Today we got up and out to Kakamega around 8 to do some last minute errands. We had to get our PCR test, exchange the last of our money and make returns of the many cutting apparatuses we tried along the way. And, we went in the Rehema car that was fixed. We should get our PCR test results by tomorrow at 6pm. We do need some prayers that everything happens according to plan tomorrow. We will leave Bukura at 4pm and head to Kisumu a little early for our flight to hit the Masai Craft Market. Our flight leaves at 730 and gets us into Nairobi at 830. The gives us 3 hours before our 15 hour flight back to JFK.

On our way back we stopped for some “street-treats” which was roasted corn.

The afternoon was continuing the final touches on the floor with still a bit more to do tomorrow morning. As I told you the rain falls everyday at 3pm. Well, today we had a full out hail storm – yes, hail. It was quite the storm. Rena, the cook, ran from the kitchen into the dining room because the tin roof started to shutter and the rain came in. Even the dogs came into the dining room with us to wait out the storm.

We had tea with Auntie Lauren and Mama Jacinta to better understand the needs of the home which are vast. I will be posting tomorrow where your donations went and will go and show where we still need to provide help. It will be tough to say goodbye tomorrow especially to the children. Tom walked down to the Bukura market and brought back some sugar cane for everyone. It was a special treat for all of us on our last night together.

Even though tomorrow is our last day and the end of our time here in Bukura, we will continue to pray, remember and think of ways to continue to help this amazing home, caretakers and children. More tomorrow on how we can move forward together. Asante Sana.

First, Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers and caregivers of all types. Spending time at a children’s home where the children do not have mothers was something pretty amazing. Day in and day out these Aunties take care of these children when they also have children at home. We also found out that they have not been paid since the beginning of the year which makes it even more amazing. Some of the money that you all have donated will be going to help them and we can’t thank you enough.

It was also Sunday and wanted to share with you what 7am looks and sounds like at the home. There is a girls boarding high school across the street and their beautiful voices are heard very

So, what are you eating over there?

Well, glad you asked. Today seemed to be all about food for some reason. Let’s start with the children. Every child from the age of 3ish and over eat the same meal. What ever is served for meals is served for everyone. Here is a menu that shows the meals. Meals are served in tin bowls and eaten with hands and sometimes a spoon.

The babies also eat solid foods out of tin bowls and fed by the Aunties and the children. They also have milk after lunch and water after dinner. Feeding 10 babies at once does take all hands of deck.

Auntie Rena is the cook for the home and is here every day from 6am to 6pm. We were introduced to Omeno today. It is a tiny fish that is readily caught in Lake Victoria. You can buy it on the streets where you see it drying in piles. They use it for protein for the children since they don’t get much of that. It is boiled and makes a soup file the babies and stirred into rice for the older ones.

As far as Tom and I, we have Auntie Lois cooking for us. She cooks us 3 meals a day from the food that we buy in town or at the market. Breakfast is always scrambled eggs with vegetables. Lunch ranges from cold vegetable salad and rice or left overs from the night before. Dinner can be rice and beans, chapati and vegetables or ugali and greens, Tonight was chapati, bean stew and yes, omeno.

For Mother’s Day we had a cake made to celebrate the Aunties, Mama Jacinta and Auntie Lauren (missionary) for their amazing dedication.

It is now after 9pm and as I write this blog I wanted to share with you what every night sounds like. Each night the night-shift Aunties say sing their evening prayers to watch over all of their children as they sleep-just like mothers do.

Every day like clock-work the heavens just open up, lightening and thunder roll in and the electricity turns off and moments later the generator turns on. Last time when we were here it was not hooked up so having consistent power has been great especially when you have an electric heating unit to heat the water for your shower.

The grounds get a bit muddy after each rain as you can see the red soil on the grounds – making it impossible to keep a floor clean – but that is where the tile is a god-send for these precious little ones. During today’s rain we had Auntie Lauren, Mama Jucinta, Auntie Lois and Jack (driver) over for tea and some cookies. It was a great time as they would tell us all the funny stories of the kids and their antics.

We are almost done tiling and grouting the main area and have two days to finish. Between the children, dogs and puppies it does get a bit hectic but this is their home and we enjoy the commotion. Big moment for me today – fed three babies at the same time. Sat all three in front of me and kept a steady pace feeding them rice and vegetables. Of course, there was more rice on me that may have gone into them.

Movie night at Auntie Karen and Uncle Tom’s. The children eat at 5 and at 530 we allow them to come into our room and watch a movie until 7pm devotion. It gets them out of the dining room for awhile so that Tom and I can finish up for the day. I know they are being spoiled seeing movies while we are here but it is so wonderful to be able to give them this special treat.

Another day without the majority of the kids. They are up and out to school by 7am. Belinda, who is in 6th, has to be at school by 615 and does not return until 5pm. The 4th and 5th get back around 4 and the younger ones all get back around 3. It is a very long day for these kids.

We also said goodbye to Brian and Calvin who headed off to high school. Because of their scores on tests, they are placed in certain schools. If the school is not in their hometown they have to board. It is very common here but to send off a 15 year old when they have never been away from the home they know was hard for me to watch. Of course, they were amazing and were excited for the opportunity. They even spent the day before packing their trunk for the journey.

Having the kids at school gives us the time to really work on the floor without “helping hands”. Today was grout day for me and more cutting for Tom.

I always take a break to go out and see the babies when they are outside. Here is another great way they help the kids that are ready to walk — just marvelous.

I can’t believe we are already talking about plans to return. We need to find a place for a PCR test before we leave. It needs to be a calendar day ahead of when we leave so we are going to try and find one here in Bukura on Monday. If it is positive, we won’t be able to return————-hmmmmmmmm.

Thank you for your donations. We are able to purchase all the tile needed for the two nursery rooms and girls room in addition to the tile we have for the dining room. We will find out more about the car and drainage in the next few days.

The above pic shows you how far we have gone. It is about 1/2 the room. What you see is also almost grouted. The kids were all in school today so we had the place to ourselves —- well, not really.

Did I mention there was also 4 puppies at the home? This is in addition to Mom and Dan Shepard and Bob. They were anxious to be part of it all, especially curious on what Mr. Tom was doing.

And, of course the 10 babies and 3 toddlers were home with us. It was an absolutely beautiful sun shine day high in the 70’s. Even the children were able to get outside and enjoy the weather. Yes, all of them with 1-2 Aunties. Yup:

The pic above is kind of like a search and find game. Can you find all 10 babies?

Thank you all for the notes, and again for the kind donations. We will continue to show you the difference you are making for these precious little ones.

So, the quest for cutting tile continues with two runs into town…more on that tomorrow. In the mean time just wanted to bring you a few videos from the day.

The kids wanted so desperately to help it was hard to say no.

We spent the day tiling and only being interrupted for baby feeding, hugs and an occasional dance party. We brought portable speakers so the sounds of Disney were ringing through the grounds. Every once in a while I had to locate my phone. There are no electronics so the kids are always curious when they see a phone. I am also curious to see what is on my phone when I get it back. Here are a few samples:

Just a little bit about the weather. It is glorious. Sunshine during the day and maybe in the high 70’s low 80’s with a torrential rain storm everyday around 4pm and then a big thunderstorm during the night. In the middle of the night last night the wind and rain was so strong it blew my window open and the rain on my head woke me up. With the electricity out and me without my glasses it was quite the site of me trying to shut and lock the window with my headband.

We said goodbye to George this morning who had to head back to Nairobi to help Uncle Irv (founder) prepare for his trip back to New York to present at organizations that support Rehema. What an amazing young man. He has a bright future ahead of him – if I have anything to do with it.

Usiku Mwema