July 24, 2009

Greetings from the “Unforgotten Children of Kaswanga”

Thanks to all of your prayers and financial contributions the “Forgotten Children of Kaswanga” are no longer forgotten. With 135 children being feed five days a week, receiving basic medical care and school uniforms provided annually, these children do not physically or spiritually appear forgotten. They are laughing, happy and for the most part healthy children and most have been attending the feeding center for a full year. Although orphaned, they consider themselves having a mother and father looking after their needs, albeit in America. On behalf of each of these children, I bring you their greetings and sincere thanks for making such a big difference in their lives.

As I sit in the Dubai airport I reflect on how God has shaped the last two weeks and how my trust has been tested. All of the items we hoped to accomplish were indeed completed. This however, was not done without considerable difficulty and delay. For the first five days in Kaswanga it seemed as if everything was going in the wrong direction and I was questioning how we would ever meet our goals. Even when the bore hole was finished there was difficulty in getting the submersible solar pump connected due to a control panel that needed reprogramming.

I was able witness the well water flowing into the tanks but the project was not completed while I was there. It was only after we left that the technician arrived to make the final hookup to complete the solar pump system. It felt like a great disappointment at the time, yet know I am learning lessons of humility and leaving the undone to God. Maybe it was a reminder that it wasn’t about me and my efforts but that I needed to “let go and let God”.

It was an incredible experience to see my son Joby build and install the solar panel system on the roof of the feeding center. All of the electrical and water lines were placed two feet underground in trenches that stretched almost 300 feet. All of the six water storage tanks were connected and the water tower which doubles as a farm workshop was completed with interior plastering. After nine days of six men working to finish clearing the land the garden was plowed by a tractor coming from twenty miles away. An additional four days were needed to remove stones brought to the surface by the plowing and to make the rows. I received a report yesterday that the garden is now receiving regular watering and they have already started a nursery for new plantings. Two months from now there should be another beautiful shamba (garden) with delicious fruits and fresh vegetables for the children.

Julie, the feeding center manager, is so delighted with the consistent flow of fresh unlimited water that does not need purification. With the bore hole 190 feet deep, we have an unlimited supply of clean pure water. A water sample has been submitted to the government lab to confirm the water’s purity. Now the children will not only have water to wash their hands, but for the first time will be able to wash their faces with clean water. This simple luxury will help to prevent a disease which can lead to blindness.

God has blessed our efforts and through your generous donations we have raised approximately forty percent of the expected cost. We left Kenya with: a commitment to fill the grain silos; the feeding center bore hole supplying fresh clear water; the shamba ready for planting; and 135 “unforgotten” children of Kaswanga.

We still struggle to finish paying for the expenses related to this trip, however, for less than 10 US dollars a month we are now able to provide a child with five nutritious meals a week, a school uniform and basic medical care. Isn’t God great? In about two weeks our website will be updated with new photos you will not want to miss.

Thank you again and may each of your homes receive a rich measure of God’s blessing.

Daryl, Joby and “the unforgotten children of Kaswanga”