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

This morning we worshiped at one of the local churches where we heard a good message. I was amazed again to see the many children sit so quietly, on hard benches without a back rest, throughout the 3 1/2 hour service. Very few had to leave for a few minutes to answer the call of nature.  After the service we went back “home” for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon we visited a few of our widows. Our last visit was at Florence’s house where her two daughters and one of our other widows joined us and we spent our time talking, asking questions to see how they were doing, and then took turns reading Scripture passages and singing several songs together. It was a beautiful time. We have had thunderstorms and rain off and on today but managed to stay dry when taking the short walks from the van to our ladies’ homes. Everything looks fresh and green and every day we admire the beauty of God’s creation here. Till tomorrow! Mary

God asks all creation to praise Him and that we did this morning!  Many beautiful excited smiles started arriving at 0830 on a cool and misty morning. The women on the Voice of Hope program were welcomed, given their name tags and then they sat under tents that had been set up to protect us from the hot African sun. Two pastors gave messages, followed by a refresher on agriculture and tending to crops for optimal harvest by Godfrey, who represents One Acre Fund.   Sandwiches and tea were served for lunch which was really appreciated by young and old. Later in the day, our team went out and visited 2 widows. They were both assessed as to their needs and how they are managing.   The rains held off and we were able to sit outside with our last home visit with beautiful Rose and her grandson while surrounded by the lush rainforest, banana groves, roosters and cattle. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

 Friday morning 8:30 am found us stumbling down a steep embankment and across large clumps of red soil. It was another beautiful bright day.  We had left the house early and had made our way to Maggie’s where a group of our ladies have a co-op garden. Co-op gardens were started to help Voice of Hope women who either do not have a shamba of their own, or only a very small one. We had arrived to give our women a hand with the second plowing and to give us a little bit of an experience of what it’s like to eke out your living...by hand...with primitive tools. The first plowing had been done earlier.  We were greeted with jambos (hello) and given a jembe. A jembe is a short handled wide, long hoe. Hacking away at the large clumps to break them up we quickly worked up a sweat. It’s humbling to think that we gave up after an hour. The other women had a long job ahead of them, and had no option but to work till done.  On the embankment above us was a youth who should have been in school. When

The day started bright and early with morning devotions, breakfast, organizing bags for the day, then we jumped into the van at 830. A few rooms slept late, which was okay because they slept!  First on the itinerary was a stop at a spiritual group meeting. We met with Diana, Emma, Siphrosa, Helen and Miriam. We enjoyed a time of singing, prayer, stories of God’s goodness and a message on walking the straight path. While little ones were   coloring and enjoying sweeties around us. After the meeting we had a lovely visit with Diana, all outside in the warm scented rural Kenyan air. The plants, flowers and birds joining in to proclaiming God’s goodness and creativity. We also visited with Siphrosa, Helen Margaret and Lillian, hearing more stories of God’s goodness and how the VOH project has helped them during the hard days of Covid restrictions. Each woman has her own struggles and blessings and it is such a privilege to be part of their lives. Each woman we are visiting receives our lov

 Wednesday morning, we woke bright and early for a wonderful breakfast at 0600 and were on the road to Kakamega by 714. Tom remains our trusty driver which by the end of the day would take on a whole new meaning.  We stopped at a view point to look at The Great Rift Valley. A huge expansive valley where animals used to live and travel through. This area is lush and is now being used for homes, and farm land . The Great Rift runs from Israel to Mozambique.  The animals no longer roam there, they are now kept in gated parks for their own safety and preservation from poacher/hunters . Along the roadside on our travels we saw numerous markets boasting tomatoes, carrots, cabbages, watermelons, potatoes, bagged onions and bananas.  We also saw monkeys, zebras, antelope in parks, as well as donkeys, goats and other farm animals along the roadside and inland grazing. Farm animals were  attached to a peg in the ground with a rope .  Anytime we slowed down in towns and cities there were avid sal

 Clear sailing through the air, through immigration, through customs! Woo! Then outside to the loving smiles of Everlyne, Tom and Alan. It’s a lovely Nairobi night, dark and full of the sounds of people chatting and laughing as they clear out of JKIA.  Tom is now driving us to Shalom for a nights rest. Traffic is light and the streets are quiet. Thank you for the prayers!

 We have fulfilled all the moving target of requirements and have made it to our gates! Four of us in Ontario and one in BC. Now we fly to Frankfurt where we will be joined up and carry on with the adventure 

The days are hurrying by and the team is getting excited! Last step is Covid testing on Saturday, then Departure on Valentine’s Day 💕 Thanks for your prayers and encouragements as we prepare, we look forward to hearing lots from you as we travel.