The Pièces De Résistance
I know this will be a long email, but I can’t give you the picture any other way. Today we finally came to the pièces de résistance. For those of you who never took French or flunked French, pièces de résistance does not mean pieces of resistance, it means “The main dish or the main event.” We came here to dedicate our new Home of Grace Children’s Home and man did we dedicate it.
Many more pictures here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/DwxNNtaQxGKsLX5c6
For the past two weeks there have been more than 50 workers on the site working like crazy to get the building ready. The building looks ready, but there are still a number of little details to be done before our children can move in. The county inspectors have made it a habit of coming up with new things we need to do. The latest is a fire escape from the fourth floor that will cost $5000. Thank you Jesus! The new move-in date has been schedule for the end of December. Here in Kenya things always take longer and costs more than expected. On Thursday I ran out quickly with the driver to buy a 50 ft extension cord, “I’ll be back in a minute” I said, only to find that there is no such thing as an extension cord here. I had to buy the wire and the connectors and wait for 45 minutes while a young man put the whole thing with a worn out screw driver. But I digress!
The building is a breathtaking sight and the grounds are magnificent. You’ll find a verbal tour of the inside of the building down below. In this case, a thousand words really are better than a picture!
Here in Kenya facilities are opened with great fanfare. What I mean by that is there have to be presentations by all the groups attending, introductions of all the special guest, special introductions of pastors and bishops and government officials; then the are appreciations, special recognitions, special music, ribbon cutting, plaques unveiled and finally the grand tour of the facilities.
We were so blessed to have all of our kids from the Home of Grace Nairobi, because within a month this will be their new permanent home and many of them were afraid of the change. By the time they saw the incredible building, their new dorms and especially the tiled restrooms with hot showers and western toilets, they were excited beyond measure. By the way, when I say “western toilets” I mean raised toilets with seats, as opposed to what we call “squatty potties” which are literally big holes in the floor. At this present time the kids only have outhouses and at night they have to walk over a stony path to get to them.
Several other orphanages brought their kids to see the facility and we invited them to bring their kids over on a regular basis to fellowship with ours and to enjoy the magnificent grounds of the home.
In spite of the whole inordinate fanfare and the 6 hour meeting, it was an incredibly moving and momentous occasion for all. The new Superintendent from the Shikusa Boys Center came. Within 24 hours she has literally become a part of the Worldcomp family. She brought her boss with her, who is over the entire Shikusa Corrections system, which includes the men’s prison next door. After the meeting he came up to us and said; “After your building opens I will have someone bring you fresh food every week (especially the collard greens that are a vital part of the daily diet of Kenyans). This was particularly meaningful since Valerie had just prayed that God would provide food for the kitchen a few moments before. That’s answered prayer on the fast track. I think it was also his way of reciprocating for all the things we have done for the boys. He is very aware of our love and commitment for those boys.
This was another occasion where I wish you could have all been with us. It was a real taste of Kenyan Culture and a wonderful celebration of what God has done. Below you will find a verbal description of the Kakamega Home of Grace. Want to see of the facilities and the day clink on this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/DwxNNtaQxGKsLX5c6
Verbal Tour of the Children’s Home
The facility has 5 floors
FLOOR ONE:
On one side we have a large dining and study hall, two Kitchens (an indoor one for food prep and an outdoor one for cooking) and first floor restrooms. On the other side we have our wheel chair accessible handicap wing that will accommodate 10 special needs children and sleeping quarters for their caregivers.
SECOND FLOOR – Girls Floor
Four large dormitories with beds and closets for 12-16 children, storage areas, tiled restrooms and showers with modern western toilets.
THIRD FLOOR – Boys Floor
Four more large dormitories with beds and closets for 12 – 16 children, storage areas, tiled restrooms and showers with modern western toilets.
FOURTH FLOOR:
On one side there are large bedrooms for our staff (single staff members will double up) and two bedrooms for married couples, on the other side is a large meeting hall, which will serve as an indoor play room and conference hall large enough for 150 people. There are restrooms and staff showers on this floor as well.
FIFTH FLOOR:
A large two bedroom apartment with a kitchen and restroom facilities for short term visitors, visiting professionals and missionaries who would like to spend some extended time with the kids. Also there is a special room for our large water tanks that will provide water to the whole facility.
Each floor has a lovely sunroom that looks out on the front and a viewing deck in the back of the building that looks out over a beautiful valley.
Outdoors:
· Large Grassed Area: The entire compound has been beautifully landscaped to provide a large area with real grass and a stage for special outdoor events.
· A sport court for basketball and other activities.
· Picnic Gazebos: Two gazebos with thatched roofs where the student can meet privately with visitors. It can also be used for picnics and small meetings
· A 7 foot stone wall surrounds the whole compound
· A guard house and secure gate at the entrance to the property
· A large water tower sits on the high side of the property. Clean fresh water comes down to the Home by gravity and then it is pumped up to two large tanks on the fourth floor to provide water for the entire facility.
We can’t thank all of your enough for your contributions to this gigantic project. It is truly a miracle. Look what we have done together. We have built something that will transform the lives of desperate children for generations to come.
Blessings to you all back home. Thank you for praying for our health and safety. We are all doing fine.
Tomorrow we will worship and celebrate with the Kakamegatown PEFA Church.
Yours in Christ’s Service,
Richard