Visit to Omoja Orphanage (Jodi, Nathan and Julia)

Our driver was scheduled to pick us up at 2:30. We didn’t actually see him until 3:10, which is par for the course here in Kenya. We drove about 15 minutes from Tenwek to Umoja Children’s Home. This is an orphanage that supports approximately 50 orphans. The majority of them attend school, with approximately 8 attending nursery school at the orphanage.

We arrived and were greeted by at least 25 of the children, all smiling and friendly. Handshakes were made all around – Nathan and Julia had been prepped, but were still overwhelmed by about the 18^th kid. Even in Amish Country, we just aren’t used to that much handshaking in the U.S. We were ushered into the compound where we were given a tour of the orphanage. The overall feeling was one of community and hope. There is a nursery school room. We visited the girl’s dormitory, the boy’s dormitory, offices, restroom area, laundry area, and the stable where they have cattle for milk and raise chickens for selling eggs and such. It is quite the self-sufficient place. The grounds were impeccably clean and welcoming.

We then went to the dining hall where the children were singing. They sang a number of songs for us after we were introduced and welcomed. We were traveling with another lady who gave a Bible lesson, taught the kids a song and played a bible memory game with them. Nathan and Julia both sat and listened, however, Nathan’s morning activities caught up with him and soon his head was bobbing and eyes were closing (see picture of him finally sleeping). We handed out oranges, then said thank yous and good-byes.

The children at the orphanage were lively and very welcoming. It was a new experience for Nathan and Julia that I will have them write about soon hopefully. The stories of the many orphans here in Kenya are endless. These orphans have been taken in by a faithful couple who believes strongly in the value of education. We are thankful to have been able to visit the orphanage and will remember the experience. Support is gratefully accepted for this orphanage as follows: World Gospel Mission, PO Box 948, Marion IN 46952 (on the check account number 125-35222 that is the orphanage project account - tax deductible of course).

Our experience for this weekend is going to be safari. For all the visitors that stay a month or more, they set us up to go to Masai Mara game reserve for a weekend. So we are excited to be off for safari tomorrow AM. Hopefully we will have some good experiences to share with you next blog.