In Kenya we have had the privilege to participate, partner, and volunteer at Great Mercy Children’s Home in Kitale. This is home to over 90 orphans and also integrates children from the communities into the daily classroom. Children that live here have many stories ranging from post 2007 election violence in Kenya where many parents were killed, to being abandoned, and even rescued street boys. Mummy Judith experienced struggles in her life; not being able to pay school fees and being taken in by another family, and received a vision for helping orphans.
This month I have had the privilege, along with many others on my team, to use my degree here at Great Mercy. I was able to partner with the social worker. I was able to assist her in having the children write out their stories, or history, and hand them in so we could read them. I was able to counsel and provide guidance to several children that were in need. I also made myself completely available to all the children, letting them know that I was there for them to talk to. Typically the children do not open up as much to those teachers that are always around them, they are afraid. But there is something about the “mzungo” that allows them to open up more. I encouraged the children that I met with that they had a specific story, that was unique to them, that God gave to them to share with others for the rest of their life. It is very easy for these children to think their life was a mistake, or they have nothing to live for. Most of them need lots of encouragement, inspiration, and motivation. However many of the stories that I read said that they are living a great life at the orphanage and love it there. I also was able to give her a new, electronic data base for the organizations files/children's profiles/forms/etc.
As a team we also reorganized their library with a new system, taught many classes, created a website and blog for Momma, held a movie night, complete with popcorn for almost 100 orphans, and loved on many, many children. It is by far the best orphanage I have been to in the world thus far. The children love to know about you, spend time with you, and even just have you sitting in their classroom and learn with them.
I HIGHLY encourage you to visit the new website at www.greatmercy.wordpress.org to read more stories from the children and Momma. Also if you are interested in supporting Great Mercy, please also visit the site and appointed links for support. Momma and her organization rely on the Lord 100% for their funding, and thus far he has provided enormously. Sometimes food shows up on the door step, and other times a man may just want to supply water and pay the water bill for a year. Either way the Lord is truly blessing her and her ministry.
