Starting on the projects...

Greetings Earthlings,

Another day, another post. After we donated a bunch of clothes and toys to the orphans, we were able to focus a great portion on projects to improve the conditions at LDO, thus improving the conditions of these orphans’ lives!

The team sat together and listed several projects we felt were significant to achieve for LDO. Among these is a new water tank, tower for the water tank, gutters, a canopy (for shade), etcetera. It took us several days worth of shopping in Kisii in order to get EVERYTHING. Kisii is about 20-30 minutes away, depending on whether there is traffic and whether we are taking the matatu or bodaboda. The matatu is similar to an old VW van (smaller than a normal 15-passenger van), and acts as a taxi. People will jump in and pack into the van as much as possible. A record we had was a trip back to LDO from Kisii, where we counted 27 people riding together! In fact, the matatu has only 12 seats (4 rows of 3 seats each). Now, you can imagine how crowdy it got. Unfortunately, Moises had a slight case of claustrophobia on that ride! The bodaboda is a dirtbike that also acts as a taxi, but can only carry 1 or 2 passengers in addition to the driver. It costs more, but is more comfortable.

A matatu

 Alex, Kat, and I went shopping the day before yesterday and with a wonderful donor’s money, we were able to buy each orphan three pairs of shoes and a pair of socks. Each orphan received a pair of flip flops, sneakers, and church/school shoes (black). They all were happy, with the exception of a few who claim their shoes were too big. But we should be glad they are still children because they will grow into these shoes eventually!

Shoes for the orphans!

Orphans receiving their new shoes with all of us watching on.

LDO depends on rain as their primary source of water. If they deplete of this source, they will send each orphan with a water jug to carry down to the river. They will then get water from a pipe that has water running through from a well into the river. Each orphan has to make the trip twice in the mornings. This water they use for cooking, washing clothes, and bathing.

Erick washing one of the new water jugs in the river.

Moises carrying little John's water jug up to LDO from the river.

 We all started on our projects yesterday. In the morning, when it was cooler, we installed a water faucet on their current water tank, to stop water from leaking. Here is what they have been doing: plugging their water tank with a broken off branch covered in a plastic bag. Water still was able to leak out continually all day long. We also provided them with 12 new water jugs to bring water to LDO from the river. Later in the day, in the cruelly hot weather, Kat and Alexa worked on the garden, tilling the soil. William, Dallas, Javier, and I worked on building the water tower: a lot of digging for posts and pouring cement. Alex and Moises focused on setting up the layout for the canopy and started digging for posts.

William caulking the bolt inside the old water tank for the new faucet. 

Tada, the new water faucet installed on their old water tank! Now there will not be any leaks.

 While the tower posts were drying in cement, we all decided to focus on the canopy as a team, since it was a very large project, but didn’t require too much time. We were able to complete this project yesterday early evening! Now these orphans can have room to play/sit in shade outdoor. Prior to this, all of us had to sit against one side of the building under shade, which was not very efficient. The canopy will also help protect from rain, since it supposedly rains everyday out here, although it has skipped two days while we have been here.

Moises & William working on hooking the ropes for the tarp onto the roof of the buildings.

The canopy, nearly complete! More pictures of the completed project to come later. 

Today we hope to continue our work on the garden and water tower, as well as starting on the gutters and benches for under the canopy.

In addition to the entire craze at LDO, the team is still able to contribute time for Bible devotions daily either before or after breakfast. The reason for devotions is to not forget our purpose of coming on this mission trip.

Tomorrow, we have plans to visit the KDPL (Kenya Deaf Prayer & Leadership) conference near Rongo, at Sam’s Place. This will also give us an opportunity to see Sam’s Place, and hopefully some of their 40 deaf orphans.

This is our update for the day! Please continue to pray for us, as well as provide financial support. We have had several unexpected occasions where we have had to pay for gas for the generator to provide electric power for LDO, among others.

James 1:27 & God bless to everyone.