As we complete the first 6 months of the Bryce Home Project in Kenya, working with Roger Oakland from Understand the Times and Pastor Achilla from Kenya, we are happy to report that a routine has been established where over 100 children and their caretakers/parents are being provided for in 15 different homes. It has not been without its struggles and heartaches; life is hard in Kenya; sickness and disease have taken the lives of a couple of the children already. Just this past week, Pastor Wycliffe’s 1 year old son died from the measles. A few weeks ago, Widow Terry’s baby died from the measles. And Solomon’s new baby died of birth related complications. But these incredible believers press on and do not give up. They truly are an inspiration to us.
We are so blessed to be working with Pastor Achilla, Pastor Nelson, and Walter. These three men are of impeccable character and honesty and want nothing for themselves. They are true servants of Jesus Christ. Arkel, the school teacher at the Christian school is also an amazing brother. We thank the Lord for these men. They daily lay down there lives, and even when they are sometimes treated badly and unfairly, they respond with genuine love and humility.
Thanks to the donations of Lighthouse Trails and Understand the Times readers, we are able to continue helping this community of believers, widows, and children, (many of whom are orphans). In June, two new houses were built, and plans are already under way to build two more this summer. The new houses each cost about $1000 (extra for plastering), which includes new cook stoves where the smoke goes out a chimney. This will eliminate many health problems for our widows and children. Also, with donations, the families are starting to get their eyes checked, and soon we hope to get their teeth checked. Roger Oakland has asked Pastor Achilla to check into measles vaccines, which we believe would lower the number of deaths to the younger children who seem to succumb to the illness more than the older ones.
It was necessary for Pastor Achilla, Pastor Nelson, and Walter to buy rubber boots (gumboots). They travel in some very rough conditions to deliver food and other supplies to the the Bryce Homes, and when it rains, it pours, leaving a lot of mud to tromp through. We used Pastoral Support donations for this. We don’t want our pastors getting sick. Fortunately, the boots only cost about 1600 Kenya shillings each (that’s just $20 U.S. dollars).
You will see in the video below that Pastor Achilla was able to get a new batch of Bibles in the Luo language. Another box is going to be purchased later this week with donation money. It is hard for us in the Western world to imagine not having plenty of Bibles around, but over there, that is the reality. Plus, new converts are increasing in the _________ areas as people in the community are witnessing what God is doing through the mission work there. ________ has been a very forgotten region; for most who live there, they have never seen something like this before. We only wish we could do more, as the needs are so great. But, as Pastor Achilla always encourages us to do, we will trust the Lord to provide in His timing. Isn’t that something that they are encouraging us (who have so much more than they – materially speaking).
