Hey there, George

This week, I am supposed to say good bye to you. Nope, not sure I can. I watched the memorial service for you and Paul on Monday and I hope you felt the love from the Rehema family, friends and community as I did.  Did you see Wesley and Joseph in their new suits we planned together? Yup, they wanted to look especially good for you both and of course in your favorite color.  I got Jacinta to Nairobi to represent Bukura and the children who loved you as their Uncle George.

You would be so proud of these two. They have been checking in with me every day and yes, we have kept our group weekly Friday FaceTime calls.

It got me thinking that over the last plus years I don’t think I told you what you really meant to me. I know – right? You hated when I would tell you this “mushy stuff” over the phone or in person so decided to write you a letter. Ok, here it goes —- ready?  Got Teddy? LOL

In April of 2022, we shared our first adventure together to Bukura and your first plane ride. I remember the moment you met Mr. Tom and I at Freda’s that morning. I knew you were nervous and you never showed it. Did I ever share with you this video as we took off?

You were in Bukura for only 4 days and our connection was immediate – or so I thought or hoped. When you left to go back to Nairobi I told you I wanted to be there for you to accomplish all the plans and dreams you shared. I wondered if you believed me? I imagined you had many promises in your life — was I just one more? I asked you to txt me when you got safely home not knowing if you would. You did, I txted back, and we did not stop txting everyday until our last one on that Friday.

Our conversations continued about life, love, and dreams. One of them being to get you a passport and a VISA to get you here. We tried twice and shared such a disappointment each time when denied. It was only last week we tried the educational route asking a local college to start an international program with you. Don’t worry, I will keep trying for one of your brothers or sisters.

We would travel together to Bukura each time I went. We had the best times there, didn’t we? Painting, tiling, and helping Mr. Tom find that tile cutter. I won’t EVEN bring up your painting skills — getting more paint on you then on the nursery wall. As usual you were capturing each child’s story through your love of the lens of a camera. Your pictures above helped get sponsors and bring awareness to the needs of the home. You set up campfires and movie nights – even an outdoor theater.

I loved the dinner time stories you and Wesley would tell of the antics of your childhood.  Always thinking Auntie and Uncle did not know about any it – and of course they did. Oh, and as we planned Joseph will be coming with Wesley and I next time. I will let you know how he does on his first plane ride and painting!!!!!

And can we talk about Christmas?  You were always over the top for that time of year making sure we watched the sun rise together at Nairobi time and then again on my time. You had to be the first person to wish me a Merry Christmas.

One of my most favorite Christmas memories will be when you, me and Wesley decided to bring Christmas to the children of Bukura.  The balloon decorations on the tree was just perfect and the smiles on your brother and sister’s faces were priceless. 

I am not even going to write about football — yes, George, Football is Life. LOL. We would talk every week about the standings and who was playing who. I would listen and pretend to know what was going on always rooting for the Rehema Team!! Even when you would prop your phone up on your couch so I could watch you and Paul play FIFA on Playstation, I would just yell a lot of Yea’s and OH NO, and Kick just to be part of it. I am sure you knew that.

Last month we were just together and it was so wonderful. Spending time with your brothers and sisters in Nairobi, the trip to see Choka, our safari with the Reagans, and time in Bukura was amazing. How I loved going out with you, Wesley and Joseph to talk about plans for your futures and what each of you wanted to do with your life.  And, yes, it was your fault we left the take aways at the restaurant, LOL.  I was so proud to see your apartment and spending time together in your home playing Mortal Combat.  The boda boda ride home in the rain will always be my favorite.

I asked Wesley and Joseph to save Teddy for me. It gave you such comfort on the nights you could not sleep and always part of our conversations. Alex is bringing it with him when he comes back to the states.

Well, I am not going to say good bye or rest in peace…….not even sure what to say. However, since this is a letter between you and me I can be as mushy as I want. You are brilliant, compassionate and a kind soul. You changed the world through your love and passion for others – and mine. Thank you and I love you.

I am saying goodbye until next year.

Adding highlights of my amazing trip. You will all be getting invites to the Race for Rehema fundraiser. See you all there and thank you for the support you have shown me and the children of Rehema.

Heading home. See you in 14 hours.

On Sunday, I went with the Reagan family on a hike in the Karura Forest. It is a forest within the city limits of Nairobi. There have been some tremendous rains causing flooding throughout the area. Schools remain closed and roads washed away. You could see the impact of the storms through out the forest by the overflowing of the creeks and blowdown of trees.

Every year my phone disappears and what I get back are pictures seen through the eyes of the children. Enjoy.

I decided to start calling Lady the Dog since she continues to have to be everywhere the kids are. I leave to go back to Nairobi tomorrow. The time has gone way to fast and to be honest, not ready to leave Bukura. This is such a special place where my soul gets renewed and my heart fills to the brim. I am already making plans for my next visit. Anyone want to come?

Today was an easy day at the home and not much to report. Wesley and George took the kids swimming at a local hotel giving Mama, Jennifer and I some quiet time to discuss the current and future needs of the home.

Wesley set up a Bukura spread sheet to help manage the income and expenses of the home and better prioritize where our fundraising efforts need to concentrate on. We have a lot of work to do and you will see me even more active than I have been in the past. It has been a great time spending so much time with those that run the home to truly understand their challenges and struggles. The Aunties and I had lunch and I was able to bring out all the jewelry I brought for them to pick through. It was so much fun to bring joy to each of these amazing women with such a little item. They are the heroes of Rehema. They take care of these children without regular pay and out of the goodness of their hearts.

We also spent time going through all the donations especially the shoes. We wanted each child to get a new pair of shoes and socks something they do not get. We presented the children with their gifts from their sponsors and enjoyed seeing them receive items they don’t ever receive.

Yes, another torrential downpour and an outage of electricity. This time some card games and play time with the new toys until the lights came back on and could once again provide the excitement of movie night.

Update on Lady the Cat. She had to be where the kids are and in the middle of it all.

Our first day in Bukura is always a shopping trip. There is food and items needed when staying in the guest quarters of the home and for the children themselves. Rehema Home is located in Bukura, a really small village in the county of Kakamega. Try searching online for Bukura and you will not come up with much except for the Bukura Agricultural College It is a street lined with dukas where we get our fresh vegetables, fruits and some of the basics until we get to a grocery store. I went down to the market with Auntie Lois for mangos, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, ginger, peppers, rice, sugar and salt.

A quick unload and off to the Kakamega with Mama Jacinta. This shopping trip is for the children. We went to the wholesale shop to order bulk items that will sustain them for up to 3 months. I want to personally thank all of those that donated money on-line. I used every penny to purchase necessary items they need to not feel hunger.

As you can see by the pictures we purchased the largest sizes they had for items like 50 KG or rice, 2 x 20LTR of cooking oil, 2KG of maize and wheat flour, 2KG salt, 500KG of tea, 10KG of detergent, and 400G or pasta.

There is more shopping tomorrow to prepare the children to back to school after their break. Mama and I will be going out to purchase books, pens, pencils, socks and shoes. They wear uniforms and need specific shoes. Can’t bring 10 children to a store to fit them? How about drawing their feet on a piece of paper and see what we can do. Speaking of shoes, I want to thank all of the donations I received of shoes. It was so needed as you can see a normal wear and tear on a pair of shoes used by one of the children.

Unlike most of us that can see a movie at any time we want, these children only see one when a guest comes. I have purchased a projector and hooked up to a laptop we are able to stream movies for them and provide a wonderful evening of laughter and treats. We turn our guest room into a theater and even Lady the house cat enjoyed the evening.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.“

Each child has a different story to how their life started. Some were orphaned, some were abandoned and some had families that could not take care of them. The beginning doesn’t really matter because when they came to Rehema Home they receive the love, support and hope for the future.

In past years, we would spend the entire time at Rehema Home in Bukura and not at the Nairobi location. This year is different. I have been able to spend the last 3 days getting to know the over 50+ children from 1-18 years of age. We made bracelets, looked at pictures of my cats, had my hair braided and just gave my attention and lots of hugs. They are hungry for it and wish I had many arms and laps for all of them.

They live in a community. They need to find friendship and comradery with each other. They have to work out squabbles and disagreements. The younger ones depend on the older ones for help and guidance. The older ones are expected to do their chores and set an example for the younger ones.

I was there today during lunch to see the process of feeding the children. There are 3 meals a day and everyone eats the same thing. If you do not like it, you don’t eat. Here the children are called to lunch and expected to line up to enter the dining area in an orderly fashion to take their place.

Then everyone waits until each child has taken their seat, settles and becomes quiet for the prayer to be said. Remarkable behavior learned by living in this loving home.

Next Stop Bukura

Wesley, George and I left for Bukura catching the 6pm flight out of Nairobi. We landed at 645 and greeted by Jack (Rehema friend and driver) and Mama Jacinta (manages the home). We had another 1 1/2 hour drive to Bukura and pulled into the home a little before 9pm. The children were able to stay up to say hello and there were immediate yelling of Auntie Karen and more hugs to go around. Hot chapati and stew were waiting for us on the table which we gobbled up. Mama came down for tea and a discussion of the plan for the week. The main goal is to access the needs of each child and the home to bring back to the US Rehema Board for resource discussion and future needs. It is a home that needs all our prayers and support to continue to provide these children with the future they deserve.

(oh and side note — yes, forgot an entire 50lb bag of donations back in Nairobi. Have no fear, it is being put on a bus tomorrow and will be in Kakamega by tomorrow night.)

Many years ago I began to sponsor an orphaned elephant named Choka at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. After following him and the organization online for years, I met him in person today.

I was able to take some of the kids with me for a day of adventure starting off with Choka, a drive through the Nairobi National Park and then feeding Giraffes.

This was all made possible by the generosity and big hearts of Mary and Tom Stevens.

The wildlife continued into the evening as well. I took George, Wesley and Joseph out for dinner and then my first boda boda ride home in the rain.

Yes, the torrential rains continue here in Africa and I feel truly blessed to be able to spend time with these beautiful people.