Big Changes

Beginning Saturday, February 17, big changes have been made at the AIM children’s home here in Kibera. Our previous house father and his family, after four years of service have moved on to new ministries. Now, Zitah, Shosho (Swahili for grandma) and I begin a new era there. I moved to the flat that overlooks the orphanage to be closer and more hands-on day to day. Zitah (our 18 year old who just graduated from high school) is responsible for cooking, purchasing food, some cleaning and generally being my sidekick (which is a ton of fun and a great chance for me to disciple this sweet girl as she looks toward the future and what it means to be a woman
who follows the Lord).

Shosho is a mama who has such a heart for the Lord and will help with raising our kids until we can find a full-time house mom. I’m excited for our kids to have a grandma there who will love them and encourage them in the Lord and be such a good, loving influence on them.

We are excited! There were plans originally to move the orphans out of Kibera, and that may still happen in the future, but God has clearly intended us to remain in Kibera for now and to increase and change our ministry to these sweet kids. We are excited for the Christian community that seems to be rallying to step in and help us care for these kids. Pastor Timothy will be “Father” and will be spending some time each week with the children. Several of the young adults from the church (Francis, Edward, Edwin) who are seeking after the Lord are excited to come and spend time with the kids to encourage them to follow the Lord and to help them in any way that they can. The FYM family here is excited to be able to have a crash pad closer (my apartment) that will allow them to spend time in the evening with the kids without the need to be out after dark. Above all we want these kids to feel that they are loved, not only by us but more importantly by the Lord, and He has been at work rallying that support without us even having to ask for it or seek it out.

The past couple weeks have been a muddle of packing, moving, painting and cleaning. I am excited to now get settled and begin loving and teaching these kids and watching them continue to come out of their shells (sometimes I think it would be easier if some of them would stay in their shells just a little as they are more and more hyper and giggly, but I love it!)

Pray for us as we make this transition and for the kids as they adjust to all the changes. Raising thirteen teenagers isn’t for the faint of heart – I’m so thankful that it’s the Lord doing that work and not me in my own ability.

I also want to introduce Martha! Welcomed into our home about a month ago, Martha is our newest little girl. She is 10 and is in second grade at Blue House school where Purity, Ivon, Kevin Mg, and Joseph go. I’ll be spending some time the next couple weeks trying to track down her case history and find out more how we can help with sweet girl. Please pray for Martha as she makes the transition to her new home, new family and deals with the loss of her own family.