Voice of Hope Ontario, Kenya, February 2022

 On The Road Again 🎶 Saturday morning, our suitcases were to be by the front door at 0630. Most of us were able to make it on time 😅  A candlelight breakfast, ( the electricity has been off since last night ) then off for 1- 1/2 hour drive to Kisumu with our van heavy laden . On the way we stopped in at  the supermarket to pick up a gift for a local family and some local spices to take home.  Arrangements had been made for Jolande to visit the Joanne Ministry Carepoint run by Christ Hope International. A program that is strategically placed in a poor area to serve the nutritional/ spiritual needs of HIV/AIDS orphans /children and their families. Helen and Lauri went to visit another family during this time. We met up again and made our way to the Kisumu Masai market to look at and purchase souvenirs, then off to the Kisumu International airport to check in for our 1600 flight to Nairobi.  The fight was quick and unremarkable (editors note: Jolande slept through the flight 😄). We the

  It’s finally here! The last day of visits to our widows and their families.  It seems like we have just arrived in Kenya, however, at the same time it also seems that what we do in a morning seems like an age ago in the evening. We don’t know that we will ever understand the full impact of the culture here, and of certain traditions which are still adhered to, but we do know that many of our widows are trusting in God, are joyful, and have a ready smile. Most of our older widows are not able to read. They were given a Galcom audio Bible in the tribal dhuluo language so that they are able to listen to God’s word. Do we realize how blessed we are? Brought up in Bible believing families, brought up in God’s word! Tomorrow we will head to Kisumu. Jolande will visit a sponsor child there, while the rest of us visit a family in the Nyalenda slum, then off to Nairobi!

  The day began with Pastor Silas showing us the very contaminated pond where the people of this area used to get their drinking water. After that we drove to the “Water Project”. Water is pumped up from the Yala River to a height of about 800 feet and spreads out to six water points. The trench in which the pipes were laid is several kilometers long and was dug by hand through to a depth of 2 feet through rocky terrain. An amazing feat. The next visit was to Seje school where we received an exuberant welcome by the children who had gathered outside. We toured the farm next to the school. Animals such as pigs and chickens are raised to be sold to provide funds for the operation of the school. Pastor Silas oversees all these projects. Their aim is to be a self sustaining school. After a quick visit to a grocery store we went back to Pastor Silas’ house for lunch. The afternoon was spent visiting 6 widows and their families, listening to their stories and sharing God’s Word with them and

We travelled to See-eye-ya (Siaya) today , settled into our new accomodations at Pastor Silas'house for the next 3 nights. We then went and visited with 6 widows .  Then off to receive the warmest welcome we've ever received from the kids at Yogo Glory Center Academy.  These kids know how to sing well , they have lots of energy and their dancing is so fun to watch. Helen and Lauri were more then  happy to join them and proved that they had moves we never knew about.  How liberating 😄 The school program is a very well thought out program with 320 students and 11 teachers and based on the scriptures . It teaches children from kindergarten to gr 8 . The administration works hard to ensure that the students learn how to study well, are responsible for their actions and give them the best chance to do well on final exams which determines the quality of their secondary education. All the Gr 8's  board at the school a week before exams and the week of exams so that they remain in

Tuesday. Our last day in Kakamega. It alternately  feels like we have been here forever and that we just arrived.  We headed off early to have fun playing with 50 preschoolers at Arise and Shine early childhood development program. The kids had seen the van several times through the week and each time we drove by they were so excited, I wondered if by the time we actually came to visit they would just turn their backs and walk away. But they didn’t! They jumped and sang and smiled. We read a story, colored, enjoyed sweeties, played games and enjoyed uji together.  While we were there we met up with Derrick and checked the wound on his foot. We met his mother and heard about how hard she works to provide for her six children. But the money she is able to earn never stretches far enough. It was a stark reminder that there are so many women and children still in need of a helping hand. After a cold lunch and a quick quiet time we made our final home visits. What a privilege to share in th

We were on our way early this morning to Sabane Secondary where  approximately 175 students attend. We met with the staff first and after that the boys were separated from the girls and were given hygiene presentations followed by a Q and A period .  They were each given hygiene care packs and Bibles.  The best part of their day was when both groups were presented with a brand new soccer ball . The shouts of excitement were loud and palpable.  A quick bite to eat back at our home and then to the local market . We saw colorful market stalls with fruit and vegetables, legumes, clothing and fish. The sights , sounds and smells are always vivid here in Africa. There is always a goat, chicken, cow or pig or a variety of animals grazing nearby,  small fires smoldering causing a blue or white haze , colorful clothes and tons of little children with the most beautiful smiles.  We finished the day with 3 visits with our sponsored widows. Widows that have concerns and great trials with regards t