By Roger Oakland
Understand the Times and Bryce Homes International
Before arriving in Kenya, I had decided to hold all reports until my arrival back home. There has been a change. I have now decided I cannot contain myself for that length of time in order to bring our supporters up to date. For the safety of our Kenyan brothers and sisters who are part of the Bryce Homes Kenya program and for ourselves, I will not be mentioning any names or locations. As you can understand, the world was in turmoil before we arrived. Now current events have catapulted fear to new and higher levels. Life around the world is not, and never will be, the same.
When I say we, this is to let our readers know that I am not alone. With me is a friend and a man from Canada who has a heart for missions. It is exciting for me when I see others I know catch the vision to reach out to widows and orphans. This is what the Bryce Homes Kenya program is all about.
Yesterday was another day in Kenya, but it was more than just another day. I have been travelling here since 2011. The program continues to expand each year as God provides for His family here through His family around the world. Perhaps what people in the western world fail to understand is the fact that more than half the population here in this location are either parentless or have only one parent or grandparent to care for them. Many live with elderly grandmothers who have nothing and already have trouble supporting themselves.
There are other problems related to culture that also play a factor. When women lose their husbands to AIDS (usually because of promiscuity), they are not only left without a breadwinner, the husband’s family threatens the young widow in an attempt to get her and the children off the family property. Barbaric acts take place according to tribal tradition, and often the government does nothing. We have had to deal with this situation on several occasions; it has become an ongoing process with new widows we take on.
Obviously, a foreigner from the west does not catch on to what is going on at first. Not claiming that I have any expertise in this area, I can tell you when I discover there is a problem, I will do everything with the strength God has given me to intervene for these widows. Click here to continue reading and for more information on the Bryce Homes Program.
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