We have just returned from such an eventful trip to our second home in Kenya. As usual our family in Kenya is so very accepting and loving towards us. This trip was planned for the grand opening and moving in of the orphans we are supporting into their new home but weather and other challenges pushed that date a little ahead.
But we made up for the time by spending it with our children and getting to know them better.
We did have a couple of challenges. The first being the home’s foundation started eroding away with the unusual rain they had this year. We are thankful that we found this out before, rather than after the children move in . It was structurally firmed up with concrete posts and a platform that would stop any further damage, even in heavy rains.
The soc pit (sewer area) was another area we had to firm up with fencing and concrete to keep the walls from falling in. That was also accomplished successfully (see pics)
The final area was the platform for the water tanks. The tanks being only hard plastic but costing 800.00 USD each was needing to be protected from puncture and vandalism so a large tower is being constructed that will house the two tanks and will also help with the water pressure as we will have one tank elevated high enough to create the pressure we need.
We did explore the option of a well, as now we are depending on run off of rain for water. The well would be 10,000.00USD. Where a bore hole would be 10 x that much. So we are believing for the 10,000.00 for well at this time.
We ministered a total of 32 services in the 3 weeks we were there. We also visited 15 different village dirt homes and broke bread with them. We saw many miracles and healings as we went from village to village and hut to hut.
Every challenge we came up against we found God’s grace and supply was always nearby.
Example; taxed at airport for first time….but God gave us favor and tax was reduced 50%
dropped my camera …lens broke…further inspection UV lens filter broke so lens was intact…
thought my 25th anniversary watch Rick got me was stolen….strangely turned up with broken band in another suitcase…. I fixed band without problem…
Shining Star challenges…thought was going to be astronomical price….only 2500.00 not much for our big God….had car wreck….but was protected and unhurt, just sore…
There was more but I started seeing a pattern that every time the enemy would try, either right there or right nearby would be God’s supply so I then realized that when I felt challenged i would just start looking and anticipate the answer from God. He never disappointed me.
The home is now slated to open in April/May. In order for that to happen, we must get the funds to them to let them recover from their deficit and go forward with completion.
I am currently working on the budget for the home as we start to employ house mothers, an overseer, additional security, a cook and start the funding for feeding,and caring for the 25 who are waiting. We have additional children waiting to be supported on waiting list so the need is to get this section complete and moved in ASAP so we can begin construction on the next addition to house another 25 children.
We are also funding the children to the primary school onsite that Shining Star is partnered with. We now have more than 200 students enrolled now. ( that will be another future project !)
We appreciate all who have helped us; this is your home as well! As we go forward we are believing for more to step up and for those faithful ones to continue and help us as we love on these precious children.
My heart was so broken this trip as I realized that the adults in Kenya, or at least in the bush where we are, do not call the children by their names but only “this one” or “that one”. I immediately set as my goal to know and call each one by their names!! As i did this and it was not an easy task, the children’s beaming smiles was all the reward I needed, as they realized that someone KNEW them by name. Isn’t that what the Father does for us? He calls us by NAME. The children deserve that honor also and I am so glad I get to be the one to honor them on that way.
Its the little things that mean the most to them…things we don't think about,,,but if we didn't have it our life’s would be empty.
Bubbles (pic) was an amazing tool that brought such joy to children who have never seen a bubble and are amazed by it disappearing… A small top that costs pennies but for them a new toy or most of the time, the only toy they have ever had, apart from taking trash and creating things to play with.
I was even told by the adults that they did not allow the children to play that much as it was not useful?? Thankfully my toys supplied, I told them, an opportunity for them to get better hand and eye coordination and so was a good thing….Amazing…right? no time for just pure fun….But that is where I have decided we will be different. The children we take in will know how to be children and will learn to have fun as well as how to be a good citizen and children of God. I want a fully rounded child who is thriving in every area. And I know that this is the Fathers’s desire as well.
So thank you for coming along side of us and helping financially, physically, and with your continued prayers.
BELOW ARE SOME SPECIFICS WE NEED IMMEDIATELY AND IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. SOME ARE ONGOING AND SOME ARE ONE TIME PURCHASES.
Thank you for helping. You may donate by clicking on our PayPal link on this page or by mailing a check payable to Open Heaven Missions to;
Jubilee Family Center
1700 San Carlos #103
San Carlos, Ca 94070
CURRENT AND ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES TO BLESS SHINING STAR CHILDREN
Monthly Budget 1200.00 ongoing each month NEED EACH MONTH
Deficit 2500.00
Home finishings…mosquito netting, towels, sheets, chairs, table.etc 750.00 NEED ASAP
well on property 10,000.00 NEED in future
fence to secure property in…5000.00 NEED ASAP
secondary fence for immediate home 1500.00 NEED ASAP
kitchen for cooking 1500.00 NEED ASAP
concrete walkway around building structure and cover(where children will eat until dining area built) 1500.00 NEED ASAP
Next phase….starting budget 5000.00 need by SEPT 2016
Complete next phase 20,000.00 (note number will change if decision is made to build up 2 floors instead of staying ground level)
water pump to heat water (not in plans as deemed not necessary…I said necessary!) 300.00
SEPT trip budget (air tickets travel etc.) 3500.00
Any and all help is appreciated and tax deductible, please note on your donation if you would like to designate to one of above items and we will make sure all your gift goes there.
OPEN HEAVEN BE YOURS IN JESUS NAME!!
MUCH LOVE
PASTRS DEBBI & RICK
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