The dormitory has been finished and the orphans are now
sleeping in their new home. This has been a long and continual prayer of ours,
and is the result of several people helping out financially. Most of all, of
course, it is the result of the goodness of God.
It was a step-by-step process, where we built as we had
funding. Every step was done in consultation with the government officials,
since we wanted all to be done properly.
The rains in Kisii have begun, so we are grateful that the
orphans now have a dry and healthy place to sleep. Were it not for the
completion of this dormitory, soon we would have begun to experience some of
the health problems that the children experienced last year. We are praying for
a much better year this time.
 |
First Step - we were able to buy
5,500 bricks |
So what’s next? Are we done?
Speaking for myself at least, I cannot say that I am done.
God has given Vivian and me no indication that we may now retire from this work. The needs
of the children continue,
 |
| leveling and preparing the site |
and with 42 of them, the cost of running the orphanage
is significant—about $5000 per month.
Food is the main expenditure, of course. But there are also
other needs, such as shoes and
clothing, cleaning supplies, personal care and
health items, fuel for cooking, and all the rest that go along with growing
children.
 |
| Footings |
Then there is the schooling. For nine months out of the
year, the fees to the schools equal about $1000 per month, plus the cost of uniforms,
books, paper, pencils, and some other incidentals.
 |
| Beginning the brick work |
Of the $5000 per month, there are no salaries included. No
one is making money in this work.
It seems overwhelming, but my attitude is that I can only do
what the Lord enables me to do. As I have told Pastor Joel on several occasions,
I have been a servant of God and of the church my entire adult life. I have
never worked in a job that has made me a man of substantial financial means. When
it comes to finances, I do what I can, but I have no great wealth to contribute.
However, throughout my life, I have seen God do amazing
things. In truth, I have seen many things happen in God’s work for
 |
| plate beam ready |
which I
could see no logical explanation. I
was not able to put pen to paper and calculate how the costs that we faced had
been paid. They were not met by extensive financial petitions or clever campaigns designed to appeal to the emotions of potential donors.
 |
| rafters are cut |
The best that I could say was that it was the result of the hand of
God.
Of the $5000 per month, there are no salaries included. No
one is making money in this work. 
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