Older Students

Let us introduce you to our older students. Each arrive daily for school in our village. Some travel far by Matatu(van) , walking or riding a bike to get to school. One young man rides an undescribable distance up and down hills through traffic and remote areas every day. Others board near by with friends or relatives in order to be close enough to walk in . Each morning begins with devotion and bible class followed by academics until lunch. In the afternoon, Lewis enjoys overseeing the vocational arts program with the young men. They work outside with saws making puzzles that are sold through Rafiki. He works with Mr. Kagiri, a national who is gifted artistically and really cares about the students. Mr. Kagiri oversees the production of painted cards and a new line of jewelry designed by our girls. Melody teaches in the primary school but often grabs a visit with them. They are so open to hugs and embraces from her.

Joel and Sammy





Curtis and Jane



Joel, Brian,Salim,Curtis,Sammy

A look beyond

Lewis and I traveled for a one night stay "up country". It was great to have one evening alone together. I can't remember when we last had an evening alone. I tend to be a workaholic and have to be pried away from the work at hand. Lewis, however, is such a good husband in making sure that we don't drift apart and live seperate, busy lives.

After getting a recommendation from a fellow missionary, we drove up country. I am always speechless when we travel beyond our village. There is so much to see. Africa is such a different world. It was amazing how different the terrain and lives are in the country compared to city life in Nairobi. We saw lots of green gardens and people herding sheep and donkeys along the way. But, like our area, people live in such humble conditions. People work so hard to survive.

We arrived at the road that would lead us to our cottage for the night. It was only driveable by a 4-wheel drive. After heavy rains and in the dark, we went on the scarriest ride of our lives. We went up this muddy, pothole filled road, sometimes sliding sideways as we tried to continue. We drove through narrow places, barely missing trees and rocks. We continued on and up in to nowhere. There were no markings. No lights to show us our way. We finally reached the top and a Zebra ran across the road in the darkness!! As we reached the crest of the hill, 4 bulls were glaring at us, not wanting us to go further. Just moments later, we see a dark form walking toward us with a flashlight. It was someone to escort us to our cottage.

We were exhausted after the long treacherous drive and after dinner slept well. We woke up to the munching sound of cows grazing under our windows and a breath taking view. AMAZING! We went on a walking tour of the forest to learn about jungle life. Our guide was so informative. It was a great time to marvel at God's creation.

Here is a view with our cottage in the background. Melody is standing with our nature guide. He is trained and knowledgeable about the plant life in Africa. We learned a lot.

We stopped at a natural hot tub deep in the woods. It was too cold to take a dip. Notice the plant life that surrounds us. AMAZING.

These pictures are of the children who came to us on our return home. They are so beautiful to me. I love looking into their faces more than the beautiful scenery.

These were the children in charge of the little ones. They have a beauty of their own.

These were the children in charge of the little ones. They have a beauty of their own.

LOOK AT THESE KIDS!! We LOVE THEM

Melody and one of her students. She is in our oldest class of students who live on site.

Our family loves this boy. He and Anna have really connected. She has a way of making others feel loved.

John and boys his age who live in Nazareth cottage.

Children on their way to the dining hall. The older children help with the younger children. Notice the warm clothing. We were surprised at how cool the weather has been since we arrived, much cooler than we expected. It is beginning to warm up now.

These three are preschoolers on their way to the dining hall. Several cottages where the mammas and children live are in the background.

Claire, Clint and Kevin hanging out.

Gardening

Our Rafiki children really do like working in the garden. They have just recently made their own plots and have assigned days for tending to their plot. I like their work ethic.

CLOUDS PASSING BY

By Jane Shyru

Today I feel like saying yes
to blue skies
kites flying high
even children asking why

Today I watched a tiny bird fly
And heard him sing
Just celebrating his winds
Cutting a swan across the sky
Passing the clouds by

I wish I could fly
And that these silent tears
Were only clouds passing by
They say another day or so
This pain will go

Oh how can I know?

Teen Poet: CHICKEN DINNER

By Joel

Mama, don’ do it please
Don’ cook dat chicken fe dinner
We know dat chicken from she hatch
She is de only one in da batch
Dat them mongoose didn’ catch
Don’ bother cook her fer dinner

Mama don’ do it please
Don’ cook dat chicken fe dinner
Yuh mean to tell mi yuh feget
Yuh promise her to we as a pet
She not even have a chance to lay yet
An yuh going to cook her fer dinner

Mama, don’ do it please
Don’ cook dat chicken fe dinner
Don’ give Henrietta da chop
Aha tell yuh what
We could swap
We could get you another one from de shop
If yuh promise not to cook her fer dinner

Mama, me really glad yuh know
Yuh never cook Henny fer dinner
An she glad too ah bet
Oh gosh
Mi suddenly feel upset
Yuh don’ suppose is somebody pet
We eating now fer dinner?

MY HEROES

Dr. Amy Luedemann and Barbara Johnston

Meet Dr. Amy Luedemann and Barbara Johnston, my heroes. Amy is a pediatric dentist and with Barbara's help these ladies set up a dental clinic in our village and offered dental services for our Rafiki children, teachers and national staff. They did a fantastic job. Their cottage was right next to mine which made it easy for me to deliver children and check on progress. I was amazed at how they graciously served all who came. Most were anxious or even terrified to be seen by a dentist. Kenyans don't have access to dental care and as a result advanced decay and brown teeth are common. I witnessed dramatic results as Barbara and Amy worked together to turn brown teeth white again!! I hope I don't forget one of our ladies reaction after her appointment with the dental team. She was smiling and laughing with a group of ladies around her. When I joined them, she told me she used to never smile or laugh before, because her teeth were so embarassing. She was now enjoying the new freedom to smile !!! Our teenagers whose teeth were in bad shape are smiling big smiles.
I took my Primary 3 students for their dentist visit. They learned proper toothbrushing with the Puppet named Chompers. I realized how these children have become like my own, as I watched over them them at our dentist visit.
These ladies cleaned teeth, filled cavities and pulled even wisdom teeth ( the biggest teeth I've ever seen}. Hooray for these two courageous ladies who on their own came and willingly gave their time and talents to help others. Barbara has returned home. Amy is packing her dental instruments to travel to Uganda tomorrow. She will be offering her services at the Rafiki village there. She has already served in Malawi and Nigeria.

My students watching the first classmate from the door. They were a bit nervous about what was going to happen.

Everyone present was called in to view this students tongue. Amy showed us his tongue that only few in the world have. On the surface of his tongue are shapes that move around. REALLY!!!!

More of Barbara and a student. The procedure is to have patients lie on a mattress and receive dental work. Thanks Barbara for working tirelessly for days......

This is Amy with one of my students. She had never been to the dentist before. Amy relieved her fears and did a lot of dental work for her.

All our students did the pink dye test. Amy painted this pink dye on their teeth. They brush and the dye that remains shows them where they are not brushing. We had a lot of pink teeth. There is much room for improvement here.

Here is Amy with Chompers the frog to demonstrate proper toothbrushing techniques. Every child got a new toothbrush. We hope their toothbrushing will improve.

One of my students getting an upclose look at his teeth. Mirrors aren't as common here as in the States.

I asked her why is she in Africa, when she could be in the US where life is alot easier and alot more lucrative.


She told me, "my heart goes out to serve those who have so little. There are only 60-80 dentists in all of Kenya. Most have no opportunities to receive good dental care and the needs are tremendous. It is most rewarding to show the love of Christ through providing dental care and God's touch to the people here." I was there one day and Amy asked me if I remembered the scene from "Chariots of Fire ' when Eric Little told others that he felt the pleasure of God when he was running? She said "today, as I am taking care of the people here, I too feel the pleasure of God" . There is nothing better..........