KISII, KENYA FLOOD REPORT

I’m afraid it’s not very good. The heavy rains continue and the problems begin to build one upon the other. The area of Kisii is one of the areas receiving the heaviest of the rains. Homes are being lost to the floods and the much needed vegetable and grain crops are being destroyed.

There is a deep heaviness in my heart as I remember these people, and how for some years they have given what little resources they have to help the orphans of the area and to help people in need. It has all been done in the name of Jesus. It is painful to me to learn of their present situation.

Joel told me of one family that he and another pastor were visiting to see how they were faring. As they were in the house, a spring of water suddenly erupted from the floor, leaving the little one-room building uninhabitable.

This isn't just mud on the floor--it IS the floor!

In the words of Pastor Joel, “The floods have destroyed everything, including the peace of this family. It is not now a living house, but a flooding place!”

The children at the orphanage, perhaps like all the children of the area, are suffering from chills during the night, crying because they are wet and cold. Even walking outside is difficult
if not impossible. It is mud everywhere, and it is of the heavy clay type that sticks to everything.

I frankly do not know where all the children of the orphanage are sleeping now, since I know that many of them had been sleeping every night on the floors. But now, with all the mud, I would think that this could not be an option.

I would also think that the road is impassible. During my visit

Main Road Into the Town Where the Orphanage is Located

there, we had mostly dry weather. But there were a couple of days when it rained, and the road instantly became a muddy slough. In the places where there was a crown on the road, anything trying to drive on top simply slipped sideways down into the ditch.

There are no government disaster relief agencies to help, no FEMA (the agency we complain about here in the US). No Red Cross, no charitable organizations that I know of in that remote place. Just the Log Church. I hope that I am wrong on that account, but I sincerely doubt it. Except for how the church can help, the people simply have to fend for themselves. (I just confirmed that this is the case. The people are left to themselves)

Last week, through the kindness of friend from our church, I was able to send the church and orphanage $500 so that they could buy food, blankets and gum boots—needs that I mentioned in the previous post on this blog. Since I have begun to be involved with these folks, all of my “sacred funds” have also gone to help these brothers and sisters. Joel reported to me what he was able to buy for the children, so I am thankful that they at least have those items. 

We do what God puts in our hands, but in the end, this is the Lord’s work. They are His children and His workers. It is God who will meet the needs of his people.

The rains are falling from above, and so must the answers for our prayers. Thank you for praying with Vivian and me, and with all the people of Kisii.

We are all looking to the Lord for help.