KISII REPORT - THE EVER PRESENT COMPANION

I know we all tire of hearing about the struggles of others. The world is filled with hurting people. We want to help, but it begins to become overwhelming, especially since it seems to us that no matter what we do, the struggles continue.

It would be nice if we could give our $100 or $1000 to fix some problem, and it would be resolved forever. Some things are like that. In the orphanage in Kisii, the need for a proper dormitory for the children was a critical need, and although it required a large amount of money to build it, we could steadily see the progress until it was completed. It was a very gratifying project.

But there are other aspects of life that cannot be resolved so easily. Food is one of those things. It is a daily need that does not cease.

Never before have the words of Jesus meant so much to me, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

This is our prayer for the children.

Never before has the concern that Jesus had for the people to supply them with food meant so much to me.

“I have compassion for this crowd” Jesus said to the disciples. “They have been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way.”

Hunger for the children is an almost constant companion. I am not at the orphanage, so I do not know the day-to-day struggles, but from my perspective, the difficulty seems not to be getting any easier. It depends upon many variables, including the fluctuating food costs.

Concerning the text messages in the photo on the right, I was able to send a little money on the day following. Also, last Sunday, the people from the church in Kisii brought some food for the children. The sick ones have recovered and the crisis was averted for the moment.

But I have mentioned before how the children seem even thinner to me than they did when I visited. Part of this may be because of their age. Many are entering adolescence, when kids naturally stretch out. But look also at the photo below. It does not appear natural to me. This is recess at one of the schools when the students are let out doors to “run off some energy.” Here in this photo, the kids, there seems to be no excess energy. It is not like a school recess time where I live.

We come from a land in America where food is always available. I do not doubt that there are many who are also hungry in this land, but we have food pantries, relief agencies - both government and private, school lunch programs, and other sources of food for those who cannot afford to buy it.

 

I even saw on the news the other day about a local program where at least one particular school not only feeds the children breakfast and lunch, but even sends home a box of items for the kids to eat for supper at home.

I think that this is all great, but nothing like that exists where the orphanage is located. There are no government food programs, no NGO’s or Christian charity organizations, no food pantries. There is nothing.

 

But then there is also everything: There is God. We daily look to Him

And I should add, it is not only the orphans who are going hungry. Joel tells me of people who they visit in the course of the work of the church who have also not eaten for a week. The church would like to help them all more than they do, but it is also a struggle for them. Most of the church families are in a similar situation.

Perhaps that is a subject for another time—Life in Kisii

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If you would like to help the children of the Log Church Orphanage of Kisii, Kenya, you may make your check out to "The Log Church" and write "Orphans" on the memo line.

Send it to:
        The Log Church

PO Box 68
Tripoli, Wisconsin 54564 
Every nickel given in this way will be used for only aid for the orphans. It will be used for purchasing food, clothing, schooling, and other necessities of living. Nothing is held back or diverted for any other purpose