somehow she made that long walk less than a week after having a baby. 

Its heartbreaking to see how hard life is for this family. So must pressure on this poor mama who wants to provide for her family, but is simply unable to. We took the kids to the doctor. They both had malaria, got dewormed, treated for a few other issues and were given a huge bag of medicine each. The doctor was able to look at Cyril’s legs and said that the peeling is because of malnutrition and was given on a multivitamin. We also got the family food for the week so that they can all eat a few good meals and can regain strength and start on the road to being healthier. 

Little Henry just resting on the way to the doctor.

Cyril was happy to be back at her house.

It’s been a busy week and I apologize for the gap in posts. Pastor Steve is back and we have a team from Ukraine and Russia staying at the compound. It’s always exciting to have a full house and even better seeing people find a new passion for the people of Kitale. We had a fun time taking them around to all of the different ministry sites and will be sad to see them leave tomorrow. 

The whole crew at Leila's house

Yesterday I had a few free minutes and I went down to check on Syril and Henry. The last time I had gone down there they were sick, so we went to see if they were doing better. We went into the house to talk to their mom and she had a new, healthy baby boy who was just three days old. He isn’t named yet, but he is a cute little guy. 

We also were a bit surprised to learn that Syril is actually a girl. Typically only boys are named Syril, so we just assumed that she was a boy. Her mother said that since she is sick and her fever is high, she has been having seizures again. So her mom is going to try to keep her fever down and keep trying to help her drink fluids to stay hydrated. Her mother was also telling us the very real truth of how difficult it is to have a child like Syril when you live in the slums. This family does not have a lot of money and Syril is a very picky eater. She only likes rice with meat and fish, which is more expensive than the ugali (maize meal) and greens that is the staple food. So she doesn’t get a proper diet because her family is financially unable to provide it. Also Syril needs a lot of direct attention. She needs to be changed, washed, fed and have most things done for her, which will be even more difficult now that there is another baby in the house.

Syril

Little Henry is also a little bit sick. He was extra cuddly and keep falling asleep on Leila’s lap. We thought that his mom didn’t realize that he had and sort of developmental problems, but she was asking us about why he can’t crawl, walk or talk yet and how she can help her son. 

Henry

Please keep this family and kids in your prayers. Pray for their health and that God will provide for their needs. Also pray for their mother to keep being strong and relying on God despite the hardships that she is facing. 

        Today Rose and Rael’s mother, Ester, came to visit. As usual, the girls were a little shy at first and then they each took a turn sitting on their mom’s lap. Ester brought Dorcas along and it was good to see her again. She looked so healthy and happy. When it was time for all of the kids to eat lunch Dorcas even turned down food because she was already full. It was great to see that this family is finally getting themselves back on their feet after their load was lightened. After visiting the twins, they headed over to visit Franco. Ester even said that when school closes she will bring Franco home to stay with them over the break. It is great to get to see Ester and Dorcas and hear that their father is working and that they are doing better. 

Rael with a full belly after lunch and a huge smile. 

Rose waving to her mom

Ester and Rose

Dorcas making Rose trying to make Rose
pose for the camera

Me and Dorcas

Franco was so excited when he heard his mom was coming to visit.

It’s been a good week getting settled back into everything and getting ready for the teams to start rolling in. Steve arrived safe and sound today. He brought two girls with him, Emily and Mikayla who will be staying until May. It’s always fun and exciting to have more people around the compound. Despite having flown into Kenya today, the girls were troopers and came down to Leila’s house to see the kids, who were all so excited to meet some new friends. 

Emily with Julie, Vella and Martin

Mikayla with Emily and Alex
Sorry Bella the photographer is still practicing. 

Me and Brian

Rose is so happy

Bella

Emily with John

Martin

So happy to be in his new chair

We have had so many ups and downs with Brian since he came to live at the house. Nowadays he is doing great. He rarely cries and is just content to be around the other kids and doesn't need to be held all the time. He is always babbling and making little noises to himself. He loves when he gets help to stand or walk around the house. I brought him a chair back so that he can work on sitting upright without someone having to hold him. This way he can work to strengthen his muscles and hopefully be able to sit on his own. His neck is still a little unsteady, but the pillow helps. I pray that Brian continues to get stronger and stays healthy. 

This morning we headed out to Endebes to visit Pamela. While I was gone Leila talked to her and she said that she had been feeling weak, so we paid her a short little visit to make sure that everything is ok. She told us that her CD4 count is very low again. The doctor put her on a stronger medicine and the side effects make her feel very sick and tired. Some days she sleeps all day, which keeps her from working. She told us that the kids now know that she is sick and before she took them back to sure she reassured them that they would be taken care of if anything happens to her. The place where they lived is owned by the family so they will have land of their own. I remember one time when I went to visit her she told me that beans make her feel strong, so we brought her some beans that will hopefully make her feel better for the short time that they last. Please pray for healing on Pamela’s body and that her children will feel God’s comfort and know that he is taking care of their mother. 

Pamela in front of her house

After visiting Pamela, we walked down into Shimo to pay Syril and Henry a visit. Syril is doing much better. He refused to drink the powder we brought to get him rehydrated, but he drank tea again this morning. His mother told us that he only eats rice, so we were maybe thinking that the sores on his legs were from not having a balanced diet. So we brought him some PlumpyNut to see if he would like it and to try to get some protein in his system. He loved it. He tasted it and was so happy he started laughing and reaching out for more. Even if he just eats one packet a day along with the rice that he normally eats his legs should heal quickly. We are also going to get him a multivitamin to make up for the fruits and vegetables that he won’t eat. 

Syril's mom feeding him PlumpyNut

We learned today that he can walk very well on his own. He hasn’t been walking because he wasn’t feeling well, but today his mother stood him up and told him to walk inside. He was a little reluctant, but he walked inside and climbed onto a chair all on his own. 

Syril standing outside of his house

He made it inside and curled up in his favorite chair.

At first their mother seemed like she didn’t seem like she really cared about her kids, but after going down and just spending time with her and her family she has opened up to us. She was talking about how hard it was to have a child like Syril. Then she went on to say how hard it was to have a child need an operation at five months old. She pulled out Henry’s medical forms and it showed that he has surgery to reduce the effects of Glaucoma and remove Cataracts at such a young age. She also shared her worries about the fact that he still is unable to crawl or walk. 

Henry just hanging out

Her faith in God amazed me as I listen to her talk. I didn’t understand most of what she was saying but I heard her say the words pray and God throughout the entire conversation. She has so little and so much to deal with and despite all her problems she knows that God is the only answer. We told her about Brian and how he also has cerebral palsy like Syril. She started encouraging us that he will be able to sit and walk one day. She gave us a place where we can get a good chair made for him in town and told us a few excercises that she found helped loosen Syril’s muscles when he was younger. I am inspired by her faith and to see how God empowers her to keep trying her best even when it seems impossible. 

First week back in Kenya and God is already breaking my heart again. Sometimes I feel like things don’t phase me as much any more because of all of the heartbreaking things that I see on a daily basis. Then there are days when everything seems like its going to be normal, then we walk past a house in Shimo that we always pass. Except this time we see an older kid just sitting in the dirt with no pants on. We got closer and could see that he had some sort of disability, maybe cerebral palsy, but its hard to tell. His mom was a little skeptical of us at first when we started asking her questions about him, but she warmed up after a while. His name is Syril and he is fourteen years old. He stuck out his hand to greet us when we walked up and just held on and kept reaching out for us if we walked out of his reach. His legs look like they are burned and he was just sitting there grinding his teeth. His mother told us that he didn’t have an appetite, so they had just stopped feeding him. The weather is dry and hot now and he was just sitting outside in the direct sunlight. 

Syril

Today we went back to see how he was doing. He looked a lot better today. He had pants on, was sitting in the shade and wasn’t grinding his teeth as much. She told us that he hadn’t eaten, but drank some tea this morning. We brought him powder to put in his water to help him get rehydrated.We took pictures of his legs so that we can see if we can get medicine for him. 

Syril's little legs are swollen, peeling and painful.

 It was good to see that his mother was taking better care of him today. She also has a lot on her plate. First she has Syril and she also has a little thirteen month old and she is pregnant and looks like she is due any day. 

Syril’s little brother’s name is Henry and he looks like he might have some developmental delays as well. He has already had to have one surgery on his eyes when he was five months old, but his mother said that he can see much better now. 

Sweet little Henry's got a great little personality and is a funny  little kid. While we were sitting and talking to their mom we were playing with the kids. Leila reached down to shake Henry's hand and he pulled it away. Then I did the same and he reached out and grabbed my hand. He is such a funny little guy.

I can’t get this family out of my mind. It breaks my heart that this mother feels helpless and overwhelmed. It breaks my heart that there is nothing in place here to help kids like Syril and Henry get the help that the need and deserve. Even though there is no obvoius solution right now, we will continue doing what little we can to help Syril and Henry at the very least let them see a bit of God’s love for him. Please pray that their mother gives birth to a healthy little baby and that God continues to hold these sweet little boys in his arms. 

It's good to be back!

I am back in Kenya safe and sound. It was great to spend a month back at home  for Christmas with everyone I’ve missed so much while I’ve been away. 

Our Christmas card

Now I am glad to be back in Kitale. I landed in Nairobi then hopped in a van and drove straight out to the compound. We got here early in the morning and since I am incapable of staying keeping my eyes open in any sort of vehicle I was wide awake when I got to the house. I just sat and waited for it reach a decent hour, then I walked down to the baby house. The Bellas were the first to run out to me and give me hugs, then Augustus and Franco came out behind them. All of the other kids were waiting inside and they were all as happy to see me as I was to see them. After lots of hugs, handshakes, and other greetings I was thrilled to be able to just sit on the floor and play with whoever wandered over to me. I am glad to be back and jump right back into life as it was before I left. I already have a busy week ahead of me and I couldn’t be more excited. 

Sammy

Vella and Martin just hanging out

Waving for the camera

Sweet Rosie

Bella the little Diva

Vella the photographer

Not sure what's happening here, but still so cute

Rael

Franco, all dressed and ready to head back to school

Brian and Julie

Marting and Stacie are best buds.