Category Archives: 2025 Rehema Home, Kenya

Last day in Bukura

Posted on by under 2025 Rehema Home, Kenya

We had a parting shot of all of us in Bukura before we left for Nairobi. You see in the picture the children, Aunties and us. We were not leaving until 7pm out of Kisumu so had most of the day to finish up projects, play with the kids and say our goodbyes. Our projects were to patch and paint the dining area which Mr. Tom and I tiled years ago. The table that the young ones eat at was missing a bench on one side and broken on the other. Myson replaced the benches and reinforced the table. He also fixed the kitchen roof from leaking and secured the current roof. We all felt we left the place a little better then when we arrived.

Painted the Dining area
Myson fixed the table

Belinda and Kevin came home today from boarding school – common for high school in this area. I ended up walking into the village with Kevin and Lois to repair Kevin’s phone so that he could use the headphones I bought him. Doesn’t matter if you are an 18 year-old in a village in Africa or a town in the US — music and a phone are critical. We stopped at the store for a cold drink and a treat of chocolate.

Lois, Kevin and Karen
Shop in Bukura
Always a cow on the sidewalk
Downtown

As we gathered in the yard to say our goodbyes Myson entertained the kids with a demonstration of his ability to ride a unicycle — and juggling. At one point had Timo on his shoulders while juggling. A man of many talents and such a blessing to have him on our trip and with us.

Myson on his unicycle
Balloon animals
Auntie Karen and hugs
Belated Xmas Presents

Over the years I have grown close to the ladies that take care of me and the children. Saying goodbye is always hard and I leave knowing that the children will be loved and taken care of. I promised to return and made them the same promise again.

We headed back to Nairobi to have another meeting with the PEFA Board on Wednesday for lunch and game night with the young adults. There are many of the children of Rehema that have “aged” out and on their own. Some of them work for Rehema – as we do – and invited them over for a pizza party and game night. When I asked Wesley where to get the pizza he said — why Domino’s of course!

On The 7th Day……….

Posted on by under 2025 Rehema Home, Kenya

Hand in Hand Across the Continents

Today, we all went to church with the older kids. It’s part of PEFA, which stands for Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa. PEFA actually traces its roots back to the US, with the former Elim Missionaries Evangelistic Association started by Apostle Ivan Q. Spencer from Lima, New York. I hadn’t even heard of Elim until I met Rehema, and practically in my back yard. Alex, who grew up in Rehema, Nairobi, is at Elim on a scholarship and staying at my home to take care of my cats. So basically, I came to Africa to look after his home while he’s looking after mine.

We walked to church, which was just a quick 3/4 mile down the street. Along the way, we passed a bunch of folks heading to their own churches and saw cows and sheep munching on grass by the sides. The service is a total change from what I’m used to from my Catholic upbringing. It’s super lively, dynamic, and full of energy, packed with music and people really getting into the worship!

The group ready for the walk
Children having Sunday school outside
Myson preaching about Cain and Able

We were greeted at the church and told to head to the front to say hi to everyone. It felt great to see some familiar faces and get big handshakes and hugs. Myson was asked to share a message as a guest, and presented a wonderful lesson about Cain and Able.

The afternoon was mix of playtime, gift giving and patching and prepping the wall in the dining room for a fresh coat of paint tomorrow. The night ended with devotions, praying and bible reading — and rounds of games.

I hope your Sunday was as wonderful and fulfilling as mine.

It was old home week in Bukura

Posted on by under 2025 Rehema Home, Kenya

Yesterday was transition day waking up in Nairobi and going to sleep in Bukura. We took a short trip from Nairobi to Kisumu and then the 1 1/2 hour drive to Rehema Home – in the dark. It is a wild ride and not for the faint of heart. There are no stop signs, speed limits, or street lights and many vehicles do not have lights…..it is a white knuckle experience for sure. It filled my heart to be greeted by the children and Aunties that I have so missed over the year.

The next morning we went down to the market to get food for group. This year the group to Bukura is quite large. There are the 7 of us and we brought 4 young ladies that grew up in Rehema. We bought fresh fruits and vegetables and you will see below treats for the children.

Every year brings a new taste sensation. A common way to eat a fresh mango is to have them cut it up and sprinkle with a spicy salt mix. We all gave it a try with various degrees of appreciation for the taste.

We spent the afternoon with the children sharing the blue lollypops and playing in the yard. It is so amazing to me to see these children grow over the past 5 years. Truly a wonderful feeling when they remember my name, and the traditions we have started. Lois said to me, “I can see why you love this place.” I really do.

Throughout the day I would pass people that I knew and they would all stop to say hello and welcome me back. This is Jack, you may remember him from years gone by as the one that would drive us around and help Mr. Tom find all the tools and materials we needed for all of our home improvement projects.

And what would Rehema be without me loving on some babies. Lady the cat had kittens and I could not help but try and figure out how to get one home. There were also two new babies welcomed into the Rehema family and I could not help but try and figure our how to get the one home. Kidding – not kidding.

Habari za asubuhi, Rehema

Posted on by under 2025 Rehema Home, Kenya

Good Morning, Rehema

And, mornings here at Rehema start early and are very busy. We got to the home at 8am to continue projects and beat the afternoon heat. It has been in the high 80’s every day – a very different temperature from back in Rochester. The home was in full gear with only one lone child in the yard. The home was buzzing with Aunties and staff preparing for a day of caring for 50+ children. Breakfast was over and lunch was being prepared. Charcoal started to cook the stew of beans and kale, laundry and more laundry being washed and hung to dry and Aunties begining meal prep for the rush of children for the next meal.

Getting the charcoal burning for the pot
Starting to prep for lunch
Hanging laundry out to dry
Onions drying in the sun
Kale ready to be cooked
Beans, beans and more beans.

So where was everyone? The 7 new babies under 2 months – yes, 7 new ones have been taken in recently – were inside on the second nap of the day. Everyone else was in school. The grammar school kids are driven to school in the home van, the middle school kids walk and those in high school grab a matatu.

The kindergarteners get dressed every morning for a morning class on the property. Even going to school in your backyard requires the children to get properly dressed in uniforms to teach them the routine when they have to dress themselves next year.

Laundry building
Tin roof to replace
Putting down hardy board first before tin sheets
Lois painting outside lockers

We got back to our projects of painting, and replacing the roof over the laundry room that would fill with water when the rains came.

Rehema US Board meets Rehema Kenya Board

I told you we were here for many different reasons. You may call today an historical day. It was the first time that the board of directors of the two countries met. We sat down for a meal and fellowship, got to know each other and discussed our shared passion for the children of Rehema. We had the meeting at the PEFU Runda with the pastor and Bishop of the church. So much commonality even living on two different continents and 10,000 miles apart. It was also a special moment for me to be in the church where George and Paul’s funeral was held and speak to the Bishop who gave the sermon.

Another Birthday

Happy Birthday Joseph
Out on the town in Nairobi

I had the pleasure of celebrating this wonderful young mans birthday. Joseph turned 24 and we went out in style. Wesley, Joseph and I went to 270 Rooftop for dinner overlooking the city of Nairobi. We talked of life, love, politics, differences in cultures, their goals and dreams. Joseph and Wesley grew up in Rehema and now help out at the home. Joseph is the driver for the home transporting kids to schools and doctors and all the many errands that need to be done. Wesley is a burgeoning financial professional making sure the home has what it needs to keep home operating.

Go Bills

No conversation is complete without talking about sports. Both are Manchester United fans and Wesley is a KC Chiefs fan — which I totally forgive him for. Go Bills!

Karibu Rehema Home, Kenya

Posted on by under 2025 Rehema Home, Kenya

I am once again back in one of my more favorite places with my most favorite people. I have been coming here since 2020 and each trip brings me closer to the children of Rehema Home and the mission to help them grow and thrive in this world.

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The trip here is always a bit of an adventure transporting 100’s pounds of donations of clothes, shoes and much needed items. It is a 5am flight to JFK from Roc and then a 14 hour flight to Nairobi. This year I am here with a new group of people made up of fellow members of the Board of Rehema Home, USA and friends and family. Some who have been here before and others this is their first time.

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We spent the first day settling into Freda’s (a nearby home), sorting donations and a short visit to Rehema to say hello to the children. Today we will be starting the project of replacing a roof over the laundry area and will of corse be documenting the process. My first three trips I tiled floors, so why not try replacing a roof!! It is an absolutely beautiful morning here and heading down to breakfast to start this day. Can’t wait to see how it unfolds.

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