Work on the house is moving along with a lot of the painting done. We still have windows to finish, painting the office, and touch up painting. In addition we will plant vegetables and flowers. Saturday will be the big reveal when we surprise the boys with their newly decorated home - complete with new drapes, sheets for their beds, backpacks with school supplies and new clothes. Guests are being invited Saturday afternoon for a grand opening to create interest and support for the Comet House for Boys.
The most meaningful part of the day was visiting the boys' families and delivering bags of maise. Ethel also visited her family to find the little baby of our first visit was now in first grade. Edwin's family we have also visited before - a family of ten living in one room. Words can not begin to express our feelings.
Ian and Brian with their 16 year old brother who has raised them since their parents' death two years ago. They now live under caring adult supervision at Comet House. Fredrick is working to arrange a mechanics appenticeship for their brother.
Wycliffe and Peter with their father in front of the family's mud house. The single room house has a dirt floor with no electricity or water.
Parker carrying 24 kgs. of maise to a family's single room home. The road was too rough to drive the car down. Parker's eyes were burning after carrying the maise into the house due to the open fire in the middle of the room upon which the mother was cooking. He couldn't imagine having to live in such a smoke filled room.
Ethel has visited this family every time she has visited Kenya (4 times). The mother is a widow raising four children in a single room, dirt floor home. She was delighted to see us again.
Edwin (2nd from left on front row) is one of eight children. We first visited his family when he was only three years old. He now lives at Comet House were he is enrolled in a private school and thriving.
As we were returning to our car from Edwin's house we encountered a man having difficulty getting his donkey cart up the hill. Fredrick and Parker jumped in to help. Parker commented later that he is having a lot of first time experiences on this trip.
At the end of the day Fredrick lined the boys up and reminded them to not touch the wet paint in the house. Peter was missing, apparently already having gone into the house. We hope we don't find him with green paint on his hands tomorrow!
Tomorrow we will finish the painting and visit more families. Each day is full and rich with blessings. We have worked alongside a wonderful group of local residents and grown very close to seven beautiful little boys.
Awesome update. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAlso... I would like to see if I can help get my hands on a submersible pump. Not sure if I can, but I need to know the following.
How deep is the well? Is it a 4" well? How many gallons/minute does the well provide?Do they have power available? If so, what is the power. Hopefully, whomever drilled the well gave them the information above. You guys are in my thoughts & prayers.