A Prayer For Land

Elijah and I recently visited two different children's homes. The first was called Uganda Martyrs Children's Home sponsored by the Catholic church. We toured their facilities and spent some time talking with the kids and house mothers. I really enjoyed the day and was encouraged to meet people working in the same field. They had about 75 kids in the home. I took notes on what aspects of the home I liked and which aspects I didn't think were ideal. Friday, we visited Mully Children's Family (MCF) about 100 km from Nairobi. MCF is one of the best children's homes in Kenya and very sustainable. They have 150 acres of land, most of which is used for farming for income. There were over 600 boarding, but in their seven projects around the country they have over 2,000 kids currently in the programs. MCF was very developed as an organization. They had a primary and secondary school, vocational training centre for carpentry and metal work and they had a health clinic open to the community. They also export french beans to Europe. Elijah and I were very inspired by the project and Dr. Mully's story, a man who give up his riches for orphans. Their website is mullychildrensfamily.org. Dr. Mully also wrote a book called "Father to the Fatherless." The one thing I really appreciated about Exodus after visiting Uganda Martyrs and Mully's is that at Exodus we feel like a family more than an institution. Our two rented flats feel like a home, rather than bunks lined up in a large room. I worry about larger childrens homes, that the kids there might lose their sense of belonging and worth as a loved and special individual. The kids at Exodus are absolutely amazing and very positive, which I believe is due to the atmosphere of the home. Because we have fewer kids, we are able to keep a closer watch on each child and give each child attention.

Today I spent the day at Exodus, with the older kids. Every time I am there I am so impressed with them and I grow closer to them. I can say from the bottom of my heart that I love everyone at Exodus and I will continue to stand for our projects. One thing that Elijah and I are focusing on now is looking for land. As I said, we are renting two flats, which hinders us from growing as an organization and from becoming sustainable. Currently we have been offered 10 acres of land, not far from Machakos, for about $13,000. This land is prime and could have piped water and electricity. It is also near a fairly competitive school. The land is very arable and would be a great location for Exodus. With ten acres of land, we'd like build a home that can accommodate up to 50 kids. We'd like to have two fish ponds (raising Tilapia), which we recently researched as a practical and easy source of income. We'd like to raise poultry and keep a few cows for milk, which we can consume, as well as sell for income. On the land, we'd also like to have a health clinic and youth training centre so that we can reach out to the community. Obviously, these are long term plans, but they are not impossible by any means. In fact, I believe that Exodus could be self-sustaining with income from farming and training seminars. Land is essential for sustainable development. Rent costs are just being thrown away, rather than investing in property, which has an increasing value. I don't know how we will come up with the money, and we are negotiating with the seller this week, but I ask that you please pray for us. If you can help in any way, please let me know. USD $13,000 is extremely cheap for 10 acres of arable land and the seller is actually doing us a favor because we are a nonprofit organization. Normally one acre could be around $5000.

A second prayer that I ask from you is for staff members. We recently had two leave Exodus, and we will need someone to manage Exodus from September through December, as Elijah will be in Canada and I'll be home.

Be blessed and remember the orphans who are more vulnerable than I can express in words.

Remember to Dream with the Dreamers

Hello!
I hope all is well. I am doing very well. I feel generally content, satisfied, challenged, and happy. I can say that each week I am becoming more and more of a passionate dreamer. Although, I don't think I'm a dreamer exactly because I am optimistic that any goal we desire to accomplish is possible. It is my understanding that dreams aren't real or possible. I've been dreaming a lot about Exodus lately and today I was given hope when I spent some time talking with Elijah about our future plans to get our own land. There is a U.S. organization called Hope Without Borders, which will be sending some representatives to Kenya for two weeks in May. They want to establish an office in Nairobi and support various projects from there, including Exodus. Elijah and I are looking at land and writing an entire proposal for what we'd like to do on the land and how we'd like to reach out in the community. I'm super excited about the potential of Exodus. Dreaming is much easier when others can dream with you.

As for Liz, she is completely healthy now! Thanks for the prayers. Some of the kids went home the other day because they are on a break from school right now. Most of them will visit grandmothers or aunts and uncles for two weeks, before returning to Exodus. It was so cute to see them off as they all said goodbye to each other and climbed into matatus with their little backpacks. (The older kids are still around Exodus.)

I Trust He is Emmanuel

I was scared out of my mind. I thought Liz, at Exodus, was on the verge of dying at any minute. Saturday she laid on the bed groaning in pain as her body became very weak and she started losing feeling in her extremities. She complained of a really bad pain on her upper chest on the left side and she was alternating between feeling hot and cold. I was very worried, but tried to remain calm as I was in a position where I needed to make a vital decision. I didn't know what to do, but pray. Elijah called a taxi and we brought her to the hospital immediately. At the hospital, I still felt somewhat hopeless and helpless. I didn't really trust the hospital to tell you the truth. Seeing her in the state she was in and hearing the moans as she waited for a pain injection to kick in brought me to tears. I cried for this girl, who is the same age as me. We were able to get medicine the following day, since the pharmacy was closed that night (this took place between 9pm and 2am). She was diagnosed with pneumonia. I hope she gets better and I'm more content knowing that she has medicine now. I'll admit that I can never be a doctor, but I need to read more about community health. Pray for Liz (she's the one who sews uniforms and works at our new dress-making business) as she is struggling with pneumonia and other personal issues.

Otherwise at Exodus, things are going well. Thanks to my parents and some vistors we were able to purchase two bunks and mattresses for the kids, which we'll be getting this week. The girls, especially, are in need of beds. We have about 20 in one room of three bunks. You do the math. I climbed into a bed with three other girls the other night... and this isn't a double bed. (Usually I just share with Jessica in our own room though) We are moving those bunks into another room so that the girls will now be in two rooms. We are also working on getting textbooks and reading books for the kids. Sometimes I find myself dreaming about Exodus and our future potential, but for now, we work on little changes each week since funding is minimal. Last week, we spent a lot of time writing policy and contracts for the Centre; a task that was new to me, but something that is very important. I realized that I have a gift for assessing a whole situation, identifying the problems and dysfunctions, and forming and prioritizing attainable goals in search for a solution. I guess that's why I'm studying social work.

Be blessed.

Pictured above is Liz sewing in Exodus' new uniform and dress-making shop. She is so happy to be doing the work she loves in her own space.