From there, we met up with Martin to look at a piece of land set aside for him and his wife to move to along with the 40 children they are raising. Martin and his wife have brought in many orphans and have raised them as their own. They were put in harms way in early 2008 when post election violence erupted in the area they were living. They managed to find a place to hide and kept the children safe. In the summer, there will be teams coming over to build two homes on a beautiful piece of land outside Kitale. This is where Martin and his wife will continue to raise the 40 children.
Our next stop was the village of Mali Saba. Transformed International sponsors a family there with a grandmother who is raising 9 orphans. Last year, Linda (one of the young girls), died from AIDS. The family was living in a tiny 2 room hut out in the village. This past month, TI had a new, 3 bedroom, mud home built for them. It is so big compared to wear they were sleeping. The village is amazed at how God has provided for them. The home cost around $300 to build and will now provide them with a large and dry place to live. After we prayed in the home today, the grandmother just kept saying, God bless you and praise God. She is so precious. It was a lesson for me that God really does take care of those who look out for the orphans. He is so faithful!
Our last stop before heading back into town was in the same village of Mali Saba. There is a widows sewing project that I was so excited to see. A group of widows have been learning to sew, mostly clothing and school uniforms. After learning to sew, they were given sewing machines and found a place to set up a workshop that has now become their place of business. The women, mainly young widows, are now able to use the business as a means for providing food, shelter, clothing and education for their children. There is one 2 year old girl who was orphaned and left to raise her younger siblings, so she is also a part of the project. It is amazing how quickly the women have grown the business.
I ended the day back at the compound working the Shimo girls. They are working hard and doing so well. I am really proud of them and their work ethic.Each day holds new adventures and new stories to be told. It is a privilege to be here and have an up close look at how God continues to provide.
